JP6528875B2 - Function execution device - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed by the present specification relates to a function execution device.

  Patent Literatures 1 and 2 disclose techniques for two wireless communication devices to perform wireless communication. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, two communication apparatuses execute communication of wireless setting in accordance with near field communication (that is, wireless communication according to NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication) method). The above wireless setting is a setting for executing wireless communication according to a communication method (for example, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11 b) different from the NFC method. As a result, the two communication devices can execute wireless communication according to the wireless setting.

JP 2007-166538 A JP, 2011-146991, A

Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1, Wi-Fi Alliance, 2010

  Provided herein is a function performing device that can perform appropriate operations.

The technology disclosed by the present specification is a function execution device. The function execution device is a first type of interface for executing communication with a mobile terminal, and a second type of interface for executing communication with the mobile terminal, the communication via the second type of interface The second type interface and the control unit, wherein the communication speed of the second type is higher than the communication speed of communication via the first type interface, and the function execution device functions as a master station of the wireless network The control unit is a receiving unit operable to receive first information including a request for execution of a specific function from the portable terminal via the first type interface. The specific function is the receiving unit including communication processing for communicating target data with the portable terminal, and the first information is received, and the function execution device Whether the number of slave station devices operating as slave stations in the specific wireless network is less than a predetermined value when the function execution device operates as the master station in the specific wireless network to which it currently belongs From the first type of interface, an apparatus number determining unit for determining whether or not the number of the slave station apparatuses is less than the predetermined value, and an interface for communicating with the portable terminal A change unit that executes a change process for changing to a second type interface, wherein the change process is not performed when it is determined that the number of slave station devices is not less than the predetermined value. And a function execution unit that executes the specific function including the communication process via the second type interface when the change process is executed. There.
Another technique disclosed by the present specification is a function execution device. The function execution device includes a first type interface for executing communication with the mobile terminal, a second type interface for executing communication with the mobile terminal, and a control unit. The communication speed of communication via the second type interface is higher than the communication speed of communication via the first type interface. The control unit includes a reception unit, a state determination unit, a change unit, and a function execution unit. The receiving unit receives, from the portable terminal, first information including a request for execution of a specific function via the first type of interface. Specific functions include communication processing for communicating target data with the portable terminal. When the first information is received, the state determination unit determines whether the state of the function execution device is a non-error state capable of executing a specific function or an error state in which the specific function can not be executed To judge. The changing unit is configured to change the interface for communicating with the portable terminal from the first type of interface to the second type of interface when the state of the function execution device is determined to be a non-error state. Execute the process The change unit does not execute the change process when it is determined that the state of the function execution device is an error state. The function execution unit executes a specific function including communication processing via the second type interface when the change processing is executed.

  According to the above configuration, when the function execution device receives the first information from the portable terminal via the first type interface, it is an error whether the state of the function execution device is a non-error state or not Determine if it is a state. The function execution device appropriately communicates the target data with the portable terminal via the second type interface to execute the change process when it is determined that the state of the function execution device is in the non-error state. obtain. As a result, the function execution device can appropriately execute the specific function. On the other hand, when it is determined that the state of the function execution device is in an error state, the function execution device does not execute the change process. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the change process is executed although the state of the function execution device is an error state in which the specific function can not be executed. As a result, the processing load of the function execution device can be reduced. In this manner, the function execution device can execute an appropriate operation according to the determination result regarding the state of the function execution device.

  The control unit further stores, in the memory of the function execution apparatus, permission information indicating whether the portable terminal can use the specific function, and the first information is received. The information processing apparatus may further include a use determining unit that determines whether the mobile terminal can use a specific function by using the permission information in the memory. The change unit executes the change process when the state of the function execution device is determined to be a non-error state and the portable terminal is determined to be able to use a specific function, and the portable terminal is identified If it is determined that the function of (1) can not be used, the change process may not be performed. According to this configuration, the function execution device does not execute the change process if it is determined that the portable terminal can not use the specific function even if the state of the function execution device is in the non-error state. . This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the change processing is executed even though the portable terminal can not use the specific function. As a result, the processing load of the function execution device can be reduced. In this manner, the function execution device can execute an appropriate operation according to the determination result regarding the use of the function by the portable terminal.

  The first information may further include related information related to a wireless network to which the mobile terminal currently belongs. The change unit may execute the change process using the relationship information. According to this configuration, the function execution device can appropriately execute the change process using the relation information.

  The control unit further makes the impossible information indicating that the specific function can not be performed via the first type interface, when it is determined that the state of the function execution device is in the error state. You may provide the transmission part which transmits to a portable terminal. According to this configuration, the function execution device can appropriately notify the portable terminal that the specific function can not be performed.

  The specific function may be a print function including a communication process of receiving print data that is object data from a portable terminal, and a print process according to the print data. The receiving unit may further receive, from the portable terminal via the first type of interface, second information including a print function execution request after the impossibility information is transmitted to the portable terminal. When the second information is received, (A) the change unit executes the change process, and (B) the function execution unit performs the second type interface from the portable terminal when the change process is performed. The communication processing for receiving print data may be executed via the above to store the print data in the memory of the function execution device. The function execution unit further executes print processing according to the print data in the memory when the state of the function execution device changes from an error state to a non-error state after the second information is received. It is also good. According to this configuration, when the second information is received from the portable terminal via the first type of interface, the function execution device executes the changing process to transmit the second type of interface via the second type of interface. Receive print data. At this time, since the function execution device is in an error state, the function execution device stores the print data in the memory without executing the printing process. Then, when the function execution device changes from an error state to a non-error state, the function execution device executes print processing according to the print data in the memory. Therefore, the function execution apparatus can appropriately execute the print function including the print data communication process and the print process even in the error state when the first information is received.

  The second information may further include size information indicating the data size of the print data. When the second information is received, the control unit further uses a size determination unit that determines whether the print data can be stored in the memory using the size information and the free space of the memory. You may have. When the second information is received, the change unit (A1) executes the change process when it is determined that the print data can be stored in the memory, and (A2) the print data is not stored in the memory. If it is determined that it is possible, the change process may not be performed. According to this configuration, the function execution device does not execute the change process when it is determined that the print data can not be stored in the memory. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the change processing is executed despite the print data can not be stored in the memory. As a result, the processing load of the function execution device can be reduced.

  The specific function may be a scan function including a scan process of executing a scan of an original to generate scan data, and a communication process of transmitting scan data as target data to a portable terminal. The receiving unit may further receive third information including a scan function execution request from the portable terminal via the first type of interface after the impossibility information is transmitted to the portable terminal. The function execution unit may further execute the scan function when the state of the function execution device changes from an error state to a non-error state after the third information is received. According to this configuration, when the third information is received from the portable terminal via the first type of interface, the function execution device executes the scan function when changing from the error state to the non-error state. Therefore, the function execution apparatus can appropriately execute the scan function including the scan process and the scan data communication process even in the error state when the first information is received.

  When the wireless network to which the portable terminal currently belongs and the wireless network to which the function execution device currently belongs are the same, the reception unit is configured to transmit a third type of communication from the portable terminal via the first type interface. Information may be received. According to this configuration, the function execution apparatus can receive the third information and appropriately execute the scan function even in the error state when the first information is received.

  The function execution apparatus includes a plurality of states including a master station state functioning as a master station of the wireless network, a slave station state functioning as a slave station of the wireless network, and a device state different from the master station state and slave station state. It may be selectively operable in any state of The second type of interface may be an interface for a function execution device operating in either the master station state or the slave station state to execute communication processing.

  In a particular wireless network to which the function execution device currently belongs, when the function execution device is operating in the master station state, the change process is a slave station device operating in the slave station state in the specific wireless network The number of devices may include a device number determination process of determining whether the number is smaller than a predetermined value. When it is determined that the number of slave station devices is less than the predetermined value, the change unit continues to execute the change processing, and when it is determined that the number of slave station devices is equal to or more than the predetermined value. The change process does not have to be continued. According to this configuration, the function execution device does not continuously execute the change process when the number of slave station devices is equal to or more than the predetermined value. Thereby, the change processing continues even though the portable terminal can not newly participate in the specific wireless network due to the large number of slave station devices belonging to the specific wireless network. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of the event of being executed. As a result, the processing load of the function execution device can be reduced.

  The specific function may be a print function including a communication process of receiving print data that is object data from a portable terminal, and a print process according to the print data. The state determination unit is at least one of the remaining amount of consumables for executing the print function, the remaining amount of print medium for executing the print function, and the state of hardware for executing the print function. One may be used to determine whether the state of the function execution device is a non-error state or an error state. According to this configuration, the function execution device can appropriately perform the determination on the state of the function execution device.

  The specific function may be a scan function including a scan process of executing a scan of an original to generate scan data, and a communication process of transmitting scan data as target data to a portable terminal. The state determination unit may determine whether the state of the function execution device is a non-error state or an error state using the state of hardware for executing the scan function. According to this configuration, the function execution device can appropriately perform the determination on the state of the function execution device.

  The present specification further discloses a function execution device capable of executing a plurality of functions including a first function and a second function. The control unit of the function execution device includes a storage control unit, a reception unit, a use determination unit, a change unit, and a function execution unit. The storage control unit stores, for each of the first function and the second function, permission information indicating whether the portable terminal can use the function in the memory of the function execution device. The receiving unit receives, from the portable terminal, first information including a request for execution of a specific function via the first type of interface. Specific functions include communication processing for communicating target data with the portable terminal. When the first information is received, the use determination unit uses permission information in the memory to determine whether the portable terminal can use a specific function. The changing unit is an interface for communicating with the portable terminal in the first case where it is determined that the specific function is the first function and the portable terminal can use the first function, Execute change processing to change from one type of interface to a second type of interface. The change unit does not execute the change process in a second case where it is determined that the specific function is the second function and the portable terminal can not use the second function. The function execution unit executes a specific function including communication processing via the second type interface when the change processing is executed.

  According to the above configuration, when the first information is received from the portable terminal via the first type of interface, the function execution device determines whether the portable terminal can use the specific function. to decide. In order to execute the change process, the function execution device performs the change process in the first case where the specific function is the first function and the portable terminal is determined to be able to use the first function. The target data may be properly communicated with the mobile terminal via a kind of interface. As a result, the function execution device can appropriately execute the specific function (i.e., the first function). On the other hand, the function execution device does not execute the change process in the second case where it is determined that the specific function is the second function and the portable terminal can not use the second function. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the change process is executed even though the portable terminal can not use the specific function (that is, the second function). As a result, the processing load of the function execution device can be reduced. In this manner, the function execution device can execute an appropriate operation according to the determination result regarding the use of the function by the portable terminal.

