Electronic device connection support system

Abstract

To provide an electronic device connection support system for detecting and extracting an electronic device to be connected by easy and intuitive operation.SOLUTION: In an electronic device connection support system including a user terminal, multiple electronic devices connectable to the user terminal via a network, and multiple electric wave detection devices capable of receiving radio communication electric waves and a server capable of communicating them, the server extracts the electronic device located within a predetermined range from the user terminal on the basis of reception information of radio communication electric waves for detecting a direction that is received from the multiple electric wave detection devices and transmits a list of electronic devices to which the user terminal can be connected to the user terminal; the user terminal selectably displays the list of the electronic devices on a display section; the server transmits connection information for making connection to one electronic device to the user terminal via the network when an operation section receives a connection command with the one electronic device; and the user terminal makes connection to the one electronic device via the network on the basis of the connection information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device connection support system, and more particularly, to an electronic device connection support system for connecting a user terminal to an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when connecting a user terminal such as a computer or a smartphone to an electronic device such as a multifunction peripheral via a network, the following method has been used. (1) Obtain the IP address of the electronic device and manually enter it into the user's device. (2) An app on the user's device automatically scans for electronic devices on the network and selects the desired IP address from the list of detected IP addresses. (3) The IP address is read by the user terminal using near-field wireless communication such as a QR code (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication) attached to the electronic device.

[0003] However, the above methods (1) to (3) have the following problems. The method (1) above is not only complicated and time-consuming, but is also prone to input errors. With method (2) above, it can be difficult to determine which IP address in the list corresponds to the electronic device you are trying to connect to. The above method (3) requires the user to move close to the electronic device in order to read the IP address.

[0004] In relation to such problems, a communication system has been proposed in the past that includes a plurality of communication terminals each having its own position coordinates and in which communication is carried out between the communication terminals, in which one communication terminal is provided with a direction determination means for determining a specific direction and a target identification means for identifying a target communication terminal with which to communicate based on the determined direction and the position coordinates from the other communication terminals, thereby allowing a user to easily select a communication terminal with which to communicate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] In addition, a communication system has been proposed in which a mobile terminal obtains connection information for connecting to a wireless network of an information server located in the vicinity of the mobile terminal via the Internet, allowing the user to easily communicate with the information server without having to perform complicated setting work (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-239344 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-310222 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, all of these conventional solutions require obtaining location coordinates and connection information directly from the electronic device to be connected via communication over a network, and therefore have the problem that they cannot be applied to situations where there is no direct network connection between the user terminal and the electronic device to be connected.

