Information processing apparatus, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, program, and system for acquiring connection information from a desired image processing device by radio communication even in the case where a plurality of image processing devices are installed.SOLUTION: A radio communication terminal being an information processing device includes an inclination detection part for measuring inclination, a connection processing part for determining whether the inclination of the radio communication terminal is prescribed inclination corresponding to a shape of an apparatus, a reception part for receiving a plurality of radio waves outputted from one or more apparatuses, a reception signal intensity measurement part for acquiring identification information for identifying an apparatus that outputs a radio wave from the plurality of respective radio waves that are received, and measuring the intensity of the received radio wave, and a connection object specification part for determining whether to perform connection to the apparatuses that output the plurality of radio waves on the basis of the measured intensity of the radio waves in the plurality of radio waves with which the acquired identification information is coincident among the plurality of radio waves that are received. Further, the connection processing part performs connection to the apparatuses on the basis of the radio waves outputted from the apparatuses, wherein the apparatuses are determined to receive the connection according to the determination of the inclination of the radio communication terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and information processing program to the virus .

Background Art

[0002] When connecting to an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus such as a wireless communication terminal acquires connection information by a first wireless communication method and connects by a second wireless communication method using the connection information.

[0003] There is known a technique in which, until it is detected that a mobile terminal that transmits print data has entered a predetermined range, waiting is performed without starting image formation based on the print data, and when it is detected that the mobile terminal has entered the predetermined range, the waiting state is released (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An information processing apparatus such as a wireless communication terminal receives a signal transmitted by wireless communication from an image processing apparatus, and when the reception signal strength of the signal becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, connects to the image processing apparatus based on the received signal.

[0005] However, when a plurality of image processing apparatuses are installed, the information processing apparatus may accidentally measure the reception signal strength of a signal transmitted by wireless communication by an adjacent image processing apparatus different from the image processing apparatus in front of it. If the reception signal strength is higher than a predetermined threshold value, the information processing apparatus may connect to an adjacent image processing apparatus different from the image processing apparatus to which it wants to request a job.

[0006] In addition, when an information processing apparatus such as a wireless communication terminal is left near an image processing apparatus and accidentally measures a signal transmitted by wireless communication from the image processing apparatus, and the received signal strength is higher than a predetermined threshold value, it is assumed that communication will be established with the image processing apparatus against the user's will and a job will be requested.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain connection information by wireless communication and connect using the connection information when connecting to an image processing apparatus, even when a plurality of image processing apparatuses are installed in an information processing system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure is In an information processing apparatus connectable to one or more devices via a network, operation detection means for detecting a predetermined operation for starting a search for the device to the information processing apparatus; 1 Receiving means for receiving a plurality of radio waves output from the above devices; Obtaining means for obtaining identification information for identifying a device that has output radio waves from each of the plurality of radio waves received by the receiving means; Radio wave intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of the radio waves received by the receiving means; in response to the predetermined operation being detected by the operation detection means, Based on the intensity of the radio waves measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means among the plurality of radio waves received by the receiving means, in the plurality of radio waves in which the identification information obtained by the obtaining means matches, the information processing apparatus in which the predetermined operation is detected by the operation detection means, Determining means for determining whether to connect to the device that has output the plurality of radio waves; before Connection means for connecting to the device determined to be connected by the determination means based on the radio waves output by the device; And having.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in an information processing system in which, when connecting to an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus acquires connection information by wireless communication and connects by wireless communication using the connection information, even when a plurality of image processing apparatuses are installed, connection information can be acquired by wireless communication from a desired image processing apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Next, the mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on the following examples. The examples described below are merely examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following examples. In all the drawings for explaining the examples, those having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted.

[0012] <Overview> <Image Processing System> FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. The image processing system includes an image processing apparatus 100 and a wireless communication terminal 200.

[0013] The image processing apparatus 100 can be applied to image forming apparatuses such as a multifunction machine and a printer, and executes image processing in response to a job that requests image processing such as printing and scanning from an external device such as a wireless communication terminal 200. The image processing apparatus 100 includes a first wireless communication unit and a second wireless communication unit, and is directly connected to the wireless communication terminal 200 by the first wireless communication unit, and is connected to the wireless communication terminal 200 via a wireless access point 300 by the second wireless communication unit.

[0014] The wireless communication terminal 200 can be applied to a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. The wireless communication terminal 200 includes a first wireless communication unit and a second wireless communication unit, and is directly connected to the image processing apparatus 100 by the first wireless communication unit, and is connected to the image processing apparatus 100 via a wireless access point 300 by the second wireless communication unit. Instead of the first wireless communication unit, an NFC reader / writer can also be applied.

[0015] The wireless access point 300 constructs a communication path between the image processing apparatus 100 and the wireless communication terminal 200. The wireless access point 300 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 50 such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and communicates with the wireless communication terminal 200 in accordance with a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11. Here, instead of the wireless access point 300, the image processing apparatus 100 may be provided with a Wi-Fi module operating in infrastructure mode or a Wi-Fi Direct module that can directly connect to and communicate with the wireless communication terminal 200. In this case, the wireless communication terminal 200 can be directly connected to and communicate with the image processing apparatus 100 without going through the wireless access point 300, so the wireless access point can be made unnecessary.

[0016] <Image processing apparatus 100> FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0017] The image processing apparatus 100 includes a controller 102, an operation unit 122, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 126, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 128, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 interface 130, and an engine unit 132. In the image processing apparatus 100, the parts other than the operation unit 122 may also be called the main body unit.

[0018] The controller 102 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 104, a north bridge (NB) 106, a system memory (MEM-P) 108, a south bridge (SB) 114, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) 116, a local memory (MEM-C) 118, an HDD 120, and a network interface card (NIC) 121. The system memory 108 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 110 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112.

[0019] The CPU 104 controls the entire image processing apparatus 100 and forms a chipset together with the north bridge 106, the system memory 108, and the south bridge 114. The CPU 104 is connected to other devices via this chipset. The north bridge 106 is a bridge that connects between the CPU 104, the system memory 108, the south bridge 114, and an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 60. The north bridge 106 has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the system memory 108, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) master, and an AGP target.

[0020] The AGP bus 60 is an interface proposed to speed up graphic processing. By directly accessing the system memory 108 at high throughput, it speeds up image processing.

