Communication apparatus, method and storage medium for short range communication

A communication apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to an aspect of the present invention is capable of communication with an external apparatus via short-range wireless communication (NFC) and while in a powered-on state (first state), registers a piece of data being held by the communication apparatus as NFC transmission data that is to be transmitted by the communication apparatus in a powered-off state (second state). Furthermore, when shifting from the powered-on state to the powered-off state, the communication apparatus sets the registered NFC transmission data in an NFC controller as data that is to be transmitted to an external apparatus such as a mobile terminal via NFC communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to communication apparatuses, methods for controlling the same, and storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, Near Field Communication (NFC), which is a short-range wireless communication technique that is compatible with RFID, has started to be implemented in mobile terminals such as a smartphone and a tablet computer. Three functions are defined with the NFC standard, namely a reader/writer function, a card emulation function, and an inter-device communication (peer-to-peer (P2P)) function. The reader/writer function is a function of performing reading and writing of data between NFC-compatible devices, such as NFC cards and NFC tags, and it is similar to an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) reader/writer. The card emulation function is a function of operating similarly to an NFC card or an NFC tag. The P2P function is a function of performing data exchange between NFC-compatible devices. A reader/writer is implemented in a mobile terminal equipped with an NFC function, and by using the implemented reader/writer, reading and writing of data can be performed between NFC cards, NFC tags, RFID tags, and the like.

In image forming apparatuses as well, an authentication function for performing control of whether or not to permit use of the apparatus by a user has previously been realized using RFID tags, but this function can be realized using NFC. Also, if an image forming apparatus is equipped with an NFC function, it is possible not only to use the reader/writer function to execute an authentication function such as that above, but it is also possible to use the card emulation function to perform communication with a mobile terminal equipped with the NFC function. According to this, information regarding the image forming apparatus, such as information regarding consumables (i.e., the amount of paper remaining in the paper feeding tray of the image forming apparatus), the processing status of print jobs being processed by the image forming apparatus, and setting information of the image forming apparatus, can be displayed on the mobile terminal.

With an apparatus that uses the NFC function, much less power is consumed in the case of using the card emulation function than in the case of using the reader/writer function and the P2P function. For this reason, with an apparatus that uses the NFC function, it can be said that it is desirable to perform control such that the card emulation function is used as much as possible so as to reduce power consumption.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-60046 proposes a technique in which, according to the operation state of an information processing apparatus that includes an NFC device, the communication mode of the NFC device is switched between an operation mode for functioning as a reader/writer and an operation mode for functioning as an active tag. Specifically, the NFC device is operated in an active tag mode if the operation state of the information processing apparatus is a powered-off state or a power-saving state, and the NFC device is operated in a reader/writer mode if the operation state is a normal power state.

However, there is a trade-off between the amount of data that can be exchanged and power consumption in the case of using the card emulation function. For example, in the case of exchanging a large amount of data, a large-capacity buffer and energization of a circuit that performs communication control for exchanging large amounts of data are required, and therefore power consumption increases. On the other hand, in the case of using the card emulation function in an electromagnetic induction mode, the number of circuits that can be energized is limited, and therefore only a small amount of data can be exchanged. For this reason, with a device equipped with the NFC function, it is necessary to appropriately select the data that is to be exchanged when operating using the card emulation function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The present invention provides a technique of more appropriately selecting transmission data when operating in a state of reduced power consumption in a communication apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus via short-range wireless communication (NFC).

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus that can communicate with an external apparatus via short-range wireless communication, the communication apparatus comprising: a communication unit configured to perform short-range wireless communication with an external apparatus that is located within a communication coverage; a registration unit configured to, while the communication apparatus is in a first state, register a piece of data being held by the communication apparatus as transmission data that is to be transmitted by the communication apparatus to the external apparatus via the communication unit in a second state in which power consumption is at least lower than in the first state; and a control unit configured to, when the communication apparatus is to be shifted from the first state to the second state, set the transmission data registered by the registration unit in the communication unit as data that is to be transmitted to the external apparatus via the short-range wireless communication.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a communication apparatus that includes a communication unit configured to perform short-range wireless communication with an external apparatus that is located within a communication coverage, and that can communicate with the external apparatus using the short-range wireless communication, the method comprising: registering, while the communication apparatus is in a first state, a piece of data being held by the communication apparatus as transmission data that is to be transmitted by the communication apparatus to the external apparatus via the communication unit in a second state in which power consumption is at least lower than in the first state; and setting, when the communication apparatus is to be shifted from the first state to the second state, the transmission data that has been registered in the registering in the communication unit as data that is to be transmitted to the external apparatus via the short-range wireless communication.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute steps of a method for controlling a communication apparatus that includes a communication unit configured to perform short-range wireless communication with an external apparatus that is located within a communication coverage, and that can communicate with the external apparatus using the short-range wireless communication, the method comprising: registering, while the communication apparatus is in a first state, a piece of data being held by the communication apparatus as transmission data that is to be transmitted by the communication apparatus to the external apparatus via the communication unit in a second state in which power consumption is at least lower than in the first state; and setting, when the communication apparatus is to be shifted from the first state to the second state, the transmission data that has been registered in the registering in the communication unit as data that is to be transmitted to the external apparatus via the short-range wireless communication.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique of more appropriately selecting transmission data when operating in a state of reduced power consumption in a communication apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus via short-range wireless communication.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims, and that not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solving means of the present invention.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described first with reference toFIGS. 1 to 6. The first embodiment will describe a case where the present invention has been applied to an image forming apparatus as an example of a communication apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 1is a diagram showing an example of the overall system configuration according to the present embodiment. This system includes an image forming apparatus100, a personal computer (PC)200, a mobile terminal300, a wireless LAN access point500, and a local area network (LAN)600. Note that the system may include any number of PCs, mobile terminals, image forming apparatuses, and the like.