  A control method for realizing the above function execution apparatus, a computer program, and a computer readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. A communication system including the above-described function execution device and a portable terminal is also novel and useful.

1 shows the configuration of a communication system. 5 shows a flowchart of MFP processing. The flowchart of a normal request processing is shown. 7 shows a flowchart of re-request processing. 7 shows a flowchart of change processing. A sequence diagram of case A is shown. The sequence diagram of case X1 is shown. FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of case X2. FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of case X3. FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of case X4. FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of case B. FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of case C. FIG. 18 shows a sequence diagram of case D.

(Configuration of communication system 2)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 is called a multi-function device (hereinafter referred to as "MFP" (abbreviated to "Multi-Function Peripheral") 10, a portable terminal 50, and an access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP"). And 6) and a PC 8). The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can execute near field communication. The short distance wireless communication is wireless communication according to the NFC method. In this embodiment, NFC wireless communication is performed based on the international standard of ISO / IEC 21481 or ISO / IEC 18092.

  The PC 8, the MFP 10, and the portable terminal 50 can each execute wireless communication in accordance with a later-described Wi-Fi Direct scheme (hereinafter referred to as “WFD scheme”). In the WFD method, wireless communication is performed based on the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and standards (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.) conforming thereto. Be done. The NFC method and the WFD method are different in the wireless communication method (that is, the standard of the wireless communication). Further, the communication speed of the WFD wireless communication is faster than the communication speed of the NFC wireless communication.

  For example, the MFP 10 can construct a WFD network by establishing a connection with the portable terminal 50 (hereinafter referred to as “WFD connection”) in accordance with the WFD method. Similarly, the MFP 10 can establish a WFD network by establishing a WFD connection with the PC 8.

  The PC 8, the MFP 10, and the portable terminal 50 can further execute wireless communication in accordance with normal Wi-Fi different from wireless communication in accordance with the WFD method. Generally speaking, wireless communication in accordance with normal Wi-Fi is wireless communication in which the AP 6 is used, and wireless communication in accordance with the WFD system is wireless communication in which the AP 6 is not used. For example, the MFP 10 can belong to a normal Wi-Fi network by establishing a connection with the AP 6 (hereinafter referred to as a “normal Wi-Fi connection”) in accordance with the normal Wi-Fi. The MFP 10 can perform wireless communication with other devices (for example, the PC 8 and the portable terminal 50) that normally belong to the Wi-Fi network via the AP 6. In addition, the NFC method and the normal Wi-Fi are different in the wireless communication method (that is, the standard of wireless communication). Also, the communication speed of the normal Wi-Fi wireless communication is faster than the communication speed of the NFC wireless communication.

(WFD)
WFD is a standard formulated by the Wi-Fi Alliance. WFD is described in "Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

  As described above, the PC 8, the MFP 10, and the portable terminal 50 can execute wireless communication in accordance with the WFD method. Hereinafter, a device capable of executing wireless communication in accordance with the WFD scheme will be referred to as a “WFD compatible device”. In the WFD standard, three states of a Group Owner state (hereinafter referred to as "G / O state"), a client state, and a device state are defined as the states of a WFD compatible device. The WFD-enabled device is selectively operable in one of the three states described above.

  A WFD network is configured by the device in the G / O state and the device in the client state. In the WFD network, there may be only one device in G / O state, but there may be one or more devices in client state. Devices in the G / O state manage devices in one or more client states. Specifically, the device in the G / O state generates a management list in which identification information (ie, MAC address) of each of the devices in one or more client states is described. The device in the G / O state adds identification information of the device to the management list when the device in the client state newly belongs to the WFD network, and when the device in the client state leaves the WFD network, the identification information of the device Remove from management list.

  Devices in the G / O state are connected to the target data (for example, the network layer of the OSI reference model) with devices registered in the management list, that is, devices in the client state (ie, devices belonging to the WFD network). Wireless communication of data (print data, scan data, etc.) including information can be performed. However, devices in the G / O state communicate with unregistered devices not registered in the management list with data for the unregistered device to participate in the WFD network (for example, data that does not include network layer information ( Wireless communication of physical layer data (Probe Request signal, Probe Response signal, etc.) can be performed, but wireless communication of the above target data can not be performed, for example, the MFP 10 in the G / O state is a management list Although print data can be wirelessly received from the portable terminal 50 registered in (the portable terminal 50 in the client state), print data can not be received wirelessly from an apparatus not registered in the management list.

  Also, a device in the G / O state can relay wireless communication of target data (print data, scan data, etc.) between a plurality of devices in the client state. For example, when the portable terminal 50 in the client state should wirelessly transmit print data to another printer in the client state, the portable terminal 50 wirelessly transmits the print data to the MFP 10 in the G / O state. In this case, the MFP 10 wirelessly receives the print data from the portable terminal 50 and wirelessly transmits the print data to the other printer described above. That is, the device in the G / O state can usually execute the function of the AP of the Wi-Fi network.

  Note that WFD compatible devices not belonging to the WFD network (that is, devices not registered in the management list) are devices in the device state. A device in the device state can execute wireless communication of data for joining a WFD network (data of a physical layer such as a probe request signal, probe response signal, etc.), but target data (print data) via the WFD network , Scan data etc.) can not be performed.

  In the following, a device that can not execute wireless communication according to the WFD scheme, but can execute wireless communication according to normal Wi-Fi, is referred to as “non-WFD compatible device”. The "non-WFD compatible device" can also be called "legacy device". A WFD non-compliant device can not operate as a G / O state. The device in the G / O state can describe the identification information of the WFD non-compliant device in the management list.

(Configuration of MFP 10)
The MFP 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a scan execution unit 18, a wireless LAN interface (hereinafter, the interface is referred to as “I / F”) 20, and an NFC I / F. And a control unit 30. The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the MFP 10 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 scan execution unit 18 is a scan mechanism such as a CCD or CIS.

  The wireless LAN I / F 20 is an interface for the control unit 30 to execute wireless communication in accordance with the WFD method and wireless communication in accordance with normal Wi-Fi. The wireless LAN I / F 20 is physically one interface. However, in the wireless LAN I / F 20, a MAC address used in wireless communication according to the WFD scheme (hereinafter referred to as "MAC address for WFD") and a MAC used in wireless communication according to normal Wi-Fi Both an address (hereinafter referred to as "a MAC address for normal Wi-Fi") and an address are assigned. More specifically, the wireless LAN I / F 20 is normally assigned a Wi-Fi MAC address in advance. The control unit 30 generates a WFD MAC address using the normal Wi-Fi MAC address, and assigns the WFD MAC address to the wireless LAN I / F 20. The WFD MAC address is usually different from the Wi-Fi MAC address. Therefore, the control unit 30 can simultaneously execute both the wireless communication according to the WFD scheme and the wireless communication according to the normal Wi-Fi via the wireless LAN I / F 20. As a result, a situation in which the MFP 10 belongs to the WFD network and belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network can be established. In the modification, an interface for performing wireless communication according to the WFD scheme and an interface for performing wireless communication according to the normal Wi-Fi are configured by physically different chips. It is also good.

  In the G / O state, not only identification information of WFD compatible devices in the client state, but also identification information of non WFD compatible devices can be described in the management list. That is, a device in the G / O state can establish a WFD connection with a WFD non-compliant device. Generally speaking, the WFD connection is a wireless connection in which the WFD MAC address of the MFP 10 is used. The WFD network is a wireless network in which the WFD MAC address of the MFP 10 is used. Similarly, the normal Wi-Fi connection is a wireless connection in which the normal Wi-Fi MAC address of the MFP 10 is used. Further, the normal Wi-Fi network is a wireless network in which the normal Wi-Fi MAC address of the MFP 10 is used.

  The user operates the operation unit 12 to express the setting of the wireless LAN I / F 20 as a setting that can execute wireless communication according to the WFD method (hereinafter, “WFDI / F setting is ON”. And a setting in which wireless communication in accordance with the WFD scheme can not be performed (hereinafter referred to as “WFDI / F setting is OFF”). The control unit 30 stores in the memory 34 a value (ON or OFF) indicating the WFDI / F setting set by the user.

  The NFC I / F 22 is an interface for the control unit 30 to execute the NFC wireless communication. The W-Fi I / F 20 and the NFC I / F 22 are configured by physically different chips.

  Note that the communication speed for wireless communication via the wireless LAN I / F 20 (for example, the maximum communication speed is 11 to 600 Mbps) is the communication speed for wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22 (for example, the maximum communication speed is 106 to 424 kbps Faster than). Furthermore, the frequency of the carrier wave in the wireless communication via the wireless LAN I / F 20 (for example, 2.4 GHz band, 5.0 GHz band) is the frequency of the carrier wave in the wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22 (for example, 13.56 MHz band) It is different from In addition, when the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is approximately 10 cm or less, the control unit 30 can execute the NFC wireless communication with the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. On the other hand, even when the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is 10 cm or less or 10 cm or more (for example, about 100 m at the maximum), the control unit 30 uses the WFD method via the wireless LAN I / F 20. The wireless communication according to the second embodiment and the wireless communication according to the normal Wi-Fi can be performed with the portable terminal 50. That is, the maximum distance at which the MFP 10 can execute wireless communication with the communication destination device (for example, the portable terminal 50) via the wireless LAN I / F 20 is the MFP 10 can communicate with the communication destination device via the NFC I / F 22. Greater than the maximum distance over which wireless communication can be performed.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes in accordance with the program stored in the memory 34. The functions of the units 40 to 47 are realized by the CPU 32 executing processing according to a program.

  The memory 34 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk and the like. The memory 34 stores the above program executed by the CPU 32. When the MFP 10 currently belongs to the WFD network, the memory 34 executes communication of target data (for example, print data, scan data) via the WFD network and information indicating that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the WFD network. And wireless settings (including an authentication method, an encryption method, a password, a SSID (Service Set Identifier) of the wireless network, and a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID)). In addition, when the MFP 10 currently belongs to a normal Wi-Fi network, information indicating that the MFP 10 currently belongs to a normal Wi-Fi network and communication of target data via the normal Wi-Fi network Store wireless settings, and. The SSID is an identifier for identifying a wireless network, and the BSSID is a unique identifier (for example, MAC) of an access point (that is, a device in the G / O state in the case of a WFD network) constructing the wireless network. Address).

