Electronic apparatus, wireless communication device, and power control method

An electronic apparatus includes circuitry and a wireless communication device. The circuitry controls the electronic apparatus to transition between a first power mode in which the electronic apparatus performs predetermined functions, and a second power mode in which the electronic apparatus consumes power less than that of the first power mode. The wireless communication device outputs a notification signal via a short-range wireless communication when the electronic apparatus is in the second power mode, and outputs a return request signal in response to a connection request signal transmitted from an external device that has received the notification signal to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the external device. The circuitry causes the electronic apparatus to transition from the second power mode to the first power mode when the wireless communication device outputs the return request signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-149904, filed on Jul. 29, 2016, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic apparatus, a wireless communication device, and a power control method.

Related Art

Image forming apparatuses using Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (hereinafter referred to as BLE) as a wireless communication technology are known. Additionally, a technique for returning to a normal operating mode from a low-power mode in an image forming apparatus using a wireless local area network (LAN) module as a wireless communications module when the image forming apparatus receives a particular packet from an external device is known.

SUMMARY

An electronic apparatus includes circuitry and a wireless communication device. The circuitry controls the electronic apparatus to transition between a first power mode in which the electronic apparatus performs predetermined functions, and a second power mode in which the electronic apparatus consumes power less than that of the first power mode. The wireless communication device outputs a notification signal via a short-range wireless communication when the electronic apparatus is in the second power mode, and outputs a return request signal in response to a connection request signal transmitted from an external device that has received the notification signal to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the external device. The circuitry causes the electronic apparatus to transition from the second power mode to the first power mode when the wireless communication device outputs the return request signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have the same function, operation in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.

System Configuration

FIG. 1is an illustration of an example of an information processing system1according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The information processing system1includes an image forming apparatus10and a wireless terminal device20. The image forming apparatus10and the wireless terminal device20in the information processing system1are able to establish a short-range wireless communication.

The image forming apparatus (electronic apparatus)10is, for example, a multifunctional peripheral/product (MFP) having a plurality of functions, that is, image forming functions such as a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, and a facsimile communication function, or an electronic apparatus such as a printer having a printing function.

The image forming apparatus10includes a wireless module100, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (hereinafter, referred to as BLE), that establishes short-range wireless communication. The image forming apparatus10serves as a peripheral in the BLE communication and is able to communicate with a central (e.g., wireless terminal) device20that is within an effective wireless communication range40where wireless communication can be established (for example, within a 50-meter radius).

The wireless terminal device20is an information terminal device, such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a notebook personal computer (PC), or the like used by a user30. Alternatively, the wireless terminal device20may be a wearable terminal device such as a smart watch.

The wireless terminal device20has the same communication system as the image forming apparatus10does, for example, the terminal device20has a short-range communication function such as BLE. For example, the wireless terminal device20can be the central device in the BLE to establish BLE communication with the image forming apparatus10.

BLE is one of several extended specifications of Bluetooth, which is a short-range (i.e., personal) wireless communication technology using the Bluetooth 4.0 standard. BLE can provide short-range wireless communication with reduced power consumption compared to standard Bluetooth communication.

BLE supports a communication method called advertising, with which the peripheral (e.g., the image forming apparatus10) sends an advertisement packet at predetermined intervals to allow the centrals present around the peripheral to obtain device information on the peripheral. The central (e.g. wireless terminal device20) receives the advertisement packet sent from the peripheral to obtain the information on the peripheral being around the central.

In the above-described configuration, the image forming apparatus10has a power-saving function with which the image forming apparatus10can transition to a low-power mode (second power mode) from a normal operating mode (first power mode), with which image forming processing can be performed, when the image forming apparatus10is not used for a certain preset length of time. The image forming apparatus10in the low-power mode consumes less power than in the normal operating mode. The image forming apparatus10in the low-power mode can stop operation of, for example, an operation device114, an engine device130, a scanner device120, and a hard disk drive (HDD)116, which are described later, to reduce power consumption of the image forming apparatus10.

