Electronic apparatus and communication method

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus capable of improving the communication status of wireless communication by a wireless communication unit, and a communication method.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: a shield belt 9 tensioned by a drive roller 9A and a tension roller 9B; a wireless communication unit 7 provided inside the shield belt 9 and performing wireless communication with an external communication device; and a plurality of metal sheets 9C affixed to an outer peripheral surface of the shield belt 9. The metal sheets 9C each rotate around an axis passing through the wireless communication unit 7 by the rotation of the shield belt 9 in a rotation direction D4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known electronic devices such as multifunction peripherals that include a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a communication device. Also, a related art is known in which an electronic device includes a metal plate that can change its position between an upright position that covers the back of the wireless communication unit and a bent position that covers the back and top of the wireless communication unit, and that, when in the upright position, can move between a first position that covers the back of the wireless communication unit and a second position that is retracted downward from the first position (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-62127 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the electronic device according to the above-mentioned related art, although it is possible to block jamming radio waves traveling toward the wireless communication unit from above or behind the wireless communication unit, it is not possible to block jamming radio waves traveling toward the wireless communication unit from other directions. Therefore, in the electronic device according to the above-mentioned related art, it may not be possible to improve the communication status of the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a communication method that can improve the communication conditions of wireless communication by a wireless communication unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device including a wireless communication unit and a metal member, the wireless communication unit performing wireless communication with a communication device, and a movable portion of either the wireless communication unit or the metal member being rotatable around an axis passing through a fixed portion of the wireless communication unit or the metal member that is different from the movable portion.

[0007] A communication method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by an electronic device including a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a communication device and a metal member, wherein a movable portion of either the wireless communication unit or the metal member is movable around an axis passing through a fixed portion of the wireless communication unit or the metal member that is different from the movable portion, and includes an acquisition step and a movement control step. In the acquisition step, reception status information regarding a reception status of radio waves in the wireless communication unit is acquired. In the movement control step, movement of the movable portion is controlled based on the reception status information acquired in the acquisition step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the communication conditions of wireless communication by the wireless communication unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shielding belt of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shielding belt of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a movement control process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 100] First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0012] For ease of explanation, the vertical direction in the installation state where image forming apparatus 100 is usable (the state shown in FIG. 1) is defined as the up-down direction D1. Also, the front side of image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the front (front face) and the left-right direction D3 is defined based on the front face of image forming apparatus 100 in the installation state.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral that has multiple functions, such as a scanning function for reading an image from a document, a printing function for forming an image on a sheet based on image data, a fax function, and a copy function. The image forming apparatus 100 is an example of an electronic device of the present invention. The present invention may also be applied to electronic devices such as scanners, printers, fax machines, copy machines, personal computers, laptop computers, televisions, microwave ovens, and refrigerators.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming device 100 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, an operation display unit 5, a memory unit 6, a wireless communication unit 7, and a control unit 8.

[0015] The ADF 1 transports a document whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 2. The ADF 1 includes a document setting unit, a plurality of transport rollers, a document presser, and a paper discharge unit.

[0016] The image reading unit 2 realizes the scanning function and includes a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).

[0017] The image forming unit 3 realizes the printing function. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 forms an image based on image data on a sheet using an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, an optical scanning device, a developing device, a transfer roller, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and a paper discharge tray. Note that the image forming unit 3 may also form an image based on image data on a sheet using other image forming methods, such as an inkjet method.

[0018] The paper feed unit 4 conveys sheets on which images are to be formed by the image forming unit 3.

[0019] The operation display unit 5 is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation display unit 5 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 8. For example, the display unit is a liquid crystal display. The operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 8 in response to user operations. For example, the operation unit is a touch panel.

[0020] The storage unit 6 is a non-volatile storage device, for example, a flash memory.

