Patent Publication Number: US-11023184-B2

Title: Image forming system and program between a portable terminal and an image forming device with confirmation feature

Description:
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/057,238, filed Aug. 7, 2018, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/284,609, filed Oct. 4, 2016, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-200009 filed on Oct. 8, 2015, the entire contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/057,238, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/284,609 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-200009 are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming device (e.g., MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral)) and a portable terminal and a technique related thereto. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There is a technique for performing wireless communication between an MFP and a portable terminal (see, for example, JP 2014-127130 A). 
     For example, JP 2014-127130 A (see, for example, paragraph 0038 thereof) discloses a technique for exchanging data between an MFP and a portable terminal with the use of near field communication (NFC) and communication using a wireless LAN. In the technique disclosed in JP 2014-127130 A, first, NFC communication is established between the MFP and the portable terminal, and connection information for wireless LAN communication (SSID (Service Set Identifier) and the like) is transmitted from the MFP to the portable terminal by using the NFC communication. Then, wireless LAN communication is established between the MFP and the portable terminal by using the connection information, and, for example, printing data is transmitted from the portable terminal to the MFP via comparatively high-speed wireless LAN communication. 
     By the way, various wireless communication techniques can be used for communication between an image forming device and a portable terminal. For example, it is considered that short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth communication (communication based on a Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard (including BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy))) is employed instead of NFC (near field communication). 
     However, a communication range in NFC communication is about several centimeters, whereas a communication range in Bluetooth communication (e.g., BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE)) communication) is comparatively large and reaches, for example, about 30 meters in some cases. In the case where BLE communication is performed between a portable terminal and an MFP, the portable terminal and the MFP may actually be some distance away from each other, and therefore there is a concern about a harmful effect thereof. 
     For example, it is concerned that, in the case where an MFP is placed in a certain building, the MFP can be accessed from a building next to the certain building by using a portable terminal. In short, unauthorized access may be performed from the next building by using a portable terminal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of this, a first object of the present application is to provide a technique capable of preventing unauthorized access to an image forming device from a comparatively distant place with the use of a portable terminal. 
     There is not only the above-mentioned concern (i.e., concern about unauthorized access from the next building) but also the following concern. 
     For example, in the case where wireless LAN communication and short-range wireless communication are not used together, i.e., in the case where only short-range wireless communication is used without using wireless LAN communication (more specifically, in the case of logging in an image forming device from a portable terminal by using short-range wireless communication), the following problem may arise. 
     Specifically, assuming that, although a portable terminal actually exists at a position comparatively distant from an image forming device, login information is unconditionally transmitted from the portable terminal to the image forming device via BLE communication, a user of the portable terminal is allowed to perform login even in the case where the user exists at a place comparatively distant from the image forming device. In this case, the image forming device may misrecognize operation (panel operation) of the image forming device by a user (another user who exists in the vicinity of the image forming device) who is different from the user (also referred to as “login user”) as operation by the login user and execute processing based on the operation. In short, panel operation by another user may be misrecognized as panel operation by the login user. 
     In view of this, a second object of the present application is to provide a technique capable of preventing login to an image forming device using a portable terminal that exists in a comparatively distant place and preventing operation by a user who is different from a login user from being misrecognized as operation by the login user. 
     To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects, according to an aspect, a non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program reflecting one aspect of the present invention causes a computer included in a portable terminal to communicate with an image forming device to execute: a) a step of acquiring communication information from the image forming device via first wireless communication using a first wireless communication method, the communication information being information for executing second wireless communication using a second wireless communication method; b) a step of executing processing of confirming existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal in the vicinity of the image forming device; and c) a step of, on condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device is confirmed in the step b), permitting registration processing of registering the communication information in the portable terminal in order to execute the second wireless communication, the communication information being communication information for the second wireless communication with the image forming device and being acquired in the step a). 
     According to an invention of Item. 2, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to Item. 1, the step b) preferably includes b-1) a step of capturing an image of a two-dimensional barcode displayed in the image forming device by using an image pickup unit of the portable terminal, and b-2) a step of determining existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that information acquired by analyzing the two-dimensional barcode included in the photographed image captured in the step b-1) and information contained in the communication information acquired in the step a) are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 3, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to Item. 1, the step b) preferably includes b-1) a step of capturing an image of a two-dimensional barcode displayed in the image forming device by using an image pickup unit of the portable terminal, b-2) a step of acquiring information containing device identification information of the image forming device from the image forming device via the first wireless communication, and b-3) a step of determining existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that information acquired by analyzing the two-dimensional barcode included in the photographed image captured in the step b-1) and information acquired in the step b-2) are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 4, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to Item. 1, the step b) preferably includes b-1) a step of reading information of an NFC tag placed in the image forming device by using the portable terminal to acquire the information, and b-2) a step of determining existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that the information acquired in the step b-1) and information contained in the communication information acquired in the step a) are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 5, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to Item. 1, the step b) preferably includes b-1) a step of reading information of an NFC tag placed in the image forming device by using the portable terminal to acquire the information, b-2) a step of acquiring information containing device identification information of the image forming device from the image forming device in the first wireless communication, and b-3) a step of determining existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that the information acquired in the step b-1) and information acquired in the step b-2) are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 6, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to any one of Items. 2 to 5, the communication information preferably contains device identification information, and in the step b-2), existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device is preferably determined on condition that device identification information acquired in the step b-1) and the device identification information acquired in the step a) are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 7, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to Item. 6, the device identification information preferably includes a MAC address. 
     According to an invention of Item. 8, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to Item. 7, the communication information preferably includes an SSID for the second wireless communication and a password for the second wireless communication, and in the step b-2), existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device is preferably determined on condition that an SSID, a password, and a MAC address acquired in the step b-1) are matched with the SSID, the password, and the MAC address, respectively, acquired in the step a). 
     According to an invention of Item. 9, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to Item. 1, the step b) preferably includes b-1) a step of receiving card identification information from the image forming device via the first wireless communication, the card identification information being card identification information of an IC card of the user and being read by an IC card reader of the image forming device, and b-2) a step of determining existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that the card identification information acquired in the step b-1) and card identification information of a usable IC card registered in the portable terminal in advance are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 10, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to any one of Items. 1 to 9, the computer readable program preferably causes the computer to further execute d) a step of trying the second wireless communication with a communication destination specified by an IP address acquired in the step a) and, based on success or failure of the second wireless communication, determining whether or not the registration processing of the communication information for executing the second wireless communication has been completed, and the step c) is preferably executed on condition that it is determined in the step d) that the registration processing of the communication information for executing the second wireless communication has not yet been completed. 
     According to an invention of Item. 11, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to any one of Items. 1 to 10, the first wireless communication is preferably executed without pairing processing between the image forming device and the portable terminal. 
     To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects, according to an aspect, a portable terminal to communicate with an image forming device reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises: a first wireless communication unit configured to execute first wireless communication using a first wireless communication method; a second wireless communication unit configured to execute second wireless communication using a second wireless communication method; a communication control unit configured to acquire information containing communication information for executing the second wireless communication from the image forming device via the first wireless communication; a confirmation unit configured to execute confirmation processing of confirming existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal in the vicinity of the image forming device; and a registration control unit configured to permit registration processing of registering the communication information for the second wireless communication with the image forming device in the portable terminal in order to execute the second wireless communication on condition that the confirmation unit confirms existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device. 
     According to an invention of Item. 13, in the portable terminal according to Item. 12, the confirmation unit preferably includes an image pickup unit configured to capture an image of a two-dimensional barcode displayed in the image forming device, and a determination unit configured to determine existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that information acquired by analyzing the two-dimensional barcode included in the photographed image captured by the image pickup unit and the information acquired from the image forming device via the first wireless communication are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 14, in the portable terminal according to Item. 13, the communication control unit preferably acquires information containing device identification information of the image forming device from the image forming device via the first wireless communication, and the determination unit preferably determines existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that device identification information acquired by analyzing the two-dimensional barcode in the photographed image and the device identification information acquired from the image forming device via the first wireless communication are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 15, in the portable terminal according to Item. 14, the communication information preferably includes an SSID for the second wireless communication and a password for the second wireless communication, and the determination unit preferably determines existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that an SSID, a password, and a MAC address acquired by analyzing the two-dimensional barcode in the photographed image are matched with the SSID, the password, and a MAC address, respectively, acquired from the image forming device via the first wireless communication. 