[0021] The ROM 110 of the system memory 108 is a read-only memory for storing programs and data for the image processing apparatus. The RAM 112 of the system memory 108 is a writable and readable memory used to expand programs and data for the image processing apparatus and is used when drawing processing is performed by the printer. The south bridge 114 is a bridge that connects the north bridge 106 and peripheral devices such as PCI devices. The south bridge 114 is connected to the north bridge 106 via the PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) etc. can also be connected to the PCI bus.

[0022] The ASIC 116 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing and serves as a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 60, the PCI bus 70, the HDD 120, and the local memory 118 respectively. The ASIC 116 consists of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) forming the core of the ASIC 116, a memory controller for controlling the local memory 118, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) for performing operations such as rotation of image data by hardware logic, etc., and a PCI unit for performing data transfer via the PCI bus 70 between the engine unit 132. The operation unit 122, the facsimile control unit 126, the USB 128, the IEEE 1394 interface 130, and the engine unit 132 are connected to the ASIC 116 via the PCI bus 70.

[0023] The local memory 118 is used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HDD 120 stores image data, programs, font data, and forms. Also, the HDD 120 stores the license files of the applications executed in the image processing apparatus 100. The NIC 121 is an interface for connecting to a network such as the LAN 50.

[0024] The operation unit 122 is directly connected to the ASIC 116 and is an interface for users such as operators who perform operations on the image processing apparatus 100. By operating the operation unit 122, data can be input, jobs can be executed, and displays can be made.

[0025] The facsimile control unit 126 is connected to the PCI bus 70 and controls communication with external devices such as a FAX apparatus or a copying apparatus having a modem function via a public line. The USB 128 and the IEEE 1394 interface 130 are each connected to the PCI bus 70 and can connect peripheral devices. The engine unit 132 is connected to the PCI bus 70 and can apply printer engines such as a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, and a fax unit. Note that the engine unit 132 can also be provided with an image processing unit such as error diffusion or gamma conversion.

[0026] <Operation unit 122> Figure 3 shows an example of the external view of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the operation unit 122 is provided with a region 1221 for holding the wireless communication terminal 200 and a display region 1222. The user can start operating the image processing apparatus 100 by holding the wireless communication terminal 200 over the holding region 1221. When the wireless communication terminal 200 is held over the holding region 1221, it is displayed in the display region 1222 that processing is in progress. In this case, from the wireless communication terminal 200 to the operation unit 122, functions such as copy and scan set by the user in the wireless communication terminal 200 and the contents set along with the functions are notified. Thereby, the user can use the image processing apparatus 100 without operating the display region 1222.

[0027] On the other hand, when the user performs normal operations such as using the image processing apparatus 100 without using the wireless communication terminal 200, the user selects any one of a plurality of application icons displayed on the HOME screen displayed in the display region 1222. Thereby, the user can start the selected application.

[0028] Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The operation unit 122 can apply a general information processing terminal and includes a CPU 152, a memory (MEM) 154, a non-volatile memory 160, an I / F 162, a first wireless communication unit 164, a second wireless communication unit 166, a USB 168, a sensor 170, and a touch panel 172. The CPU 152, the memory 154, the non-volatile memory 160, the I / F 162, the first wireless communication unit 164, the second wireless communication unit 166, the USB 168, the sensor 170, and the touch panel 172 are connected via a bus 80.

[0029] The CPU 152 controls the operation of the entire operation unit 122. The memory 154 includes a ROM 156 and a RAM 158. The ROM 156 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The RAM 158 is a volatile storage medium that enables high-speed reading and writing of information and is used as a work area when the CPU 152 processes information.

[0030] The non-volatile memory 160 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information such as NAND type, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc. The I / F 162 connects between the bus 80 and various hardware, networks such as the LAN 50, etc.

[0031] The first wireless communication unit 164 performs wireless communication by a first wireless communication method that is slower compared to a second wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) 4.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy: BLE) or Near Field Communication (NFC).

[0032] The second wireless communication unit 166 is connected to the wireless access point 300 via a network such as the LAN 50. The second wireless communication unit 166 performs processing for performing high-speed wireless communication according to the standard of a second wireless communication method such as a wireless LAN via the wireless access point 300 as compared to the first wireless communication method.

[0033] The USB 168 can connect peripheral devices. The sensor 170 is a sensor realized by hardware such as an acceleration sensor. The touch panel 172 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image processing apparatus 100 and is also used when operating.

[0034] The operation unit 122 and the ASIC 116 can be connected either by the I / F 162 or via the USB 168.

[0035] Further, the first wireless communication unit 164 and the second wireless communication unit 166 may be provided in the main body instead of being provided in the operation unit 122, or may be provided in both the operation unit 122 and the main body.

[0036] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment> Next, the functional configuration of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the operation unit 122 that constitutes the image processing apparatus 100.

[0037] The operation unit 122 includes a first transmission / reception unit 402, a second transmission / reception unit 404, a device information disclosure packet creation unit 406, a connection information request processing unit 408, a connection processing unit 410, a job processing unit 412, and a storage / reading processing unit 414. Each of these units is a function or means realized by operating according to an instruction from the CPU 152 in accordance with an operation unit program stored in the non-volatile memory 160, where any of the components shown in FIG. 4 is stored. Further, the operation unit 122 has a storage unit 416 constructed by the non-volatile memory 160 shown in FIG. 4.

[0038] (Device Information Disclosure Packet Management Table) In the storage unit 416, a device information disclosure packet management DB 418 configured by a device information disclosure packet management table as shown in Table 1 is constructed.

[0039]

Table 1

[0040] By setting the output power level to a fixed value, the distance between the image processing apparatus 100 and the wireless communication terminal 200 can be estimated based on the received signal level in the image processing apparatus 100 of the device information disclosure packet. Also, by setting the output power level to a variable value, the path loss can be obtained based on the output power level and the received signal level in the image processing apparatus 100 of the device information disclosure packet, and the distance between the image processing apparatus 100 and the wireless communication terminal 200 can be estimated. The received signal strength is observed by the antenna of the wireless communication terminal 200 when the device information disclosure packet is received by the wireless communication terminal 200.

[0041] (Connection Information Management Table) In the storage unit 416, a connection information management DB 420 configured by a connection information management table as shown in Table 2 is constructed.

[0042]

Table 2

[0043] <Each functional unit of the operation unit 122> Next, each part of the operation unit 122 will be described in detail.

