Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, information transmitting method, and information receiving method

Abstract

To improve convenience in processing of an information processing apparatus acquiring information on software used when an image forming apparatus is used.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a storage unit 11, a communication unit 14, a publish processing unit 10a, and a transmission processing unit 10c. The storage unit 11 stores software information that is information on software. The communication unit 14 communicates with an information processing apparatus through neighbor awareness networking (NAN) communication. The publish processing unit 10a publishes a service that provides the software information to the information processing apparatus. The transmission processing unit 10c transmits the software information to the information processing apparatus through a data communication path established in the NAN communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an information transmitting method, and an information receiving method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a computer searches for a printer to which the printer driver is to be installed, and a user selects the printer to which the printer driver is to be installed, and then installs the printer driver for that printer on the computer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-33049 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires a user operation to select the printer for which the printer driver is to be installed when installing the printer driver on a computer, and there is room for improvement in terms of convenience. Therefore, there is a need for the development of technology that improves convenience in the process in which an information processing device acquires information about software, such as a printer driver, used when using an image forming device such as a printer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a memory unit that stores software information, which is information relating to software, a communication unit that communicates with an information processing device via NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) communication, a publishing processing unit that publishes a service that provides the software information to the information processing device, and a transmission processing unit that transmits the software information to the information processing device via a data communication path established by the NAN communication.

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a communication unit that communicates with an image forming device via NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) communication, a subscribing processing unit that subscribes to software information, which is information relating to software, for services provided by the image forming device and published by the image forming device, and a receiving processing unit that receives the software information from the image forming device via a data communication path established by the NAN communication.

[0007] An information transmission method according to one embodiment of the present invention is one in which an image forming device having a memory unit for storing software information, which is information relating to software, and a communication unit for communicating with an information processing device via NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) communication publishes a service for providing the software information to the information processing device, and the image forming device transmits the software information to the information processing device via a data communication path established by the NAN communication.

[0008] An information receiving method according to one embodiment of the present invention involves an information processing device having a communication unit that communicates with an image forming device via NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) communication, subscribing to software information, which is information regarding software, for a service provided by the image forming device and published by the image forming device, and receiving the software information from the image forming device via a data communication path established by the NAN communication. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 2 is a flow diagram for explaining an example of information transmission and reception processing executed in the system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface image presented in the transmission and reception process of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the system including the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flow diagram for explaining an example of information transmission and reception processing executed in the system of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each drawing is merely an example for explaining the embodiment of the present invention. Also, not all of the components described in the embodiment of the present invention are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] (Embodiment) [System configuration] A system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of such a system.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, a system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1 and an information processing apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 1 and other image forming apparatuses described later can be a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having at least a plurality of functions including an image forming function. In addition, when each image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a medium, that is, a printing apparatus, the printing method is not important, and various printing methods such as an inkjet printing method and a laser printing method can be applied. The information processing apparatus 2 and other information apparatuses described later can be an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0013] The system 100 is configured to transmit software information, which is information related to software, from the image forming apparatus 1 to the information processing apparatus 2. The information processing apparatus 2 is then configured to receive the software information from the image forming apparatus 1. Based on the received software information, the information processing apparatus 2 is able to incorporate, that is, install, the software indicated by the software information. Below, configuration examples of the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 will be described in detail.

[0014] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 1] 1, the image forming apparatus 1 can include a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, and a communication unit 14. Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a portion related to image formation.

[0015] The control unit 10 may include a publishing processing unit 10a and a transmission processing unit 10c, which will be described later, in order to execute a transmission process for transmitting the software information stored in the storage unit 11 to the information processing device 2 via the communication unit 14. In this configuration example, an example will be described in which software (SW) 11a itself is the target of transmission and reception as the software information, that is, an example in which SW 11a is stored in the storage unit 11 as the software information.

[0016] The control unit 10 can be configured to include, for example, a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), a working memory, and a storage device that stores control programs, parameters, and the like. The control unit 10 can also be configured as a system on a chip (SoC). As can be seen from these examples, the control unit 10 can be configured to store the control programs in an executable state. However, the control unit 10 can also be configured to store the control programs as a circuit configuration such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or can be configured as a dedicated circuit. The publishing processing unit 10a, the transmission processing unit 10c, and the follow-up processing unit 10b described later can be implemented as the above programs. The above programs can include programs for the processor to realize the functions of the publishing processing unit 10a, the follow-up processing unit 10b, and the transmission processing unit 10c while cooperating with the storage unit 11, the display unit 12, the operation unit 13, and the communication unit 14.

[0017] The storage unit 11 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or another memory-based storage device. The storage unit 11 may be a part of a storage device in the control unit 10. In other words, the storage unit 11 can be regarded as a part of the control unit 10.

[0018] The storage unit 11 stores SW11a. SW11a can include, for example, at least one of driver software that converts data of an image formation target into a format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 1 and application software that can be used by the image forming apparatus 1. Examples of this application software include software for easily operating the image forming apparatus 1, software for selecting an object to be printed by the image forming apparatus 1, and software for processing an object to be printed by the image forming apparatus 1. However, SW11a is not limited to this, and the present embodiment can be applied even if SW11a is software unrelated to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0019] The display unit 12 is a part for displaying a user interface image (UI image) for operating the image forming apparatus 1, and is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The display unit 12 can also be configured to include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display.