The image forming apparatus100has a copy function, a print function, and a scan function, and furthermore has an authentication function for performing authentication on a user who is to use these functions as well. An authentication card (not shown) on which the user's ID information is recorded is used in the user authentication. The image forming apparatus100receives the user's ID information recorded on the authentication card via communication using Near Field Communication (NFC) scheme (NFC communication)700and performs user authentication based on a database for authentication (not shown) that is held in the image forming apparatus100. Note that instead of holding the database for authentication in the image forming apparatus100, a server for performing authentication processing may be arranged in the LAN600for example, and authentication processing may be executed using this server via the LAN600. The PC200can transmit a print job to the image forming apparatus100and can reference data that has been computerized by the image forming apparatus100.

The mobile terminal300is a portable information processing terminal that includes an NFC communication function, a wireless LAN communication function, and the like, and is a smartphone or a tablet computer, for example. The mobile terminal300can perform communication with the image forming apparatus100via the NFC communication700. For example, the mobile terminal300exchanges information such as IP address information and user ID information with the image forming apparatus100via the NFC communication700. Also, the mobile terminal300includes a wireless LAN interface (I/F). For this reason, the mobile terminal300can transmit image data held in the mobile terminal300to the image forming apparatus100via wireless LAN communication800and cause the image forming apparatus100to execute printing based on that image data.

The wireless LAN access point500can perform communication with a device that includes a wireless LAN I/F such as the mobile terminal300, and is connected to the LAN600. The mobile terminal300can perform communication with a device connected to the LAN600via the wireless LAN access point500. Note that although a system configuration using a wireless LAN is given as an example in the present embodiment, a system configuration that is compliant with another wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth may be used instead of the wireless LAN.

The LAN600is a network that is compliant with a communication standard such as Ethernet. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus100, the PC200, and the wireless LAN access point500are connected via the LAN600.

Note that in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus100is an example of a communication apparatus that is capable of communicating with an external apparatus via short-range wireless communication, and the mobile terminal300is an example of an external apparatus.

<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus100includes a CPU101, a RAM102, a ROM103, an HDD104, an operation unit I/F105, a network I/F106, an NFC controller107, an image bus I/F109, and a power supply controller125, which are connected via a system bus114. Also, the image forming apparatus100includes an operation unit120that is connected to the operation unit I/F105, and an antenna108that is connected to the NFC controller107. The image forming apparatus100furthermore includes a RIP110, a device I/F111, a printer image processor112, and a scanner image processor113as functional blocks that perform image processing, and these blocks are connected via an image bus115.

The CPU101performs overall control of the image forming apparatus100. The RAM102is a volatile memory that is used as a working memory for temporarily storing data that is to be used by the CPU101for arithmetic operations. The ROM103stores a program used for starting up the image forming apparatus100and is mainly used when the image forming apparatus100is started up. The hard disk drive (HDD)104is a non-volatile storage device that stores various types of data such as software related to the control of the image forming apparatus100, various types of setting data, and stored document data.

The operation unit120includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel and functions as an input I/F for receiving input of information to the image forming apparatus100according to an operation performed by a user of the image forming apparatus100, and as an output I/F for outputting information to the user. The operation unit I/F105is an I/F for the operation unit120and relays data that is exchanged between the operation unit120and the system bus114.

The network I/F106is an I/F for exchanging data with an external apparatus via the LAN600. The NFC controller107performs control for performing the NFC communication700via the antenna108. The antenna108is an antenna for performing the NFC communication700and transmits/receives radio waves for the NFC communication700to/from an external apparatus.

A flash ROM127is connected to the NFC controller107and is used for holding data that is to be handled by the NFC controller107. Data that is to be transmitted by the NFC controller107via the antenna108via the NFC communication700can be stored in the flash ROM127. Note that the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment uses the flash ROM127for holding data that is to be handled by the NFC controller107, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to use another non-volatile memory or a combination of a battery and an SRAM.

