Image processing apparatus, system, and control method

Abstract

To provide an image processing device or the like that cancels pairing with a paired terminal device after acquiring predetermined information from the paired terminal device.SOLUTION: An image processing device comprises a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a terminal device, and a control unit, the control unit performs pairing with the terminal device, establishes, via the communication unit, wireless communication with the terminal device for which the pairing is performed, disconnects the wireless communication after the acquisition of the information on the transmission destination, acquires information on an image transmission destination from the terminal device, and cancels the pairing with the terminal device by disconnecting the wireless communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, devices such as image forming apparatuses and multi-function peripherals (MFPs) having a copy function, a printing function, a scanner function, a mail transmission function, etc. have been widely used.

[0003] Also, techniques for controlling communication between an image forming apparatus and other devices such as a mobile terminal have been proposed. For example, in a wireless communication system in which an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal communicate wirelessly, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a state where wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established, the image forming apparatus disconnects the wireless communication with the mobile terminal. A technique has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Note that Patent Document 1 describes that the predetermined conditions include that the terminal device or the image forming apparatus has shifted to a power saving state and that the distance between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal has become a predetermined distance or more.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As a technology for an image forming apparatus to communicate with other devices, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used. Usually, a Bluetooth device performs an operation called pairing to exchange keys with a counterpart device and enable communication with the counterpart device. Each paired device holds the exchanged key (information used to communicate with the other device) and continues to use it, so that while the Bluetooth function of each device is operating, they can be in a continuously communicable state. Therefore, when communicating with the same device again, communication can be automatically performed without performing the pairing process.

[0006] By pairing with another device (for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone), the image forming apparatus can acquire information such as an address book stored in the other device from the other device. As long as the pairing with the other device is not canceled, even if the image forming apparatus does not acquire the address book information of the other device, the communicable state with the other device is maintained. Here, there is a problem that even though the user of the other device is not operating the image forming apparatus, another user can operate the image forming apparatus to acquire the address book information from the other device via the image forming apparatus. Such a problem is not considered in Patent Document 1.

[0007] In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image processing apparatus or the like that cancels pairing with a terminal device after acquiring predetermined information from the paired terminal device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a terminal device, and a control unit. The control unit performs pairing with the terminal device, establishes wireless communication with the paired terminal device via the communication unit, acquires information on the transmission destination of an image from the terminal device, and after acquiring the transmission destination information, disconnects the wireless communication, and by disconnecting the wireless communication, releases the pairing with the terminal device.

[0009] A system according to the present disclosure is a system including a terminal device and an image processing apparatus. The terminal device transmits information on the transmission destination of an image to the image processing apparatus by performing wireless communication with the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus performs pairing with the terminal device, establishes wireless communication with the paired terminal device, acquires the transmission destination information from the terminal device, and after acquiring the transmission destination information, disconnects the wireless communication, and by disconnecting the wireless communication, releases the pairing with the terminal device.

[0010] A control method according to the present disclosure is a control method for an image processing apparatus, and includes steps of performing pairing with a terminal device, establishing wireless communication with the paired terminal device, acquiring information on the transmission destination of an image from the terminal device, disconnecting the wireless communication after acquiring the transmission destination information, and releasing the pairing with the terminal device by disconnecting the wireless communication.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus or the like that releases the pairing with a terminal device after acquiring predetermined information from the paired terminal device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, one embodiment for implementing the present disclosure will be described. Note that the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the invention described in the claims is not limited to the following description.

[0014] [1. First Embodiment] [1.1 Overall Configuration] With reference to FIG. 1, the system 1 in the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 of the present embodiment includes an image processing apparatus 10 and a terminal device 20. Further, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 20 can perform short-range wireless communication.

[0015] The image processing apparatus 10 is an apparatus having functions such as a copying function, a printing function, a scanner function, and an email transmission function, and is generally an apparatus called a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP). Note that the image processing apparatus 10 may be an image forming apparatus including means for forming an image on a recording sheet such as paper or an OHP film using means such as an electrophotographic method.

[0016] The terminal device 20 is an information processing device carried by a user. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a device such as a smartphone or a tablet. Note that the terminal device 20 may be a device such as a smartwatch, a PC (Personal Computer), or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

[0017] [1.2 Functional Configuration] [1.2.1 Image Processing Apparatus] Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 100, an image input unit 120, an image forming unit 130, a display unit 140, an operation unit 150, a storage unit 160, a short-range wireless communication unit 180, and a communication unit 190.

[0018] The control unit 100 controls the entire image processing apparatus 10. The control unit 100 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 160, and is configured by one or more arithmetic units (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)).

[0019] The control unit 100 functions as an image processing unit 102 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 160. The image processing unit 102 performs processing related to various images. For example, the image processing unit 102 executes sharpness enhancement processing and gradation conversion processing on the image read by the image input unit 120.

[0020] The image input unit 120 reads a document and inputs the data of the read image. For example, the image input unit 120 is constituted by a scanning device equipped with a device that converts optical information such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) into an electrical signal, and reads a document placed on the mounting table of the image processing apparatus 10. Note that the image input unit 120 may be constituted by an interface (terminal) for reading an image stored in a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and input the image stored in the storage medium. Further, the image input unit 120 may input an image received via the communication unit 190.

[0021] The image forming unit 130 forms (prints) an image on a recording medium such as recording paper. The image forming unit 130 is constituted by, for example, a laser printer using an electrophotographic method.

[0022] The display unit 140 displays various information. The display unit 140 is constituted by, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid crystal display), an organic EL (electro - luminescence) display, or a micro LED display.

[0023] The operation unit 150 receives operations of a user who uses the image processing apparatus 10. The operation unit 150 is constituted by a hardware key (physical key, numeric keypad) or an input device such as a touch sensor. The method of detecting an input in the touch sensor may be a general detection method such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitance method. Note that the image processing apparatus 10 may be equipped with a touch panel in which the display unit 140 and the operation unit 150 are integrally formed.

[0024] The storage unit 160 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the image processing apparatus 10. The storage unit 160 is constituted by, for example, a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) which is a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0025] The memory unit 160 secures, as memory areas, an image data memory area 162, an address book information memory area 164, an address book information temporary memory area 166, and a pairing information memory area 168.

[0026] The image data memory area 162 stores the image data of the images input by the image input unit 120. The image data may be, for example, a file representing an image formed by the image forming unit 130, or data (print data) representing an image formed by the image forming unit 130.

[0027] The address book information memory area 164 stores information (address book information) regarding the user's contacts (for example, address book information such as a phone number or an email address). The address book information stored in the image processing apparatus 10 is generally data displayed by a function called an address book or a telephone directory. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 10 uses the user's contacts included in the address book information as information (address) of the transmission destination of the image.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the address book information stored in the address book information memory area 164 includes a user name (for example, "Makoto Takagi"), the kana name of the user (for example, "Seiichi Takagi"), the facsimile (FAX) number of the user (for example, "03-1111-2222"), and the email address of the user (for example, "takagi@example.com").