[0008] This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides an electronic device connection support system that detects and extracts electronic devices to be connected with easier and more intuitive operations than conventional methods in a situation where there is no direct network connection between a user terminal and an electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The electronic device connection support system according to the present disclosure is an electronic device connection support system including a user terminal, a plurality of electronic devices connectable to the user terminal via a network, a plurality of radio wave detection devices capable of receiving wireless communication radio waves from the user terminal, and a server capable of communicating with the user terminal and the plurality of radio wave detection devices, wherein the user terminal includes a terminal communication unit capable of communicating with the plurality of electronic devices via the network, a terminal communication unit that transmits the wireless communication radio waves for direction detection to the plurality of radio wave detection devices and communicates with the server, a display unit that displays various information to a user, and an operation unit that accepts various instructions from the user, the plurality of radio wave detection devices include a device communication unit that receives the wireless communication radio waves for direction detection from the user terminal and transmits reception information of the wireless communication radio waves for direction detection to the server, and the server is a server that communicates with the user terminal. and a bar communication unit and a memory unit that stores position coordinates and connection information of the multiple electronic devices, wherein the server estimates position coordinates of the user terminal based on reception information of the wireless communication radio waves for direction detection received from the multiple radio wave detection devices, extracts the electronic devices within a predetermined range from the user terminal based on the position coordinates of the user terminal and the position coordinates of the multiple electronic devices, and transmits to the user terminal a list of the electronic devices to which the user terminal can be connected, the user terminal displays the list of the electronic devices on the display unit in a selectable manner, and when the operation unit receives a connection command to one of the electronic devices, the server transmits the connection information to the user terminal for connecting to the one electronic device via the network, and the user terminal connects to the one electronic device via the network based on the connection information. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to this disclosure, an electronic device connection support system is provided that detects and extracts electronic devices to be connected with easier and more intuitive operations than conventional methods, even in situations where there is no direct network connection between a user terminal and an electronic device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral connection support system including a digital multifunction peripheral and a user terminal according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral and the user terminal shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration for supporting connection of a digital multifunction printer by a user terminal in the digital multifunction printer connection support system shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of detecting the position coordinates of a user terminal in the digital multifunction printer connection support system shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow in the digital multifunction peripheral connection support system shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a connection support process for the digital multifunction printer by a user terminal in the digital multifunction printer connection support system shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of extraction of a digital multifunction printer by a user terminal in the digital multifunction printer connection support system shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 8] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display unit of the user terminal illustrated in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral connection support system including a digital multifunction peripheral and a user terminal according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital multi-function device and the user terminal shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing an example of the connection support process of the digital multi-function device by the user terminal in the digital multi-function device connection support system shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital multi-function device and the user terminal according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the connection support of the digital multi-function device by the user terminal in the digital multi-function device connection support system according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. [Figure 14] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the connection support of the digital multi-function device by the inclination of the user terminal in the digital multi-function device connection support system according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. [Figure 15] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display unit of the user terminal shown in FIG. 14(B). [Figure 16] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the method for registering the position coordinates of the digital multi-function device by the user terminal in the digital multi-function device connection support system according to Embodiment 4 of this disclosure. [Figure 17] It is a flowchart showing an example of the connection support process of the digital multi-function device by the user terminal in the digital multi-function device connection support system according to Embodiment 5 of this disclosure. [Figure 18] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display unit of the user terminal according to Embodiment 5 of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In this disclosure, an "electronic device" is, for example, a device having a communication function such as a copying machine, a multi-function device, or an MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) including functions other than copying, a television, a DVD recorder, a personal computer (PC), an electronic blackboard, etc. A "user terminal" is a portable terminal having a communication function such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The "location coordinates and connection information of the plurality of electronic devices" refers to the location coordinates of each electronic device that has been registered in advance and information required for connection via a network, such as an IP address, network port number, etc. The "plurality of radio wave detection devices capable of receiving wireless communication radio waves from the user terminal" are, for example, a plurality of locators capable of receiving BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) radio waves from the user terminal. A "server capable of communicating with the user terminal and the multiple radio wave detection devices" is, for example, a server that transmits and receives various data with the user terminal via BLE mesh communication or WiFi communication, and transmits and receives various data with the multiple radio wave detection devices via BLE mesh communication, WiFi communication, or wired communication.

[0013] Further, preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0014] The user terminal may further include a direction detection unit that detects the direction of the user terminal, and the terminal communication unit may transmit direction information of the user terminal to the server, and the server may calculate a vector extending from the tip of the user terminal based on the position coordinates of the user terminal and the direction information, extract the electronic devices on the vector based on the vector and the position coordinates of the multiple electronic devices, and transmit a list of the electronic devices to which the user terminal can be connected to the user terminal to the user terminal.

[0015] In this way, even in a situation where there is no direct network connection between the user terminal and the electronic device, the user can extract and select the desired electronic device simply by pointing the tip of the user terminal in the direction of the electronic device. This makes it possible to realize an electronic device connection support system that detects and extracts the electronic device to be connected with easier and more intuitive operations than before.

[0016] The user terminal may further include a tilt detection unit that detects the tilt direction of the user terminal, and the terminal communication unit may transmit directional information and tilt direction of the user terminal to the server, and the server may calculate a vector extending from the tip of the user terminal based on the position coordinates of the user terminal and the directional information, extract the electronic devices on the vector based on the vector and the position coordinates of the multiple electronic devices, and if there are multiple electronic devices on the vector, extract one electronic device from the multiple electronic devices based on a predetermined relationship according to the angle of tilt of the user terminal, and transmit information about the electronic device to the user terminal as an electronic device that can be connected to the user terminal.

[0017] In this way, even in a situation where there is no direct network connection between the user terminal and the electronic device, if multiple electronic devices are detected in a desired electronic device direction when the tip of the user terminal is pointed in that direction, one electronic device can be selected from the multiple electronic devices depending on the tilt angle of the user terminal, thereby realizing an electronic device connection support system that detects and extracts the electronic device to be connected with easier and more intuitive operations than before.

[0018] The multiple electronic devices may be equipped with indicator lights that turn on or blink under predetermined conditions, the server communication unit may transmit various commands to the multiple electronic devices via the network, and the server may transmit commands to the electronic devices to which the user terminal can be connected to turn on or blink the indicator lights.

[0019] In this way, even if there is no direct network connection between the user terminal and the electronic device, when the tip of the user terminal is pointed in a direction toward the electronic device, the indicator light of the electronic device to be connected will light up or flash, making it possible to realize an electronic device connection support system that can detect and extract the electronic device to be connected with easier and more intuitive operations than before.

