JP2014033367A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of appropriately executing radio communication of target data.SOLUTION: An MFP receives NFC data from a mobile terminal. The MFP calculates a communication prediction time T1 from the start of print data communication to the completion thereof for each of NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication and BT communication (S20-S26a). The MFP determines an establishment prediction time T2 to establish radio connection for each of the above four types of radio communication (S28-S34a). The MFP calculates a completion prediction time T for each of the four types of radio communication, on the basis of the communication prediction time T1 and the establishment prediction time T2 (S36). The MFP selects one radio communication type that corresponds to a minimum completion prediction time (S38). Using the selected radio communication, the MFP receives print data from the mobile terminal.

Description

  The technology disclosed by this specification is related with the 1st communication apparatus for performing wireless communication with the 2nd communication apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a system including an initiator that is a wireless communication device that transmits data and a target that is a wireless communication device that receives the data. When the size of data scheduled to be transmitted to the target is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the initiator transmits the data to the target using NFC. On the other hand, when the size of the data scheduled to be transmitted to the target is larger than the threshold, the initiator hands over the communication method from NFC to Bluetooth (registered trademark) and uses Bluetooth (registered trademark) to target the data. Send to.

JP 2010-178002 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, either NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark) is selected according to the data size. However, with such a technique, there is a possibility that an appropriate selection is not performed. The present specification discloses a technique capable of appropriately performing wireless communication between the first and second communication devices.

  The first communication device disclosed in the present specification includes a first type interface for executing the first type of wireless communication with the second communication device, a second communication device and M types (M is 1). One or more second type interfaces for executing wireless communication of the above integer) and a control unit. The communication speed of each of the M types of wireless communication is faster than the communication speed of the first type of wireless communication. The control unit uses the first type of wireless communication and the first communication execution unit that executes communication of the first data with the second communication device and the communication of the first data are executed. , Using a selection unit that selects one type of wireless communication from a plurality of types of wireless communication including the first type of wireless communication and M types of wireless communication, and one selected type of wireless communication, A second communication execution unit that executes communication of the second data with the second communication device. The selection unit includes a calculation unit that calculates, for each of a plurality of types of wireless communication, a predicted completion time for completing the communication of the second data using the wireless communication. For each of a plurality of types of wireless communication, the calculation unit considers a communication predicted time from the start of the communication of the second data using the wireless communication to the completion, and the completion prediction corresponding to the wireless communication Calculate time. The calculation unit further calculates a predicted completion time corresponding to the wireless communication in consideration of an estimated predicted time for establishing a wireless connection for executing the wireless communication for each of at least M types of wireless communication. To do. The selection unit selects one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time from among a plurality of predicted completion times corresponding to a plurality of types of wireless communication.

  According to the above configuration, the first communication device selects one type of wireless communication from among a plurality of types of wireless communication when the first data communication is executed. At this time, the first communication device supports a plurality of types of wireless communication in consideration of a predicted communication time of each of the plurality of types of wireless communication and at least a predicted time of establishment of each of the M types of wireless communication. A plurality of predicted completion times are calculated. Accordingly, the first communication device can appropriately select one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time in order to appropriately calculate a plurality of predicted completion times. As a result, the first communication device uses the appropriate wireless communication that is predicted to have the shortest time for completing the communication of the second data, and transmits the second data communication to the second communication device. And can be executed.

  A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program for realizing the first communication apparatus are also novel and useful. In addition, a communication system including the first communication device and the second communication device is novel and useful.

1 shows a configuration of a communication system. An example of an MFP communication table and a terminal communication table is shown. 2 is a flowchart of communication processing of the MFP according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of communication processing of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. The flowchart of the selection process of Example 1-1 is shown. The flowchart of the selection process of Example 1-2 is shown. The flowchart of the selection process of Example 1-3 is shown. 9 is a flowchart of communication processing of the MFP according to the second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart of communication processing of the mobile terminal according to the second embodiment. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the selection process of Examples 2-1 to 2-3 is shown.

Example 1
(Configuration of communication system 2)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes an access point (hereinafter referred to as “AP (abbreviation of access point)”) 4 and a multi-function device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (abbreviation of multi-function peripheral)”. 10) and a portable terminal 50.

(Types of wireless communication that the MFP 10 can execute)
The MFP 10 includes wireless communication according to an NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication) method, wireless communication according to a WFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct) method, wireless communication according to a normal Wi-Fi method, and Bluetooth ( Wireless communication in accordance with the registered trademark system. Hereinafter, wireless communication in accordance with each of the above-described methods is referred to as “NFC communication”, “WFD communication”, “normal Wi-Fi communication”, and “BT communication”, respectively.

(NFC communication)
The NFC method is a wireless communication method for so-called short-range wireless communication, for example, a wireless communication method based on the international standard of ISO / IEC21481 or 18092. The MFP 10 can execute NFC communication with the portable terminal 50.

(WFD communication)
The WFD method is a wireless communication method described in a standard document “Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1” created by Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD system is, for example, wireless in accordance with the 802.11 standard of IEEE (abbreviation of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) and standards conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). It is a wireless communication system for executing communication.

  By belonging to the WFD network, the MFP 10 can execute WFD communication of target data with other devices belonging to the WFD network. The target data is data including information on the network layer of the OSI reference model, and includes, for example, print data, scan data, and the like. The portable terminal 50 can also execute WFD communication of target data by belonging to the WFD network.

  Hereinafter, devices that can execute WFD communication, such as the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50, are referred to as “WFD-compatible devices”. In the WFD standard document, three states of a group owner state (hereinafter referred to as “G / O state”), a client state, and a device state are defined as states of a WFD-compatible device. The WFD compatible device can selectively operate in one of the above three states.

  When a pair of WFD-compatible devices in a device state should form a WFD network, wireless communication called G / O negotiation is normally performed between the pair of WFD-compatible devices. In the G / O negotiation, it is determined that one of the pair of WFD compatible devices is in the G / O state and the other of the pair of WFD compatible devices is in the client state. A device in the G / O state (hereinafter referred to as “G / O device”) and a device in the client state (hereinafter referred to as “CL device”) form a WFD network. In a WFD network, there may be one G / O device and one or more CL devices. The G / O device manages one or more CL devices. Specifically, the G / O device executes authentication of the CL device for each of one or more CL devices, and when the CL device is successfully authenticated, the CL device identification information (that is, the MAC address). ) In the management list in the memory of the G / O device. When the CL device leaves the WFD network, the G / O device deletes the identification information of the CL device from the management list.

  The G / O device can directly execute wireless communication of the target data with the CL device registered in the management list without using a relay device. However, the G / O device can execute wireless communication of participation data for the unregistered device to participate in the WFD network with an unregistered device that is not registered in the management list. Wireless communication cannot be executed. The participation data is data that does not include information on the network layer of the OSI reference model, and includes, for example, a Probe Request signal (hereinafter referred to as “PReq signal”), a Probe Response signal (hereinafter referred to as “PRes signal”), and the like. Contains physical layer data. Note that the G / O device can relay wireless communication of target data among a plurality of CL devices.

  A WFD-compatible device that does not belong to the WFD network (that is, an unregistered device that is not registered in the G / O device management list) is a device in a device state. The device in the device state can execute the wireless communication of the participation data for belonging to the WFD network with the G / O device, but performs the wireless communication of the target data with the G / O device or the CL device. Impossible.

  As described above, in a WFD network, a pair of WFD-compatible devices can execute WFD communication of target data without going through an AP that is configured separately from these WFD-compatible devices. That is, it can be said that WFD communication is wireless communication not via an AP.