[0020] The operation unit 13 is a part that accepts operations by a user of the image forming apparatus 1, and can also be called an operation acceptance unit. The operation unit 13 can be realized by, for example, one or more of physical buttons, a touch panel mounted on the display unit 12, a pointing device, and a keyboard. In a configuration in which the operation unit 13 includes a touch panel, the display unit 12 and the touch panel can also be called the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0021] The communication unit 14 is a part capable of communicating with the information processing device 2 through NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) communication, and can be configured with a communication interface capable of such NAN communication. As will be described later, the image forming device 1 transmits SW11a to the information processing device 2 through a data communication path established by this NAN communication.

[0022] The above NAN communication can be realized by the Wi-Fi Aware function defined by the Wi-Fi (registered trademark; the same applies below) Alliance, and the following explanation assumes that Wi-Fi Aware communication is used as NAN communication. Wi-Fi is the name of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) that uses the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard and its derived standards.

[0023] In addition, the communication unit 14 may be configured to be capable of wireless communication other than NAN communication so that wireless communication with an external device is possible for purposes other than the transmission of SW11a. Examples of such external devices include information processing devices such as PCs and smartphones, and server devices. Examples of information processing devices include the information processing device 2. In this case, the communication unit 14 may be made to function as a NAN communication unit under the control of the control unit 10 including the transmission processing unit 10c and the like. For example, the communication unit 14 may be configured as a Wi-Fi interface compatible with Wi-Fi Aware, and the communication may be switched between normal Wi-Fi communication and NAN communication functioning as a NAN communication unit under the control of the control unit 10. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 may include a communication interface for communicating with an external device via a wire.

[0024] A detailed configuration of the control unit 10 will be described. The transmission processing unit 10c of the control unit 10 performs a process of transmitting SW11a to the information processing device 2 via a data communication path established by NAN communication in the communication unit 14. For example, the transmission processing unit 10c causes the communication unit 14 to function as a NAN communication unit to establish a data communication path and perform a process of transmitting SW11a to the information processing device 2.

[0025] In preparation for transmitting SW11a, that is, as an initial setting for NAN communication, for example, the publishing processing unit 10a publishes a service that provides SW11a. Before publishing, the communication unit 14 forms a cluster with an adjacent device, in this example, the information processing device 2. That is, the publishing processing unit 10a joins the same NAN cluster as the information processing device 2 and publishes the service. In this way, the image forming device 1 is operated as a publisher. On the other hand, the information processing device 2 is operated as a subscriber. The information processing device 2 in the same cluster can also detect that the service has been published.

[0026] The published service is a service for porting SW11a from the image forming apparatus 1 to the information processing apparatus 2, and therefore can be called, for example, a software provision service. Publishing a software provision service can mean the transmission, distribution, provision, etc. of a software provision service. Publishing performed by the publishing processing unit 10a is publishing for providing the software provision service to other devices.

[0027] Next, a data communication path for NAN communication is established. When the transmission processing unit 10c detects that the information processing device 2 has discovered the published software provision service, it is preferable that the transmission processing unit 10c causes the communication unit 14 to establish a data communication path with the information processing device 2 by NAN communication. Here, the communication unit 14 or the transmission processing unit 10c can detect that the software provision service has been discovered by the information processing device 2 by detecting that the information processing device 2 has responded with a message to the published software provision service. Alternatively, the communication unit 14 or the transmission processing unit 10c may detect that the software provision service has been acquired, i.e., discovered, by detecting that the information processing device 2 has subscribed to the software provision service.

[0028] Establishing a data communication path for NAN communication between the image forming device 1 and the information processing device 2, specifically between the communication unit 14 and the communication unit 24, means generating a bidirectional Wi-Fi Aware network connection and establishing a data communication path between them. Hereinafter, the bidirectional Wi-Fi Aware network connection is simply referred to as an Aware connection. The Aware connection is IP (Internet Protocol) communication.

[0029] Alternatively, when the transmission processing unit 10c detects that the information processing device 2 has selected the published software provision service for use, it may cause the communication unit 14 to establish a data communication path for NAN communication with the image forming device 1.

[0030] Then, the transmission processing unit 10c may transmit SW11a to the information processing device that has subscribed to the software provision service by NAN communication in which a data communication path has been established, that is, by Aware connection. Here, the explanation is given on the assumption that the information processing device that has subscribed to the software provision service is the information processing device 2. Subscription to a software provision service can mean use of the software provision service.

[0031] Furthermore, when a service search request is subscribed to by the information processing device 2, the publishing processing unit 10a may publish software providing services that can be provided.

[0032] The publishing processing unit 10a may also publish information indicating the SW 11a that can be provided and identification information of the image forming device 1. The identification information of the image forming device 1 is individual identification information that identifies an individual image forming device 1. This allows the information processing device 2 to know what kind of software is provided as a service that has been published and where the software is provided by.

[0033] However, the publishing processing unit 10a may not necessarily publish from the beginning the information indicating the SW 11a that can be provided and the identification information of the image forming device 1. In this case, the additional information, which is this information, will be transmitted later. In order to transmit such additional information, the control unit 10 may include a follow-up processing unit 10b.

[0034] When the follow-up processing unit 10b receives an additional information request from the information processing device 2 requesting additional information about the published software provision service, the follow-up processing unit 10b transmits the additional information to the information processing device 2. The transmitted additional information includes information indicating SW11a that the image forming device 1 can provide in the software provision service and identification information of the image forming device 1. This transmission can be made as a message via the communication unit 14, or the like.

[0035] Furthermore, the publishing processing unit 10a may stop publishing the software provision service if there is no information processing device that has subscribed to the software provision service for a predetermined period of time after the software provision service is published. By employing such timeout processing, it is possible to reduce the power and load required for publishing, which is part of the initial setting of NAN communication. Alternatively, when such a condition is met, the control unit 10 may not only stop publishing, but also stop the Wi-Fi Aware function. By employing such timeout processing, it is possible to reduce the power and load required for the initial setting of NAN communication.

