U.S. patent application number 16/269236 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-06 for image forming apparatus and data communication method of image forming apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Takaaki SUZUKI.
Application Number | 20200252511 16/269236 |
Document ID | 20200252511 / US20200252511 |
Family ID | 1000004970241 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-06 |
Patent Application | download [pdf] |
United States Patent
Application |
20200252511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUZUKI; Takaaki |
August 6, 2020 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DATA COMMUNICATION METHOD OF IMAGE
FORMING APPARATUS
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a short-range wireless
communication device to communicate with a portable terminal via
short-range wireless communication, a first wireless communication
device to communicate with the portable terminal via a direct
wireless connection, a second wireless communication device to
communicate via a network connected to the image forming apparatus,
and a control device. The control device includes an authentication
unit that determines whether o a device within short-range wireless
communication range has been authenticated. The control device sets
up a connection for data communication via the network when the
portable terminal has been authenticated and set up the direct
wireless connection for data communication when the portable
terminal has not been authenticated.
Inventors: |
SUZUKI; Takaaki; (Tagata
Shizuoka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004970241 |
Appl. No.: |
16/269236 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/32702 20130101;
G06F 3/1292 20130101; H04N 1/00973 20130101; H04N 1/00342 20130101;
H04N 1/00244 20130101; G06F 3/1238 20130101; G06F 3/1222 20130101;
H04N 1/4426 20130101; H04N 1/00307 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/00 20060101
H04N001/00; H04N 1/327 20060101 H04N001/327; H04N 1/44 20060101
H04N001/44; G06F 3/12 20060101 G06F003/12 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a short-range wireless
communication device configured to communicate with a portable
terminal via short-range wireless communication; a first wireless
communication device configured to communicate with the portable
terminal via a direct wireless connection to the portable terminal;
a second wireless communication device configured to communicate
with an authenticated portable terminal via a secured network; and
a control device configured to perform authentication processing of
a portable terminal based on authentication information received
via the short-range wireless communication device, to set up a
connection for data communication between the second wireless
communication device and the portable terminal via the secured
network if the portable terminal has been successfully
authenticated in the authentication processing, and to set up the
direct wireless connection between the first wireless communication
device and the portable terminal when the portable terminal has not
been successfully authenticated in the authentication
processing.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
short-range wireless communication device is a near-field
communication (NFC) device.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first wireless communication device is capable of directly
communicating with the portable terminal via Wi-Fi direct.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second wireless communication device is connected to a wireless
access point.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when
authentication information received via short-range wireless
communication does not include information permitting connection to
the secured network, the control device sets up a connection for
data communication between the first wireless communication device
and the portable terminal via Wi-Fi direct rather than via the
secured network.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when
authentication information received through short-range wireless
communication includes information permitting connection to the
secured network, the control device sets up a connection for data
communication between the second wireless communication device and
the portable terminal via the secured network.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
information permitting connection to the network includes an IP
address.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control device is further configured to determine whether a
contactless card or a portable terminal is approaching the
short-range wireless communication device on the basis of model
information specifying a device type received via short-range
wireless communication.
9. (canceled)
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a printer; and a scanner.
11. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a short-range wireless
communication device configured to communicate with a contactless
card or a portable terminal via short-range wireless communication;
a first wireless communication device configured to communicate
with the portable terminal via a direct wireless connection to the
portable terminal; a second wireless communication device
configured to communicate with the portable terminal via a secured
network connection; and a control device configured to: determine
whether a device within range of the short-range wireless
communication device is a contactless card or a portable terminal
according to model information provided via short-range wireless
communication from the device within range of the short-range
wireless communication device, perform an authentication according
to authentication information provided via short-range wireless
communication when the device is determined to be a contactless
card according to the model information, and establish
communication between the portable terminal and the second wireless
communication device via the secured network connection if the
authentication is successful, and perform an authentication
according to authentication information provided via short-range
wireless communication when the device is determined to be a
portable terminal according to the model information, establish
communication between the portable terminal and the second wireless
communication device via the secured network connection if the
authentication is successful, and establish communication between
the portable terminal and the first wireless communication device
via the direct wireless connection if the authentication is
unsuccessful.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the
second wireless communication device is connected to a network via
a wireless access point.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the
short-range wireless communication device is a near-field
communication (NFC) device.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
direct wireless connection is a Wi-Fi direct connection.
15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the
direct wireless connection is a Wi-Fi direct connection.
