Image forming apparatus and program

Abstract

To start a printing preparation of an image formation apparatus when a user carries a communication device and approaches the image formation apparatus without carrying a terminal device transmitting a printing job by the user.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 10 includes a processor 30. The processor 30 receives a printing job 60 from a terminal device 12 receiving a printing instruction from a user 90 via a network 80. The printing job 60 includes identification information 20 of a communication device 18 acquired via short-range wireless communication from the communication device 18 carried by the user 90 by the terminal device 12. After receiving the printing job 60, the processor 30 performs control of starting a printing preparation when detecting that a radio wave equal to or greater than the predetermined intensity is received from the communication device 18 having the identification information 20 added thereto.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses the following multifunction device. The identifier of a mobile terminal carried by a user is stored in the multifunction device in advance. When the mobile terminal approaches, the multifunction device wirelessly acquires the identifier from the mobile terminal and compares it with the identifier stored in advance. If the comparison is a match, the multifunction device performs a predetermined operation.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses the following image forming system: A PC adds the user's login ID (first identification information) to the PC to a print job and sends it to a server. When the user approaches, the printer reads second identification information from a short-range wireless terminal carried by the user and sends it to the server. If the server determines that the user identified by the first identification information matches the user identified by the second identification information, it causes the printer to process the print job. Note that the image forming system in this document requires two types of identification information (first and second identification information).

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses the following printing system: A user issues a print command from a mobile terminal. Then, when the user moves with the mobile terminal and comes within close proximity of the printer, the printer prints the printed material. Note that this document also describes BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) as an example of communication technology between the mobile terminal and the printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-140511 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-67218 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-57995 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is expected that when a user who has sent a print job approaches an image forming device while carrying a communication device such as a BLE tag, the image forming device will start preparing to print. It is also desired that this be achieved without using two types of identification information for the same user (identification information for the terminal device (login ID, etc.) and identification information for the communication device).

[0007] An object of the present invention is to enable an image forming apparatus to start preparation for printing when a user carrying a communication device approaches the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that includes a processor, which receives a print job via a network from a terminal device that has received a print instruction from a user, and the print job includes identification information of a communication device that the terminal device has obtained by short-range wireless communication from a communication device carried by the user, and after receiving the print job, the processor controls to start preparations for printing when it detects that it has received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device having the identification information attached to the print job.

[0009] The invention of claim 2 is the image forming device of claim 1, wherein, when the processor receives the print job, it transmits the identification information attached to the print job to surrounding terminal devices around the image forming device, and after receiving the identification information, when the surrounding terminal devices detect that they have received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device having the identification information, they transmit a user approach notification to the surrounding terminal devices indicating that a user has approached, and when the processor receives the user approach notification, it controls the start of print preparation separate from the print preparation.

[0010] The invention of claim 3 is the image forming device of claim 1, wherein, when the processor receives the print job, it transmits the identification information attached to the print job to surrounding terminal devices around the image forming device, and when the surrounding terminal devices receive the identification information and detect that they have received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device having the identification information, they transmit a user approach notification to the surrounding terminal devices indicating that a user has approached, and when the processor receives the user approach notification from a surrounding terminal device within a predetermined distance from the image forming device, it controls the start of print preparation separate from the print preparation.

[0011] The invention of claim 4 is an image forming apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the processor sets the predetermined distance longer when the data amount of the print job is a first data amount than when the data amount of the print job is a second data amount that is smaller than the first data amount.

[0012] The invention of claim 5 is the image forming device of claim 1, wherein, when the processor receives the print job, it transmits the identification information attached to the print job to surrounding terminal devices around the image forming device, and after receiving the identification information, when the surrounding terminal device detects that it has received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device having the identification information, it transmits a user approach notification to the surrounding terminal device indicating that a user has approached, and when the processor receives the user approach notification from the nearest surrounding terminal device that is located closest to the image forming device, it controls the start of print preparation separate from the print preparation.