  The memory 34 further stores a value (ON or OFF) indicating the WFDI / F setting. When the WFDI / F setting in the memory 34 is OFF, the control unit 30 performs each process according to the WFD method (for example, a process for setting the MFP 10 to a spontaneous G / O mode described later, G / O negotiation Etc.) can not be performed. In the state where the WFDI / F setting is ON, the memory 34 further stores a value indicating the current state (G / O state, client state, or device state) of the MFP 10 regarding the WFD method. .

  The user can set the MFP 10 to the spontaneous G / O mode by operating the operation unit 12. The spontaneous G / O mode is a mode that allows the MFP 10 to operate in the G / O state. Memory 34 further stores a value indicating whether MFP 10 is set to the spontaneous G / O mode. When establishing a WFD connection with another WFD-compatible device in the device state, the WFD-compatible device in the device state should normally operate in either the G / O state or the client state Perform G / O negotiation to selectively determine When the MFP 10 is set to the spontaneous G / O mode, the MFP 10 maintains operating in the G / O state without executing G / O negotiation.

  The memory 34 further stores SFL (Secure Function Lock) information 36. The SFL information 36 indicates, for each of a plurality of terminal devices including the portable terminal 50, an ID (for example, the ID 50) of the terminal device and information indicating whether the terminal device can use the printing function (OK or It includes ID-function information in which NG) and information (OK or NG) indicating whether the terminal device can use the scan function are associated. The SFL information 36 further indicates information indicating a public terminal device (that is, a terminal device whose ID is not registered in the ID-function information) and that the terminal device can not use the printing function. It includes public information in which information indicating (NG) and information (NG) indicating that the terminal apparatus can not use the scan function are associated. The user of the MFP 10 inputs the SFL information 36 into the MFP 10 by operating the operation unit 12. Thereby, the storage control unit 44 stores the SFL information 36 input by the user in the memory 34.

(Configuration of portable terminal 50)
The mobile terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile phone (for example, a smart phone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a mobile music player, a mobile video player, or the like. The portable terminal 50 includes a wireless LAN I / F (ie, an interface for WFD and normal Wi-Fi) and an NFC I / F. Therefore, the portable terminal 50 can execute wireless communication with the MFP 10 using the wireless LAN, and can perform wireless communication with the MFP 10 using the NFC I / F. The PC 8 includes an application program for causing the MFP 10 to execute a function (for example, a print function, a scan function, etc.). The application program may be installed on the portable terminal 50 from a server provided by a vendor of the MFP 10, for example, or may be installed on the portable terminal 50 from media shipped together with the MFP 10.

(Configuration of PC 8)
The PC 8 includes a wireless LAN (ie, an interface for WFD and normal Wi-Fi), but does not include an NFC I / F. Therefore, although the PC 8 can execute communication with the MFP 10 using the wireless LAN, it can not execute the NFC wireless communication. The portable terminal 50 includes a driver program for causing the MFP 10 to execute a function (for example, a print function, a scan function, and the like). The driver program is usually installed on the PC 8 from the media shipped together with the MFP 10. However, in the modification, the driver program may be installed on the PC 8 from a server provided by the vendor of the MFP 10.

(Configuration of AP6)
The AP 6 is not a WFD G / O state device but a normal AP called a wireless access point or a wireless LAN router. The AP 6 can establish a normal Wi-Fi connection with a plurality of devices. Thus, a normal Wi-Fi network including the AP 6 and the plurality of devices is constructed. The AP 6 receives data from one of a plurality of devices belonging to a normal Wi-Fi network, and transmits the data to another one of the plurality of devices. That is, the AP 6 relays communication between a pair of devices that normally belong to the Wi-Fi network.

(Process executed by MFP 10)
A process performed by the MFP 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 30 executes the process of FIG. 2 when the MFP 10 is powered on. While the MFP 10 is turned on, the NFC I / F 22 is in a state of detecting a device capable of executing the NFC wireless communication.

  The user of the portable terminal 50 activates an application program. Next, the user inputs an instruction for causing the MFP 10 to execute a function (print function or scan function) to the portable terminal 50. In this case, the portable terminal 50 generates NFC information. Although the details will be described later, when the portable terminal 50 receives the NG information from the MFP 10 after transmitting the NFC information to the MFP 10, the portable terminal 50 may generate and transmit the NFC information again. The first NFC information includes at least information indicating a normal request, information indicating a function (print function or scan function) input by the user, and an ID “ID 50” of the portable terminal 50. The second NFC information includes information indicating a rerequest instead of the information indicating a normal request. The second NFC information at least includes information indicating a function (print function or scan function) input by the user, and the ID “ID 50” of the portable terminal 50. If the function input by the user is a print function (that is, if the second NFC information includes information indicating the print function), the second NFC information further includes the data size of the print data. Includes size information indicating.

  In addition, when the portable terminal 50 currently belongs to a wireless network, the NFC information further includes the SSID and BSSID of the wireless network. When the portable terminal 50 currently belongs to the wireless network, at least one of WFD connection and normal Wi-Fi connection is connected between the portable terminal 50 and another device (for example, AP 6 or MFP 10). Is established.

  The user of the portable terminal 50 can bring the portable terminal 50 closer to the MFP 10. Thus, when the distance between the portable terminal 50 and the MFP 10 becomes smaller than the distance (for example, 10 cm) within which radio waves reach each other, the NFC I / F 22 receives the detection radio wave from the MFP 10 and transmits the response radio wave to the MFP 10. Thereafter, the control unit 30 executes communication for establishing an NFC communication session between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 with the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. The portable terminal 50 transmits the generated NFC information to the MFP 10 when the NFC communication session is established.

  In S10, the receiving unit 40 monitors reception of NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. When NFC information is received (YES in S10), in S12, the receiving unit 40 analyzes the NFC information, and the NFC information includes information indicating a normal request or information indicating a re-request. To determine the If it is determined that the NFC information includes the information indicating the normal request, the process proceeds to the normal request process of S14. If it is determined that the NFC information includes information indicating a rerequest, the process proceeds to the rerequest process of S16.

(Normal request processing; Fig. 3)
The contents of the normal request process performed in S14 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In S40, the control unit 30 analyzes the NFC information to determine whether the NFC information includes information indicating a print function or information indicating a scan function. If it is determined that the NFC information includes the information indicating the print function, the process proceeds to S42. If it is determined that the NFC information includes the information indicating the scan function, the process proceeds to S48.

  In S42, the use determining unit 45 determines whether the portable terminal 50 can use the print function. Specifically, the use determining unit 45 first analyzes the NFC information to specify the terminal ID “ID 50” included in the NFC information. Next, the use determining unit 45 refers to the ID-function information of the SFL information 36 in the memory 34 and determines whether the print function associated with the terminal ID “ID 50” is OK or NG. to decide. When the print function is OK, the use determination unit 45 determines YES in S42 and proceeds to S44, and when the print function is NG, determines NO in S42 and proceeds to S46. When the terminal ID "ID 50" is not registered in the ID-function information, the use determining unit 45 refers to the public information (print function = NG, scan function = NG) of the SFL information 36 and performs S42. I will judge it as NO.

  In S44, the state determination unit 41 determines whether the state of the MFP 10 is in a printable state (i.e. non-error state) or in a non-printable state (i.e. error state). Specifically, the state determination unit 41 checks the remaining amount of the consumables installed in the print execution unit 16 and if the remaining amount of the consumables is zero, the state of the MFP 10 can not be printed. It is determined that the state is (NO in S44). For example, when the print execution unit 16 is an inkjet printing mechanism, the consumable item is the ink in the ink cartridge. Also, for example, when the print execution unit 16 is a laser type printing mechanism, the consumable item is the toner in the toner cartridge.

  In addition, the state determination unit 41 checks the remaining amount of print medium used by the print execution unit 16 (that is, the remaining amount of print medium in the paper feed tray), and the remaining amount of print medium is zero. Then, it is determined that the state of the MFP 10 is the non-printable state (NO in S44).

  Next, the state determination unit 41 checks the state of the hardware for executing the print function, and determines that the state of the MFP 10 is the non-printable state when there is a hardware problem (NO in S44). ). For example, in the print medium transport mechanism in the print execution unit 16, when the print medium is jammed (that is, in the case of a paper jam), the state determination unit 41 determines that the state of the MFP 10 is the unprintable state. Do. In this case, the above-described hardware is a transport mechanism of the print medium in the print execution unit 16. Further, for example, when the free space in the memory 34 is extremely small, that is, when the free space in the memory 34 is less than a predetermined value, the state determination unit 41 can not process print data. It is determined that the state of the MFP 10 is in a non-printable state. In this case, the above hardware is the memory 34. Further, for example, when a cover member that needs to be closed at the time of printing is opened among a plurality of members constituting the chassis of MFP 10 (hereinafter referred to as “cover open”), the state Determination unit 41 determines that the state of MFP 10 is the non-printable state. In this case, the above hardware is the above cover member.

  The state determination unit 41 determines that the state of the MFP 10 is the non-printable state due to any of the remaining amount of consumables, the remaining amount of print medium, and the state of hardware (NO in S44). ), Go to S46. On the other hand, if there is no problem with the remaining amount of consumables, the remaining amount of print medium, or the state of hardware, state determination portion 41 determines that the state of MFP 10 is the printable state (S44). YES). As described above, in the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can appropriately determine whether the state of the MFP 10 is the non-error state or the error state. In the case of YES in S44, the normal request process of FIG. 3 ends as “Normal END”.

  In S46, the transmitting unit 46 transmits the print NG information including the NG reason due to the SFL to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. For example, in the case of NO in S42, the NG reason indicates that the portable terminal 50 can not use the print function. If NO in S44, the NG reason indicates that the state of the MFP 10 is an error state. In this case, the NG reason is a specific reason that the state of the MFP 10 is an error state (for example, the remaining amount of consumables is zero, the remaining amount of print medium is zero, the print medium is jammed (paper jam), memory 34 shows a small free space, cover open etc.). As described above, in this embodiment, the MFP 10 can appropriately notify the portable terminal 50 that the state of the MFP 10 is the non-printable state (that is, an error state) and the reason for the error. When S46 ends, the normal request process of FIG. 3 ends as “error END”.