[0020] The user terminal may be configured to, when one of the electronic devices is selected from the list of electronic devices, display a predetermined image of the one electronic device on the display unit.

[0021] In this way, even if there is no direct network connection between the user terminal and the electronic device, when the tip of the user terminal is pointed in a direction toward an electronic device, an image of the electronic device is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal, making it possible to realize an electronic device connection support system that detects and extracts the electronic device to be connected with easier and more intuitive operations than before.

[0022] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

[0023] [Embodiment 1] A digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 will be described as an example of an electronic device connection support system using a user terminal 2 according to the present disclosure with reference to FIGS.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 including a digital multifunction peripheral 1 and a user terminal 2 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 of this disclosure is made up of digital multifunction printers 1A to 1E (hereinafter collectively referred to as digital multifunction printer 1) and a user terminal 2.

[0026] The "electronic device" in this disclosure is realized by the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

[0027] The digital multifunction device 1 is a device such as a multifunction device or MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) that digitally processes image data and has a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0028] The user terminal 2 is a mobile communication terminal equipped with a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface and having a communication function capable of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal can be used.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a user can select the digital multifunction peripheral 1A to which the user wishes to connect by pointing the tip of the user terminal 2 toward the digital multifunction peripheral 1A.

[0030] <Outline of Digital Multifunction Printer 1> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the user terminal 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes a control unit 10, an image data acquisition unit 11, an image forming unit 12, an operation panel 13, a storage unit 14, a communication unit 15, and an image processing unit 16.

[0031] The control unit 10 controls the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in an integrated manner, and is composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, various interface circuits, and the like. The control unit 10 controls the overall operation of the digital multifunction printer 1 by monitoring and controlling the detection of each sensor and all loads such as motors, clutches, and fixing lamps.

[0032] The image forming section 12 is a section that prints a print image on a recording sheet by electrophotography.

[0033] The operation panel 13 is composed of a liquid crystal display and a touch panel, and is a part that displays information on the liquid crystal display and receives commands from the user via the touch panel. The operation panel 13 includes a display unit 131 and an operation unit 132 .

[0034] The display unit 131 is a part that displays various types of information about the digital multifunction peripheral 1. Display unit 131 is, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like, and is a display device such as a monitor or line display for displaying electronic data such as the processing state of the operating system and application software. The control unit 10 displays the operation and status of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 through the display unit 131 .

[0035] The operation unit 132 is an interface for operating the digital multifunction peripheral 1, and is a section that receives various commands from the user.

[0036] The storage unit 14 includes a RAM 141 and a ROM 142, and is a non-volatile storage means such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory, and holds various data and programs.

[0037] The RAM 141 is a memory accessible by the control unit 10, and provides a work memory for temporarily storing data.

[0038] The ROM 142 is a read-only memory accessible by the control unit 10, and stores data necessary for the program control of the control unit 10.

[0039] The RAM 141 and the ROM 142 are connected to the control unit 10 via a bus, and store and expand programs for operating the control unit 10. These are merely examples of configurations, and the system may be configured with multiple CPUs and boards.

[0040] The communication unit 15 is a circuit and firmware of a communication interface that transmits and receives communication data to and from external devices and receives control commands such as print jobs from an external PC or the like.

[0041] The image data acquisition unit 11 detects and reads an original placed on a platen or an original conveyed from an original tray, and generates image data. In addition, the image data may be acquired from an external information processing device or the like via a wired or wireless network 5, or may be acquired from image data recorded on a USB or the like, or may be a combination of these.

[0042] The image processing unit 16 is a part that converts the image data input from the image data acquisition unit 11 into an appropriate electrical signal based on job commands such as printing input from the operation unit 132, and processes the image data so that it is suitable for output such as enlargement / reduction.

[0043] <Overview of user terminal 2> Next, a schematic configuration of the user terminal 2 will be described.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 2 includes a control unit 20, a direction detection unit 21, an image processing unit 22, an operation panel 23, a storage unit 24, a communication unit 25, and a wireless radio communication unit .

[0045] The control unit 20 is a part that comprehensively controls the user terminal 2, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read only memory), various interface circuits, and the like.

[0046] The direction detection unit 21 is a part that detects the direction (azimuth) of the main body of the user terminal 2. The direction detection unit 21 detects the direction of the user terminal 2 by a magnetic sensor built into the user terminal 2 .

[0047] The image processing unit 22 is a part that converts image data into an appropriate electrical signal and performs processing such as enlargement / reduction so as to make it suitable for output.

[0048] The operation panel 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display and a touch panel, and is a part that displays information on the liquid crystal display and receives instructions from the user via the touch panel. The operation panel 23 includes a display unit 231 and an operation unit 232 .