[0044] The first transmission / reception unit 402 of the operation unit 122 is realized by the first wireless communication unit 164 shown in FIG. 4 and instructions from the CPU 152. The first transmission / reception unit 402 transmits and receives various data (information) with the wireless communication terminal 200 in accordance with the standards of the first wireless communication method.

[0045] The second transmission / reception unit 404 of the operation unit 122 is realized by the second wireless communication unit 166 shown in FIG. 4 and instructions from the CPU 152. The second transmission / reception unit 404 performs processing for transmitting and receiving various data (information) with the wireless communication terminal 200 in accordance with the standards of the second wireless communication method.

[0046] The storage / read processing unit 414 of the operation unit 122 is realized by instructions from the CPU 152 shown in FIG. 4 and the operation unit program stored in the non-volatile memory 160. The storage / read processing unit 414 performs processing for storing various data in the storage unit 416 and reading out various data stored in the storage unit 416.

[0047] The device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 of the operation unit 122 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 152. The device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 creates a device information disclosure packet with the information stored in the device information disclosure packet management table of the device information disclosure packet management DB 418. The device information disclosure packet is a packet that discloses the existence of the image processing apparatus 100 to the wireless communication terminal 200 such as an advertisement packet. The device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 transmits the created device information disclosure packet from the first transmission / reception unit 402.

[0048] The connection information request processing unit 408 of the operation unit 122 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 152. A connection information request transmitted by the wireless communication terminal 200 that has received a device information disclosure packet is input to the connection information request processing unit 408 from the first transmission / reception unit 402. When the connection information request is input, the connection information request processing unit 408 creates connection information with the information stored in the connection information management table of the connection information management DB 420 in accordance with the connection information request, and transmits it from the first transmission / reception unit 402.

[0049] The connection processing unit 410 of the operation unit 122 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 152. When a connection request transmitted by the wireless communication terminal 200 that has received connection information is input from the second transmission / reception unit 404, the connection processing unit 410 performs connection processing with the wireless communication terminal 200 in accordance with the connection request.

[0050] The job processing unit 412 of the operation unit 122 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 152. When a job requested by the wireless communication terminal 200 is input from the second transmission / reception unit 404, the job processing unit 412 processes the job.

[0051] <Wireless communication terminal 200> FIG. 6 shows a hardware configuration example of the wireless communication terminal 200 according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication terminal 200 includes a CPU 202, a RAM 204, a ROM 206, an HDD 208, an I / F 210, a sensor 212, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 214, an operation unit 216, a first wireless communication unit 218, and a second wireless communication unit 220. The CPU 202, the RAM 204, the ROM 206, the HDD 208, the I / F 210, and the sensor 212 are connected by a bus 90.

[0052] The CPU 202 controls the entire wireless communication terminal 200. The ROM 206 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium in which programs such as firmware are stored. The RAM 204 is a volatile storage medium capable of high-speed reading and writing of information and is used as a work area when the CPU 202 processes information. The HDD 208 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information, in which an OS, various control programs, application programs, etc. are stored.

[0053] The I / F 210 connects the bus 90 to various hardware, networks, etc. The sensor 212 is a sensor realized by hardware such as an acceleration sensor. The LCD 214 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the wireless communication terminal 200. The operation unit 216 is a user interface for the user to input information to the wireless communication terminal 200, such as a keyboard or a mouse. The LCD 214 and the operation unit 216 can be configured by a touch panel, and the keyboard can also be realized by software.

[0054] The first wireless communication unit 218 performs wireless communication by a first wireless communication method that is slower than the second wireless communication method, such as Bluetooth 4.0 or short-range wireless communication.

[0055] The second wireless communication unit 220 performs wireless communication that is faster than the first wireless communication method in accordance with the standard of the second wireless communication method such as wireless LAN.

[0056] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment> Next, the functional configuration of the wireless communication terminal 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication terminal 200.

[0057] The wireless communication terminal 200 includes a first transceiver unit 252, a second transceiver unit 254, a received signal strength measurement unit 256, a connection target identification unit 258, a connection information acquisition unit 260, a connection processing unit 262, a job request unit 264, and a storage / reading processing unit 266. Each of these units is a function or means realized by operating according to an instruction from the CPU 202 according to the wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208 among the components shown in FIG. 6. Further, the wireless communication terminal 200 has a storage unit 268 constructed by the HDD 208 shown in FIG. 6.

[0058] (Received Signal Strength Management Table) In the storage unit 268, a received signal strength management DB 270 configured by a received signal strength management table as shown in Table 3 is constructed.

[0059]

Table 3

[0060] <Each Functional Unit of Wireless Communication Terminal 200> Next, each part of the wireless communication terminal 200 will be described in detail. The first transmission / reception unit 252 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by the first wireless communication unit 218 shown in FIG. 6 and instructions from the CPU 202. The first transmission / reception unit 252 transmits and receives various data (information) with the image processing apparatus 100 in accordance with the standard of the first wireless communication method.

[0061] The second transmission / reception unit 254 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by the second wireless communication unit 220 shown in FIG. 6 and instructions from the CPU 202. The second transmission / reception unit 254 transmits and receives various data (information) with the image processing apparatus 100 in accordance with the standard of the second wireless communication method.

[0062] The storage / read processing unit 266 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by instructions from the CPU 202 shown in FIG. 6 and a program for the wireless communication terminal stored in the HDD 208. The storage / read processing unit 266 performs processing to store various data in the storage unit 268 or read out various data stored in the storage unit 268.

[0063] The reception signal strength measurement unit 256 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 202 and a program for wireless communication terminals stored in the HDD 208. The reception signal strength measurement unit 256 measures the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the first transmission / reception unit 252 at a predetermined period, and inputs it to the storage / readout processing unit 266 together with the device name attached to the device information disclosure packet. The storage / readout processing unit 266 stores the device name and the reception signal strength input by the reception signal strength measurement unit 256 in the reception signal strength management DB 270 of the storage unit 268. When storing the device name and the reception signal strength in the reception signal strength management DB 270 of the storage unit 268, the reception signal strength can be stored according to FIFO (First In, First Out) for each device name. This will be specifically described with reference to the reception signal strength management table shown in Table 3. For example, assume that the reception signal strength of a device information disclosure packet transmitted by an image processing device whose newly measured device name is "B" is to be stored. In this case, the storage / readout processing unit 266 retrieves and deletes the oldest value with the device name "B" from the reception signal strength management table, and adds the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet as the newest value with the device name "B".