     According to an invention of Item. 16, in the portable terminal according to Item. 12, the confirmation unit preferably includes a reading unit configured to read information of an NFC tag placed in the image forming device to acquire the information, and a determination unit configured to determine existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that the information acquired by the reading unit and the information acquired from the image forming device via the first wireless communication are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 17, in the portable terminal according to Item. 16, the communication control unit preferably acquires information containing device identification information of the image forming device from the image forming device via the first wireless communication, and the determination unit preferably determines existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that device identification information acquired by the reading unit and the device identification information acquired from the image forming device via the first wireless communication are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 18, in the portable terminal according to Item. 17, the communication information preferably includes an SSID for the second wireless communication and a password for the second wireless communication, and the determination unit preferably determines existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that an SSID, a password, and a MAC address acquired by the reading unit are matched with the SSID, the password, and a MAC address, respectively, acquired from the image forming device via the first wireless communication. 
     According to an invention of Item. 19, in the portable terminal according to Item. 12, the first wireless communication unit preferably receives card identification information from the image forming device, the card identification information being card identification information of an IC card of the user and being read by an IC card reader of the image forming device, and the confirmation unit preferably includes a determination unit configured to determine existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that the card identification information acquired by the first wireless communication unit via the first wireless communication and card identification information of a usable IC card registered in the portable terminal in advance are matched. 
     According to an invention of Item. 20, in the portable terminal according to any one of Items. 12 to 19, the communication control unit preferably tries the second wireless communication with a communication destination specified by an IP address acquired via the first wireless communication, and the registration control unit preferably determines whether or not the registration processing of the communication information for executing the second wireless communication has been completed on the basis of a result of trial of the second wireless communication, causes the confirmation unit to execute the confirmation processing on condition that it is determined that the registration processing has not yet been completed, and determines whether to permit the registration processing of registering the communication information in the portable terminal in order to execute the second wireless communication. 
     According to an invention of Item. 21, in the portable terminal according to any one of Items. 12 to 20, the first wireless communication is preferably executed without pairing processing between the image forming device and the portable terminal. 
     To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects, according to an aspect, a non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program reflecting one aspect of the present invention causes a computer included in a portable terminal communicable with an image forming device by using short-range wireless communication to log in the image forming device to execute: a) a step of registering card identification information of an IC card of a user who possesses the portable terminal in the portable terminal in advance; b) a step of, in the case where operation to log in the image forming device is performed by the user after the step a), receiving card identification information of an IC card read by an IC card reader of the image forming device from the image forming device via the short-range wireless communication; c) a step of determining existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that the card identification information acquired in the step b) and the card identification information registered in the portable terminal in advance in the step a) are matched; and d) a step of transmitting the user&#39;s login information to the image forming device to the image forming device via the short-range wireless communication on condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device is determined in the step c). 
     According to an invention of Item. 23, in the non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program according to Item. 22, in the step b), in the case where the image forming device determines that the card identification information read by the IC card reader has not yet been registered in the image forming device, the card identification information is preferably transmitted from the image forming device to the portable terminal via the short-range wireless communication. 
     To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects, according to an aspect, a portable terminal communicable with an image forming device by using short-range wireless communication to log in the image forming device, reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises: a registration control unit configured to accept processing of registering card identification information of an IC card of a user who possesses the portable terminal in the portable terminal in advance; a reception unit configured to, in the case where operation to log in the image forming device is performed by the user, receive card identification information of an IC card read by an IC card reader of the image forming device from the image forming device via the short-range wireless communication; a confirmation unit configured to confirm existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device on condition that the card identification information received by the reception unit and the card identification information registered in the portable terminal in advance by using the registration control unit are matched; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the user&#39;s login information to the image forming device to the image forming device via the short-range wireless communication on condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device is confirmed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an image forming system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP (image forming device); 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a portable terminal; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing operation of a portable terminal (application); 
         FIG. 5  is a sequence diagram showing operation of each device in this system; 
         FIG. 6  shows a main menu screen; 
         FIG. 7  shows a device registration screen; 
         FIG. 8  shows a device registration screen; 
         FIG. 9  shows a dialog screen; 
         FIG. 10  shows a dialog screen; 
         FIG. 11  shows a state in which a two-dimensional barcode is displayed on an MFP; 
         FIG. 12  shows a profile registration screen; 
         FIG. 13  is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing operation of a portable terminal (application) according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a sequence diagram showing operation of each device in a system according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing operation of a portable terminal (application) according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a sequence diagram showing operation of each device in a system according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart showing operation of a portable terminal (application) according to the fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a sequence diagram showing operation of each device in a system according to the fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  shows a dialog screen; 
         FIG. 23  shows a registered device list screen; and 
         FIG. 24  is a flowchart showing registration processing of BLE-related information. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. 
     1. First Embodiment 
     &lt;1-1. Overview of Configuration&gt; 
       FIG. 1  shows an image forming system  1  (also referred to as “ 1 A”) according to a first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the image forming system  1  ( 1 A) includes an MFP (image forming device)  10  ( 10 A) and a portable terminal  50  ( 50 A). 
     The MFP  10  and the portable terminal  50  are wirelessly connected to each other by using various wireless communication techniques. For example, short-range wireless communication and communication using a wireless LAN (e.g., IEEE 802.11) can be used for communication between the MFP  10  and the portable terminal. In this embodiment, as the short-range wireless communication, communication using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) method (Bluetooth communication) is used. More specifically, as the Bluetooth communication, communication using a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) method (also referred to as “BLE communication”) is employed. Note that the image forming system  1  is also referred to as “communication system”. 
     First, the portable terminal  50  (specifically, an application  120  (see  FIG. 3 ) installed on the portable terminal  50 ) executes BLE communication with the MFP  10 . In this BLE communication, communication information (IP address, SSID (Service Set Identifier), password, and the like) for performing wireless LAN communication (e.g., WiFi communication) is acquired. Thereafter, the portable terminal  50  can perform wireless LAN communication by using this communication information. Note that the communication information is also referred to as connection information for establishing wireless LAN communication connection. 
     However, assuming that, immediately after the communication information for a wireless LAN is received via BLE communication, the communication information is immediately registered in the portable terminal  50 , the following problem arises. 
     Specifically, a communication range of Bluetooth communication (e.g., BLE communication) reaches, for example, about 30 meters in some cases as described above, and therefore, even in the case where both the portable terminal  50  and the MFP  10  are some distance away from each other, BLE communication can be performed between the both devices in some cases. In this case, for example, it is concerned that the MFP can be accessed by using the portable terminal from a building next to a building in which the MFP is placed. In short, it is concerned that unauthorized access from the next building is performed by using the portable terminal  50 . 
     In view of this, in the first embodiment, as described below, existence of a user of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed by, for example, capturing an image of a two-dimensional barcode displayed on a touchscreen  25  of the MFP  10  with the use of an image pickup unit  57  of the portable terminal  50 . On condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed, registration processing of registering the communication information, which is communication information for wireless LAN communication with the MFP  10  and is acquired via BLE communication, in the portable terminal  50  is permitted. 
     According to this, it is possible to prevent unauthorized access to an image forming device from a comparatively distant place with the use of a portable terminal. Such an embodiment will be described in more detail below. 
     &lt;1-2. Configuration of Image Forming Device&gt; 
       FIG. 2  shows a functional block of the image forming device  10 . Herein, an MFP (multi-functional peripheral) is exemplified as the image forming device  10 . In  FIG. 2 , a functional block of the MFP  10  is shown. Note that the MFP  10  is also expressed as “image processing device” or the like. 
     The MFP  10  is a device (also referred to as “multifunction device”) having a scanning function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a box storage function, and the like. Specifically, as shown in the functional block diagram of  FIG. 2 , the MFP  10  includes an image reading unit  2 , a printing output unit  3 , a communication unit  4 , a storage unit  5 , an operation unit  6 , a controller  9 , and the like and realizes various functions by complexly operating those units. 
     The image reading unit  2  is a processing unit for optically reading (i.e., scanning) a manuscript placed on a predetermined position of the MFP  10  and generating image data of the manuscript (also referred to as “manuscript image” or “scanned image”) (forming an image thereof). The image reading unit  2  is also referred to as “scanning unit”. 
     The printing output unit  3  is an output unit for printing and outputting an image (forming an image) on various media such as paper on the basis of data regarding a target to be printed. 