[0029] The FAX number and the email address included in the address book information stored in the image processing apparatus 10 are information of the user's contacts and are used as information (address) of the transmission destination of the image. The address book information stored in the image processing apparatus 10 may include a plurality of email addresses and FAX numbers. Further, the address book information stored in the image processing apparatus 10 may include information such as an address, a company name, a phone number, a department name, a category, and a memo in addition to the above-described information.

[0030] The address book information temporary storage area 166 temporarily stores the address book information acquired from another device (for example, the terminal device 20). The data configuration of the address book information stored in the address book information temporary storage area 166 depends on the data structure of the address book information stored in another device.

[0031] The pairing information storage area 168 stores pairing information as information related to connection (connection information) for establishing communication (connection) with the terminal device 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the pairing information includes identification information of the paired device (for example, "001122334455") and key information exchanged with the device (for example, "***").

[0032] The identification information of the paired device is, for example, an address (Bluetooth Device Address, BD address) used to identify a device compatible with Bluetooth.

[0033] Also, the key information is information used when communicating with the device identified by the identification information again, and is, for example, key information such as a link key. When the information used when communicating with the device identified by the identification information again (information exchanged during pairing) is information other than the key information, information other than the key information may be stored in the pairing information.

[0034] As described above, the pairing information stores information for communicating with the paired device. Therefore, the pairing information stores information corresponding to the technology of the short-range wireless communication used. For example, if the short-range wireless communication technology used by the image processing device 10 is BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), LTK (Long Term Key) is stored as the key information. Note that information other than the above-described information may be stored in the pairing information.

[0035] The short-range wireless communication unit 180 performs wireless communication using a short-range wireless communication method with other devices located around the image processing apparatus 10. The short-range wireless communication unit 180 is constituted by, for example, a communication device including an antenna. The short-range wireless communication method used by the short-range wireless communication unit 180 may be any method as long as it is a wireless communication method generally used for short-range communication, such as Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), ZigBee (registered trademark), etc. Also, the short-range wireless communication may be realized by Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In the present embodiment, it is described assuming that the short-range wireless communication method used by the short-range wireless communication unit 180 is Bluetooth.

[0036] The communication unit 190 communicates with external devices via a LAN or a WAN. The communication unit 190 is constituted by, for example, a communication device or a communication module such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) used in a wired / wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Also, the communication unit 190 can be connected to a communication network such as a public switched telephone network, a LAN, or the Internet, and may be configured to be able to transmit and receive image data to and from an external device via the communication network by a communication method such as facsimile or e-mail.

[0037] [1.2.2 Terminal Device] With reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of the terminal device 20 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 20 includes a control unit 200, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a storage unit 260, a short-range wireless communication unit 280, and a communication unit 290.

[0038] The control unit 200 controls the entire terminal device 20. The control unit 200 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 260, and is constituted by one or a plurality of arithmetic devices (for example, a CPU).

[0039] The display unit 240 displays various types of information. The display unit 240 is constituted by a display device such as an LCD, an organic EL display, a micro LED display, etc.

[0040] The operation unit 250 receives operations of a user who uses the terminal device 20. The operation unit 250 is constituted by an input device such as a touch sensor. Note that the terminal device 20 may be equipped with a touch panel in which the display unit 240 and the operation unit 250 are integrally formed.

[0041] The storage unit 260 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the terminal device 20. The storage unit 260 is constituted by a storage device such as an SSD which is a semiconductor memory, an HDD, etc.

[0042] The storage unit 260 secures an address book information storage area 262 and a pairing information storage area 264 as storage areas.

[0043] The address book information storage area 262 stores information (address book information) regarding the user's contacts (for example, telephone numbers, email addresses, etc.). The address book information stored in the terminal device 20 is generally information displayed by functions called an address book or a phone book. Note that the address book information stored in the terminal device 20 is also referred to as a mobile address book.

[0044] The address book information stored in the address book information storage area 262 includes, for example, the same information as the address book information stored in the image processing apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 3. When the terminal device 20 is a device having a telephone function such as a smartphone, the address book information stored in the terminal device 20 may store address information related to the telephone function such as a telephone number and an SMS (Short Message Service) address. The address book information stored in the terminal device 20 may include a plurality of e-mail addresses and FAX numbers. In addition to the above-described information, the address book information stored in the terminal device 20 may include information such as an address, a company name, a telephone number, a department name, a category, and a memo.

[0045] The pairing information storage area 264 stores pairing information as information (connection information) related to a connection for establishing communication (connection) with the image processing apparatus 10. The pairing information stored in the pairing information storage area 264 includes, for example, the same information as the pairing information stored in the image processing apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] The short-range wireless communication unit 280 performs wireless communication with other devices located around the terminal device 20. The short-range wireless communication unit 280 is configured by, for example, a communication device including an antenna. The wireless communication method used by the short-range wireless communication unit 280 may be any wireless communication method generally used for short-range communication, such as Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, or Wi-Fi. In the present embodiment, the short-range wireless communication method used by the short-range wireless communication unit 280 will be described as Bluetooth.

[0047] The communication unit 290 communicates with an external device. The communication unit 290 is configured by, for example, a NIC used in a wired / wireless LAN or a communication module connectable to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) / LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) / LAA (License-Assisted Access using LTE) / 5G line.

[0048] [1.3 Process Flow] [1.3.1 Image Processing Apparatus] With reference to FIG. 6, the flow of the image transmission process executed by the image processing apparatus 10 will be described. The image transmission process is a process executed when the image transmission function is selected by the user. The image transmission function is a function (ScanToEmail function) of transmitting an image (for example, an image input by reading a document) input by the image input unit 120 using an e-mail, or a function of transmitting it by facsimile. Note that the operation mode of the image processing apparatus 10 when the image transmission function is realized is referred to as an image transmission mode or a transmission mode.

[0049] The process shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the control unit 100 reading a program stored in the storage unit 160. Also, before executing the process shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 10 is in a state where the function (Bluetooth function) of performing communication by Bluetooth is available in system settings or the like.

[0050] First, the control unit 100 acquires an image (step S100). For example, the control unit 100 controls the image input unit 120 to read one or more documents, and generates image data based on the RGB signals input from the image input unit 120, thereby acquiring an image (image data). Note that the control unit 100 may store the acquired image data in the image data storage area 162.

[0051] Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether to use the address book information stored in the terminal device 20 (step S102). For example, the control unit 100 displays a "mobile address book" button indicating that the address book information stored in an external device is to be used on the display unit 140. When the "mobile address book" button is selected by the user, the control unit 100 determines to use the address book information stored in the terminal device 20.

[0052] When the control unit 100 uses the address book information stored in the terminal device 20, it turns on Bluetooth to make the image processing device 10 recognizable from an external device and enter the pairing request waiting state (step S102; Yes → step S104). As a result, the identification information of the image processing device 10 will be displayed on the display screen of the external device. Turning on Bluetooth means, for example, starting the process of transmitting advertising packets or the process of automatically establishing communication (connection) with a device that has already been paired. At this time, the control unit 100 may transmit information about the image processing device 10 (for example, identification information such as the Bluetooth device name and BD address of the image processing device 10) to the terminal device 20 via the short-range wireless communication unit 180. The control unit 100 may display the Bluetooth device name of the image processing device 10 and a message indicating waiting for a pairing request on the display unit 140.