[0064] The connection target specifying unit 258 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 202 and a program for wireless communication terminals stored in the HDD 208. The connection target specifying unit 258 causes the storage / readout processing unit 266 to read out the reception signal strength management table of the reception signal strength management DB 270 of the storage unit 268, and specifies the image processing device to be connected based on the reception signal strength stored in the reception signal strength management table.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows an example (part 1) of the temporal change of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200 when the user holding the wireless communication terminal 200 approaches the image processing device 100. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time (t), and the vertical axis represents the reception signal strength (RSSI) of the device information disclosure packet.

[0066] When the wireless communication terminal 200 is brought closer to the image processing apparatus 100, the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200 tends to increase. Further, the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200 converges to a certain value when the distance between the first wireless communication unit 164 of the image processing apparatus 100 and the first wireless communication unit 218 of the wireless communication terminal 200 approaches about several centimeters. Note that the certain value may slightly vary depending on the antenna characteristics of the wireless communication terminal 200.

[0067] Based on the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet stored in the reception signal strength management table, the connection target specifying unit 258 determines whether there is an image processing apparatus whose average value μ [dB] of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds a certain threshold Rs [dB]. The connection target specifying unit 258 obtains the average value μ [dB] of an appropriate number of samplings such as three device information disclosure packets, and determines whether the average value μ exceeds the threshold Rs. Further, the connection target specifying unit 258 determines that the image processing apparatus whose average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds a certain threshold Rs is in front of the wireless communication terminal 200. Furthermore, the connection target specifying unit 258 specifies the image processing apparatus determined to be in front of the wireless communication terminal 200 as the connection target, and notifies the connection information acquisition unit 260 of the device name of the image processing apparatus.

[0068] Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. The connection information acquisition unit 260 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 202 and a program for the wireless communication terminal stored in the HDD 208. Based on the device name input by the connection target specifying unit 258, the connection information acquisition unit 260 creates a connection information request addressed to the image processing apparatus corresponding to the device name, and transmits it from the first transmission / reception unit 252. Further, when a job requested by the user is input to the job request unit 264, the connection information acquisition unit 260 may similarly create a connection information request addressed to the image processing apparatus corresponding to the device name, and transmit it from the first transmission / reception unit 252. When connection information is input from the first transmission / reception unit 252 as a response to the connection information request, the connection information acquisition unit 260 inputs the connection information to the connection processing unit 262.

[0069] The connection processing unit 262 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 202 and a program for the wireless communication terminal stored in the HDD 208. Based on the connection information input by the connection information acquisition unit 260, the connection processing unit 262 performs a process of switching by performing a handover from the first wireless communication method to the second wireless communication method, and connecting between the image processing apparatus to be connected and the second transmission / reception unit 254.

[0070] Further, in the wireless communication terminal 200, when a job requested by the user is input to the job request unit 264 and a connection information request addressed to the image processing apparatus corresponding to the device name based on the device name input by the connection target specifying unit 258 is not transmitted. In this case, the connection processing unit 262 may start a process of connecting between the image processing apparatus to be connected and the second transmission / reception unit 254 after a job requested by the user is input to the job request unit 264. By sharing a key regarding encryption between the image processing apparatus 100 and the wireless communication terminal 200, the image processing apparatus 100 encrypts and transmits the connection information, and the wireless communication terminal 200 decrypts the encrypted connection information.

[0071] The job request section 264 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by instructions from the CPU 202 and the wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. The job request section 264 transmits a job requested by the user from the second transmission / reception section 254 to the connected image processing apparatus 100.

[0072] <Operation of the image processing system> FIG. 9 shows the operation of mainly the wireless communication terminal 200 in the image processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0073] In step S902, the reception signal strength measurement section 256 of the wireless communication terminal 200 measures the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the first transmission / reception section 252.

[0074] In step S904, the reception signal strength measurement section 256 of the wireless communication terminal 200 inputs the device name attached to the device information disclosure packet and the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet to the storage / readout processing section 266. Thereby, the reception signal strength measurement section 256 stores the device name attached to the device information disclosure packet and the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet in the reception signal strength management DB 270 of the storage section 268.

[0075] In step S906, the connection target specifying section 258 of the wireless communication terminal 200 determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs. If there is no image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, the process returns to step S902.

[0076] In step S908, when there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, the connection target specifying section 258 of the wireless communication terminal 200 sets the image processing apparatus as the connection target.

[0077] In step S910, the connection information acquisition unit 260 of the wireless communication terminal 200 requests connection information from the image processing apparatus set as the connection target. When the connection processing unit 262 of the wireless communication terminal 200 acquires the connection information (for example, SSID, password, IP address, etc.) transmitted by the image processing apparatus set as the connection target, it uses the connection information to perform connection processing with the image processing apparatus.

[0078] Note that the connection processing in step S910 may be performed according to the following procedure.

[0079] For example, in step S910, the image processing apparatus transmits only the information (such as SSID, password, etc.) for connecting to the same network as the image forming apparatus to the wireless communication terminal 200 without transmitting the information (such as IP address, etc.) for identifying the image processing apparatus as the connection information.

[0080] The wireless communication terminal 200 that has received the connection information from the image processing apparatus transmits the information (such as IP address, etc.) for identifying the wireless communication terminal 200 to the image processing apparatus set as the connection target, and uses the connection information received from the image processing apparatus to connect to the same network as the image processing apparatus.

[0081] The image processing apparatus that has received the information (such as IP address, etc.) for identifying the wireless communication terminal 200 from the wireless communication terminal 200 uses the received information to connect to the wireless communication terminal 200.

[0082] Also, as another example, the connection processing in step S910 may be performed according to the following procedure.

[0083] For example, in step S910, the image processing apparatus transmits only the information (such as SSID, password, etc.) for connecting to the same network as the image forming apparatus to the wireless communication terminal 200 without transmitting the information (such as IP address, etc.) for identifying the image processing apparatus as the connection information.

[0084] The wireless communication terminal 200 that has received connection information from the image processing apparatus uses the connection information received from the image processing apparatus to construct a server on the same network as the image processing apparatus, and notifies the image processing apparatus of address information (such as a URL) at which the wireless communication terminal 200 can receive information.

[0085] The image processing apparatus that has received, from the wireless communication terminal 200, address information (such as a URL) at which the wireless communication terminal 200 can receive information uses the received address information to notify the wireless communication terminal 200 of information (such as an IP address) for specifying the image processing apparatus.