  In S48, the use determination unit 45 determines whether the portable terminal 50 can use the scan function. Specifically, similarly to S42, the use determination unit 45 refers to the SFL information 36 in the memory 34 and determines whether the scan function associated with the terminal ID "ID 50" is OK, NG Determine if it is. When the scan function is OK, the use determination unit 45 determines YES in S48 and proceeds to S52, and when the scan function is NG, determines NO in S48 and proceeds to S50. When the terminal ID "ID 50" is not registered in the ID-function information, the use determining unit 45 refers to the public information (print function = NG, scan function = NG) of the SFL information 36 and performs S48. I will judge it as NO.

  In S50, the transmitting unit 46 transmits scan NG information including the NG reason due to the SFL to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. The NG reason indicates that the portable terminal 50 can not use the scan function. When S50 ends, the normal request process of FIG. 3 ends as “error END”.

  In step S52, the state determination unit 41 determines whether the state of the MFP 10 is a scan enable state (ie, a non-error state) or a scan disabled state (ie, an error state). Specifically, the state determination unit 41 checks the state of the hardware for executing the scan function, and determines that the state of the MFP 10 is the non-scannable state if there is a problem with the hardware. (NO at S52). For example, in the automatic document feeder in the scan execution unit 18, when the document is jammed, the state determination unit 41 determines that the state of the MFP 10 is a scan impossible state. In this case, the above hardware is the automatic document feeder in the scan execution unit 18. Further, for example, when the free space in the memory 34 is extremely small, that is, when the free space in the memory 34 is less than the predetermined value, the state determination unit 41 can not process scan data. It is determined that the state of MFP 10 is in a scan impossible state. In this case, the above hardware is the memory 34. Further, for example, when a cover member that needs to be closed at the time of scanning is opened among a plurality of members constituting the casing of MFP 10 (that is, in the case of a cover open), state determination unit 41 Determines that the state of the MFP 10 is in a non-scanable state. In this case, the above hardware is the above cover member.

  If the state determination unit 41 determines that the state of the MFP 10 is in the scan impossible state (NO in S52), the process proceeds to S54. On the other hand, if there is no problem in the state of the hardware, state determination unit 41 determines that the state of MFP 10 is in a scan-enabled state (YES in S52). As described above, in the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can appropriately determine whether the state of the MFP 10 is the non-error state or the error state. In the case of YES in S52, the normal request processing of FIG. 3 ends as “normal END”.

  In S54, the transmission unit 46 determines whether the MFP 10 currently belongs to the wireless network. Specifically, the transmitting unit 46 stores in the memory 34 at least one of information indicating that it currently belongs to the WFD network and information indicating that it currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network. If YES, it is determined that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the wireless network (YES in S54), and the process proceeds to S56. On the other hand, when neither the information indicating that the transmission unit 46 currently belongs to the WFD network nor the information indicating that the transmission unit 46 currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network is stored in the memory 34. Then, it is determined that the MFP 10 does not currently belong to the wireless network (NO in S54), and the process proceeds to S60.

  In S56, the transmission unit 46 determines whether the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network. Specifically, the transmitting unit 46 first analyzes NFC information to determine whether the NFC information includes an SSID and a BSSID. If the NFC information does not include the SSID and the BSSID, the portable terminal 50 does not currently belong to the wireless network. To this end, the transmitting unit 46 determines that the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same wireless network (NO in S56), and the process proceeds to S60.

  When the NFC information includes the SSID and the BSSID, the transmission unit 46 further transmits the SSID in the NFC information (that is, the SSID of the wireless network (usually a Wi-Fi network or WFD network) to which the portable terminal 50 belongs) It is determined whether the SSID included in the wireless setting in the memory 34 (that is, the SSID of the wireless network (usually a Wi-Fi network or a WFD network) to which the MFP 10 belongs) matches. If the two SSIDs do not match, the transmission unit 46 determines that the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same wireless network (NO in S56), and the process proceeds to S60.

  If the two SSIDs match, the transmitting unit 46 further transmits the BSSID in the NFC information (that is, the BSSID of the wireless network to which the portable terminal 50 belongs) and the BSSID included in the wireless setting in the memory 34 That is, it is determined whether or not the BSSID of the wireless network to which the MFP 10 belongs matches. If the two BSSIDs do not match, the transmission unit 46 determines that the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same wireless network (NO in S56), and the process proceeds to S60.

  If the two BSSIDs match, the transmitting unit 46 determines that the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network (YES in S56), and the process proceeds to S58. As described above, in the present embodiment, both determination of SSID match and determination of BSSID match are performed in S56. For example, one AP may construct a plurality of wireless networks by using a plurality of SSIDs. Therefore, when the BSSIDs match and the SSIDs do not match, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 may belong to different wireless networks established by the same AP. In the present embodiment, it is more appropriately determined whether the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network by executing both the determination of the SSID match and the determination of the BSSID. be able to. In the modification, in S56, the match determination of the SSID is executed, but the match determination of the BSSID may not be executed.

  In S58 and S60, the transmitting unit 46 transmits scan NG information including the NG reason to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. The NG reason indicates a specific reason that the state of the MFP 10 is an error state (for example, a document is jammed, the free space of the memory 34 is small, a cover open, etc.). Thus, in the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can appropriately notify the portable terminal 50 that the state of the MFP 10 is the non-scanable state (that is, the error state) and the reason for the error.

  The scan NG information transmitted in S58 further includes information indicating that the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network (hereinafter, referred to as “NW matching information”). On the other hand, the scan NG information transmitted in S60 further includes information indicating that the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same wireless network (hereinafter referred to as "NW mismatch information"). When S58 and S60 end, the normal request process of FIG. 3 ends as “error END”. When the normal request process (S14 in FIG. 2) in FIG. 3 is completed, the process proceeds to S18 in FIG.

  When the portable terminal 50 receives the print NG information (see S46 of FIG. 3) from the MFP 10, the portable terminal 50 executes the following processing. The portable terminal 50 first analyzes the print NG information to specify the NG reason. For example, when the NG reason indicates that the portable terminal 50 can not use the print function (NO in S42 of FIG. 3), the portable terminal 50 includes NFC information including information indicating a rerequest ( A screen indicating that the user can not use the print function is displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal 50 without transmitting the second NFC information) to the MFP 10. Also, for example, when the NG reason indicates that the free capacity of the memory 34 is small, the portable terminal 50 does not transmit the NFC information including the information indicating the rerequest to the MFP 10, and the portable terminal 50 does not transmit the NFC information in the memory 34 of the MFP 10. A screen indicating that the free space is insufficient is displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal 50.

  On the other hand, if the NG reason indicates another reason (for example, the remaining amount of consumables is zero, the remaining amount of print medium is zero, the print medium is jammed (paper jam), cover open, etc.) The portable terminal 50 includes NFC information (the second NFC information described above) including at least information indicating a rerequest, information indicating a print function, a terminal ID “ID 50”, and size information indicating a data size of print data. ) And transmits the NFC information to the MFP 10.

  Also, upon receiving scan NG information (see S50, S58, and S60 in FIG. 3) from the MFP 10, the portable terminal 50 executes the following processes. First, the portable terminal 50 analyzes the scan NG information to specify the NG reason. For example, when the NG reason indicates that the portable terminal 50 can not use the scan function (S50 in FIG. 3), the portable terminal 50 includes NFC information including information indicating a rerequest (the second time. The MFP 10 causes the display unit of the portable terminal 50 to display a screen indicating that the user can not use the scan function without transmitting the NFC information (1) to the MFP 10. Also, for example, when the NG reason indicates that the free capacity of the memory 34 is small, the portable terminal 50 does not transmit the NFC information including the information indicating the rerequest to the MFP 10, and the portable terminal 50 does not transmit the NFC information in the memory 34 of the MFP 10. A screen indicating that the free space is insufficient is displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal 50.

  On the other hand, when the NG reason indicates another reason (for example, a document is jammed, a cover open, etc.), the portable terminal 50 further analyzes the scan NG information, and the scan NG information is NW. It is determined whether the match information is included (S58 in FIG. 3) or the NW mismatch information is included (S60 in FIG. 3). When the scan NG information includes the NW mismatch information, the portable terminal 50 does not transmit the NFC information (the second NFC information described above) including the information indicating the rerequest to the MFP 10, and an error due to the NG reason A screen indicating that it is in the state is displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal 50. On the other hand, when the scan NG information includes the NW match information, the portable terminal 50 generates NFC information (the second NFC information described above) including the information indicating the rerequest, and transmits the NFC information to the MFP 10 Send.

  As described above, the portable terminal 50 may transmit the second NFC information to the MFP 10 according to the content of the print NG information or the scan NG information. If the NG reason in the print NG information or the scan NG information indicates that the portable terminal 50 can not use the print function or the scan function, or if it indicates that the free capacity of the memory 34 is small. The MFP 10 can not execute the print function or the scan function in response to a request from the portable terminal 50. Therefore, in such a case, the portable terminal 50 does not transmit the second NFC information to the MFP 10. As a result, the MFP 10 executes various processing (for example, re-request processing described later, change processing described later (S16 and S20 in FIG. 2, etc.) to avoid receiving the second NFC information). It is not necessary. Therefore, the processing load of the MFP 10 can be reduced.

  Although described later in detail, in the change process (see S20 in FIG. 2), when the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same wireless network, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 are in the same wireless network. A state of belonging (hereinafter referred to as “NW matched state”) can be temporarily formed (see S118 of FIG. 5). Then, in the printing function, the printing process is performed after the communication process (i.e., transmission of print data) is performed. Therefore, when the MFP 10 is in an unprintable error state, and a temporary NW coincidence state is formed by the change processing described later, the MFP 10 performs communication processing (using the temporary NW coincidence state). That is, print data transmission is performed first, and after the temporary NW matching state is canceled (that is, after WFDI / F is turned off in S30 of FIG. 2), the print monitoring thread described later Print processing can be performed. On the other hand, in the scan function, communication processing (that is, transmission of scan data) is performed after the scan processing is performed. Therefore, when the MFP 10 is in an unscannable error state, the MFP 10 can not execute communication processing unless the error state is released. For this reason, if the MFP 10 is in the unscannable error state, the MFP 10 uses the temporary NW matching state even if the temporary NW matching state is formed by the change processing described later. Communication processing can not be performed.

