Image forming apparatus, responding method, and responding program

Abstract

To prevent overlapping display of search results of image forming apparatuses without changing processing in an information processing apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 4 has a standard printing function to perform image formation on the basis of print data received from a portable terminal 2, and an enhanced printing function advanced compared with the standard printing function. The image forming apparatus 4 is provided with: a receiving unit 60 that receives a standard printing service search request that is a request for searching for an image forming apparatus 4 corresponding to the standard printing function, and a print plug-in search request that is a request for searching for an image forming apparatus 4 corresponding to the enhanced printing function; a transmitting unit 61 that responds to the standard printing service search request and the print plug-in search request; and a control unit 30 that causes the transmitting unit 61 to preferentially respond to the print plug-in search request received by the receiving unit 60 from a portable terminal 2 identical to the portable terminal 2, over the standard printing service search request received by the receiving unit 60 from the portable terminal 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a response method and a response program, and is suitably applied to an image forming apparatus that responds to a search for an image forming apparatus by a mobile terminal, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an information processing system has been proposed in which, when an information processing device searches for an image forming device, the operating system of the information processing device performs control according to a script, thereby preventing the search results of image forming devices using a standard print service, which is the standard print service of the operating system, and the search results of image forming devices using a print plug-in from being displayed overlappingly on the information processing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-160158 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in such an information processing system, the operating system in the information processing device performs control, and therefore it is necessary to change the design of the operating system. This is difficult to achieve, particularly when one is not in a position to intervene in the development of the operating system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose an image forming device, a response method, and a response program that can prevent duplicate display of search results for an image forming device without changing the processing in an information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve such problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a first printing function that forms an image based on printing data received from an information processing device and a second printing function that is more advanced than the first printing function, and is provided with a receiving unit that receives first communication data that is a request to search for an image forming device corresponding to the first printing function and second communication data that is a request to search for an image forming device corresponding to the second printing function, a transmitting unit that responds to the first communication data and the second communication data, and a control unit that causes the transmitting unit to respond preferentially to the second communication data received by the receiving unit from the same information processing device as the information processing device over the first communication data received by the receiving unit from the information processing device.

[0007] Furthermore, in the response method of the present invention, in an image forming device having a first printing function for forming an image based on printing data received from an information processing device and a second printing function that is more advanced than the first printing function, the response method includes a receiving step for receiving first communication data which is a request for searching for an image forming device corresponding to the first printing function and second communication data which is a request for searching for an image forming device corresponding to the second printing function, and a response step for responding preferentially to the second communication data received from the same information processing device as the information processing device in the receiving step over the first communication data received from the information processing device in the receiving step.

[0008] Furthermore, in the response program of the present invention, an image forming device having a first printing function for forming an image based on printing data received from an information processing device and a second printing function that is more advanced than the first printing function is made to function as a receiving unit that receives first communication data, which is a request to search for an image forming device corresponding to the first printing function, and second communication data, which is a request to search for an image forming device corresponding to the second printing function, a transmitting unit that responds to the first communication data and the second communication data, and a control unit that causes the receiving unit to respond preferentially to the second communication data received by the receiving unit from the same information processing device as the information processing device, rather than to the first communication data received by the receiving unit from the information processing device.

[0009] The present invention is capable of responding to first communication data and second communication data normally transmitted by an information processing device by giving priority to the second communication data over the first communication data, and allowing the information processing device to recognize an image forming device searched for using the second communication data. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, an image forming device, a response method, and a response program can be realized that, when an information processing device normally sends first communication data and second communication data, the information processing device responds with priority to the second communication data over the first communication data, and the information processing device can be made to recognize an image forming device searched for using the second communication data, thereby preventing duplicate display of search results for image forming devices without changing the processing in the information processing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the information processing system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a response waiting time setting screen. [Figure 4] 13A shows a communication record table, in which (A) shows a case where a print plug-in search request is received after a standard print service search request, and (B) shows a case where a standard print service search request is received after a print plug-in search request. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a print screen. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a printing process procedure. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a search process procedure. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a standard print service search process. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a print plug-in search process procedure. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a search request response processing procedure according to the first exemplary embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a search request response processing procedure according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings. 1. First embodiment [1-1. Information processing system configuration] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, an information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment is composed of a mobile terminal 2 and an image forming device 4 (image forming devices 4A, 4B, and 4C). Hereinafter, the image forming devices 4A, 4B, and 4C are also collectively referred to as the image forming device 4. The mobile terminal 2 and the image forming devices 4A, 4B, and 4C are connected by a communication network NT, which is a wireless network, and are capable of communicating with each other. In Fig. 2, the image forming devices 4A, 4B, and 4C are collectively referred to as the image forming device 4.

[0013] [1-2. Configuration of mobile device] The mobile terminal 2 is a portable device such as a smartphone, and is held and carried by a user who uses the image forming apparatus 4. The mobile terminal 2 has a control unit 6, a display operation unit 8, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 16, and the control unit 6 controls the entire device. The control unit 6 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) and the like, and executes functions such as an operating system 18, a printing system 20, a standard printing service 22, and a print plug-in 24 by reading and executing a predetermined program. The mobile terminal 2 also transmits print data to an externally provided image forming apparatus 4, causing the image forming apparatus 4 to execute printing.

[0014] The operating system 18 is basic software for controlling the mobile terminal 2, such as iOS (registered trademark) or Android OS (registered trademark). The printing system 20 is incorporated as part of the functions of the operating system 18, and performs various controls related to printing. The printing system 20 has a standard printing service 22 and a print plug-in 24 as software components.