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further
comprising: a printer; and a scanner.
17. (canceled)
18. A image forming apparatus communication method, comprising:
performing an authentication process for authenticating a portable
terminal within range of a short-range wireless communication
device of the image forming apparatus according to information
provided via short-range wireless communication from the portable
terminal; setting up a connection for data communication between
the image forming apparatus and the portable terminal via a secured
network only if the portable terminal has been successfully
authenticated by the authentication process; and if the portable
terminal is not successfully authenticated by the authentication
process, automatically setting up a connection for data
communication between image forming apparatus and the portable
terminal via a direct wireless connection.
19. The communication method according to claim 18, wherein the
short-range wireless communication is according to a near-field
communication (NFC) standard.
20. The communication method according to claim 18, wherein the
direct wireless connection is a Wi-Fi direct connection.
Description
FIELD
[0001] Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image
forming apparatus and a data communication method of an image
forming apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a meeting or conference with an external client, it would
be convenient to print image data stored on client's own portable
terminal, such as a smartphone or a tablet, by temporarily
connecting the client's portable terminal to a multifunction
peripheral that is connected to a secured internal network or the
like. Accordingly, a multifunction peripheral that allows the
client's portable terminal to use the internal network has been
proposed.
[0003] In such an example, the multifunction peripheral may
directly transmit connection information necessary for using the
internal network to the portable terminal via near-field
communication (NFC) or the like rather than via the internal
network itself. A portable terminal that receives the connection
information can then use the internal network for high-speed
communication with the multifunction peripheral, as long as the
necessary connection information is provided. Accordingly, an
external client can easily print large image data files from
his/her portable terminal via the multifunction peripheral.
[0004] However, in such a case, the image data stored on the
client's portable terminal is transmitted via the internal network.
As such, a non-managed, and thus perhaps unprotected or unsecured,
portable terminal that is not normally permitted to access the
internal network is temporarily connected to the internal network
such that communication can be established therebetween. Such a
connection by a non-managed device, even if temporary, poses a risk
to the overall security of the internal network.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration
example of a digital multifunction peripheral which is an image
forming apparatus according to a first embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a signal configuration of
a packet transmitted via short-range wireless communication
according to the first embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration
example of a portable terminal according to the first
embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital
multifunction peripheral which is an image forming apparatus
according to the first embodiment; and
[0009] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital
multifunction peripheral which is an image forming apparatus
according to a second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure addresses the use
and security circumstances described above and enables use of a
networked multifunction peripheral without comprising a security
level of a secured internal network connected to the multifunction
peripheral.
[0011] According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus
comprises: a short-range wireless communication device configured
to communicate with a portable terminal via short-range wireless
communication; a first wireless communication device configured to
communicate with the portable terminal via a direct wireless
connection with the portable terminal; a second wireless
communication device configured to communicate with a designated
communication device via a network connected to the image forming
apparatus; and a control device. The control device includes an
authentication unit that determines whether or not a device within
range of the short-range wireless communication device has been
authenticated. The control device is configured to set up a
connection for data communication between the second wireless
communication device and the designated communication device via
the network when the portable terminal has been authenticated and
set up the direct wireless connection for data communication
between the first wireless communication device and the portable
terminal when the portable terminal has not been authenticated.
First Embodiment
[0012] Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with
reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a
configuration example of a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP)
100, which is an image forming apparatus, and a communication
system including the MFP 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
communication system includes the MFP 100, a contactless card 200,
a portable terminal 300, a wireless access point 400, and a server
500.
[0013] The MFP 100 is an image forming apparatus having a printing
function, a copying function, a scanning function, and the
like.
[0014] The contactless card 200 is a card capable of performing
short-range wireless communication with the MFP 100 while in a
non-contact state. Here, it is assumed that the contactless card
200 performs communication by a contactless communication method
such as near-field communication (NFC). In this example, the
portable terminal 300 is a smartphone, a cellular phone, a tablet
terminal, or the like. The portable terminal 300 can perform
short-range wireless communication with the MFP 100 via NFC,
high-speed wireless communication with the MFP 100 via a Wi-Fi
direct connection, and high-speed wireless communication with the
MFP 100 via a wireless local area network (LAN) utilizing the
wireless access point 400. A Wi-Fi direct connection (also referred
to for simplicity as "Wi-Fi direct") is a wireless communication
scheme via which two different devices may directly communicate
with each other wirelessly in a 1:1 manner without using a wireless
access point (e.g., wireless access point 400 of the WLAN). The
server 500 is a communication device that stores image data to be
printed by the MFP 100. The server 500 is, for example, a
general-purpose personal computer. The MFP 100 and the server 500
are connected to an internal network. When the portable terminal
300 has undergone an authentication process, the portable terminal
300 may transmit image data to the MFP 100 via the wireless access
point 400.