  In view of the above situation, when the scan NG information includes the NW match information, that is, since the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network, the portable terminal 50 temporarily changes it by the change process described later. If the NW matching state does not need to be formed, the second NFC information is transmitted to the MFP 10. However, the portable terminal 50 transmits the second NFC information to the MFP 10 when the scan NG information includes the NW mismatch information, that is, when the temporary NW match state needs to be formed by the change process described later. do not do. As a result, the MFP 10 executes various processing (for example, re-request processing described later, change processing described later (S16 and S20 in FIG. 2, etc.) to avoid receiving the second NFC information). It is not necessary. Therefore, the processing load of the MFP 10 can be reduced.

(Re-request processing; Fig. 4)
The contents of the rerequest process executed in S16 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In S70, the control unit 30 analyzes the NFC information (the second NFC information described above) to determine whether the NFC information includes information indicating the print function or information indicating the scan function. If it is determined that the NFC information includes the information indicating the print function, the process proceeds to S72. If it is determined that the NFC information includes the information indicating the scan function, the process proceeds to S76.

  In S72, the size determination unit 47 determines whether the free space in the memory 34 is equal to or larger than the data size of the print data. As described above, when it is determined in S70 that the print function is set, the NFC information includes size information indicating the data size of the print data. In S72, the size determination unit 47 analyzes the NFC information to specify size information. Next, the size determination unit 47 determines whether the free space in the memory 34 is equal to or larger than the data size of the print data indicated by the size information.

  If it is determined that the free space in the memory 34 is equal to or larger than the data size of the print data (YES in S72), the rerequest process of FIG. 4 ends as “normal END”. On the other hand, when it is determined that the free space in the memory 34 is less than the data size of the print data (NO in S72), the process proceeds to S74.

  In S74, the transmission unit 46 transmits the print NG information including the NG reason to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. The NG reason indicates that the free space in the memory 34 is less than the data size of the print data. When S74 ends, the rerequest process of FIG. 4 ends as “error END”. In this case, the portable terminal 50 causes the display unit of the portable terminal 50 to display a screen indicating that the free space in the memory 34 of the MFP 10 is insufficient, without transmitting further NFC information to the MFP 10.

  If the scan function is determined in S70, the function execution unit 43 activates the scan monitoring thread in S76. As will be described in detail later, in the scan monitoring thread, when the state of the MFP 10 changes from an error state to a non-error state, the function execution unit 43 executes a scan of an original to generate scan data and And a communication process of transmitting the scan data to the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20.

  When the normal request process of S14 of FIG. 2 or the rerequest process of S16 is completed, in S18, the changing unit 42 determines whether the process of S14 or S16 is completed as “normally END”. . When the process of S14 or S16 ends as "normal END", the change unit 42 determines YES in S18 and executes the change process of S20. On the other hand, when the process of S14 or S16 ends as "error END", the change unit 42 determines NO in S18 and does not execute the change process of S20 (furthermore, the process after S22) Do not execute too), return to S10.

(Change processing; Fig. 5)
The contents of the change process executed in S20 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The change process is a process for changing the interface for the MFP 10 to execute communication with the portable terminal 50 from the NFC I / F 22 to the wireless LAN I / F 20.

  In S100, the change unit 42 determines whether the MFP 10 currently belongs to the wireless network. S100 is the same as S54 of FIG. If the change unit 42 determines that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the wireless network (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102, and if it is determined that the MFP 10 does not currently belong to the wireless network (NO in S100). Go to

  In S102, the change unit 42 determines whether the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network. S102 is the same as S56 of FIG. When changing unit 42 determines that MFP 10 and portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network (YES in S102), it proceeds to S120 and determines that MFP 10 and portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same wireless network If it is determined (NO in S102), the process proceeds to S104.

  As described in S56 of FIG. 3, in S104, the changing unit 42 performs the determination using the SSID and BSSID of the wireless network to which the portable terminal 50 currently belongs. Therefore, the change unit 42 can appropriately execute the change process using the SSID and the BSSID included in the NFC information.

  In S120, the change unit 42 transmits information indicating that the setting change is unnecessary to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Thereby, the portable terminal 50 does not need to change the current wireless setting of the portable terminal 50, that is, uses the wireless network (usually a Wi-Fi network or a WFD network) to which the portable terminal 50 currently belongs. You can know what you need to keep doing.

  In addition, in the change process performed via S76 of FIG. 4, the change unit 42 determines YES in S100 and S102, and always executes S120. This is because S76 of FIG. 4 is executed only when YES in S54 and S56 of FIG. 3 (ie, when the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network). When S120 ends, the change process of FIG. 5 ends as “normal END”.

  In S104, the change unit 42 determines whether the WFDI / F setting in the memory 34 is ON or OFF. If the WFDI / F setting is ON (YES in S104), the change unit 42 proceeds to S106, and if the WFDI / F setting is OFF (NO in S104), the change unit 42 proceeds to S108.

  In S108, the change unit 42 changes the WFDI / F setting in the memory 34 from OFF to ON without receiving an instruction from the user of the MFP 10. As a result, the control unit 30 can execute each processing (processing of S114 to S118 described later, etc.) according to the WFD method. When S108 ends, the process proceeds to S114.

  Since the WFDI / F setting is ON at the stage where S106 is executed, the MFP 10 is in any one of the three WFD states (G / O state, client state, and device state). Operating in one state. Therefore, the memory 34 stores a value (hereinafter referred to as “state value”) indicating the state (G / O state, client state, or device state) of the MFP 10 related to the WFD method.

  In S106, the change unit 42 determines whether the MFP 10 is operating in the client state. Specifically, the change unit 42 determines whether the state value in the memory 34 is a value indicating the client state. If the state value is a value indicating the client state (YES in S106), the change unit 42 ends the change process as an “error END” without continuously executing the change process. On the other hand, when the state value is a value indicating the G / O state or the device state (NO in S106), the changing unit 42 proceeds to S110 (that is, continuously executes the changing process).

  In S110, the change unit 42 determines whether the MFP 10 is operating in the G / O state. Specifically, the change unit 42 determines whether the state value in the memory 34 is a value indicating the G / O state. If the state value is a value indicating the G / O state (YES in S110), the changing unit 42 proceeds to S112, and if the state value is a value indicating the device state (NO in S110), S114 Go to

  In S112, the changing unit 42 determines whether the number of devices other than the MFP 10 included in the WFD network in which the MFP 10 operates in the G / O state is smaller than a predetermined maximum number of clients. Specifically, when the number of pieces of identification information of devices registered in the management list in the memory 34 (i.e., devices in the client state) is equal to or larger than the maximum number of clients, the change unit 42 sets NO in S112. Then, the change process is ended as "error END" without continuously executing the change process. On the other hand, when the number is smaller than the maximum number of clients, the change unit 42 determines YES in S112, and proceeds to S116 (that is, continues the change processing).

  In S114, the change unit 42 sets the MFP 10 to the spontaneous G / O mode. The spontaneous G / O mode is a mode that allows the MFP 10 to operate in the G / O state. Therefore, the WFD connection is not established at the stage of S114, but the MFP 10 is set to the G / O state (that is, the state value in the memory 34 is a value indicating the G / O state). When the MFP 10 is set to the G / O state, the change unit 42 prepares wireless settings (SSID, BSSID, authentication method, encryption method, password, etc.) to be used in the WFD network. The authentication method and the encryption method are predetermined. Further, the change unit 42 generates a password. The SSID may be generated by the change unit 42 or may be determined in advance. The BSSID is a WFD MAC address of the MFP 10. The change unit 42 stores the wireless setting generated in S114 in the memory 34. At this stage, identification information of the device in the client state is not described in the management list in the memory 34.

  Next, in S116, the changing unit 42 transmits the wireless setting in the memory 34 to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In S116 executed after S114, the wireless setting in the memory 34 is the wireless setting generated in S114. In S116, which is executed after YES in S112, the wireless setting in the memory 34 is a wireless setting generated when it is determined in the past that the MFP 10 operates as the G / O state. Thereby, the portable terminal 50 can use the same wireless setting as the MFP 10.

  Next, in S118, the changing unit 42 establishes a WFD connection with the portable terminal 50. Specifically, the change unit 42 executes a specific wireless communication with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20. The specific wireless communication described above includes an Authentication Request, an Authentication Response, an Association Request, an Association Response, and a 4 way handshake. In the specific wireless communication process described above, various authentication processes such as authentication of the SSID, authentication of the authentication method and encryption method, authentication of the password, and the like are performed. If all the authentication is successful, a WFD connection is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50.

  If both MFP 10 and portable terminal 50 are in the device state, when WFD connection is established between MFP 10 and portable terminal 50, one of MFP 10 and portable terminal 50 is G / O. While being determined as O, G / O negotiation is performed to determine the other of MFP 10 and portable terminal 50 as a client. However, since it is determined that the MFP 10 is in the G / O state at the stage where S118 is executed, the changing unit 42 does not execute the G / O negotiation, and performs the WFD connection with the portable terminal 50. Establish.

  When the WFD connection is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50, the changing unit 42 further adds the MAC address of the portable terminal 50 to the management list. The changing unit 42 acquires the MAC address of the portable terminal 50 in the process of the above-described specific wireless communication in S118. When the WFD connection is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50, the MFP 10 in the G / O state executes communication of target data (print data, scan data, etc.) with the portable terminal 50 in the client state. You will be able to The target data includes data of a network layer which is a layer higher than the physical layer of the OSI reference model. Therefore, the MFP 10 in the G / O state can execute wireless communication of the network layer with the portable terminal 50 in the client state. When S118 ends, the change process of FIG. 5 ends as “normally END”.

(Continuation of MFP processing in FIG. 2)
When the change process of S20 of FIG. 2 (FIG. 5) ends, in S22, the transmission unit 46 determines whether the change process of S20 ends as “normal END”. When the change process of S20 ends as “normal END”, the transmission unit 46 determines YES in S22, and proceeds to S26. On the other hand, when the change process of S20 ends as "error END", the transmission unit 46 determines NO in S22, and proceeds to S24.