[0086] The wireless communication terminal 200 that has received, from the image processing apparatus, information (such as an IP address) for specifying the image processing apparatus uses the received information to connect to the image processing apparatus and requests image processing such as printing.

[0087] In this way, the wireless communication terminal 200 may receive part of the information for connecting to the image processing apparatus via the wireless access point 300 without receiving all of the information for connecting to the image processing apparatus by the first wireless communication method, and perform connection processing for performing image processing such as printing.

[0088] After the connection processing is performed in step S910, the job request unit 264 of the wireless communication terminal 200 transmits jobs such as printing and scanning requested by the user from the second transmission / reception unit 254 to the connected image processing apparatus 100.

[0089] Note that in step S906 of FIG. 9, the connection target specifying unit 258 collectively determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, but this determination may be made individually for each image processing apparatus. For example, each time the connection target specifying unit 258 receives a device information disclosure packet from each image forming apparatus, the connection target specifying unit 258 individually calculates the average value of the reception signal strength of the image forming apparatus, and when the calculated average value μ exceeds the threshold value Rs, the connection target specifying unit 258 may execute the processing of step S908.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, after the wireless communication terminal 200 acquires the connection information obtained by the first wireless communication method, it may connect to the image processing apparatus to be connected by the first wireless communication method without performing handover from the first wireless communication method to the second wireless communication method. After the connection, the wireless communication terminal 200 may transmit a job requested by the user from the first transmission / reception unit 252 to the connected image processing apparatus 100.

[0091] According to the above-described image processing system, the wireless communication terminal measures the reception signal strength of a plurality of device information disclosure packets transmitted by the image processing apparatus, and when the average value reaches a certain threshold value, transmits a connection information request to the image processing apparatus. As a result, without operating the image processing apparatus or the wireless communication terminal, it is possible to instruct the execution of a job to a desired image processing apparatus simply by holding the wireless communication terminal over the image processing apparatus.

[0092] In the above-described example, the case where the wireless communication terminal 200 measures the reception signal strength of a plurality of device information disclosure packets and transmits a connection information request to an image processing apparatus whose average value reaches a certain threshold value has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the wireless communication terminal 200 may transmit a connection information request to an image processing apparatus whose average value falls within a certain range. Alternatively, the wireless communication terminal 200 may perform a predetermined arithmetic process on the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet, and identify an image processing apparatus that transmits a connection information request based on the result of the arithmetic process.

[0093] In the above-described example, the connection target specifying unit 258 of the wireless communication terminal 200 determines whether there is an image processing apparatus whose average reception signal strength μ [dB] exceeds a threshold value Rs [dB] based on the reception signal strength stored in the reception signal strength management table. In addition to the average value μ, the connection target specifying unit 258 may be configured to determine whether there is an image processing apparatus whose average value μ exceeds a threshold value Rs and whose standard deviation σ falls within a specific range based on the standard deviation σ. As a result, it is possible to identify an image processing apparatus to be connected based on radio wave characteristics with higher accuracy.

[0094] <First Embodiment> The image processing system according to the first embodiment can apply FIG. 1 and includes a wireless communication terminal 500 instead of the wireless communication terminal 200. The image processing system according to the first embodiment is different in part from the functions of the image processing system and the wireless communication terminal described in <Overview>.

[0095] <Functional Configuration of this Embodiment> Next, the functional configuration will be described. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication terminal 500. The wireless communication terminal 500 includes a first transceiver 552, a second transceiver 554, a received signal strength measurement unit 556, a connection target identification unit 558, a connection information acquisition unit 560, a connection processing unit 562, a job request unit 564, a storage / read processing unit 566, and an inclination detection unit 572. Each of these units is a function or means realized by operating according to an instruction from the CPU 202 in accordance with a program for a wireless communication terminal stored in the HDD 208, where any of the components shown in FIG. 6 is stored. Further, the wireless communication terminal 500 has a storage unit 568 constructed by the HDD 208 shown in FIG. 6.

[0096] <Each Functional Unit of the Wireless Communication Terminal 500> Next, each unit of the wireless communication terminal 500 will be described. For the first transceiver 552, the second transceiver 554, the received signal strength measurement unit 556, the connection information acquisition unit 560, the connection processing unit 562, the job request unit 564, and the storage / read processing unit 566, the functions of each unit of the wireless communication terminal 200 shown in FIG. 7 can be applied.

[0097] The inclination detection unit 572 of the wireless communication terminal 500 is realized by the sensor 212 shown in FIG. 6 and an instruction from the CPU 202. The inclination detection unit 572 detects the inclination such as the angle of the wireless communication terminal 500 based on measurement information such as acceleration measured by the sensor 212.

[0098] FIG. 11 shows an example of the acceleration measured in the wireless communication terminal 500. When an acceleration sensor is applied to the sensor 212, the acceleration is measured by the sensor 212 when an object moves. For example, taking the longitudinal direction of the LCD 214 of the wireless communication terminal 500 as the Y-axis, the left-right direction of the LCD 214 as the X-axis, and the direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the X-axis and the Y-axis as the Z-axis. In this case, the wireless communication terminal 500 can obtain the acceleration in the left-right direction of the wireless communication terminal 500 by detecting the acceleration in the X-axis direction, and can obtain the acceleration in the up-down direction of the wireless communication terminal 500 by detecting the acceleration in the Y-axis direction. Also, the wireless communication terminal 500 can obtain the acceleration in the front-back direction of the wireless communication terminal 500 by detecting the acceleration in the Z-axis direction. The tilt detection unit 572 determines the tilt such as the angle of the wireless communication terminal 500 by determining whether the acceleration measured by the sensor 212 converges within a certain range.

[0099] FIG. 12 shows an example of the tilt of the wireless communication terminal 500, showing the case when it is tilted 45 degrees from the horizontal direction. In this case, the tilt detection unit 572 detects that the acceleration in the Y-axis direction of the wireless communication terminal 500 is sin45°. When the tilt detection unit 572 can detect that the tilt of the wireless communication terminal 500 falls within a predetermined range, it notifies the connection target specifying unit 558 of this fact. Here, the predetermined range is set in advance based on the tilt of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100. For example, it is assumed that when the user connects the wireless communication terminal 500 to the image processing apparatus 100, the user often holds it parallel to the display screen of the touch panel 172 of the operation unit 122. When the wireless communication terminal 500 and the display screen of the touch panel 172 are parallel, their tilts are equal. Therefore, the tilt detection unit 572 determines whether the tilt of the wireless communication terminal 500 is within a predetermined range from the tilt of the display screen of the touch panel 172.