The power supply controller125controls the power supply of the image forming apparatus100(power supply unit126) and controls the power supply according to a user operation performed on a power supply switch (not shown). Upon detecting a power-off operation performed using the power supply switch, the power supply controller125can use a power-off request to notify the CPU101of the detection result. The power supply unit126is a power supply that converts AC power supplied from the exterior into DC power and supplies it to the devices in the image forming apparatus100. The power supply unit126is controlled by the power supply controller125and switches the above-described conversion operation on and off according to an instruction from the power supply controller125.

The image bus I/F109is connected between the system bus114and the image bus115, relays data between the buses, and converts the structure of data that is to be relayed. A raster image processor (RIP)110converts page description language (PDL) code, display lists, and the like into bitmap images. The device I/F111is an I/F that connects a scanner unit130and a printer unit140to the image bus115.

The device I/F111adjusts the timing at which the image data received from the scanner unit130is transmitted to the image bus115, and adjusts the timing at which the image data is transmitted from the image bus115to the printer unit140. The scanner unit130generates image data using a scanner sensor and performs processing such as correction and resolution conversion that is appropriate for the image forming apparatus100on the generated image data. The printer unit140forms an image on a sheet (recording medium) based on the image data input via the device I/F111. Also, the printer unit140performs processing such as correction and resolution conversion that is appropriate for the print engine of the image forming apparatus100on the image data for print output.

FIG. 3is a diagram showing the external appearance of the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment. The operation unit120and an NFC antenna mark150that is provided on the operation unit120and indicates the installation position of the NFC antenna108are arranged on the front face of the image forming apparatus100. The scanner unit130is arranged on the top face of the image forming apparatus100. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the NFC antenna108and the NFC antenna mark150are arranged on the operation unit120, but they may be arranged at any position on the surface of the image forming apparatus100.

If the image forming apparatus100is in the normal operation state or a standby state, the NFC controller107can operate in a reader/writer mode (first mode) or a card emulation mode (second mode). Here, the reader/writer mode is an operation mode in which reading and writing of information can be performed via NFC, which is short-range wireless communication, with respect to an external apparatus (mobile terminal300) that is located within a communication coverage. In addition, the card emulation mode is an operation mode in which an external apparatus (mobile terminal300) that is located within a communication coverage can perform reading and writing of information via NFC with respect to the image forming apparatus100. The flash ROM127stores information that is readable by an external reader/writer when operating in the card emulation mode. Note that in the present embodiment, the NFC controller107is an example of a communication unit.

The NFC controller107can receive a supply of power via a wire from the internal power supply and the like of the image forming apparatus100. Also, when performing short-range wireless communication with the external reader/writer, the NFC controller107can operate by receiving a supply of power via radio waves received using the antenna108. Note that data access from the external reader/writer to the flash ROM127can be performed by receiving a supply of power using a wire from the internal power supply and the like of the image forming apparatus100in addition to being performed by receiving a supply of power from the antenna108. That is to say, even after the image forming apparatus100enters the powered-off state, the information stored in the flash ROM127can be read by the external reader/writer via the NFC communication700.

The NFC controller107stores information that can be read by the external reader/writer in the flash ROM127. By exchanging information with the NFC controller107, the CPU101can write information to the flash ROM127and read information from the flash ROM127.

<Processing for Setting NFC Transmission Data>

FIG. 4is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for setting NFC transmission data in the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing shown inFIG. 4is realized in the image forming apparatus100by the CPU101reading out a program stored in the ROM103to the RAM102and executing it in the powered-on state in which the power supply unit126has been started up. The image forming apparatus100can receive an operation from the user via the operation unit120in the powered-on state in which the power supply unit126has been started up. The powered-on state corresponds to the state in which power is supplied to multiple devices included in the image forming apparatus100from the power supply unit126(first state). If an operation has not been performed by the user in step S100(“NO” in step S100), the CPU101enters a state of waiting to receive print data. On the other hand, upon detecting a user operation (“YES” in step S100), the CPU101moves to the processing of step S101.

In step S101, the CPU101determines whether or not an instruction to register setting data has been given through a user operation. If an instruction to register setting data has been given (“YES” in step S101), the CPU101receives input of the setting data from the user via the operation unit120in step S102. Upon receiving the input setting data from the operation unit I/F105via the system bus114in step S102, the CPU101stores the received setting data in the RAM102or the HDD104, thereby registering it as setting data. Subsequently, the procedure moves to the processing of step S106.