The wireless module100transmits, for example, the advertisement packet for BLE communication within the effective wireless communication range40when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode, which is the second power mode, in which the image forming apparatus10consumes less power than in the normal operating mode, which is the first power mode.

When receiving a connection request signal, which is to connect BLE communication, transmitted from the wireless terminal device20that receives the advertisement packet, the wireless module100outputs a return request signal to return the image forming apparatus10to the normal operating mode from the low-power mode.

The image forming apparatus10transitions from the low-power mode (second power mode) to the normal operating mode (first power mode) when the wireless module100outputs the return request signal (e.g. a hardware signal in a predetermined pattern).

As described above, the electronic apparatus according to this embodiment, which returns to the normal operating mode from the low-power mode using the wireless module100, can return to the normal operating mode without depending on a particular packet, application, or the like.

The illustration ofFIG. 1is one example of the configuration of the information processing system1. For example, the image forming apparatus10may be another electronic apparatus, such as a video conference device, an attendance management device, an automatic teller machine (ATM), or a digital signage system, having the power-saving function.

Hardware Configuration

Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus10according to the embodiment.

The image forming apparatus10is comprised of the wireless module100, a controller110, the scanner device120, the engine device130, and a facsimile control unit (hereinafter, referred to as an FCU)140.

The wireless module100is a wireless communication device that supports a communication standard including the above-mentioned BLE and a wireless local area network (LAN). A detailed description of the configuration of the wireless module100is deferred.

The controller110includes a central processing unit (CPU)111, a read only memory (ROM)112, a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM)113, the operation device114, a random access memory (RAM)115, the HDD116, and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)117.

The CPU111reads a program, data, and configuration information from the ROM112, the NVRAM113, and the HDD116to the RAM115, and executes processing to control the image forming apparatus10and implement each function of the image forming apparatus10.

The ROM112is a non-volatile storage device that stores various programs and data. The NVRAM113is a writable non-volatile storage device that stores, for example, the configuration information.

The operation device (control panel)114includes an input unit to receive user input for operation and a display unit to display an operation screen, for example. Preferably, the operation device114has the configuration of a general-purpose computer.

The RAM115is a volatile storage device that temporarily stores programs and data. The HDD116is a large capacity storage device that stores various programs and data.

The ASIC117is an integrated circuit that includes various interfaces and image processing circuits of the image forming apparatus10to perform various types of image processing according to instructions from the CPU111. A detailed description of the configuration of the ASIC117is deferred.

The scanner device120is a reading device or scanner that scans a document. The engine device130is a printer device that prints out print data. The FCU140transmits and receives facsimile data.

Example Configuration of Wireless Module

Referring toFIG. 2, the wireless module100can be seen to include, for example, a system-on-chip (SoC)231, a detection device232, the ROM233, the RAM234, a modem235, a first radio frequency (RF) device236, a media access control (MAC) device237, a base band (BB) device238, a second RF device239, and an antenna150.

The SoC231is an integral circuit that has a general computer configuration and processes a wireless packet for the BLE communication and wireless LAN communication.

The SoC231, for example, transmits the advertisement packet for the BLE communication and receives the connection request signal when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode. The SoC231also outputs a return signal to activate the CPU111when receiving the connection request signal from an external device such as the wireless terminal device20that receives the advertisement packet.

The detection device232determines whether a received signal is the connection request for the BLE communication, and outputs an activation signal to a power mode control unit223of the ASIC117if the received signal is the connection request for the BLE communication.

The ROM233is configured with, for example, a writable non-volatile memory, such as a flash ROM, and stores programs such as a program that controls the wireless module100.

The RAM234is a volatile memory that is used as a work area for executing the program.

The modem235controls the BLE communication protocol.

The first RF device236up-converts BLE transmission data to wireless frequency and down-converts a received signal in the BLE communication received with the antenna150to baseband frequency.

The MAC device237controls wireless LAN communication media accesses, executing carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA).