MFP
[0015] Next, a configuration of the MFP 100. As illustrated in FIG.
1, the MFP 100 includes a main system 10, a storage device 15, a
short-range wireless communication device 31, a short-range
wireless communication device 32, a wireless communication device
33, and a wireless communication device 34.
[0016] The main system 10 provides printing functions necessary for
a digital multifunction peripheral. The main system 10 includes an
operation panel 12, a printer 13, a scanner 14, the storage device
15, and a control device 50.
[0017] The operation panel 12 includes a display device and an
input device. The display device includes, for example, a liquid
crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, or
the like. The input device includes, for example, a touch panel, a
keyboard, a number keypad, and the like.
[0018] The printer 13 is an image forming apparatus that prints an
image on a recording medium such as paper.
[0019] The scanner 14 includes an image pickup device such as a
charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor and an optical system
which guides light from an original document to the image pickup
device. The scanner 14 reads an image on the original document to
provide image data corresponding to the scanned original document.
For example, the scanner 14 obtains the image data by optically
scanning the image printed on the original document.
[0020] The storage device 15 includes a rewritable nonvolatile
memory. The storage device 15 stores image data and various
programs such as an application program.
[0021] The short-range wireless communication device 31 is a
wireless communication module that performs communication via NFC.
The short-range wireless communication device 31 communicates with
the contactless card 200 and the portable terminal 300. The
short-range wireless communication device 31 in this example
operates in compliance with a standard defined by ISO/IEC 1443 or
ISO/IEC 18092. For example, the short-range wireless communication
device 31 receives model information, authentication information,
and the like from the contactless card 200 and the portable
terminal 300, and transmits them to the control device 50.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a signal configuration of a
packet transmitted from the contactless card 200 and the portable
terminal 300 via NFC. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the packet includes
synchronization information 211, model information 212,
authentication information 213, connection information 214, other
data 215, and parity information 216.
[0023] The synchronization information 211 is information
identifying the position of a head of the packet received by the
short-range wireless communication device 31 or the short-range
wireless communication device 32. The number of bits and a bit
pattern for binary information (0 and 1) of the synchronization
information 211 are prescribed according to a standard. The model
information 212 is information specifying the type of a device.
Here, the model information 212 specifies whether a device
approaching the short-range wireless communication device 31 or the
short-range wireless communication device 32 is the contactless
card 200 or the portable terminal 300. For example, the model
information value "01" represents a contactless card, and the model
information value "10" represents a portable terminal. The
authentication information 213 is information for determining
whether to allow communication with the MFP 100. The authentication
information 213 is, for example, information specifying a user,
such as a user identification (ID) number or code. The connection
information 214 is either information regarding connection to the
server 500 that stores image data to be printed by the MFP 100 or
information regarding connection to the portable terminal 300. The
connection information 214 includes connection information for
providing communication between the MFP 100 and the portable
terminal 300 via Wi-Fi direct or connection information for
providing communication between the MFP 100 and the portable
terminal 300 via the wireless access point 400. The other data 215
is arbitrary information. The parity information 216 is information
for checking whether there is an error in a received packet. The
parity information 216 is generated, for example, based on a rule
such as even parity. When a parity error is detected, the
short-range wireless communication device 31 or the short-range
wireless communication device 32 discards the information of the
received packet.
[0024] The short-range wireless communication device 32 is a
wireless communication module that communicates with the portable
terminal 300 via NFC. The short-range wireless communication device
32 transmits the received model information 212 and the
authentication information 213 to the control device 50 only when
the received model information 212 is "10," representing a portable
terminal. When the received model information 212 is "01,"
representing a contactless card, the short-range wireless
communication device 32 does not process anything.
[0025] The wireless communication device 33 has a function of
directly communicating with the portable terminal 300 by a wireless
communication method at a communication speed that is faster than
the communication speed of the short-range wireless communication
method, while not being connected to a separate network. That is,
the wireless communication device 33 directly communicates with the
portable terminal 300 via Wi-Fi direct. A permissible distance of
wireless communication via Wi-Fi direct is set to, for example,
about 3 m. The permissible wireless communication distance can be
determined in consideration of security and convenience. This
wireless communicable distance can be adjusted by changing the
transmission power of the wireless communication device 33 and the
portable terminal 300. The transmission power of the portable
terminal 300 is generally set by application software installed in
the portable terminal 300.