[0036] Furthermore, when the transmission via SW11a is completed, the transmission processing unit 10c may cause the communication unit 14 to disconnect the data communication path for the NAN communication.

[0037] [Configuration of information processing device 2] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 2 can include a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a communication unit 24.

[0038] The control unit 20 may include a subscribe processing unit 20a and a reception processing unit 20c, which will be described later, in order to execute a reception process for receiving SW11a from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit .

[0039] The control unit 20 can be configured to include, for example, an arithmetic processing unit, a working memory, and a storage device that stores control programs, parameters, and the like, similar to the control unit 10. The control unit 20 can also be configured as an SoC. As can be seen from these examples, the control unit 20 can be configured to store the control program in an executable state. However, the control unit 20 can be configured to store the control program as a circuit configuration like an FPGA, or can be configured as a dedicated circuit. The subscribe processing unit 20a and the reception processing unit 20c, and the follow-up processing unit 20b described later can be implemented as the above programs. The above programs can include programs for the arithmetic processing unit to realize the functions of the subscribe processing unit 20a, the follow-up processing unit 20b, and the reception processing unit 20c while cooperating with the storage unit 21, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the communication unit 24.

[0040] The storage unit 21 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or another memory-based storage device, similar to the storage unit 11. As will be described later, in the information processing device 2, based on the SW11a received from the image forming device 1, the SW11a is stored in an executable manner.

[0041] The configurations of the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the communication unit 24 are basically the same as the configurations of the display unit 12, the operation unit 13, and the communication unit 14 in the image forming apparatus 1, respectively, and a description thereof will be omitted. For example, the display unit 22 is a portion for displaying a UI image for operating the information processing device 2. The operation unit 23 is a portion for accepting operations by a user of the information processing device 2. However, due to differences in structure between the information processing device 2 and the image forming apparatus 1, the display unit 22 and the operation unit 23 differ from the display unit 12 and the operation unit 13, respectively, at least in terms of shape. The communication unit 24 is configured to be able to communicate with the image forming apparatus 1 via NAN communication.

[0042] A detailed configuration of the control unit 20 will be described. The reception processing unit 20c of the control unit 20 performs a process of receiving SW11a from the image forming apparatus 1 via a data communication path established by NAN communication in the communication unit 24. For example, the reception processing unit 20c causes the communication unit 24 to function as a NAN communication unit to establish a data communication path and performs a process of receiving SW11a from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0043] In preparation for receiving SW11a, that is, as an initial setting for NAN communication, for example, the subscribe processing unit 20a subscribes to a software provision service published by the image forming device 1. Here, subscribing can mean using the software provision service. Furthermore, before subscribing, the communication unit 24 forms a cluster with an adjacent device, in this example, the image forming device 1.

[0044] Next, a data communication path for NAN communication is established. When the software provision service published by the image forming apparatus 1 is found, the reception processing unit 20c may establish a data communication path for NAN communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the reception processing unit 20c. Here, when the image forming apparatus 1 serving as a publisher enters the Wi-Fi reception range of the communication unit 24, the communication unit 24 or the reception processing unit 20c may detect that the software provision service has been found, i.e., acquired. Thereafter, the communication unit 24 or the reception processing unit 20c may transmit some kind of message to the image forming apparatus 1. As an alternative process, the communication unit 24 or the reception processing unit 20c may detect that the software provision service has been acquired, i.e., discovered, by detecting that the subscription processing unit 20a has subscribed to the software provision service published by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0045] Then, the reception processor 20c may receive the SW11a from the image forming apparatus 1, which is the image forming apparatus that has published the software provision service, through NAN communication in which a data communication path has been established, that is, through an Aware connection.

[0046] The control unit 20 can execute a process of incorporating the received SW11a so that it can be executed, that is, an installation process. This installation process can be a process of displaying a UI image on the display unit 22 and receiving a user operation from the operation unit 23, but it may also be a process that is executed automatically.

[0047] For this reason, for example, the following configuration is adopted. As described above, the transmission processing unit 10c transmits SW11a to the information processing device 2 by NAN communication with an established data communication path, and this SW11a may include a command to install the software. In this case, the control unit 20 can install SW11a by executing the command received by the reception processing unit 20c.

[0048] The subscribe processing unit 20a can also subscribe to search for a software provision service that transmits SW11a. That is, the subscribe processing unit 20a can subscribe to a service search request. Furthermore, in this case, if there is no image forming device that publishes a software provision service that transmits SW11a for a predetermined period after the start of the search, the subscribe processing unit 20a may stop subscribing to the software provision service. The case where there is no image forming device that publishes the software provision service can refer to the case where the information processing device 2 cannot find an image forming device that publishes the software provision service. By employing such a timeout process, it is possible to reduce the power and load required for subscribing for a search, which is part of the initial setting of the NAN communication. Alternatively, when such a condition is satisfied, the control unit 20 may not only stop the subscription but also stop the Wi-Fi Aware function. By employing such a timeout process, it is possible to reduce the power and load required for the initial setting of the NAN communication.

[0049] The subscribe processing unit 20a can then subscribe, as a software providing service, to a service published by the image forming apparatus 1 in response to a software providing service search request.