The BB device238modulates transmission data and demodulates received data in the wireless LAN communication.

The second RF device239up-converts the transmission data in the wireless LAN communication into the wireless frequency and down-converts a received signal in the LAN communication received with the antenna150into the baseband frequency.

Configuration of ASIC

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the ASIC117includes, for example, a CPU interface (I/F)211, a local bus I/F212, an operation device I/F213, a memory I/F214, an HDD I/F215, a wireless module I/F216, an input data control unit217, an image processing unit218, an output data control unit219, a FAX I/F220, a network I/F221, a universal serial bus (USB) I/F222, the power mode control unit223, and a system bus224.

The CPU I/F211transfers data to the CPU111.

The local bus I/F212transfers data to the system bus224and generates a signal to access the ROM112and the NVRAM113, for example.

The operation device I/F213transfers data to the operation device114.

The memory I/F214transfers data to the RAM115, and generates a control signal such as a double-data-rate synchronous dynamic RAM (DDR-SDRAM).

The HDD I/F215writes data from RAM115to the HDD116and reads data from HDD116to the RAM115.

The wireless module I/F216transfers data to the wireless module100.

The input data control unit217controls the scanner device120and stores input data input from the scanner device120in the RAM115via the memory I/F214.

The image processing unit218performs image processing on an input image acquired with the input data control unit217, for example shading correction, dot correction, gamma correction, color space conversion, and magnification correction, and stores the processed image in the RAM115through the memory I/F214.

The output data control unit219reads the print data from the RAM115via the memory I/F214and outputs the print data to the engine device130.

The FAX I/F220controls data transmission to and from the FCU140.

The network I/F221establishes communication with an external device via an IP network260such as the Internet and the LAN.

The USB I/F222transfers data to a USB device270.

The power mode control unit223receives the return signal transmitted from the modules and various sensors. As an interface used to transmit the return signal, a general-purpose input output (GPIO) that is operable at low power is often used. Each of the modules and the sensors transmits the return signal using an output port, and a power-saving control unit receives the return signal using an input port. The power mode control unit223sequentially operates to return a mode from a low-power consumption mode to a normal operating mode by managing the return signals transmitted from each of the modules and the sensors.

For example, the power mode control unit223sequentially operates to return the image forming apparatus10from the low-power mode to the normal operating mode when receiving the return signal transmitted from the wireless module100via the wireless module OF216. As one example, the power mode control unit223starts power supply to each device, cancels a self refresh mode of the memory I/F214to activate the RAM115, and cancels a sleep mode of the CPU111using the CPU I/F211.

Another Example

FIG. 3is another example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus10according to the embodiments. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the image forming apparatus10may include a main body310that includes the controller110and performs image forming processing, and the operation device114that is connected to the main body310and receives operation instruction from a user.

In this case, the wireless module100may be connected to the operation device114instead of the controller110. The wireless module100may be connected to the controller110included in the main body310.

The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus10illustrated inFIG. 3is basically similar to the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus10illustrated inFIG. 2, and therefore the following description concerns differences between the two hardware configurations.

Referring toFIG. 3, the operation device114includes a power mode control device301, a wireless module I/F302, a SoC303, and a display input device304.

The power mode control device301receives a return signal transmitted form the wireless module100. The power mode control device301sequentially operates to return the operation device114from a low-power mode to a normal operating mode when receiving the return signal from the wireless module100.

The power mode control device301can output the return signal to the power mode control unit223of the controller110, if necessary, to request to make the image forming apparatus10to return to the normal operating mode.

The wireless module I/F302transfers data to the wireless module100.

The SoC303is an integrated circuit including a general computer configuration, and, for example, causes the display input device304to display an operation screen and receive operation from a user.

The display input device304is, for example, a touch panel display.

Hardware Configuration of Wireless Terminal

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the wireless terminal device20according to the embodiments. The wireless terminal device20includes, for example, a CPU401, a RAM402, a ROM403a storage device404, a network OF405, a short-range wireless communication I/F406, an input device407, a display device408, an external I/F409, and a bus410.