[0026] The wireless communication device 34 communicates with the
portable terminal 300 or the server 500 via a network by a wireless
communication method that is at a communication speed faster than a
communication speed of the short-range wireless communication
method. The network in this instance is an internal, secured
network. Specifically, the wireless communication device 34
performs data communication with the portable terminal 300 or the
server 500 via the wireless access point 400. The portable terminal
300 and the server 500 transmit image data to the MFP 100 via the
wireless access point 400 according to a user's instructions.
[0027] The control device 50 may physically include a central
processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access
memory (RAM), and the like. Various programs including an
application program for the MFP 100 are recorded in the ROM. The
CPU executes various processes by reading a program from the ROM.
The RAM functions as a work area of the CPU.
[0028] Functionally, the control device 50 includes a model
identifier 71 and an authentication unit 72. The model identifier
71 determines whether a device approaching the MFP 100 is the
contactless card 200 or the portable terminal 300 on the basis of
the model information 212 obtained from the contactless card 200 or
the portable terminal 300 approaching the MFP 100. For example, the
model identifier 71 identifies the device as a contactless card 200
when the model information 212 is "01", and identifies the device
as a portable terminal 300 when the model information is "10".
[0029] The authentication unit 72 determines whether the
authentication information 213 obtained from the contactless card
200 or the portable terminal 300 approaching the MFP 100 is
registered authentication information. In particular, the
authentication unit 72 determines whether the received
authentication information 213 is registered authentication
information by comparing the received authentication information
213 with the information stored in the storage device 15.
[0030] When the authentication information 213 sent from the
portable terminal 300 is registered authentication information, the
control device 50 sets up a connection for data communication
between the wireless communication device 34 and the server 500 via
the internal network. When the authentication information 213 from
the portable terminal 300 is not registered authentication
information, the control device 50 sets up a connection for data
communication between the wireless communication device 33 and the
portable terminal 300 via Wi-Fi direct rather than via the internal
network.
Contactless Card
[0031] The contactless card 200 performs contactless communication
with the short-range wireless communication device 31 of the MFP
100 via NFC. The contactless card 200 operates in compliance with a
standard defined in ISO/IEC 1443 or ISO/IEC 18092. A communication
distance by NFC is about 10 cm in this instance. The contactless
card 200 includes an antenna for short-range wireless
communication, an integrated circuit (IC) for communication
control, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the contactless
card 200 transmits model information 212, authentication
information 213, and the like. For example, the contactless card
200 transmits "01" as the model information 212.
Portable Terminal
[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration
example of a portable terminal 300. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the
portable terminal 300 includes a controller 301, a storage unit
302, an operation panel 303, an audio unit 304, a communication
unit 306, and a contactless communication device 307.
[0033] The controller 301 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the
like. The CPU executes various functions by executing the
application program stored in the ROM. The RAM is used as, for
example, a work area of the CPU.
[0034] The storage unit 302 is a nonvolatile memory that stores
various types of data. An application program for transmitting
image data to the MFP 100 is stored in the storage unit 302.
[0035] The operation panel 303 includes a display device and an
input device. The display device includes, for example, a liquid
crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, or
the like. The input device includes, for example, a touch panel, a
keyboard, a number keypad, and the like.
[0036] The audio unit 304 is configured to receive sound input
thereto or to output sound therefrom. The audio unit 304 includes a
speaker, a receiver, a microphone and the like.
[0037] The communication unit 306 performs wireless communication
via an antenna. The communication unit 306 has a communication
function of allowing the portable terminal 300 to communicate with
the MFP 100 via the internal network. In addition, the
communication unit 306 has a communication function for allowing
the portable terminal 300 to directly communicate with the MFP 100
via Wi-Fi direct rather than via the internal network. For example,
the communication unit 306 transmits image data to be printed by
the MFP 100. When the image data is transmitted to the MFP 100 via
Wi-Fi direct, the transmission power of the communication unit 306
is limited such that a maximum communication distance is about 3
m.