[0053] Furthermore, the control unit 100 displays an OFF icon (second identification display) on the display unit 140 (step S106). The OFF icon is an identification display indicating that the pairing with an external device (for example, the terminal device 20) has been released, and is a different identification display from the ON icon described later. The state where the pairing with the image processing device 10 has been released means a state where the image processing device 10 cannot automatically perform short-range wireless communication with an external device. The state where the pairing with the image processing device 10 has been released corresponds to, for example, a case where the image processing device 10 does not store information for performing short-range wireless communication with other devices and there is no external device with which pairing has been performed. For example, when there is no external device with which pairing has been performed, the control unit 100 controls to display the OFF icon on the display unit 140.

[0054] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether it has received a pairing request from the terminal device 20 via the short-range wireless communication unit 180 (step S108). A pairing request is a signal or information indicating a request for pairing. If the control unit 100 does not receive a pairing request from the terminal device 20, it repeatedly executes the process in step S108 (step S108; No).

[0055] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 receives a Bluetooth pairing request from the terminal device 20, it performs Bluetooth pairing with the terminal device 20 (step S108; Yes → step S110). For example, the control unit 100 performs key exchange with the terminal device 20 and stores pairing information including the exchanged key information (key information) and the identification information of the terminal device 20 in the pairing information storage area 168. Thus, in this embodiment, the control unit 100 performs pairing with the terminal device 20 by storing the pairing information of the terminal device 20 (so-called, performing bonding). As a result, the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 20 are in a paired state. That is, by storing the connection information of the terminal device 20 with which communication is possible thereafter in the image processing apparatus 10, it is registered as a connectable partner.

[0056] Next, when the pairing with the terminal device 20 is completed and communication (connection) using Bluetooth becomes possible, the control unit 100 displays an ON icon (first identification display) on the display unit 140 (step S112). The ON icon is an identification display indicating that pairing has been performed with an external device (for example, the terminal device 20). For example, when there is one or more external devices with which pairing is being performed, the control unit 100 controls to display the ON icon on the display unit 140.

[0057] Next, the control unit 100 establishes short - range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 that performed pairing in step S110 (step S113), and starts acquiring (reading) address book information from the terminal device 20. Note that the control unit 100 may establish short - range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 via the short - range wireless communication unit 180 based on the pairing information (connection information) with the terminal device 20. Further, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the acquisition of the address book information is completed (step S114). Note that the control unit 100 may acquire (read) the address book information from the terminal device 20 by communication (PBAP communication) using, for example, PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile). Thus, the user can transmit the address book information from the terminal device 20 to the image processing device 10 without installing a special application in the terminal device 20. Also, the control unit 100 can use the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20 as information on the transmission destination of the image.

[0058] Note that the control unit 100 may determine that the acquisition of the address book information is completed in the following cases. (1) When a signal or information indicating that all the address book information has been transmitted from the terminal device 20 is received. (2) When the number of address book information to be transmitted in advance is notified from the terminal device 20 and the notified number of address book information is received. (3) When communication with the terminal device 20 has not been performed for a predetermined time (when a timeout has occurred).

[0059] When the acquisition of the address book information is not completed, the control unit 100 repeats the process in step S114 (step S114; No). Note that the control unit 100 stores the address book information received from the terminal device 20 in the address book information temporary storage area 166.

[0060] On the other hand, when the acquisition of the address book information is completed, the control unit 100 shifts the operation mode of the image processing apparatus 10 to the destination selection mode (step S114; Yes → step S116). The destination selection mode is an operation mode for allowing the user to select the destination of the image acquired in step S100. For example, the control unit 100 displays a screen (destination selection screen) of the destination selection mode on the display unit 140.

[0061] The destination selection screen is a screen on which an address (e-mail address or FAX number) indicating the destination of the image and the user name corresponding to the address are displayed in a list or the like based on the address book information stored in the address book information temporary storage area 166. That is, the destination selection screen is a screen for selecting the address book information stored in the terminal device 20. On the destination selection screen, a user interface for allowing the user to select one or more addresses, confirm the selected address, or execute the transmission of the image is provided.

[0062] Subsequently, the control unit 100 disconnects the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 (step S117). Further, the control unit 100 releases the Bluetooth pairing with the terminal device 20 (step S118). For example, the control unit 100 deletes the pairing information stored in the pairing information storage area 168 in step S110. By deleting the pairing information with the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 cannot communicate (connect) with the terminal device 20 unless the pairing with the terminal device 20 is performed again. Further, after releasing the pairing with the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 performs control to display an OFF icon on the display unit 140 (step S120). As a result, when the acquisition of the address book information from the terminal device 20 is completed, the control unit 100 can release the pairing by disconnecting the communication with the terminal device 20.

[0063] Here, the image processing apparatus 10 may detect that the connection with the terminal device 20 has been established and delete the pairing. Further, the image processing apparatus 10 may cancel the pairing in conjunction with disconnecting the communication with the terminal device 20. Further, when the image processing apparatus 10 deletes the pairing with the terminal device 20, the communication may be disconnected accordingly.

[0064] Further, in the image processing apparatus 10, the cancellation of the pairing may mean that the terminal device 20 registered as communicable is deleted. For example, the image processing apparatus 10 has connection information of the terminal device 20 that can communicate, and by deleting the connection information, it may be made impossible to connect unless the connection information is stored again later.

[0065] Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether the transmission destination (destination) of the image has been determined (step S122). For example, when the control unit 100 determines that the address serving as the transmission destination of the image has been determined by an operation performed by the user on the transmission destination selection screen or an operation to execute the transmission of the image, the control unit 100 determines that the transmission destination of the image has been determined. When the transmission destination of the image is not determined, the control unit 100 repeats the process in step S122 (step S122; No).

[0066] On the other hand, when the transmission destination of the image is determined, the control unit 100 transmits the image acquired in step S100 to a predetermined device via the communication unit 190 based on the transmission destination (address) determined in step S122 (step S122; Yes → step S124). For example, when an email address is selected as the transmission destination of the image, the control unit 100 transmits an email with the image attached to the mail server. Further, when a fax number is selected as the transmission destination of the image, the control unit 100 transmits the image to the device at the transmission destination via the public switched telephone network or using the technology of Internet fax. Further, when the process of transmitting the image to the transmission destination is completed, the control unit 100 may delete the address book information stored in the address book information temporary storage area 166.

[0067] Note that, in step S102, when the control unit 100 does not use the address book information stored in the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 executes a process of transmitting an image using the address book information stored in the address book information storage area 164 of the image processing apparatus 10 (step S102; No).