The CPU401reads programs and data stored in, for example, the ROM403and the storage device404to the RAM402, and executes processing to implement one or more functions of the wireless terminal device20. The RAM402is a volatile memory to be used as a work area for the CPU401. The ROM403is a non-volatile memory that can holds the programs and the data even after having been turned off and back on.

The storage device404is a mass storage device such as an HDD and a Solid State Drive (SSD), and stores, for example, an operating system (OS), an application program and various types of data. The network I/F405is an interface to connect the wireless terminal device20to a network, such as a wireless local area network (LAN).

The short-range wireless communication I/F406is an interface to communicate with the image forming apparatus10using, for example, short-range wireless communication such as BLE.

The input device407includes a touch panel and a key board that are used to input an operation signal to the wireless terminal device20. The display device408displays, for example, results of processing performed by the wireless terminal device20.

The input device407and the display device408may be integrated into a single unit as a display input device, such as a touch panel display screen.

The external I/F409is an interface with an external device. The external device includes, for example, a recording medium411. The bus410is connected to each of the above-mentioned components and transfers an address signal, a data signal and various types of control signals.

Functional Configuration

FIG. 5Ais a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing system according to one of the embodiments.FIG. 5BandFIG. 5Care illustrations of examples of ID information stored in storage units of the wireless module100.FIG. 5Dis an illustration of an example of ID information stored in a storage unit of the wireless terminal device20.

Functional Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus

As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the image forming apparatus (electronic apparatus)10includes, for example, the wireless module (wireless communication unit)100and the controller (control unit)110.

The wireless module100transmits the advertisement packet (predetermined notification signal) via the BLE communication540(short-range wireless communication) when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode. The wireless module100also outputs a return request signal550to the controller110when receiving a connection request signal to establish a BLE communication connection from the wireless terminal device (external device)20that sends the connection request signal after receiving the advertisement packet.

The wireless module100includes a notification signal transmitting unit511, a connection request signal receiving unit512, an additional information providing unit513, a data transmitting and receiving unit514, a return request signal output unit515, an apparatus ID storage unit516, and a registered terminal ID storage unit517.

The notification signal transmitting unit511transmits the advertisement packet, which is a predetermined notification signal, to notify the wireless terminal device20of an own presence (presence of the image forming apparatus10or the wireless module100) via the BLE communication, when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode (second power mode). The notification signal transmitting unit511may be implemented with the SoC231illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, or by executing a program using the SoC231illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3.

The connection request signal receiving unit512receives a connection request (CONNECT_REQ), which is the connection request signal to request the BLE communication, from the wireless terminal device20that sends the connection request signal in response to the reception of the advertisement packet transmitted from the notification signal transmitting unit511. The connection request signal receiving unit512may be implemented with the SoC231illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, or by executing a program using the SoC231illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3.

The additional information providing unit513receives a scan request (SCAN_REQ) that is a request signal to request for additional information on the BLE communication from the wireless terminal device20that sends the request signal in response to the reception of the advertisement packet transmitted from the notification signal transmitting unit511. The additional information providing unit513sends a scan response (SCAN_RSP) including the additional information on the BLE communication (e.g. information elements that are not included in the advertisement packet) to a request source of the scan request. The additional information providing unit513may be implemented with the SoC231illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, or by executing a program using the SoC231illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3.

The data transmitting and receiving unit514establishes the BLE communication connection with the wireless terminal device20under control of the communication control unit522of the controller110to transmit and receive data. The data transmitting and receiving unit514may be implemented with the SoC231illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, or by executing a program using the SoC231illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3.

The return request signal output unit515outputs the return request signal to the controller110to return to the normal operating mode, when the connection request signal receiving unit512receives the predetermined connection request (CONNECT_REQ) from the wireless terminal device20. The return request signal output unit515may be implemented with the detection device232included in the wireless module100illustrated inFIG. 2. Alternatively, the return request signal output unit515may be implemented by executing a program using the SoC231.