[0021] The wireless communication unit 7 is a communication interface that performs wireless communication with an external communication device 200 (see FIG. 2). For example, the wireless communication unit 7 performs wireless communication with the communication device 200 in accordance with a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11n or IEEE802.11ac. The wireless communication unit 7 includes an antenna (not shown). The antenna is used to receive radio waves transmitted from the communication device 200. The wireless communication unit 7 may perform wireless communication with the communication device 200 in accordance with another communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wireless communication unit 7 may also perform wireless communication with a communication device inside the image forming apparatus 100.

[0022] The control unit 8 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 8 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, and a RAM 13. The CPU 11 is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile storage device that stores information such as control programs for causing the CPU 11 to execute various types of processing. The RAM 13 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various types of processing executed by the CPU 11. The CPU 11 executes the various control programs stored in the ROM 12 in advance. In this way, the control unit 8 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 8 may be configured as an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0023] Incidentally, a related technology is known that provides an electronic device that is capable of changing its position between an upright position covering the back of the wireless communication unit 7 and a bent position covering the back and top of the wireless communication unit 7, and that, when in the upright position, is movable between a first position covering the back of the wireless communication unit 7 and a second position retracted downward from the first position.

[0024] However, the electronic device according to the above-mentioned related art can block jamming radio waves traveling from above or behind the wireless communication unit 7 toward the wireless communication unit 7, but cannot block jamming radio waves traveling toward the wireless communication unit 7 from other directions. Therefore, the electronic device according to the above-mentioned related art may not be able to improve the communication conditions of wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 7.

[0025] In contrast to this, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication conditions of the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 7 can be improved as described below.

[0026] Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a shielding belt 9 shown in FIGS.

[0027] [Configuration of Shielding Belt 9] Next, the configuration of the shielding belt 9 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the shielding belt 9 and the wireless communication unit 7. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the shielding belt 9 has been moved a predetermined amount along the rotation direction D4 from the state shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the metal sheet 9C is indicated by a thick line.

[0028] The shielding belt 9 is a rotatable endless belt member, and is, for example, a film made of synthetic resin.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the shielding belt 9 is tensioned by a drive roller 9A and a tension roller 9B. The drive roller 9A and the tension roller 9B are arranged so that their axes are parallel to the front-to-rear direction D2. The drive roller 9A rotates by receiving a rotational driving force supplied from a motor (not shown). This causes the shielding belt 9 to rotate in a rotational direction D4 shown in Fig. 3.

[0030] 3, the wireless communication unit 7 is provided inside the shielding belt 9. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 7 is fixedly disposed inside the shielding belt 9. As a result, the top, bottom, and both left and right sides of the wireless communication unit 7 are covered by the shielding belt 9.

[0031] For example, the width (size in the front-to-back direction D2) of the shielding belt 9 is longer than the size of the wireless communication unit 7 in the front-to-back direction D2. Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 7 is disposed inside the shielding belt 9 in the front-to-back direction D2. In other words, the wireless communication unit 7 is disposed so that the entire top, bottom, and both left and right sides of the wireless communication unit 7 are covered by the shielding belt 9. Note that the width of the shielding belt 9 may be shorter than the size of the wireless communication unit 7 in the front-to-back direction D2.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, a metal sheet 9C is attached to the outer periphery of the shielding belt 9. For example, three metal sheets 9C are attached to the outer periphery of the shielding belt 9. The three metal sheets 9C are arranged at intervals along the outer periphery of the shielding belt 9. Each metal sheet 9C is formed in a rectangular shape. The width (size in the front-rear direction D2) of each metal sheet 9C is the same length as the width of the shielding belt 9. Note that the metal sheet 9C may be provided on the inner periphery of the shielding belt 9. Furthermore, the number of metal sheets 9C provided on the periphery of the shielding belt 9 does not have to be limited to three.