[0015] The standard print service 22 is pre-installed in the operating system 18 and provides a standard print function that is the minimum function related to printing. By using the print system 20 and the standard print service 22, the operating system 18 is able to print with the minimum function even in the initial state of the mobile terminal 2.

[0016] The standard printing service 22 has a search unit 25 and a printing unit 26. The search unit 25 searches for the image forming device 4 via the communication unit 16. In the present embodiment, the search unit 25 searches for the image forming device 4 using IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) as a first communication protocol as a search protocol. The printing unit 26 prints on paper.

[0017] The print plug-in 24 is installed in response to user operation from the printer vendor's homepage, application distribution service, etc., and provides an extended print function that is an extended function of the standard print function. By using the print system 20 and the print plug-in 24, the operating system 18 is able to perform printing using unique functions provided by the printer vendor.

[0018] The print plug-in 24 has a search unit 27 and a printing unit 28. The search unit 27 searches for the image forming device 4 via the communication unit 16. In the present embodiment, the search unit 27 searches for the image forming device 4 using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) as a second communication protocol as a search protocol. The printing unit 28 prints on paper.

[0019] In this way, the mobile terminal 2 uses a program called the print plug-in 24 when printing. To use the functions of the print plug-in 24, the user needs to download the print plug-in 24 and install it on the mobile terminal 2. However, it takes time for the user to find the most suitable print plug-in 24, and there is also a possibility that the wrong print plug-in 24 will be installed. In addition, in the initial state of the mobile terminal 2, the print plug-in 24 is not installed on the mobile terminal 2, so the user of the mobile terminal 2 cannot print. Therefore, in recent years, the operating system 18 of the mobile terminal 2 has come to support printing functions as standard, and it has become possible to print with minimum functions using the standard print service 22.

[0020] The display operation unit 8 is configured with, for example, a touch panel, and outputs information to the user by displaying, for example, the print screen DIP2 shown in Fig. 5, and also acquires operation input from the user on the print screen DIP2. The storage unit 12 is configured with a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores information on the print screen DIP2. The communication unit 16 communicates with the image forming device 4 via the communication network NT.

[0021] [1-3. Configuration of image forming device] The image forming device 4 is a printer that prints on paper, and receives print data from the portable terminal 2 and executes printing of the print data. The image forming device 4 has a control unit 30, a display operation unit 32, a storage unit 36, and a communication unit 38, and the entire device is controlled by the control unit 30. The control unit 30 has a CPU (not shown) and the like, and reads and executes predetermined programs to perform various processes and control responses to the portable terminal 2.

[0022] The display operation unit 32 is configured by, for example, a touch panel, and outputs information to the user by displaying, for example, a response waiting time setting screen DIP1 shown in FIG. 3, and also acquires operational input from the user on the response waiting time setting screen DIP1.

[0023] The control unit 30 displays a response waiting time setting screen DIP1 shown in FIG. 3 on the display operation unit 32 in response to a user's operation on the display operation unit 32. The response waiting time setting screen DIP1 has a waiting time setting field 40. The waiting time setting field 40 displays options of waiting times such as 0.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds, 0.3 seconds, and 0.4 seconds, and allows the user to select the waiting time. When the waiting time is selected by the user, the control unit 30 records the waiting time in the storage unit 36. This waiting time is the time during which the image forming device 4 waits without immediately responding to the search request after receiving a search request from the portable terminal 2 by the standard print service 22 or the print plug-in 24. During this waiting time, the image forming device 4 may receive a search request again from the same portable terminal 2 (details will be described later). The options for this waiting time have an upper limit of, for example, 1.0 second (not shown). This prevents the image forming device 4 from waiting continuously from receiving a search request until receiving the next search request.

[0024] The storage unit 36 ​​(FIG. 2) is composed of a ROM and a RAM, and stores a communication record table 42a (FIG. 4(A)), a communication record table 42b (FIG. 4(B)), and a waiting time shown in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, the communication record tables 42a and 42b are collectively referred to as a communication record table 42. The communication record table 42 is composed of an IP address record unit 43, a communication protocol record unit 44, and a reception time record unit 45. The IP address record unit 43 indicates the IP address of the sender of the search request. The communication protocol record unit 44 indicates the protocol of the search request. The reception time record unit 45 indicates the reception time, which is the time when the search request is received. When the image forming device 4 performs communication, the control unit 30 updates the communication record table 42 by adding the contents of the communication to the IP address record unit 43, the communication protocol record unit 44, and the reception time record unit 45, respectively.

[0025] The communication unit 38 (FIG. 2) has a receiving unit 60 and a transmitting unit 61, and communicates with the portable terminal 2 via the communication network NT. The receiving unit 60 receives a search request from the portable terminal 2. The transmitting unit 61 transmits a response to the search request to the image forming device 4 under the control of the control unit 30.

[0026] The image forming devices 4A, 4B, and 4C (FIG. 1) support different search protocols. Only the image forming device 4A supports IPP, which is the search protocol of the standard print service 22. The image forming devices 4A and 4B support SNMP, which is the search protocol of the print plug-in 24. The image forming device 4C does not support either the search protocol IPP, which is the search protocol of the standard print service 22, or the search protocol SNMP, which is the search protocol of the print plug-in 24.

[0027] [1-4. Print screen configuration] When a user selects to print in a specific application, the control unit 6 of the mobile terminal 2 displays a print screen DIP2 shown in Fig. 5 on the display operation unit 8. The print screen DIP2 is composed of a search result field 50, a print setting field 51, a print preview field 52, and a print button 53.