  In the following, it is not possible to selectively operate in one of the three states defined in the WFD standard (that is, the G / O state, the client state, and the device state). A device capable of performing wireless communication via an AP (that is, normal Wi-Fi communication described later) is referred to as “a WFD non-compliant device”. “WFD non-compliant device” is also referred to as “legacy device”. A device in the G / O state can describe identification information of a device that does not support WFD in the management list. In this case, the WFD non-compliant device can participate in the WFD network as a CL device.

(Normal Wi-Fi communication)
The normal Wi-Fi system is a wireless communication system defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and is a wireless communication system different from the WFD system. The normal Wi-Fi system, like the WFD system, is a wireless for performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard and standards conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). It is a communication method. However, as described above, the WFD method is a wireless communication method for executing wireless communication not via an AP. On the other hand, the normal Wi-Fi method is a wireless communication method for executing wireless communication via an AP. In this respect, the WFD system and the normal Wi-Fi system are different.

  By belonging to the normal Wi-Fi network including the AP 4, the MFP 10 can execute normal Wi-Fi communication of the target data with the other devices belonging to the normal Wi-Fi network via the AP 4. The portable terminal 50 can also execute normal Wi-Fi communication of target data by belonging to the normal Wi-Fi network. Therefore, the MFP 10 can execute normal Wi-Fi communication of the target data with the portable terminal 50 via the AP 4. Hereinafter, the WFD network and the normal Wi-Fi network are referred to as “WFDNW” and “normal Wi-FiNW”.

(BT communication)
The BT method is a wireless communication method for so-called short-range wireless communication, for example, a wireless communication method for executing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.15.1 standard. The MFP 10 can execute BT communication with the portable terminal 50.

(Configuration of MFP 10)
The MFP 10 can execute multiple functions including a print function and a scan function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a scan execution unit 18, and a wireless LAN interface (hereinafter, the interface is referred to as “I / F”). ) 20, BTI / F 21, NFC I / F 22, and control unit 30. Each part 12-30 is connected to a bus line (reference number omitted).

  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 executing WFD communication and normal Wi-Fi communication. The wireless LAN I / F 20 is physically one interface (that is, one IC chip). However, the wireless LAN I / F 20 includes a MAC address used in WFD communication (hereinafter referred to as “MAC address for WFD”) and a MAC address used in normal Wi-Fi communication (hereinafter referred to as “normal Wi-Fi”). Both of which are referred to as “MAC address for use”). More specifically, a normal Wi-Fi MAC address is pre-assigned to the wireless LAN I / F 20. The control unit 30 uses the normal Wi-Fi MAC address to generate a WFD MAC address different from the normal Wi-Fi MAC address, and assigns the WFD MAC address to the wireless LAN I / F 20. Therefore, the control unit 30 can simultaneously execute both normal Wi-Fi communication using the normal Wi-Fi MAC address and WFD communication using the WFD MAC address. That is, the MFP 10 can belong to both the WFDNW and the normal Wi-FiNW at the same time.

  From the viewpoint of the MAC address used by the MFP 10, WFD communication and normal Wi-Fi communication can be expressed as follows, for example. That is, WFD communication is wireless communication using the WFD MAC address of the MFP 10, and normal Wi-Fi communication is wireless communication using the normal Wi-Fi MAC address of the MFP 10. The WFDNW is a wireless network in which the WFD MAC address of the MFP 10 is used, and the normal Wi-FiNW is a wireless network in which the normal Wi-Fi MAC address of the MFP 10 is used.

  BTI / 21 is an interface for executing BT communication. The chip constituting the BTI / F 21 is physically different from the chip constituting the wireless LAN I / F 20.

  The NFC I / F 22 is an interface for executing NFC communication. The chips that make up the NFC I / F 22 are physically different from the chips that make up the wireless LAN I / F 20 and the BTI / F 21.

  The communication speed (for example, the maximum communication speed is 11 to 600 Mbps) of the wireless communication (that is, normal Wi-Fi communication and WFD communication) via the wireless LAN I / F 20 is the same as that of the wireless communication (that is, BT communication) via the BTI / F21. It is faster than the communication speed (for example, the maximum communication speed is 24 Mbps). The communication speed (for example, the maximum communication speed is 24 Mbps) of the wireless communication (that is, BT communication) via the BTI / F21 is the communication speed (for example, the maximum communication speed is the maximum communication speed of the NFC I / F 22). 100 to 424 Kbps).

  The frequency of a carrier wave in wireless communication via the wireless LAN I / F 20 is, for example, a 2.4 GHz band or a 5.0 GHz band. The frequency of the carrier wave in the wireless communication via the BTI / F21 is, for example, the 2.4 GHz band. The frequency of the carrier wave in the wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22 is, for example, the 13.56 MHz band.

  The maximum distance (for example, about 100 m) at which the MFP 10 can perform wireless communication with a communication destination device (for example, the portable terminal 50) via the wireless LAN I / F 20 is the maximum distance (for example, about 100 m) that the MFP 10 can communicate with via the BTI / F 21. It is larger than the maximum distance (for example, about several tens of meters) at which wireless communication with the portable terminal 50) can be performed. In addition, the maximum distance (for example, about several tens of meters) at which the MFP 10 can perform wireless communication with a communication destination device (for example, the portable terminal 50) via the BTI / F 21 is determined by the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 22 It is larger than the maximum distance (for example, about 10 cm) that can perform wireless communication with the device.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to the program stored in the memory 34. When the CPU 32 executes the process according to the program, the functions of the first communication execution unit 40, the second communication execution unit 42, and the selection unit 44 are realized. The selection unit 44 includes a calculation unit 46. The memory 34 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The memory 34 stores the program executed by the CPU 32 and the MFP communication table 35. The MFP communication table 35 will be described in detail later.

(Configuration of mobile terminal 50)
The portable terminal 50 is a portable terminal device such as a cellular phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a portable music playback device, a portable video playback device, and the like. The portable terminal 50 can execute NFC communication, WFD communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, and BT communication.

  The portable terminal 50 includes an operation unit 52, a display unit 54, a wireless LAN I / F 60, a BTI / F 61, an NFC I / F 62, and a control unit 70. Each unit 52 to 70 is connected to a bus line (reference numeral omitted). The operation unit 52 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the portable terminal 50 by operating the operation unit 52. The display unit 54 is a display for displaying various information.

  The wireless LAN I / F 60 is an interface for executing WFD communication and normal Wi-Fi communication. The BTI / F 61 is an interface for executing BT communication. The NFC I / F 62 is an interface for executing NFC communication. The differences between these interfaces 60, 61, 62 are the same as the differences between the interfaces 20, 21, 22 of the MFP 10. For example, the communication speed of wireless communication (that is, normal Wi-Fi communication and WFD communication) via the wireless LAN I / F 60 is faster than the communication speed of wireless communication (that is, BT communication) via the BTI / F61, and BTI / F61. The communication speed of wireless communication (ie, BT communication) via the wireless communication is faster than the communication speed of wireless communication (ie, NFC communication) via the NFC I / F 62.

  The control unit 70 includes a CPU 72 and a memory 74. The CPU 72 executes various processes according to the program stored in the memory 74. The program in the memory 74 includes an application 76 for causing the MFP 10 to execute various functions (for example, a print function, a scan function, etc.). For example, the application 76 may be installed on the portable terminal 50 from a server provided by the vendor of the MFP 10, or may be installed on the portable terminal 50 from a medium shipped together with the MFP 10. When the CPU 72 executes processing according to the application 76, the functions of the first communication execution unit 80, the second communication execution unit 82, and the selection unit 84 are realized. The selection unit 84 includes a calculation unit 86. The memory 74 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The memory 74 stores the program executed by the CPU 72 and the terminal communication table 75. The terminal communication table 75 will be described in detail later.