  In S24, the transmission unit 46 transmits the communication NG information to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. The communication NG information includes an NG reason indicating that wireless communication of target data can not be performed. When the portable terminal 50 receives the communication NG information, the portable terminal 50 does not execute the wireless communication of the target data without transmitting the NFC information (the second NFC information described above) including the information indicating the rerequest to the MFP 10. A screen indicating that it is possible is displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal 50.

  Next, in S26, the function execution unit 43 executes function execution processing including communication processing. If the NFC information received in S10 includes the information indicating the print function, the function execution unit 43 first receives the print data from the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 in S26. Execute communication processing of Next, the function execution unit 43 executes print processing according to the print data. That is, the function execution unit 43 executes various processing (color conversion processing, halftone processing, and the like) on the print data to generate processed data, and then supplies the processed data to the print execution unit 16. Thereby, the print execution unit 16 prints an image on the print medium according to the processed data.

  If the NFC information received in S10 includes information indicating a scan function, the function execution unit 43 first executes a scan process in S26. That is, the function execution unit 43 causes the scan execution unit 18 to scan the document set in the scan execution unit 18. The function execution unit 43 acquires original image data obtained by scanning, executes various processing (such as correction processing) on the original image data, and generates scan data. Next, the function execution unit 43 executes a communication process for transmitting scan data to the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20.

  In S26, which is executed after YES in S72 of FIG. 4, the function execution unit 43 executes communication processing for receiving print data and stores the print data in the memory 34, but executes print processing. do not do. In this case, the function execution unit 43 activates a print monitoring thread. Further, when S76 of FIG. 4 is executed (that is, when the scan monitoring thread is activated), the function execution unit 43 skips the process of S26.

  Next, in S28, the change unit 42 determines whether the process of S108 of FIG. 5 (the process of changing the WFD I / F setting from OFF to ON) has been executed in the change process of S20. When the process of S108 is executed (YES in S28), the change unit 42 changes the WFDI / F setting from ON to OFF in S30. As a result, when the WFDI / F setting is changed to ON, the changing unit 42 can return to the WFDI / F setting before the change (that is, OFF) without receiving a user's instruction. In this case, the WFD connection established in S118 of FIG. 5 is disconnected, and the WFD network disappears.

  The changing unit 42 skips S30 when the process of S108 is not executed (NO in S28). If NO in S28, or if S30 ends, the process returns to S10.

(Print monitoring thread)
As described above, in S26 of FIG. 2, the print monitoring thread may be activated. In the print monitoring thread, the function execution unit 43 monitors that the state of the MFP 10 changes from the non-printable state to the printable state. When the user of the MFP 10 removes the cause that the MFP 10 is in the non-printable state (for example, when the cover member is closed), the function execution unit 43 removes the print medium jammed in the print medium conveyance path In this case, it is determined that the state of MFP 10 has changed to the printable state, for example, when the consumable item or the print medium is replenished. When determining that the state of the MFP 10 has changed to the printable state, the function execution unit 43 executes the printing process according to the print data in the memory 34.

(Scan monitoring thread)
As mentioned above, at S76 of FIG. 4, a scan monitoring thread may be launched. In the scan monitoring thread, the function execution unit 43 monitors that the state of the MFP 10 changes from a non-scanable state to a scanable state. When the user of MFP 10 removes the cause that MFP 10 is in the non-scanable state (for example, when the cover member is closed, the document jammed in the automatic document feeder is removed) Etc.) determines that the state of the MFP 10 has changed to the scan enable state. The function execution unit 43 executes a scan process for generating scan data when it determines that the state of the MFP 10 has changed to the scan enable state. Next, the function execution unit 43 executes a communication process for transmitting scan data to the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20.

  Subsequently, specific cases implemented by the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13. Each case of FIGS. 6 to 13 is realized by the MFP 10 executing each process of FIGS. 2 to 5.

(Case A; FIG. 6)
In case A, the state of the MFP 10 is in the non-error state (that is, the printable state and the scanable state), and in the SFL information 36, the print function "OK" and the scan function "OK" are added to the terminal ID "ID 50". It is associated.

  The MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). The NFC information usually includes information indicating a request. For example, if the NFC information includes information indicating a print function (hereinafter referred to as a “print case”), the MFP 10 determines YES in S42 of FIG. 3 and determines YES in S44. Further, for example, when the NFC information includes information indicating a scan function (hereinafter referred to as “scan case”), the MFP 10 determines YES in S48 of FIG. 3 and determines YES in S52. In either the printing case or the scanning case, the normal request processing ends as “normal END”.

  Next, the MFP 10 executes the change process of S20 of FIG. Thus, communication for changing the interface to be used for communication between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 from NFC I / F to wireless LAN I / F (S116 to S120 in FIG. 5; “I / F in the following Communication for change is performed). In the communication for changing the I / F, communication via the NFC I / F 22 may be executed (S116 and S120 in FIG. 5), or communication via the wireless LAN I / F 20 may be executed. (S118 in FIG. 5). For this purpose, both “NFC” and “wireless LAN” are described on the left side of the change process of FIG.

  In the case of printing, the MFP 10 executes communication processing for receiving print data from the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 (S26), and then executes print processing according to the print data (S26) S26). Thereby, the MFP 10 can execute the print function in accordance with the instruction from the portable terminal 50.

  In the case of scan, the MFP 10 executes scan processing for generating scan data (S26), and then executes communication processing for transmitting scan data to the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20. (S26). Thereby, the MFP 10 can execute the scan function according to the instruction from the portable terminal 50.

(Case X1; Fig. 7)
Cases X1 to X4 in FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate an example of communication for IF change. In case X1, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 already belong to the same wireless network (WFD network or normal Wi-Fi network) when communication of NFC information is executed.

  The MFP 10 determines YES in S100 of FIG. 5 and determines YES in S102. To this end, in S120, the MFP 10 transmits information indicating that setting change is unnecessary to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In this case, the MFP 10 executes communication of target data (print data or scan data) with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 using the existing wireless network (S26 in FIG. 2).

(Case X2; Fig. 8)
In case X2, the MFP 10 and the PC 8 construct a WFD network, and the MFP 10 operates in the G / O state. The portable terminal 50 does not belong to the above WFD network.

  The MFP 10 determines YES in S100 of FIG. 5, determines NO in S102, determines YES in S104, determines NO in S106, determines YES in S110, and determines YES in S112. For this purpose, in S116, the MFP 10 performs wireless setting for the portable terminal 50 to participate in the WFD network (that is, wireless setting generated when the MFP 10 becomes G / O) via the NFC I / F 22. , Transmit to the portable terminal 50. Next, in S118, the MFP 10 establishes a WFD connection with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20.

  Thereby, the portable terminal 50 can newly participate in the WFD network to which the MFP 10 and the PC 8 belong. In this case, the MFP 10 executes communication of target data (print data or scan data) with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 using the WFD network described above (S26 in FIG. 2).

(Case X3; Fig. 9)
In case X3, the MFP 10 does not belong to the wireless network, and the MFP 10 operates in the device state (that is, the WFDI / F setting is ON). The portable terminal 50 also does not belong to the wireless network.

  The MFP 10 determines NO in S100 of FIG. 5, determines YES in S104, determines NO in S106, and determines NO in S110. To this end, in S114, the MFP 10 is set to the spontaneous G / O mode. At this time, the MFP 10 generates a wireless setting to be used in the newly constructed WFD network. Next, in S116, the MFP 10 transmits the wireless setting for the portable terminal 50 to participate in the WFD network (that is, the wireless setting generated by the MFP 10 in S114) to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Next, in S118, the MFP 10 establishes a WFD connection with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20.

  Thereby, a new WFD network including the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is constructed. In this case, the MFP 10 executes communication of target data (print data or scan data) with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 using the WFD network described above (S26 in FIG. 2).

(Case X4; Fig. 10)
In case X4, the MFP 10 does not belong to the wireless network, and the WFDI / F setting of the MFP 10 is OFF. The portable terminal 50 also does not belong to the wireless network.

  The MFP 10 determines NO in S100 of FIG. 5 and determines NO in S104. For this purpose, in S108, the MFP 10 changes the WFDI / F setting from OFF to ON. Next, in S114, the MFP 10 is set to the spontaneous G / O mode. At this time, the MFP 10 generates a wireless setting to be used in the newly constructed WFD network. Next, in S116, the MFP 10 transmits the wireless setting for the portable terminal 50 to participate in the WFD network (that is, the wireless setting generated by the MFP 10 in S114) to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Next, in S118, the MFP 10 establishes a WFD connection with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20.

  Thereby, a new WFD network including the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is constructed. In this case, the MFP 10 executes communication of target data (print data or scan data) with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 using the WFD network described above (S26 in FIG. 2).

  Next, the MFP 10 determines YES in S28 of FIG. 2 and changes the WFDI / F setting from ON to OFF in S30. Thus, the WFD network described above disappears. It is because G / O does not exist. That is, the above WFD network is a wireless network temporarily established for the communication process of S26 of FIG.

(Case B; FIG. 11)
In case B, the state of the MFP 10 is in the non-error state (that is, the printable state and the scanable state), and in the SFL information 36, the print function “OK” is associated with the terminal ID “ID50”. The scan function “NG” is associated with the terminal ID “ID 50”.

  The MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). The NFC information includes information indicating a normal request and information indicating a print function. In this case, as in the case A of FIG. 6, the MFP 10 executes the change process (S20 of FIG. 2), executes the communication process for receiving the print data (S26), and then follows the print data Print processing is executed (S26). Thereby, the MFP 10 can execute the print function in accordance with the instruction from the portable terminal 50.

  Next, the MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). The NFC information includes information indicating a normal request and information indicating a scan function. In this case, the MFP 10 determines NO in S48 of FIG. 3 and transmits scan NG information to the portable terminal 50 through the NFC I / F 22 in S50.

  Therefore, the normal request process ends as "error END". Accordingly, the MFP 10 determines NO in S18 of FIG. 2 and does not execute the change process of S20. Further, the portable terminal 50 does not transmit, to the MFP 10, NFC information including information indicating a rerequest, in order to receive scan NG information including an NG reason caused by the SFL.