[0038] The contactless communication device 307 performs
contactless communication with the short-range wireless
communication device 31 of the MFP 100 via NFC. The contactless
communication device 307 includes an antenna for short-range
wireless communication, an IC for communication control, and the
like. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the contactless
communication device 307 transmits the model information 212, the
authentication information 213, and the like. For example, the
contactless communication device 307 transmits "10" as the model
information 212.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the MFP
100.
Contactless Card Case
[0040] First, a case in which the contactless card 200 is brought
close to the short-range wireless communication device 31 will be
described. The short-range wireless communication device 31 stands
by in a reader or writer mode (ACT31). Specifically, the
short-range wireless communication device 31 stands by for
reception while transmitting a predetermined radio wave signal. The
predetermined radio wave signal is in compliance with an NFC
standard. The contactless card 200 operates in a card emulation
mode, for example.
[0041] Upon receiving the predetermined radio wave signal
transmitted from the short-range radio communication device 31, the
contactless card 200 transmits a packet (see e.g., FIG. 2)
including model information 212, authentication information 213,
and the like to the short-range radio communication device 31 via
NFC. In this instance, the value "01" is transmitted as the model
information 212. The short-range wireless communication device
transmits the model information 212, the authentication information
213, and the like to the control device 50. The control device 50
identifies the model of the transmission source on the basis of the
model information 212 (ACT32). Here, the device approaching the
short-range wireless communication device 31 is the contactless
card 200 (ACT33: Yes), so the control device 50 receives "01" as
the model information 212 and thus determines that the device
approaching the MFP 100 is a contactless card 200. The control
device 50 proceeds to ACT34.
[0042] Next, the control device 50 determines whether the received
authentication information 213 (for example, a user ID) has been
registered previously (ACT34). In this instance, the control device
50 determines whether the user ID matches a user ID previously
stored in the storage device 15. When the control device 50
determines that the received authentication information 213 is not
registered authentication information (ACT34: No), the control
device 50 ends the processing.
[0043] On the other hand, when the control device 50 determines
that the received authentication information 213 has been
registered previously (ACT34: Yes), the control device 50 proceeds
to ACT35.
[0044] The control device 50 sets up a connection for data
communication between the server 500 and the wireless communication
device 34 via the internal network on the basis of the received
connection information 214 (ACT35). In this instance, the control
device 50 sets an Internet protocol (IP) address of the server 500
in the wireless communication device 34. A user may then use the
functions of the application software to request the server 500 to
transmit image data via the wireless communication device 34. The
wireless communication device 34 receives the image data
transmitted from the server 500. The control device 50 stores the
image data received from the server 500 in the storage device
15.
[0045] When the connection for data communication between the
portable terminal 300 and the wireless communication device 34 has
been set up, the control device 50 proceeds to ACT36. When an
instruction to disconnect the communication is given by the user
(ACT36: Yes), the control device 50 disconnects the data
communication between the wireless communication device 34 and the
server 500 and then ends the processing.
[0046] A case in which a contactless card 200 is brought close to
the short-range wireless communication device 32 will now be
described. The short-range wireless communication device 32 does
not process anything when the model information 212 is a value "01"
representing the contactless card 200. Accordingly, processing in
ACT31 illustrated in FIG. 4 continues. Alternatively, when the
control device 50 identifies that the model information 212 is the
value "01" representing the contactless card 200, the control
device 50 ends the processing at ACT32.
Portable Terminal Case
[0047] Next, a case in which a portable terminal 300 is brought
close to the short-range wireless communication device 31 will be
described. It is assumed that an application program for
communicating with the MFP 100 is installed in the portable
terminal 300 and furthermore a user has started this application
program.
[0048] The short-range wireless communication device 31 stands by
in the reader or writer mode (ACT31). In this instance, the
short-range wireless communication device 31 stands by in a
reception mode while transmitting a predetermined radio wave
signal. The predetermined radio wave signal is a radio wave that is
in compliance with a NFC standard. The portable terminal 300
operates in a card emulation mode, or the like.
[0049] When the portable terminal 300 receives the predetermined
radio wave signal transmitted from the short-range wireless
communication device 31, the portable terminal 300 transmits a
packet (see e.g., FIG. 2) including model information 212,
authentication information 213, and the like to the short-range
wireless communication device 31. In this instance, a value "10" is
transmitted as the model information 212. The short-range wireless
communication device 31 transmits the model information 212, the
authentication information 213, and the like to the control device
50. The control device 50 identifies the model of the transmission
source on the basis of the model information 212 (ACT32). Here,
since the device approaching the short-range wireless communication
device 31 is the portable terminal 300 (ACT33: No), the control
device 50 receives "10" as the model information 212, determines
that the device approaching the MFP 100 is a portable terminal 300,
and then proceeds to ACT 37.