[0068] [1.3.2 Terminal Device] With reference to FIG. 7, the process flow of the terminal device 20 will be described. The process shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the control unit 200 reading a program stored in the storage unit 260 when an operation is performed by the user to display a short-range wireless communication (Bluetooth) setting screen or the like. Further, before executing the process shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the terminal device 20 is in a state where the Bluetooth function can be used.

[0069] First, the control unit 200 displays a destination device (step S160). For example, the control unit 200 searches for a Bluetooth device. At this time, information on the Bluetooth device is received via the short-range wireless communication unit 280, and the Bluetooth device name included in the received information is displayed in a list on the display unit 240 as the destination device.

[0070] Subsequently, when the image processing apparatus 10 is selected as the destination device, the control unit 200 transmits a Bluetooth pairing request to the image processing apparatus 10 via the short-range wireless communication unit 280 (performs a Bluetooth pairing request) (step S162; Yes → step S164).

[0071] Subsequently, the control unit 200 performs Bluetooth pairing with the image processing apparatus 10 (step S166). For example, as the process in step S166, the control unit 200 stores pairing information regarding the image processing apparatus 10, which is the destination device, in the pairing information storage area 264 in the same manner as step S110 in FIG. 6.

[0072] Subsequently, the control unit 200 establishes short-range wireless communication with the image processing apparatus 10 (step S167). Further, the control unit 200 acquires the address book information stored in the address book information storage area 262 and transmits it to the image processing apparatus 10 via the short-range wireless communication unit 280 (step S168). Note that when the control unit 200 has transmitted all the address book information stored in the address book information storage area 262, it may transmit a signal or information indicating that all the address book information has been transmitted to the image processing apparatus 10 via the short-range wireless communication unit 280. Further, before transmitting the address book information, the control unit 200 may transmit the number of address book information items to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 10 via the short-range wireless communication unit 280. In this way, the control unit 200 transmits information used to determine that the transmission of the address book information to the image processing apparatus 10 has been completed.

[0073] Note that within a non-contradictory range, the order of the steps in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be changed or some steps may be omitted. For example, in FIG. 6, the control unit 100 may shift to the transmission destination selection mode after releasing the pairing and displaying the OFF icon (step S118 → step S120 → step S116).

[0074] [1.4 Operation Example] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, an operation example in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W100 displayed on the display unit 140 when the transmission mode (Easy Scan mode) is selected in the image processing apparatus 10.

[0075] The display screen W100 includes a button B100 for selecting the destination of the acquired image from the address book information stored in the image processing apparatus 10. Here, the display screen W100 includes a button B102 for selecting the destination of the image from the address book information stored in an external apparatus such as the terminal device 20. B102 is a "mobile address book" button indicating that the address book information stored in the external apparatus is to be used. By selecting the button B102, the user can cause the image processing apparatus 10 to use the address book information stored in the terminal device 20.

[0076] When the display screen W100 is displayed, the image processing apparatus 10 is not paired with the terminal device 20. Therefore, an OFF icon P100 is displayed on the display screen W100.

[0077] FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W110 displayed on the display unit 140 when the button B102 is selected on the display screen W100. The display screen W110 displays the Bluetooth device name of the image processing apparatus 10 and a message M110 indicating that it is waiting for a pairing request. Even at this point, the image processing apparatus 10 is not paired with the terminal device 20. Therefore, an OFF icon P110 is displayed on the display screen W110.

[0078] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W120 in which the Bluetooth device names are listed and displayed on the display unit 240 of the terminal device 20. By selecting the Bluetooth device name of the image processing apparatus 10 included in the message M110 of FIG. 8(b) from the Bluetooth device names displayed on the display screen W200, the user can cause the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 20 to be paired and communicate with each other.

[0079] FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W130 displayed on the display unit 140 of the image processing apparatus 10 when receiving address book information from the terminal device 20. A message M130 indicating that the address book information stored in the terminal device 20 is being read out is displayed on the display screen W130.

[0080] Note that in the terminal device 20, permission to access the address book information may be requested from the user. In such a case, a message (for example, please permit access to the contacts of your device) indicating that permission to access the address book information is requested from the user in the terminal device 20 may be displayed in the message M130.

[0081] Also, when the display screen W130 is displayed, since the image processing apparatus 10 is paired with the terminal device 20, an ON icon P130 is displayed on the display screen W130.

[0082] FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W140 (transmission destination selection screen) displayed on the display unit 140 after the image processing apparatus 10 reads out the address book information stored in the terminal device 20. In the present embodiment, when the reading of the address book information stored in the terminal device 20 is completed, the pairing between the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 20 is released. Therefore, an OFF icon P140 is displayed on the display screen W140. Thereby, the user can recognize that the pairing between the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 20 has been released.

[0083] Also, the display screen W140 includes a region E140 in which information (for example, user name) based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20 is displayed. The user can select a user (address) to be the transmission destination of the image from the region E140.

[0084] FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W150 that is displayed on the display unit 140 when a user is selected on the display screen W140. The user (address) who is the destination of the image is displayed separately from the user (address) who is not the destination of the image, as shown in E150. For example, the user (address) who is the destination of the image is marked with a check mark, has its background color changed, or has characters such as the user name decorated. The user can determine the destination of the image by selecting the confirmation button B150.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the case where the short-range wireless communication method used by the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 20 is Bluetooth has been described. However, even when other methods are used, the above-described processing may be executed with necessary modifications. That is, even when other methods are used, after receiving the mobile address book from the terminal apparatus 20, the image processing apparatus 10 deletes the information necessary for communication with the terminal apparatus 20 to cancel the pairing with the terminal apparatus 20.

[0086] As described above, the image processing apparatus in the present embodiment cancels the pairing with the terminal apparatus as it is after acquiring the address book information from the terminal apparatus. Therefore, after the user causes the terminal apparatus to transmit the address book information to the image processing apparatus, the pairing with the image processing apparatus is immediately canceled without performing any operation, preventing unintended communication between the image processing apparatus and the terminal apparatus. As a result, the user can prevent the address book information from being acquired from the terminal apparatus by another user operating the image forming apparatus.

[0087] In particular, in the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus cancels the pairing when the reception of the address book information from the terminal apparatus is completed. Thereby, the image forming apparatus can minimize the possibility that the address book information is acquired by another user against the intention of the user, and can enhance the security.

[0088] In addition, when the image processing apparatus in the present embodiment is paired with a terminal device, it displays an ON icon, and when the pairing with the terminal device is released, it displays an OFF icon, thereby displaying an identification display indicating the pairing state with the terminal device. By checking the ON icon or OFF icon, the user can grasp whether the image forming apparatus and the terminal device are in a communicable state. For example, by checking that the OFF icon is displayed, the user can grasp that the terminal device and the image forming apparatus do not communicate with each other unexpectedly.

[0089] [2. Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described. Different from the first embodiment, this is an embodiment in which the pairing with the terminal device is released when a transmission destination based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device is selected as the transmission destination of the image. This embodiment replaces FIG. 6 of the first embodiment with FIG. 11. The same reference numerals are given to the same processes, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 11, the flow of the image transmission process executed by the image processing apparatus 10 in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, even when the control unit 100 executes the process of shifting to the transmission destination selection mode in step S116, the pairing with the terminal device 20 is not released at that time.

