JP6521035B2 - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

  Disclosed herein is a wireless communication device operable as a master station of a wireless network.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a network including a plurality of communication devices. When receiving a connection request from a communication device outside the network, the communication device that manages the network (hereinafter referred to as “management communication device”) confirms the number of connected communication devices currently connected to the network. In the third embodiment, when the number of connected devices exceeds a predetermined value, the management communication device determines whether a communication device in a non-communication state exists, and disconnects the communication device in a non-communication state from the network. In addition, as a modification for selecting a communication device to be disconnected from the network, selecting a communication device with the longest time connected to the network, and selecting a communication device with the longest time of not accessing the network It is disclosed that the user selects the communication device with the smallest amount of data transmission, selects the communication device with the lowest communication priority, and the like.

JP 2001-326658 A

  Various types of devices may belong to the wireless network. In this specification, in a situation where various types of devices belong to a wireless network in which the wireless communication device operates as a master station, the wireless communication device wirelessly transmits from a specific device in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number. When receiving a connection request, a novel technique is used to provide a technology capable of establishing a wireless connection with a specific device.

  A wireless communication device disclosed by the present specification includes a receiving unit, a selecting unit, a disconnecting unit, and an establishing unit. The reception unit requests the first wireless connection from the first specific device in a state where the number of connections, which is the number of wireless connections currently established by the wireless communication device operating as a master station of the wireless network, matches the upper limit number. Receive Among the N1 (N1 is an integer of 2 or more) devices currently establishing wireless connection with the wireless communication device when the first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device. And select the first target device from which the wireless connection is to be disconnected. The selection unit includes a plurality of types of devices including a first type of device in which N1 devices can not operate according to a specific wireless communication scheme, and a second type of device operable according to the specific wireless communication scheme. In the case where it is included, based on the disconnection priorities predetermined for a plurality of types of devices, the device of the type having the highest disconnection priority is preferentially selected as the first target device. The disconnection unit transmits the first disconnection request to the first target device to disconnect the wireless connection with the first target device. The establishment unit establishes a wireless connection with the first specific device after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected.

  According to the above configuration, when the wireless communication device receives the first wireless connection request from the first specific device in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number, the first wireless communication device among the N1 devices can receive the first wireless connection request. The target device is selected, and the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected. As a result, since the number of connections is less than the upper limit number, the wireless communication apparatus establishes a wireless connection with the first specific device. In particular, when N1 devices include multiple types of devices including a first type of device that can not operate according to a specific wireless communication scheme and a second type of device that can operate according to a specific wireless communication scheme In addition, the wireless communication device preferentially selects, as the first target device, the type of device having the highest disconnection priority. To this end, the wireless communication device may appropriately select the first target device based on the disconnection priority predetermined in the novel aspect of whether or not it is operable according to the specific wireless communication scheme. . That is, the wireless communication apparatus can establish a wireless connection with the first specific device using an appropriate method different from the conventional one.

  The wireless communication apparatus further selects the first type of device as the first target device, and after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected, the number of connections is limited before the predetermined period elapses. When the wireless connection request is received from the first target device in a state in which the wireless communication apparatus is in a state of matching with the first target device, the first communication device is not permitted to disconnect the currently established wireless connection. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the type of device was selected and the wireless connection with the first target device has been disconnected, the wireless connection request from the first target device is in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number. A disconnection control unit may be provided that allows the wireless communication device to disconnect the currently established wireless connection when it is received. The first type of device wirelessly transmits a wireless connection request even if the user does not receive an instruction after the wireless connection with the wireless communication device is disconnected due to the reception of the disconnection request from the wireless communication device. It has a function of automatically transmitting to the communication device. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device is automatically transmitted from the first target device, which is the first type of device, in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number, before the predetermined period described above elapses. Even when a wireless connection request is received, the wireless connection with another device is not disconnected. For this reason, in a situation where only a short time has passed since the wireless connection with the first type of device was disconnected, another device is transmitted according to the wireless connection request automatically transmitted from the first type of device. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the wireless connection with the terminal is disconnected. Also, after the predetermined period has elapsed, the wireless communication device automatically transmits a wireless connection request transmitted from the first target device, which is the first type of device, in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number. When receiving, it may disconnect the wireless connection with another device. To this end, the wireless communication device may reestablish a wireless connection with the first target device.

  The establishment unit further selects the first type of device as the first target device, and after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected, the number of connections is less than the upper limit number before the predetermined period elapses. In this state, when the wireless connection request is received from the first target device, the wireless connection with the first target device may be reestablished. According to this configuration, in the state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit number, the wireless communication device can appropriately reestablish wireless connection with the first target device before the predetermined period has elapsed.

  The selection unit may preferentially select the first type of device as the first target device as compared to the second type of device. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device can appropriately select the first target device.

  The second type of device may include a support device that supports a predetermined command for joining the wireless network and a non-support device that does not support the predetermined command. When the N1 devices include the support device and the non-support device, the selection unit may preferentially select the support device as the first target device as compared to the non-support device. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device can appropriately select the first target device.

  The establishing unit further selects a support device as the first target device, and after the wireless connection with the first specific device is established, the number of connections is less than the upper limit number from the state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number When transitioning to the state, the predetermined command may be transmitted to the first target device to reestablish wireless connection with the first target device. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device can appropriately reestablish wireless connection with the first target device, which is the support device.

  The receiver may further receive the second wireless connection request from the second specific device in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number after wireless connection with the first specific device is established. . The selection unit further selects N2 (N2 is an integer of 2 or more) devices currently establishing wireless connection with the wireless communication device when the second wireless connection request is received from the second specific device. The second target device from which the wireless connection is to be disconnected may be selected. The disconnection unit may further transmit a second disconnection request to the second target device to disconnect the wireless connection with the second target device. The establishing unit may further establish a wireless connection with the second specific device after the wireless connection with the second target device is disconnected. The establishing unit further selects the first type of device as the first target device, establishes wireless connection with the first specific device, and selects the support device as the second target device. When transitioning from a state where the number of connections is equal to the upper limit number to a state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit number after the wireless connection with the second specific device is established, the first type of device being the first type of device The wireless connection with the second target device, which is the support device, may be preferentially reestablished compared to the target device. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device transitions to a state in which the number of connections is less than the upper limit number when there are a plurality of devices (that is, the first and second target devices) for which wireless connection is to be reestablished. Later, the wireless connection may be quickly reestablished.

  The establishing unit further selects a support device as a first target device, establishes a wireless connection with the first specific device, and selects a support device as a second target device. When transitioning from a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number to a state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit after wireless connection with a specific device is established, between the first target device and the second target device Among them, the wireless connection with the target device for which the wireless connection with the wireless communication device has been disconnected may be preferentially reestablished. According to this configuration, when both of the first target device and the second target device are the support devices, the wireless communication device performs the wireless connection with the first target device whose wireless connection is disconnected first. Re-establish priority. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the wireless connection with the first target device whose wireless connection has been previously disconnected is not reestablished over a long period of time.

  In a specific wireless communication method, when a wireless connection is established between a pair of devices and a wireless network is to be formed, the pair of devices perform wireless communication for determining a master station and a slave station of the wireless network. It may be a wireless communication method having a mechanism to execute.

  Among all the devices currently establishing wireless connection with the wireless communication device, the N1 devices may be devices for which an application for causing the wireless communication device to execute the image processing function is not running. According to this configuration, the wireless communication apparatus is among N1 devices whose application is not running, that is, among the N1 devices that are unlikely to execute communication with the wireless communication apparatus to execute the image processing function. From which the first target device for which the wireless connection is to be disconnected can be selected.

  A control method for realizing the functions of the wireless communication device, a computer program, and a computer readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. Also, a system including the above-described wireless communication device and any device (for example, the first specific device) is novel and useful.

1 shows the configuration of a communication system. FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram illustrating how a printer establishes a wireless connection with an IV support device. FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram illustrating how a printer establishes a wireless connection with a legacy device. 6 shows a flowchart of printer response processing. 5 shows a flowchart of device selection processing of a printer. 5 shows a flowchart of printer monitoring processing. FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of Case A in which a disconnection request is sent to a legacy device. FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of Case B in which a disconnection request is sent to a legacy device. The sequence diagram of Case C which transmits a cutting demand to IV support apparatus is shown. The sequence diagram of Case D which transmits a cutting request | requirement to two apparatuses is shown. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the continuation of FIG. 10, which shows how to preferentially reestablish wireless connection with an IV support device. FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of Case E in which a wireless connection with a device whose wireless connection has been previously disconnected is preferentially reestablished.

(System configuration; Fig. 1)
The communication system 2 of the present embodiment includes a printer PR and a plurality of portable terminals Ta to Tf. The printer PR and each of the mobile terminals Ta to Tf can execute Wi-Fi communication which is wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi scheme formulated by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

(Configuration of printer PR)
The printer PR is a peripheral device capable of executing a printing function (that is, a peripheral device such as a PC (abbreviation of PC)). The printer PR includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a wireless LAN (abbreviated as Local Area Network) interface 20, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (reference numeral omitted). Hereinafter, the interface will be described as "I / F".