[0049] The display unit 231 is a part that displays various information of the user terminal 2. The display unit 231 is, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like, and is a display device such as a monitor or line display for displaying electronic data such as the processing state of the operating system and application software.

[0050] The control unit 20 displays the operation and status of the user terminal 2 through the display unit 231.

[0051] The operation unit 232 is an interface for operating the user terminal 2, and is a part that receives various commands from the user.

[0052] The storage unit 24 includes a RAM 241 and a ROM 242, and is a non-volatile storage means such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory, and holds various data and programs.

[0053] The RAM 241 is a memory (random access memory) accessible by the control unit 20, and provides a work memory for temporarily storing data.

[0054] The ROM 242 is a read only memory accessible by the control unit 20, and stores data necessary for the program control of the control unit 20.

[0055] The communication unit 25 is a part that transmits and receives communication data to and from external devices via the network 5 . The communication unit 25 performs wireless radio wave communication using Bluetooth or WiFi communication with a server 4 (described later).

[0056] Wireless radio wave communication unit 26 is a part that transmits wireless radio waves for direction detection to locator 3 (described later). The wireless radio communication unit 26 includes a Bluetooth interface 261 .

[0057] <Outline of connection support for the digital multifunction printer 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure> Next, an overview of connection support for the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0058] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration for supporting connection of the digital multifunction printer 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 shown in FIG.

[0059] 3, in addition to digital multifunction peripherals 1A to 1E and user terminal 2, locators 3A and 3B (hereinafter collectively referred to as locator 3) and server 4 are provided.

[0060] Here, (X 1 ,Y 1 ), (X 2 ,Y 2 ), (X 3 ,Y 3 ), (X 4 ,Y 4 ) and (X 5 ,Y 5 ) are the position coordinates (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the digital multifunction peripherals 1A to 1E, respectively. Additionally, (Xc, Yc) is the position coordinate of the user terminal 2. Furthermore, (Xa,Ya) and (Xb,Yb) are the position coordinates of locators 3A and 3B, respectively.

[0061] In the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that user terminal 2 performs wireless radio wave communication with locators 3A and 3B and server 4 via Bluetooth. The user terminal 2 may communicate with the server 4 via WiFi.

[0062] Although an example in which two locators 3 are installed is shown in FIG. 3, the number of locators is not limited to two, and may be three or more, as long as the position coordinates of user terminal 2 can be estimated by triangulation.

[0063] (Method of detecting the position coordinates of user device 2) FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for detecting the position coordinates of the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 shown in FIG.

[0064] In the example of FIG. 4, the position coordinates of locators 3A and 3B are (Xa, Ya) and (Xb, Yb), respectively, and the distance between locators 3A and 3B is Lc.

[0065] In the direction detection function added to the Bluetooth 5.1 standard, a locator 3 having multiple antennas detects signals of different phases from a user terminal 2 and, while switching between the multiple antennas, detects the angle θ at which the radio waves arrived from the phase difference of the radio waves received by each antenna. In the example of FIG. 4, locator 3A detects angle θa, and locator 3B detects angle θb.

[0066] Information on angles θa and θb detected by locators 3A and 3B, respectively, is transmitted to server 4. When the server 4 receives the information on these angles θa and θb, since the position coordinates of locators 3A and 3B are known, the server 4 can estimate the position coordinates (Xc, Yc) of the user terminal 2 using triangulation techniques based on the following formula.

[0067]

number

[0068] Here, since the position coordinates of the digital multifunction peripherals 1A to 1E are also known, it is possible to determine whether or not the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is present in the direction indicated by the user terminal 2, based on the position coordinates (Xc, Yc) of the user terminal 2 estimated as described above and the direction information of the user terminal 2 detected by the direction detection unit 21.

[0069] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of data in the digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 shown in FIG. The arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the flow of various types of data, and represent BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) connectionless communication (dashed lines), BLE mesh communication, WiFi communication or wired communication (dashed dotted lines), and wired LAN or wireless LAN (solid lines).

[0070] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a connection support process for a digital multifunction printer by a user terminal in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 shown in FIG.

[0071] 6, [U] indicates processing by the user terminal 2. Also, [S] indicates processing by the server 4. Also, [L] indicates processing by the locator 3.

[0072] In step S1 of FIG. 6, when a specific application is launched on the user terminal 2 (step S1), in step S2, the user terminal 2 enters detection mode for the digital multifunction device 1 and transmits a direction detection packet to the locator 3 via BLE connectionless communication (step S2) (process 1 in FIG. 5).