(Configuration of AP4)
The AP 4 is not a WFD G / O device but a normal AP called a wireless access point or a wireless LAN router, and forms a normal Wi-Fi NW. The AP 4 receives the target data from the first device (for example, the mobile terminal 50) among the plurality of devices belonging to the normal Wi-Fi NW, and the second device (for example, the MFP 10) among the plurality of devices. ) To send the target data. That is, the AP 4 can execute a relay function that relays wireless communication of target data between a pair of devices belonging to the normal Wi-Fi NW.

  Differences between the WFD G / O device and a normal AP (ie, AP4) are as follows. A WFD G / O device can operate in a state different from the G / O state (that is, a client state) when it leaves the WFDNW to which the device belongs and newly belongs to another WFDNW. On the other hand, a normal AP executes a relay function regardless of which normal Wi-Fi NW the AP forms. That is, a normal AP can execute only the same operation as the WFD G / O device, and cannot execute the same operation as the WFD CL device.

(MFP communication table 35; FIG. 2A)
As shown in FIG. 2A, in the MFP communication table 35, the type of wireless communication, the establishment time, the communication speed, and the wireless setting information are associated with each other. The types of wireless communication are classified into four types of wireless communication including NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication. The establishment time is a time for the MFP 10 to establish a wireless connection for executing various wireless communications. The communication speed is a communication speed when the MFP 10 performs various types of wireless communication. The wireless setting information is information necessary for the MFP 10 to execute various wireless communications.

  The establishment time MTnf corresponding to NFC communication is a fixed value determined by the vendor of the MFP 10 and is set to zero. As will be described in detail later, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 perform NFC data communication using NFC communication (see S10 in FIG. 3 and S52 in FIG. 4). After that, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 execute print data communication using one of the four types of wireless communication (see S24 in FIG. 3 and S60 in FIG. 4). For example, in a situation where print data communication should be executed using NFC communication, NFC connection is already established when NFC data communication is executed. Therefore, MTnf is set to zero because there is no need to newly establish an NFC connection for print data communication.

  The communication speed MVnf corresponding to NFC communication is a fixed value determined by the vendor of the MFP 10. The vendor investigates a general communication speed when the MFP 10 executes NFC communication, and adopts the communication speed as MVnf. In the modification, MVnf is not a fixed value, but may be a performance value when the MFP 10 executes NFC communication. Further, since the wireless setting information is not used in NFC communication, the wireless setting information column corresponding to NFC communication is blank.

  The establishment time MTwf corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication is an actual value when the MFP 10 establishes a normal Wi-Fi connection. When the user of the MFP 10 adds a participation operation for causing the MFP 10 to participate in the normal Wi-Fi NW to the operation unit 12, the MFP 10 transmits a PReq signal and executes an SSID search. When the AP 4 existing around the MFP 10 receives the PReq signal, it returns a PRes signal including the SSID. Thereafter, when the user adds a predetermined operation (for example, an SSID selection operation, a password input operation, etc.) to the operation unit 12, the MFP 10 and the AP 4 included in the normal Wi-Fi NW corresponding to the SSID selected by the user. Execute communication for authentication. When the AP 4 performs authentication and the authentication is successful, a normal Wi-Fi connection is established between the MFP 10 and the AP 4. MTwf is the time from when the above-mentioned PReq signal is transmitted until the normal Wi-Fi connection is established. That is, MTwf is the sum of the time from the transmission of the PReq signal to the reception of the final PRes signal and the time from the start of the communication for authentication to completion. The control unit 30 updates the value of MTwf every time the MFP 10 establishes a normal Wi-Fi connection. In the modification, MTwf may be a fixed value indicating a general time required for the MFP 10 to establish a normal Wi-Fi connection instead of the actual value.

  The communication speed MVwf corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication is an actual value when the MFP 10 executes normal Wi-Fi communication. The control unit 30 checks the communication speed and updates the value of MVwf every time the MFP 10 executes normal Wi-Fi communication. In the modified example, MVwf may be a fixed value indicating a general communication speed when the MFP 10 executes normal Wi-Fi communication instead of the actual value.

  In normal Wi-Fi communication, an SSID (Service Set Identifier), an authentication method, an encryption method, a password, and an IP address of the MFP 10 are used as wireless setting information. Therefore, the field of wireless setting information corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication includes these pieces of information. When the MFP 10 does not currently belong to the normal Wi-Fi NW, the wireless setting information column corresponding to the normal Wi-Fi communication is blank.

  The MFP 10 can belong to the WFDNW as a G / O device, or can belong to the WFDNW as a CL device. Hereinafter, the former WFDNW and the latter WFDNW may be referred to as “WFDNW (MFP = G / O)” and “WFDNW (MFP = CL)”, respectively. The establishment time MTwd corresponding to the WFD communication is determined in the state where the WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is formed, and the partner device (for example, the mobile terminal 50) that the MFP 10 desires to participate in the WFDNW (MFP = G / O). ) And the actual value when the WFD connection is established. In a state where WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is formed, when the MFP 10 receives a PReq signal from the counterpart device in the device state, the PRes signal including the SSID currently used by the WFDNW (MFP = G / O). Reply. Next, the MFP 10 executes communication for authentication with the counterpart device. When the MFP 10 executes authentication and the authentication is successful, a WFD connection is established between the MFP 10 and the counterpart device. MTwd is the time from when the above-mentioned PReq signal is received until the WFD connection is established. The control unit 30 updates the value of MTwd every time the MFP 10 in the G / O state establishes a WFD connection with the counterpart device in a state where WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is formed. In the modification, MTwd may be a fixed value indicating a general time required for the MFP 10 in the G / O state to establish a WFD connection instead of the actual value.

  The communication speed MVwd corresponding to the WFD communication is an actual value when the MFP 10 in the G / O state executes the WFD communication with the CL device in a state where the WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is formed. The control unit 30 checks the communication speed and updates the value of MVwd every time the MFP 10 in the G / O state executes WFD communication with the CL device. In the modification, MVwd may be a fixed value indicating a general communication speed when the MFP 10 in the G / O state executes WFD communication instead of the actual value. In WFD communication, the same wireless setting information as in normal Wi-Fi communication is used. Therefore, the field of wireless setting information corresponding to WFD communication includes these pieces of information.

  When WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is not formed, that is, when MFP 10 is in the client state or the device state, the wireless setting information column corresponding to WFD communication is blank. If the MFP 10 belongs to the WFDNW as a CL device, the wireless setting information is stored in a storage area in the memory 34 different from the MFP communication table 35.

  The establishment time MTbt corresponding to the BT communication is a fixed value determined by the vendor of the MFP 10. The MFP 10 communicates (transmits or receives) a connection signal for BT connection with the counterpart device in order to establish a BT connection with the counterpart device (for example, the portable terminal 50). Thereafter, communication for establishing a BT connection is further executed between the MFP 10 and the counterpart device. When the communication is completed, the BT connection is established. The vendor of the MFP 10 investigates a general time required until the BT connection is established after the MFP 10 executes the communication of the connection signal, and adopts the time as MTbt. In the modified example, MTbt may be an actual value when the MFP 10 establishes a BT connection instead of a fixed value.