[0028] The search result field 50 displays the image forming apparatus names, which are the names of the image forming apparatuses 4 searched for via the communication network NT. The search result field 50 also displays the image forming apparatus names searched for by the search unit 25 of the standard print service 22 and the image forming apparatus names searched for by the search unit 27 of the print plug-in 24 together. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 4A and the image forming apparatus 4B are the image forming apparatus names of the image forming apparatuses 4 searched for by the print plug-in 24. The user selects the image forming apparatus 4 to be used for printing from the search result field 50.

[0029] The print setting field 51 displays print settings that differ depending on the image forming device 4 selected by the user in the search result field 50. At this time, when the image forming device 4 searched for by the standard print service 22 is selected by the user in the search result field 50, the print setting field 51 displays print settings corresponding to the standard print service 22. On the other hand, when the image forming device 4 searched for by the print plug-in 24 is selected by the user in the search result field 50, the print setting field 51 displays print settings corresponding to the print plug-in 24. The user decides the desired print settings in the print setting field 51.

[0030] The print preview field 52 displays a print preview according to the print settings determined in the print setting field 51. The print button 53 is tapped by a user who wishes to execute printing.

[0031] [1-5. Printing process] Next, a print processing procedure RT1, which is a specific processing procedure of the print processing executed by the control unit 6 of the mobile terminal 2 to search for the image forming device 4 and perform printing using the image forming device 4, will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. When the user selects to print in a specific application, the control unit 6 starts the print processing procedure RT1 and proceeds to step SP1.

[0032] In step SP1, the control unit 6 displays the print screen DIP2 shown in Fig. 5 on the display operation unit 8, and proceeds to step SP2. In step SP2, the control unit 6 requests the printing system 20 from the operating system 18 to start a search processing procedure SRT1, and executes the search processing procedure SRT1 (described later) shown in Fig. 7, thereby searching for the image forming device 4, and proceeds to step SP3.

[0033] After completion of the search processing procedure SRT1, the printing system 20 notifies the operating system 18 of the image forming device information, which is information indicating the image forming device 4 searched for by the standard printing service 22, and the image forming device information, which is information indicating the image forming device 4 searched for by the print plug-in 24.

[0034] In step SP3, the control unit 6 displays the names of the image forming devices 4 searched for by the standard print service 22 in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5) by the operating system 18, and then proceeds to step SP4. In step SP4, the control unit 6 displays the names of the image forming devices 4 searched for by the print plug-in 24 in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5) by the operating system 18, and then proceeds to step SP5. In this embodiment, the control unit 6 displays the image forming devices 4A and 4B searched for by the print plug-in 24 in the search result field 50.

[0035] In step SP5, the control unit 6 waits until the user selects an image forming device 4 in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5). When the name of the image forming device 4 that is the search result is displayed in the search result field 50, the user selects the image forming device 4 on which the user wishes to print from the search result field 50. In step SP6, the control unit 6 waits until the user determines the print settings in the print setting field 51 of the print screen DIP2. The user determines the desired print settings in the print setting field 51, and checks the print image by looking at the print preview field 52.

[0036] In step SP7, the control unit 6 waits until the print button 53 on the print screen DIP2 is tapped by the user, and when it is tapped, the control unit 6 performs printing at the image forming device 4 selected in the search result field 50 by sending print data with the print settings determined in the print setting field 51, and then proceeds to step SP8 and ends the print processing procedure RT1. At this time, if the image forming device 4 selected in the search result field 50 is the image forming device 4 searched for by the standard print service 22, the printing unit 26 sends the print data to the image forming device 4. On the other hand, if the image forming device 4 selected in the search result field 50 is the image forming device 4 searched for by the print plug-in 24, the printing unit 28 sends the print data to the image forming device 4.

[0037] [1-5-1. Search process] Next, a specific processing procedure of the search process for the image forming device 4 by the portable terminal 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. In step SP2 of the print processing procedure RT1 (Fig. 6), the control unit 6 starts a search processing procedure SRT1 (Fig. 7) by the print system 20, and proceeds to step SP11. When the print system 20 receives a request to start the search processing procedure SRT1 from the operating system 18, the control unit 6 starts the search process by the print system 20 in step SP11, and proceeds to step SP12.

[0038] In step SP12, the control unit 6 executes a standard print service search processing procedure SRT11 (described later) shown in FIG. 8 to search for the image forming device 4 by the standard print service 22 using the IPP protocol, and then proceeds to step SP13.

[0039] In step SP13, the control unit 6 executes the print plug-in search processing procedure SRT12 (described later) shown in FIG. 9 to search for the image forming device 4 using the print plug-in 24 by using the SNMP protocol, then proceeds to step SP14, terminates the search processing procedure SRT1, and proceeds to step SP3 in the print processing procedure RT1 (FIG. 6).

[0040] [1-5-1-1. Standard print service search process] Next, a specific processing procedure of the standard print service search process by the mobile terminal 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. In step SP12 of the search processing procedure SRT1 (Fig. 7), the control unit 6 starts a standard print service search processing procedure SRT11 (Fig. 8) by the standard print service 22, and proceeds to step SP21. When the standard print service 22 receives a search request from the printing system 20, in step SP21 the control unit 6 starts the search process by the standard print service 22, and proceeds to step SP22.

[0041] In step SP22, the control unit 6 transmits a search request to the image forming device 4 using the IPP protocol through the search unit 25, and proceeds to step SP23. In step SP23, the control unit 6 determines through the search unit 25 whether or not a response to the search request has been received from the image forming device 4. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that there has been a response from the image forming device 4 to the search request by the IPP protocol, and in this case the control unit 6 proceeds to step SP24. In step SP24, the control unit 6 notifies the printing system 20 of image forming device information, which is information indicating the image forming device 4 that has responded, from the search unit 25 (i.e., the standard printing service 22), and proceeds to step SP25, ends the standard printing service search processing procedure SRT11, and proceeds to step SP13 in the search processing procedure SRT1 (FIG. 7).