[0013] The invention of claim 6 is an image forming device described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the processor acquires the distance between the image forming device and the surrounding terminal device via short-range wireless communication at a predetermined timing.

[0014] The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor controls the image forming apparatus to cancel a power saving state as preparation for printing.

[0015] The invention of claim 8 is an image forming device as described in claim 1 or 7, wherein the processor, after receiving the print job, controls the start of the print process after the print preparation when it detects that it has received radio waves of a strength greater than the predetermined strength for a certain period of time from the communication device having the identification information attached to the print job.

[0016] The invention of claim 9 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 7, further including a display unit, wherein the processor, after receiving the print job, when it detects that radio waves of a strength equal to or greater than the predetermined strength have been received continuously for a certain period of time from the communication device having the identification information attached thereto, controls the display unit to display information about the print job after the printing preparation.

[0017] The invention of claim 10 is an image forming device as described in claim 7, wherein the processor controls the image forming device to enter a power saving state again when, after receiving the radio waves from the communication device, a state in which the radio waves are not received continuously for a certain period of time within a predetermined time period.

[0018] The invention of claim 11 is a program that causes a computer to function to receive a print job via a network from a terminal device that has received a print instruction from a user, wherein the print job includes identification information of a communication device that the terminal device has obtained by short-range wireless communication from a communication device carried by the user, and the program causes a computer to control the start of print preparation when, after receiving the print job, it detects that radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater have been received from the communication device having the identification information attached to the print job. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the inventions of claims 1 and 11, when a user carrying a communication device approaches an image forming device, the image forming device starts preparing to print.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 2, even if the user is away from the image forming device and the image forming device cannot receive radio waves from the communication device carried by the user, it is possible to start printing preparations.

[0021] According to the invention of claim 3, when the user approaches the image forming apparatus to a predetermined location, it becomes possible to start preparations for printing.

[0022] According to the invention of claim 4, when the amount of data in a print job is large compared to when it is small, a surrounding terminal device located farther away from the image forming device can detect the user's approach to the image forming device, allowing printing preparation to begin at an earlier timing.

[0023] According to the invention of claim 5, print preparation can be started at an earlier timing than when print preparation is started after the image forming apparatus receives radio waves from a communication device carried by the user.

[0024] According to the invention of claim 6, even if the distance between the image forming apparatus and the surrounding terminal device changes over time, the distance can be grasped.

[0025] According to the invention of claim 7, the time it takes for the user to obtain a printed matter is shortened.

[0026] According to the invention of claim 8, the printing process can be started before the user arrives at the image forming apparatus.

[0027] According to the invention of claim 9, when the user arrives at the image forming apparatus, the user can obtain information about the print job.

[0028] According to the invention of claim 10, even if a user unintentionally approaches the image forming apparatus, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system showing a user near a terminal device. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system showing a user near an image forming device. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system showing a user passing in front of an image forming device. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a process of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system showing a user near a peripheral terminal device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of an image forming system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] <Summary / Definition> An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming system and has the following features: A terminal device accepts a print instruction from a user and transmits a print job to an image forming device via a network. The print job includes identification information of a communication device carried by the user, which the terminal device acquires through short-range wireless communication from the communication device. A processor of the image forming device receives the print job. After receiving the print job, the processor of the image forming device performs control to start print preparation when it detects that radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater have been received from the communication device having the identification information attached to the print job.

[0031] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the present invention, processing using signals from surrounding terminal devices is disclosed. Definitions of each component of the present invention are given below.

[0032] A communication device is a device that transmits a beacon signal that includes identification information (device ID). One example of a communication device is a Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) tag. For example, a BLE tag is a tag attached to a bag, wallet, smartphone, etc. to prevent loss. Other examples of communication devices are smartphones, smartwatches, tablet terminals, etc.

[0033] Near-field wireless communication is wireless communication that exchanges data using radio waves, light, etc., and has a communication distance of within several tens of meters. An example of near-field wireless communication is BLE. Near-field wireless communication may also be communication of other standards or methods that enable wireless communication similar to BLE.