  The communication speed MVbt corresponding to the BT communication is a fixed value determined by the vendor of the MFP 10. The vendor investigates a general communication speed when the MFP 10 executes BT communication, and adopts the communication speed as MVbt. In the modified example, MVbt may not be a fixed value but may be a performance value when the MFP 10 executes BT communication. In BT communication, only a PIN code (also called a pairing code) is used as wireless setting information. Therefore, the wireless setting information column corresponding to BT communication includes only the PIN code. Even if the MFP 10 has established a BT connection or has not established a BT connection, the state in which the PIN code is described in the field of the wireless setting information corresponding to the BT communication is maintained.

(Terminal communication table 75; FIG. 2B)
As shown in FIG. 2B, the terminal communication table 75 has a table configuration similar to that of the MFP communication table 35. The terminal communication table 75 is stored in the memory 74 when the application 76 is installed in the portable terminal 50. At this stage, each column in which each actual value is to be described is blank. When each actual value is obtained, the control unit 70 of the portable terminal 50 describes each actual value in the terminal communication table 75.

  The establishment time TTnf corresponding to the NFC communication is a fixed value determined by the vendor of the MFP 10 and is set to zero like MTnf. The communication speed TVnf corresponding to NFC communication is a fixed value determined by the vendor of the MFP 10, and is the same value as MVnf. The communication speed when the MFP 10 executes NFC communication and the communication speed when the portable terminal 50 executes NFC communication are substantially the same. Therefore, there is no problem even if MVnf and TVnf are set to the same value. In the modification, TVnf may be an actual value when the mobile terminal 50 executes NFC communication.

  The establishment time TTwf corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication is an actual value when the mobile terminal 50 establishes a normal Wi-Fi connection with an AP (for example, AP4). The establishment time TTwd corresponding to WFD communication is an actual value when the mobile terminal 50 establishes a WFD connection with the MFP 10 in the G / O state. The communication speed TVwf corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication is an actual value when the mobile terminal 50 executes normal Wi-Fi communication with the AP. The communication speed TVwd corresponding to WFD communication is an actual value when the mobile terminal 50 executes WFD communication with the MFP 10 in the G / O state. However, in this embodiment, TTwf and TTwd always have the same value, and TVwf and TVwd always have the same value. The reason is described below.

  The portable terminal 50 cannot belong to both the WFDNW and the normal Wi-FiNW at the same time. Further, the portable terminal 50 can belong to WFDNW (MFP = G / O) as a CL device, but cannot belong to WFDNW (MFP = CL) as a G / O device. When the user of the portable terminal 50 adds a participation operation for allowing the portable terminal 50 to participate in a wireless network (that is, normal Wi-Fi NW or WFDNW (MFP = G / O)) to the operation unit 52, or described later 4 is executed, the portable terminal 50 transmits a PReq signal and executes an SSID search. When the AP 4 existing around the mobile terminal 50 receives the PReq signal, it returns a PRes signal including the SSID. In a state where WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is formed, the MFP 10 in the G / O state also returns a PRes signal including the SSID. The PRes signal does not include information for distinguishing whether it is a normal Wi-Fi NW or a WFDNW. Therefore, even if the mobile terminal 50 receives the PRes signal from each of the AP 4 and the MFP 10, the mobile terminal 50 determines whether the transmission source of the PRes signal is the AP 4 included in the normal Wi-Fi NW or the WFDNW (MFP = G / O). It is not possible to know whether the MFP 10 is in the included G / O state.

  For example, when the trigger for the SSID search is the above-described participation operation, when the user performs a predetermined operation (that is, an SSID selection operation or a password input operation) on the operation unit 52, the portable terminal 50 is changed by the user. Communication for authentication is executed with a target device (that is, the AP 4 or the MFP 10 in the G / O state) included in the wireless network corresponding to the selected SSID. When the target device performs authentication and the authentication is successful, a wireless connection (that is, a normal Wi-Fi connection or a WFD connection) is established between the target device and the portable terminal 50.

  As will be described in detail later, for example, when the trigger of the SSID search is S58 in FIG. 4, the portable terminal 50 has already acquired wireless network wireless setting information (SSID, password, etc.) in the step S54. doing. The portable terminal 50 is included in the acquired wireless setting information from one or more SSIDs included in one or more received PRes signals even if the SSID selection operation and password input operation are not executed. SSID is identified, and communication for authentication is executed with the target device (that is, the AP 4 or the MFP 10 in the G / O state) included in the wireless network corresponding to the SSID. When the target device performs authentication and the authentication is successful, a wireless connection (that is, a normal Wi-Fi connection or a WFD connection) is established between the target device and the portable terminal 50.

  As described above, the portable terminal 50 cannot know whether the target device is the AP 4 or the MFP 10 in the G / O state. That is, the mobile terminal 50 cannot distinguish between normal Wi-Fi connection and WFD connection. For this reason, in this embodiment, the terminal communication table 75 is set so that TTwf and TTwd always have the same value, and TVwf and TVwd always have the same value. As is apparent from the above description, a method for the mobile terminal 50 to establish a normal Wi-Fi connection with the AP 4, and a method for the mobile terminal 50 to establish a WFD connection with the MFP 10 in the G / O state, Are the same. Therefore, although there may be a slight difference in practice, there is no problem even if TTwf and TTwd are set to the same value. Further, in the normal Wi-Fi communication and the WFD communication, the same standard (that is, the IEEE 802.11 standard and a standard conforming thereto) is used. Therefore, although there may be a slight difference in practice, there is no problem even if TVwf and TVwd are set to the same value.

  TTwf and TTwd are times from when the PReq signal is transmitted until the wireless connection is established between the target device and the portable terminal 50. That is, TTwf and TTwd are the sum of the time from the transmission of the PReq signal to the reception of the last PRes signal and the time from the start of the communication for authentication to completion. is there. The control unit 70 updates both the value of TTwf and the value of TTwd every time the portable terminal 50 establishes a wireless connection with the target device. In the modification, TTwf and TTwd are not actual values but may be fixed values indicating a general time required for establishing a wireless connection with the target device.

  In addition, every time the portable terminal 50 performs wireless communication with the target device, the control unit 70 checks the communication speed and updates both the TVwf value and the TVwd value. In the modification, TVwf and TVwd may be fixed values indicating a general communication speed when performing wireless communication with the target device instead of the actual values. The column of wireless setting information corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication and WFD communication includes SSID, authentication method, and the like. When the mobile terminal 50 does not currently belong to the normal Wi-Fi NW or WFDNW (MFP = G / O), the wireless setting information column corresponding to the normal Wi-Fi communication and the WFD communication is blank.

  The establishment time TTbt corresponding to BT communication is a fixed value determined by the vendor of the MFP 10 and is the same value as MTbt. The time for the MFP 10 to establish the BT connection and the time for the portable terminal 50 to establish the BT connection are substantially the same. Therefore, there is no problem even if TTbt and MTbt are set to the same value. In the modification, TTbt is not a fixed value, but may be an actual value when the mobile terminal 50 establishes a BT connection.

  Communication speed TVbt corresponding to BT communication is a fixed value determined by the vendor of MFP 10 and is the same as MVbt. The communication speed when the MFP 10 executes BT communication and the communication speed when the portable terminal 50 executes BT communication are substantially the same. Therefore, there is no problem even if MVbt and TVbt are set to the same value. In the modification, TVbt is not a fixed value, but may be an actual value when the mobile terminal 50 executes BT communication. Further, the field of wireless setting information corresponding to BT communication includes only a PIN code. Even if the portable terminal 50 has established a BT connection or not established, a state in which a PIN code is described in the field of wireless setting information corresponding to BT communication is maintained.

(Communication processing of MFP 10)
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the contents of communication processing of the MFP 10 will be described. While the MFP 10 is powered on, the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 transmits a detection radio wave for detecting a device that can perform NFC communication (that is, the portable terminal 50).