[0042] The printing system 20 notifies the operating system 18 of the image forming device information received from the search unit 25 (standard printing service 22). The operating system 18 displays the name of the image forming device indicated by the image forming device information in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5).

[0043] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP23, this indicates that there has been no response from the image forming device 4 to the search request via the IPP protocol, and in this case the control unit 6 skips step SP24 and proceeds to step SP25, terminates the standard print service search processing procedure SRT11, and proceeds to step SP13 in the search processing procedure SRT1 (Figure 7).

[0044] [1-5-1-2. Print plug-in search process] Next, a specific procedure for the print plug-in search process by the mobile terminal 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9. In step SP13 of the search process procedure SRT1 (Fig. 7), the control unit 6 starts a print plug-in search process procedure SRT12 (Fig. 9) by the print plug-in 24, and proceeds to step SP31. When the print plug-in 24 receives a search request from the printing system 20, the control unit 6 starts the search process by the print plug-in 24 in step SP31, and proceeds to step SP32.

[0045] In step SP32, the control unit 6 transmits a search request to the image forming apparatus 4 by the search unit 27 using the SNMP protocol, and proceeds to step SP33. In step SP33, the control unit 6 determines by the search unit 27 whether or not a response to the search request has been received from the image forming apparatus 4. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that there has been a response from the image forming apparatus 4 to the search request by the SNMP protocol, and in this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to step SP34. In step SP34, the control unit 6 notifies the print system 20 of image forming apparatus information, which is information indicating the image forming apparatus 4 that has responded, from the search unit 27 (i.e., the print plug-in 24), and proceeds to step SP35, where the print plug-in search processing procedure SRT12 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step SP14 in the search processing procedure SRT1 (FIG. 7).

[0046] The printing system 20 notifies the operating system 18 of the image forming device information received from the search unit 27 (print plug-in 24). The operating system 18 displays the name of the image forming device indicated by the image forming device information in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5).

[0047] [1-6. Search request response processing] Next, a search request response processing procedure RT2, which is a specific processing procedure of the search request response processing, which is a process of responding to a search request from the mobile terminal 2, executed by the control unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 4, will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 10. When the image forming apparatus 4 is powered on, the control unit 30 starts the search request response processing procedure RT2 and proceeds to step SP41.

[0048] In step SP41, the control unit 30 receives a search request from the mobile terminal 2 via the receiving unit 60, and proceeds to step SP42. In step SP42, the control unit 30 determines whether the search request is a search request by the standard printing service 22 (hereinafter also referred to as a standard printing service search request) and whether the image forming device 4 supports the standard printing service search request (hereinafter also referred to as the image forming device 4 being a standard printing service compatible device). If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the search request is a standard printing service search request and the image forming device 4 is a standard printing service compatible device, and in this case the control unit 30 proceeds to step SP43.

[0049] In this embodiment, since the image forming device 4A supports the standard print service search request, when the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4A receives the standard print service search request in step SP41, the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4A proceeds to step SP43. On the other hand, when the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4A receives a search request by the print plug-in 24 (hereinafter also referred to as a print plug-in search request) in step SP41, the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4A proceeds to step SP49. On the other hand, since the image forming devices 4B and 4C do not support the standard print service search request, when the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4B and 4C receives the standard print service search request in step SP41, the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4B and 4C proceeds to step SP49.

[0050] In step SP43, the control unit 30 updates the communication record table 42a (FIG. 4A) and proceeds to step SP44. When a standard print service search request is received before a print plug-in search request, for example, if the IP address of the mobile terminal 2 that is the sender of the search request is 1.2.3.4, the control unit 30 records 1.2.3.4 in the IP address recording unit 43, IPP in the communication protocol recording unit 44, and the time when the search request was received, for example, 12:34:01, in the reception time recording unit 45.

[0051] In step SP44, the control unit 30 does not immediately respond to the standard printing service search request, but waits for the waiting time set in the waiting time setting field 40 of the response waiting time setting screen DIP1 (FIG. 3), for example, 0.4 seconds, and then proceeds to step SP45. As a result, the control unit 30 prevents the name of the image forming device searched for by the standard printing service 22 from being displayed in the search result field 50 on the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5) of the mobile terminal 2, only during the waiting time.

[0052] In step SP45, while waiting for a response to the search request, the control unit 30 receives a print plug-in search request from the same IP address as the IP address recorded in the IP address recording unit 43 (i.e., the mobile terminal 2), and determines whether or not the image forming device 4 is a print plug-in compatible device. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that while waiting for a response to the standard print service search request from the mobile terminal 2, a print plug-in search request was not received from the same mobile terminal 2, or a print plug-in search request was received from the same mobile terminal 2 but the image forming device 4 is not a print plug-in compatible device, and in this case the control unit 30 proceeds to step SP46.

[0053] In step SP46, the control unit 30 responds to the standard printing service search request for which a response has been awaited by the transmission unit 61, then proceeds to step SP54 and ends the search request response processing procedure RT2. This causes the control unit 6 of the mobile terminal 2 to display, via the operating system 18, the image forming device name of the image forming device 4 searched for by the standard printing service 22 in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5).

[0054] On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP45, this indicates that while waiting for a response to the standard print service search request from the mobile terminal 2, a print plug-in search request is received from the same mobile terminal 2, and the image forming device 4 is a print plug-in compatible device, and in this case the control unit 30 proceeds to step SP47.