[0034] The network may be a LAN (Local Area Network), an intranet, the Internet, etc. Various devices (terminal devices, image forming devices, etc.) are connected to the network by wire, wirelessly, or a combination thereof.

[0035] A terminal device is a computer operated by a user. Examples of the terminal device include a desktop PC (personal computer), a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc. The terminal device has a function of acquiring identification information (device ID) of the device from a communication device carried by a user via short-range wireless communication.

[0036] The surrounding terminal device has a function of detecting the approach of a communication device carried by a user to the image forming apparatus via short-range wireless communication and transmitting the approach to the image forming apparatus. The surrounding terminal device may be a computer similar to the terminal device described above. However, the surrounding terminal device may be a computer that is not operated by a user, or may be a device that automatically realizes the above function.

[0037] An image forming apparatus is a device (printing apparatus) that has the function of forming (printing) an image on a medium such as paper. An image forming apparatus may have only a printing function, or may have other functions in addition to the printing function. An image forming apparatus may be a multifunction device that has multiple functions such as a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, and a facsimile function.

[0038] The display unit is a device or part having a screen that conveys information to a user, such as a touch panel, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL display.

[0039] A print job is a print request that requests an image forming apparatus to execute a print process, and includes image data to be printed and attribute information related to printing.

[0040] The printing process is a process of forming an image on a medium such as paper (for example, by applying toner, ink, etc. to the paper), and then ejecting the medium from the image forming device.

[0041] Print preparation refers to pre-processing that is performed before the print process, such as disabling power saving in the image forming device, warming up the device, image processing for the print job, displaying print job information on the display unit (such as a touch panel), and rotating the paper feed rollers.

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations described below are examples for explanatory purposes and can be modified as appropriate to suit the specifications of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments or variations are included below, it is assumed from the beginning that their characteristic parts will be used in appropriate combination. The same elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all drawings, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Illustrations and explanations of configurations other than the essential parts according to the embodiments of the present invention may be omitted as appropriate.

[0043] First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described. Figures 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams of an image forming system 1, in which Figure 1 shows a state in which a user 90 is near a terminal device 12, Figure 2 shows a state in which a user 90 is near an image forming device 10, and Figure 3 shows a state in which a user 90 passes in front of the image forming device 10.

[0044] 1, the image forming system 1 includes a terminal device 12, a plurality of peripheral terminal devices 14a, 14b, and 14c, and an image forming device 10. These devices are connected to a network 80. The image forming system 1 also includes a communication device 18 carried by a user 90. Note that in the first embodiment, the peripheral terminal devices 14a, 14b, and 14c are not essential components of the image forming system 1.

[0045] The terminal device 12 and the multiple peripheral terminal devices 14a, 14b, and 14c are, for example, PCs (personal computers). Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the peripheral terminal devices 14a, 14b, and 14c, they will be referred to as peripheral terminal devices 14. The terminal device 12 and the peripheral terminal devices 14 have the same configuration. A printer driver (program) for the image forming device 10 is installed in these devices.

[0046] The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral, which has a function of printing on paper using, for example, an electrophotographic method.

[0047] The communication device 18 is, for example, a BLE tag. For example, the BLE tag is attached to a wallet, a smartphone, or the like of the user 90 as a tag to prevent loss. Note that the communication device 18 may be, for example, the smartphone itself.

[0048] The terminal device 12, the surrounding terminal device 14, and the image forming device 10 each include a module (not shown) for short-range wireless communication. These devices are capable of wireless communication with the communication device 18 via short-range wireless communication. One example of short-range wireless communication is BLE.

[0049] The terminal device 12 includes a processor 40 and a storage device 42. The processor 40 includes a CPU and executes information processing in accordance with a program 44 and control data 46 installed in the terminal device 12. The processor 40 can be defined as a computer in the narrow sense. The storage device 42 includes a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage device 42 stores the program 44, control data 46, and print jobs 60. The program 44 and control data 46 can be provided via a network such as the Internet, or can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disc or USB memory and provided.