  After starting the application 76, the user of the portable terminal 50 adds a printing operation for causing the MFP 10 to execute the printing function to the operation unit 52. The printing operation includes an operation for designating a target file to be printed from the memory 74, an operation for designating the number of printing colors (that is, color printing or monochrome printing), an operation for designating a print resolution, including. The user moves the portable terminal 50 closer to the MFP 10 after executing the printing operation. Thereby, the distance between the portable terminal 50 and the MFP 10 becomes smaller than the distance (for example, 10 cm) that radio waves reach each other. In this case, the NFC I / F 62 of the portable terminal 50 receives the detected radio wave from the MFP 10 and transmits a response radio wave to the MFP 10. As a result, an NFC connection is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50. The portable terminal 50 transmits NFC data including at least a print instruction to the MFP 10 using the NFC connection. Other information included in the NFC data will be described in detail later.

  As shown in S10, the first communication execution unit 40 monitors the reception of NFC data from the portable terminal 50 (S10). When receiving the NFC data from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22, the first communication execution unit 40 determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12.

  In S12, the control unit 30 determines whether the MFP 10 is currently operating in the G / O state. That is, the control unit 30 determines whether or not a WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is currently formed. More specifically, when wireless setting information corresponding to WFD communication is described in the MFP communication table 35, the control unit 30 currently forms WFDNW (MFP = G / O) (S12). If the wireless setting information corresponding to WFD communication is not described, it is determined that WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is not currently formed (NO in S12). If YES in S12, S14 is skipped and the process proceeds to S16. If NO in S12, the process proceeds to S14.

  In S14, the control unit 30 shifts the MFP 10 to the autonomous G / O mode. As described above, when a WFDNW is to be newly formed, G / O negotiation is usually executed to determine a G / O device and a CL device. On the other hand, in the autonomous G / O mode, it is determined that the MFP 10 is a G / O device without executing the G / O negotiation. In S14, the MFP 10 is a G / O device, but there is no CL device. That is, the control unit 30 executes S14 to form a WFDNW (MFP = G / O) to which only the G / O device (that is, the MFP 10) belongs.

  The autonomous G / O mode is a mode in which the MFP 10 maintains operation in the G / O state. For example, when the MFP 10 enters the G / O state by the G / O negotiation and forms the WFDNW, when the CL device disappears from the WFDNW, the MFP 10 shifts from the G / O state to the device state (ie, WFDNW Disappears). On the other hand, for example, when the MFP 10 enters the G / O state in the autonomous G / O mode and forms the WFDNW, the MFP 10 maintains the G / O state even if there is no CL device (that is, the WFDNW). Maintain).

  In S14, the control unit 30 further prepares wireless setting information (that is, SSID, authentication method, encryption method, password, and IP address of the MFP 10) to be used in WFDNW (MFP = G / O). . In S14, the control unit 30 further describes the prepared wireless setting information in the wireless setting information column corresponding to WFD communication in the MFP communication table 35. When S14 ends, the process proceeds to S16.

  In S <b> 16, the selection unit 44 executes a selection process for selecting one type of wireless communication from among four types of wireless communication such as NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication. The contents of the selection process will be described in detail later. When S16 ends, the process proceeds to S18.

  In S <b> 18, the control unit 30 transmits selection result information to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. For example, when the selection result obtained in the selection process of S16 is NFC communication, the selection result information includes information indicating NFC communication. For example, when the selection result is normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, or BT communication, the selection result information is wireless setting information described in a column corresponding to the selection result in the MFP communication table 35. including. When the selection result is normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, or BT communication, the selection result information may include information indicating which type of wireless communication has been selected. However, it does not have to be included. When S18 ends, the process proceeds to S20.

  Although described in detail later, the mobile terminal 50 executes processing according to the selection result information. For example, when the selection result information includes information indicating NFC communication, the mobile terminal 50 uses the NFC connection established in S10 of FIG. 3 (that is, using normal Wi-Fi communication), The print data is transmitted to the MFP 10 (S60 in FIG. 4).

  For example, if the selection result information includes wireless setting information corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication, and both the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 50 do not belong to the same normal Wi-Fi NW, the mobile terminal 50 Using the wireless setting information, a connection signal (for example, an Authentication Request signal or an Association Request signal) for establishing a normal Wi-Fi wireless connection with the AP 4 is transmitted to the AP 4 (S58 in FIG. 4). Establish a Wi-Fi connection. Then, the mobile terminal 50 transmits print data to the MFP 10 via the AP 4 using normal Wi-Fi communication (S60 in FIG. 4).

  For example, if the selection result information includes wireless setting information corresponding to WFD communication and both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same WFDNW (MFP = G / O), the portable terminal 50 Then, using the wireless setting information, a connection signal (for example, an Authentication Request signal or an Association Request signal) for establishing a WFD connection with the MFP 10 in the G / O state is transmitted to the MFP 10 (S58 in FIG. 4). In this case, the control unit 30 of the MFP 10 receives a connection signal from the portable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20, and determines YES in S20. In S22, the control unit 30 transmits a connection response signal. In the process of S22, the control unit 30 performs various communications for authentication with the mobile terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20. If the authentication executed by the control unit 30 is successful, a WFD connection is established between the MFP 10 in the G / O state and the portable terminal 50. Then, the portable terminal 50 transmits the print data to the MFP 10 without using the relay device using WFD communication (S60 in FIG. 4).

  For example, if the selection result information is wireless setting information (that is, a PIN code) corresponding to BT communication, the portable terminal 50 uses the wireless setting information to send a connection signal for establishing a BT connection to the MFP 10. (S58 in FIG. 4). In this case, the control unit 30 of the MFP 10 receives a connection signal from the portable terminal 50 via the BTI / F 21 and determines YES in S20. In S22, the control unit 30 transmits a connection response signal. In the process of S22, the control unit 30 performs various communications with the portable terminal 50 for establishing a BT connection via the BTI / F21. When the communication ends, a BT connection is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50. Then, the portable terminal 50 transmits print data to the MFP 10 using BT communication without using a relay device (S60 in FIG. 4).

  In S <b> 24, the second communication execution unit 42 monitors reception of print data from the portable terminal 50. For example, if the selection result is NFC communication, in S24, the second communication execution unit 42 receives print data from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (that is, using NFC communication). To do. That is, in this case, the second communication execution unit 42 receives print data using NFC communication while maintaining the NFC connection used for NFC data communication.

  For example, when the selection result is normal Wi-Fi communication or WFD communication, in S24, the second communication execution unit 42 receives the wireless terminal I / F 20 from the portable terminal 50 (that is, normal Wi-Fi communication). Alternatively, print data is received (using WFD communication). That is, in this case, the second communication execution unit 42 prints using normal Wi-Fi communication or WFD communication instead of the NFC connection used for NFC data communication (that is, instead of NFC communication). Receive data. In particular, when the selection result is normal Wi-Fi communication, the second communication execution unit 42 receives print data via the AP 4. If the selection result is WFD communication, the second communication execution unit 42 receives print data without going through the relay device.

  For example, if the selection result is BT communication, in S24, the second communication execution unit 42 receives print data from the portable terminal 50 via the BTI / F 21 (that is, using BT communication). To do. That is, in this case, the second communication execution unit 42 receives the print data using BT communication instead of the NFC connection used for NFC data communication (that is, instead of NFC communication). When receiving the print data from the portable terminal 50, the second communication execution unit 42 determines YES in S24 and proceeds to S26.