[0055] In step SP47, the control unit 30 updates the communication record table 42a (FIG. 4(A)), and proceeds to step SP48. For example, if the IP address of the mobile terminal 2 that is the sender of the search request is 1.2.3.4 as described above, the control unit 30 additionally records 1.2.3.4 in the IP address recording unit 43, SNMP in the communication protocol recording unit 44, and the time when the search request was received, for example, 12:34:03, in the reception time recording unit 45.

[0056] In step SP48, the control section 30 does not respond to the standard print service search request via the transmission section 61, and proceeds to step SP53. In step SP53, the control section 30 responds to the print plug-in search request received in step SP41, and proceeds to step SP54, where the search request response processing procedure RT2 is terminated.

[0057] For this reason, the control unit 6 of the mobile terminal 2 is compatible with both the standard print service search request and the print plug-in search request, and for an image forming device 4A that receives a print plug-in search request after a standard print service search request, only the image forming device 4A searched for by the print plug-in 24 that allows detailed print settings is displayed in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5), but the image forming device 4A searched for by the standard print service search request is not displayed. This allows the control unit 6 to prevent the image forming device 4 searched for by the standard print service 22 and the image forming device 4 searched for by the print plug-in 24 from being displayed in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5) in a duplicated manner.

[0058] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP42, this indicates that at least either the search request is a print plug-in search request or the image forming device 4 is not a standard print service compatible device, and in this case the control unit 30 proceeds to step SP49.

[0059] In step SP49, the control unit 30 determines whether the search request is a print plug-in search request and whether the image forming device 4 is a print plug-in compatible device. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the search request is a print plug-in search request and that the image forming device 4 is a print plug-in compatible device, and in this case the control unit 30 proceeds to step SP50.

[0060] In the present embodiment, since the image forming device 4A supports print plug-in search requests, when a print plug-in search request is received in step SP41, the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4A proceeds to step SP50. On the other hand, the image forming device 4B does not support standard print service search requests but supports print plug-in search requests, so when a print plug-in search request is received in step SP41, the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4B proceeds to step SP50.

[0061] In step SP50, the control unit 30 updates the communication record table 42b (FIG. 4(B)) and proceeds to step SP51. When a print plug-in search request is received before a standard print service search request, for example, if the IP address of the mobile terminal 2 that is the sender of the search request is 1.2.3.4, the control unit 30 records 1.2.3.4 in the IP address recording unit 43, SNMP in the communication protocol recording unit 44, and the time when the search request was received, for example, 12:34:01, in the reception time recording unit 45.

[0062] In step SP51, the control unit 30 does not immediately respond to the print plug-in search request, but waits for the waiting time set in the waiting time setting field 40 of the response waiting time setting screen DIP1 (FIG. 3), for example, 0.4 seconds, and then proceeds to step SP52. As a result, the control unit 30 prevents the name of the image forming device searched for by the print plug-in 24 from being displayed in the search result field 50 on the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5) of the mobile terminal 2, only during the waiting time.

[0063] In step SP52, while waiting for a response to the search request, the control unit 30 receives a standard print service search request from the same IP address as the IP address recorded in the IP address recording unit 43 (i.e., the mobile terminal 2), and determines whether or not the image forming device 4 is a device compatible with the standard print service. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that while waiting for a response to the print plug-in search request from the mobile terminal 2, a standard print service search request was not received from the same mobile terminal 2, or a standard print service search request was received from the same mobile terminal 2 but the image forming device 4 is not a device compatible with the standard print service, and in this case the control unit 30 proceeds to step SP53.

[0064] In step SP53, the control unit 30 responds to the print plug-in search request for which a response has been awaited by using the transmission unit 61, then proceeds to step SP54 and ends the search request response processing procedure RT2. This causes the control unit 6 of the mobile terminal 2 to display, via the operating system 18, in the search result field 50, the image forming device names of the image forming devices 4A and 4B searched for by the print plug-in 24, as shown in the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5).

[0065] On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP52, this indicates that while waiting for a response to the print plug-in search request from the mobile terminal 2, a standard print service search request is received from the same mobile terminal 2, and the image forming device 4 is a standard print service compatible device, in which case the control unit 30 proceeds to step SP47.

[0066] In step SP47, the control unit 30 updates the communication record table 42b (FIG. 4(B)), and proceeds to step SP48. For example, if the IP address of the mobile terminal 2 that is the sender of the search request is 1.2.3.4 as described above, the control unit 30 additionally records 1.2.3.4 in the IP address recording unit 43, IPP in the communication protocol recording unit 44, and the time when the search request was received, for example, 12:34:03, in the reception time recording unit 45.

[0067] In step SP48, the control section 30 does not respond to the standard print service search request, and proceeds to step SP53. In step SP53, the control section 30 responds to the print plug-in search request received in step SP41, and proceeds to step SP54 to end the search request response processing procedure RT2.

[0068] For this reason, the control unit 6 of the mobile terminal 2 is compatible with both the standard print service search request and the print plug-in search request, and for an image forming device 4A that receives a standard print service search request after a print plug-in search request, only the image forming device 4A searched for by the print plug-in 24 that allows detailed print settings is displayed in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5), but the image forming device 4A searched for by the standard print service search request is not displayed. This allows the control unit 6 to prevent the image forming device 4 searched for by the standard print service 22 and the image forming device 4 searched for by the print plug-in 24 from being displayed in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5) in a duplicated manner.