  The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the printer PR by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The print execution unit 16 is a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method.

  The wireless LAN I / F 20 is an interface for executing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi scheme. The Wi-Fi scheme is, for example, according to the IEEE (abbreviated as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and a standard conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.) Wireless communication method for executing wireless communication. More specifically, the wireless LAN I / F 20 is an I / F that supports the WFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct) scheme formulated by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Therefore, the control unit 30 can execute Wi-Fi communication via the wireless LAN I / F 20 using a WFD wireless network (hereinafter referred to as “WFDNW”).

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 is a processor that executes various processes in accordance with the program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 can store not only the program 36 but also the device list 50.

  The device list 50 is a list in which pieces of related information of each portable terminal (for example, Ta) with which the printer PR has established a wireless connection are described. Each piece of related information is information in which a MAC address, a connection time, a use status, a disconnection time, a device type, and a prohibition flag are associated. The "MAC address" is the MAC address of the mobile terminal. The “connection time” is a time when the printer PR establishes a wireless connection with the portable terminal. The “usage status” indicates the communication status of print data according to a predetermined application program (hereinafter referred to as “print application”) installed in the mobile terminal. The print application is an application program for supplying print data to the printer PR and causing the printer PR to execute a print function. The “disconnection time” is the time when the printer PR has disconnected the wireless connection with the portable terminal. "Device type" indicates the type of mobile terminal. The "prohibition flag" indicates that, when the printer PR receives a connection request from the portable terminal, can the wireless connection with the portable terminal be established (ie, "ON") or the wireless connection can not be established (ie,? It is a flag indicating "OFF".

  The types of mobile terminals are roughly classified into legacy devices and WFD devices. In addition, WFD devices are classified into IV (abbreviation for Invitation) support devices and IV non-support devices. Legacy devices are devices that can not operate according to the WFD scheme. WFD devices (ie, IV support devices and IV non-support devices) are devices that can operate according to the WFD scheme. The IV support device is a device that supports the Invitation Request signal, that is, a device capable of establishing a wireless connection in response to the Invitation Request signal. An IV non-support device is a device that does not support the Invitation Request signal, that is, a device that can not establish a wireless connection in response to the Invitation Request signal. In the “device type” in the device list 50, any one of “legacy”, “IV support”, and “IV non-support” is described. In the device list 50, the prohibition flag is described in association with the device type “legacy”, but the prohibition flag is not described in association with the device type “IV support” or “IV non-support”.

(Configuration of portable terminals Ta to Tf)
Each of the mobile terminals Ta to Tf is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a mobile music player, a mobile video player, and the like. Below, the thing of each MAC address of each portable terminal Ta-Tf is described as "MACa"-"MACf."

  The portable terminal Ta is a legacy device, and the portable terminals Tb to Tf are WFD devices. The portable terminals Tb and Tc are IV support devices, and the portable terminals Td to Tf are IV non-support devices.

(WFD (short for Wi-Fi Direct) method)
Subsequently, the WFD method will be described. The WFD method is a wireless communication method described in the standard "Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1 (Wi-Fi Alliance, 2010)" prepared by the Wi-Fi Alliance. is there.

  In the above WFD specifications, there are three WFD device states: Group Owner state (hereinafter referred to as “G / O state”), client state (hereinafter referred to as “CL state”), and device state The state is defined. The WFD device is selectively operable in one of the above three states.

  A WFD device in the G / O state (ie, G / O device) is a device that forms a wireless network (ie, WFD NW) in which the WFD device operates as a master station. A WFD device in the CL state (ie, a CL device) is a device that operates as a slave station of the WFD NW. The WFD device in the device state (ie, the device device) is a device not belonging to the WFD NW.

  The WFD NW to which both the G / O device and the CL device belong is formed, for example, by either of the following two procedures. In the first procedure, a pair of device devices performs wireless communication called G / O negotiation. Thereby, one of the pair of device devices determines to be in the G / O state (ie, G / O device), and the other determines to be in the CL state (ie, CL device). Then, the G / O device forms a WFD NW and establishes a wireless connection with the CL device. Thus, the WFD NW to which both the G / O device and the CL device belong is formed. Thus, the WFD scheme is a wireless communication scheme having a mechanism of G / O negotiation.

  In the second procedure, the device device spontaneously transitions to the G / O state to form the WFD NW without performing G / O negotiation. In this case, after the WFD NW is formed, the other device devices shift to the CL state without establishing G / O negotiation, and establish wireless connection with the G / O device. Thus, the WFD NW to which both the G / O device and the CL device belong is formed.

  The G / O device can execute wireless communication of target data with the CL device without passing through another device. The target data is data including information of the network layer of the OSI reference model and information of a layer higher than the network layer (for example, application layer), and includes, for example, print data representing an image to be printed. Also, the G / O device can relay wireless communication of target data between a pair of CL devices when a plurality of CL devices participate in the WFD NW formed by the G / O devices. . Thus, in the WFD NW, each device can execute wireless communication of target data without going through an access point (hereinafter referred to as “AP”) configured separately from the each device. . That is, it can be said that the WFD scheme is a wireless communication scheme in which an AP is not used.

  Also, although the G / O device can not perform wireless communication of target data with device devices that do not belong to the WFD NW, it performs wireless communication of connection data with the device devices to wirelessly connect with the device devices. Can be established. Thus, the G / O device can cause the device device to participate in the WFD NW.

  The G / O device can also perform wireless communication of connection data with a legacy device not belonging to the WFD NW to establish a wireless connection with the legacy device. Thereby, the G / O device can cause the legacy device to participate in the WFD NW.

  The connection data described above is data including information on a layer lower than the network layer of the OSI reference model (eg, physical layer, data link layer, etc.) (ie, data not including information on the network layer). More specifically, the connection data described above is classified into either normal connection data that does not include specific data specific to the WFD system, or WFD connection data that includes the specific data.

  The normal connection data includes, for example, a Probe Request / Response signal, an Authentication Request / Response signal, an Association Request / Response signal, WSC Exchange, 4-Way Handshake, and the like. The Probe Request signal is a signal for searching a device (for example, a G / O device, AP) operating as a master station of the wireless network, and the Probe Response signal is a response signal. The Authentication Request signal is a signal for confirming an authentication method, and the Authentication Response signal is a response signal. The Association Request signal is a signal for requesting a connection, and the Association Response signal is its response signal. WSC Exchange is a signal for supplying various information such as authentication information. 4-Way Handshake is a signal for performing authentication.

  Further, the WFD connection data includes, for example, an Invitation Request / Response, a Provision Discovery Request / Response signal, and the like as specific data specific to the WFD method, in addition to the above-described normal connection data. The Invitation Request signal is a signal prompting participation in the WFD NW, and the Invitation Response is its response signal. The Provision Discovery Request signal is a signal for confirming the method (for example, push button method, PIN code method, etc.) of WPS (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Protected Setup), and the Provision Discovery Response signal is a response signal thereof. . In the following, “Request” and “Response” will be described as “Req.” And “Res.”, Respectively.

  That is, the legacy device can perform wireless communication of data for normal connection with the AP, establish wireless connection with the AP, and participate as a so-called station in a wireless network formed by the AP. Similarly, the legacy device can perform wireless communication of data for normal connection with the G / O device, establish wireless connection with the G / O device, and participate in the WFD NW as a station.

  Depending on the situation, the device device (that is, a device operable according to the WFD scheme) executes wireless communication of either the normal connection data or the WFD connection data with the G / O device to communicate with the G / O device. Establish a wireless connection and can join WFD NW. When the device device performs the wireless communication only for the normal connection data, it can be said that the device device participates in the WFD NW as a station. This is because the device device does not execute the wireless communication of the WFD scheme specific data. On the other hand, when the device performs wireless communication of WFD connection data, it can be said that the device participates in the WFD NW as a CL device.

  As described above, the device apparatus can participate in the WFD NW as a station or can participate in the WFD NW as a CL apparatus. However, in the following, the station and the CL device are referred to as "child stations" without distinction.

  In the G / O device, the upper limit number of the number of child stations that can belong to the WFD NW formed by the G / O device is usually determined in advance. In other words, in the G / O device, the upper limit number of wireless connections that can be established simultaneously by the G / O device is determined in advance based on the memory amount of the wireless LAN I / F or the like. In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can operate as a G / O device to form a WFD NW. The upper limit number of wireless connections that can be established simultaneously by the MFP 10, which is a G / O device, is “4”. However, in the modification, the upper limit number may not be “4”, and may be any value as long as it is an integer of “2” or more.

(Process in which the printer PR establishes a wireless connection with the IV support device; FIG. 2)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a process of establishing wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb, which is the IV support device, of the printer PR will be described. In this embodiment, the CPU 32 of the printer PR causes the status of the printer PR to transition from the device status to the G / O status without executing G / O negotiation, triggered by the power ON of the printer PR. , Form WFDNW. At this stage, no slave station belongs to the WFD NW. That is, a WFD NW to which only the printer PR which is a G / O device belongs is formed.