     The communication unit  4  is a processing unit capable of performing facsimile communication via a public network or the like. The communication unit  4  can also perform various kinds of wireless communication (including wireless communication using a Bluetooth method and the like). Specifically, the communication unit  4  includes a wireless LAN communication unit  4   a  for performing wireless communication using a wireless LAN (e.g., IEEE 802.11) and a short-range wireless communication unit  4   b  for performing wireless communication using a Bluetooth method. The MFP  10  includes a communication chip  42  (also referred to as “short-range wireless communication chip”) functioning as a part or all of the short-range wireless communication unit  4   b  (see also  FIG. 1 ). The communication chip  42  can broadcast-transmit advertising data. The advertising data contains an identifier for identifying the MFP  10  (device identification information) (e.g., a MAC address (Media Access Control address) of the MFP  10 ). The device identification information is also expressed as information for uniquely specifying (identifying) a device. 
     The storage unit  5  includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). 
     The operation unit  6  includes an operation input unit  6   a  for accepting operation input to the MFP  10  and a display unit  6   b  for displaying and outputting various kinds of information. 
     In the MFP  10 , a substantially plate-like operation panel unit  6   c  (see  FIG. 1 ) is provided. The operation panel unit  6   c  includes the touchscreen  25  (see  FIG. 1 ) on the front side thereof. The touchscreen  25  also functions as a part of the operation input unit  6   a  and also functions as a part of the display unit  6   b . The touchscreen  25  is configured by embedding various sensors and the like in a liquid crystal display panel and can display various kinds of information and accept various kinds of operation input from an operator. 
     The controller  9  is a control device that is included in the MFP  10  and comprehensively controls the MFP  10 . The controller  9  is configured as a computer system including a CPU, various semiconductor memories (RAM and ROM), and the like. The controller  9  realizes various processing units by executing, in the CPU, a predetermined software program (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “program”) stored in the ROM (e.g., EEPROM (registered trademark)). Note that the program (specifically, program module group) may be recorded on a portable recording medium such as a USB memory and be read out from the recording medium to be installed on the MFP  10 . Alternatively, the program may be downloaded via a network or the like to be installed on the MFP  10 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the controller  9  executes the above program to realize various processing units including a communication control unit  11 , an input control unit  12 , a display control unit  13 , and an operation control unit  14 . 
     The communication control unit  11  is a processing unit that cooperates with the communication unit  4  and the like to control communication operation with another device (e.g., portable terminal  50 ). The communication control unit  11  includes a transmission control unit for controlling transmission operation of various kinds of data and a reception control unit for controlling reception operation of various kinds of data. 
     The input control unit  12  is a control unit for controlling operation of operation input to the operation input unit  6   a  (touchscreen  25  and the like). For example, the input control unit  12  controls operation of accepting operation input (e.g., specification input from a user) to an operation screen displayed on the touchscreen  25 . 
     The display control unit  13  is a processing unit for controlling display operation in the display unit  6   b  (touchscreen  25  and the like). The display control unit  13  displays, for example, an operation screen (remote operation screen)  200  for operating the MFP  10  on the touchscreen  25 . 
     The operation control unit  14  is a processing unit for controlling various operations (printing output operation, scanning operation, and the like). 
     &lt;1-3. Configuration of Portable Terminal&gt; 
     A configuration of the portable terminal  50  will be described. 
     The portable terminal  50  is a device capable of cooperatively operating with the MFP  10  (image forming device). 
     Specifically, the portable terminal  50  is an information input/output terminal device (information terminal) capable of performing communication (short-range wireless communication, wireless LAN communication, and the like) with the MFP  10 . Herein, a tablet terminal is exemplified as the portable terminal  50 . However, the portable terminal  50  is not limited thereto and may be a smartphone or the like. 
       FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the portable terminal  50 . 
     As shown in the functional block diagram of  FIG. 3 , the portable terminal  50  includes a communication unit  54 , a storage unit  55 , an operation unit  56 , the image pickup unit  57 , a controller  59 , and the like and realizes various functions by complexly operating those units. 
     The communication unit  54  can perform various kinds of wireless communication (including wireless communication based on a Bluetooth standard and the like). Specifically, the communication unit  54  includes a wireless LAN communication unit  54   a  for performing wireless communication using a wireless LAN (e.g., IEEE 802.11) and a short-range wireless communication unit  54   b  for performing wireless communication using Bluetooth (more specifically, BLE communication or the like). Each of the communication units  54   a  and  54   b  includes a transmission unit and a reception unit. 
     The short-range wireless communication unit  54   b  receives advertising data broadcast-transmitted from the communication chip  42  included in the MFP  10 . 
     The short-range wireless communication unit  54   b  executes short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth communication) with a communication target device specified on the basis of the advertising data or the like. For example, in this short-range wireless communication, wireless LAN communication information and the like can be acquired, and device registration processing (registration processing of wireless LAN communication information) (described below) can be executed on the basis of the acquired information. Note that the device registration processing based on the acquired information via short-range wireless communication is not unconditionally (immediately) performed after the information is acquired but is performed on condition that existence of a user of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed. 
     By using the information (IP address of communication target device, SSID regarding access point, and the like) acquired by the short-range wireless communication unit  54   b , the wireless LAN communication unit  54   a  can perform wireless communication using a wireless LAN (specifically, wireless LAN communication using the access point) with the communication target device. However, wireless LAN communication of the portable terminal  50  can be executed only with a registered device after the above-mentioned device registration processing (described below). 
     The storage unit  55  includes a storage device such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. 
     The operation unit  56  includes an operation input unit  56   a  for accepting operation input to the portable terminal  50  and a display unit  56   b  for displaying and outputting various kinds of information. In the portable terminal  50 , a touchscreen  75  (see  FIG. 1 ) configured by embedding various sensors and the like in a liquid crystal display panel is provided. The touchscreen  75  also functions as a part of the operation input unit  56   a  and also functions as a part of the display unit  56   b . The touchscreen  75  displays various operation screens (display screens) and the like and accepts, for example, operation input to the operation screens. 
     The image pickup unit  57  includes an image pickup element (e.g., CCD), an image pickup optical system, and the like for capturing an image of a subject. The image pickup unit  57  captures an image of, for example, a two-dimensional barcode (described below) displayed on the touchscreen  25 . 
     The controller  59  in  FIG. 3  is a control device that is included in the portable terminal  50  and comprehensively controls the portable terminal  50 . The controller  59  is configured as a computer system including a CPU, various semiconductor memories (RAM and ROM), and the like. The controller  59  realizes various processing units by executing, in the CPU, a predetermined software program (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “program”) stored in the storage unit  55  (nonvolatile semiconductor memory and the like). Note that the program (specifically, program module group) may be recorded on a portable recording medium such as a USB memory and be read out from the recording medium to be installed on the portable terminal  50 . Alternatively, the program may be downloaded via a network or the like to be installed on the portable terminal  50 . 
     A predetermined operating system (OS)  110  (see  FIG. 3 ) is installed on the portable terminal  50 , and the application program  120  (also simply referred to as “application”) operating in the OS  110  is also installed thereon. For example, an application for causing the MFP  10  to print various electronic documents (also referred to as “printing application”) is installed. 
     Specifically, the controller  59  executes the application  120  in the OS  110  to realize various processing units including a communication control unit  61 , an input control unit  62 , a display control unit  63 , a confirmation unit  64 , a registration control unit  65 , and a recognition unit  67 . 
     The communication control unit  61  is a processing unit that cooperates with the communication unit  54  and the like to control communication operation with the MFP  10  and the like. 
     The input control unit  62  is a control unit for controlling operation of operation input to the operation input unit  56   a  (touchscreen  75  and the like). 
     The display control unit  63  is a processing unit for controlling display operation in the display unit  56   b  (touchscreen  75  and the like). The display control unit  63  controls, for example, display operation of various display screens ( 201 ,  301 , and the like) (described below). 
     The recognition unit  67  is a processing unit for executing two-dimensional barcode recognition processing (processing of recognizing a two-dimensional barcode (e.g., QR code (registered trademark)) included in a photographed image captured by the image pickup unit  57 ). 
     The confirmation unit  64  is a processing unit for controlling processing for confirming existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10 . In this embodiment, the confirmation unit  64  cooperates with the recognition unit  67  and the like to confirm existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10 . 
     The registration control unit  65  is a processing unit for executing registration processing of registering communication information of the MFP  10  in the portable terminal  50  (OS  110  and/or application  120 ) in order to perform various kinds of communication (in particular, wireless LAN communication). For example, as described below, the registration control unit  65  executes the registration processing on condition that existence of a user of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed by the confirmation unit  64 . 