Preferably, the return request signal output unit515receives the connection request from the wireless terminal device20, and, when the connection request includes the terminal ID that is also stored in the registered terminal ID storage unit517in advance, outputs the return request signal to the controller110to return to the normal operating mode.

The apparatus ID storage unit (second storage unit)516stores an apparatus ID (second identification information) in advance as illustrated inFIG. 5B. The apparatus ID is identification information to identify the image forming apparatus10. The apparatus ID storage unit516may be implemented with the ROM233included in the wireless module100illustrated inFIG. 2, or by executing a program using the SoC231.

The registered terminal ID storage unit (first storage unit)517stores a terminal ID (first identification information) of the wireless terminal device20registered in advance, as illustrated inFIG. 5C. The terminal ID is identification information to identify the wireless terminal device20registered in advance. The registered terminal ID storage unit517may be implemented with the ROM233included in the wireless module100illustrated inFIG. 2, or by executing a program using the SoC231.

The controller (control unit)110transitions from the low-power mode to the normal operating mode when the controller110being in the low-power mode receives return request signal output from the wireless module100, and controls the image forming apparatus10for image forming function. The controller110may be implemented with hardware included in the controller110illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, or by executing a program using the CPU111illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3.

The controller110includes a mode control unit521, a communication control unit522, a display control unit523, an operation receiving unit524, and an image forming control unit.

The mode control unit521causes the image forming apparatus10to transition between the normal operating mode (first power mode) in which the image forming function can be performed and the low-power mode (second power mode) in which the power consumption is less than that in the normal operating mode. The mode control unit521may be implemented with the power mode control unit223illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3or the power mode control device301illustrated inFIG. 3, or by executing a program using the CPU111.

Additionally, the low-power mode may include one ore more low-power modes (e.g. a sleep mode and a deep sleep mode).

The mode control unit521causes the image forming apparatus10being in any one of the one or more low-power modes to transition to the normal operating mode in response to the reception of the return request signal output from the wireless module100.

The communication control unit522causes the wireless module100to establish the BLE communication connection and transmits and receives the data. The communication control unit522may be implemented by executing a program using the CPU111.

The display control unit523displays, for example, an operation screen in relation to the operation of the image forming apparatus10on the operation device114. The display control unit523may be implemented by executing a program using CPU111.

The operation receiving unit524receives, for example, input operation to the operation device114of the image forming apparatus10by a user. The operation receiving unit524may be implemented by executing a program using CPU111.

The image forming control unit525controls the scanner device120, the input data control unit217, the image processing unit218, the output data control unit219, the engine device130, the FAX I/F220, and the FCU140, which are illustrated inFIG. 2, for the image forming processing. The image forming control unit525may be implemented by executing a program using the CPU111.

Configuration of Wireless Terminal Device

The wireless terminal device (external device)20includes a notification signal receiving unit531, a connection request signal transmitting unit532, an additional information acquisition unit533, a data transmitting and receiving unit534, a communication control unit535, a registered apparatus ID storage unit536, and a display input control unit537.

The notification signal receiving unit531receives a predetermined notification signal, such as the advertisement packet for the BLE communication, transmitted from the image forming apparatus10with the short-range wireless communication I/F, illustrated inFIG. 4. The notification signal receiving unit531may be implemented with the short-range wireless communication I/F illustrated inFIG. 4, or by executing a program using the CPU401illustrated inFIG. 4.

The connection request signal transmitting unit532transmits a connection request (CONNECT_REQ) for the BLE communication connection to the image forming apparatus10that previously sends the predetermined notification signal such as the advertisement packet with the short-range communication I/F illustrated inFIG. 4. The connection request signal transmitting unit532may be implemented with the short-range wireless communication I/F, or by executing a program with the CPU401illustrated inFIG. 4.