  At T10, the user of the portable terminal Tb executes a predetermined operation on the operation unit 12 of the printer PR. The predetermined operation described above is an operation for causing the printer PR to establish a wireless connection, and is, for example, an operation according to the push button method of WPS (that is, so-called automatic wireless setting).

  At T11, the user of the portable terminal Tb further executes, on the portable terminal Tb, an activation operation for activating a print application and a printing operation for specifying print data representing an image to be printed by the printer PR. Do.

  At T12, the portable terminal Tb transmits a Probe Req. Signal to the printer PR. The Probe Req. Signal includes MACb, which is the MAC address of the portable terminal Tb, and P2P (abbreviation of peer to peer) information indicating that the portable terminal Tb is a WFD device.

  At T14, when receiving the Probe Req. Signal from the portable terminal Tb, the CPU 32 of the printer PR transmits a Probe Res. Signal to the portable terminal Tb.

  In T16, when receiving the Probe Res. Signal from the printer PR, the mobile terminal Tb transmits a Provision Discovery Req. Signal to the mobile terminal Tb. The Provision Discovery Req. Signal includes support information indicating that the mobile terminal Tb supports the Invitation Req. Signal. If the portable terminal Tb is an IV non-supporting device, the Provision Discovery Req. Signal does not include the above support information.

  At T18, when receiving the Provision Discovery Req. Signal from the portable terminal Tb, the CPU 32 of the printer PR transmits a Provision Discovery Res. Signal to the portable terminal Tb.

  In T20, when the portable terminal Tb receives a Provision Discovery Res. Signal from the printer PR, a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal) is sent to the printer PR after communication of an authentication request signal and an authentication response signal (not shown) ends. Send.

  In T22, when the CPU 32 of the printer PR receives a connection request from the portable terminal Tb, it carries out communication of various signals (for example, Association Response signal, WSC Exchange, 4-Way Handshake) for establishing a wireless connection. Execute with terminal Tb. Thereby, the CPU 32 establishes a wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb, and causes the portable terminal Tb to participate as a slave station (more specifically, a CL device) in the WFD NW in which the printer PR operates as a G / O device. it can.

  At T24, the CPU 32 of the printer PR registers related information of the portable terminal Tb in the device list 50 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the CPU 32 describes “MACb”, “current time”, and “not in use” included in the Probe Req. Signal of T12 as “MAC address”, “connection time”, and “usage status”, respectively. Do. In addition, the CPU 32 describes “IV support” as the “device type” based on the support information included in the T 16 Provision Discovery Req. Signal. If the portable terminal Tb is an IV non-supporting device, the Provision Discovery Req. Signal does not include the above support information, so the CPU 32 describes “IV non-support” as the “device type”. . At T24, the CPU 32 does not describe the "disconnection time". In addition, the CPU 32 does not describe the "prohibition flag" because the portable terminal Tb is not a legacy device.

  At T26, the portable terminal Tb transmits the print data designated by the printing operation at T11 to the printer PR using the WFD NW. The print data includes the MACb of the portable terminal Tb.

  In T28, when the CPU 32 of the printer PR receives the print data including the MACb from the portable terminal Tb, the CPU 32 is included in the "usage status" associated with the MACb in the device list 50, that is, the related information of the portable terminal Tb. Change "Usage Status" from "Unused" to "In Use". Then, at T30, the CPU 32 causes the print execution unit 16 to start printing the image represented by the received print data.

  At T32, the CPU 32 detects that the reception of all print data from the portable terminal Tb is completed. In this case, in T34, the CPU 32 of the printer PR changes the "usage status" associated with the MACb in the device list 50, that is, the "usage status" included in the related information of the portable terminal Tb from "in use" to "in use". Change to "used".

(Process in which the printer establishes a wireless connection with the legacy device; Fig. 3)
Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 3, processing in which the printer PR establishes a wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta, which is a legacy device, will be described. T110 and T111 are the same as T10 and T11 in FIG.

  At T112, the portable terminal Ta transmits a Probe Req. Signal to the printer PR. The Probe Req. Signal includes MACa, which is the MAC address of the portable terminal Ta, but does not include P2P information because the portable terminal Ta is a legacy device. T114 and T120 are the same as T14 and T20 in FIG. Since the portable terminal Ta is a legacy device, unlike the case of FIG. 2, the Provision Discovery Req. Signal and the Provision Discovery Res. Signal, which are WFD specific data, are not communicated. T122 is the same as T22 in FIG. Thereby, the CPU 32 can establish a wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta and allow the portable terminal Ta to participate as a slave station (more specifically, a station) in the WFD NW where the printer PR operates as a G / O device. .

  At T124, the CPU 32 of the printer PR registers the related information of the portable terminal Ta in the device list 50 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the CPU 32 describes “MACa”, “current time”, and “not in use” included in the Probe Req. Signal of T112 as “MAC address”, “connection time”, and “usage status”, respectively. Do. In addition, the CPU 32 describes “legacy device” as “device type” based on the fact that P2P information is not included in the Probe Req. Signal at T112. Also, the CPU 32 describes "OFF" as the "prohibition flag". At T124, the CPU 32 does not describe the "disconnection time". T126 to T134 are the same as T26 to T34 in FIG.

(Printer response process; Fig. 4)
Subsequently, the response processing executed by the CPU 32 of the printer PR will be described with reference to FIG. In S2, the CPU 32 monitors reception of a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal, T20 in FIG. 2, and T120 in FIG. 3) from a specific portable terminal (for example, portable terminals Ta to Tf). When the CPU 32 receives a connection request from a specific portable terminal, the CPU 32 determines YES in S2, and proceeds to S4.

  In S4, the CPU 32 determines whether the number of wireless connections currently established by the printer PR (hereinafter referred to as "the number of connections") matches the upper limit number "4". Specifically, the CPU 32 first extracts, from the device list 50, the number of pieces of related information in which the disconnection time is not described. The number of related information extracted corresponds to the number of printer PR connections. Then, when the number of related information to be extracted is less than "4", the CPU 32 determines that the number of connections does not match the upper limit number (NO in S4), skips S6 to S60, and proceeds to S62. On the other hand, when the number of related information to be extracted is "4", the CPU 32 determines that the number of connections matches the upper limit number (YES in S4), and proceeds to S6.

  In S6, the CPU 32 refers to the device list 50 and determines whether the "prohibition flag" included in the related information of the specific portable terminal is "ON". The connection request received from the specific portable terminal in S2 includes the MAC address of the specific portable terminal. If "ON" is described as the "prohibition flag" in association with the MAC address included in the connection request, the CPU 32 determines YES in S6 and proceeds to S8.

  In S8, the CPU 32 determines that wireless connection with a specific portable terminal can not be established, and transmits a rejection notification to the specific portable terminal. That is, the CPU 32 does not establish a wireless connection with a specific portable terminal in response to the connection request received in S2. When S8 ends, the response process ends.

  On the other hand, when the "prohibition flag" associated with the MAC address included in the connection request is not "ON" at S6, the CPU 32 determines NO at S6 and proceeds to S10. If the MAC address included in the connection request does not exist in the device list 50, the CPU 32 determines that the “prohibition flag” associated with the MAC address included in the connection request is “OFF”, or is included in the connection request. If the "prohibition flag" itself is not described in association with the MAC address, NO is determined in S6.

  At S10, the CPU 32 executes the device selection process with reference to the device list 50. That is, the CPU 32 attempts to select a portable terminal to be disconnected from which wireless connection should be disconnected, from among the portable terminals in which wireless connection with the printer PR is established.

  In S50, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the portable terminal to be disconnected has been selected in the device selection process of S10. When the CPU 32 can not select the portable terminal to be disconnected, the CPU 32 determines NO in S50, and proceeds to S8. On the other hand, when the CPU 32 can select the portable terminal to be disconnected, that is, when it is possible to select the relevant information of the portable terminal to be disconnected from the device list 50, it is determined YES in S50. And proceed to S52. Hereinafter, the related information selected in S10 will be referred to as “selected related information”.

  At S52, the CPU 32 disconnects the wireless connection with the portable terminal to be disconnected. Specifically, the CPU 32 transmits a disconnection request including the MAC address included in the selected related information to the disconnection target portable terminal, and receives a response signal from the disconnection target portable terminal. As a result, the wireless connection between the printer PR and the portable terminal to be disconnected is disconnected, and the number of connections of the printer PR becomes less than the upper limit number “4”.

  In S54, the CPU 32 refers to the selected related information to determine the device type of the portable terminal to be disconnected (that is, the portable terminal whose wireless connection has been disconnected in S52). If the device type is "legacy", the process proceeds to S56. If the device type is "IV support", the process proceeds to S58. If the device type is "IV non-support", the process proceeds to S60.

  At S56, S58, and S60, the CPU 32 updates the device list 50. Specifically, in S56, the CPU 32 describes the current time as the "disconnection time" included in the selected related information, and further, from "OFF" the "prohibition flag" included in the selected related information Change to "ON". In S58, the CPU 32 describes the current time as the "disconnection time" included in the selected related information. Further, in S60, the CPU 32 deletes the selected related information from the device list 50. When S56, S58, or S60 ends, the process proceeds to S62.