[0091] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the user selects a transmission destination based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 disconnects the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 (step S200; Yes → step S117). Further, the control unit 100 releases the pairing with the terminal device 20 (step S118) and performs control to display the OFF icon (step S120). Note that when the transmission destination is not selected in step S200, the control unit 200 repeatedly executes the process in step S200 (step S200; No).

[0092] An operation example of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W200 (destination selection screen) displayed on the display unit 140 after the image processing device 10 reads out the address book information stored in the terminal device 20. In this embodiment, the image processing device 10 has not released the pairing with the terminal device 20 at the time of reading out the address book information stored in the terminal device 20. Therefore, unlike the display screen W140 shown in Fig. 10(a) of the first embodiment, an ON icon P200 is displayed on the display screen W200.

[0093] Fig. 12(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W210 displayed on the display unit 140 when one destination is selected from the display screen W200 shown in Fig. 12(a). In this embodiment, when a destination based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20 is selected, the pairing with the terminal device 20 is released, and therefore an OFF icon P210 indicating that the pairing with the terminal device has been released is displayed on the display screen W210.

[0094] Thus, in this embodiment, the image processing device 10 is in a state of being paired with the terminal device 20 until a destination is selected based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20. Therefore, when acquiring address book information from the terminal device 20, even if a timeout occurs in communication with the terminal device 20 due to some kind of failure, the image processing device 10 does not cancel the pairing with the terminal device 20, unlike the first embodiment. As a result, the image processing device 10 can communicate with the terminal device 20 and acquire the address book information from the terminal device 20 without performing pairing with the terminal device 20 again.

[0095] The image processing device 10 may cancel the pairing with the terminal device 20 when the destination is confirmed, not when the destination is selected based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20. When the destination is confirmed, for example, the following cases are included. (1) When an operation to confirm the destination is performed When an operation for executing the process of transmitting an image is performed

[0096] In the case of (1), for example, it is a case where a button for determining a transmission destination (for example, button B210 in FIG. 12(b)) is selected on a transmission destination selection screen. In the case of (2), for example, it is a case where a start button for image transmission (for example, start button B212 in FIG. 12(b) or a predetermined hardware key provided in the image processing apparatus 10) is selected. In this case, the image processing apparatus releases the pairing with the terminal device 20 assuming that the transmission destination is determined, and displays an OFF icon P210 on the display unit 140.

[0097] As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment sets the timing for releasing the pairing when the transmission destination is selected or when the transmission destination is determined. Thereby, without degrading the convenience of the user, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the address book information is acquired by another user. For example, when releasing the pairing when the reception of the address book information is completed as in the first embodiment, the image processing apparatus can achieve high security. However, when re-acquiring the address book information from the terminal device, re-pairing with the terminal device is required. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even when re-acquiring the address book information from the terminal device, at that time, since the image processing apparatus has not released the pairing with the terminal device, it is possible to acquire the address book information from the terminal device without performing re-pairing.

[0098] [3. Third Embodiment] Next, the third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is an embodiment in which the image processing apparatus releases the pairing with the terminal device when it is acquiring address book information from the terminal device or when shifting from a transmission destination selection mode to another mode.

[0099] First, the processing executed by the control unit 100 when the present embodiment is applied to the first embodiment will be described. In this case, the control unit 100 executes the processing shown in FIG. 13 instead of the processing shown in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same processing, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0100] After performing control to display the ON icon in step S112, the control unit 100 establishes short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 and acquires address book information from the terminal device 20. In the present embodiment, the operation mode of the image processing apparatus 10 when acquiring address book information from the terminal device 20 is referred to as the address book acquisition mode.

[0101] Here, the control unit 100 determines whether an operation to cancel the acquisition of address book information has been performed by the user, or whether an operation to shift from the destination selection mode to another mode has been performed by the user (step S300). Note that another mode in the present embodiment is an operation mode for executing a function other than the image transmission function (for example, a copy function or a print function). Further, when an operation to cancel the acquisition of address book information has been performed by the user, the control unit 100 interrupts the acquisition of address book information.

[0102] When the user cancels the operation of acquiring address book information or performs an operation to shift to another mode, the control unit 100 disconnects the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 (step S300; Yes → step S301). Further, the control unit 100 releases the pairing with the terminal device 20 (step S302) and performs control to display the OFF icon (step S304). Thereby, when the control unit 100 interrupts the acquisition of address book information which is the information of the transmission destination of the image, or when shifting from the address book acquisition mode to another mode, the control unit 100 can release the pairing in addition to disconnecting the communication with the terminal device 20. Note that when the user cancels the operation of acquiring address book information, the control unit 100 may erase the message indicating that the address book information stored in the terminal device 20 is being read. Also, when the user performs an operation to shift to another mode, the control unit 100 may shift to a predetermined mode based on the user's instruction.

[0103] Note that when the user does not cancel the operation of acquiring address book information and does not perform an operation to shift to another mode, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the acquisition of address book information is completed (step S300; No → step S114). When the acquisition of address book information is completed, the control unit 100 executes the process of shifting to the transmission destination selection mode in step S116 (step S114; Yes → step S116). On the other hand, when the acquisition of address book information is not completed, the control unit 100 returns to step S300 (step S114; No → step S300).

[0104] Next, the process executed by the control unit 100 when this embodiment is applied to the second embodiment will be described. In this case, instead of the process shown in FIG. 11 of the second embodiment, the control unit 100 executes the process shown in FIG. 14. The same processes are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0105] In this embodiment, after shifting to the destination selection mode, the control unit 100 determines whether a destination based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20 has been selected (step S116 → step S200). At this time, if no destination based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20 is selected, the control unit 100 determines whether the user has performed an operation to shift to another mode (step S200; No → step S310).

[0106] If the user has performed an operation to shift to another mode, the control unit 100 shifts to the selected predetermined mode (step S310; Yes → step S312). At this time, the control unit 100 disconnects the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 (step S313), and further cancels the pairing with the terminal device 20 (step S314). That is, when the control unit 100 shifts to a mode different from the destination selection mode, which is a mode for allowing the user to select a destination based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 disconnects the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 and cancels the pairing. Further, the control unit 100 displays an OFF icon (step S316). On the other hand, if the user has not performed an operation to shift to another mode, the control unit 100 returns to step S200 (step S310; No → step S200).

[0107] With reference to FIG. 15, an operation example in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 15(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W300 displayed on the display unit 140 of the image processing apparatus 10 when receiving address book information from the terminal device 20. At this point, since the image processing apparatus 10 is paired with the terminal device 20, an ON icon P300 is displayed on the display screen W300.

[0108] A message M300 indicating that the address book information stored in the terminal device 20 is being read is displayed on the display screen W300. Further, the message M300 includes a button B300 for canceling the reading of the address book information from the terminal device 20.