     &lt;1-4. Operation&gt; 
     In the first embodiment, operation regarding a function (device registration function) of registering, in the application  120 , a device (image forming device) used by the application  120  will be mainly described.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing operation of the application  120  of the portable terminal  50 , and  FIG. 5  is a sequence diagram showing operation of each device in this system  1 . Operation in this system  1  (in particular, operation regarding the device registration function) will be described with reference to those drawings. 
     When the application  120  is started in the portable terminal  50  in accordance with user operation in the portable terminal  50 , a main menu screen  201  shown in  FIG. 6  is displayed on the touchscreen  75 . 
     The main menu screen  201  has a plurality of options (“device registration (device addition)”  211 , “MFP panel login”  212 , “printing”  213 , “scanning”  214 , “setting”  215 , and the like). 
     When the “device registration” is selected from those options, operation regarding a function (device registration function) of registering, in this application  120 , a device (image forming device) that a user desires to use is started. Such operation will be described below. 
     Specifically, when the user of the portable terminal  50  selects the option “device registration” in the main menu screen  201 , the portable terminal  50  displays a screen  301  (see  FIG. 7 ) on the touchscreen  75 . A plurality of options  321  to  324  (“automatic”, “manual”, “QR”, and “BLE”) regarding a device registration method is displayed in the screen  301 . Further, when the user pushes the BLE button  324  in the screen  301  to select “device registration processing using BLE”, the portable terminal  50  first starts BLE communication. 
     Specifically, the portable terminal  50  detects advertising data from the MFP  10  in the vicinity thereof (see step S 1  in a top part of  FIG. 5 ). Note that, at this time, for example, the wording “Searching . . . ” is displayed in a message section  311  of the screen  301  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     Then, the portable terminal  50  specifies a transmission source device of the advertising data and executes BLE communication with the MFP  10  specified as the transmission source device. Specifically, the portable terminal  50  transmits a transmission request of communication information of the MFP  10  to the MFP  10  (see step S 3  in  FIG. 5 ), and, in response to the transmission request, the MFP  10  transmits the communication information of the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  (see step S 4  in  FIG. 5 ). The portable terminal  50  receives the communication information and the like from the MFP  10  and thus acquires the communication information and the like. The communication information contains, for example, device identification information (e.g., MAC address) of the MFP  10  and wireless LAN communication information (SSID, password, and IP address) of the MFP  10 . Note that, in this BLE communication (Bluetooth communication), data is transmitted/received without executing pairing processing between the MFP  10  and the portable terminal  50  (in particular, pairing processing with user confirmation (pairing processing using a “Numeric Comparison” method, a “Passkey Entry” method, or the like)). 
     Next, the portable terminal  50  specifies a communication destination device by using the “IP address” in the wireless LAN communication information acquired via BLE communication (step S 4 ) and tries wireless LAN communication with the MFP  10  serving as the specified communication destination device (step S 5 ). Note that, at this stage, processing of registering the information acquired in step S 4  in the portable terminal  50  has not yet been executed. In wireless LAN communication (trial communication) in step S 5 , regarding the information (SSID and password) on the communication destination device (MFP  10 ) other than the “IP address”, only information registered in advance is used, and the information acquired in step S 4  is not used. 
     Then, based on success or failure of the wireless LAN communication (a result of trial of wireless LAN communication), the portable terminal  50  determines whether or not registration processing of communication information for executing wireless LAN communication with the MFP  10  (specifically, information containing not only an IP address but also an SSID and a password (also referred to as “wireless LAN communication information”)) has already been completed in the application  120  (step S 11 ). 
     Assuming that registration of the wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  has already been completed in the application  120 , the registered information (SSID and password) is also automatically used to perform wireless LAN communication. As a result, the wireless LAN communication succeeds between the portable terminal  50  and the MFP  10 . 
     On the contrary, in the case where registration of the wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  has not yet been completed in the application  120 , wireless LAN communication is performed without using the SSID or the password. As a result, the wireless LAN communication fails between the portable terminal  50  and the MFP  10 . 
     By using such a characteristic, the portable terminal  50  determines presence/absence of registration of the wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  on the basis of success or failure of wireless LAN communication (a result of trial of wireless LAN communication). Specifically, in the case where wireless LAN communication succeeds, it is determined that registration of the wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  has already been completed in the application  120 . On the contrary, in the case where wireless LAN communication fails, it is determined that registration of the wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  has not yet been completed in the application  120 . 
     Divergence processing based on a result of this determination is performed (step S 11 ). 
     In the case where the wireless LAN communication in step S 5  succeeds and it is determined that registration of the wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  has already been completed, the processing proceeds from step S 11  to step S 12 . 
     In step S 12 , the portable terminal  50  changes over from BLE communication to wireless LAN communication and requires the MFP  10  to transmit detailed information on the MFP  10  via wireless LAN communication. In response to this request, the MFP  10  transmits the detailed information on the MFP  10  (installation place, model name, authentication information, and the like) to the portable terminal  50  via wireless LAN communication. The portable terminal  50  receives the detailed information from the MFP  10  and displays a screen  303  ( FIG. 8 ) on the touchscreen  75 . 
     In the screen  303 , a message indicating that, for example, communication with the communication destination device via wireless LAN communication has succeeded (“Printer is found.”) is displayed in the display section  311 , and a button  313  for instructing device registration of the communication destination device (MFP  10 ) in the application  120  is displayed. When the user pushes the button  313  to give a registration instruction (addition instruction), device information on the MFP  10  (IP address, SSID for wireless LAN, password for wireless LAN, MAC address, installation place, model name, authentication information, and the like) is registered in the application  120 . 
     Then, a dialog screen  315  shown in  FIG. 9  is displayed, and whether to register the target device (MFP  10 ) in the current addition processing (registration processing) in the application  120  as a default device is confirmed. When a “yes” button in the dialog screen  315  is pushed, the MFP  10  is registered as a default device. On the contrary, when a “no” button in the dialog screen  315  is pushed, the MFP  10  is not registered as a default device. 
     In step S 12 , the above processing is performed. 
     In the case where wireless LAN communication in step S 5  fails and it is determined that the registration processing of the wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  has not yet been completed, the processing proceeds from step S 11  to step S 21 . In other words, on condition that it is determined that the registration processing has not yet been completed, processing in steps S 21  and S 22  (described below) is executed, and whether to permit the registration processing is determined. 
     In step S 21 , the portable terminal  50  displays a dialog screen  317  shown in FIG.  10  on the touchscreen  75 . In the dialog screen (message screen)  317 , the wording describing how to display a QR code (two-dimensional barcode), the wording “Please display the QR code on the operation panel of the MFP.”, and the like are written. 
     Next, the user performs menu selection operation or the like by using the operation panel unit  6   c  (touchscreen  25  and the like) of the MFP  10  while referring to a display content in the dialog screen  317 , thereby displaying a two-dimensional barcode (QR code)  318  (see  FIG. 11 ) on the touchscreen  25  of the MFP  10 . The two-dimensional barcode  318  is generated by the MFP  10  and is displayed on the touchscreen  25  of the MFP  10 . In the two-dimensional barcode  318 , device identification information (e.g., MAC address) of the MFP  10 , wireless LAN communication (wireless LAN connection) information (SSID, password, and IP address) of the MFP  10 , and the like are embedded. 
     When an OK button in the dialog screen  317  is pushed, the portable terminal  50  transitions to a photographing mode using the image pickup unit  57  thereof (specifically, a photographing mode for recognizing the two-dimensional barcode). The user moves the user&#39;s portable terminal  50  to the vicinity of the touchscreen  25  to capture an image of the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the touchscreen  25  of the MFP  10  by using the image pickup unit  57  of the portable terminal  50 . The portable terminal  50  (recognition unit  67  and the like) analyzes the photographed image (photographed image including the two-dimensional barcode) captured by the image pickup unit  57  and extracts the information embedded in the two-dimensional barcode. 
     Then, in step S 22 , the portable terminal  50  compares (collates) the information acquired from the two-dimensional barcode (step S 21 ) with the information acquired via BLE communication (steps S 1  to S 4 ). In short, pieces of the information acquired via two different paths are compared. 
     In step S 22 , for example, whether or not three pieces of the information (SSID, password, and MAC address) acquired from the two-dimensional barcode are matched with three respective pieces of the information (SSID, password, and MAC address) acquired via BLE communication is determined. Based on a result of this determination, whether or not the user who possesses the portable terminal  50  exists in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is further determined. 