  In S62, the CPU 32 executes communication (see T22 in FIG. 2 and T122 in FIG. 3) for establishing a wireless connection with a specific portable terminal. As a result, the CPU 32 can establish a wireless connection with a specific portable terminal, and allow the specific portable terminal to participate as a slave station in the WFD NW where the printer PR operates as a G / O device.

  Next, in S64, the CPU 32 registers related information of a specific portable terminal in the device list 50. This process is as described in T24 of FIG. 2 and T124 of FIG.

(Device selection process: Fig. 5)
The contents of the device selection process of S10 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the CPU 32 executes each process with reference to the device list 50.

  In S12, the CPU 32 determines the number of used legacy devices among the devices establishing wireless connection with the printer PR. Specifically, the CPU 32 refers to the device list 50, the disconnection time is not described, the usage status "used" is described, and the device type "legacy" is described. Extract relevant information. If the CPU 32 determines that the number of related information to be extracted (that is, the number of used legacy devices) is “0”, the process proceeds to S22.

  When the CPU 32 determines that only one piece of related information is extracted in S12, the CPU 32 selects one piece of related information in S14 to thereby use one used portable terminal to be disconnected. Select legacy equipment.

  In S12, when the CPU 32 determines that two or more pieces of related information are extracted, each used as a selection target device as an option for selecting a portable terminal to be disconnected in S16. Determine your legacy equipment. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines the two or more pieces of related information as the related information to be used in S40 to S44. When S16 ends, the process proceeds to S40.

  In S22, the CPU 32 determines the number of used IV support devices among the devices for which a wireless connection with the printer PR has been established. Specifically, the CPU 32 refers to the device list 50, the disconnection time is not described, the usage status "used" is described, and the device type "IV support" is described. Extract relevant information. If the CPU 32 determines that the number of related information to be extracted (that is, the number of used IV support devices) is “0”, the process proceeds to S32.

  When the CPU 32 determines in S22 that only one piece of related information is extracted, the CPU 32 selects one piece of related information in S24 to thereby use one used portable terminal to be disconnected. Select IV support device.

  Further, if the CPU 32 determines in S22 that two or more pieces of related information are to be extracted, each used as a selection target device as an option for selecting a portable terminal to be disconnected in S26. Determine your IV support equipment. When S26 ends, the process proceeds to S40.

  In S32, the CPU 32 determines the number of used IV non-supporting devices among the devices for which a wireless connection with the printer PR has been established. Specifically, the CPU 32 extracts, from the device list 50, related information in which the usage status "used" is described and the device type "IV non-support" is described. When the CPU 32 determines that the number of related information to be extracted (that is, the number of non-supporting IV devices used) is “0”, the process of FIG. 5 is performed without selecting the portable terminal to be disconnected. Finish. In this case, NO is determined in S50 of FIG.

  When the CPU 32 determines in S32 that only one piece of related information is extracted, the CPU 32 selects one piece of related information in S34 to thereby use one used portable terminal to be disconnected. Select the IV non-support device.

  When the CPU 32 determines in S32 that two or more pieces of related information are to be extracted, each used as a selection target device as an option for selecting a portable terminal to be disconnected in S36. Determine the IV non-supporting equipment. When S36 ends, the process proceeds to S40.

  In S40 to S44, the CPU 32 selects two or more selected devices (ie, two or more used legacy devices, two or more used IV support devices, or two or more used IVs Select one of the non-support devices). Specifically, the CPU 32 selects one device by referring to the radio wave intensity (further, the connection time if necessary) of each of two or more devices to be selected.

  In S40, the CPU 32 determines the number of devices having the weakest radio wave intensity among the two or more devices to be selected. For example, for each of two or more MAC addresses included in two or more extracted related information, the CPU 32 transmits a predetermined signal using the MAC address as a transmission destination, and receives a response signal. Thus, the CPU 32 can measure the radio wave intensity of each of two or more devices to be selected. The radio wave intensity is expressed in three stages of "strong", "medium" and "weak". The CPU 32 determines whether the number of devices with the weakest radio wave intensity is “1” or “2” or more with reference to the radio wave intensities of two or more selected devices.

  When the CPU 32 determines in S40 that the number of devices with the weakest radio wave intensity is "1", the process proceeds to S42. For example, if the first device, the second device, and the third device are “strong”, “medium”, and “weak”, respectively, the number of devices with the weakest radio wave intensity is “1”. , S42.

  In S42, the CPU 32 selects related information of one device with the weakest radio wave intensity. That is, the CPU 32 selects one device with the weakest radio wave intensity as the portable terminal to be disconnected. When S42 ends, the process of FIG. 5 ends.

  If the CPU 32 determines in S40 that the number of devices with the weakest radio wave intensity is "2" or more, the process proceeds to S44. For example, if the first device, the second device, and the third device are “strong”, “middle”, and “middle”, respectively, the number of devices with the weakest radio wave intensity is “2”. , S44.

  In S44, the CPU 32 selects, from among two or more pieces of related information of two or more pieces of equipment having the weakest radio field strength, pieces of related information of one piece of equipment in which the oldest time is described as "connection time". . That is, the CPU 32 selects one device with the oldest connection time as the portable terminal to be disconnected. When S44 ends, the process of FIG. 5 ends.

(The reason for adopting the selection method in Figure 5)
As described above, in the process of FIG. 5, a device having the usage status “used” may be selected as the portable terminal to be disconnected, but a device having the usage status “not in use” or “in use” is not selected. (Ie, in the case where “0” in S12, “0” in S22, and “0” in S32, portable terminals to be disconnected are not selected). In the used device, since communication of all print data has been completed, it is unlikely that further communication will be performed with the printer PR thereafter. For this reason, even if the wireless connection with the used device is disconnected, the user of the device is unlikely to feel inconvenient. Also, with an unused device, a wireless connection with the printer PR has been established, but since communication of print data has not yet started, there is a possibility that the user of the device wants the printer PR to execute the printing function. Is high. In the device in use, communication of print data is executed between the device and the printer PR. For this reason, if the wireless connection with the unused or in-use device is disconnected, the user of the device is likely to feel inconvenient, so a method is adopted in which the wireless connection with the device is not disconnected. .

  Legacy devices are preferentially selected as portable terminals to be disconnected compared with IV support devices and IV non-support devices (ie, WFD devices) (ie, the process of S12 precedes the process of S22 and S32) To be executed). The legacy device is connected even if the user does not receive an instruction (for example, the operation of T111 in FIG. 3) after the wireless connection with the printer PR is disconnected due to the reception of the disconnection request from the printer PR. The request can be sent automatically to the printer PR. On the other hand, the WFD device is instructed by the user (for example, the operation of T11 in FIG. 2) after the wireless connection with the printer PR is disconnected due to the reception of the disconnection request from the printer PR. A connection request can not be sent to the printer PR without receiving an Invitation Req. Signal from the printer PR. As described above, since the legacy device automatically transmits the connection request to the printer PR, the wireless connection with the printer PR can be relatively easily reestablished compared to the WFD device. For this purpose, a method of preferentially selecting legacy devices as portable terminals to be disconnected is employed.

  The IV support device is preferentially selected as the portable terminal to be disconnected compared with the IV non-support device (that is, the process of S22 is executed prior to the process of S32). The IV support device can reestablish wireless connection with the printer PR in response to the Invitation Req. Signal. On the other hand, the IV non-supporting device can not reestablish wireless connection with the printer PR in response to the Invitation Req. Signal. In this way, the IV support device can relatively easily reestablish wireless connection with the printer PR as compared to the non-IV support device. For this purpose, a method of preferentially selecting an IV support device as a portable terminal to be disconnected is adopted.

  The device with the weakest radio wave intensity is preferentially selected as the portable terminal to be disconnected (see S40). The device with weak radio wave intensity is likely to be present at a place away from the printer PR. Therefore, the user of the device is unlikely to want the printer PR to execute the printing function. Therefore, even if the wireless connection with the device is disconnected, the user of the device is unlikely to feel inconvenience. For this purpose, a method of preferentially selecting a device having the weakest radio wave intensity as a portable terminal to be disconnected is adopted.

  The device with the oldest connection time is preferentially selected as the portable terminal to be disconnected (see S44). If the user of the device whose connection time is new is not satisfied with the print result on the printer PR, for example, the user is likely to cause the printer PR to execute the print function again. Therefore, if the wireless connection with the device whose connection time is new is disconnected, the user of the device is likely to feel inconvenient. For this purpose, a method of preferentially selecting a device with the oldest connection time is adopted as a portable terminal to be disconnected.

(Printer monitoring process; Fig. 6)
Next, the contents of the monitoring process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer PR will be described with reference to FIG. In the monitoring process, the CPU 32 updates the device list 50 (see FIG. 1) according to the event. Thereby, the CPU 32 can reestablish wireless connection with the legacy device or the IV support device.