[0109] FIG. 15(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W310 displayed on the display unit 140 of the image processing apparatus 10 when the user selects the button B300. When the user cancels the acquisition of the address book information, in this embodiment, the image processing apparatus 10 releases the pairing with the terminal device 20. Therefore, an OFF icon P310 is displayed on the display screen W310.

[0110] As described above, when the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment shifts from the address book acquisition mode or the destination selection mode to another mode, or when the acquisition of the address book information stored in the terminal device is canceled, the pairing with the terminal device is released. That is, the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment releases the pairing when the address book data acquired from the terminal device is no longer needed. Therefore, the user does not need to perform an operation to release the pairing with the terminal device even if the user causes the image processing apparatus to shift to another mode or cancels the acquisition of the address book information stored in the terminal device. Therefore, even if the user forgets to release the pairing with the terminal device when shifting to another mode, the pairing with the terminal device is automatically released, preventing communication between the terminal device and the image forming apparatus that is not intended by the user.

[0111] [4. Fourth Embodiment] Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which the image processing apparatus executes image transmission and releases the pairing with the terminal device at the timing when the transmission is successful. This embodiment is obtained by replacing FIG. 6 of the first embodiment with FIG. 16. The same reference numerals are given to the same processes, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 16, the flow of the image transmission process executed by the image processing apparatus 10 in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, even when the control unit 100 executes the process of shifting to the destination selection mode in step S116, the pairing with the terminal device 20 is not released at that time.

[0113] On the one hand, in the present embodiment, the control unit 100 executes a process of transmitting an image to a transmission destination and determines whether the transmission of the image has been successful (completed) (step S124 → step S400). The case where the transmission of the image is successful is, for example, when the control unit 100 receives a signal or information indicating that a request to transmit an image to the device corresponding to the transmission destination has been accepted after making a request to transmit the image to the device corresponding to the transmission destination in step S124.

[0114] When the transmission of the image is successful, the control unit 100 disconnects the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 (step S400; Yes → step S117). Further, the control unit 100 releases the pairing with the terminal device 20 and performs control to display the OFF icon (step S118 → step S120). In this case, the control unit 100 may shift the operation mode of the image processing apparatus 10 from the image transmission mode to another mode. By doing so, the control unit 100 can release the pairing at the timing when it exits the image transmission mode. On the other hand, when the transmission of the image is not successful, the control unit 100 returns to step S122 (step S400; No → step S122). In this case, the control unit 100 can cause the user to select the transmission destination again.

[0115] With reference to FIG. 17, an operation example in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 17(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W400 displayed on the display unit 140 of the image processing apparatus 10 when an operation of transmitting an image is being performed by the user. The operation of transmitting an image is, for example, an operation in which the start button B400 for image transmission is selected. In the present embodiment, when the image is being transmitted, the pairing with the terminal device 20 is not released by the image processing apparatus 10, and therefore, the ON icon P400 is displayed on the display screen W400.

[0116] FIG. 17(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W410 displayed on the display unit 140 of the image processing apparatus 10 when the transmission of an image is successful. In the present embodiment, when the transmission of an image is successful, the pairing between the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 20 is released by the image processing apparatus 10, and thus the OFF icon P410 is displayed on the display screen W410.

[0117] As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment, when the transmission of an image is successful, the pairing between the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 20 is released by the image processing apparatus 10, and the pairing with the terminal device 20 is not released when the transmission of the image is not successful. Therefore, the image processing apparatus in the present embodiment can communicate with the terminal device or re-acquire address book information from the terminal device at an arbitrary timing until the transmission of the image is successful.

[0118] [5. Fifth Embodiment] Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is an embodiment that realizes the release of pairing at an arbitrary timing according to a user's instruction.

[0119] In the present embodiment, the control unit 100 executes the process shown in FIG. 18 in parallel with the process executed when the image transmission function is selected by the user as shown in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 18, the process executed by the control unit 100 in parallel with other processes in the present embodiment will be described. First, the control unit 100 determines whether or not it is paired with the terminal device 20 (step S500). When the control unit 100 is paired with the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the ON icon (first identification display) displayed on the display unit 140 has been selected by the user (step S500; Yes → step S502).

[0121] When the ON icon (first identification display) is selected by the user, the control unit 100 displays a message on the display unit 140 to confirm with the user whether to cancel the pairing (step S502; Yes → step S504).

[0122] When it is selected by the user to cancel the pairing, the control unit 100 determines whether the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 is established (step S506; Yes → step S508). When the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 is established, the control unit 100 disconnects the short-range wireless communication (step S508; Yes → step S510). Note that when the short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 20 is not established, the control unit 100 omits the process of step S510 (step S508; No).

[0123] Subsequently, the control unit 100 executes control to cancel the pairing with the terminal device 20 and display an OFF icon on the display unit 140 (step S512 → step S514).

[0124] Note that when it is not selected by the user to cancel the pairing in step S506, the control unit 100 returns to step S500 (step S506; No → step S500).

[0125] Also, when the control unit 100 determines in step S502 that the ON icon is not selected, it returns to step S500 (step S502; No → step S500). Further, when the control unit 100 determines in step S500 that it is not paired with the terminal device 20, it omits the processes from step S502 to step S510 described above and ends the process shown in FIG. 18 (step S500; No).

[0126] The control unit 100 periodically executes the process shown in FIG. 18, or executes it when pairing with the terminal device 20 is performed. By doing so, when pairing with the terminal device 20 is in progress and the ON icon is selected by the user, the control unit 100 can cancel the pairing with the terminal device 20.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 19, an operation example in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 19(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W500 (transmission destination selection screen) displayed on the display unit 140 after the image processing apparatus 10 reads the address book information stored in the terminal device 20. At this point, if the image processing apparatus 10 has not canceled the pairing with the terminal device 20, the ON icon P500 is displayed on the display screen W500.

[0128] FIG. 19(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W510 displayed on the display unit 140 when the ON icon P500 displayed on the display screen W500 is selected by the user. A message M510 for confirming with the user whether to cancel the pairing is displayed on the display screen W510. The message M510 includes a button B510 indicating that the pairing is to be canceled and a button B512 indicating that the pairing is not to be canceled. At this point, since the image processing apparatus 10 is paired with the terminal device 20, the ON icon P510 is displayed on the display screen W510.

[0129] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W520 displayed on the display unit 140 when the button B510 indicating that the pairing is to be canceled is selected on the display screen W510 shown in FIG. 19(b). In this case, based on the user's operation, since the image processing apparatus 10 has canceled the pairing with the terminal device 20, the OFF icon P520 is displayed on the display screen W520.

[0130] As described above, the image processing apparatus in this embodiment can cancel the pairing with the terminal device at an arbitrary timing based on the user's instruction.

[0131] [6. Sixth Embodiment] Next, the sixth embodiment will be described. The sixth embodiment is an embodiment in which a dedicated application for transmitting address book information to an image processing apparatus is used in a terminal device. This embodiment is obtained by replacing FIG. 2 of the first embodiment with FIG. 21. The same functional parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0132] In this embodiment, a terminal device 22 is included in the system 1 instead of the terminal device 20. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 22. Different from the terminal device 20, the terminal device 22 further stores a communication application 266 in a storage unit 260.