Preferably, the connection request signal transmitting unit532sends the connection request signal to the image forming apparatus10when the notification signal, the advertisement packet received with the notification signal receiving unit531includes the same apparatus ID as that stored in the registered apparatus ID storage unit536in advance.

The additional information acquisition unit533sends a scan request (SCAN_REQ) to request the additional information to the image forming apparatus10that previously sends the predetermined notification signal, the advertisement packet, using the short-range wireless communication I/F illustrated inFIG. 4. For example, the additional information acquisition unit533sends the scan request (SCAN_REQ) to the image forming apparatus10when the received advertisement packet includes a part of the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10. The additional information acquisition unit533may be implemented with the short-range wireless communication I/F, or by executing a program with the CPU401illustrated inFIG. 4.

The data transmitting and receiving unit534transmits and receives a data packet using the short-range wireless communication I/F illustrated inFIG. 4. The data transmitting and receiving unit534may be implemented with the short-range wireless communication I/F, or by executing a program with the CPU401illustrated inFIG. 4.

The communication control unit535establishes and disconnects a short range wireless communication connection, such as the BLE communication connection with and from the image forming apparatus10using the short range wireless communication I/F illustrated inFIG. 4. The communication control unit535is implemented, for example, by executing a program with the CPU401illustrated inFIG. 4.

The registered apparatus ID storage unit536stores the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10that is registered in advance, as illustrated inFIG. 5D. The registered apparatus ID storage unit536may be implemented with the storage device404illustrated inFIG. 4, or by executing a program with the CPU401illustrated inFIG. 4.

The display input control unit537displays an operation screen on the display device408of the wireless terminal device20and receives input operation with the input device407. The display input control unit537may be implemented by executing a program with the CPU401illustrated inFIG. 4.

Processing Flow

Next, a process of controlling the power mode with the above-described information processing system1and the image forming apparatus10is described below.

First Embodiment

Processing of Wireless Module

FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the wireless module100according to a first embodiment. The process illustrated inFIG. 6is one example of processing that is performed by the wireless module100when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

In S601, the notification signal transmitting unit511of the wireless module100transmits the advertisement packet (notification signal) for the BLE communication when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

In S602, the connection request signal receiving unit512of the wireless module100determines whether or not the connection request (connection request signal) is received from the wireless terminal device20within a predetermined time after the notification signal transmitting unit511sends the advertisement packet.

If the wireless module100does not receive the connection request from the wireless terminal device20within the predetermined time, the process returns to S601and the wireless module100sends the advertisement packet again.

By contrast, if the wireless module100receives the connection request from the wireless terminal device20within the predetermined time, the process continues to S603.

In S603, the return request signal output unit515of the wireless module100outputs the return request signal to the controller110. As one example of the return request signal, the return request signal output unit515asserts a signal (e.g. interruption signal) to cause the controller110to return from the low-power mode.

In S604, the data transmitting and receiving unit514of the wireless module100establishes the BLE communication connection under control of the controller110. The BLE communication connection between the image forming apparatus10and the wireless terminal device20allows a BLE data packet to be transferred between the image forming apparatus10and the wireless terminal device20.

Processing of Information Processing System

FIG. 7is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing of the information processing system1according to the first embodiment.

In S701, the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

In the low-power mode, the controller110stops supplying power, for example, to the scanner device120, the engine device130, the FCU140, and the HDD116, and only performs processing required by the CPU111(e.g., receiving the return request signal).

On the other hand, even in the low-power mode, the power is still supplied to the wireless module100, and the wireless module100can send the advertisement packet for the BLE communication and receive the connection request.

In S702, the wireless module100of the image forming apparatus10sends the advertisement packet at predetermined intervals when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

In S703, when, for example, the wireless terminal device20comes within the effective wireless communication range40of the image forming apparatus10inFIG. 1, the advertisement packet is received by the wireless terminal device20.

In S704, when the wireless terminal device20receives the advertisement packet with the notification signal receiving unit531, the connection request signal transmitting unit532of the wireless terminal device20sends the connection request to the wireless module100, which is the source of the advertisement packet.