  In S26, the control unit 30 executes a printing process according to the received print data. In this embodiment, the MFP 10 can execute format conversion of data having a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, but cannot execute format conversion of data having a format different from the JPEG format. Therefore, when the print data has the JPEG format, the control unit 30 performs format conversion of the print data using the number of print colors and the print resolution included in the NFC data, and the print execution unit 16 Generate transformed data with a specific format that can be interpreted. Then, the control unit 30 supplies the converted data to the print execution unit 16. On the other hand, when the print data has the specific format, the control unit 30 supplies the print data to the print execution unit 16 without converting the print data. When the print execution unit 16 acquires the data having the specific format (that is, converted data or print data) from the control unit 30, the print execution unit 16 prints the data on a print medium according to the data. When S26 ends, the process returns to S10.

(Communication processing of portable terminal 50; FIG. 4)
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the contents of processing executed by the control unit 70 of the portable terminal 50 according to the application 76 will be described. When the user of the portable terminal 50 desires the MFP 10 to execute the printing function, the user activates the application 76 using the operation unit 52. Thereby, the control part 70 starts the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, the user of the portable terminal 50 adds a printing operation for causing the MFP 10 to execute the printing function to the operation unit 52. Accordingly, the control unit 70 determines YES in S50, and proceeds to S52.

  In S <b> 52, the first communication execution unit 80 monitors that an NFC connection is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50. The first communication execution unit 80 transmits NFC data to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 62 when an NFC connection is established.

  As described above, the MFP 10 transmits the selection result information to the portable terminal 50 in S18 of FIG. As a result, in S <b> 54, the first communication execution unit 80 receives selection result information from the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 62.

  Next, in S56, the second communication execution unit 82 uses the selection result information to determine whether or not a wireless connection for wireless communication corresponding to the selection result is established. For example, when the selection result information includes information indicating NFC communication, since the NFC connection has already been established in the step S52, the second communication execution unit 82 has established the wireless connection (S56). YES).

  For example, when the selection result information includes an SSID, an authentication method, an encryption method, a password, and an IP address, in S56, the second communication execution unit 82 determines that the SSID included in the selection result information and the terminal It is determined whether or not the SSID described in the wireless setting information column corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication (or WFD communication) in the communication table 75 matches. If the two SSIDs match, the second communication execution unit 82 determines that a wireless connection (that is, a normal Wi-Fi connection or a WFD connection) has been established (YES in S56), and the two SSIDs If they do not match, it is determined that a wireless connection has not been established (NO in S56). If the wireless setting information field corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication (or WFD communication) in the terminal communication table 75 is blank, the second communication execution unit 82 has established a wireless connection. No (NO in S56).

  The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 cannot form a state where both NFC connection and BT connection are established simultaneously. Therefore, at the stage of S56, since the NFC connection is established, the BT connection cannot be established. For this reason, when the selection result information includes only the PIN code, in S56, the second communication execution unit 82 determines that the wireless connection is not established (NO in S56).

  If YES in S56, S58 is skipped and the process proceeds to S60. If NO in S56, the process proceeds to S58. In S58, the second communication execution unit 82 executes a connection process using the wireless setting information included in the selection result information.

  For example, when the selection result information includes wireless setting information such as an SSID and an authentication method, the second communication execution unit 82 transmits a PReq signal via the wireless LAN I / F 60 in S58. As a result, the second communication execution unit 82 receives one or more PRes signals via the wireless LAN I / F 60. The second communication execution unit 82 identifies the SSID included in the selection result information from one or more SSIDs included in the received one or more PRes signals, and the wireless communication I / F 60 A connection signal (for example, an Authentication Request signal or an Association Request signal) for establishing a wireless connection with a target device (that is, the AP 4 or the MFP 10 in the G / O state) included in the wireless network corresponding to the SSID is transmitted. Thus, the second communication execution unit 82 establishes a wireless connection with the target device by receiving a connection response signal or executing communication for authentication with the target device via the wireless LAN I / F 60. To do.

  For example, if the selection result information includes wireless setting information only for the PIN code, in S58, the second communication execution unit 82 uses the wireless setting information (that is, the PIN code) to set the BTI / F 61. Then, a connection signal for establishing the BT connection is transmitted to the MFP 10. As a result, the second communication execution unit 82 receives the connection response signal via the BTI / 61 and executes various communications with the MFP 10 to establish the BT connection. Establish. When S58 ends, the process proceeds to S60.

  In S60, first, the control unit 70 prepares print data. For example, when the target file to be printed designated by the printing operation in S50 has a format different from the JPEG format, the control unit 70 uses the number of printing colors and the printing resolution designated by the printing operation. Then, format conversion of the target file is executed to generate print data having the specific format (that is, a format that can be interpreted by the print execution unit 16 of the MFP 10). For example, when the target file has the JPEG format, the control unit 70 prepares the target file itself as print data without converting the target file.

  In S <b> 60, the second communication execution unit 82 further transmits the prepared print data to the MFP 10 using wireless communication according to the selection result information. When the selection result information includes information indicating NFC communication, the second communication execution unit 82 uses the NFC connection established in the step S52 and uses the NFC I / F 62 (that is, uses NFC communication). And print data is transmitted to the MFP 10.

  When the selection result information includes the SSID, the authentication method, etc., the second communication execution unit 82 prints the print data via the wireless LAN I / F 60 (that is, using normal Wi-Fi communication or WFD communication). Is transmitted to the MFP 10. If S60 is executed via NO and S58 in S56, the second communication execution unit 82 sends the print data to the MFP 10 using the normal Wi-Fi connection or WFD connection established in S58. Send. On the other hand, when S60 is executed after YES in S56, the second communication execution unit 82 uses the established normal Wi-Fi connection or WFD connection before S52 to execute printing. Data is transmitted to the MFP 10.

  When the selection result information includes only the PIN code, the second communication execution unit 82 transmits the print data to the MFP 10 via the BTI / F 61 (that is, using BT communication). When the selection result information includes only the PIN code, S60 is executed through NO and S58 in S56. Accordingly, the second communication execution unit 82 transmits the print data to the MFP 10 using the BT connection established in S58. When S60 ends, the process returns to S50.

(Example 1-1; FIG. 5)
Next, the contents of the selection process (see S16 in FIG. 3) according to the example 1-1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the selection unit 44 selects one type of wireless communication using the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV described in the terminal communication table 75 (see FIG. 2B) of the mobile terminal 50. .

  In the present embodiment, the NFC data transmitted from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 includes not only a print instruction but also processing-related information designated by the above-described printing operation and table information in the terminal communication table 75. Specifically, the processing related information includes the file size of the target file, the file format of the target file, the number of printing colors, and the printing resolution. Each of these pieces of information is information related to print data processing (that is, print data communication processing, format conversion processing, etc.), and therefore can be called processing-related information. The table information includes information in which a column of “type”, a column of “establishment time”, and a column of “communication speed” are associated with each other. When the mobile terminal 50 currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi NW or WFDNW, the NFC data further includes the SSID of the wireless network to which the mobile terminal 50 belongs. That is, when wireless setting information is described in the wireless setting information column corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication (or WFD communication) in the terminal communication table 75, the NFC data further includes the wireless setting information. Of the SSID. At this time, the NFC data does not include an authentication method, an encryption method, a password, and an IP address. Thereby, it can suppress that the security of the wireless network to which the portable terminal 50 currently belongs falls.

  In S20, the calculation unit 46 determines whether the file format included in the NFC data is a JPEG format. If the file format is the JPEG format, the calculation unit 46 determines YES in S20, and proceeds to S22. If the file format is different from the JPEG format, the calculation unit 46 determines NO in S20. , Go to S24.