In the present embodiment, the setting data is an example of data that is selectable as NFC transmission data for NFC transmission performed by the NFC controller107. Setting data is mainly information that is set by an administrator, such as an IP address assigned to the image forming apparatus100for example, and is information that is needed when the image forming apparatus100performs communication with an external apparatus such as the mobile terminal300. The image forming apparatus100can provide this kind of setting data to an external apparatus via the NFC communication700. Note that the data that is selectable as NFC transmission data for NFC transmission performed by the NFC controller107can include not only setting data such as that described above, but also data indicating the state of the image forming apparatus100(e.g., internal information indicating the state of consumables and the like).

On the other hand, if an instruction to register setting data has not been given (“NO” in step S101), the CPU101determines in step S103whether or not an instruction to select setting data has been given through a user operation. If an instruction to select setting data has been given (“YES” in step S103), the CPU101receives input of the setting data selection information from the user via the operation unit120in step S104. Upon receiving the input selection information from the operation unit I/F105via the system bus114, the CPU101selects setting data based on the received selection information in step S104. On the other hand, if an instruction to select setting data has not been given (“NO” in step S103), in step S105, the CPU101receives operation information indicating a user operation from the operation unit I/F105via the system bus114and performs control based on that operation information. When step S104or step S105is complete, the CPU101moves to the processing of step S106.

Here, the selection of the setting data in step S104corresponds to the registration of the transmission data that is to be transmitted via the NFC controller107by the image forming apparatus100to an external apparatus such as the mobile terminal300. In this way, the CPU101registers the data selected out of the data (setting data) held by the image forming apparatus100as NFC transmission data that is to be transmitted by the image forming apparatus100via the NFC communication700in the powered-off state in which the power supply unit126has been stopped. Note that in the present embodiment, the powered-off state is an example of the second state.

Next, in step S106, the CPU101determines whether or not the image forming apparatus100is to be shifted to the powered-off state based on a notification from the power supply controller125. If the image forming apparatus100is not to be shifted to the powered-off state (“NO” in step S106), the CPU101returns to the processing of step S100and repeats the processing of steps S100to S105. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus100is to be shifted to the powered-off state (“YES” in step S106), the CPU101moves to the processing of step S107.

In steps S107to S109, when the image forming apparatus100is to be shifted from the powered-on state to the powered-off state, the CPU101sets the registered NFC transmission data in the NFC controller107as data that is to be transmitted to an external apparatus via the NFC communication700. In step S107, the CPU101reads out the setting data selected by the user in step S104(i.e., the data registered as the NFC transmission data) from among the setting data stored in the RAM102or the HDD104.

Furthermore, in step S108, the CPU101transmits the read-out setting data and a setting data hold command to the NFC controller107via the system bus114, thereby causing the setting data to be stored in the flash ROM127. According to this, the CPU101sets the read-out setting data in the NFC controller107as data that is to be transmitted to an external apparatus via the NFC communication700. The NFC controller107stores the received setting data in the flash ROM127in accordance with the setting data hold command received from the CPU101.

Here, when the image forming apparatus100is operating and when it is standing by (powered-on state), the NFC controller107uses the reader/writer mode and the card emulation mode at different times according to a command from the CPU101. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus100enters a state in which it is possible to execute the NFC communication700with an external apparatus such as the mobile terminal300having an NFC reader/writer in the powered-on state. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus100shifts from the powered-on state to the powered-off state, the CPU101sets the NFC controller107to the card emulation mode.

Specifically, in step S109, the CPU101transmits an operation mode change command for causing operation in the card emulation mode to the NFC controller107via the system bus114. The NFC controller107sets the operation mode to the card emulation mode in accordance with the operation mode change command received from the CPU101. Subsequently, in step S110, the CPU101transmits a command for switching the power supply unit126to the off state to the power supply controller125. The power supply controller125controls the power supply unit126in accordance with the command from the CPU101and executes power-off processing by which the power supply unit126of the image forming apparatus100is switched to the off state.

While the image forming apparatus100is in the powered-off state, the NFC controller107operates by receiving a supply of power from an external apparatus (external reader/writer) via the NFC communication700. For this reason, among the data held by the image forming apparatus100, the data registered as NFC transmission data in step S104needs to be data that is within the transmission capacity of the NFC controller107in the case of using power supplied via the NFC communication700.

Also, while the image forming apparatus100is in the powered-off state, the flash ROM127may operate using the power supplied to the NFC controller107via the NFC communication700. In this case, among the data held by the image forming apparatus100, the data registered as NFC transmission data in step S104needs to be data that is within the storage capacity of the flash ROM127.

Note that in the present embodiment, the CPU101executes control of the devices according to commands, but, for example, this kind of control may be performed according to instructions given via a control signal line. Also, in the present embodiment, the processing of steps S106to S110is executed when the image forming apparatus100is to shift to the powered-off state. However, the processing of steps S106to S110may be executed when the image forming apparatus100is to shift to a power-saving state in which power is supplied to only some of the devices included in the image forming apparatus100, excluding the NFC controller107for example. In other words, the present invention can be applied to processing in the case where the image forming apparatus100shifts to a state (second state) where at least the power consumption is at least lower than in the powered-on state.