     In the case where, among three kinds of information (six pieces of information in total) acquired via the two different paths, not all the pieces of information of the same kind acquired via the two paths are matched, it is determined that the portable terminal  50  does not exist in the vicinity of the MFP  10 . For example, in the case where the SSID acquired from the two-dimensional barcode and the SSID acquired via BLE communication are not matched, it is determined that the portable terminal  50  does not exist in the vicinity of the MFP  10 . Then, the processing proceeds from step S 22  to step S 28 . 
     As described above, in the case where identity of the pieces of the information acquired via the two different paths is denied, it is determined that the portable terminal  50  does not exist in the vicinity of the MFP  10 , and the processing proceeds to step S 28 . 
     In step S 28 , the portable terminal  50  displays an error message on the touchscreen  75 . In this case, the processing in steps S 23  and S 24  (described below) is not performed. 
     On the contrary, in the case where, among the three kinds of information (six pieces of information in total) acquired via the two different paths, all the pieces of information of the same kind (corresponding pieces of information) acquired via the two paths are matched, it is determined (confirmed) that the portable terminal  50  exists in the vicinity of the MFP  10 . In this case, the processing proceeds from step S 22  to step S 23 . As described above, in the case where it is confirmed that the pieces of the information acquired via the two different paths are matched with each other, it is determined that the portable terminal  50  exists in the vicinity of the MFP  10 , and the processing proceeds to step S 23 . 
     Note that, herein, although collation operation regarding the three kinds of information (SSID, password, and MAC address) is performed in step S 22 , the collation operation is not limited thereto. For example, the collation operation regarding more kinds of information (e.g., four or more kinds of information also including the IP address and the like) may be performed. Alternatively, the collation operation regarding comparatively few kinds of information may be performed. However, when the collation operation is performed by using comparatively many kinds of information, it is possible to comparatively reduce possibility of unauthorized access. 
     In step S 23 , the portable terminal  50  prepares a wireless LAN communication profile (data) regarding the MFP  10  on the basis of the information acquired in step S 4  (and/or the information acquired in step S 21 ). The profile includes the information (SSID, password, and the like) for wireless LAN communication with the image forming device  10 . Further, the portable terminal  50  displays a screen (profile registration screen)  308  (see  FIG. 12 ) for registering the profile in the OS  110 . When an install button  328  in the profile registration screen  308  is pushed by the user, the portable terminal  50  installs the profile. In this way, the profile is registered in the OS  110 . Note that registration processing of the profile is also expressed as registration processing of registering the communication information (SSID, password, and the like) for wireless LAN communication with the MFP  10  in the portable terminal  50  in order to execute the wireless LAN communication. 
     As described above, in step S 23 , the profile registration processing or the like is permitted on condition that existence of the user of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed. 
     Thereafter, in step S 24 , processing similar to the processing in step S 12  is executed. Specifically, the portable terminal  50  changes over from BLE communication to wireless LAN communication and requires the MFP  10  to transmit detailed information on the MFP  10  via wireless LAN communication. In response to this request, the MFP  10  transmits the detailed information on the MFP  10  (installation place, model name, authentication information, and the like) to the portable terminal  50  via wireless LAN communication. The portable terminal  50  receives the detailed information from the MFP  10  and displays the screen  303  ( FIG. 8 ) on the touchscreen  75 . Thereafter, when the user pushes the button  313  to give a registration instruction (addition instruction), the device information on the MFP  10  (IP address, SSID for wireless LAN, password for wireless LAN, MAC address, installation place, model name, authentication information, and the like) is registered in the application  120 . Further, the dialog screen  315  ( FIG. 9 ) is displayed, and whether to perform registration processing of registering the MFP as a default device is confirmed. 
     According to the above operation, first, an IP address for use in wireless LAN communication is acquired via BLE communication, and, based on success or failure of communication using the IP address, whether or not communication information such as an SSID and a password is registered in the portable terminal  50  is determined (step S 11 ). In the case where it is determined that the communication information has not yet been registered in the portable terminal  50 , registration processing of the communication information is not immediately executed but processing of confirming “existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10 ” (steps S 21 , S 22 ) is first executed. Then, on condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed, registration processing (profile registration processing or the like) of registering the communication information (SSID, password, and the like) for wireless LAN communication with the MFP  10  in the portable terminal  50  in order to perform the wireless LAN communication is permitted (step S 23 ). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user (distant user) who does not exist in the vicinity of the MFP  10  from performing the profile registration or the like and to prevent the distant user from accessing the MFP  10 . 
     Even in the case where pairing processing between the MFP  10  and the portable terminal  50  in BLE communication (in particular, pairing processing with user confirmation (“Numeric Comparison” method, “Passkey Entry” method, or the like)) is not executed, existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed by using, for example, a photographed image of a two-dimensional barcode, and then the profile registration processing or the like is permitted. Therefore, even in the case where the pairing processing is not executed, it is possible to appropriately prevent a distant user from accessing the MFP  10 . 
     2. Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment is a modification example of the first embodiment. A difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described below. 
     In the above first embodiment, existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed by using a two-dimensional barcode. 
     In the second embodiment, existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed by using an NFC tag. 
     An MFP  10  ( 10 B) according to the second embodiment (see  FIG. 13 ) also includes an NFC tag  7 . The NFC tag  7  is provided in the vicinity of, for example, a surface of the operation panel unit  6   c  of the MFP  10  (or a main body unit or the like of the MFP  10 ). In the NFC tag  7 , for example, device identification information (e.g., MAC address) of the MFP  10  is embedded. 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing operation of an application  120  (also referred to as “ 120 B”) of a portable terminal  50  (also referred to as “ 50 B”) according to the second embodiment, and  FIG. 15  is a sequence diagram showing operation of each device in a system  1  ( 1 B) according to the second embodiment. Operation in the system  1 B will be described with reference to those drawings. 
     As is clear from comparison between  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 4 , operation according to the second embodiment is different from the operation according to the first embodiment in that processing in steps S 31  and S 32  is performed instead of steps S 21  and S 22 . Note that, in steps S 1  to S 5 , S 11 , S 12 , S 23 , S 24 , and S 28 , operation similar to the operation in  FIG. 4  is performed. 
     Specifically, in the case where wireless LAN communication in step S 5  fails and it is determined that registration of wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  has not yet been completed, the processing proceeds from step S 11  to step S 31 . 
     In step S 31 , the portable terminal  50  displays a dialog screen (not shown) on the touchscreen  75 . In the dialog screen (message screen), for example, the wording “Please touch the portable terminal to an NFC touch position of the MFP.” (instruction that brings the portable terminal  50  into contact with (causes the portable terminal  50  to approach to) the NFC tag of the MFP (NFC tag reading instruction)) is written. 
     Next, the user brings the portable terminal  50  into contact with (causes the portable terminal  50  to approach to) the touch position of the MFP  10  (e.g., a predetermined position in the operation panel unit  6   c ) while referring to a display content of the dialog screen. 
     The portable terminal  50  communicates with the NFC tag  7  in the MFP  10  by using an NFC communication unit (also referred to as “NFC reader” (or “information reading unit”) or the like) included in the short-range wireless communication unit  54   b  and reads information in the NFC tag  7  to acquire the information. Specifically, the portable terminal  50  acquires the device identification information (e.g., MAC address) of the MFP  10  from the NFC tag  7 . 
     Then, in step S 32 , the portable terminal  50  compares (collates) the information (specifically, MAC address) acquired from the NFC tag  7  (step S 31 ) with information (specifically, MAC address) acquired via BLE communication (steps S 1  to S 4 ). In short, pieces of the information acquired via two different paths are compared. 
     In the case where identity of the pieces of the information acquired via the two different paths is denied, the processing proceeds to step S 28 . 
     On the contrary, when it is confirmed that the pieces of the information acquired via the two different paths are identical, existence of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is determined (confirmed), and the processing proceeds to step S 23 . In step S 23 , as in the first embodiment, preparation processing of a wireless LAN communication profile, registration processing of the profile, and the like are executed on the basis of the information (MAC address, SSID, password, IP address, and the like) acquired in step S 4  and/or the like. In the next step S 24 , as in the first embodiment, BLE communication changes over to wireless LAN communication, and, for example, processing (device registration processing) of registering, in the application  120 , device information also containing information acquired by using the wireless LAN communication is executed. 