[0050] As described above with respect to the image forming apparatus 1, the software providing service may be a service in which information indicating the SW 11a and identification information of the image forming apparatus 1 are published from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0051] However, the image forming device 1 does not have to publish from the beginning such information indicating the SW 11a that can be provided and the identification information of the image forming device 1. In this case, these pieces of information, that is, additional information, are transmitted later and received by the information processing device 2. In order to receive such additional information, the control unit 20 can include a follow-up processing unit 20b.

[0052] The follow-up processing unit 20b transmits an additional information request to the image forming apparatus 1, requesting additional information about the software provision service published from the image forming apparatus 1. Then, in response to this additional information request, the follow-up processing unit 20b receives the additional information from the image forming apparatus 1. The received additional information includes information indicating SW11a that the image forming apparatus 1 can provide in the software provision service and identification information of the image forming apparatus 1. The transmission of the additional information request and the reception of the additional information can be executed as a message via the communication unit 24, or the like.

[0053] In the above example, it has been explained on the premise that when a software provision service is found, the software provision service is automatically used without the permission of the user of the information processing device 2. However, the information processing device 2 may be configured to include a notification unit as described below, and to use the software provision service after obtaining the user's permission through a user operation on the operation unit 23.

[0054] This notification unit notifies the user when a software providing service published by the image forming apparatus 1 is discovered in the communication unit 24 or the reception processing unit 20c. The notification unit can be configured, for example, by the display unit 22 and the control unit 20. The control unit 20 can perform the above notification by causing the display unit 22 to display a UI image indicating the discovery of the software providing service. Alternatively, the notification unit can be configured by an audio output unit configured by the control unit 20 and a speaker or the like (not shown), and the above notification can be performed by audio output.

[0055] The operation unit 23 accepts a user operation to use the software provision service notified by the notification unit. For example, a UI image to be displayed on the display unit 22 is set not only to indicate the discovery of the software provision service but also to accept a user operation as to whether or not to approve the use of the software provision service. This enables the operation unit 23 to accept such a user operation. Information indicating the user operation accepted by the operation unit 23 can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 as a message or the like.

[0056] The reception processing unit 20c may perform an Aware connection only when this user operation is received. In this manner, when a software provision service published by the image forming device 1 is selected for use, the reception processing unit 20c may cause the communication unit 24 to establish a data communication path for NAN communication with the image forming device 1. Furthermore, the transmission processing unit 10c of the image forming device 1 that has received information indicating this user operation transmits SW11a for the software provision service designated as a target to be subscribed to by the user operation to the information processing device 2 via the established data communication path. This allows the reception processing unit 20c of the information processing device 2 to receive SW11a.

[0057] Furthermore, when the reception processing unit 20c has completed reception of SW11a, the communication unit 24 may disconnect the data communication path for NAN communication. Alternatively, when the information processing device 2 has completed incorporating SW11a, the reception processing unit 20c may cause the communication unit 24 to disconnect the data communication path for NAN communication. By disconnecting the data communication path when installation of SW11a is possible or completed in this manner, the information processing device 2 can reduce the power and load required to maintain the data communication path. Alternatively, when such conditions are met, the reception processing unit 20c or the control unit 20 may stop the Wi-Fi Aware function. By employing such a timeout process, the power and load required for NAN communication can be reduced.

[0058] [Example of information transmission and reception processing] An example of information transmission / reception processing executed in the system 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram for explaining an example of such information transmission / reception processing.

[0059] First, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the control unit 10 receives a user operation to enable the Wi-Fi Aware function from the operation unit 13, or automatically when the power is turned on, Wi-Fi Aware is activated (step S10). Hereinafter, the activated Wi-Fi Aware is simply referred to as Aware. The activated Aware refers to, for example, a program that realizes the Wi-Fi Aware function in the image forming apparatus 1 and an API used to exchange information between the program and the communication unit 14, which is the hardware of the Wi-Fi Aware. Note that API is an abbreviation for Application Programming Interface.

[0060] Thereafter, when the control unit 20 of the information processing device 2 receives a user operation to enable the Wi-Fi Aware function from the operation unit 23, or automatically when the power is turned on, the information processing device 2 starts Aware (step S11). The started Aware refers to, for example, a program that realizes the Wi-Fi Aware function in the information processing device 2 and an API used to exchange information between the program and the communication unit 24, which is the hardware of Wi-Fi Aware.

[0061] After the processing of steps S10 and S11, the image forming device 1 and the information processing device 2 form a cluster (step S12). The order of steps S10 and S11 does not matter. For example, if the image forming device 1 starts Aware first and forms a cluster with other devices, and then the information processing device 2 starts Aware, the information processing device 2 will join that cluster. Conversely, if the information processing device 2 starts Aware first and forms a cluster with other devices, and then the image forming device 1 starts Aware, the image forming device 1 will join that cluster. In this way, ultimately, it is sufficient if the information processing device 2 can join the cluster in which the image forming device 1 is participating.

[0062] After the cluster is formed, the image forming device 1 in which SW11a is stored operates as a publisher, and the information processing device 2 operates as a subscriber. Specifically, the publishing processing unit 10a of the image forming device 1 publishes a software provision service (step S13). This publishing can mean the transmission or distribution of the software provision service. Here, the publishing may include information indicating a predetermined service, such as information such as "software provision service of the manufacturer of the image forming device 1." Then, the subscribing processing unit 20a of the information processing device 2 subscribes to the software provision service (step S14).

[0063] In steps S13 and S14, the image forming device 1 and the information processing device 2 may both determine whether SW11a has been stored and determine the operation based on the result. That is, the control units 10 and 20 may both perform automatic control such as determining whether SW11a has been stored and operating as a publisher if it is determined that SW11a has been stored, and operating as a subscriber if it is determined that SW11a has not been stored. However, in both the image forming device 1 and the information processing device 2, whether to operate as a publisher or a subscriber may be determined by a user operation.