<Example of Registration of Setting Data (Step S101, S102)>

FIGS. 5A to 5Care diagrams showing examples of configurations of user interface (UI) screens for registering and changing setting data in the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment, and in steps S101and S102, the UI screens are displayed on the operation unit120(the display unit thereof) by the CPU101.

FIG. 5Ashows a setting/registration UI screen for performing setting and registration in the image forming apparatus100. The UI screen shown inFIG. 5Aincludes a hierarchy window171showing the currently-selected menu level, a menu display screen172, and a message display box180. In the menu display screen172, a “TCP/IP setting” button173is used to perform TCP/IP setting, and a “firewall setting” button174is used to perform firewall setting. The message display box180displays messages such as simple descriptions of menu items selected by the user in the displayed UI screen.

FIG. 5Bshows an example in which a TCP/IP setting window181is displayed on the operation unit120due to the user having pressed the “TCP/IP setting” button173in the UI screen shown inFIG. 5A. An IP address stored in the RAM102or the HDD104is displayed in an IP address display box182in the TCP/IP setting window181. A gateway address stored in the RAM102or the HDD104is displayed in a gateway address display box183. A numeric keypad185is used for changing setting information (setting data) held in the RAM102or the HDD104in the image forming apparatus100, such as the IP address and the gateway address displayed in the display boxes182and183. An OK button188is used for giving an instruction to register the setting information displayed in the TCP/IP setting window181in the image forming apparatus100(step S102). A cancel button189is used for returning the display screen to the UI screen shown inFIG. 5Awithout registering the setting information displayed in the TCP/IP setting window181in the image forming apparatus100.

FIG. 5Cshows an example in which a confirmation window190is displayed on the operation unit120due to the user having pressed the OK button188in the UI screen shown inFIG. 5B. In the confirmation window190, the user can give a registration instruction for ultimately registering the input IP address information as setting data by pressing an OK button191(step S101). Also, the user can give an instruction for ending registration processing without registering the input IP address information as the setting data by pressing a cancel button192.

<Example of Selection of Setting Data (Step S104)>

FIG. 6is a diagram showing an example of the structure of data including setting data and selection flags indicating the selection status of the setting data, which are managed in the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 6, the setting data160is managed in the image forming apparatus100in a state in which it is stored in the RAM102or the HDD104with the selection flags161attached thereto.

For example, the image forming apparatus100manages the setting data160as data with a fixed capacity of 1024 bytes and attaches a selection flag161with a fixed size of 1 byte to the setting data.FIG. 6shows that setting data A to G has been registered in the image forming apparatus100, only the selection flag for the setting data B has been set to “1”, and the selection flags for the other pieces of setting data are set to “0”. When the selection flag161is “1”, it indicates that the corresponding piece of setting data has been selected (registered) as NFC transmission data, and when it is “0”, it indicates that the corresponding piece of setting data has not been selected (registered) as NFC transmission data. In the present embodiment, one of the pieces of setting data registered in the image forming apparatus100can be selected as NFC transmission data.

The selection flag is attached to the setting data when the setting data is registered in the image forming apparatus100(step S102). Also, when the selection of a piece of setting data is instructed (“YES” in step S103), “1” is set in the selection flag corresponding to the selected setting data and “0” is set in the selection flags corresponding to the other pieces of setting data (step S104). The setting data whose selection flag has been set to “1” enters a state of being registered as NFC transmission data.

The amount of setting data that can be registered as NFC transmission data may be a variable amount rather than a fixed amount as described above. Note that as described above, the amount of data that can be registered as NFC transmission data needs to be within the storage capacity of the flash ROM127. As described above, while in the powered-on state (first state), the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment registers a piece of data held by the image forming apparatus100as NFC transmission data in the powered-off state (second state). Furthermore, when shifting from the powered-on state to the powered-off state, the image forming apparatus100sets the registered NFC transmission data in the NFC controller107as data that is to be transmitted to an external apparatus such as the mobile terminal300via NFC communication. The amount of NFC transmission data that can be registered is, for example, within the transmission capacity of the NFC controller107in the case of using the power supplied from an external apparatus via NFC communication in the powered-off state. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to register NFC transmission data in advance with consideration given to properties of the NFC controller107in the powered-off state. Accordingly, NFC transmission data for the case where the image forming apparatus100operates in the powered-off state can be selected more appropriately.

Second Embodiment

The first embodiment described a case in which the present invention has been applied to the image forming apparatus100as an example of a communication apparatus of the present invention. The second embodiment will describe a case in which the present invention has been applied to the mobile terminal300as an example of a communication apparatus of the present invention. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal300is an example of a communication apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus via short-range wireless communication, and the image forming apparatus100is an example of an external apparatus. Note that in order to simplify the description, the description will focus on portions that differ from the first embodiment.