[0050] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a processor 30, a storage device 32, and a display unit 38. The processor 30 includes a CPU and executes information processing in accordance with a program 34 and control data 36 installed in the image forming apparatus 10. The processor 30 can be defined as a computer in the narrow sense. The storage device 32 includes a ROM, RAM, flash memory, hard disk, etc. The storage device 32 stores the program 34, control data 36, ​​and print jobs 60 (see FIG. 2). The program 34 and control data 36 can be provided via a network such as the Internet, or can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disc or USB memory. The display unit 38 is, for example, a touch panel.

[0051] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the image forming system of the first embodiment. Steps S100 to S106 are executed by the processor 40 of the terminal device 12, and steps S108 to S124 are executed by the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10. The flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described below.

[0052] In S100, the processor 40 of the terminal device 12 waits for the user 90 to issue a print instruction by operating the terminal device 12. If S100 is Yes (a print instruction has been issued), in S102 the processor 40 acquires the identification information 20 (device ID) of the communication device 18 (BLE tag) carried by the user 90 via short-range wireless communication.

[0053] Next, in S104, processor 40 creates print job 60. At this time, processor 40 includes, in print job 60, identification information 20 acquired in S102 as one piece of attribute information. In S106, processor 40 transmits print job 60 to image forming device 10 via network 80. FIG. 1 shows image forming system 1 at the time of S106.

[0054] In S108, the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the print job 60 (see FIG. 2). Next, in S110, the processor 30 checks whether it has received radio waves (radio waves for short-range wireless communication) of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 (the communication device 18 carried by the user 90) having the identification information 20 added to the print job 60. As shown in FIG. 2, this is to check whether the user 90 is approaching the image forming apparatus 10 from the terminal device 12, and whether the user 90 is within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0055] In S110, if the processor 30 detects that it has received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 (that is, that the user 90 is within a predetermined distance from the image forming device 10) (S110: Yes), the process proceeds to S112. In S112, the processor 30 controls the image forming device 10 to exit the power saving state in preparation for printing. In addition, in S114, the processor 30 performs image processing of the print job 60 in preparation for printing.

[0056] Next, in S116, the processor 30 checks whether it has continuously received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater for a certain period of time (a predetermined time) from the communication device 18 (the communication device 18 carried by the user 90) having the identification information 20 added to the print job 60. This is to check whether the user 90 is continuously approaching the image forming device 10 or is continuously staying within a predetermined distance from the image forming device 10.

[0057] If S116 is Yes (radio waves have been received continuously for a certain period of time), in S118, the processor 30 performs the remaining print preparations and then controls the start of print processing. Then, when the print processing is completed, the processor 30 controls the image forming device 10 to return to the power saving state (S120).

[0058] On the other hand, if S116 is No (radio waves have not been received for a certain period of time, i.e., radio waves have stopped being received midway), the process proceeds to S122. In S122, the processor 30 checks whether a predetermined time has elapsed since S110 became Yes (the time when radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater were first received from the communication device 18). If S122 is No, the processor 30 returns to S116 and waits for radio waves from the communication device 18 to be received continuously for a certain period of time.

[0059] On the other hand, if S122 is Yes (the predetermined time has elapsed), in S124, the processor 30 controls the image forming apparatus 10 to enter the power saving state again. This is to deal with the case where the user 90 unintentionally approaches the image forming apparatus 10 and then moves away, such as when the user 90 passes in front of the image forming apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 3. By keeping the image forming apparatus 10 in the power saving state until the user 90 approaches the image forming apparatus 10 again, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 is reduced. After S124, the processor 30 returns to S110 and waits for radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater to be received again from the communication device 18 (for the user 90 to approach the image forming apparatus 10 again).