(Case C; FIG. 12)
In the case C, the state of the MFP 10 is an error state (that is, a non-printable state caused by the cover open), and in the SFL information 36, the printing function "OK" is associated with the terminal ID "ID 50". .

  The MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). The NFC information includes information indicating a normal request and information indicating a print function. The MFP 10 determines YES in S42 of FIG. 3 and determines NO in S44. In this case, in S46, the MFP 10 transmits the print NG information including the NG reason indicating the cover open to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22.

  Therefore, the normal request process ends as "error END". Accordingly, the MFP 10 determines NO in S18 of FIG. 2 and does not execute the change process of S20. On the other hand, when the portable terminal 50 receives the print NG information from the MFP 10, the MFP 10 includes the NFC information including at least the information indicating the rerequest, the information indicating the print function, and the size information indicating the data size of the print data. Send to

  The MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). If the free space of the memory 34 is equal to or larger than the data size of the print data, the MFP 10 determines YES in S72 of FIG.

  Therefore, the rerequest process ends as “normally END”. Accordingly, the MFP 10 determines YES in S18 of FIG. 2, executes the change process of S20, and executes the communication process for receiving the print data (S26). The MFP 10 stores the print data in the memory 34, and activates the print monitoring thread (S26). When the state of the MFP 10 changes from the non-printable state to the printable state, the MFP 10 executes print processing according to the print data in the print monitoring thread. Thereby, the MFP 10 can execute the print function in accordance with the instruction from the portable terminal 50.

  On the other hand, if the free space of the memory 34 is less than the data size of the print data, the MFP 10 determines NO in S72 of FIG. In this case, in S74, the MFP 10 transmits the print NG information including the NG reason indicating the shortage of the free space of the memory 34 to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22.

  Therefore, the rerequest process ends as "error END". Accordingly, the MFP 10 determines NO in S18 of FIG. 2 and does not execute the change process of S20. Further, the portable terminal 50 does not transmit the NFC information including the information indicating the rerequest to the MFP 10 in order to receive the print NG information including the NG reason indicating the shortage of the free space of the memory 34.

(Case D; FIG. 13)
In the case D, the state of the MFP 10 is an error state (that is, an unscannable state due to a cover open), and in the SFL information 36, the scan function "OK" is associated with the terminal ID "ID 50". . The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network of WFD or normal Wi-Fi.

  The MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). The NFC information includes information indicating a normal request and information indicating a scan function. The MFP 10 determines YES in S48 of FIG. 3 and determines NO in S52. The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 already belong to the same wireless network when communication of NFC information is executed. Therefore, the MFP 10 determines YES in S54, and determines YES in S56. In this case, in S58, the MFP 10 transmits scan NG information including the NG reason indicating the cover open and the NW matching information to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22.

  Therefore, the normal request process ends as "error END". Accordingly, the MFP 10 determines NO in S18 of FIG. 2 and does not execute the change process of S20. On the other hand, when the portable terminal 50 receives scan NG information from the MFP 10, the portable terminal 50 transmits, to the MFP 10, NFC information including at least information indicating a rerequest and information indicating a scan function.

  The MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). In this case, the MFP 10 activates a scan monitoring thread in S76 of FIG.

  Therefore, the rerequest process ends as “normally END”. Accordingly, the MFP 10 determines YES in S18 of FIG. 2 and executes the change process of S20. However, in the change process of S20, the MFP 10 determines YES in S102 of FIG. This is because the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network. To this end, in S120, the MFP 10 transmits information indicating that setting change is unnecessary to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In this case, the MFP 10 skips the process of S26 of FIG.

  When the state of the MFP 10 changes from the non-scanable state to the scannable state, in the scan monitoring thread, the MFP 10 executes a scan process, and then executes a communication process for transmitting scan data. Thereby, the MFP 10 can execute the scan function according to the instruction from the portable terminal 50.

  Although not illustrated as a specific case, the terminal ID “ID 50” included in the NFC information transmitted from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 is not registered in the SFL information 36 (ie, ID-function information). In this case, the MFP 10 determines NO in S42 or S48 of FIG. 3 and transmits print NG information or scan NG information including the NG reason due to the SFL to the portable terminal 50. In this case, the normal request process ends as “error END”. Accordingly, the MFP 10 determines NO in S18 of FIG. 2 and does not execute the change process of S20. In addition, the portable terminal 50 does not transmit the NFC information including the information indicating the rerequest to the MFP 10 in order to receive the print NG information or the scan NG information including the NG reason due to the SFL.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described above, when the MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22, the MFP 10 determines whether the state of the MFP 10 is in the non-error state or in the error state. (S44, S52 of FIG. 3). As shown in case A of FIG. 6, when it is determined that the state of the MFP 10 is in the non-error state, the MFP 10 executes the change process of S20 of FIG. 2 and transmits the change via the wireless LAN I / F 20. The target data (print data or scan data) can be appropriately executed with the portable terminal 50. As a result, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute the print function or the scan function according to the instruction from the portable terminal 50. On the other hand, as shown in cases C and D of FIGS. 12 and 13, the MFP 10 does not execute the change process of S20 of FIG. 2 when it is determined that the state of the MFP 10 is an error state. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the change process is executed even though the state of the MFP 10 is in the error state. Thereby, the processing load of the MFP 10 can be reduced. As described above, the MFP 10 can execute an appropriate operation according to the determination result regarding the state of the MFP 10.

  When the MFP 10 receives NFC information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22, the MFP 10 determines whether the portable terminal 50 can use the function (S42 and S48 in FIG. 3). . As shown in case B of FIG. 11, when it is determined that the NFC information includes information indicating the print function and the portable terminal 50 can use the print function (YES in S42 of FIG. 3), The MFP 10 can appropriately execute the print data with the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 by executing the change process of S20 of FIG. 2. As a result, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute the print function in accordance with the instruction from the portable terminal 50. On the other hand, when the NFC information includes the information indicating the scan function and it is determined that the portable terminal 50 can not use the scan function (NO in S48 of FIG. 3), the MFP 10 performs S20 of FIG. Do not execute the change process of This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of an event that the change process is executed even though the portable terminal 50 can not use the scan function. Thereby, the processing load of the MFP 10 can be reduced. As described above, the MFP 10 can execute an appropriate operation in accordance with the determination result regarding the use of the function by the portable terminal 50.

(Correspondence relationship)
The MFP 10 is an example of the “function execution device”. The NFC I / F 22 and the wireless LAN I / F 20 are examples of the “first type of interface” and the “second type of interface”, respectively. Further, in the case B of FIG. 11, the “print function” and the “scan function” are examples of the “first function” and the “second function”, respectively. NFC information including information indicating a normal request is an example of the “first information”. The SSID and the BSSID included in the NFC information are an example of the “relationship information”. Further, NFC information including information indicating a rerequest and information indicating a print function, and NFC information including information indicating a rerequest and information indicating a scan function are “second information” and “third information”, respectively. Information is an example of “information”. The SFL information 36 (i.e., ID-function information and public information) is an example of the "permission information". The print NG information and the scan NG information are examples of the “impossible information”. The G / O state and the client state are examples of the “master station state” and the “child station state”, respectively. S112 in FIG. 5 is an example of the “device number determination process”.

  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) The “function execution device” is not limited to the multi-function device capable of executing the printing function and the scanning function, and may be a printer capable of executing only the printing function of the printing function and the scanning function. The scanner may be a scanner capable of executing only the scan function of the print function and the scan function. The “function execution device” is a device (for example, a PC, a server, a mobile phone, a smartphone, etc.) that executes a function (for example, an image display function, data calculation function) different from the print function and scan function. May be

(Modification 2) The “specific function” may be the “print function” or the “scan function” as in the case A of FIG. 6, or may be a function different from the print function and the scan function. Good. For example, in the case where the different function is the image display function, the image data representing the image is an example of the “target data”. Also, for example, in the case where the different function is an arithmetic function of data, the data to be calculated is an example of “target data”.

(Modification 3) The combination of the “first type of interface” and the “second type of interface” is not limited to the combination of the NFC I / F and the wireless LAN I / F. For example, when the wireless LAN I / F is adopted as the “second type interface”, the “first type interface” may be an interface for executing infrared communication, or Bluetooth (registered trademark) The interface may be an interface for executing a Transfer Jet, or an interface for executing a Transfer Jet. In addition, when the NFC I / F is adopted as the “first type of interface”, the “second type of interface” may be an interface for executing wired communication, or Bluetooth (registered trademark). It may be an interface for execution. Generally speaking, the communication speed of communication via the second type of interface may be faster than the communication speed of communication via the first type of interface.

(Modification 4) The “first type of interface” and the “second type of interface” are physically two interfaces (that is, two separate IC chips) as in the above embodiment. It may be physically present or one interface (ie, two types of communication can be realized by one IC chip).

(Modification 5) The “change process” is not limited to the processes shown in FIG. 5 but includes all processes for changing the interface for communicating with the portable terminal from the first type interface to the second type interface. . For example, each process below can be illustrated.

(Modification 5-1) For example, if YES in S106 of FIG. 5 (ie, when the MFP 10 is in the client state), the changing unit 42 changes the state of the MFP 10 from the client state to the device state (that is, , And the MFP 10 may be detached from the WFD network, and then the process may advance to S114 (spontaneous G / O mode) (an example of “change processing”).

(Modification 5-2) For example, in the case of YES in S106 of FIG. 5 (ie, when the MFP 10 is in the client state), the change unit 42 sets the wireless setting used in the WFD network to which the MFP 10 currently belongs. (That is, wireless setting generated by a G / O device different from that of the MFP 10) may be transmitted to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (an example of “modification process”). Thereby, the portable terminal 50 can establish a WFD connection with the above G / O device (that is, can participate in the above WFD network). Therefore, the function execution unit 43 can execute the communication process of the target data with the portable terminal 50 through the above-mentioned G / O device.

(Modification 5-3) For example, in the case of YES in S100 of FIG. 5 (ie, when the MFP 10 currently belongs to the wireless network), the wireless network to which the MFP 10 belongs is configured by the AP 6 In the case of a normal Wi-Fi network, the changing unit 42 transmits the wireless setting used in the normal Wi-Fi network (that is, the wireless setting generated by the AP 6) via the NFC I / F 22 You may transmit to the terminal 50 (an example of a "change process"). Thereby, the portable terminal 50 can establish a normal Wi-Fi connection with the AP 6 (i.e., can participate in the above-mentioned normal Wi-Fi network). Therefore, the function execution unit 43 can execute communication processing of target data with the portable terminal 50 via the AP 6.