[0050] Next, the control device 50 determines whether the received
authentication information 213 is authentication information that
was registered previously (ACT 37). When the control device 50
determines that the received authentication information 213 is
authentication information that was registered previously (ACT 37:
Yes), the control device 50 proceeds to ACT35. When connection
information for connecting the portable terminal 300 to the MFP 100
via the wireless access point 400 is included in the connection
information 214, the control device 50 connects the portable
terminal 300 and the wireless communication device 34 via the
internal network.
[0051] On the other hand, when the control device 50 determines
that the authentication information 213 is not previously
registered authentication information (ACT 37: No), the control
device 50 proceeds to ACT39.
[0052] The control device 50 will set up a connection for
communication between the portable terminal 300 and the wireless
communication device 33 that does not utilize the internal network
(ACT39). In this instance, the control device 50 connects the
portable terminal 300 and the wireless communication device 33 via
Wi-Fi direct. A user may then request the portable terminal 300 to
transmit the image data to the MFP 100 by using the functions of
the application software. Upon receiving the request to transmit
the image data via Wi-Fi direct, the portable terminal 300 switches
mode from a card emulation mode to a peer-to-peer (P2P) mode. The
P2P mode is also referred to as an inter-terminal communication
mode. Communication between the wireless communication device 33
and the portable terminal 300 via Wi-Fi direct is a P2P mode
communication. The portable terminal 300 will transmit the image
data to the wireless communication device 33 via Wi-Fi direct.
[0053] When data communication is performed via Wi-Fi direct, the
portable terminal 300 must be kept at a position within about 3 m
or so from the wireless communication device 33. The control device
50 stores data received from the portable terminal 300 in the
storage device 15.
[0054] Once the connection for data communication between the
portable terminal 300 and the wireless communication device 33 is
set up, the control device 50 proceeds to ACT36. When an
instruction to disconnect the communication is given from the user
(ACT36: Yes), the control device 50 disconnects the data
communication between the wireless communication device 33 and the
portable terminal 300, and ends the processing.
[0055] Next, a case in which the portable terminal 300 is brought
close to the short-range wireless communication device 32 will be
described. The short-range wireless communication device 32 stands
by in the reader or writer mode (ACT31). The portable terminal 300
operates in a card emulation mode.
[0056] Upon receiving the predetermined radio wave signal
transmitted from the short-range wireless communication device 32,
the portable terminal 300 transmits a packet (see e.g., FIG. 2)
including model information 212, authentication information 213,
and the like to the short-range wireless communication device 32.
In this instance, the value "10" is transmitted as the model
information 212. The short-range wireless communication device
transmits the model information 212, the authentication information
213, and the like to the control device 50. The control device 50
identifies the model of the transmission source on the basis of the
model information 212 (ACT32). Here, since the device approaching
the short-range wireless communication device 32 is a portable
terminal 300 (ACT33: No), the control device 50 receives "10" as
the model information 212, thus determines that the device
approaching the MFP 100 is a portable terminal 300, and then
proceeds to ACT 37. Subsequent processing is as described
above.
[0057] Although a case in which the MFP 100 is an image forming
apparatus has been described, in other examples, an internal
network-connected image forming apparatus is not limited to a MFP
type device and, in general, any type of internal network-connected
apparatus may be used as long as it can exchange information with a
portable terminal in the above described manners. For example, the
internal networked-connected apparatus may be a settlement device,
such as a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, which is configured to
permit the purchase of a commodity, an informational terminal
device, such as a kiosk terminal, which is installed at a street
corner or a store, or the like.
[0058] Furthermore, a case in which the printer 13 is provided as
an image forming apparatus has been described above, but it should
be noted that printer 13 is not limited to any specific type of
image forming apparatus. For example, printer 13 may be an
electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an inkjet image
forming apparatus, or a thermal image forming apparatus.
[0059] As described above, the MFP 100 according to the first
embodiment may select between communication performed via an
internal network or communication performed not via the internal
network. In particular, the MFP 100 as described above has a
function of directly communicating with the portable terminal 300
via Wi-Fi direct rather than via the internal network. Accordingly,
when image data is to be transmitted to the MFP 100 from a portable
terminal 300 that is not registered/authenticatable, the image data
may still be transmitted to the MFP 100 by other than through the
internal network (e.g., via Wi-Fi Direct), thereby enabling use of
the MFP 100 by an unsecured terminal without lowering an overall
security level of the internal network.