  In S102, the CPU 32 determines whether there is a legacy device for which a predetermined period (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the disconnection time. Specifically, the CPU 32 first acquires, from the device list 50, one or more pieces of related information in which the device type “legacy” is described. Then, the CPU 32 calculates, for each of the one or more pieces of related information, the difference between the “disconnection time” included in the related information and the current time. Then, if there is related information (hereinafter referred to as “target related information”) in which the above-mentioned difference is larger than the above-mentioned predetermined period in the one or more related information, the CPU 32 proceeds to S102. It is determined as YES, and the process proceeds to S104. If the target related information does not exist in the one or more related information, the CPU 32 determines NO in S102, and proceeds to S106.

  In S104, the CPU 32 deletes the related information of interest from the device list 50. That is, the CPU 32 deletes, from the device list 50, related information of the legacy device for which a predetermined period has elapsed from the disconnection time. As a result, for the legacy device in which the prohibition flag "ON" is described, it is not determined YES in S6 of FIG. As a result, when the prohibition flag exists (that is, the prohibition flag is "ON"), the printer PR rejects the connection request from the legacy device based on the existence of the prohibition flag, but the prohibition flag indicates the device list. By deleting from 50, it is possible to establish a wireless connection with the legacy device in response to a connection request from the legacy device. When S104 ends, the process returns to S102.

  In S106, the CPU 32 determines whether or not disconnection of the wireless connection with any of the portable terminals that have established a wireless connection with the printer PR has been detected. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines YES in S106 when receiving a disconnection request from any of the mobile terminals. The disconnection request includes the MAC address of the portable terminal. Further, the CPU 32 periodically transmits a connection confirmation signal and monitors reception of a response signal from each portable terminal that has established a wireless connection with the printer PR, in a process not shown. The response signal includes the MAC address of the portable terminal. Therefore, the CPU 32 compares the MAC address registered in the device list 50 with each MAC address included in each response signal to transmit the portable terminal that did not transmit the response signal (that is, the MAC address). It can be identified. When the CPU 32 specifies a portable terminal that has not transmitted a response signal, the CPU 32 determines YES in S106.

  In S108, the CPU 32 deletes, from the device list 50, the relevant information of the portable terminal whose disconnection of the wireless connection has been detected. That is, the CPU 32 deletes the related information including the MAC address of the portable terminal whose disconnection of the wireless connection has been detected.

  Next, in S110, the CPU 32 determines whether there is one or more portable terminals to re-establish the wireless connection. Specifically, the CPU 32 refers to the device list 50, and when there is one or more related information (hereinafter referred to as “disconnect related information”) in which the disconnection time is described, wireless connection is performed. It is determined that there is one or more portable terminals to be reestablished (YES in S110), and the process proceeds to S112. On the other hand, when the disconnection related information does not exist, the CPU 32 determines that there is no portable terminal to reestablish the wireless connection (NO in S110), and returns to S102. As described above, in the device list 50, the disconnection time may be described in the related information of the legacy device or the IV support device (see S56 and S58 in FIG. 4), but in the related information of the IV non-support device The time is not described (see S60).

  In S112, the CPU 32 determines whether or not there is one or more IV support devices to reestablish the wireless connection. Specifically, in one or more disconnection related information, the CPU 32 includes one or more related information (hereinafter referred to as “support disconnection related information”) in which the device type “IV support” is described. If yes, it is determined that there is one or more IV support devices to reestablish wireless connection (YES in S112), and the process proceeds to S114. On the other hand, when there is no support disconnection related information, the CPU 32 determines that there is no IV support device to reestablish the wireless connection (NO in S112), and proceeds to S118.

  In S114, the CPU 32 transmits an Invitation Req. Signal to one IV support device of the one or more IV support devices whose wireless connection should be reestablished. Specifically, when only one piece of support disconnection related information exists, the CPU 32 transmits an Invitation Req. Signal to a MAC address included in the one piece of support disconnection related information as a transmission destination. In addition, when there is two or more support disconnection related information, the CPU 32 selects the MAC associated with the oldest disconnection time among the two or more MAC addresses included in the two support disconnection related information. Send an Invitation Req. Signal with the address as the destination.

  Next, in S116, the CPU 32 deletes, from the device list 50, related information including the MAC address of the transmission destination of the Invitation Req. Signal of S114. That is, the CPU 32 erases the related information of the IV support device of the transmission destination of the Invitation Req. Signal. When S116 ends, the process returns to S102.

  When transmitting the Invitation Req. Signal to the IV support device, the CPU 32 normally receives the Invitation Res. Signal from the IV support device. Thereafter, since the CPU 32 receives a connection request (that is, an Association Req. Signal) from the IV support device, the CPU 32 determines YES in S2 of FIG. As a result, the CPU 32 can re-establish wireless connection with the IV support device (S62 in FIG. 4).

  At the stage where S118 (ie, when there is no IV support device to reestablish the wireless connection) is performed, all of the one or more disconnection related information include the device type “legacy”. In S112, it is determined that there is no disconnection related information including the device type “IV support”, and in S60 of FIG. 4, the related information of the IV non-supporting device whose wireless connection is disconnected is deleted. is there. Further, at the stage where S118 is executed, all of the one or more disconnection related information are related information of the legacy device for which the predetermined period (see S102) has not elapsed from the disconnection time. This is because related information of the legacy device for which the predetermined period has elapsed from the disconnection time is erased in S104.

  In S118, when only one piece of disconnection related information exists, the CPU 32 deletes the one piece of disconnection related information from the device list 50. In addition, when there are two or more pieces of disconnection related information, the CPU 32 deletes one piece of disconnection related information including the oldest disconnection time out of the two or more pieces of disconnection related information from the device list 50. As a result, the CPU 32 can delete, from the device list 50, related information of legacy devices for which the predetermined period has not elapsed from the disconnection time. As a result, when the printer PR receives a connection request from the legacy device (YES in S2 of FIG. 4), the printer PR can reestablish wireless connection with the legacy device (NO in S6). When S118 ends, the process returns to S102.

  As described above, in the process of FIG. 6, the printer PR preferentially reestablishes the wireless connection with the IV support device when there is both the IV support device and the legacy device for which the wireless connection is to be reestablished. (YES in S112). The reason is as follows. Assuming that the method of preferentially reestablishing the wireless connection with the legacy device is adopted, the printer PR may reestablish the wireless connection with the legacy device until the connection request is automatically transmitted from the legacy device. Can not. On the other hand, when adopting a method of preferentially reestablishing the wireless connection with the IV support device, the printer PR immediately sends the Invitation Req. Signal to the IV support device immediately after the number of printer PR connections falls below the upper limit number. (S114), and as a result, wireless connection with the IV support device can be quickly reestablished. According to the present embodiment, the printer PR can quickly reestablish a wireless connection with a device (that is, an IV support device) whose wireless connection should be reestablished after the number of printer PR connections is less than the upper limit number. it can.

(Case A; FIG. 7)
Subsequently, various specific cases realized by the operation of the printer PR described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 will be described. In the initial state of FIG. 7, the printer PR establishes a wireless connection with each of the four portable terminals Ta to Td. That is, the number of connected printers PR has reached the upper limit number "4".

  In T210, when the printer PR receives a connection request from the portable terminal Te (YES in S2 of FIG. 4), the printer PR determines that the number of connections of the printer PR matches the upper limit number (YES in S4). It is determined that the prohibition flag is not "ON" (NO in S6). In this case, in T212, the printer PR refers to the device list 50 on the upper side of FIG. 7 to select the portable terminal to be disconnected (S10). Specifically, in T212, the printer PR selects a portable terminal Ta (that is, related information including “MACa”) which is a used legacy device (“one” in S12 of FIG. 5, S14).

  At T214, the printer PR transmits a disconnection request to the portable terminal Ta, and disconnects the wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta (S52 in FIG. 4). As a result, the number of connection of the printer PR becomes less than the upper limit number. Then, at T216, the printer PR describes the disconnection time and the prohibition flag "ON" in the related information of the portable terminal Ta (S56).

  At T220, the printer PR executes communication of various signals for establishing wireless connection with the portable terminal Te to establish wireless connection with the portable terminal Te (S62 in FIG. 4). As a result, the number of printer PR connections reaches the upper limit number again. Then, at T222, the printer PR registers related information of the portable terminal Te in the device list 50 (S64).

  The portable terminal Ta, which is a legacy device, receives the disconnection request (T214) from the printer PR, and after the wireless connection with the printer PR is disconnected, the connection request is issued even if the user does not receive an instruction. Is automatically sent to the printer PR.

  In T224, when the printer PR receives a connection request from the portable terminal Ta (YES in S2 of FIG. 4), it determines that the number of connections of the printer PR matches the upper limit number (YES in S4) and prohibits the portable terminal Ta. It is determined that the flag is "ON" (YES in S6). Therefore, in T226, the printer PR transmits a refusal notification to the portable terminal Ta, and does not establish a wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after the wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta, which is a legacy device, is disconnected from the printer PR, the number of connected printers PR matches the upper limit number before the predetermined period elapses. Then, even if a connection request is received from the portable terminal Ta (T224), the wireless connection with another device is not disconnected. For this reason, in a situation where only a short time has passed since the wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta was disconnected, the wireless connection with another device is made in response to the connection request automatically transmitted from the portable terminal Ta. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of the event of being disconnected.