[0073] Next, in step S3, locator 3 determines whether or not a direction detection packet has been received (step S3).

[0074] When a direction detection packet is received (determination in step S3 is Yes), in step S4, locator 3 performs a direction detection process (step S4).

[0075] In the following step S5, locator 3 records the detected direction data (step S5).

[0076] Thereafter, locator 3 returns the process to the determination in step S3. Also, if the direction detection packet has not been received (if the determination in step S3 is No), the process returns to the determination in step S3.

[0077] On the other hand, in step S6, the user terminal 2 transmits a packet of a preparation request and terminal direction information detected by the direction detection unit 21 to the server 4 via BLE mesh communication or WiFi communication (step S6) (Process 2 in FIG. 5).

[0078] Next, in step S7, server 4 transmits a direction data request packet to locator 3 via BLE mesh communication, WiFi communication, or wired communication (step S7) (Process 3 in FIG. 5).

[0079] In the following step S8, the locator 3 transmits the direction data to the server 4 by BLE mesh communication, WiFi communication or wired communication (step S8) (Process 4 in FIG. 5).

[0080] Next, in step S9, the server 4 estimates the position coordinates of the user terminal 2 based on a triangulation calculation (step S9).

[0081] Next, in step S10, the server 4 calculates a vector extending from the tip of the user terminal 2 based on the position coordinates and terminal direction information of the user terminal 2 (step S10).

[0082] Next, in step S11, the vector calculated above is collated with the position coordinates of the digital multi-function peripherals 1A to 1E to extract the digital multi-function peripheral 1 on the vector (step S11).

[0083] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of specifying the digital multifunction machine 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction machine connection support system 100 shown in FIG.

[0084] In the example of FIG. 7, vectors extending from the tip of the user terminal 2 are indicated by arrows. As shown in the example of FIG. 7, the vector may have a certain width, and the digital multi-function peripherals 1B and 1C on the vector are extracted.

[0085] Next, in step S12 of FIG. 6, the server 4 transmits to the user terminal 2 a packet of a list of digital multifunction peripherals 1 in the direction indicated by the user terminal 2 via BLE mesh communication or WiFi communication (step S12) (process 5 of FIG. 5).

[0086] If there is no digital multifunction device 1 in the direction indicated by the user terminal 2, a response to that effect is returned to the user terminal 2. In the following description, it is assumed that one or more digital multifunction peripherals 1 are found in the direction indicated by the user terminal 2.

[0087] Next, in step S13, the control unit 20 of the user terminal 2 determines whether the number of elements in the list of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is 1 (step S13).

[0088] It is determined whether the number of elements in the list of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is greater than 1 (step S13).

[0089] If the number of elements in the list of digital multifunction peripherals 1 is greater than one (if the determination in step S13 is Yes), in step S14, the control unit 20 requests the user to select one digital multifunction peripheral 1 from the list of two or more extracted digital multifunction peripherals 1 (step S14).

[0090] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display unit 231 of the user terminal 2 shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 8, together with the message "The following devices have been found. Please select the device you want to connect to," a list of detected digital multifunction printers 1, "digital multifunction printer 1B" and "digital multifunction printer 1C," are displayed so that they can be selected. Also displayed below that are a "Connect" button and a "Cancel" button.

[0091] The user can connect to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by selecting the digital multifunction peripheral 1 to which the user wishes to connect and pressing the "Connect" button.

[0092] When one digital multifunction peripheral 1 is selected, in the next step S15, it is determined whether or not a connection command for that digital multifunction peripheral 1 has been accepted (step S15).

[0093] When a connection command to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is received (when the determination in step S15 is Yes), in step S16, a connection with the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is started (step S16).

[0094] Specifically, connection information such as the model name, IP address, and network port number of the selected digital multifunction printer 1 is stored in the user terminal 2, and connection to the selected digital multifunction printer 1 becomes possible.

[0095] On the other hand, if the number of elements in the list of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is 1 (if the determination in step S13 is No), then in step S15, it is determined whether or not a connection command for the digital multifunction peripheral 1 has been accepted (step S15).

[0096] After the connection with the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is completed, the user terminal 2 issues an instruction such as printing to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the purpose of the application.

[0097] In this way, even in a situation where there is no direct connection between the user terminal 2 and the digital multifunction printer 1 via the network 5, the user can select the desired digital multifunction printer 1 simply by pointing the tip of the user terminal 2 in the direction of the desired digital multifunction printer 1, thereby realizing a digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 that detects and connects to the target digital multifunction printer 1 with easier and more intuitive operations than conventional methods.