     According to the above operation, it is possible to obtain an effect similar to the effect of the first embodiment. In particular, in the second embodiment, it is possible to confirm existence of a user of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  by using an NFC tag or the like instead of a two-dimensional barcode. Specifically, existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed on condition that information acquired in step S 31  and information acquired in steps S 1  to S 4  are matched. Then, on condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed, registration processing (profile registration processing or the like) of registering communication information (SSID, password, and the like) for wireless LAN communication with the MFP  10  in the portable terminal  50  in order to perform the wireless LAN communication is permitted (step S 23 ). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user (distant user) who does not exist in the vicinity of the MFP  10  from performing the profile registration and the like and to prevent the distant user from accessing the MFP  10 . 
     Note that, in the above second embodiment, although only a single piece of information (MAC address) is stored in the NFC tag  7 , the information is not limited thereto, and a plurality of pieces of information (information also containing (all or part of) wireless LAN communication information (SSID, password, and IP address) of the MFP  10  and the like) may be stored. In that case, in step S 32 , collation processing regarding each of a plurality of kinds of information may be executed. 
     3. Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment is a modification example of the first embodiment. A difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described below. 
     In the above first embodiment, existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed by using a two-dimensional barcode. 
     In the third embodiment, existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed by using an IC card (IC card possessed by the user of the portable terminal  50 ). The IC card is, for example, a contactless IC card such as “Suica” (registered trademark). 
     An MFP  10  ( 100 ) according to the third embodiment (see  FIG. 16 ) also includes an IC card reader  8 . The IC card reader  8  is provided in the vicinity of, for example, a surface of the operation panel unit  6   c  of the MFP  10  (or a main body unit or the like of the MFP  10 ). As described below, information in an IC card (card identification information (card number)) is read by the IC card reader  8 , and the read information is transmitted to the portable terminal  50  from the MFP  10  by using BLE communication. In this way, the portable terminal  50  acquires the card identification information of the IC card of the user via the MFP  10 . 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing operation of an application  120  (also referred to as “ 120 C”) of a portable terminal  50  (also referred to as “ 50 C”) according to the third embodiment, and  FIG. 18  is a sequence diagram showing operation of each device in a system  1  ( 1 C) according to the third embodiment. Operation in the system  10  will be described with reference to those drawings. 
     As is clear from comparison between  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 4 , operation according to the third embodiment is different from the operation according to the first embodiment in that processing in steps S 41  and S 42  is performed instead of steps S 21  and S 22 . Note that, in steps S 1  to S 5 , S 11 , S 12 , S 23 , S 24 , and S 28 , operation similar to the operation in  FIG. 4  is performed. 
     As shown in a top part of  FIG. 18 , before processing in  FIG. 17  is performed, ID information (card identification number) of an IC card of a user of the portable terminal  50  is registered in the application  120  in advance. Specifically, the user of the portable terminal  50  performs operation of registering a desired IC card among the user&#39;s IC cards in the application  120  as an IC card that can be used for communication with the MFP  10 . Specifically, operation of registering the card identification number of the IC card to be registered is performed. Based on the operation by the user, the portable terminal  50  registers the card identification information of the IC card to be registered in the application  120 . 
     In the third embodiment, first, the processing in steps S 1  to S 5  and S 11  is executed in the same way as the first embodiment. 
     Then, in the case where wireless LAN communication in step S 5  fails and it is determined that registration of wireless LAN communication information on the MFP  10  has not yet been completed, the processing proceeds from step S 11  to step S 41 . 
     In step S 41 , the portable terminal  50  displays a dialog screen (not shown) on the touchscreen  75 . In the dialog screen (message screen), for example, the wording “Please touch the IC card to a card touch position of the MFP.” (instruction that brings the IC card into contact with (causes the IC card to approach to) the IC card reader of the MFP (IC card approaching instruction)) is written. 
     Next, the user brings the IC card into contact with (causes the IC card to approach to) the touch position of the MFP  10  (e.g., a predetermined position in the operation panel unit  6   c ) while referring to a display content of the dialog screen. 
     The MFP  10  reads card identification information (card number) in the IC card by using the IC card reader  8 . Then, the MFP  10  transmits the read information (card identification information) to the portable terminal  50  by using BLE communication (see also  FIG. 18 ). 
     The portable terminal  50  receives information transmitted from the MFP  10  via BLE communication to acquire the card identification information of the IC card. In other words, the portable terminal  50  receives the card identification information read by the IC card reader of the MFP  10  (card identification information of the IC card of the user of the portable terminal  50 ) from the MFP  10  by using BLE communication and thus acquires the card identification information. 
     Then, in step S 42 , the portable terminal  50  compares (collates) the card identification information read and transmitted by the MFP  10  (step S 41 ) with the card identification information registered in the application  120  in advance before step S 1 . In short, pieces of the information acquired via two different paths are compared. 
     In the case where identity of the pieces of the information acquired via the two different paths is denied, the processing proceeds to step S 28 . 
     On the contrary, when it is confirmed that the pieces of the information acquired via the two different paths are identical, existence of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is determined (confirmed), and the processing proceeds to step S 23 . In step S 23 , as in the first embodiment, preparation processing of a wireless LAN communication profile, registration processing of the profile, and the like are executed. In step S 23  in the third embodiment, the preparation processing of the profile and the like are performed by using various kinds of information acquired via BLE communication in step S 4  (the device identification information (e.g., MAC address) of the MFP  10 , the wireless LAN communication information (SSID, password, and IP address) of the MFP  10 , and the like). 
     In the next step S 24 , BLE communication changes over to wireless LAN communication, and, for example, processing (device registration processing) of registering, in the application  120 , device information also containing information acquired by using the wireless LAN communication is executed. 
     According to the above operation, it is possible to obtain an effect similar to the effect of the first embodiment. In particular, in the third embodiment, it is possible to confirm existence of a user of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  by using an IC card or the like instead of a two-dimensional barcode. Specifically, existence of a user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed on condition that card identification information acquired in step S 41  and card identification information registered in the portable terminal  50  in advance (before step S 1 ) are matched. Then, on condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed, the registration processing (profile registration processing or the like) of registering communication information (SSID, password, and the like) for wireless LAN communication with the MFP  10  in the portable terminal  50  in order to perform the wireless LAN communication is permitted (step S 23 ). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user (distant user) who does not exist in the vicinity of the MFP  10  from performing the profile registration and the like and to prevent the distant user from accessing the MFP  10 . 
     In this embodiment, each user only needs to register the user&#39;s IC card in the user&#39;s portable terminal  50  (application  120 ), and a manager does not need to register all IC cards of all users in the MFP  10 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of the manager. 
     4. Fourth Embodiment 
     The portable terminal  50  (application  120 ) can communicate with the MFP  10  by using short-range wireless communication to log in the MFP  10  (perform login for operating a panel of the MFP  10 ). In this fourth embodiment, such a login function (panel login function using the application  120 ) will be described. Note that a system  1  ( 1 D) in the fourth embodiment has a configuration similar to the configuration of the system  1  ( 1 C) in the third embodiment, and an MFP  10  ( 10 D) and a portable terminal  50  ( 50 D) according to the fourth embodiment have configurations similar to those of the MFP  10  ( 10 C) and the portable terminal  50  ( 50 C) according to the third embodiment. However, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the MFP  10 D according to the fourth embodiment also includes a determination unit  15  (described below). 
     The panel login function using the application  120  (also referred to as “application-use type panel login function”) is a function of logging in the MFP  10  while operating the portable terminal  50 , instead of logging in the MFP  10  while performing login operation with respect to the operation panel unit  6   c  (touchscreen  25 ) of the MFP  10 . More specifically, this application-use type panel login function is a function of transmitting authentication information (login information) registered in the application  120  in advance from the portable terminal  50  to the MFP  10  via BLE communication to execute authentication processing (login processing). The application-use type panel login function is convenient in that a user does not need to perform input operation of authentication information (login information) to the operation panel unit  6   c.    
     Note that a user who has logged in the MFP by using the application-use type panel login function can use the MFP  10  by using the operation panel unit  6   c  (touchscreen  25 ) of the MFP  10 . Specifically, the login user can use various functions (scanning function, copy function, and the like) of the MFP  10  by operating the operation panel unit  6   c . Further, in the application-use type panel login function, only BLE communication is used between the MFP  10  and the portable terminal  50 , and wireless LAN communication is not used therebetween. 