[0060] According to the first embodiment described above, security printing (printed materials are difficult to steal or view by others), power saving for the image forming apparatus 10, and a reduction in the time it takes for the user 90 to obtain the printed materials are realized. Furthermore, the user 90 does not need to carry the terminal device 12 that sent the print job 60, and does not need to register as a user in advance with the image forming apparatus 10. When the user 90 approaches the image forming apparatus 10 carrying the communication device 18, the image forming apparatus 10 starts preparing to print. Instead of using two types of identification information for the same user (identification information for the terminal device 12 (such as the login ID of the user 90) and identification information 20 for the communication device 18), the user 90 corresponding to the print job 60 can be recognized using only the identification information 20 for the communication device 18.

[0061] In the first embodiment described above, in S118 of Fig. 4, the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 automatically controls the start of the print process. However, in S118, the processor 30 may control the display of information about the print job 60 on the touch panel 38 (display unit) of the image forming apparatus 10 instead of the print process. Then, when the user 90 issues a print instruction by operating the touch panel 38 (display unit) of the image forming apparatus 10, the processor 30 may control the start of the print process.

[0062] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, if the user 90 unintentionally approaches the image forming device 10 and then moves away (S122: Yes), the image forming device 10 is put into a power-saving state in S124 of Fig. 4, the process returns to S110, and the process waits for radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater to be received again from the communication device 18 (for the user 90 to approach the image forming device 10 again). However, the processor 30 may end the processing of the print job 60 by deleting the print job 60 and the intermediate data (not shown) obtained by image processing the print job 60 from the storage device 32 without returning to S110.

[0063] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the approach of a user 90 to the image forming apparatus 10 is detected earlier using peripheral terminal devices 14 located around the image forming apparatus 10, and printing preparation is performed at an earlier timing.

[0064] 5 is a schematic diagram of the image forming system 1 similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, showing a state in which a user 90 is near a peripheral terminal device 14a. The peripheral terminal device 14a is located between the terminal device 12 and the image forming device 10. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the user 90 is in the middle of walking toward the image forming device 10 after issuing a print instruction on the terminal device 12.

[0065] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the image forming system of the second embodiment. Steps S200 to S206 are executed by the processor 40 of the terminal device 12, steps S208, S210, and S218 to S242 are executed by the processor 30 of the image forming device 10, and steps S212 to S216 are executed by the processor (not shown) of the surrounding terminal device 14. The flowchart of Fig. 6 will be described below.

[0066] S200 to S206 are the same as S100 to S106 in FIG.

[0067] In S208, the processor 30 of the image forming device 10 receives the print job 60. Next, in S210, the processor 30 transmits the identification information 20 (the identification information 20 of the communication device 18 carried by the user 90) added to the print job 60 to the surrounding terminal device 14 via the network 80 or short-range wireless communication.

[0068] In S212, the processor of the surrounding terminal device 14 receives the identification information 20 from the image forming device 10. In S214, the processor of the surrounding terminal device 14 checks whether it has received radio waves (radio waves for short-range wireless communication) of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 (communication device 18 carried by the user 90) having the identification information 20. This is to check whether the user 90 is coming from the terminal device 12 toward the image forming device 10, as shown in FIG. 5, and to check whether the user 90 is within a predetermined distance from the surrounding terminal device 14a.

[0069] In S214, if the processor of the surrounding terminal device 14 detects that it has received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 having the identification information 20 (that is, that the user 90 is within a predetermined distance from the surrounding terminal device 14) (S214: Yes), the process proceeds to S216. In S216, the processor of the surrounding terminal device 14 transmits a user approach notification indicating that the user 90 has approached the surrounding terminal device 14 to the image forming device 10 via the network 80 or short-range wireless communication.

[0070] After S210, in S218, the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 waits for a user approach notification to be sent from the surrounding terminal device 14. If the processor 30 receives a user approach notification from the surrounding terminal device 14 in S218 (S218: Yes), the process proceeds to S220. In S220, the processor 30 controls the image forming apparatus 10 to cancel the power saving state in preparation for printing. That is, when the user 90 approaches the surrounding terminal device 14, the power saving state of the image forming apparatus 10 is canceled.