(Modification 5-4) For example, the NFC information may include a wireless setting used in a wireless network (WFD network or normal Wi-Fi network) to which the portable terminal 50 currently belongs. For example, in the case of NO in S100 of FIG. 5 (that is, when the MFP 10 does not currently belong to the wireless network) or in the case of NO in S102 (that is, when the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same network). The changing unit 42 may newly participate in the wireless network to which the portable terminal 50 currently belongs using the wireless setting in the NFC information (an example of the “change process”). In this case, the function execution unit 43 can execute the communication process of the target data with the portable terminal 50 using the newly joined wireless network.

(Modification 5-5) For example, the NFC information may include the IP address of the portable terminal 50 used in the wired network to which the portable terminal 50 currently belongs. For example, when an interface for executing wired communication is adopted as the “second type of interface”, the changing unit 42 uses the NFC I / F 22 for information indicating that the wired communication is to be executed. It may be transmitted to the portable terminal 50. In this case, the function execution unit 43 can execute the communication process of the target data with the portable terminal 50 via the wired network.

(Modification 6) The normal request process of FIG. 3 may be configured to skip S42 and proceed to S44 after being determined as the “print function” in S40. Further, the normal request process of FIG. 3 may be configured to skip S48 and S50 and proceed to S52 after being determined as the “scan function” in S40. That is, although the control unit 30 includes the state determination unit 41, the control unit 30 may not include the use determination unit 45.

(Modification 7) In the case of YES in S42, the normal request processing of FIG. 3 may be configured to skip S44 and proceed to "Normal END". In addition, in the case of YES in S48, S52 to S60 may be skipped and the process may proceed to “normal END”. That is, although the control unit 30 includes the use determination unit 45, the control unit 30 may not include the state determination unit 41.

(Modification 8) The "permission information" is not limited to the SFL information 36, but includes any information indicating whether or not the portable terminal can use a specific function. For example, the following information can be illustrated.

(Modification 8-1) The memory 34 has a user ID, information indicating whether the printing function is "OK" or "NG", and whether the scanning function is "OK" or "NG" The user-function information in which the information which shows and is matched may be stored. The NFC information may include the user ID of the user of the portable terminal 50 instead of the terminal ID of the portable terminal 50. The use determination unit 45 may determine whether the user of the portable terminal 50 can use a specific function using the user ID in the NFC information and the user-function information. In the present variation, the user-function information is an example of the "permission information".

(Modification 8-2) The memory 34 may store the above-described user-function information and terminal-user information. The terminal-user information may be information in which a terminal ID and a user ID are associated. The NFC information may include the terminal ID of the portable terminal 50. The use determination unit 45 identifies the user ID using the terminal ID in the NFC information and the terminal-user information, and then uses the identified user ID and the user-function information to carry It may be determined whether the user of the terminal 50 can use a specific function. In this modification, the combination of the user-function information and the terminal-user information is an example of the “permission information”.

(Modification 8-3) The memory 34 may not store the SFL information 36 in which the terminal ID and the function OK or NG are associated. The user may operate the operation unit 12 to designate whether the SFL function of the MFP 10 is valid or invalid. Then, the memory 34 may store the valid information when the SFL function = valid is specified, and may store the invalid information when the SFL function = invalid is specified. In this case, the usage determining unit 45 receives all the functions of the portable terminal 50 (that is, printing) when invalid information is stored in the memory 34 even if the terminal ID is received or not received from the portable terminal 50. It may be determined that the function, the scan function) can be used, and if the memory 34 stores the valid information, it can be determined that the portable terminal 50 can not use any of the functions. In the present modification, the valid information and the invalid information are examples of the “permission information”.

(Modification 9) In the above embodiment, the receiving unit 40 executes information of one NFC communication with the portable terminal 50 to obtain information indicating a function (print function or scan function), and the portable terminal 50. Receive NFC information including related information (SSID, BSSID) related to the wireless network to which the H. currently belongs. Instead of this, the receiving unit 40 executes NFC-based wireless communication with the portable terminal 50 to receive NFC information including information indicating a function, and thereafter, performs NFC-based wireless communication with the portable terminal 50 again. By executing, NFC information including related information may be received. That is, the "first information" including the "function execution request" and the "relation information" may be information received by one NFC wireless communication as in the above embodiment. Alternatively, as in the present modification, the information may be information received by multiple NFC wireless communication.

(Modification 10) In the above embodiment, the receiving unit 40 executes the wireless communication of one NFC method with the portable terminal 50, thereby the information indicating the rerequest and the size information indicating the data size of the print data. And receive NFC information. Instead of this, the receiving unit 40 performs NFC-based wireless communication with the portable terminal 50 to receive NFC information including information indicating a rerequest, and thereafter, performs NFC-based wireless communication with the portable terminal 50. By executing again, NFC information including size information may be received. That is, the “second information” may be information received by one NFC wireless communication as in the above-described embodiment, and as in the present modification, the NFC method may be performed multiple times. It may be information received by wireless communication of

(Modification 11) In the above embodiment, the state determination unit 41 can print the MFP 10 using all of the three determination criteria: the remaining amount of consumables, the remaining amount of print medium, and the state of hardware. It is determined whether it is in the state (S44 in FIG. 3). Alternatively, the state determination unit 41 may execute the determination using only one of the above three determination criteria, or two determinations among the above three determination criteria. Judgment may be performed using only the criteria. That is, the state determination unit 41 may perform the determination using at least one of the above three determination criteria.

(Modification 12) In each of the above-described embodiments, the units 40 to 47 are realized by software, but at least one of the units 40 to 47 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, 10: multi-function device (MFP), 30: control unit, 32: CPU, 34: memory, 36: SFL information

Claims (9)

A function execution device,
A first type interface for performing communication with a mobile terminal;
A second type interface for executing communication with the portable terminal, wherein a communication speed of communication via the second type interface is faster than a communication speed of communication via the first type interface , Said second type of interface,
And a control unit,
The function execution device is operable in a master station state functioning as a master station of a wireless network,
The control unit
A receiving unit for receiving first information including a request for execution of a specific function from the portable terminal via the first type interface, wherein the specific function communicates target data with the portable terminal The receiving unit including communication processing for
In the specific wireless network, when the first information is received, and the function executing device operates as the master station in a specific wireless network to which the function executing device currently belongs A device number determination unit that determines whether the number of slave station devices operating as slave stations is less than a predetermined value;
When it is determined that the number of slave station devices is less than the predetermined value , wireless settings generated in the past by the function execution device are transmitted to the portable terminal via the first type interface. the interface for communicating with the portable terminal, a change unit that performs change processing for changing from the first type of interface to the second type of interface, the wireless setting, the function executing device Is a setting for joining as a slave station to the specific wireless network operating as the parent station, and the change process is executed when it is determined that the number of slave station devices is not less than the predetermined value Not, said change part,
A function execution unit that executes the specific function including the communication process via the second type interface when the change process is executed;
A function execution device comprising: A function execution device,
A first type interface for performing communication with a mobile terminal;
A second type interface for executing communication with the portable terminal, wherein a communication speed of communication via the second type interface is faster than a communication speed of communication via the first type interface , Said second type of interface,
The first type of interface and the second type of interface are different hardware, and the hardware for performing a specific function;
And a control unit,
The function execution device is operable in a master station state functioning as a master station of a wireless network,
The control unit
From said mobile terminal via said first type of interface, the a receiving unit for receiving first information including the execution request of a particular function, the specific function, and the mobile terminal the target data The receiving unit including a communication process for communicating;
In the specific wireless network, when the first information is received, and the function executing device operates as the master station in a specific wireless network to which the function executing device currently belongs A device number determination unit that determines whether the number of slave station devices operating as slave stations is less than a predetermined value;
When the first information is received, it is determined whether the state of the function execution device is a non-error state in which the hardware does not have an error or an error state in which the hardware has an error. A state determination unit,
Slave station number of devices is determined to be smaller than the predetermined value, and, when the state of the function executing device Ru is determined that the a non-error state, an interface for communicating with said portable terminal, A change unit that executes a change process for changing the first type interface to the second type interface, wherein it is determined that the number of slave station devices is not less than the predetermined value. The changing unit which does not execute the change process when it is determined that the state of the function execution device is the error state without executing the process ;
A function execution unit that executes the specific function including the communication process via the second type interface when the change process is executed;
A function execution device comprising: The control unit is further configured to:
When it is determined that the state of the function execution device is the error state, the portable terminal is notified, via the first type interface, incapability information indicating that the specific function can not be performed. The function execution device according to claim 2 , comprising a transmission unit that transmits. The particular function is a printing function,
The error state includes (1) a state in which printing is not possible due to the remaining amount of consumables, (2) a state in which the remaining amount of print medium is zero, and (3) printing by the conveyance mechanism of print medium The medium is clogged, (4) the free space of the memory for the printing function is less than or equal to a specified value, and (5) the cover member for the printing function is opened. The function execution device according to claim 2 or 3 , including at least one state. The function execution device is selected in any one of a plurality of states including the master station state functioning as the master station of the wireless network and a slave station state functioning as a slave station of the wireless network 5. A function performing device according to any one of the preceding claims, which is operable. The control unit is further configured to:
A storage control unit that stores permission information indicating whether the portable terminal can use the specific function in a memory of the function execution device;
A usage determining unit that determines whether the mobile terminal can use the specific function using the permission information in the memory when the first information is received;
The change unit is
If it is determined that the portable terminal can use the specific function, and the number of slave station devices is determined to be less than the predetermined value, the change process is executed.
The function execution device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the change process is not performed when it is determined that the portable terminal can not use the specific function. The control unit is further configured to:
The function execution device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a wireless identifier transmission unit that transmits a wireless identifier to the portable terminal via the first type of interface.   The wireless identifier transmission unit transmits the wireless identifier, when the distance between the function execution device and the portable terminal is smaller than a distance at which the first type interface can transmit a radio wave. The function execution device according to 7. The control unit is further configured to:
And a specific signal reception unit configured to receive specific information from the portable terminal via the first type interface.
The function execution device according to claim 7, wherein the wireless identifier transmission unit transmits the wireless identifier when the specific information is received.

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