     The application-use type panel login function is originally on the premise that the MFP is used by a user who exists in the vicinity of the MFP  10 . However, as described above, the communication range of BLE communication is longer than the communication range of NFC communication and reaches, for example, about 30 meters in some cases. Thus, when, in the case where login information can be transmitted from the portable terminal  50  to the MFP  10  via BLE communication, the login information is always transmitted and the authentication processing is executed, login by a login user U 1  is allowed even in the case where the login user U 1  exists in a place comparatively distant from the MFP  10 . In this case, the MFP  10  may misrecognize operation (panel operation) of the MFP  10  by a user U 2  (user U 2  who exists in the vicinity of the MFP  10 ) who is different from the login user U 1  as operation by the login user U 1  and execute processing based on the operation. In short, panel operation by another user U 2  may be misrecognized as panel operation by the login user U 1 . 
     In view of this, in this embodiment, processing of confirming existence of the user U 1  who possesses the portable terminal  50  (user U 1  who attempts to perform login) in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is executed. Specifically, as described below, existence of the user U 1  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed by using operation of bringing an IC card of the user U 1  into contact with (causing the IC card to approach to) the MFP  10 . According to this, it is possible to prevent login to the MFP  10  using the portable terminal  50  that exists in a comparatively distant place and to prevent operation by the user U 2 , which is different from operation by the login user U 1 , from being misrecognized as operation by the login user U 1 . 
     Note that, in the fourth embodiment, as well as in the third embodiment, the IC card (in other words, card identification information thereof) is registered in the user&#39;s portable terminal  50  (application  120 ) in advance (before step S 1 ) by the user U 1 . The login information (user ID, password, and the like) of the user U 1  is also registered in the portable terminal  50  (application  120 ) in advance (before step S 1 ) by the user U 1 . The above registration processing may be accepted by the registration control unit  65  or the like. 
     Hereinafter, operation according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 20 ,  FIG. 21 , and the like.  FIG. 20  is a flowchart showing operation of an application  120  (also referred to as “ 120 D”) of the portable terminal  50  ( 50 D) according to the fourth embodiment, and  FIG. 21  is a sequence diagram showing operation of each device in the system  1  ( 1 D) according to the fourth embodiment. 
     First, a user who desires to use the application-use type panel login function starts the application  120  in the portable terminal  50  and pushes the button  212  (option “MFP panel login”) in the menu screen  201  ( FIG. 6 ). Note that only a device that has completed the above-mentioned “device registration” is allowed to perform login in the “MFP panel login” function. 
     When the “MFP panel login” is pushed (selected), the portable terminal  50  first specifies a device to be logged in (login target device). In the case where device registration regarding only a single MFP  10  has already been performed, the MFP  10  is specified as the device to be logged in. Meanwhile, in the case where device registration regarding a plurality of MFPs  10  has already been performed, the portable terminal  50  displays, on the touchscreen  75 , a screen (not shown) for selecting a desired MFP  10  from the plurality of MFPs  10  and specifies the login target device in response to selection operation by the user. Specifically, a device selected by the user (selected device) is specified as the login target device. 
     When the login target device is specified, the portable terminal  50  displays a dialog screen  501  ( FIG. 22 ) on the touchscreen  75 . In the dialog screen  501 , the wording “Please touch the MFP with the IC card.” is written. 
     Next, in a state in which the user is close to the MFP  10 , the user brings the user&#39;s IC card into contact with (causes the user&#39;s IC card to approach to) a touch position of the MFP  10  (disposition place of the IC card reader  8 ) while referring to a display content of the dialog screen  501  (step S 61  (see  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 )). 
     The MFP  10  reads card identification information (card number) in the IC card by using the IC card reader  8 . Then, the MFP  10  (specifically, determination unit  15 ) determines whether or not the card identification information has already been registered in the MFP  10 . Note that the determination unit  15  is a processing unit for, in the case where operation to log in the MFP  10  is performed by the user, determining whether or not the card identification information read by the IC card reader  8  has already been registered in the MFP  10 . 
     Note that “registration of card identification information in the MFP  10 ” and “registration of card identification information in the portable terminal  50 ” are different concepts. Even in the case where card identification information has already been registered in the portable terminal  50  (information registered in the portable terminal  50 ), the card identification information has not necessarily been registered in the MFP  10 . Registration in the MFP  10  is performed in, for example, step S 64  (described below). 
     In the case where it is determined that the card identification information read by using the IC card reader  8  has already been registered in the MFP  10 , the MFP  10  determines that the IC card is a card that has already been registered in the MFP  10  and immediately determines existence of the user who possesses the IC card in the vicinity of the MFP  10 . Then, the MFP  10  immediately transmits its own device identification information (e.g., MAC address) and a transmission request of login information to the portable terminal  50  via BLE communication. 
     When the portable terminal  50  receives the device identification information, the portable terminal  50  collates a registered MAC address (device identification information) of the selected device with the MAC address received via BLE communication to confirm that the MFP  10  is the communication target device desired by the user. Further, when the portable terminal  50  receives the transmission request, the portable terminal  50  determines that the MFP  10  has determined that the IC card is a legitimate card and the user who possesses the IC card exists in the vicinity of the MFP  10 , and the processing proceeds to from step S 62  to step S 67  ( FIG. 20 ). 
     In step S 67 , in response to the transmission request, the portable terminal  50  transmits the login information (authentication information) registered in the application  120  in advance to the MFP  10 . By using the login information (user ID for login and password for login) transmitted from the portable terminal  50 , the MFP  10  executes authentication processing. When the authentication processing succeeds, the MFP  10  permits the user corresponding to the login information to perform login. That is, panel login is completed. Thereafter, in a period until logout, the user can operate the MFP  10  by using the operation panel unit  6   c  of the MFP  10 . 
     As described above, in the case where the IC card is a card that has already been registered in the MFP  10  (in the case where the card identification information read by using the IC card reader  8  has already been registered in the MFP  10 ), collation operation with a registered content in the portable terminal  50  (step S 63  (described below)) is not performed. Then, it is determined that existence of the user of the IC card in the vicinity of the MFP  10  has been confirmed, and the processing proceeds to step S 67  and, for example, transmission operation of the login information is performed. 
     On the contrary, in the case where it is determined that the card identification information read by using the IC card reader  8  has not yet been registered in the MFP  10  (the IC card is a card that has not been registered in the MFP  10 ), the MFP  10  transmits the card identification information to the portable terminal  50  via BLE communication. When the portable terminal  50  receives the card identification information (ID information of the IC card) from the MFP  10  via BLE communication (step S 62 ), the portable terminal  50  determines that a collation request regarding the card identification information has been received, and the processing proceeds to step S 63 . 
     As described above, in the case where, when the user desires to log in the MFP  10  (when the user performs login operation), an IC card that has not yet been registered in the MFP  10  (card identification information that has not yet been registered) is read by the IC card reader  8  of the MFP  10 , the card identification information that has not yet been registered is transmitted from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  via BLE communication (step S 62 ). Note that, in step S 62 , the portable terminal  50  also receives device identification information (e.g., MAC address) of the MFP  10  from the MFP  10 . Then, the processing proceeds to step S 63 . 
     In step S 63 , when the portable terminal  50  first receives the device identification information of the MFP  10 , the portable terminal  50  collates a registered MAC address (device identification information) of the selected device with the MAC address received via BLE communication and confirms that the MFP  10  is the communication target device desired by the user. 
     Further, in step S 63 , the portable terminal  50  (application  120 ) collates the card identification information received from the MFP  10  in step S 62  with the card identification number of the IC card registered in the application  120  in advance. In short, pieces of the information acquired via two different paths are compared. 
     In the case where it is determined that both the card identification numbers are not identical (are not matched), transmission of the login information is not permitted (eventually, login is also not permitted), and an error message is displayed (step S 68 ). 
     On the contrary, in the case where it is determined that both the card identification numbers are identical (are matched) (in the case where collation of the card identification numbers succeeds), the portable terminal  50  (application  120 ) determines that the IC card is a legitimate card and determines that the user who possesses the IC card exists in the vicinity of the MFP  10 , and the processing proceeds to step S 64 . 
     In step S 64 , the portable terminal  50  permits the own terminal to transmit the login information by the user of the portable terminal  50  (user of the IC card). Then, in response to the permission, the portable terminal  50  transmits the login information registered in the application  120  in advance to the MFP  10 . By using the login information transmitted from the portable terminal  50 , the MFP  10  executes authentication processing. When the authentication processing succeeds, the MFP  10  permits the user corresponding to the login information to perform login. That is, panel login is completed. Thereafter, in a period until logout, the user can operate the MFP  10  by using the operation panel unit  6   c  of the MFP  10 . 
     In step S 64 , the portable terminal  50  also transmits a registration request of the IC card (specifically, card identification number thereof). Based on the registration request, the MFP  10  registers the IC card (specifically, card identification number thereof) in the MFP  10 . 