  In T227, the printer PR determines that the predetermined period has elapsed since the wireless connection with the portable device Ta which is the legacy device is disconnected (YES in S102 of FIG. 6), and the device list of the related information of the portable device Ta is It erases from (S104).

  Thereafter, in T228, when the printer PR receives a connection request from the portable terminal Ta (YES in S2 of FIG. 4), it determines that the number of connections of the printer PR matches the upper limit number (YES in S4). It is determined that the prohibition flag of Ta is not "ON" (NO in S6). This is because the relevant information including the prohibition flag of the portable terminal Ta has been deleted from the device list 50 at T227. In this case, in T230, the printer PR refers to the device list 50 on the lower side of FIG. 7 to select the portable terminal to be disconnected (S10). Specifically, the printer PR selects a portable terminal Tb (that is, related information including “MACb”) which is a used IV support device (“one” in S22 of FIG. 5, S24).

  In T232, the printer PR transmits a disconnection request to the portable terminal Tb, and disconnects the wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb (S52 in FIG. 4). As a result, the number of connection of the printer PR becomes less than the upper limit number. Then, in T234, the printer PR describes the disconnection time in the related information of the portable terminal Tb (S58).

  In T236, the printer PR executes communication of various signals for establishing wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta to establish wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta (S62 in FIG. 4). As a result, the number of printer PR connections reaches the upper limit number again. Then, in T238, the printer PR registers the related information of the portable terminal Ta in the device list 50 (S64).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after the wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta, which is the legacy device, is disconnected from the wireless terminal, the number of printer PR connections matches the upper limit number after a predetermined period has elapsed. When receiving a connection request from the portable terminal Ta (T228), the wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb is disconnected (T232). For this reason, the printer PR can properly reestablish wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta.

(Case B; FIG. 8)
The initial state of FIG. 8 is the same as the initial state of FIG. Further, T310 to T322 are the same as T210 to T222 in FIG.

  In T324, the printer PR receives the disconnection request from the portable terminal Te, and detects that the wireless connection with the portable terminal Te has been disconnected (YES in S106 of FIG. 6). As a result, the number of connection of the printer PR becomes less than the upper limit number. In this case, in T326, the printer PR erases the related information of the portable terminal Te from the device list 50 (S108).

  At T328, since the printer PR has one disconnection related information (i.e., related information including "MACa") in which the disconnection time is described in the device list 50, the portable terminal to reestablish the wireless connection It is determined that Ta exists (YES in S110 of FIG. 6). In T328, the printer PR further determines that there is no IV support device to re-establish the wireless connection because there is no disconnection related information including the device type “IV support” (NO in S112). As a result, the printer PR erases the disconnection related information including the device type “legacy”, that is, the related information of the portable terminal Ta from the device list 50 (S118). Thus, the related information of the portable terminal Ta can be deleted from the device list 50 before the predetermined period has elapsed from the disconnection time.

  In T330, when the printer PR receives a connection request from the portable terminal Ta (YES in S2 of FIG. 4), it determines that the number of connections of the printer PR does not match the upper limit number (NO in S4). Then, in T332, the printer PR executes communication of various signals for establishing wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta to establish wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta (S62). Here, the respective operations corresponding to T110 and T111 in FIG. 3 are not executed on the printer PR and the portable terminal Ta, and furthermore, the portable terminal Ta has already made various information for establishing wireless connection with the printer PR. I have acquired. Therefore, at T332, communication of WSC Exchange is not executed. When T332 is executed, the number of printer PR connections reaches the upper limit number again. Then, at T334, the printer PR registers the related information of the portable terminal Ta in the device list 50 (S64).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after the wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta, which is a legacy device, is disconnected from the printer PR, the number of connection of the printer PR is less than the upper limit number before the predetermined period elapses. Then, when the connection request is received from the portable terminal Ta (T330), the wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta can be appropriately reestablished (T332).

(Case C; FIG. 9)
The initial state of FIG. 9 is the same as the initial state of FIG. T410 is the same as T210 in FIG.

  At T412, the printer PR refers to the device list 50 of FIG. 9 to select a portable terminal to be disconnected (S10 of FIG. 4). Specifically, in T412, the printer PR does not select the portable terminal Ta (that is, the related information including “MACa”) which is the legacy device in use (“0” in S12 of FIG. 5), The portable terminal Tb (that is, the related information including "MACb") which is the IV support device already finished is selected ("one" in S22, S24).

  In T414, the printer PR transmits a disconnection request to the portable terminal Tb, and disconnects the wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb (S52 in FIG. 4). As a result, the number of connection of the printer PR becomes less than the upper limit number. Then, at T416, the printer PR describes the disconnection time in the related information of the portable terminal Tb (S58). T420 and T422 are the same as T220 and T222 of FIG. Also, T424 and T426 are the same as T324 and T326 in FIG.

  In T427, since the printer PR has one disconnection related information (that is, related information including "MACb") in which the disconnection time is described in the device list 50, the portable terminal to which the wireless connection should be reestablished It is determined that Tb exists (YES in S110 of FIG. 6). At T427, the printer PR further determines that there is an IV support device to reestablish the wireless connection, since there is disconnection related information including the device type “IV support” (YES at S112). As a result, the printer PR transmits an Invitation Req. Signal to the portable terminal Tb (S114). Then, in T428, the printer PR erases the related information of the portable terminal Tb from the device list 50 (S116).

  In T430, when the printer PR receives a connection request from the portable terminal Tb (YES in S2 of FIG. 4), it determines that the number of connections of the printer PR does not match the upper limit number (NO in S4). Then, in T432, the printer PR executes communication of various signals for establishing wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb, and establishes wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb (S62). As a result, the number of printer PR connections reaches the upper limit number again. Then, at T434, the printer PR registers the related information of the portable terminal Tb in the device list 50 (S64).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after the wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb, which is the IV support device, is disconnected by the printer PR, the number of connection of the printer PR shifts to less than the upper limit number (T424). The Req. Signal can be transmitted to the portable terminal Tb (T427), and the wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb can be appropriately reestablished (T430, T432).

(Case D; FIG. 10)
The initial state of FIG. 10 is the same as the initial state of FIG. T510 to T522 are the same as T210 to T222 in FIG.

  In T530, when the printer PR further receives a connection request from the portable terminal Tf (YES in S2 of FIG. 4), it determines that the number of connections of the printer PR matches the upper limit number (YES in S4). It is determined that the prohibition flag of Tf is not "ON" (NO in S6). In this case, in T532, the printer PR refers to the device list 50 on the lower side of FIG. 10 to select a portable terminal to be disconnected (S10). Specifically, in T532, the printer PR selects a portable terminal Tb (that is, related information including “MACb”) which is a used IV support device (“one” in S22 of FIG. 5, S24). Note that the portable terminal Ta, which is a used legacy device, is not selected as a portable terminal to be disconnected because the wireless connection has already been disconnected (that is, the disconnection time is described) (S12). "0 piece"). T534 and T536 are the same as T414 and T416 in FIG.

  In T540, the printer PR executes communication of various signals for establishing wireless connection with the portable terminal Tf to establish wireless connection with the portable terminal Tf (S62 in FIG. 4). As a result, the number of printer PR connections reaches the upper limit number again. Then, in T542, the printer PR registers the related information of the portable terminal Tf in the device list 50 (S64).

(Continuation of Figure 10; Figure 11)
FIG. 11 shows a sequence diagram of the continuation of FIG. In T600, the printer PR receives the disconnection request from the portable terminal Tc, and detects that the wireless connection with the portable terminal Tc is disconnected (YES in S106 of FIG. 6). As a result, the number of connection of the printer PR becomes less than the upper limit number. In this case, in T602, the printer PR erases the related information of the portable terminal Tc from the device list 50 (S108).

  At T627, the printer PR sends two disconnection related information (ie, related information including “MACa”, related information including “MACb”) in which the disconnection time is described in the device list 50. Since it exists, it is determined that there are two portable terminals Ta and Tb for which the wireless connection should be reestablished (YES in S110 of FIG. 6). In T627, the printer PR further determines that there is an IV support device to reestablish the wireless connection, since there is disconnection related information including the device type “IV support” (ie, related information including “MACb”). (YES in S112). As a result, the printer PR transmits an Invitation Req. Signal to the portable terminal Tb (S114). T628 to T634 are the same as T428 to T434 in FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the printer PR gives priority to the wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb, which is the IV support device, when there is both the IV support device and the legacy device to reestablish the wireless connection. Re-establish. This enables the printer PR to quickly reestablish wireless connection with the device (that is, the IV support device) whose wireless connection should be re-established after the number of printer PR connections is less than the upper limit number.

(Case E; FIG. 12)
In the initial state of FIG. 12, the printer PR establishes a wireless connection with each of the four portable terminals Ta and Td to Tf. That is, the number of connected printers PR has reached the upper limit number "4". In addition, the printer PR transmits a disconnection request to the portable terminals Tb and Tc in the past, and disconnects the wireless connection. For this reason, in the device list 50, the disconnection time is described in each related information of each mobile terminal Tb, Tc.