[0071] Next, in S224, the processor 30 checks whether it has received radio waves (radio waves for short-range wireless communication) of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 (the communication device 18 carried by the user 90) having the identification information 20 added to the print job 60. This is to check whether the user 90 is approaching the image forming device 10 to pick up the printed material, as shown in FIG. 2, and whether the user 90 is within a predetermined distance from the image forming device 10.

[0072] In S224, if the processor 30 detects that it has received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 having the identification information 20 (that is, that the user 90 is within a predetermined distance from the image forming device 10) (S224: Yes), the process proceeds to S230. In S230, the processor 30 performs image processing of the print job 60 in preparation for printing. Then, the processor 30 proceeds to S234.

[0073] The steps from S234 onwards are the same as the steps from S116 onwards in Fig. 4. In S234, the processor 30 checks whether it has received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater for a certain period of time from the communication device 18 (the communication device 18 carried by the user 90) having the identification information 20 added to the print job 60.

[0074] In S234, if the processor 30 receives radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater for a certain period of time from the communication device 18 having the identification information 20 (S234: Yes), in S236, the processor 30 controls the remaining print preparation and starts the print process. Then, when the print process is completed, the processor 30 controls the image forming device 10 to enter the power saving state again (S238).

[0075] On the other hand, in S234, if the processor 30 has not received radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 having the identification information 20 for a certain period of time (S234: No, i.e., radio waves have stopped being received midway), the processor 30 proceeds to S240. In S240, the processor 30 checks whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the first time that radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater were received from the communication device 18 (S224 or S226 (described below)).

[0076] If S240 is No (the predetermined time has not elapsed), the processor 30 returns to S234 and waits for a certain period of time to continue receiving radio waves from the communication device 18. On the other hand, if S240 is Yes (the predetermined time has elapsed) (the user 90 unintentionally approached the image forming device 10 and then moved away), the processor 30 controls the image forming device 10 to enter the power saving state again in S242. Then, the processor 30 returns to S218 and waits for another user approach notification to be sent from the surrounding terminal device 14.

[0077] It is possible that the user 90 approaches the image forming apparatus 10 directly without approaching the surrounding terminal device 14. Therefore, in S218, the processor 30 waits for a user approach notification to be sent from the surrounding terminal device 14, and in S226, waits for the user 90 to approach the image forming apparatus 10 directly (repeating S218 and S226). That is, in S226, the processor 30 waits for reception of radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 having the identification information 20 (for the user 90 to enter a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10). Then, if reception of radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 having the identification information 20 in S226 (S226: Yes), in S228, the processor 30 performs control to cancel the power saving state of the image forming apparatus 10 in preparation for printing. In addition, in S230, the processor 30 performs image processing of the print job 60 in preparation for printing.

[0078] According to the second embodiment described above, even if the image forming device 10 cannot detect the radio waves from the communication device 18 carried by the user 90 because the user 90 is away from the image forming device 10, the surrounding terminal device 14 can detect the radio waves, making it possible for the image forming device 10 to start preparing for printing at an earlier timing.

[0079] In the second embodiment, the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 may cancel the power saving state (S220) when it receives a user approach notification from the nearest surrounding terminal device 14 (for example, the surrounding terminal device 14a in FIG. 5) that is closest to the image forming apparatus 10 (S218: Yes). At this time, it may also perform printing preparations other than canceling the power saving state.

[0080] In the second embodiment, the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 may cancel the power saving state (S220) when it receives a user approach notification from a surrounding terminal device 14 (e.g., the surrounding terminal devices 14a and 14b in FIG. 5) that is within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10 (S218: Yes). At this time, it may also perform printing preparations other than canceling the power saving state. The distance between the image forming apparatus 10 and each surrounding terminal device 14 may be stored in the storage device 32 in advance, or may be obtained at a predetermined timing, as described below. The predetermined distance may be stored in the storage device 32 in advance and may be fixed, or may be changed as appropriate.