[0064] Next, the follow-up processing unit 20b of the information processing device 2 makes an additional information request to the image forming device 1 to request additional information (step S15). In response to this additional information request, the follow-up processing unit 10b of the image forming device 1 executes transmission of identification information of the image forming device 1 (step S16) and transmission of information indicating SW11a that the image forming device 1 can provide in the software provision service (step S17) as additional information. Note that the order of steps S16 and S17 does not matter, and for example, both pieces of information may be included and transmitted in the same message. Examples of the identification information transmitted in step S16 include a MAC address and a serial number. The subscribe processing unit 20a receives the additional information transmitted in steps S16 and S17.

[0065] In step S13, the publishing processing unit 10a can also publish the software including the identification information of the image forming apparatus 1 and information indicating the SW 11a that the image forming apparatus 1 can provide through the software providing service. In this case, the processes in steps S15 to S17 are not required.

[0066] The subscribe processing unit 20a, the control unit 20, or the reception processing unit 20c that has received the additional information in steps S16 and S17 notifies the user on the display unit 22 that a software provision service has been discovered, and accepts a user operation from the operation unit 23. The notification here is preferably made by including the information received in steps S13, S16, and S17 in a UI image. Then, the operation unit 23 accepts, as this user operation, a selection operation of whether or not to approve use of the discovered software provision service (step S18).

[0067] If there is only one image forming device in the cluster in which the information processing device 2 participates, it is also possible to automatically select the software providing service published by the image forming device 1 instead of step S18. However, since it is possible to imagine a case in which there is only one image forming device in the cluster in which the information processing device 2 participates, it is sufficient to have the user select a service as in step S18.

[0068] When a software provision service is selected in step S18, the subscribe processing unit 20a automatically transmits a message to that effect to the image forming device 1, which is the publisher. Then, the image forming device 1 receives the message and automatically executes NAN pairing with the information processing device 2 (step S19) and establishes an Aware connection (step S20). Note that when a software provision service is selected in step S18, the reception processing unit 20c of the information processing device 2 may take the initiative in automatically executing NAN pairing with the image forming device 1 and establishing an Aware connection.

[0069] In step S19, an example is given in which NAN pairing is used to establish the Aware connection. However, as long as a data communication path is established between the image forming device 1 and the information processing device 2, that is, a link for the software provision service is established, it is sufficient. Therefore, the Aware connection may be established by a method other than NAN pairing.

[0070] Here, an example is given in which a data communication path is established using NAN pairing in steps S19 and S20 for the purpose of enhancing security. There are connection methods in NAN pairing that allow connection simply by selecting a device to connect to, and connection using a password such as a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) or a PIN code. In addition, the connection method in NAN pairing may involve password exchange using other methods, such as NFC (Near field communication). In NAN pairing, the more complex the method of exchanging the key code, the higher the security can be.

[0071] As in these examples, in steps S19 and S20, a data communication path may be established for encrypted communication using a password. In other words, the established data communication path may be a communication path encrypted by a password. This can enhance security.

[0072] Also, it is preferable that the password is set in advance for the software provision service published by the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, the password may be set in advance for the software provision service subscribed to by the information processing apparatus 2. In either case, an encrypted data communication path can be established without user operation. In the NAN pairing, a data communication path can also be easily established without inputting a password or the like. However, the password may be one input by user operation for the software provision service in either the image forming apparatus 1 or the information processing apparatus 2.

[0073] When an Aware connection is established in step S20, that is, when a data communication path is established, the transmission processing unit 10c of the image forming device 1 transmits SW11a to the information processing device 2 via the data communication path (step S21). The reception processing unit 20c of the information processing device 2 receives SW11a transmitted in step S17. Then, when the reception processing unit 20c of the information processing device 2 completes reception of SW11a, it notifies the image forming device 1 of this, disconnects the data communication path (step S22), and ends Aware (step S23). Upon receiving this notification, the image forming device 1 also ends Aware (step S24).

[0074] As described above, in the system 100, the image forming apparatus 1 in which SW11a is stored and the information processing apparatus 2 in which SW11a is not stored are Aware-connected, and SW11a stored in the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2, and SW11a is received by the information processing apparatus 2. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 2 can quickly receive SW11a, improving the convenience of software download.

[0075] The control unit 20 installs the received SW11a in the storage unit 21 so that the control unit 20 can execute it. The timing of this installation is not important as long as it occurs after the reception of SW11a. This completes the transfer of SW11a from the image forming apparatus 1 to the information processing device 2 and the installation of SW11a in the information processing device 2.

[0076] Furthermore, without being limited to the above example, after the process of step S21, either the image forming device 1 or the information processing device 2 may take the initiative in disconnecting the Aware connection and terminating the software provision service (step S22). After that, both the image forming device 1 and the information processing device 2 terminate Aware (steps S24, S23). In this way, the processes of steps S24, S23 can be performed immediately after the process of step S22.

[0077] In addition, with the Wi-Fi Aware function, even if a data communication path for a service is already established, the service or other services can be published, and a data communication path with another terminal can be established. Therefore, the image forming device 1 can perform a process of downloading SW11a to a plurality of information processing devices in parallel. Also, the information processing device 2 can perform a process of downloading software such as SW11a from a plurality of image forming devices in parallel. Note that the parallel processing here is actually, for example, a time-division processing.