[0069] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP49, this indicates that the image forming device 4 is neither a standard print service compatible device nor a print plug-in compatible device, and in this case the control unit 30 proceeds to step SP54 and ends the search request response processing procedure RT2. In this embodiment, since the image forming device 4C is incompatible with both the standard print service search request and the print plug-in search request, the control unit 30 of the image forming device 4C obtains a negative result in step SP49.

[0070] As described above, the image forming device 4A supports both the standard print service 22 and the print plug-in 24. The image forming device 4B does not support the standard print service 22 but supports the print plug-in 24. The image forming device 4C does not support both the standard print service 22 and the print plug-in 24. In contrast, the search request response processing procedure RT2 as described above is performed in the image forming device 4, so that after completion of step SP4 in the print processing procedure RT1 (FIG. 6) by the mobile terminal 2, the image forming device 4A displays only the search results by the print plug-in 24 in the search result field 50 (FIG. 5). The image forming device 4B displays the search results by the print plug-in 24 in the search result field 50. The image forming device 4C does not display the search results in the search result field 50. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, one each of the image forming device 4A and the image forming device 4B is displayed in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2.

[0071] [1-7. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, the image forming device 4 (image forming device 4A in this embodiment) that supports both the search protocol by the standard print service 22 and the search protocol by the print plug-in 24 does not respond immediately but waits for a standby time even when it receives a standard print service search request from the mobile terminal 2. Furthermore, if the image forming device 4A receives a print plug-in search request during the standby time from the same mobile terminal 2 that received the standard print service search request, it does not respond to the standard print service search request but only responds to the print plug-in search request.

[0072] Therefore, even if the image forming device 4A receives both a standard print service search request and a print plug-in search request, it is possible to prevent the names of both the image forming device 4A based on the response to the standard print service search request and the image forming device 4A based on the response to the print plug-in search request from being displayed in duplicate in the search result section 50 of the print screen DIP2 (Figure 5) on the mobile terminal 2, and it is possible to display only one image forming device 4A.

[0073] This allows the mobile terminal 2 to prevent a situation where the same image forming device name is displayed multiple times in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2, and the user is unable to distinguish between the image forming device 4 using the print plug-in 24 and the image forming device 4 using the standard print service 22, making it difficult to make an appropriate selection when selecting the image forming device 4 using the print plug-in 24. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 2 can preferentially display image forming devices 4 that support extended print functions in response to a print plug-in search request, which may support print functions not supported by the standard print functions and are therefore highly convenient. In this way, the mobile terminal 2 allows the user to set print functions in detail.

[0074] Furthermore, if the image forming device 4A does not receive a print plug-in search request from the same mobile terminal 2 that received the standard print service search request during the waiting time after receiving the standard print service search request from the mobile terminal 2, the image forming device 4A responds to the standard print service search request.

[0075] Therefore, when the image forming device 4A receives only the standard print service search request, it can display only one image forming device 4A based on the response to the standard print service search request in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 on the mobile terminal 2.

[0076] Furthermore, the image forming device 4 (image forming device 4B in this embodiment) that is incompatible with the search protocol by the standard print service 22 but compatible with the search protocol by the print plug-in 24 does not respond when it receives a standard print service search request from the mobile terminal 2, and waits for a standby time when it receives a print plug-in search request from the mobile terminal 2 without immediately responding. Also, the image forming device 4B responds to the print plug-in search request if it does not receive a standard print service search request during the standby time from the same mobile terminal 2 as the mobile terminal 2 that received the print plug-in search request. On the other hand, even if the image forming device 4B receives a standard print search request during the standby time from the same mobile terminal 2 as the mobile terminal 2 that received the print plug-in search request, it does not respond to the standard print service search request but only responds to the print plug-in search request.

[0077] Therefore, by responding only to the print plug-in search request, the image forming device 4B can display the image forming device name of the image forming device 4B based on the response to the print plug-in search request in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 in the mobile terminal 2. As a result, one each of the image forming device 4A and the image forming device 4B is displayed in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 (FIG. 5).

[0078] In this way, the information processing system 1 prevents the same image forming device 4 from being displayed multiple times in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 of the mobile terminal 2 by having the mobile terminal 2 simply send a standard print service search request and a print plug-in search request to the image forming device 4 as in conventional processing, and the image forming device 4 responds differently to the standard print service search request and the print plug-in search request, respectively. Therefore, the information processing system 1, instead of the conventional technology, can prevent image forming devices 4 with the same name from being displayed multiple times in the search result field 50 of the print screen DIP2 of the mobile terminal 2 by only processing on the image forming device 4 side without intervening in the operating system 18 of the mobile terminal 2.

[0079] According to the above configuration, the image forming device 4 has a standard printing function as a first printing function that forms an image based on printing data received from a portable terminal 2 as an information processing device, and an extended printing function as a second printing function that is more advanced than the standard printing function.The image forming device 4 is provided with a receiving unit 60 that receives a standard printing service search request as first communication data that is a request to search for an image forming device 4 compatible with the standard printing function, and a print plug-in search request as second communication data that is a request to search for an image forming device 4 compatible with the extended printing function, a transmitting unit 61 that responds to the standard printing service search request and the print plug-in search request, and a control unit 30 that causes the transmitting unit 61 to respond preferentially to a print plug-in search request received by the receiving unit 60 from the same portable terminal 2 as the portable terminal 2, over the standard printing service search request received by the receiving unit 60 from the portable terminal 2.

[0080] As a result, when a standard print service search request and a print plug-in search request are normally sent by the mobile terminal 2, the image forming device 4 responds preferentially to the print plug-in search request over the standard print service search request, and allows the mobile terminal 2 to recognize the image forming device 4 searched for by the print plug-in search request.