[0098] [Embodiment 2] <Outline of connection support for the digital multifunction printer 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure> Next, an overview of connection support for the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0099] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 including a digital multifunction peripheral 1 and a user terminal 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] The difference from the first embodiment is that the digital multifunction peripheral 1 further includes an indicator light 17 as shown in FIG.

[0101] In the second embodiment, when the digital multifunction printer 1 is in detection mode, for example, if the user points the tip of the user terminal 2 toward the digital multifunction printer 1A, the indicator light of the digital multifunction printer 1A turns on. Therefore, the user can know at a glance which digital multifunction peripherals 1 have been extracted as connectable devices.

[0102] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the user terminal 2 shown in FIG.

[0103] In FIG. 10, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is further provided with an indicator lamp 17, and is otherwise the same as in the first embodiment (FIG. 2).

[0104] When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is in a detection mode, the indicator light 17 flashes, for example, to indicate that the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is connectable to the user terminal 2. When the user selects the digital multifunction peripheral 1 to which he or she wishes to connect, the indicator light 17 of that digital multifunction peripheral 1 turns on.

[0105] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of connection support processing for the digital multifunction machine 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction machine connection support system 100 shown in FIG.

[0106] Steps S21 to S31, S33 to S35, S37 and S38 in Fig. 11 are the same as steps S1 to S15 and S16 in Fig. 6 (first embodiment), respectively, and therefore will not be described here. Here, the processes in steps S32 and S36 will be described.

[0107] In FIG. 11, [M] indicates processing by the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

[0108] In step S31 of FIG. 11, the vector calculated above is compared with the position coordinates of the digital multifunction peripherals 1A to 1E to extract the digital multifunction peripheral 1 on the vector (step S31), and then in step S32, the indicator light 17 of the extracted digital multifunction peripheral 1 is caused to flash (step S32).

[0109] Next, in step S35, when one digital multifunction device 1 is selected from the list of two or more extracted digital multifunction devices 1 (step S35), in step S36, the indicator light 17 of the selected digital multifunction device 1 is changed from a flashing state to a lit state (step S36).

[0110] In this way, even if there is no direct connection between the user terminal 2 and the digital multifunction printer 1 via the network 5, when the tip of the user terminal 2 is pointed in the direction of the digital multifunction printer 1, the indicator light 17 of the digital multifunction printer 1 will flash, thereby realizing a digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 that can detect and connect to the target digital multifunction printer 1 with easier and more intuitive operations than before.

[0111] [Embodiment 3] <Outline of connection support for the digital multifunction printer 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure> Next, an overview of connection support for the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0112] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the user terminal 2 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] 12, the user terminal 2 is further provided with a tilt detector 27, and is otherwise the same as in the first embodiment (FIG. 2).

[0114] The tilt detection unit 27 is a sensor that detects the tilt angle of the user terminal 2. For example, by measuring the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration of the earth acting on the user terminal 2 using an acceleration sensor built into the user terminal 2, the tilt direction and tilt angle of the user terminal 2 can be obtained.

[0115] In addition, the tilt direction, tilt angle, tilt speed, etc. of the user terminal 2 may be obtained by detecting the angular velocity occurring in the user terminal 2 with a gyro sensor built into the user terminal 2, or other detection methods may be used.

[0116] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of connection support for the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the user terminal 2 is directed in a straight line along which the digital multifunction peripherals 1A, 1B, and 1C are arranged.

[0118] In this case, three digital multifunction peripherals 1A, 1B, and 1C are extracted as connection candidates.

[0119] Here, the relationship between the selected digital multi-function peripherals 1 and the tilt angle range of the user terminal 2 is preset according to the total number of digital multi-function peripherals 1 extracted as connection candidates.

[0120] Table 1 below shows the relationship between the selected digital multifunction printer 1 and the tilt angle range of the user terminal 2 when the total number of extracted digital multifunction printers 1 is two.

[0121] Here, when the tip of the user terminal 2 faces upward, the tilt angle (elevation angle) is positive, and when the tip of the user terminal 2 faces downward, the tilt angle (elevation angle) is negative.

[0122] [Table 1]

[0123] Table 2 below shows the relationship between the selected digital multifunction printers 1 and the tilt angle range of the user terminal 2 when the total number of extracted digital multifunction printers 1 is three.

[0124] [Table 2]

[0125] Table 3 below shows the relationship between the selected digital multifunction printers 1 and the tilt angle range of the user terminal 2 when the total number of extracted digital multifunction printers 1 is four.