<Configuration of Mobile Terminal>

FIG. 7is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mobile terminal300according to the present embodiment. The mobile terminal300includes a CPU301, a RAM302, a flash ROM303, an operation unit304, a camera305, a wireless LAN I/F306, an NFC controller307, and a power supply monitoring unit310, which are connected via a system bus309. These devices can exchange data with each other via the system bus309. Note that the functions of the NFC controller307of the mobile terminal300are the same as those of the NFC controller107of the image forming apparatus100.

The CPU301performs overall control of the mobile terminal300. The RAM302is a volatile memory that is used as a working memory for temporarily storing data that is to be used by the CPU301for arithmetic operations. The flash ROM303is a re-writeable non-volatile memory that stores programs and various kinds of data used by the CPU301. The operation unit304includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel and functions as an input I/F for receiving input of information to the mobile terminal300according to an operation performed by a user of the mobile terminal300, and as an output I/F for outputting information to the user.

The camera305captures still images or moving images. The wireless LAN I/F306is an I/F for exchanging data with an external apparatus such as the image forming apparatus100via wireless LAN communication800. The NFC controller307performs control for performing the NFC communication700via the antenna308similarly to the NFC controller107of the image forming apparatus100. The antenna308is an antenna for performing the NFC communication700and transmits/receives radio waves for the NFC communication700to/from an external apparatus.

The flash ROM312is connected to the NFC controller307and is used for holding data that is to be handled by the NFC controller307, similarly to the flash ROM127. Data that is to be transmitted by the NFC controller307via the antenna308via the NFC communication700can be stored in the flash ROM312. Note that the mobile terminal300according to the present embodiment uses the flash ROM312to hold data that is to be handled by the NFC controller307, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to use another non-volatile memory or a combination of a battery and an SRAM.

The power supply unit311is the power supply of the mobile terminal300and it is realized with a rechargeable battery. The power supply monitoring unit310monitors the state of the power supply unit311, generates data indicating the state of the power supply unit311, and transmits this data to the CPU301in response to a request from the CPU301.

FIG. 8AandFIG. 8Bare diagrams showing the external appearance of the mobile terminal300according to the present embodiment,FIG. 8Abeing a front view of the mobile terminal300andFIG. 8Bbeing a rear view of the mobile terminal300. As shown inFIG. 8A, the operation unit304is arranged on the front face of the mobile terminal300. Also, as shown inFIG. 8B, the camera305and an NFC antenna mark350indicating the installation position of the antenna308are arranged on the back face of the mobile terminal300. Note that the camera305and the NFC antenna mark350can be arranged at any location on the surface of the mobile terminal300.

<Example of Registering NFC Transmission Data>

FIG. 9is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a UI screen for registering NFC transmission data in the mobile terminal300according to the present embodiment. The UI screen shown inFIG. 9indicates an example of a registration screen for registering address information that is to be displayed on the operation unit304when the CPU301executes an address book program that runs on the mobile terminal300.

Name, mobile phone number, and e-mail address input boxes320to322for the user who is the target of address information registration are displayed as objects on the registration screen shown inFIG. 9. Furthermore, a registration button323for registering the information input in the registration screen as NFC transmission data that is to be transmitted via the NFC communication700is displayed as an object. The coordinates pressed (touched) by the user via the operation unit304are received from the operation unit304, and thereby the CPU301can detect whether or not any of the objects on the registration screen have been operated. Upon detecting that the registration button323has been touched, the CPU101records (registers) data including the information input to the input boxes320to322as NFC transmission data.

<Processing for Registering NFC Transmission Data>

FIG. 10is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for registering NFC transmission data in the mobile terminal300according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing shown inFIG. 10is realized in the mobile terminal300by the CPU301reading out a program in the flash ROM303to the RAM302and executing it in the powered-on state in which the power supply unit311has been started.

In step S200, the mobile terminal300receives an operation (touch) from the user via the operation unit304(the touch panel thereof) in the powered-on state in which the power supply unit311has been started. Upon detecting that the user has touched the operation unit304(“YES” in step S200), in step S201, the CPU301detects the coordinates that were touched on the operation unit304based on coordinate data transmitted from the operation unit304via the system bus309.

Next, in step S202, the CPU301determines whether or not any of the objects displayed on the operation unit304have been touched by the user based on the detected coordinates.

If the touched object is not a button (“NO” in step S202), and the object is not data (“NO” in step S203), the CPU301returns to the processing of step S200and once again enters the standby state.

If the touched object is not a button (“NO” in step S202), and the object is data (“YES” in step S203), in step S204, the CPU301temporarily holds the data held by the object (target data) in the RAM302. Furthermore, in step S205, the CPU301sets a hold flag indicating that the data is held and returns to the processing of step S200.