[0033] In the image forming apparatus 100, as the shielding belt 9 rotates in the rotation direction D4, each metal sheet 9C rotates around an axis along the front-rear direction D2 passing through the wireless communication unit 7 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). This makes it possible to change the position of each metal sheet 9C relative to the wireless communication unit 7. Therefore, even if a jamming radio wave that interferes with the wireless communication unit 7's reception of a radio wave transmitted from the communication device 200 travels toward the wireless communication unit 7 from above, below, left, or right of the wireless communication unit 7, the jamming radio wave can be prevented from reaching the wireless communication unit 7. The metal sheet 9C is an example of a metal member of the present invention. The metal sheet 9C is also an example of a movable part of the present invention. The wireless communication unit 7 is also an example of a fixed part of the present invention. The shielding belt 9 is also an example of a belt member of the present invention.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 100 may include a cylindrical shielding member instead of the shielding belt 9. In this case, the wireless communication unit 7 may be provided inside the shielding member. The metal sheet 9C may be provided around the periphery of the shielding member.

[0035] Moreover, the wireless communication unit 7 may be provided on the outer periphery of the shielding belt 9. In this case, a metal member, which is the fixing member of the present invention, such as a metal plate, may be disposed inside the shielding belt 9.

[0036] The drive roller 9A and the tension roller 9B may be arranged so that their axes are parallel to the up-down direction D1 or the left-right direction D3.

[0037] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may include another shielding belt that is stretched by a long drive roller and a tension roller in the vertical direction D1 or the horizontal direction D3, in addition to the shielding belt 9. The other shielding belt may have the same configuration as the shielding belt 9, as long as it covers the periphery of the wireless communication unit 7.

[0038] [Configuration of control unit 8] Next, the configuration of the control unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 8 includes an acquisition processing unit 21 and a movement control unit 22.

[0040] Specifically, a movement control program for causing the CPU 11 to function as each of the above-mentioned functional units is stored in advance in the ROM 12 of the control unit 8. The CPU 11 then executes the movement control program stored in the ROM 12 to function as each of the above-mentioned functional units.

[0041] The movement control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and stored in the storage unit 6. Some or all of the functional units included in the control unit 8 may be configured with electronic circuits. The movement control program may also be a program for causing multiple processors to function as the functional units included in the control unit 8.

[0042] The acquisition processing unit 21 acquires reception status information relating to the reception status of radio waves in the wireless communication unit 7.

[0043] For example, the reception status information is an S / N ratio. In this case, the acquisition processing unit 21 acquires the S / N ratio based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the communication device 200 and received by the antenna of the wireless communication unit 7, and the intensity of the noise.

[0044] The reception status information may be information indicating the frequency of failure in reception of data transmitted from the communication device 200 by the wireless communication unit 7. In this case, the acquisition processing unit 21 may acquire the frequency of failure in data reception based on the number of times that reception of data transmitted from the communication device 200 by the wireless communication unit 7 has failed, counted during a predetermined period.

[0045] The movement control unit 22 controls the movement of the metal sheet 9C based on the reception status information acquired by the acquisition processing unit 21.

[0046] For example, when the S / N ratio acquired by the acquisition processing unit 21 is less than a predetermined threshold, the movement control unit 22 moves the metal sheet 9C along the rotation direction D4 by a predetermined specific amount. Furthermore, when the S / N ratio acquired by the acquisition processing unit 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the movement control unit 22 does not move the metal sheet 9C along the rotation direction D4.

[0047] [Movement control processing] 5, a description will be given of an example of the procedure of the movement control process executed by the control unit 8 in the image forming apparatus 100, as well as the communication method of the present invention. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent the numbers of the process procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 8.

[0048] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 8 determines whether or not a predetermined acquisition timing has arrived.

[0049] For example, the acquisition timing is a timing that arrives at a predetermined cycle. Note that the acquisition timing may also be a timing at which wireless communication with the communication device 200 is started.

[0050] Here, when the control unit 8 determines that the acquisition timing has arrived (Yes in S11), it shifts the process to step S12. On the other hand, when the acquisition timing has not arrived (No in S11), the control unit 8 waits for the arrival of the acquisition timing in step S11.

[0051] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 8 acquires an S / N ratio based on the intensity of the radio waves transmitted from the communication device 200 and the intensity of the noise received using the antenna of the wireless communication unit 7. The process of step S12 is an example of an acquisition step of the present invention, and is executed by the acquisition processing unit 21 of the control unit 8.