[0100] Note that the value of the tilt of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 (the tilt of the display screen of the touch panel 172) is stored in advance in the storage unit 568 of the wireless communication terminal 500, for example.

[0101] The connection target specifying unit 558 of the wireless communication terminal 500 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 202 and a program for wireless communication terminals stored in the HDD 208. The connection target specifying unit 558 causes the storage / reading processing unit 566 to read out the reception signal strength management table of the reception signal strength management DB 570 in the storage unit 568. Further, the connection target specifying unit 558 specifies an image processing apparatus to be connected based on whether the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet stored in the reception signal strength management table and the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 fall within a predetermined range. Here, the predetermined range is set in advance according to the shape of the image processing apparatus 100 and is stored in the storage unit 568, for example.

[0102] Here, a case will be considered where the connection target is specified based on whether the average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds a threshold value Rs. In addition to the average value μ, based on the standard deviation σ, the connection target may be specified based on whether the average value μ exceeds a certain threshold value Rs and the standard deviation σ falls within a certain specific range.

[0103] FIG. 13 shows an example (part 2) of the temporal change of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200. In FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents time (t), and the vertical axis represents the reception signal strength (RSSI) of the device information disclosure packet. As shown in FIG. 13, depending on the antenna characteristics of the wireless communication terminal 200, the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet transmitted by the image processing apparatus 100 may be accidentally measured as a value larger than the threshold value Rs. In this case, since the average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds a certain threshold value Rs, the wireless communication terminal 200 may transmit a connection information request to the image processing apparatus and perform connection processing based on the connection information transmitted by the image processing apparatus. This connection processing is not a problem if it is the image processing apparatus intended by the user, but it is a problem if it is not what the user intended, such as leaving the wireless communication terminal in a state where it can be connected to an image processing apparatus.

[0104] FIG. 14 shows an example (part 3) of the temporal change in the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200. In FIG. 14, the horizontal axis represents time (t), and the vertical axis represents the reception signal strength (RSSI) of the device information disclosure packet. In FIG. 14, the reception signal strengths of the device information disclosure packets transmitted by two image processing apparatuses, i.e., the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus, are measured. Among the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus, the first image processing apparatus is the image processing apparatus in front of the user's eyes and is the one that the user wants to connect to. However, in some cases, the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet transmitted by the second image processing apparatus may be accidentally measured as a value greater than the threshold Rs. In this case, since the average value μ [dB] of the reception signal strength exceeds a certain threshold Rs [dB], the wireless communication terminal may transmit a connection information request to the second image processing apparatus and perform connection processing based on the connection information transmitted by the image processing apparatus.

[0105] As described above, in the wireless communication terminal 500 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet, based on whether the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 is within a predetermined range from the inclination of the display screen of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100, the connection target is specified. Thereby, the wireless communication terminal 500 can reduce the possibility of being connected to an image processing apparatus unintended by the user.

[0106] <Operation of the Image Processing System> FIG. 15 shows the operation of the wireless communication terminal 500 mainly in the image processing system according to the present embodiment. Steps S1502 - S1506 can apply the steps S902 - S906 in FIG. 9.

[0107] In step S1508, when there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the reception signal strength exceeds the threshold Rs, the connection target specifying unit 558 of the wireless communication terminal 500 determines whether it is detected that the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 has entered a predetermined range by the inclination detection unit 572. If it is not detected that the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 has entered the predetermined range, the process returns to step S1502.

[0108] In step S1510, when the connection target specifying unit 558 of the wireless communication terminal 500 detects that the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 has entered a predetermined range by the inclination detection unit 572, it sets the image processing apparatus as the connection target.

[0109] In step S1512, the connection information acquisition unit 560 of the wireless communication terminal 500 requests connection information from the image processing apparatus set as the connection target. When the connection processing unit 562 of the wireless communication terminal 500 acquires the connection information transmitted by the image processing apparatus set as the connection target, it performs connection processing with the image processing apparatus using the connection information.

[0110] After the connection processing is performed in step S1512, the job request unit 564 of the wireless communication terminal 500 transmits jobs such as printing and scanning requested by the user from the second transmission / reception unit 554 to the connected image processing apparatus.

[0111] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, after the process of step S1508 is performed, the processes of steps S1502 - S1506 and S1510 may be performed.

[0112] Note that in step S1506 of FIG. 15, the connection target specifying unit 558 collectively determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs. However, this determination may be performed individually for each image processing apparatus. For example, each time the connection target specifying unit 558 receives a device information disclosure packet from each image forming apparatus, it individually calculates the average value of the reception signal strength of the image forming apparatus, and if the calculated average value μ exceeds the threshold value Rs, the process of step S1508 may be executed.

[0113] According to this embodiment, the image processing apparatus to be connected to the wireless communication terminal 500 is specified based on whether the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 is within a predetermined range from the inclination of the display screen of the operation unit of the image processing apparatus, in addition to the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the wireless communication terminal 500 erroneously connects to an image processing apparatus different from the desired image processing apparatus.

[0114] <Modification Example> In the image processing system according to this modification example, the device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 of the operation unit 122 transmits the value of the inclination of the operation unit 122 of its own device (the inclination of the display screen of the touch panel 172) attached to the device information disclosure packet.

[0115] For example, in the case of the image processing apparatus 100 in which the angle of the operation unit 122 is fixed, the device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 stores in advance the value of the inclination of the operation unit 122 in the storage unit 416, and includes the stored value of the inclination of the operation unit 122 in the device information disclosure packet and transmits it.

[0116] In addition, in the case of the image processing apparatus 100 in which the inclination of the operation unit 122 can be changed, the image processing apparatus 100 measures the value of the inclination of the operation unit 122 in the same manner as the wireless communication terminal 500 based on the acceleration measured by the sensor 170. Further, the device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 includes the measured value of the inclination of the operation unit 122 in the device information disclosure packet and transmits it.

[0117] When the image processing apparatus 100 measures the value of the inclination of the operation unit 122, for example, it is desirable to measure the value of the inclination of the operation unit 122 at a predetermined time interval or the like and update the value of the inclination of the operation unit 122 included in the device information disclosure packet.