[0126] [Table 3]

[0127] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of connection support for the digital multifunction printer 1 when the user terminal 2 is tilted in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the tilt angle of the user terminal 2 and the digital multi-function printer 1 that is selected when three digital multi-function printers 1 are placed.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 14(A), when the tilt angle of the user terminal 2 is an elevation angle of −45°, the digital multifunction peripheral 1A closest to the user terminal 2 is selected based on the relationship in Table 2.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 14B, when the tilt angle of the user terminal 2 is the elevation angle of 0°, based on the relationship in Table 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1B which is the second closest to the user terminal 2 is selected.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 14C, when the tilt angle of the user terminal 2 is an elevation angle of +45°, based on the relationship in Table 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1C which is the furthest from the user terminal 2 is selected.

[0132] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display unit 231 of the user terminal 2 shown in FIG. 14(B).

[0133] As shown in FIG. 15, an image of the currently selected digital multifunction peripheral 1B is displayed on the display unit 231 of the user terminal 2. The message "The following devices have been selected. Do you want to connect?" will also be displayed along with "Connect" and "Cancel" buttons.

[0134] The user can connect to the currently selected digital multifunction peripheral 1B by pressing the "Connect" button. Moreover, the user can change the tilt angle of the user terminal 2 to display another digital multifunction peripheral 1A or 1C.

[0135] In this way, even in a situation where there is no direct connection between the user terminal 2 and the digital multifunction printer 1 via the network 5, if multiple digital multifunction printers 1 are present in a desired digital multifunction printer 1 when the tip of the user terminal 2 is pointed in that direction, one digital multifunction printer 1 can be selected from the multiple digital multifunction printers 1 according to the tilt angle of the user terminal 2, thereby realizing a digital multifunction printer connection support system that detects and connects to the target digital multifunction printer 1 with easier and more intuitive operations than conventional methods.

[0136] [Embodiment 4] <Method for registering the position coordinates, etc. of the digital multifunction printer 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure> Next, a method for registering the position coordinates of the digital multifunction printer 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0137] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for registering the position coordinates of the digital multifunction printer 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 16, when additionally registering a digital multifunction peripheral 1, the user places the user terminal 2 at the location of the digital multifunction peripheral 1A to be registered, thereby detecting the location of the digital multifunction peripheral 1A. Then, the user inputs the position coordinates (X 1 ,X 2 ) to server 4 for registration.

[0139] The position coordinates of digital multifunction printer 1A (X 1 ,X 2), individual information such as the IP address and name of the digital multifunction printer 1A, and an external photo of the digital multifunction printer 1A may be manually input and transmitted to and registered in the server 4.

[0140] In this way, even in a situation where there is no direct connection between the user terminal 2 and the digital multifunction printer 1 via the network 5, the user terminal 2 can be placed at the location where the digital multifunction printer 1 is located and the location coordinates of the digital multifunction printer 1 can be detected and registered, thereby realizing a digital multifunction printer connection support system that detects and connects to the target digital multifunction printer 1 with easier and more intuitive operations than before.

[0141] [Embodiment 5] <Outline of connection support for the digital multifunction printer 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure> Next, an overview of connection support for the digital multifunction machine 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction machine connection support system 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0142] The schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral connection support system 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 2), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0143] When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is in a detection mode, the indicator light 17 flashes, for example, to indicate that the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is connectable to the user terminal 2. When the user selects the digital multifunction peripheral 1 to which he or she wishes to connect, the indicator light 17 of that digital multifunction peripheral 1 turns on.

[0144] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of connection support processing of the digital multifunction machine 1 by the user terminal 2 in the digital multifunction machine connection support system 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0145] Steps S41 to S49 in FIG. 17 are the same as steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 6 (first embodiment), respectively, and therefore will not be described. Here, the processes in steps S50 to S54 will be described.

[0146] In step S49 of FIG. 17, the server 4 estimates the position coordinates of the user terminal 2 based on a triangulation calculation (step S49), and then in step S50, calculates the location of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 near the tip of the user terminal 2 based on the position coordinates of the user terminal 2 and terminal direction information (step S50).

[0147] Here, the vicinity of the tip of the user terminal 2 refers to a predetermined range from the tip of the user terminal 2, for example.

[0148] Next, in step S51, of the digital multifunction peripherals 1 near the tip of the user terminal 2 calculated above, the closest digital multifunction peripheral 1 is extracted (step S51).

[0149] Next, in step S52, the server 4 transmits, to the user terminal 2, a packet of a list of the digital multi-function peripherals 1 in the direction indicated by the user terminal 2, by transmission BLE mesh communication (step S52).

[0150] In the next step S53, the control unit 20 of the user terminal 2 inquires as to whether or not to connect to the extracted digital multifunction peripheral 1 (step S53).