[0052] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 8 determines whether the SN ratio acquired in the process of step S12 is less than the threshold value.

[0053] Here, if the control unit 8 determines that the SN ratio is less than the threshold value (Yes in S13), the control unit 8 shifts the process to step S14. If the SN ratio is not less than the threshold value (No in S13), the control unit 8 shifts the process to step S11.

[0054] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 8 moves the metal sheet 9C by the specific amount along the rotation direction D4. Then, the control unit 8 transitions the process to step S12. As a result, the process of step S14 is repeatedly executed until the S / N ratio becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value. The processes of steps S13 and S14 are an example of a movement control step of the present invention, and are executed by the movement control unit 22 of the control unit 8.

[0055] In this way, in the image forming apparatus 100, the movement of the metal sheet 9C is controlled based on the reception status information acquired by the acquisition processing unit 21. This makes it possible to automatically improve the communication status of wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 7.

[0056] The shielding belt 9 may be rotated manually. In this case, the control unit 8 may acquire the reception status information and display the acquired reception status information on the operation display unit 5 every time the shielding belt 9 is rotated manually.

[0057] [Notes on the Invention] The following will provide an outline of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0058] <Appendix 1> An electronic device comprising: a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a communication device; and a metal member, wherein a movable part of either the wireless communication unit or the metal member is rotatable around an axis that passes through a fixed part of the wireless communication unit or the metal member that is different from the movable part.

[0059] <Appendix 2> 2. The electronic device described in Appendix 1, wherein the movable part is the metal member and the fixed part is the wireless communication part.

[0060] <Appendix 3> 3. The electronic device described in Appendix 2, comprising a rotatably arranged endless belt member, the wireless communication unit being arranged inside the belt member, and the metal member being arranged on the periphery of the belt member.

[0061] <Appendix 4> An electronic device as described in any one of appendices 1 to 3, comprising: an acquisition processing unit that acquires reception status information regarding the reception status of radio waves in the wireless communication unit; and a movement control unit that controls the movement of the movable unit based on the reception status information acquired by the acquisition processing unit.

[0062] <Appendix 5> 5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising either or both of an image reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data.

[0063] <Appendix 6> A communication method executed by an electronic device comprising a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a communication device and a metal member, wherein a movable part of either the wireless communication unit or the metal member is arranged to be movable around an axis that passes through a fixed part of the wireless communication unit or the metal member that is different from the movable part, the communication method including: an acquisition step of acquiring reception status information regarding the reception status of radio waves in the wireless communication unit; and a movement control step of controlling the movement of the movable part based on the reception status information acquired by the acquisition step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 ADF 2 Image reading unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper feed section 5 Operation display section 6 Memory section 7. Wireless Communication Section 8 Control Unit 9 Shielding Belt 9A Drive roller 9B Tension Roller 9C Metal Sheet 21 Acquisition processing unit 22 Movement control unit 100 Image forming device 200 Communication Equipment

Claims

1. a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a communication device; A metal member; Equipped with a movable portion of either the wireless communication unit or the metal member is provided rotatably around an axis passing through a fixed portion of the wireless communication unit or the metal member that is different from the movable portion; electronic equipment.

2. The movable portion is the metal member, the fixed unit is the wireless communication unit, The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. a rotatable endless belt member; the wireless communication unit is provided inside the belt member, The metal member is provided on the periphery of the belt member. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

4. an acquisition processing unit that acquires reception status information regarding a reception status of radio waves in the wireless communication unit; a movement control unit that controls movement of the movable unit based on the reception status information acquired by the acquisition processing unit; 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, comprising:

5. The image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document and / or an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1.

6. A communication method executed by an electronic device including a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a communication device and a metal member, wherein a movable part of either the wireless communication unit or the metal member is provided to be movable around an axis that passes through a fixed part of the wireless communication unit or the metal member that is different from the movable part, an acquisition step of acquiring reception status information regarding a reception status of radio waves in the wireless communication unit; a movement control step of controlling movement of the movable part based on the reception status information acquired by the acquisition step; A communication method including:

Images