[0118] The connection target specifying unit 558 of the wireless communication terminal 500 specifies the connection target based on whether the difference between the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 and the inclination of the operation unit 122 included in the device information disclosure packet is within a predetermined range in addition to the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet. Thereby, even when the inclination of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 is changed, the wireless communication terminal 500 can specify the desired image processing apparatus 100. Further, even when the inclination such as the angle of the operation unit 122 differs depending on the image processing apparatus, the wireless communication terminal 500 can specify the desired image processing apparatus.

[0119] <Second Embodiment> The image processing system according to the second embodiment can apply FIG. 1 and includes a wireless communication terminal 600 instead of the wireless communication terminal 200. The image processing system according to the first embodiment is partially different in function from the image processing system and the wireless communication terminal described in <Overview>.

[0120] <Functional Configuration of the Present Embodiment> Next, the functional configuration will be described. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication terminal 600. The wireless communication terminal 600 includes a first transmission / reception unit 652, a second transmission / reception unit 654, a reception signal strength measurement unit 656, a connection target specifying unit 658, a connection information acquisition unit 660, a connection processing unit 662, a job request unit 664, a storage / read processing unit 666, a search screen display control unit 672, and a timer 674. Each of these units is a function or means realized by operating according to an instruction from the CPU 202 according to the program for the wireless communication terminal stored in the HDD 208, any of the components shown in FIG. 6. Further, the wireless communication terminal 600 has a storage unit 668 constructed by the HDD 208 shown in FIG. 6.

[0121] <Each Functional Unit of the Wireless Communication Terminal 600> Next, each part of the wireless communication terminal 600 will be described. For the first transmission / reception unit 652, the second transmission / reception unit 654, the received signal strength measurement unit 656, the connection information acquisition unit 660, the connection processing unit 662, the job request unit 664, and the storage / read processing unit 666, the functions of each part of the wireless communication terminal 200 can be applied.

[0122] The search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 is realized by the LCD 214 shown in FIG. 6 and instructions from the CPU 202. The search screen display control unit 672 performs control to display a search screen for indicating to the user of the wireless communication terminal 600 that an image processing apparatus is being searched. On this search screen, a search start item selected when starting the search for the image processing apparatus and a cancel item selected when canceling the search are also displayed.

[0123] The timer 674 of the wireless communication terminal 600 is realized by instructions from the CPU 202 shown in FIG. 6. The timer 674 measures the elapse of a preset time such as 30 seconds.

[0124] The connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 is realized by instructions from the CPU 202 and a program for the wireless communication terminal stored in the HDD 208. The connection target specifying unit 658 causes the search screen display control unit 672 to display a screen for indicating that an image processing apparatus is being searched until a preset time elapses by the timer 674. Further, the connection target specifying unit 658 causes the storage / read processing unit 666 to read out the reception signal strength management table of the reception signal strength management DB 670 in the storage unit 668. Furthermore, the connection target specifying unit 658 specifies the image processing apparatus to be connected based on whether the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet stored in the reception signal strength management table and the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 600 fall within a predetermined range.

[0125] If the connection target specifying unit 658 cannot specify an image processing apparatus to be connected even after the elapse of a preset time, it causes the search for the image processing apparatus being executed by the first transmission / reception unit 652 to be aborted, and closes the search screen being displayed by the search screen display control unit 672. If the connection target specifying unit 658 cannot specify an image processing apparatus to be connected even after the elapse of a preset time, it can also cause the search screen display control unit 672 to display a message for aborting the search, such as "No device found."

[0126] <Operation of Image Processing System (Part 1)> The operation of the image processing system according to the present embodiment, mainly the operation of the wireless communication terminal 600, will be described together with the search screen. FIG. 17 shows the operation of the wireless communication terminal 600 mainly in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 18 shows an example of the search screen displayed on the wireless communication terminal 600 according to the present embodiment. Here, after the home screen is displayed on the wireless communication terminal 600, the search screen is displayed, and then the connection screen is displayed.

[0127] In step S1702, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 displays the search screen on the LCD 214. Here, the connection target specifying unit 658 activates the timer 674. For example, when a connection application for connecting the wireless communication terminal 600 to the image processing apparatus 100 is activated by the user, the home screen shown in FIG. 18(1) is displayed. The home screen can display job properties such as "document type", "resolution", "file format", "reading size", "document side", and a start item for starting the search for the image processing apparatus. Here, when the user selects the start item, the search screen shown in FIG. 18(2) is displayed and the search for the image processing apparatus is started.

[0128] In step S1704, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether or not the cancel item on the search screen displayed by the search screen display control unit 672 is selected (for example, pressed). If the cancel item on the search screen is selected, the process proceeds to step S1716, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 18(2), a cancel item for canceling the search is displayed on the search screen. The user can cancel the search by selecting the cancel item.

[0129] In step S1706, when the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines that the cancel item on the search screen is not selected, it determines whether or not the search time has elapsed in the timer 674.

[0130] In step S1708, when the received signal strength measurement unit 656 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines that the search time has not elapsed, it measures the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the first transmission / reception unit 652.

[0131] In step S1710, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether or not there is an image processing apparatus whose average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs. If there is no image processing apparatus whose average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, the process returns to step S1704.

[0132] In step S1712, when the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines that there is an image processing apparatus whose average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, it sets that image processing apparatus as the connection target.

[0133] In step S1714, the connection information acquisition unit 660 of the wireless communication terminal 600 requests connection information from the image processing apparatus set as the connection target. When the connection processing unit 662 of the wireless communication terminal 600 acquires the connection information transmitted by the image processing apparatus set as the connection target, it performs connection processing with the image processing apparatus using the connection information. Here, the search screen display control unit 672 changes the search screen to the connection screen shown in FIG. 18(4). A cancel item to be selected when canceling the connection is displayed on this connection screen. The user can cancel the connection by selecting the cancel item.

[0134] In step S1716, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 closes the search screen displayed on the LCD 214.

[0135] In step S1718, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether it is set to display an error message when the search time has elapsed in step S1716. If it is not set to display an error message, the process proceeds to step S1716.

[0136] In step S1720, when the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 is set to display an error message, it displays the error message. Here, the search screen display control unit 672 changes the search screen to the error display screen shown in FIG. 18(3). A message indicating that no device was found during the search time is displayed on this error display screen. Then, the process proceeds to step S1716.