  In T800, the printer PR receives the disconnection request from the portable terminal Ta, and detects that the wireless connection with the portable terminal Ta has been disconnected (YES in S106 of FIG. 6). As a result, the number of connection of the printer PR becomes less than the upper limit number. In this case, in T802, the printer PR erases the related information of the portable terminal Ta from the device list 50 (S108).

  In T827, since the printer PR has two disconnection related information in which the disconnection time is described in the device list 50 (that is, related information including “MACb”, related information including “MACc”), It is determined that there are two mobile terminals Tb and Tc to reestablish wireless connection (YES in S110 of FIG. 6). At T827, the printer PR further determines that there are two IV support devices to reestablish the wireless connection because there are two disconnection related information including the device type “IV support” (YES at S112). ). Therefore, in T827, the printer PR selects one of the two disconnection related information including the device type “IV support”, in which the oldest disconnection time is described, that is, the related information including “MACb”. Is selected, and an Invitation Req. Signal is transmitted to the portable terminal Tb (S114). T828 to T834 are the same as T428 to T434 in FIG. 9.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when there are two or more IV support devices whose wireless connection should be reestablished, the printer PR and the portable terminal Tb whose wireless connection with the printer PR is disconnected first Re-establish wireless connection preferentially. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the wireless connection with the portable terminal Tb is not reestablished over a long period of time.

(Correspondence relationship)
The printer PR and the printing function are examples of the “wireless communication device” and the “image processing function”, respectively. The legacy device and the WFD device (that is, the IV support device and the IV non-support device) are examples of the “first type device” and the “second type device”, respectively. The IV support device and the IV non-support device are examples of the “support device” and the “non-support device”, respectively. The WFD scheme is an example of the “specific wireless communication scheme”. The WFD scheme G / O negotiation is an example of “a mechanism for executing wireless communication for determining a master station and a slave station of a wireless network”. The Invitation Req. Signal is an example of the “predetermined command”.

  In case A of FIG. 7, the portable terminal Te and the portable terminal Ta are examples of the “first specific device” and the “first target device”, respectively. The connection request of T210 and the disconnection request of T214 are examples of the “first wireless connection request” and the “first disconnection request”, respectively. The case where the connection request is received in T224 is an example of “when the wireless connection request is received from the first target device in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number before the predetermined period elapses”. The case of receiving the connection request at T228 is an example of “when the wireless connection request is received from the first target device in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number after the predetermined period has elapsed”.

  In the case B of FIG. 8, when the connection request of T330 is received, “the wireless connection request is received from the first target device in a state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit number before the predetermined period elapses. "Case" is an example.

  In case D of FIG. 10, the mobile terminal Te, the mobile terminal Tf, the mobile terminal Ta, and the mobile terminal Tb are respectively “first specified device”, “second specified device”, “first target device”, This is an example of the “second target device”. The connection request of T510, the connection request of T530, the disconnection request of T514, and the disconnection request of T534 are respectively "first wireless connection request", "second wireless connection request", "first disconnection request", " This is an example of the “second disconnection request”.

  The process of S2 of FIG. 4, the process of S10 (ie, the process of FIG. 5), the process of S52, and the process of S62 are respectively executed by the “reception unit”, “selection unit”, “disconnection unit”, and “establishment unit” Is an example of the process to be performed. Further, the process of S6 of FIG. 4, the process of S8, the process of S56, the process of S102 of FIG. 6, and the process of S104 are an example of the process executed by the “cutting control unit”.

  As mentioned above, although the specific example of this invention was described in detail, these are only an illustration and do not limit a claim. The art set forth in the claims includes various variations and modifications of the specific examples described above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification 1)
In the above embodiment, in the process of FIG. 5, the CPU 32 of the printer PR selects a used device as a portable terminal to be disconnected without selecting an unused or in-use device. Alternatively, the CPU 32 may select an unused or used device without selecting an in-use device. In another modification, the CPU 32 may select a portable terminal to be disconnected regardless of the use status. That is, “N1 devices” may include devices for which an application is being activated.

(Modification 2)
In the above embodiment, in the processing of FIG. 5, the CPU 32 of the printer PR preferentially selects a legacy device as a portable terminal to be disconnected, as compared with the IV support device. Instead of this, the IV support device may be preferentially selected as the CPU 32 and the portable terminal to be disconnected, compared with the legacy device. The printer PR can not reestablish the wireless connection with the legacy device without receiving the connection request automatically transmitted from the legacy device. Therefore, if the function to automatically transmit the connection request is disabled in the legacy device, the printer PR can not automatically receive the connection request from the legacy device, and the printer PR can not receive the connection request from the legacy device. Unable to re-establish wireless connection. On the other hand, the printer PR can transmit an Invitation Req. Signal to the IV support device after disconnecting the wireless connection with the IV support device. Thus, the printer PR can properly reestablish wireless connection with the IV support device. That is, the printer PR may preferentially select the IV support device as the portable terminal to be disconnected, as compared with the legacy device, in order to increase the possibility of reestablishment of the wireless connection. Generally speaking, the “selection unit” may preferentially select the second type of device as the first target device as compared to the first type of device.

(Modification 3)
In the process of FIG. 6, the CPU 32 of the printer PR may not execute the processes of S102 and S104. That is, the “establishment unit” is a unit with the first target device when the wireless connection request is received from the first target device in a state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit number before the predetermined period elapses. You do not have to re-establish the wireless connection,

(Modification 4)
In the process of FIG. 6, the CPU 32 of the printer PR preferentially reestablishes the wireless connection with the IV support device, when there is both the IV support device and the legacy device to reestablish the wireless connection. Alternatively, the CPU 32 may preferentially reestablish wireless connection with the legacy device. For example, in an environment where a device (for example, a PC, a server, etc.) capable of frequently executing communication with the printer PR is used as a legacy device, a configuration for preferentially reestablishing a wireless connection with the legacy device is adopted. It is preferable to do. That is, the “establishment unit” may preferentially reestablish wireless connection with the first target device, which is the first type of device, compared to the second target device, which is the support device.

(Modification 5)
Instead of operating the printer PR as a WFD G / O device, the CPU 32 of the printer PR may activate a so-called Soft AP to operate the printer PR as a pseudo AP. Also in this modification, the CPU 32 can form a wireless network in which the printer PR operates as a master station.

(Modification 6)
The “wireless communication device” is not limited to the printer PR, but may be another type of device (for example, a scanner, a facsimile, a telephone, a multi-function device, a wireless access point, a PC, a portable terminal, etc.). Generally speaking, the “wireless communication device” may be any type of device as long as it operates as a master station of a wireless network and can establish wireless connection with an external device. For example, when a scanner is employed as the "wireless communication apparatus", the scan function is an example of the "image processing function".

(Modification 7) In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 32 of the printer PR executes the program 36 (i.e. software) in the memory 34 to realize the processes shown in FIGS. Instead, at least one of the processes in FIGS. 2 to 6 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

  The technical elements described in the present specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness singly or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the techniques illustrated in the present specification or the drawings simultaneously achieve a plurality of purposes, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical utility.

  2: communication system, 12: operation unit, 14: display unit, 16: print execution unit, 20: wireless LAN I / F, 30: control unit, 32: CPU, 34: memory, 36: program, 50: device list, PR: Printer, Ta to Tf: Mobile terminal, MACa to MACf: MAC address

Claims (17)