[0081] The processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 may acquire the distance between the image forming apparatus 10 and each of the surrounding terminal devices 14 through short-range wireless communication at a predetermined timing. The processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the distance between the image forming apparatus 10 and each of the surrounding terminal devices 14 based on the strength of the radio waves of the short-range wireless communication received from each of the surrounding terminal devices 14. Note that this distance may be a relative distance (distance relationship) such that one surrounding terminal device 14 is closer or farther from the image forming apparatus 10 than another surrounding terminal device 14. The predetermined timing may be, for example, a regular interval, the timing when the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print job 60, the timing when the user 90 leaves the terminal device 12, or the like. The image forming apparatus 10 can detect that the user 90 has left the terminal device 12 by, for example, receiving a signal indicating that the display of a laptop PC serving as the terminal device 12 has been closed, which is sent to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 80.

[0082] In the first and second embodiments, the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 may perform control to warm up the image forming apparatus 10 in preparation for printing when the power saving state is released.

[0083] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the image forming system of the third embodiment. The difference between the flowchart in Fig. 7 and the flowchart in Fig. 6 is the part surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 7. The part surrounded by the dashed line will be described below.

[0084] In S318, when the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives a user approach notification from the peripheral terminal device 14 (S318: Yes), the processor 30 controls the image forming apparatus 10 to cancel the power saving state in preparation for printing (S320). Then, in S322, the processor 30 performs image processing of the print job 60 in preparation for printing.

[0085] Next, in S324, the processor 30 checks whether radio waves (radio waves for short-range wireless communication) of a predetermined strength or greater have been received from a communication device 18 (a communication device 18 carried by the user 90) having the identification information 20 added to the print job 60. This is to check whether the user 90 is within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10. If S324 is Yes, in S332, the processor 30 controls the display of information about the print job 60 on the touch panel 38 (display unit) of the image forming apparatus 10 in preparation for printing. The processor 30 then proceeds to S334. The steps from S334 onwards are the same as the steps from S234 onwards in FIG. 6, and therefore will not be described further.

[0086] If the processor 30 does not receive a user approach notification from the surrounding terminal device 14 in S318 (S318: No), and if the processor 30 receives radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater from the communication device 18 having the identification information 20 in S326 (the user has directly approached the image forming device 10) (S326: Yes), the processor 30 proceeds to S328. In S328, the processor 30 controls the image forming device 10 to exit the power saving state in preparation for printing. In addition, the processor 30 performs image processing of the print job 60 in preparation for printing (S330), and controls the display of information about the print job 60 on the touch panel 38 (display unit) of the image forming device 10 (S332).

[0087] As described above, in the third embodiment, when a user approach notification is received (S318: Yes), image processing of the print job 60 is performed in preparation for printing (S322). Here, the larger the image data of the print job 60, the longer it tends to take for the image processing of the print job 60 in the image forming device 10. Therefore, the larger the image data of the print job 60, the earlier it is desirable to start the image processing of the print job 60, thereby shortening the time that the user 90 has to wait in front of the image forming device 10.

[0088] Therefore, in the third embodiment, the timing for starting image processing of the print job 60 may be changed depending on the size of the image data. Specifically, when the processor 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives a user approach notification from a surrounding terminal device 14 located within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10 (S318: Yes), the processor 30 performs image processing of the print job 60 (S322). In this case, when the image data volume of the print job 60 is a first data volume, the processor 30 sets the predetermined distance longer than when the image data volume of the print job 60 is a second data volume that is smaller than the first data volume. In other words, when the image data volume of the print job 60 is large compared to when it is small, the processor 30 detects the user 90's approach to the image forming apparatus 10 at a surrounding terminal device 14 located farther away from the image forming apparatus 10 and performs image processing of the print job 60 (S322) at an earlier timing. This makes it possible to shorten the time the user 90 has to wait in front of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0089] <Other> In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0090] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Image forming system, 10 Image forming device (multifunction device), 12 Terminal device, 14, 14a, 14b, 14c Surrounding terminal devices, 18 Communication device (BLE tag), 20 Identification information, 30 Processor, 32 Storage device, 34 Program, 36 Control data, 38 Display unit (touch panel), 40 Processor, 42 Storage device, 44 Program, 46 Control data, 60 Print job, 80 Network, 90 User.