  In S22, the calculation unit 46 determines the file size included in the NFC data as the communication data size DS. The communication data size DS is a predicted value of the data size of print data to be transmitted from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10. As described above, the MFP 10 can execute format conversion of data having the JPEG format. Therefore, when the file format of the target file is the JPEG format, the portable terminal 50 transmits the target file itself as print data without converting the target file (S60 in FIG. 4). For this reason, when the file format of the target file is JPEG format (YES in S20), in S22, the calculation unit 46 sets the file size of the target file (that is, the file size included in the NFC data) as DS. decide. When S22 ends, the process proceeds to S26a.

  In S24, the calculation unit 46 calculates the communication data size DS using the file size, the number of print colors, and the print resolution included in the NFC data. As described above, the MFP 10 cannot execute format conversion of data having a format different from the JPEG format. Accordingly, when the file format of the target file is different from the JPEG format, the portable terminal 50 executes format conversion of the target file and generates print data having the specific format (FIG. 4). S60). Therefore, in such a case, the file size of the target file and the data size of the print data may be different. For this reason, when the file format of the target file is different from the JPEG format (NO in S20), the calculation unit 46 calculates DS using a predetermined calculation formula in S24. The predetermined calculation formula is determined as follows. That is, the vendor of the MFP 10 performs format conversion for each of a plurality of files having various data sizes while changing the number of printing colors and the print resolution, and checks the converted data size in advance. Yes. The vendor of the MFP 10 determines the predetermined calculation formula for calculating the data size of the converted data from the file size, the number of print colors, and the print resolution based on the investigation result. When S24 ends, the process proceeds to S26a.

  In S <b> 26 a, the calculation unit 46 predicts communication for each of NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication from the start to completion of print data communication using the wireless communication. Time T1 is calculated. Specifically, the calculation unit 46 calculates the communication predicted time T1nf corresponding to NFC communication by dividing the DS obtained in S22 or S24 by TVnf included in the NFC data. Similarly, the calculation unit 46 divides DS by each of TVwf, TVwd, and TVbt, thereby calculating predicted communication times T1wf, T1wd, and T1bt corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication, respectively. To do.

  As described above, the calculation unit 46 uses each information (that is, communication speed TV, file format, file size, number of print colors, and print resolution) included in the NFC data received from the mobile terminal 50. The communication predicted time T1 is calculated. According to the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can appropriately calculate the predicted communication time T1 using the communication speed TV related to the mobile terminal 50 and the processing related information.

  In S28 to S34a, the calculation unit 46 calculates an estimated estimated time T2 for establishing a wireless connection for executing the wireless communication for each of NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication. decide. Specifically, the calculation unit 46 determines the estimated predicted time T2 using the established time TT included in the NFC data received from the mobile terminal 50. According to this embodiment, the MFP 10 can appropriately determine the estimated predicted time T2 using the established time TT related to the mobile terminal 50.

  In S28, the calculation unit 46 determines whether both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network (that is, normal Wi-Fi NW or WFDNW (MFP = G / O)). Specifically, the calculation unit 46 determines whether the SSID included in the NFC data matches the SSID described in the wireless setting information column corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication in the MFP communication table 35. First determination processing is performed to determine whether or not. The calculation unit 46 further determines whether or not the SSID included in the NFC data matches the SSID described in the wireless setting information column corresponding to WFD communication in the MFP communication table 35. The determination process is executed. If the calculation unit 46 determines that the two SSIDs match in either the first or second determination process, the calculation unit 46 determines YES in S28 and proceeds to S30a. On the other hand, the calculation unit 46 determines NO in S28 when the NFC data does not include the SSID or when it is determined that the two SSIDs do not match in either of the first and second determination processes. The process proceeds to S32a.

  In S30a, the calculation unit 46 determines the estimated predicted times T2wf and T2wd corresponding to the normal Wi-Fi communication and the WFD communication, respectively. When it is determined that the two SSIDs match in the first determination process of S28, that is, when both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same normal Wi-Fi NW, the calculation unit 46 calculates T2wf. Is determined to be zero, and T2wd is determined to be TTwd included in the NFC data. When it is determined that the two SSIDs match in the second determination process of S28, that is, when both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same WFDNW, the calculation unit 46 calculates T2wf as NFC data. And TTwf included in the T2wd is determined to be zero.

  As described above, when both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network, the portable terminal 50 determines YES in S56 of FIG. 4 and does not execute the connection process of S58. When the connection process of S58 is not executed, it can be assumed that the time for establishing a wireless connection between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is zero. Therefore, in S30a, T2wf or T2wd is determined to be zero. According to the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can use the appropriate estimated predicted times T2wf and T2wd depending on whether both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network. When S30a ends, the process proceeds to S34a.

  Even in S32a, the calculation unit 46 determines the estimated predicted times T2wf and T2wd corresponding to the normal Wi-Fi communication and the WFD communication, respectively. The calculation unit 46 determines T2wf as TTwf included in the NFC data, and determines T2wd as TTwd included in the NFC data. When S32a ends, the process proceeds to S34a.

  In S34a, the calculation unit 46 determines estimated establishment times T2nf and T2bt corresponding to NFC communication and BT communication, respectively. The calculation unit 46 determines T2nf as TTnf (that is, zero) included in the NFC data, and determines T2bt as TTbt included in the NFC data. When S34a ends, the process proceeds to S36.

  In S <b> 36, the calculation unit 46 calculates a predicted completion time T for completing the print data communication using the wireless communication for each of NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication. . Specifically, the calculation unit 46 calculates a completion predicted time Tnf corresponding to NFC communication by calculating the sum of T1nf and T2nf. Similarly, the calculation unit 46 corresponds to each of normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication by calculating the sum of each of T1wf, T1wd, and T1bt and each of T2wf, T2wd, and T2bt. Completion prediction times Twf, Twd, and Tbt are calculated. When S36 ends, the process proceeds to S38.

  In S38, the selection unit 44 selects one type of wireless communication from NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication. Specifically, the selection unit 44 selects one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time from the four predicted completion times Tnf, Twf, Twd, and Tbt calculated in S36. .

  However, the selection unit 44 does not select normal Wi-Fi communication when the MFP 10 does not currently belong to the normal Wi-Fi NW. This is because the wireless setting information currently used in the normal Wi-Fi NW is not described in the MFP communication table 35, so that the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 cannot participate in the normal Wi-Fi NW. Therefore, when the field of the wireless setting information corresponding to normal Wi-Fi communication in the MFP communication table 35 is blank, the selection unit 44 includes the three predicted completion times Tnf, Twd, and Tbt. Then, one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time is selected. In step S38, the MFP 10 always belongs to the WFDNW (MFP = G / O). If NO in S12 of FIG. 3, WFDNW (MFP = G / O) is formed in S14.

(Effect of Example 1-1)
According to the above configuration, when receiving the NFC data from the portable terminal 50 (YES in S10 of FIG. 3), the MFP 10 selects one type of wireless communication from the four types of wireless communication (S16). At this time, the MFP 10 considers the predicted communication times T1 of the four types of wireless communication and the estimated predicted times T2 of the four types of wireless communication, and corresponds to the four types of wireless communication. Is calculated (S36 in FIG. 5). In particular, since the MFP 10 considers the estimated establishment time T2, the MFP 10 can appropriately calculate a plurality of estimated completion times T. As a result, the MFP 10 can appropriately select one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time (S38). Therefore, the MFP 10 can receive print data from the portable terminal 50 using appropriate wireless communication that is predicted to have the shortest time for completing the print data communication (YES in S24 of FIG. 3). ). In this embodiment, not the portable terminal 50 but the MFP 10 executes the selection process (S16 in FIG. 3). Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in processing load on the portable terminal 50.