[0081] 2. Second embodiment [2-1. Information processing system configuration] An information processing system 101 (FIGS. 1 and 2) according to the second embodiment differs from the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has an image forming apparatus 104 (image forming apparatuses 104A, 104B, and 104C) instead of the image forming apparatus 4 (image forming apparatuses 4A, 4B, and 4C), but is otherwise configured similarly. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatuses 104A, 104B, and 104C will also be collectively referred to as image forming apparatuses 104.

[0082] [2-2. Configuration of image forming device] Image forming apparatus 104 (FIG. 2) according to the second embodiment differs from image forming apparatus 4 according to the first embodiment in that it has control unit 130 instead of control unit 30, but is otherwise configured similarly.

[0083] [2-3. Printing process] The mobile terminal 2 executes a print processing procedure RT1 (FIG. 6) similar to that in the first embodiment.

[0084] [2-4. Search request response processing] Next, a search request response processing procedure RT102, which is a specific processing procedure of a search request response process that is a process of responding to a search request from the mobile terminal 2 and is executed by the control unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 104, will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 11 in which the same steps as in Fig. 10 are given the same reference numerals. Steps SP41 to SP48 are similar to the search request response processing procedure RT2.

[0085] If a positive result is obtained in step SP49, the control unit 130 immediately proceeds to step SP53 without waiting for the waiting time as in the search request response processing procedure RT2. In step SP53, the control unit 130 responds to the print plug-in search request via the transmission unit 61, and then proceeds to step SP54, where the search request response processing procedure RT102 ends.

[0086] In this way, when the image forming device 104 receives a standard print service search request from the mobile terminal 2, it waits for the waiting time, but when it receives a print plug-in search request from the mobile terminal 2, it responds immediately without waiting for the waiting time. Therefore, compared to the image forming device 4, the image forming device 104 can respond more quickly to a print plug-in search request, which is given priority over a standard print service search request.

[0087] In other respects as well, the information processing system 101 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0088] 3. Other embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 has been described as using different search protocols for the search unit 25 of the standard print service 22 and the search unit 27 of the print plug-in 24. The present invention is not limited to this, and the mobile terminal 2 may use the same search protocol for the search unit 25 of the standard print service 22 and the search unit 27 of the print plug-in 24. In this case, the mobile terminal 2 may transmit a Management Information Base (MIB) as identification information to the image forming apparatus 4 or 104. The mobile terminal 2 may transmit information including various identification information unique to the first communication data from the search unit 25 of the standard print service 22 as the first communication data, and transmit information including various identification information unique to the second communication data and different from the first communication data from the search unit 27 of the print plug-in 24 as the second communication data.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 has been described as a case where the search unit 25 of the standard print service 22 uses IPP as a search protocol to perform a search, and the search unit 27 of the print plug-in 24 uses SNMP as a search protocol to perform a search. The present invention is not limited to this, and the mobile terminal 2 may, for example, have the search unit 25 of the standard print service 22 use SNMP as a search protocol to perform a search, and the search unit 27 of the print plug-in 24 use IPP as a search protocol to perform a search. The mobile terminal 2 may also use various other protocols as the search protocol of the search unit 25 of the standard print service 22, as long as the protocols are capable of communicating with the image forming device 4 or 104 of each printer vendor, such as Bonjour. The mobile terminal 2 may also use various other protocols as the search protocol of the search unit 27 of the print plug-in 24, as long as the protocols are capable of communicating with the image forming device 4.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 executes the standard print service search processing procedure SRT11 (FIG. 8) in step SP12 in the search processing procedure SRT1 (FIG. 7), and then executes the print plug-in search processing procedure SRT12 (FIG. 9) in step SP13. The present invention is not limited to this, and the mobile terminal 2 may execute the standard print service search processing procedure SRT11 (FIG. 8) after executing the print plug-in search processing procedure SRT12 (FIG. 9) in the search processing procedure SRT1 (FIG. 7).

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 may display the names of image forming devices searched for by the standard printing service 22 and the names of image forming devices searched for by the print plug-in 24 in different formats in the search result field 50 (FIG. 5), for example by adding a phrase such as “(recommended)” to the names of image forming devices searched for by the print plug-in 24.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the image forming device 4 determines whether or not there is a response depending on whether the search request received uses the IPP communication protocol or the SNMP communication protocol. The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, when the image forming device 4 receives an MIB as identification information in the SNMP communication protocol, it may determine whether or not there is a response depending on the type of MIB. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, when the image forming device 4 receives a standard print service search request and a print plug-in search request from the mobile terminal 2 within the standby time, the image forming device 4 prioritizes the print plug-in search request and responds to the print plug-in search request. The present invention is not limited to this, and when the image forming device 4 receives a standard print service search request and a print plug-in search request from the mobile terminal 2 within the standby time, the image forming device 4 may prioritize the standard print service search request and respond to the standard print service search request. In this case, the image forming device 4 may allow the user to specify the search request to which the image forming device 4 will respond with priority. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the image forming device 4 has been described as having the same waiting time for the standard print service search request and the waiting time for the print plug-in search request set on the response waiting time setting screen DIP1 (FIG. 3). The present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming device 4 may set the waiting time for the standard print service search request and the waiting time for the print plug-in search request to be different times, for example, by setting the waiting time for the print plug-in search request to be shorter than the waiting time for the standard print service search request. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0095] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, when the image forming device 4 receives a print plug-in search request from the mobile terminal 2, after obtaining a positive result in step SP49, it responds immediately without waiting for the waiting time, and if it subsequently receives a standard print service search request, it refers to the reception time recording unit 45 (Figure 4(B)) and compares the reception time of the print plug-in search request with the reception time of the standard print service search request, and if it is within the waiting time, it may not respond to the standard print service search request.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the image forming device 4 uses the waiting time selected by the user in the waiting time setting field 40 on the response waiting time setting screen DIP1 (FIG. 3) in the search request response processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 10). The present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming device 4 may use a waiting time set in advance in the search request response processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 10) without allowing the user to select it. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0097] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, when the image forming device 4 receives a standard print service search request from the portable terminal 2 as a first information processing device and then receives a print plug-in search request from another portable terminal as a second information processing device different from the portable terminal 2 within a waiting time, the image forming device 4 may respond to the other portable terminal before responding to the portable terminal 2. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the information processing system 1 or 101 has been described as having one mobile terminal 2. The present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing system 1 or 101 may have any number of mobile terminals 2, such as two or more.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the information processing system 1 has been described as having three image forming apparatuses 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing system 1 may have any number of image forming apparatuses 4, such as two or less or four or more. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the information processing system 1 has been described as a case in which the portable terminal 2 searches for the image forming device 4 and transmits print data to the image forming device 4. The present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing system 1 may be configured such that other various information processing devices, such as a server, search for the image forming device 4 and transmit print data to the image forming device 4. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the image forming apparatus 4 or 104 which is a printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to various apparatuses which perform various types of image-related processing, such as facsimiles, MFPs (Multifunction Printers), copiers, etc.