Claims

1. a processor; The processor receives a print job via a network from a terminal device that has received a print instruction from a user; the print job includes identification information of the communication device that the terminal device acquires from the communication device carried by the user via short-range wireless communication; The processor: and after receiving the print job, when it is detected that radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater have been received from the communication device having the identification information added to the print job, control is performed to start preparation for printing. Image forming device.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The processor: When the print job is received, the identification information added to the print job is transmitted to peripheral terminal devices located around the image forming apparatus; The surrounding terminal device After receiving the identification information, when it is detected that a radio wave having an intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity has been received from the communication device having the identification information, a user approach notification is transmitted to the surrounding terminal device indicating that a user has approached the surrounding terminal device; The processor: When the user approach notification is received, control is performed to start a print preparation separate from the print preparation. Image forming device.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The processor: When the print job is received, the identification information added to the print job is transmitted to peripheral terminal devices located around the image forming apparatus; The surrounding terminal device After receiving the identification information, when it is detected that a radio wave having an intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity has been received from the communication device having the identification information, a user approach notification is transmitted to the surrounding terminal device indicating that a user has approached the surrounding terminal device; The processor: When the user approach notification is received from a nearby terminal device located within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus, control is performed to start a print preparation separate from the print preparation. Image forming device.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, The processor: When the data amount of the print job is a first data amount, the predetermined distance is set to be longer than when the data amount of the print job is a second data amount that is smaller than the first data amount. Image forming device.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The processor: When the print job is received, the identification information added to the print job is transmitted to peripheral terminal devices located around the image forming apparatus; The surrounding terminal device After receiving the identification information, when it is detected that a radio wave having an intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity has been received from the communication device having the identification information, a user approach notification is transmitted to the surrounding terminal device indicating that a user has approached the surrounding terminal device; The processor: When the user approach notification is received from the nearest surrounding terminal device that is located closest to the image forming apparatus, control is performed to start a print preparation separate from the print preparation. Image forming device.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, The processor: acquiring a distance between the image forming apparatus and the surrounding terminal device through short-range wireless communication at a predetermined timing; Image forming device.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The processor: As the preparation for printing, control is performed to release the power saving state of the image forming apparatus. Image forming device.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The processor: and after receiving the print job, when it is detected that radio waves having an intensity equal to or greater than the predetermined intensity have been continuously received for a certain period of time from the communication device having the identification information added to the print job, control is performed to start the print process after the print preparation. Image forming device.

9. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, Further including a display unit, The processor: and after receiving the print job, when it is detected that radio waves of a strength equal to or greater than the predetermined strength have been continuously received for a certain period of time from the communication device having the identification information added to the print job, after the printing preparation, performing control to display information about the print job on the display unit. Image forming device.

10. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, The processor: When a state where the radio waves are not continuously received for a certain period of time within a predetermined time period after receiving the radio waves from the communication device, the image forming device is controlled to return to the power saving state. Image forming device.

11. A program that causes a computer to function so as to receive a print job via a network from a terminal device that has received a print instruction from a user, the print job includes identification information of the communication device that the terminal device acquires from the communication device carried by the user via short-range wireless communication; The program is and causing the computer to function so as to perform control to start preparation for printing when it is detected that radio waves of a predetermined strength or greater have been received from the communication device having the identification information added to the print job after the print job has been received. program.

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