If the touched object is a button (“YES” in step S202) and is not the registration button (“NO” in step S206), in step S211, the CPU301executes the function assigned to the pressed button and returns to the processing of step S200.

If the touched object is a button (“YES” in step S202) and is the registration button (“YES” in step S206), the CPU301moves to the processing of step S207.

In step S207, the CPU301determines whether or not the hold flag has been set, and if the hold flag has not been set (“NO” in step S207), the CPU301displays a warning message on the operation unit304in step S212and returns to the processing of step S200. On the other hand, if the hold flag has been set (“YES” in step S207), in step S208, the CPU301registers the target data that is temporarily being held in the RAM302as data that is to be transmitted via the NFC communication700. Note that the registered data is stored in the RAM302or the flash ROM303. Furthermore, in step S209, the CPU301sets a registration flag indicating that the data has been registered as the NFC transmission data, and in step S210, the CPU301clears the hold flag and ends the processing.

<Processing for Setting NFC Transmission Data>

FIG. 11is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for setting NFC transmission data in the mobile terminal300according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing shown inFIG. 11is realized in the mobile terminal300by the CPU301reading out a program in the flash ROM303to the RAM302and executing it in the powered-on state in which the power supply unit311has been started.

In the present embodiment, data obtained by converting the amount of power remaining (remaining amount) in the power supply unit311to a numerical value is periodically received by the CPU301from the power supply monitoring unit310. In step S300, the remaining amount of the power supply unit311and a predetermined default value that is set in advance in the program are compared, and thereby it is determined whether or not the mobile terminal300is to be shifted from the powered-on state (first state) to the powered-off state (second state). In step S300, if the remaining amount of the power supply unit311is at or above the default value, the CPU301determines that the mobile terminal300is not to be shifted to the powered-off state (“NO” in step S300), and the determination processing in step S300is repeated. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of the power supply unit311is less than the default value, the CPU301determines that the mobile terminal300is to be shifted to the powered-off state (“YES” in step S300) and moves to the processing of step S301.

In step S301, the CPU301determines whether or not the registration flag, which indicates that data that is to be transmitted via the NFC communication700(NFC transmission data) has been registered, has already been set. If the registration flag has not been set (“NO” in step S301), the CPU301moves to the processing of step S305and executes power-off processing for switching the power supply unit311of the mobile terminal300to the off state. On the other hand, if the registration flag has been set (“YES” in step S301), the CPU301moves to the processing of step S302.

In step S302, the CPU301reads out the data registered as NFC transmission data from the RAM302or the flash ROM303. Furthermore, in step S303, the CPU301transmits the read-out registration data and a registration data hold command to the NFC controller307via the system bus309, and thereby the registration data is stored in the flash ROM312. According to this, the CPU301sets the read-out registration data in the NFC controller307as data that is to be transmitted to an external apparatus via the NFC communication700. The NFC controller307stores the received registration data in the flash ROM312in accordance with the registration data hold command that was received from the CPU301.

Subsequently, in step S304, the CPU301transmits the operation mode change command for causing the mobile terminal300to operate in the card emulation mode to the NFC controller307via the system bus309. The NFC controller307sets the operation mode to the card emulation mode in accordance with the operation mode change command received from the CPU301. Subsequently, in step S305, the CPU101executes power-off processing for switching the power supply unit311of the mobile terminal300to the off state.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism by which the technique applied to the image forming apparatus100in the first embodiment is applied to the mobile terminal300as well.

Note that in the present embodiment, the processing of steps S300to S305is executed when the mobile terminal300is to shift to the powered-off state. However, the processing of steps S300to S305may be executed when the mobile terminal300is to shift to the power-saving state, similarly to the case of the first embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be applied to processing in the case where the mobile terminal300shifts to a state (second state) where at least the power consumption is at least lower than in the powered-on state.

Third Embodiment

A modification of the first embodiment will be described in the third embodiment. Specifically, an example will be described in which information regarding an error that has occurred (error information) in the image forming apparatus100is registered as NFC transmission data. Note that in order to simplify the description, the description will focus on portions that are different from the first embodiment.

<Processing for Registering Error Information>

FIG. 12is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for registering error information as NFC transmission data in the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing shown inFIG. 12is realized in the image forming apparatus100by the CPU101reading out a program stored in the ROM103to the RAM102and executing it in the powered-on state in which the power supply unit126is operating. Note that in the present embodiment, the data corresponding to the error information is managed in the image forming apparatus100as one of the pieces of setting data shown inFIG. 6in a state where the selection flag is attached.

In step S400, while the image forming apparatus100is in the powered-on state, the CPU101determines whether or not an error that has occurred in a device has been detected based on information received from the devices via the system bus114and the image bus115. If an error has not been detected (“NO” in step S400), the CPU101repeats the determination processing of step S400, whereas if an error is detected (“YES” in step S400), the procedure moves to the processing of step S401.