[0137] <Operation of the Image Processing System (Part 2)> The operation of the wireless communication terminal 600 in the image processing system according to this embodiment will be described together with the search screen. FIG. 19 shows the operation of the wireless communication terminal 600 mainly in the image processing system according to this embodiment, and FIG. 20 shows an example of a search screen displayed on the wireless communication terminal 600 according to this embodiment. Here, after the home screen is displayed on the wireless communication terminal 600, the connection screen is displayed instead of the search screen.

[0138] In step S1902, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether the search time has elapsed in the timer 674. For example, when a connection application for connecting the wireless communication terminal 600 to the image processing apparatus 100 is started by the user, the home screen shown in FIG. 20(1) is displayed. On the home screen, job properties such as "document type", "resolution", "file format", "reading size", "document surface", etc., and start items for starting the search of the image processing apparatus can be displayed. Here, when the user selects a start item, the search for the image processing apparatus is started, and the countdown of the search time preset in the timer 674 is started. A cancel item to be selected when canceling the search can also be displayed on the home screen. The user can cancel the search by selecting the cancel item.

[0139] In step S1904, when it is determined that the search time has not elapsed, the received signal strength measurement unit 656 of the wireless communication terminal 600 measures the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the first transmission / reception unit 652.

[0140] In step S1906, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs. If there is no image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, the process returns to step S1902.

[0141] In step S1908, when there is an image processing apparatus for which the average value μ of the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 sets the image processing apparatus as the connection target.

[0142] In step S1910, the connection information acquisition unit 660 of the wireless communication terminal 600 requests connection information from the image processing apparatus set as the connection target. When the connection processing unit 662 of the wireless communication terminal 600 acquires the connection information transmitted by the image processing apparatus set as the connection target, the connection processing unit 662 performs connection processing with the image processing apparatus using the connection information. Here, the search screen display control unit 672 changes the search screen to the connection screen shown in FIG. 20(3). A cancel item to be selected when canceling the connection is displayed on this connection screen. The user can cancel the connection by selecting the cancel item.

[0143] In step S1912, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 closes the search screen being displayed on the LCD 214.

[0144] In step S1914, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether or not it is set to display an error message when the search time has elapsed in step S1902. If it is not set to display an error message, the process proceeds to step S1912.

[0145] In step S1916, when the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 is set to display an error message, the search screen display control unit 672 displays an error message. Here, the search screen display control unit 672 changes the search screen to the error display screen shown in FIG. 20(2). A message indicating that no device was found during the search time is displayed on this error display screen. An "OK" item to be selected when confirming the error is displayed on the error display screen. When the user selects this "OK" item, the process proceeds to step S1912.

[0146] According to this embodiment, the wireless communication terminal measures the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet by receiving an instruction to search for an image processing device from the user. Therefore, even when the wireless communication terminal is left near the image processing device in a connectable state, the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet is not erroneously measured. This can prevent the remaining battery level of the wireless communication terminal from decreasing without the user's knowledge.

[0147] It is also possible to appropriately combine the above-described embodiments and modification examples. Further, the above-described embodiments and modification examples can be applied not only to image forming apparatuses such as multifunction devices having functions such as printing, scanning, and copying, but also to projection devices such as projectors and electronic blackboards.

[0148] In the above-described embodiments, the image processing system is an example of an information processing system, and the wireless communication terminal is an example of an information processing device. Further, the reception signal strength measurement unit is an example of radio wave strength measurement means and acquisition means, the connection target identification unit is an example of determination means, and the job request unit is an example of operation detection means. Furthermore, the connection processing unit is an example of determination means and connection means, the inclination detection unit is an example of measurement means, and the timer is an example of measurement means.

[0149] The present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and modification examples, but each embodiment and modification example is merely an illustration, and those skilled in the art will understand various modification examples, correction examples, alternative examples, replacement examples, etc. For convenience of explanation, the device according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described using a functional block diagram, but such a device may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modification examples, correction examples, alternative examples, replacement examples, etc. are included without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0150] 50 LAN 100 Image Processing Apparatus 122 Operation Unit 200, 500, and 600 wireless communication terminals 300 wireless access point 252, 552, and 652 first transceiver 254, 554, and 654 second transceiver 256, 556, and 656 received signal strength measurement unit 258, 558, and 658 connection target identification unit 260, 560, and 660 connection information acquisition unit 262, 562, and 662 connection processing unit 264, 564, and 664 job request unit 266, 566, and 666 memory and readout processing unit 268, 568, and 668 memory unit 270, 570, and 670 received signal strength management DB 572 inclination detection unit 672 search screen display control unit 674 timer

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0151]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An information processing device connectable to one or more devices via a network, an operation detection means for detecting a predetermined operation for causing the information processing device to start a search for the device; A receiving means for receiving a plurality of radio waves output from one or more devices; an acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a device that has outputted radio waves from each of the plurality of radio waves received by the receiving means; a radio wave intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of the radio wave received by the receiving means; a determination means for determining whether the information processing device in which the predetermined operation has been detected by the operation detection means is to connect to a device that outputs the plurality of radio waves, based on the strength of the radio waves measured by the radio wave strength measurement means for a plurality of radio waves having the same identification information acquired by the acquisition means among the plurality of radio waves received by the reception means, in response to the detection of the predetermined operation by the operation detection means; a connection means for connecting to a device determined by the determination means to be connected based on radio waves outputted by the device; An information processing device having the above configuration.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the connection means, when performing a process of connecting with an apparatus determined by the determination means to perform a connection, acquires at least a portion of the connection information for connecting with the apparatus using a wireless communication method different from the wireless communication method of the radio waves received by the receiving means.

3. A measuring means for measuring the passage of a predetermined time having 3 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determining means, when unable to determine whether or not to connect to each of the plurality of devices which have output the radio waves even after the predetermined time has elapsed, stops making the determination.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined operation is performed by a user, the radio wave intensity measuring means starts measuring the intensity of radio waves transmitted by a plurality of devices that output the radio waves identified by the acquisition means.

5. An information processing device connectable to one or more devices via a network, Detecting a predetermined operation for initiating a search for the device on the information processing device; Receive multiple radio waves output from one or more devices, acquiring, from each of the plurality of received radio waves, identification information for identifying a device that has output the radio waves; Measure the strength of the received radio waves; in response to the detection of the predetermined operation, the information processing device in which the predetermined operation has been detected determines whether to connect to a device that has output the plurality of radio waves, based on the measured radio wave intensities of the plurality of radio waves that match the acquired identification information among the plurality of received radio waves; causing a device determined to perform the connection to perform a connection based on radio waves outputted by the device; Information processing program.

Images