A wireless communication device,
The first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device in a state where the number of connections, which is the number of wireless connections currently established by the wireless communication device operating as a master station of the wireless network, matches the upper limit number. A receiver,
Among the N1 (N1 is an integer of 2 or more) devices currently establishing a wireless connection with the wireless communication device when the first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device A selection unit for selecting a first target device from which the wireless connection is to be disconnected, wherein the N1 devices are a first type of device that can not operate according to the Wi-Fi Direct method; In the case of including a plurality of types of devices including a second type of device operable according to the Fi Direct method, a cutting priority predetermined to be different for each type of the plurality of types of devices , The device of the type having the highest disconnection priority is preferentially selected as the first target device based on the disconnection priority predetermined in accordance with the order in which re-establishment of wireless connection is easy. A selection unit,
A disconnection unit that transmits a first disconnection request to the first target device to disconnect a wireless connection with the first target device;
An establishing unit that establishes a wireless connection with the first specific device after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected;
Wireless communication device comprising: A wireless communication device,
The first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device in a state where the number of connections, which is the number of wireless connections currently established by the wireless communication device operating as a master station of the wireless network, matches the upper limit number. A receiver,
Among the N1 (N1 is an integer of 2 or more) devices currently establishing a wireless connection with the wireless communication device when the first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device A selection unit for selecting a first target device from which a wireless connection is to be disconnected, and when the N1 devices establish a wireless connection with the wireless communication device, When establishing a wireless connection between a first type of device that does not transmit a Provision Discovery Request signal and the wireless communication device, the second wireless device transmits the Provision Discovery Request signal of the specific wireless communication scheme to the wireless communication device. When a plurality of types of devices including a type of device are included, the type of device having the highest cutting priority based on the cutting priority predetermined to be different for each of the plurality of types of devices The first target device And the selection unit for selecting preferentially and,
A disconnection unit that transmits a first disconnection request to the first target device to disconnect a wireless connection with the first target device;
An establishing unit that establishes a wireless connection with the first specific device after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected;
Wireless communication device comprising:   In the specific wireless communication method, when a wireless connection is established between a pair of devices and a wireless network is to be formed, the pair of devices determine a master station and a slave station of the wireless network. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, which is a wireless communication system having a mechanism for executing wireless communication. The wireless communication device may further
After the first type of device is selected as the first target device and the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected before the predetermined period elapses, the number of connections is the upper limit number. When the wireless connection request is received from the first target device in the coincident state, the wireless communication device is not allowed to disconnect the currently established wireless connection,
When the first type of device is selected as the first target device and the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected and the predetermined period has elapsed, the number of connections is the upper limit number. And a disconnection control unit that allows the wireless communication device to disconnect the currently established wireless connection when a wireless connection request is received from the first target device in a matching state.
The device of the first type is wirelessly connected even if the user does not receive an instruction after the wireless connection with the wireless communication device is disconnected due to the reception of the disconnection request from the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a function of automatically transmitting a request to the wireless communication device.   The establishment unit further selects the first type device as the first target device and disconnects the wireless connection with the first target device before the predetermined period elapses. The wireless connection with the first target device is reestablished when the wireless connection request is received from the first target device in a state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit number. Wireless communication device.   The wireless communication according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the selection unit preferentially selects the first type of device as the first target device in comparison with the second type of device. apparatus. The second type device includes a support device that supports a predetermined command for joining a wireless network, and a non-support device that does not support the predetermined command.
When the N1 devices include the support device and the non-support device, the selection unit preferentially selects the support device as the first target device in comparison with the non-support device. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The establishment unit further selects the support device as the first target device, and after the wireless connection with the first specific device is established, the number of connections matches the upper limit number. When transitioning to a state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit number, the predetermined command is transmitted to the first target device to reestablish wireless connection with the first target device. The wireless communication device according to 7. The second type device includes a support device that supports a predetermined command for joining a wireless network, and a non-support device that does not support the predetermined command.
Furthermore, after the wireless connection with the first specific device is established, the receiving unit further transmits a second wireless connection request from the second specific device in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number. Receive
The selection unit is further configured to establish N 2 wireless connections with the wireless communication apparatus when the second wireless connection request is received from the second specific device (the number of N 2 is two or more). Select the second target device from which the wireless connection should be disconnected from the devices
The disconnection unit further transmits a second disconnection request to the second target device, and disconnects the wireless connection with the second target device.
The establishment unit further establishes a wireless connection with the second specific device after the wireless connection with the second target device is disconnected.
The establishment unit further selects the first type device as the first target device, establishes the wireless connection with the first specific device, and the second target device. After the support device is selected and the wireless connection with the second specific device is established, the number of connections transitions from a state where the number of connections matches the number of upper limits to a state where the number of connections is less than the number of upper limits The wireless connection with the second target device, which is the support device, is preferentially reestablished in some cases, compared to the first target device, which is the first type device, The wireless communication device according to any one of the preceding claims. A wireless communication device,
The first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device in a state where the number of connections, which is the number of wireless connections currently established by the wireless communication device operating as a master station of the wireless network, matches the upper limit number. A receiver,
Among the N1 (N1 is an integer of 2 or more) devices currently establishing a wireless connection with the wireless communication device when the first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device And a selection unit for selecting the first target device having the highest disconnection priority based on a predetermined disconnection priority, the first target device from which the wireless connection is to be disconnected.
A disconnection unit that transmits a first disconnection request to the first target device to disconnect a wireless connection with the first target device;
An establishing unit that establishes a wireless connection with the first specific device after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected;
Equipped with
The N1 devices include a second type of device operable according to the Wi-Fi Direct scheme,
The second type device includes a support device that supports a predetermined command for joining a wireless network, and a non-support device that does not support the predetermined command.
When the N1 devices include the support device and the non-support device, the selection unit selects the support device and the non-support device as the first target device based on the disconnection priority. A wireless communication device that preferentially selects one of the devices.   When the N1 devices include the support device and the non-support device, the selection unit performs the support as the first target device based on the disconnection priority, compared to the non-support device. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is selected preferentially.   The establishment unit further selects the support device as the first target device, and after the wireless connection with the first specific device is established, the number of connections matches the upper limit number. When transitioning to a state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit number, the predetermined command is transmitted to the first target device to reestablish wireless connection with the first target device. The wireless communication device according to 10 or 11. The second type device includes a support device that supports a predetermined command for joining a wireless network, and a non-support device that does not support the predetermined command.
Furthermore, after the wireless connection with the first specific device is established, the receiving unit further transmits a second wireless connection request from the second specific device in a state where the number of connections matches the upper limit number. Receive
The selection unit is further configured to establish N 2 wireless connections with the wireless communication apparatus when the second wireless connection request is received from the second specific device (the number of N 2 is two or more). Select the second target device from which the wireless connection should be disconnected from the devices
The disconnection unit further transmits a second disconnection request to the second target device, and disconnects the wireless connection with the second target device.
The establishment unit further establishes a wireless connection with the second specific device after the wireless connection with the second target device is disconnected.
The establishment unit further selects the support device as the first target device, establishes the wireless connection with the first specific device, and the support device as the second target device. When it is selected and the wireless connection with the second specific device is established, when the number of connections matches the upper limit number to shift to the state where the number of connections is less than the upper limit number, Of the first target device and the second target device, the wireless connection with the first target device, of which the wireless connection with the wireless communication device is disconnected first, is preferentially reestablished. The wireless communication device according to any one of Items 1 to 12.   The N1 devices are, among all devices currently establishing wireless connection with the wireless communication device, devices for which an application for causing the wireless communication device to execute an image processing function is not running. The wireless communication device according to any one of Items 1 to 13. A computer program for a wireless communication device, comprising
The following processes are performed on a computer mounted on the wireless communication device:
The first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device in a state where the number of connections, which is the number of wireless connections currently established by the wireless communication device operating as a master station of the wireless network, matches the upper limit number. Reception processing,
Among the N1 (N1 is an integer of 2 or more) devices currently establishing a wireless connection with the wireless communication device when the first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device A selection process for selecting a first target device from which the wireless connection is to be disconnected, wherein the N1 devices are a first type of device that can not operate according to the Wi-Fi Direct method; In the case of including a plurality of types of devices including a second type of device operable according to the Fi Direct method, a cutting priority predetermined to be different for each type of the plurality of types of devices , The device of the type having the highest disconnection priority is preferentially selected as the first target device based on the disconnection priority predetermined in accordance with the order in which re-establishment of wireless connection is easy. Selection processing,
A disconnection process of transmitting a first disconnection request to the first target device and disconnecting a wireless connection with the first target device;
Establishing processing for establishing a wireless connection with the first specific device after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected;
A computer program that runs A computer program for a wireless communication device, comprising
The following processes are performed on a computer mounted on the wireless communication device:
The first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device in a state where the number of connections, which is the number of wireless connections currently established by the wireless communication device operating as a master station of the wireless network, matches the upper limit number. Reception processing,
Among the N1 (N1 is an integer of 2 or more) devices currently establishing a wireless connection with the wireless communication device when the first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device A selection process for selecting a first target device from which a wireless connection is to be disconnected, and when the N1 devices establish a wireless connection with the wireless communication device, A second type of transmitting a Provision Discovery Request signal of the specific wireless communication method to the wireless communication device when establishing a wireless connection between the first type of device that does not transmit the Provision Discovery Request signal and the wireless communication device The device of the type having the highest cutting priority based on the cutting priority predetermined to be different for each of the plurality of types of devices, With the first target device And the selection process for selecting preferentially Te,
A disconnection process of transmitting a first disconnection request to the first target device and disconnecting a wireless connection with the first target device;
Establishing processing for establishing a wireless connection with the first specific device after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected;
A computer program that runs A computer program for a wireless communication device, comprising
The following processes are performed on a computer mounted on the wireless communication device:
The first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device in a state where the number of connections, which is the number of wireless connections currently established by the wireless communication device operating as a master station of the wireless network, matches the upper limit number. Reception processing,
Among the N1 (N1 is an integer of 2 or more) devices currently establishing a wireless connection with the wireless communication device when the first wireless connection request is received from the first specific device And a selection process of selecting the first target device having the highest disconnection priority based on a predetermined disconnection priority, the first target device from which the wireless connection is to be disconnected.
A disconnection process of transmitting a first disconnection request to the first target device and disconnecting a wireless connection with the first target device;
Establishing processing for establishing a wireless connection with the first specific device after the wireless connection with the first target device is disconnected;
To run
The N1 devices include a second type of device operable according to the Wi-Fi Direct scheme,
The second type device includes a support device that supports a predetermined command for joining a wireless network, and a non-support device that does not support the predetermined command.
When the N1 devices include the support device and the non-support device, the selection process includes, as the first target device, the support device and the non-support device based on the disconnection priority. A computer program that preferentially selects one of the devices.

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