[0060] Furthermore, the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment
is configured to communicate with external devices on the basis of
model information received via short-range wireless communication.
Accordingly, it is possible to limit a user's required efforts in
setting a connection route for data communication.
Second Embodiment
[0061] In a second embodiment, a case in which a determination as
to whether to connect a portable terminal 300 via Wi-Fi direct is
made on the basis of connection information included in information
received via NFC will be described.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 2, connection information 214 is
included in the packet to be transmitted via NFC. The connection
information 214 is information that sets a communication route
through which the MFP 100 obtains image data. In this instance, the
connection information 214 specifies whether the transmission
source for the image data will be the server 500 or the portable
terminal 300. For example, the connection information 214 may
include connection information including an IP address of the
wireless access point 400 and an IP address of the server 500. In
another case, the connection information 214 may include connection
information including the IP address of the wireless access point
400 and an IP address of the portable terminal 300. In another
case, the connection information 214 may include connection
information for directly communicating with the portable terminal
300 via Wi-Fi direct.
Contactless Card Case
[0063] First, a case in which a contactless card 200 is brought
close to the short-range wireless communication device 31 will be
described. The short-range wireless communication device 31 stands
by in the reader or writer mode (ACT31). The short-range wireless
communication device 31 stands by in the reception mode while
transmitting a predetermined radio wave signal. The predetermined
radio wave signal is a radio wave that is in compliance with an NFC
standard. The contactless card 200 operates in a card emulation
mode.
[0064] When the contactless card 200 receives the predetermined
radio wave signal from the short-range wireless communication
device 31, the contactless card 200 transmits a packet (see e.g.,
FIG. 2) including the model information 212, the authentication
information 213, the connection information 214, and the like to
the short-range wireless communication device 31. The short-range
wireless communication device 31 transmits the model information
212, the authentication information 213, the connection information
214, and the like to the control device 50. The control device 50
identifies the model of the transmission source on the basis of the
model information 212 (ACT32). Here, since the device approaching
the short-range wireless communication device 31 is a contactless
card 200 (ACT33: Yes), the control device 50 receives the value
"01" as the model information 212 and thus determines that the
device approaching the MFP 100 is a contactless card 200. The
control device 50 proceeds to ACT34.
[0065] Next, the control device 50 determines whether the received
authentication information 213 (for example, a user ID) has been
registered previously (ACT34). When the control device 50
determines that the received authentication information 213 has not
been registered previously (ACT34: No), the control device 50 ends
the processing. On the other hand, when the control device 50
determines that the received authentication information 213 has
been registered previously (ACT34: Yes), the control device 50
proceeds to ACT35.
[0066] The control device 50 sets up a connection for data
communication between the server 500 and the wireless communication
device 34 via the network on the basis of the connection
information 214 (ACT35). In this instance, the control device 50
sets the IP address of the server 500 in the wireless communication
device 34. A user may use the functions of the application software
to request the server 500 to transmit image data via the wireless
communication device 34. The wireless communication device 34
receives the image data transmitted from the server 500. The
control device 50 stores the image data received from the server
500 in the storage device 15.
[0067] Once the connection for data communication between the
portable terminal 300 and the wireless communication device 34 is
set up, the control device 50 proceeds to ACT36. When an
instruction to disconnect the communication is given from the user
(ACT36: Yes), the control device 50 disconnects the data
communication between the wireless communication device 34 and the
server 500, and ends the processing.
Portable Terminal Case
[0068] Next, a case in which a portable terminal 300 is brought
close to the short-range wireless communication device 31 will be
described. It is assumed that an application program for
communicating with the MFP 100 is installed in the portable
terminal 300, and the application program has been started.
[0069] The short-range wireless communication device 31 stands by
in the reader or writer mode (ACT31). The short-range wireless
communication device 31 stands by in the reception mode while
transmitting a predetermined radio wave signal. The predetermined
radio wave signal is a radio wave that is in compliance with the
NFC standard. The portable terminal 300 operates in a card
emulation mode.