[0133] The communication application 266 is a dedicated application for causing a control unit 200 to realize a function of transmitting the address book information stored in an address book information storage area 262 to the image processing apparatus 10 based on an operation of the terminal device 22. That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 200 reads and executes the communication application 266 instead of performing PBAP communication, and transmits the address book information to the image processing apparatus 10.

[0134] With reference to FIG. 22, the flow of processing executed by the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 22 in this embodiment will be described. First, the control unit 200 of the terminal device 22 reads and executes the communication application 266 (S600). Note that the processing in S608 to S614, S619 to S622, and S625, which will be described later, are functions realized by the communication application 266, and are executed by the control unit 200 that has read the communication application 266.

[0135] Next, the control unit 100 of the image processing apparatus 10 displays a "Mobile Address Book" button indicating that address book information stored in an external device is to be used on the display unit 140, and when the button is selected, enters a pairing request waiting state (S602 → S604). Further, the control unit 100 displays an OFF icon on the display unit 140 (S606).

[0136] Subsequently, the control unit 200 of the terminal device 22 displays the device that is the communication destination of the short-range wireless communication on the display unit 240 (S608). At this time, when the image processing device 10 is selected by the user, the control unit 200 transmits a pairing request to the image processing device 10 (S610 → S612). Thereby, pairing is performed between the image processing device 10 and the terminal device 22 (S614).

[0137] The control unit 100 of the image processing device 10 displays an ON icon on the display unit 140 (S616), and further displays a message indicating that the address book information is being transferred on the display unit 140 (S618). Here, the control unit 100 waits until the address book information is transmitted from the terminal device 22.

[0138] Subsequently, the control unit 100 of the image processing device 10 and the control unit 200 of the terminal device 22 establish short-range wireless communication (S619). Thereby, the image processing device 10 can acquire the address book information from the terminal device 22.

[0139] Subsequently, the control unit 200 of the terminal device 22 causes the user to select the address book information to be transmitted to the image processing device 10 by displaying information (for example, user name) based on the address book information stored in the address book information storage area 262 on the display unit 240 (S620). Further, the control unit 200 transmits (transfers) the address book information selected by the user to the image processing device 10 via the short-range wireless communication unit 280 (S622).

[0140] When the control unit 100 of the image processing device 10 receives the address book information from the terminal device 22 via the short-range wireless communication unit 180, it shifts to the transmission destination selection mode in order to allow the user to select the transmission destination of the image (S624). Note that information based on the address book information received from the terminal device 22 in S622 is displayed on the transmission destination selection screen. Also, the control unit 100 of the image processing device 10 and the control unit 200 of the terminal device 22 disconnect the short-range wireless communication (S625).

[0141] Subsequently, the control unit 100 of the image processing apparatus 10 releases the pairing with the terminal device 22 (S626), and performs control to display an OFF icon on the display unit 140 (S628).

[0142] As described above, by executing the above-described processing by the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 22, a process of transmitting address book information to the image processing apparatus 10 using a communication application (dedicated application) executed on the terminal device 22 is realized.

[0143] An operation example in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, first, the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 22 perform pairing. At this time, the screen displayed on the image processing apparatus 10 is the same as the screen of FIG. 8 in the first embodiment.

[0144] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W600 on which a device that is a communication destination of short-range wireless communication is displayed. The display screen W600 is displayed on the display unit 240 of the terminal device 22. The display screen W600 includes a region E600 including buttons that display information (for example, Bluetooth device name) of the communication destination device. The region E600 includes buttons B600, B602, B604, and B606 as buttons indicating the communication destination device. By selecting the buttons B600, B602, B604, and B606, the user can cause the terminal device 22 to communicate with a desired device using short-range wireless communication.

[0145] FIG. 24(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W610 displayed on the display unit 140 of the image processing apparatus 10 when receiving address book information from the terminal device 22. FIG. 24(a) is a diagram showing an example of the display screen W610 displayed on the display unit 140 when the image processing apparatus 10 performs pairing with the terminal device 22. As a result of the pairing with the terminal device 22, an ON icon P610 is displayed on the display screen W610.

[0146] FIG. 24(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W620 displayed on the display unit 140 of the image forming apparatus 10 when waiting for the transmission of address book information from the terminal device 22. A message M620 indicating that the address book information is being transferred is displayed on the display screen W620. Also, as a result of pairing with the terminal device 22, an ON icon P620 is displayed on the display screen W620.

[0147] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W630 for selecting an address book to be transmitted. The display screen W630 is displayed on the display unit 240 of the terminal device 22. The display screen W630 includes a region E630 including buttons indicating the address book information stored in the address book information storage area 262. The region E630 includes buttons B630, B631, B632, B633, and B634 as buttons indicating the address book information. By selecting the buttons included in the region E630, the user can specify whether the address book information is to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10. For example, in FIG. 25, it is shown by displaying a check mark to the right of the button that the information is the address book information to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, since no check mark is displayed on the button B632, the address book information corresponding to the button B632 is not the address book information to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0148] Furthermore, the display screen W630 includes a transfer start button B635 for starting the transmission (transfer) of the address book information. By selecting the transfer start button B635, the user can transmit the address book information specified as the transmission target in the region E630 to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0149] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W640 (transmission destination selection screen) displayed on the display unit 140 after address book information is transmitted (transferred) from the terminal device 22. At this point, the image processing apparatus 10 shifts to the transmission destination selection mode. The display screen W640 includes a region E640 for displaying the address book information transmitted (transferred) from the terminal device 22. The user can select a user (address) to be the transmission destination of the image from the region E640.

[0150] In the present embodiment, when the image processing apparatus 10 receives the address book information from the terminal device 22 and shifts to the transmission destination selection mode, the pairing with the terminal device 22 is released. Therefore, an OFF icon P640 indicating that the pairing with the terminal device 22 has been released is displayed on the display screen W640.

[0151] In the above description, it has been described that when the “Mobile Address Book” button displayed on the image processing apparatus 10 is selected, the pairing is performed between the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal device 22, and the mobile address book is transferred. However, the start of the transfer of the mobile address book may be performed by the terminal device 22. That is, when the terminal device 22 has a dedicated application for transferring the mobile address book to the image processing apparatus 10, the trigger for transferring the mobile address book may be initiated from the terminal device 22 side.

[0152] For example, the communication application executes the processes of S608 and S610 in FIG. 22, and when the image processing apparatus 10 is selected by the user, causes the terminal device 22 to transmit a signal or information indicating the start of the transfer of the mobile address book to the image processing apparatus 10. This signal is transmitted from the terminal device 22 to the image processing apparatus 10 via, for example, Wi-Fi (LAN). The image processing apparatus 10 that has received the signal or information indicating the start of the transfer of the mobile address book performs pairing with the terminal device 22 at that point without executing the processes of S602 and S604 in FIG. 22, establishes communication with the terminal device 22, and then receives the address book information from the terminal device 22.