In S705, the wireless module100receives the connection request sent from the wireless terminal device20with the connection request signal receiving unit512, and sends the return request signal to request the controller110to return to the normal operating mode with the return request signal output unit515.

In S706, the mode control unit521of the controller110causes the image forming apparatus10(controller110) to transition from the low-power mode to the normal operating mode. For example, the mode control unit521restarts to supply the power to the scanner device120, the engine device130, the FCU140, the HDD116, etc., and performs a setting processing, if necessary.

In S707and S708, the communication control unit522of the controller110controls the data transmitting and receiving unit514of the wireless module100and establish the BLE communication connection with the wireless terminal device20. This allows the image forming apparatus10and the wireless terminal device20to transfer the BLE data packet therebetween via the BLE communication.

With the above-mentioned processing, the image forming apparatus (electronic apparatus)10, which transitions from the low-power mode to the normal operating mode using the wireless module100, can return to the normal operating mode without depending on a specific packet, application, or the like.

Second Embodiment

Processing of Wireless Module

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the wireless module100according to a second embodiment. The process from S602to S604inFIG. 8is the same as the process, S602to S604inFIG. 6, of the wireless module100according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, the following description concentrates on differences in the process between the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

In S801, the notification signal transmitting unit511of the wireless module100sends an advertisement packet including an apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10that is stored in the apparatus ID storage unit516in advance when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

Processing of Information Processing System

FIG. 9is a sequence diagram illustrating processing of the information processing system1according to the second embodiment. The process from S704to S708inFIG. 9is the same as the process illustrated inFIG. 7, so that differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment are described below.

In S901, the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

In S902, the wireless module100of the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode and transmits the advertisement packet including the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10at predetermined intervals.

The wireless module100according to this embodiment stores the apparatus ID, which is the identification information to identify the image forming apparatus10, in the apparatus ID storage unit516.

In S903, when receiving the advertisement packet with the notification signal receiving unit531, the wireless terminal device20compares the apparatus ID included in the advertisement packet with an apparatus ID stored in the connection request signal transmitting unit532in advance.

Here, the wireless terminal device20according to this embodiment registers one or more apparatus IDs in the registered apparatus ID storage unit536in advance.

In S904, the connection request signal transmitting unit532of the wireless terminal device20transmits the connection request to the wireless module100when the apparatus ID included in the advertisement packet match one of the apparatus IDs stored in the registered apparatus ID storage unit536in advance.

On the other hand, when the apparatus ID included in the advertisement packet does not match any one of the apparatus IDs stored in the registered apparatus ID storage unit536, the connection request signal transmitting unit532of the wireless terminal device20does not transmit the connection request.

With the processing described above, the wireless terminal device20can selectively transmit the connection request to the image forming apparatus10that is previously registered, even when receiving multiple advertisement packets transmitted from a plurality of the image forming apparatuses10.

Third Embodiment

Processing of Wireless Module

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the wireless module100according to a third embodiment. The process from S602to S604inFIG. 10is the same as the process of the wireless module100according to the first embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, so that differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment are described below.

In S1001, the notification signal transmitting unit511of the wireless module100transmits an advertisement packet (notification signal) for the BLE communication including a part (first part) of an apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

This situation may arise because there is a limit to the size of the data that can be transmitted by advertisement packet (e.g., 31 bytes), so that when the size of the apparatus ID data is large the apparatus ID does not fit in the advertisement packet.

In S1002, the wireless module100determines whether the additional information providing unit513receives the scan request to send additional information, from the wireless terminal device20.

When the scan request is not received, the process continues to S1001, and the wireless module100transmits the advertisement packet again.

On the other hand, when the scan request is received, the wireless module100continues to S1003.

In S1003, the additional information providing unit513of the wireless module100transmits to the wireless terminal device20a scan response including the other part (a second part) of the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10, without the part (first part) of apparatus ID that is sent in S1001.