[0078] For this reason, the above-mentioned timeout process for a predetermined period may be applied to the processes in steps S20 and S21. For example, the information processing device 2 may stop the Wi-Fi Aware function if there is no other image forming device that has published a software provision service for a predetermined period, such as five minutes, after the Aware connection. Also, for example, the image forming device 1 may stop the Wi-Fi Aware function if there is no other information processing device that has subscribed to a software provision service for a predetermined period, such as five minutes, after the Aware connection.

[0079] As described above, in the information transmission and reception process in system 100, image forming apparatus 1 equipped with storage unit 11 and communication unit 14 executes the following information transmission method, and information processing apparatus 2 equipped with communication unit 24 executes the following information reception method. That is, in this information transmission method, image forming apparatus 1 publishes a service that provides software information, and transmits the software information to information processing apparatus 2 via a data communication path established by NAN communication. In the above information reception method, information processing apparatus 2 subscribes to the service published by image forming apparatus 1, and receives the software information from image forming apparatus 1 via the data communication path established by NAN communication.

[0080] [Variations] In the above configuration example, the image forming apparatus 1 has been described on the assumption that it publishes one software provision service in step S13. However, in step S13, the image forming apparatus 1 can also publish a plurality of software provision services. Such a modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a UI image presented in the transmission / reception process of Fig. 2.

[0081] The publishing processing unit 10a in the modified example publishes a plurality of software providing services each of which transmits different software information. For example, the publishing processing unit 10a publishes three services: an all-software providing service, a driver download service, and an application download service.

[0082] The all software download service is a service that allows downloading all software that can be provided by the image forming apparatus 1. The driver download service is a service that allows downloading only the driver software required for using the image forming apparatus 1. The application download service is a service that allows downloading application software that can be used with the image forming apparatus 1.

[0083] The subscribe processing unit 20a in the modified example subscribes to a plurality of software providing services that transmit different software information published by the publish processing unit 10a.

[0084] The operation unit 23 in the modified example accepts a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of software provision services for use in the selection in step S18 described above. For example, the information processing device 2 causes the user to display a UI image 30 shown in FIG. 3. The UI image 30 includes a button for performing an Aware connection for each software provision service. Specifically, the UI image 30 includes a radio button group 31, an OK button 32, and a cancel button 33. The radio button group 31 includes a radio button for each of the three software provision services. The user can select the software provision service he or she wants to use from the radio button group 31, turn on the radio button, and select the OK button 32 to select one software provision service indicated by the turned-on radio button. If the cancel button 33 is selected, the process may be terminated.

[0085] Thereafter, a data communication path is established for the selected software provision service. Then, the transmission processing unit 10c in the modified example transmits software corresponding to the selected software provision service to an image forming device that has selected one of the plurality of software provision services published by the publishing processing unit 10a for use. Here, the explanation is given on the assumption that the image forming device that selected the software provision service is the information processing device 2. Note that, at the time of selection, at least a subscription to the selected software provision service is also performed.

[0086] In the modified example, the receiving processing unit 20c receives software information corresponding to the one software provision service selected on the operation unit 23 from the image forming device 1 that published the one software provision service via the established NAN communication data communication path.

[0087] [Advantages of this embodiment] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of the process in which the information processing device acquires information related to the software used when using the image forming device. The following describes such an effect by giving a specific example.

[0088] For example, there is a situation where a general user of the image forming device 1 purchases the information processing device 2 as a new information processing device and replaces the old information processing device with the information processing device 2. That is, this situation is a situation where an information processing device is replaced. This situation will be referred to as the first situation and will be described. In the first situation, the image forming device that the user wants to use is not necessarily one. As another situation, there is a situation where the information processing device 2 is used in a place different from the place where it is usually used. This situation will be referred to as the second situation and will be described. In the second situation, the image forming device that the user wants to use is not necessarily one. As another situation, there is a situation where a system administrator initializes multiple information processing devices, that is, a situation where multiple information processing devices are set up. This situation will be referred to as the third situation and will be described. As another situation, there is a situation where a system administrator initializes multiple image forming devices, that is, a situation where multiple image forming devices are set up so that they can be used with one or more existing information processing devices. This situation will be referred to as the fourth situation and will be described.

[0089] In contrast, in this embodiment, in any of the first to fourth scenes, the information processing device can easily acquire software for a new pair of the information processing device and the image forming device. In particular, the effect becomes greater as the number of pairs increases. Note that in this embodiment, even in a configuration that requires the permission of the user of the information processing device 2, it is only necessary to add a simple user operation of permission.

[0090] The first scene will be taken as an example for explanation. For example, when an information processing device that has just been purchased is used to print using an image forming device that has not just been purchased, it is necessary to check the model number of the image forming device and download software from the Internet or read a dedicated recording medium. However, in this embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of downloading software by connecting the information processing device to the Internet or reading a dedicated recording medium. In addition, there are cases where the information processing device is not connected to the Internet, but in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain software even in such cases. In addition, when a new information processing device is purchased, there are cases where the dedicated recording medium does not exist in the image forming device or has been lost, but in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain software even in such cases.

[0091] In this manner, in this embodiment, it is possible to install necessary software regardless of whether the information processing device is connected to a network or whether a dedicated recording medium is present.

[0092] Also, as a comparative example, when the SW11a is transferred using the Wi-Fi Direct technology, input of a password or permission on an operation unit is required, whereas in this embodiment, input of a password can be omitted.

[0093] Although SW11a has a large data capacity, the data communication path described above is established and data is transferred through the data communication path as in the present embodiment, so that the data transmission and reception does not require a long communication time. For example, as another comparative example, when SW11a is transferred using Bluetooth (registered trademark) technology, the amount of data that can be communicated is small, so a long communication time is required.