[0153] In this way, according to the present embodiment, address book information can be transmitted to the image processing apparatus via an application executed by the terminal device. Further, after receiving the address book information from the terminal device, the image processing apparatus releases the pairing with the terminal device, thereby preventing other users from obtaining the address book information from the terminal device by operating the image forming apparatus against the user's intention.

[0154] [7. Modification Example] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. That is, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means modified within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0155] Also, although the above-described embodiments have parts that are separately described for convenience of explanation, it goes without saying that they may be combined and executed within a technically possible range. For example, the second embodiment and the seventh embodiment may be combined and executed. In this case, the terminal device can transmit address book information to the image processing apparatus using a communication application. On the other hand, the image processing apparatus maintains the paired state with the terminal device until a transmission destination based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device is selected. Therefore, even when the user performs an operation of transmitting address book information from the terminal device to the image processing apparatus a plurality of times, it is not necessary to pair the image processing apparatus and the terminal device each time.

[0156] Also, the programs that operate in each device in the embodiment are programs that control a CPU or the like (programs that cause a computer to function) so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. The information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (for example, RAM) during the processing, and then stored in a storage device such as various ROMs (Read Only Memory) and HDDs, and read by the CPU as needed for correction and writing.

[0157] Here, as the recording medium for storing the program, it may be any of a semiconductor medium (for example, ROM, non-volatile memory card, etc.), an optical recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium (for example, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disk), etc.), a magnetic recording medium (for example, magnetic tape, flexible disk, etc.). Also, by executing the loaded program, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the functions of the present invention may be realized by jointly processing with an operating system or other application programs, etc. based on the instructions of the program.

[0158] Also, when distributing to the market, the program can be stored in a portable recording medium for distribution, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the storage device of the server computer is of course also included in the present invention.

[0159] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the communication between the image processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 is mainly described by taking Bluetooth as an example of short-range wireless communication, but other communication means may also be used. For example, they may be connected by a wireless LAN between the image processing device 10 and the terminal device 20. In this case, connection information regarding the wireless LAN (for example, SSID, connection password, connection ID, etc.) may be used as the connection information. Also, in the case of a wireless LAN, communication may be performed by an application for communication between the image processing device 10 or the terminal device 20, or the function of an access point may be provided in any of the devices.

[0160] Also, in the above-described embodiments, it is described that the image processing device is provided with a display unit, but the display unit may be constituted by a display device of a device other than the image processing device. In this case, the control unit of the image processing device performs control to display a predetermined screen or display an ON icon or an OFF icon on the display device.

[0161] Also, in the above-described embodiment, as the timing for canceling the pairing with the terminal device, when the acquisition of the address book information from the terminal device is completed, when the transmission destination based on the address book information acquired from the terminal device is selected, when the transmission destination is determined, and when the process of transmitting the image is completed, have been described. However, the pairing between the image processing apparatus and the terminal device may be canceled at a timing other than the above-described timings. That is, after the image processing apparatus acquires the address book information, which is the information of the transmission destination, from the terminal device, the image processing apparatus may cancel the pairing with the terminal device at an arbitrary timing until the process of transmitting the image to the transmission destination via the communication unit is completed.

[0162] Also, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the information acquired by the image processing apparatus from the terminal device is address book information, but the information acquired from the terminal device may be information other than the address book information. For example, the information acquired from the terminal device may be image data, document data, or the like, which is the content to be output. Even in this case, after the image processing apparatus acquires the information from the terminal device, the image processing apparatus may cancel the pairing with the terminal device.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0163] 1 System 10 Image Processing Apparatus 100 Control Unit 102 Image Processing Unit 120 Image Input Unit 130 Image Forming Unit 140 Display Unit 150 Operation Unit 160 Storage Unit 162 Image Data Storage Area 164 Address Book Information Storage Area 166 Address Book Information Temporary Storage Area 168 Pairing Information Storage Area 180 Short-Range Wireless Communication Unit 190 Communication Unit 20, 22 Terminal Device 200 Control Unit 240 Display Unit 250 Operation Unit 260 Memory Unit 262 Address Book Information Storage Area 264 Pairing Information Storage Area 266 Communication Application 280 Short-Range Wireless Communication Unit 290 Communication Unit

Claims

1. A communication unit that performs wireless communication with a terminal device, and a control unit, wherein the control unit, performs pairing with the terminal device, establishes wireless communication with the paired terminal device via the communication unit, acquires information on the transmission destination of an image from the terminal device, when the acquisition of the transmission destination information is completed, disconnects the wireless communication, and releases the pairing with the terminal device by completing the acquisition of the transmission destination information and disconnecting the wireless communication An image processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit releases the pairing with the terminal device when shifting to a mode different from the mode for allowing the user to select the transmission destination.

3. The image processing apparatus further includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image, wherein the control unit, when it is selected to use the transmission destination stored in the terminal device, performs pairing with the terminal device, and transmits the image to the transmission destination after the acquisition of the transmission destination information is completed and the pairing with the terminal device is released. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit, after the pairing with the terminal device is released, displays transmission destination candidates based on the transmission destination information acquired from the terminal device, and transmits the image to the transmission destination selected from the displayed transmission destination candidates. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The control unit, displays transmission destination candidates based on the transmission destination information acquired from the terminal device, when a transmission destination is selected from the displayed transmission destination candidates, disconnects the wireless communication, and transmits the image to the transmission destination selected from the displayed transmission destination candidates. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.

6. The control unit, when the pairing with the terminal device is in progress, performs control to display a first identification display, when the pairing with the terminal device is released, performs control to display a second identification display different from the first identification display. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the above.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit releases the pairing with the terminal device when the first identification display is selected by the user.

8. The image processing apparatus further includes a storage unit, The control unit stores, in the storage unit, information used for communicating with the terminal device by performing pairing with the terminal device, and deletes the information used for communicating with the terminal device from the storage unit, thereby releasing the pairing with the terminal device. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

9. A system including a terminal device and an image processing apparatus, The terminal device is, By performing wireless communication with the image processing apparatus, transmits information on the transmission destination of the image to the image processing apparatus, The image processing apparatus is, Performs pairing with the terminal device, Establishes wireless communication with the paired terminal device, Obtains the information on the transmission destination from the terminal device, When the acquisition of the information on the transmission destination is completed, disconnects the wireless communication, When the acquisition of the information on the transmission destination is completed and the wireless communication is disconnected, releases the pairing with the terminal device A system characterized by that.

10. The terminal device transmits the information on the transmission destination of the image to the image processing apparatus by executing an application that transmits the information on the transmission destination of the image to the image processing apparatus. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that.

11. A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: Performing pairing with a terminal device; Establishing wireless communication with the paired terminal device; Obtaining information on the transmission destination of an image from the terminal device; When the acquisition of the information on the transmission destination is completed, disconnecting the wireless communication; When the acquisition of the information on the transmission destination is completed and the wireless communication is disconnected, releasing the pairing with the terminal device; A control method characterized by including.

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