In step S401, the CPU101checks the value of the selection flag corresponding to error information that is being held in the RAM102or the HDD104, and determines whether or not error information has already been registered as NFC transmission data. If the selection flag corresponding to error information is “1”, the CPU101determines that error information has been selected (“YES” in step S401) and ends the processing without selecting the error information regarding the detected error as NFC transmission data.

On the other hand, if the value of the selection flag corresponding to error information is “0”, the CPU101determines that error information has not been selected as NFC transmission data (“NO” in step S401) and moves to the processing of step S402. In step S402, the CPU101extracts the error information from the data received from the device in which the error occurred. Furthermore, in step S403, the CPU101registers (selects) the extracted error information as NFC transmission data. In other words, the CPU101sets the selection flag attached to the setting data corresponding to error information (FIG. 6) to “1”.

Note that the present embodiment has described a case in which only the error information regarding the error that was detected first is registered as NFC transmission data after the image forming apparatus100is started up. However, if multiple errors occur, information obtained by compiling the information regarding the multiple errors may be registered as the NFC transmission data, or information regarding the error that occurred last may be registered as NFC transmission data.

<Processing for Setting NFC Transmission Data>

FIG. 13is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for setting NFC transmission data in the image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing shown inFIG. 13is realized in the image forming apparatus100by the CPU101reading out a program stored in the ROM103to the RAM102and executing it in the powered-on state in which the power supply unit126is operating. Note that steps for executing processing that is similar to that of the first embodiment (FIG. 4) are denoted by the same reference numerals and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

In the present embodiment, the CPU101determines in step S103whether or not an instruction to select setting data has been given through a user operation, and if the result of the determination is that the instruction to select setting data has been given (“YES” in step S103), the procedure moves to the processing of step S500. In step S500, the CPU301checks the selection flag (FIG. 6) attached to the setting data corresponding to error information, thereby determining whether or not error information has been registered (selected) as NFC transmission data. If error information has not been selected as NFC transmission data (“NO” in step S500), the CPU101moves to the processing of step S104and receives input of the setting data selection information from the user via the operation unit120, similarly to the case of the first embodiment. Upon receiving the input selection information from the operation unit I/F105via the system bus114, the CPU101selects the setting data based on the received selection information in step S104. Subsequently, the procedure moves to the processing of step S106.

On the other hand, if error information has been selected as NFC transmission data (“YES” in step S500), the CPU101moves to the processing of step S501. In step S501, the CPU301displays information to the user indicating that error information has already been registered as setting data on the operation unit120, thereby notifying the user of that information. Subsequently, the procedure moves to the processing of step S106.

<Example of Registration and Selection of Setting Data>

FIG. 14AandFIG. 14Bare diagrams showing examples of configurations of UI screens for changing and deleting NFC transmission data according to the present embodiment, and are displayed by the CPU101on the operation unit120(the display unit thereof) in steps S101to S104, and steps S500and S501.

FIG. 14Ashows a UI screen for changing and deleting NFC transmission data in the image forming apparatus100. The UI screen shown inFIG. 14Aincludes a hierarchy window171showing the currently-selected menu level, a menu display screen172, and a message display box180. In the menu display screen172, a “transmission information candidate list” button250is used for displaying a list of information to be transmitted via the NFC communication700, and an “add transmission information candidate” button251is used for adding information to be transmitted via the NFC communication700. The message display box180displays messages such as simple descriptions of menu items selected by the user in the displayed UI screen.

FIG. 14Bshows an example in which a transmission information candidate list window252has been displayed due to the user pressing the “transmission information candidate list” button250on the UI screen shown inFIG. 14A. In the window252, transmission candidate information257to259indicates information that can be transmitted via the NFC communication700. Also, an item254indicates an attribute of the transmission candidate information, an item255indicates an individual attribute of the transmission candidate information, and an item256indicates the content of the transmission candidate information. Also, a star mark253indicates that the transmission candidate information257to which it is attached has been selected as NFC transmission data that is to be transmitted via the NFC communication700.

The user selects any of the pieces of transmission candidate information257to259in the window252. Furthermore, by pressing a “register transmission information” button263, it is possible to give an instruction to register the selected transmission candidate information as information that is to actually be transmitted via the NFC communication700. Accordingly, the star mark253is displayed next to the selected transmission candidate information. Also, by pressing a “delete transmission information” button264when any of the transmission candidate information has been selected, the user can give an instruction to delete the selected transmission candidate information. A “close” button265is used for closing the display of the window252and returning the display screen to the UI screen shown inFIG. 14A.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in response to an error occurring in the image forming apparatus100, information regarding the error is registered as NFC transmission data. According to this, it is possible to provide error information to an external apparatus such as the mobile terminal300even if the image forming apparatus100has shifted to the powered-off state after an error has occurred.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-106593, filed May 20, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.