[0094] Furthermore, the above-described modified example has the following effect: As in the above-described modified example, by configuring the software provision service to be selectable by a user operation from among a plurality of software provision services, the user can acquire as much software as he or she desires.

[0095] (Other configuration examples) [System configuration] Another configuration example of a system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of such a system. The other configuration example (hereinafter, configuration example A) shown in Fig. 4 will be described with a focus on differences from the configuration examples described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. However, various examples of the configuration examples and modified examples described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 can also be applied to configuration example A.

[0096] 4, the system 100A according to the configuration example A includes an image forming apparatus 1A having at least the functions of the image forming apparatus 1, an information processing apparatus 2A having at least the functions of the information processing apparatus 2, and a server apparatus (hereinafter, server) 3. The server 3 and the information processing apparatus 2A are connected via a network N such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0097] In the configuration example A, instead of SW11a, access information to a website that provides the software is transmitted as software information.

[0098] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 1A] The storage unit 11 of the image forming device 1A stores the above access information. Hereinafter, this access information will be described as SW-URL11b. URL is an abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator. Of course, the access information may be a Uniform Resource Name (URN) instead of a URL. In other words, the access information may be a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). In this way, the access information exemplified by SW-URL11b may be information that allows the information processing device 2A that receives the access information to download the target software. The access destination indicated by SW-URL11b is assumed to be a specified storage area of ​​the server 3.

[0099] The publishing processing unit 10a in the configuration example A publishes a software providing service that transmits SW-URL 11b. In this case, the transmission processing unit 10c in the configuration example A transmits SW-URL 11b to the image forming device selected to use the software providing service published by the publishing processing unit 10a via the established data communication path. Here, the explanation is given on the assumption that the image forming device that selected the software providing service is the information processing device 2A. The other configurations of the image forming device 1A are basically the same as those of the image forming device 1.

[0100] [Configuration of information processing device 2A] The subscribe processing unit 20a in the configuration example A subscribes to a software providing service that provides SW-URL 11b and that is published by the image forming apparatus 1A. The operation unit 23 in the configuration example A accepts a user operation for selecting the software providing service for use.

[0101] The receiving processor 20c in the configuration example A receives SW-URL 11b via the established data communication path from the image forming apparatus 1A that has published the software providing service selected on the operation unit 23. The controller 20 in the configuration example A accesses the received SW-URL 11b via a network N such as the Internet, and acquires the software corresponding to SW11a from the server 3. The other configurations of the information processing apparatus 2A are basically the same as those of the information processing apparatus 2.

[0102] [Example of information transmission and reception processing] An example of information transmission and reception processing executed in the system 100A of Fig. 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flow diagram for explaining an example of such information transmission and reception processing. For the sake of simplicity, the same step numbers are used in Fig. 5 for steps that are the same as those in Fig. 2.

[0103] In the process of FIG. 5, similarly to the process of FIG. 2, first, Aware is activated in both the information processing device 2A and the image forming device 1A (steps S10 and S11), and a cluster is formed (step S12).

[0104] Next, the subscribe processing unit 20a of the information processing device 2A subscribes to search for a software providing service (step S13a). This search is as explained for the service search request in the explanation of FIG. 1. Next, the publish processing unit 10a of the image forming device 1A publishes the software providing service (step S14a). Here, the information processing device 2 searches for a software providing service, and in step S14a, the software providing service published by the image forming device 1A is discovered. However, even in the configuration example A, steps S13 and S14 of FIG. 2 may be executed instead of steps S13a and 14a.

[0105] Thereafter, in the process of FIG. 5 as well, steps S15 to S20 are executed as in the process of FIG. 2, and a data communication path is established.

[0106] The transmission processing unit 10c of the image forming device 1A transmits the SW-URL 11b to the information processing device 2A via the established data communication path (step S21a). Then, the reception processing unit 20c of the information processing device 2A receives the SW-URL 11b transmitted in step S21a. This completes the transfer of the SW-URL 11b from the image forming device 1A to the information processing device 2A. Thereafter, in the process of FIG. 5, the data communication path is disconnected (step S22), Aware is terminated (step S23), and Aware is terminated (step S24).

[0107] The control unit 20 of the information processing device 2A accesses the received SW-URL 11b and downloads the software corresponding to SW11a from the server 3 (step S25). The control unit 20 then installs the software in the storage unit 21 so that the control unit 20 can execute it. The timing of this access and installation does not matter as long as it occurs after the reception of SW11a. This completes the transfer of SW11a from the image forming device 1 to the information processing device 2 and the installation of SW11a in the information processing device 2.

[0108] As described above, in system 100A, image forming device 1A in which SW-URL11b is stored and information processing device 2A in which SW11a and SW-URL11b are not stored are Aware-connected, and SW-URL11b is transmitted from image forming device 1A to information processing device 2A. SW-URL11b is then received by information processing device 2A. Therefore, information processing device 2A can quickly receive SW-URL11b from which SW11a is obtained, improving the convenience of software download.

[0109] [Variations] The modified example described with reference to Fig. 3 can also be applied to the configuration example A. In this case, in step S13a, the subscribe processing unit 20a may search only for one predetermined software provision service, rather than searching for all three software provision services.

[0110] In addition, in the configuration example A, SW-URL11b is stored in the storage unit 11, and SW-URL11b is the target of transmission and reception. However, at least one of SW11a and SW-URL11b may be stored in the storage unit 11 as software information. Furthermore, when both SW11a and SW-URL11b are stored in the storage unit 11 as software information, the following configuration is also possible. That is, the image forming device 1A publishes both a software providing service that provides SW11a and a software providing service that provides SW-URL11b, and allows the user of the information processing device 2A to select a service.