Alternatively, as another example, if all of the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10can be included in a scan response packet, the additional information providing unit513may transmit the scan response including all of the apparatus ID to the wireless terminal device20.

Processing of Information Processing System

FIG. 11is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing of the information processing system1according to the third embodiment. The process from S705to S708inFIG. 11is the same as the process of the information processing system according to the first embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7, so that differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment are described below.

In S1101, the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

In S1102, the wireless module100of the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode, and transmits an advertisement packet including the part (first part) of the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10at predetermined intervals.

In this embodiment, the advertisement packet transmitted from the wireless module100includes information indicating that the advertisement packet can be scanned.

In S1103, the wireless terminal device20sends the scan request to the wireless module100using the additional information acquisition unit533when receiving the advertisement packet with the notification signal receiving unit531.

In S1104, the additional information providing unit513of the wireless module100sends to the wireless terminal device20the scan response including the other part (second part) of the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus10in response to the reception of the scan request.

In S704, the connection request signal transmitting unit532of the wireless terminal device20combines the first part of the apparatus ID received at S1102and the second part of the apparatus ID received at S1104to specify the apparatus ID, and sends the connection request to the wireless module100.

With the process described above, the wireless terminal device20can identify the image forming apparatus10even when the number of the apparatus IDs is large, that is, for example, the number of the image forming apparatuses10to be selected is large.

Fourth Embodiment

Processing of Wireless Module

FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the wireless module100according to a fourth embodiment.

The process S601, S602, S603, and S604inFIG. 12is the same as the process of the wireless module according to the first embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, so that differences between the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment are described below.

The wireless module100according to this embodiment stores one or more terminal IDs that are identification information to identify one or more wireless terminal devices20that are registered in the registered terminal ID storage unit517in advance.

In S1201, the return request signal output unit515of the wireless module100determines whether a connection request received with the connection request signal receiving unit512includes a terminal ID that is same as stored in the registered terminal ID storage unit517in advance.

When the connection request received with the connection request signal receiving unit512does not include the terminal ID stored in the registered terminal ID storage unit517in advance, the return request signal output unit515ends the process.

By contrast, when the connection request received with the connection request signal receiving unit512includes the terminal ID stored in the registered terminal ID storage unit517in advance, the return request signal output unit515continues the process to S603.

Processing of Information Processing System

FIG. 13is a sequence diagram illustrating processing of an information processing system1according to the fourth embodiment. The processing from S705to S708inFIG. 13is the same as the processing from S705to S708of the information processing system1according to the first embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7, so that differences between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment are described in below.

In S1301, the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

In S1302, the wireless module100of the image forming apparatus10transmits an advertisement packet for the BLE communication at predetermined intervals when the image forming apparatus10is in the low-power mode.

In S1303, when receiving the advertisement packet with the notification signal receiving unit531, the wireless terminal device20sends the connection request including the terminal ID of the wireless terminal device20to the wireless module100with the connection request signal transmitting unit532.

In S1304, the return request signal output unit515of the wireless module100compares the terminal ID included in the connection request received with the connection request signal receiving unit512and the terminal IDs stored in the registered terminal ID storage unit517in advance.

In S1305, the return request signal output unit515of the wireless module100processes S705and outputs the return request signal when the terminal ID included in the connection request matches one of terminal IDs stored in the registered terminal ID storage unit517in advance.

On the other hand, when the terminal ID included in the connection request does not match any one of the terminal IDs stored in the registered terminal ID storage unit517in advance, the return request signal output unit515stops outputting.

With the processing described above, the wireless module100outputs the return request signal to the controller110when receiving the connection request signal from the wireless terminal device20that is registered in advance.

Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. Processing circuitry includes a programmed processor, as a processor includes circuitry. A processing circuit also includes devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), DSP (digital signal processor), FPGA (field programmable gate array) and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the recited functions.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated above, such description is not intended that the disclosure be limited to the illustrated embodiments. Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.