[0070] When receiving the predetermined radio wave signal from the
short-range wireless communication device 31, the portable terminal
300 transmits a packet (see e.g., FIG. 2) including model
information 212, authentication information 213, connection
information 214, and the like to the short-range wireless
communication device 31. The short-range wireless communication
device 31 transmits the model information 212, the authentication
information 213, the connection information 214, and the like to
the control device 50. The control device 50 identifies the model
of the transmission source on the basis of the model information
212 (ACT32). Here, since the device approaching the short-range
wireless communication device 31 is a portable terminal 300 (ACT33:
No), the control device 50 receives the value "10" as the model
information 212, thus determines that the device approaching the
MFP 100 is a portable terminal 300, and then proceeds to ACT38.
[0071] Next, the control device 50 checks information regarding a
communication route to the portable terminal 300, which has been
included in the connection information 214 (ACT38). If the
connection information 214 does not indicate communication with the
portable terminal 300 is to be performed via Wi-Fi direct rather
than via the network (ACT38: No), the control device 50 proceeds to
ACT34.
[0072] On the other hand, if the connection information 214
indicates communication with the portable terminal 300 is to be
performed via Wi-Fi direct rather than via the internal network
(ACT38: Yes), the control device 50 proceeds to ACT39.
[0073] The control device 50 sets up a connection for data
communication between the portable terminal 300 and the wireless
communication device 33 that does not utilize the internal network
(ACT39). In this instance, the control device 50 connects the
portable terminal 300 and the wireless communication device 33 via
Wi-Fi direct. A user may use the functions of the application
software to request the portable terminal 300 to transmit image
data via the wireless communication device 33. Upon receiving a
request to transmit the image data via Wi-Fi direct, the portable
terminal 300 switches mode from a card emulation mode to a P2P
mode. The portable terminal 300 then transmits the image data to
the wireless communication device 33 via Wi-Fi direct. The control
device 50 stores the data received from the portable terminal 300
in the storage device 15.
[0074] Once the connection for data communication between the
portable terminal 300 and the wireless communication device 33 is
set up, the control device 50 proceeds to ACT36. When an
instruction to disconnect the communication is given from the user
(ACT36: Yes), the control device 50 disconnects the data
communication between the wireless communication device 33 and the
portable terminal 300, and ends the processing.
First Modified Example
[0075] A case in which the decision to connect the portable
terminal 300 via Wi-Fi direct is made on the basis of connection
information 214 included in the packet transmitted from the
portable terminal 300 via NFC has been described above in the
second embodiment. However, the control device 50 of the MFP 100
according to a first modified example sets direct communication to
be performed via Wi-Fi direct when no connection information 214 is
included in the packet received from the portable terminal 300 via
NFC. In this modified example, a communication route via
Wi-Fi-direct rather than via the internal network may be set by
default even if a particular portable terminal 300 is not
configured to provide connection information 214 (or relevant
portions of connection information 214), thereby still enabling
effective use of the MFP 100 by such a portable terminal 300
without lowering a security level of the internal network.
[0076] Thus, for the MFP 100 according to the first modified
example, if the connection information 214 does not include
information for connection to the server 500 via the internal
network or connection to the server 500 via the wireless access
point 400, the control device 50 may set direct communication
between the MFP 100 and the portable terminal 300 via Wi-Fi direct
by default.
[0077] In the above examples, Wi-Fi direct has been described above
as an example of communication between a MFP 100 and a portable
terminal 300 which does not require connection to the internal,
secured network. However, to the present disclosure is not limited
to Wi-Fi direct for this type of communication. For example,
wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth.RTM., ultra-wide
band (UWB) communication or the like may be used instead for
communications of this type.
[0078] Furthermore, a case in which the wireless communication
device 33 and the wireless communication device 34 are provided in
different devices has been described above. However, the wireless
communication device 33 and the wireless communication device 34
may be configured as one wireless communication device, and whether
communication is to be performed via the network or via Wi-Fi
direct (or other type) may be selected by switching between
wireless communication modes of the one wireless communication
device.
[0079] In addition, a case in which the short-range wireless
communication device 31 and the short-range wireless communication
device 32 operate in compliance with a standard defined in ISO/IEC
1443 or ISO/IEC 18092 has been described above. However, the
standard utilized for short-range wireless communication is not
limited thereto. For example, any industrial standard (as presently
promulgated or later revised, proposed, or adopted) or any
proprietary communication standard as determined by an individual
manufacturer or the like may be applied for short-range wireless
communication according to the present disclosure.
[0080] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the
novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of
other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and
changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made
without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The
accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover
such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and
spirit of the present disclosure.
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