[0111] [Effects of Configuration Example A] The configuration example A described in Figures 4 and 5 can also achieve the same effects as the examples described using Figures 1 to 3. However, in the configuration example A, if the information processing device 2A does not have a network connection such as the Internet, it is necessary to establish a network connection before responding, but the amount of data received from the image forming device 1A can be reduced.

[0112] (Other variations) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each image forming apparatus and each information processing apparatus may be any apparatus capable of implementing the functions described above.

[0113] Each of the devices provided in the system according to the above-described embodiment may have, for example, the following hardware configuration. Here, in the examples of Figures 1 and 4, the devices refer to the image forming devices 1 and 1A, the information processing devices 2 and 2A, and the server 3. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the devices.

[0114] 6 may include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and an interface 1003. The interface 1003 may include, for example, a communication interface, an interface with an input / output device, etc., as required depending on the device.

[0115] The processor 1001 may be, for example, a CPU, a GPU, or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) also called a microprocessor. The processor 1001 may include a plurality of processors. The memory 1002 is, for example, configured by a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The functions of each device are realized by the processor 1001 reading a program stored in the memory 1002 and executing the program while exchanging necessary information via the interface 1003. For example, when the device 1000 is an image forming device that transmits software information, the program may include a program for causing the processor 1001 to execute the transmission process of the software information as described above. For example, when the device 1000 is an information processing device that receives software information, the program may include a program for causing the processor 1001 to execute the reception process of the software information as described above.

[0116] Moreover, the above-mentioned program includes a set of instructions (or software code) for making the computer perform one or more functions described in the embodiment when the program is loaded into the computer. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagating signals.

[0117] While the present invention has been described above with reference to the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and naturally includes various modifications, alterations, and combinations that may be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims of the present application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1...image forming apparatus, 1A...image forming apparatus, 2...information processing apparatus, 2A...information processing apparatus, 3...server, 10...control unit, 10a...publishing processing unit, 10b...follow-up processing unit, 10c...transmission processing unit, 11...memory unit, 11a...software (SW), 12...display unit, 13...operation unit, 14...communication unit, 20...control unit, 20a...subscribe processing unit, 20b...follow-up processing unit, 20c...receiving processing unit, 21...memory unit, 22...display unit, 23...operation unit, 24...communication unit, 30...UI image, 31...radio button group, 32...OK button, 33...cancel button, 100...system, 100A...system, 1000...apparatus, 1001...processor, 1002...memory, 1003...interface, N...network.

Claims

1. A storage unit for storing software information that is information related to software; A communication unit that communicates with the information processing device through Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) communication; a publishing processing unit that publishes a service for providing the software information to the information processing device; a transmission processing unit that transmits the software information to the information processing device via a data communication path established by the NAN communication; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The publishing processing unit publishes the service when a service search request is subscribed to from the information processing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. the publishing processing unit publishes information indicating the software information that can be provided and identification information of the image forming device; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a follow-up processing unit that, when receiving an additional information request for additional information about the published service from the information processing device, transmits information indicating the software information that can be provided by the service and identification information of the image forming device to the information processing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. the transmission processing unit transmits the software information to the information processing device that has subscribed to the published service.

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

6. when the transmission of the software information is completed, the transmission processing unit causes the communication unit to disconnect the data communication path of the NAN communication.

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

7. The software information includes at least one of the software and access information to a website that provides the software.

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

8. The software includes at least one of driver software that converts data to be image-formed into a format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus and application software that can be used by the image forming apparatus.

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

9. a communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus through Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) communication; a subscribing processing unit that subscribes to a service published by the image forming apparatus for a service provided by the image forming apparatus, the service being software information that is information related to software; a reception processing unit that receives the software information from the image forming apparatus via a data communication path established by the NAN communication; An information processing device comprising:

10. the subscribe processing unit subscribes to a service search request, and subscribes, as the service, to a service published by the image forming apparatus in response to the service search request; The information processing device according to claim 9.

11. the service is a service in which information indicating the software information and identification information of the image forming device are published from the image forming device; The information processing device according to claim 9 or 10.

12. a follow-up processing unit that transmits to the image forming apparatus an additional information request for requesting additional information about the service published from the image forming apparatus, and receives from the image forming apparatus, in response to the additional information request, information indicating the software information that can be provided by the service and identification information of the image forming apparatus. The information processing device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising:

13. an operation receiving unit that receives a user operation for subscribing to the service published by the image forming apparatus; The information processing device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising:

14. the reception processing unit causes the communication unit to disconnect the data communication path of the NAN communication when reception of the software information is completed or when the information processing device completes installation of the software based on the software information. The information processing device according to claim 9 or 10.

15. The software information includes at least one of the software and access information to a website that provides the software. The information processing device according to claim 9 or 10.

16. The software includes at least one of driver software that converts data to be image-formed into a format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus and application software that can be used by the image forming apparatus. The information processing device according to claim 9 or 10.

17. an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores software information, which is information related to software, and a communication unit that communicates with an information processing apparatus via Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) communication, publishing a service for providing the software information to the information processing apparatus; the image forming apparatus transmits the software information to the information processing apparatus via the data communication path established by the NAN communication; How information is transmitted.

18. an information processing device including a communication unit that communicates with an image forming device via NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) communication, subscribes to software information, which is information about software, for a service provided by the image forming device and is published by the image forming device, and receives the software information from the image forming device via a data communication path established by the NAN communication; How to receive information.

Images