[0102] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of application of the present invention extends to embodiments in which the above-mentioned embodiments and the other embodiments are combined in part or in whole in any manner. The scope of application of the present invention also extends to embodiments in which a part of the configuration described in any of the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments is extracted and replaced or diverted with a part of the configuration of any of the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments, or an embodiment in which a part of the extracted configuration is added to any of the embodiments.

[0103] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 4 is configured as an image forming apparatus by the receiving unit 60 as a receiving unit, the transmitting unit 61 as a transmitting unit, and the control unit 30 as a control unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus may be configured by a receiving unit, a transmitting unit, and a control unit having various other configurations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0104] The present invention can be used in, for example, an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1, 101...information processing system, 2...mobile terminal, 4, 104...image forming apparatus, NT...communication network, 6...control unit, 8...display operation unit, 12...memory unit, 16...communication unit, 18...operating system, 20...printing system, 22...standard printing service, 25...search unit, 26...printing unit, 24...print plug-in, 27...search unit, 28...printing unit, 30, 130...control unit, 32...display operation unit, 36...memory unit, 38...communication unit, DIP1...response waiting time setting screen, 40...waiting time setting field, 42...communication record table, 43...IP address recording unit, 44...communication protocol recording unit, 45...reception time recording unit, DIP2...print screen, 50...search result field, 51...print setting field, 52...print preview field, 53...print button, 60...receiving unit, 61...transmitting unit.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a first printing function for forming an image based on print data received from an information processing apparatus and a second printing function having a higher level of functionality than the first printing function, a receiving unit that receives first communication data which is a request to search for the image forming device corresponding to the first print function and second communication data which is a request to search for the image forming device corresponding to the second print function; a transmitting unit that responds to the first communication data and the second communication data; a control unit that causes the transmitting unit to give a higher priority to the second communication data that the receiving unit has received from the same information processing device as the information processing device than to the first communication data that the receiving unit has received from the information processing device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The control unit is When the receiving unit receives the first communication data and the second communication data from the same information processing device within a predetermined time, the receiving unit causes the transmitting unit to respond to the second communication data and not to respond to the first communication data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The second communication data is identification information based on a printing function that is extended from the first printing function.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first communication data includes identification information based on a printing function supported by the image forming apparatus as standard. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. the first communication data includes data conforming to a first communication protocol; The second communication data includes data conforming to a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The control unit is When the receiving unit receives the first communication data and the second communication data from the same information processing device, the receiving unit causes the transmitting unit to respond to the second communication data and not to respond to the first communication data.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The control unit is A user is prompted to set a standby time during which the receiving unit waits without making the transmitting unit respond to either the first communication data or the second communication data from the time when the receiving unit receives either the first communication data or the second communication data from the information processing device until the receiving unit receives the other of the first communication data or the second communication data from the same information processing device as the information processing device.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The control unit is When the receiving unit receives the first communication data from a first information processing device, the receiving unit waits for a predetermined waiting time without causing the transmitting unit to respond to the first communication data, and when the receiving unit receives the second communication data from a second information processing device during the waiting time, the receiving unit causes the transmitting unit to respond to the second communication data before the first communication data.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

9. 1. A response method for an image forming apparatus having a first printing function for forming an image based on print data received from an information processing apparatus and a second printing function having a higher level of functionality than the first printing function, comprising: a receiving step of receiving first communication data which is a request to search for the image forming device corresponding to the first print function and second communication data which is a request to search for the image forming device corresponding to the second print function; a response step of responding preferentially to the second communication data received from the same information processing device as the information processing device in the receiving step, rather than to the first communication data received from the information processing device in the receiving step; A response method having the following structure:

10. An image forming apparatus having a first printing function for forming an image based on print data received from an information processing apparatus and a second printing function having a higher level of functionality than the first printing function, a receiving unit that receives first communication data which is a request to search for the image forming device corresponding to the first print function and second communication data which is a request to search for the image forming device corresponding to the second print function; a transmitting unit that responds to the first communication data and the second communication data; a control unit that causes the transmitting unit to give a higher priority to the second communication data that the receiving unit has received from the same information processing device as the information processing device than to the first communication data that the receiving unit has received from the information processing device; A response program to make it work.

Images