     According to the above operation, login information is not unconditionally (immediately) transmitted from the portable terminal  50  to the MFP  10  on the basis of a login instruction in the application  120 , but existence of the user of the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed first by using the IC card. Specifically, in the case where the operation to log in the MFP  10  is performed by the user, the card identification information of the IC card read by the IC card reader  8  is transmitted from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  via BLE communication. On condition that the card identification information received from the MFP  10  via BLE communication and the card identification information registered in the portable terminal  50  in advance are matched, the portable terminal  50  determines existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  (step S 63 ). Then, on condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the MFP  10  is confirmed, the user&#39;s login information to the MFP  10  is transmitted to the MFP  10  via BLE communication (step S 64 ). 
     Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user (distant user) who does not exist in the vicinity of the MFP  10  from performing panel login. In other words, it is possible to prevent login to the MFP  10  using the portable terminal  50  that exists in a comparatively distant place and to prevent operation by the user U 2 , which is different from operation by the login user U 1 , from being misrecognized as operation by the login user U 1 . 
     In this embodiment, each user only needs to register the user&#39;s IC card in the user&#39;s portable terminal  50  (application  120 ), and a manager does not need to register all IC cards of all users in the MFP  10 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of the manager. 
     5. Others 
     In the system  1  of each of the above embodiments, it is possible to use the panel login function in the main menu screen  201  ( FIG. 6 ) of the portable terminal  50  as described above. 
     Although description is omitted in the above description, in the case where device registration is performed via BLE communication, information indicating that “the MFP  10  has the panel login function using BLE communication” is also transmitted from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  in step S 4 . Then, based on the information, the portable terminal  50  (application  120 ) registers the information indicating that “the MFP  10  has the panel login function using BLE communication” in the own device  50  (application  120 ). 
     In the case where device registration is performed without using BLE communication, the following problem may arise. 
     For example, when “device registration” ( 211 ) is selected in the main menu screen  201  ( FIG. 6 ) of the portable terminal  50  and then a “manual” button  322  is pushed in the next screen  301  ( FIG. 7 ), a “manual registration screen” (not shown) is displayed. The user can manually register wireless LAN communication information (connection information) (IP address, SSID, password, and the like) by using the “manual registration screen”. 
     However, in the case where only registration of wireless LAN communication information is simply performed in such manual registration processing, setting processing is terminated without BLE communication. In this case, BLE communication in step S 4  is not performed, and therefore the portable terminal  50  cannot acquire information indicating that “the MFP  10  has the panel login function using BLE communication”. As a result, it is difficult for the application  120  to grasp whether or not a communication destination device registered in the “manual registration screen” is a “panel login function usable device” (device that can use the panel login function using BLE communication). 
     In such a case, for example, when the “MFP panel login”  212  is selected in the main menu screen  201  in  FIG. 6 , the application  120  cannot immediately recognize existence of the “panel login function usable device” (e.g., MFP  10 ) even in the case where the device actually exists. 
     In view of this, in this system  1  (in particular, portable terminal  50 ), the following registration processing is executed by using a registered device list screen (described below). 
     Specifically, for example, when the setting button  215  in the main menu screen  201  ( FIG. 6 ) of the portable terminal  50  is pushed, a submenu screen (not shown) is further displayed. Further, when an option “registered device list” is selected in the submenu screen, a screen (registered device list screen)  601  shown in  FIG. 23  is displayed on the touchscreen  75 . 
     The screen  601  has a display section  611  of a registered device on a left side thereof. One or plurality of registered devices (two devices in  FIG. 23 ) is displayed in the display section  611 , and a user can select a desired device from the one or plurality of registered devices. Then, detailed information on the selected device is displayed in a display section  612  on the right side in the screen  601 . 
     For example, in the case where a device registered by using BLE communication is selected, information indicating that the selected device is a “device in which BLE authentication is permitted” (“device registered via BLE”) (“permitted”) is displayed in a setting section  623  (specifically, on the right end side thereof) in the display section  612 . 
     Meanwhile, in the case where a manually registered device is selected, information indicating that the selected device is a “device in which BLE authentication has not yet been permitted” (“device registered not via BLE”) (“not permitted”) is displayed in the setting section  623  (specifically, on the right end side thereof). 
     Thereafter, processing shown in  FIG. 24  is executed. 
     First, in step S 71 , the portable terminal  50  determines whether or not a BLE communication radio wave (advertising data transmission radio wave) of the device (selected device) selected in the screen  601  is received. 
     In the case where the advertising data transmission radio wave is not received, the portable terminal  50  performs gray out display of a button  624  in the display section  612  on the right side in the screen  601  (step S 72 ). 
     On the contrary, in the case where the advertising data transmission radio wave is received, the portable terminal  50  normally displays the button  624  in the display section  612  on the right side in the screen  601 . That is, the button  624  is displayed in a state in which pushing operation is acceptable (step S 73 ). Then, the portable terminal  50  accepts pushing operation of the button  624  from the user (step S 74 ). 
     When the pushing operation of the button  624  is accepted, the processing proceeds to step S 75 . In step S 75 , the portable terminal  50  determines whether or not a MAC address of the selected device (MAC address acquired and registered at the time of the previous device registration) and a MAC address of the device connected via BLE communication (step S 71 ) (MAC address received from the BLE-connected device at the present time) are matched. 
     In the case where both the MAC addresses are not matched, the processing proceeds to step S 78 . In step S 78 , the portable terminal  50  displays an error message (e.g., “Devices are not matched. Please execute operation in front of the selected device”). In this case, processing in step S 76  is not executed. 
     On the contrary, in the case where it is confirmed that both the MAC addresses are matched, the processing proceeds to step S 76 . In step S 76 , the portable terminal  50  acquires various kinds of information (indicating that “the MFP  10  has the panel login function using BLE communication” and the like) from the MFP  10  via BLE communication. Further, based on the information, the portable terminal  50  registers the information indicating that “the MFP  10  has the panel login function using BLE communication” and the like in the application  120 . 
     Thereafter, in the case where the main menu screen  201  of the application  120  is displayed, the option “MFP panel login” ( 212 ) in the main menu screen  201  is validated on the basis of the registered information indicating that the MFP  10  has the “panel login function using BLE communication”. By, for example, selecting (pushing) the option  212 , the user can execute panel login operation with respect to the near MFP  10  by using the portable terminal  50 . 
     6. Modification Example and the Like 
     Hereinabove, embodiments of this invention have been described, but this invention is not limited to the content described above. 
     For example, although an MFP has been exemplified as an image forming device in each embodiment, the image forming device is not limited thereto and may be a single function printer, a single function scanner, or the like. 
     In the above first to the third embodiments, “acquisition processing” of acquiring communication information for executing wireless LAN communication via BLE communication (see, for example, step S 4 ) and “confirmation processing” of confirming existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal  50  in the vicinity of the MFP  10  (see, for example, steps S 22 , S 32 , S 42 ) are executed in this order, but the order is not limited thereto. 
     For example, contrarily, the acquisition processing (see, for example, step S 4 ) may be executed after the confirmation processing (see, for example, steps S 22 , S 32 , and S 42 ) is executed (but before step S 23 ). 
     In this case, before the confirmation processing (see steps S 22 , S 32 , and S 42 ), only part of information transmitted in step S 4  in each embodiment may be transmitted as collation information from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  via BLE communication. For example, information (collation information) containing device identification information of the MFP  10  may be transmitted from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  via BLE communication before the confirmation processing. Then, collation processing (see steps S 22 , S 32 , and S 42 ) may be performed by using the part of the information (collation information). Before step S 5 , only an IP address of the MFP  10  may be transmitted (as information for specifying a communication destination in communication in step S 5 ) from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  via BLE communication. 
     Note that the collation information may contain only, for example, device identification information (MAC address) of the MFP  10  to be communicated. Alternatively, the collation information may contain the device identification information and part of communication information (e.g., only SSID) for executing wireless LAN communication. Remaining pieces of information (e.g., password for wireless LAN) of wireless LAN communication information (or all pieces thereof) is not transmitted from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  before the confirmation processing and may be transmitted from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  after the confirmation processing. When information transmitted from the MFP  10  to the portable terminal  50  before the confirmation processing is terminated is limited, it is possible to improve security. 
     In each of the above embodiments, BLE communication without pairing processing is exemplified, but BLE communication is not limited thereto. For example, BLE communication may be performed along with pairing processing (specifically, pairing processing using method without user confirmation (e.g., “Just Works” method)). 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrated and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted by terms of the appended claims.