[0151] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the display unit 231 of the user terminal 2 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 18, the display unit 231 of the user terminal 2 displays an external image and name of the extracted digital multifunction printer 1A along with the message "The following devices have been detected nearby. Do you want to connect?", and also displays a "Connect" button and a "Cancel" button.

[0153] Next, in step S54, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a connection command to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 has been received from the user (step S54).

[0154] When a command to connect to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is received from the user (if the determination in step S54 is Yes), in step S55, the control unit 20 starts a connection to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 (step S55).

[0155] In this way, even if there is no direct connection between the user terminal 2 and the digital multifunction printer 1 via the network 5, the digital multifunction printer 1 that is closest to the user terminal 2 is automatically detected, thereby realizing a digital multifunction printer connection support system 100 that detects and connects to the target digital multifunction printer 1 with easier and more intuitive operations than before.

[0156] In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, various modifications of this disclosure are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not belonging to the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the equivalent meanings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E: digital multifunction printer, 2: user terminal, 3, 3A, 3B: locator, 4: server, 5: network, 10, 20: control unit, 11: image data acquisition unit, 12: image forming unit, 13, 23: operation panel, 14, 24: memory unit, 15, 25: communication unit, 16: image processing unit, 17: indicator light, 21: direction detection unit, 22: image processing unit, 23: operation panel, 26: wireless radio communication unit, 27: tilt detection unit, 100: digital multifunction printer connection support system, 131, 231: display unit, 132, 232: operation unit, 141, 241: RAM, 142, 242: ROM, 261: Bluetooth interface

Claims

1. An electronic device connection support system including a user terminal, a plurality of electronic devices connectable to the user terminal via a network, a plurality of radio wave detection devices capable of receiving wireless communication radio waves from the user terminal, and a server capable of communicating with the user terminal and the plurality of radio wave detection devices, the user terminal includes a terminal communication unit capable of communicating with the plurality of electronic devices via the network, a terminal communication unit that transmits the wireless communication radio waves for direction detection to the plurality of radio wave detection devices and communicates with the server, a display unit that displays various information to a user, and an operation unit that receives various commands from the user; the plurality of radio wave detection devices each include a device communication unit that receives the wireless communication radio wave for direction detection from the user terminal and transmits reception information of the wireless communication radio wave for direction detection to the server; the server includes a server communication unit that communicates with the user terminal and a storage unit that stores location coordinates and connection information of the plurality of electronic devices; the server estimates a position coordinate of the user terminal based on reception information of the wireless communication radio waves for direction detection received from the plurality of radio wave detection devices, extracts the electronic devices within a predetermined range from the user terminal based on the position coordinate of the user terminal and the position coordinates of the plurality of electronic devices, and transmits to the user terminal a list of the electronic devices that can be connected to the user terminal; The user terminal displays a list of the electronic devices on the display unit in a selectable manner, and when the operation unit receives a command to connect to one of the electronic devices, the server sends the connection information to the user terminal for connecting to the one electronic device via the network, and the user terminal connects to the one electronic device via the network based on the connection information.

2. The user terminal further includes a direction detection unit that detects a direction of the user terminal itself; The terminal communication unit transmits direction information of the user terminal to the server; 2. The electronic device connection support system of claim 1, wherein the server calculates a vector extending from the tip of the user terminal based on the position coordinates of the user terminal and the directional information, extracts the electronic devices on the vector based on the vector and the position coordinates of the multiple electronic devices, and transmits a list of the electronic devices to which the user terminal can be connected to the user terminal to the user terminal.

3. the user terminal further includes a tilt detection unit that detects a tilt direction of the user terminal itself; The terminal communication unit transmits direction information and a tilt direction of the user terminal to the server; 2. The electronic device connection support system of claim 1, wherein the server calculates a vector extending from the tip of the user terminal based on the position coordinates of the user terminal and the directional information, extracts the electronic devices on the vector based on the vector and the position coordinates of the multiple electronic devices, and if there are multiple electronic devices on the vector, extracts one electronic device from the multiple electronic devices based on a predetermined relationship according to the angle of inclination of the user terminal, and transmits information about the electronic device to the user terminal as an electronic device that can be connected to the user terminal.

4. the plurality of electronic devices each include an indicator light that lights up or blinks under a predetermined condition; the server communication unit transmits various commands to the plurality of electronic devices via the network; 2 . The electronic device connection support system according to claim 1 , wherein the server transmits a command to the electronic device to which the user terminal can be connected to turn on or blink the indicator light.

5. 2. The electronic device connection support system according to claim 1, wherein when one of the electronic devices is selected from the list of electronic devices, the user terminal displays a predetermined image of the one electronic device on the display unit.

Images