  In the example 1-1, the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV related to the portable terminal 50 are used, but the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV related to the MFP 10 are not used. Therefore, in the modification, the MFP communication table 35 may not include the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV.

(Correspondence)
The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 are examples of “first communication device” and “second communication device”. The NFC I / F 22 is an example of a “first type interface”. The wireless LAN I / F 20 and the BTI / F 21 are examples of “one or more second type interfaces”. NFC communication is an example of “first type wireless communication”. For example, normal Wi-Fi communication is an example of “second type wireless communication”. In this case, TTwf and zero used in S30a or S32a in FIG. 5 are examples of “first value” and “second value”, respectively. For example, WFD communication is an example of “second type wireless communication”. In this case, TTwd and zero used in S30a or S32a in FIG. 5 are examples of “first value” and “second value”, respectively. Three types of wireless communication such as normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication are examples of “M types of wireless communication”. NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication are four types of “multiple types of wireless communication”.

  NFC data and print data are examples of “first data” and “second data”, respectively. The file size, file format, number of print colors, and print resolution are examples of “processing related information”. The communication speed TV in the terminal communication table 75 is an example of “communication speed information” and “first speed information”. That is, in this embodiment, “communication speed information” and “first speed information” are the same information. The establishment time TT in the terminal communication table 75 is an example of “first time information”.

(Example 1-2; FIG. 6)
Next, the contents of the selection process (see S16 in FIG. 3) according to the embodiment 1-2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the selection unit 44 selects one type of wireless communication using the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV described in the MFP communication table 35 of the MFP 10.

  The NFC data transmitted from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 includes the print instruction and the processing related information, similar to the example 1-1. Further, the point that the NFC data can further include the SSID is the same as in the example 1-1. However, the NFC data does not include table information (that is, “type”, “establishment time”, and “communication speed” in the terminal communication table 75).

  Among the plurality of processes in FIG. 6, the same processes (S20 to S24, S28, S36, S38) as in FIG. This also applies to FIG. 7 described later.

  In S26b, the calculation unit 46 calculates T1nf by dividing DS by MVnf in the MFP communication table 35. Similarly, the calculation unit 46 calculates T1wf, T1wd, and T1bt by dividing DS by MVwf, MVwd, and MVbt, respectively.

  In S30b, when both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same normal Wi-Fi NW, the calculation unit 46 determines T2wf to be zero and T2wd to be MTwd in the MFP communication table 35. . If both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same WFDNW (MFP = G / O), the calculation unit 46 determines T2wf as MTwf in the MFP communication table 35 and sets T2wd to zero. To decide.

  In S32b, the calculation unit 46 determines T2wf as MTwf in the MFP communication table 35, and determines T2wd as MTwd in the MFP communication table 35. In S34b, the calculation unit 46 determines T2nf as MTnf (that is, zero) in the MFP communication table 35, and determines T2bt as MTbt in the MFP communication table 35.

  The other points are the same as in Example 1-1. Also in this embodiment, the same effect as that of Embodiment 1-1 can be obtained. Further, the MFP 10 can appropriately calculate the predicted communication time T1 using the communication speed MV related to the MFP 10 and the processing related information. Further, the MFP 10 can appropriately determine the estimated estimated time T2 using the established time MT related to the MFP 10. In Example 1-2, the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV related to the MFP 10 are used, but the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV related to the portable terminal 50 are not used. Therefore, in the modified example, the terminal communication table 75 may not include the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV.

  In this embodiment, for example, MTwf (or MTwd) and zero used in S30b or S32b in FIG. 6 are examples of “first value” and “second value”, respectively. The communication speed MV in the MFP communication table 35 is an example of “communication speed information” and “second speed information”. That is, in this embodiment, “communication speed information” and “second speed information” are the same information. The establishment time MT in the MFP communication table 35 is an example of “second time information”.

(Example 1-3; FIG. 7)
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the contents of the selection process (see S16 in FIG. 3) of the embodiment 1-3 will be described. In the present embodiment, the selection unit 44 sets the establishment time TT and communication speed TV described in the terminal communication table 75 of the portable terminal 50 and the establishment time MT and communication speed MV described in the MFP communication table 35 of the MFP 10. Both types are used to select one type of wireless communication.

  The point that the NFC data transmitted from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 includes a print instruction, processing related information, and table information is the same as in the example 1-1. Further, the point that the NFC data can further include the SSID is the same as in the example 1-1.

  In S25, the calculation unit 46 calculates the average value AVnf by dividing the sum of TVnf included in the NFC data and MVnf in the MFP communication table 35 by 2. Similarly, the calculation unit 46 calculates an average value AVwf of TVwf and MVwf, an average value AVwd of TVwd and MVwd, and an average value AVbt of TVbt and MVbt, respectively. Further, the calculation unit 46 calculates the average value ATnf by dividing the sum of TTnf included in the NFC data and MTnf in the MFP communication table 35 by 2. Similarly, the calculation unit 46 calculates an average value ATwf of TTwf and MTwf, an average value ATwd of TTwd and MTwd, and an average value ATbt of TTbt and MTbt, respectively.

  In S26c, the calculation unit 46 calculates T1nf by dividing DS by AVnf. Similarly, the calculation unit 46 calculates T1wf, T1wd, and T1bt by dividing DS by AVwf, AVwd, and AVbt, respectively.

  In S30c, when both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same normal Wi-Fi NW, the calculation unit 46 determines T2wf to be zero and T2wd to be ATwd. Further, when both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same WFDNW (MFP = G / O), the calculation unit 46 determines T2wf as ATwf and T2wd as zero.

  In S32c, the calculation unit 46 determines T2wf as ATwf and T2wd as ATwd. In S34c, the calculation unit 46 determines T2nf as ATnf (that is, zero) and T2bt as ATbt.

  Other points are the same as those of Example 1-1 and Example 1-2. In the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the embodiment 1-1 and the embodiment 1-2 can be obtained. In the present embodiment, the communication speed TV in the terminal communication table 75 and the communication speed MV in the MFP communication table 35 are examples of “first speed information” and “second speed information”, respectively. The establishment time TT in the terminal communication table 75 and the establishment time MT in the MFP communication table 35 are examples of “first time information” and “second time information”, respectively. Further, the average value AT calculated in S25 of FIG. 7 is an example of “communication speed information”. Therefore, in the present embodiment, “communication speed information” and “first speed information (or second speed information)” are different information.

(Example 2)
In the first embodiment (that is, the first embodiments 1-1 to 1-3), the selection unit 44 of the MFP 10 selects one type of wireless communication (S16 in FIG. 3). In the second embodiment, the selection unit 84 of the mobile terminal 50 selects one type of wireless communication.

(Communication processing of MFP 10; FIG. 8)
S110 to S114 are the same as S10 to S14 of FIG. In this embodiment, the NFC data includes only a print instruction and does not include processing related information, table information, and SSID. In S <b> 116, the first communication execution unit 40 transmits communication data to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Information included in the communication data will be described later. In S <b> 118, the first communication execution unit 40 receives selection result information from the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. The selection result information includes information indicating which wireless communication has been selected. However, in the modification, the communication of the selection result information may not be executed (that is, S118 may be omitted). S120 to S126 are the same as S20 to S26 of FIG.

(Communication processing of portable terminal 50; FIG. 9)
S150 and S152 are the same as S50 and S52 of FIG. In the present embodiment, the first communication execution unit 80 receives NFC data including only a print instruction (that is, processing related information, table information, and NFC data not including an SSID) via the NFC I / F 20. , To the MFP 10. In S <b> 153, the first communication execution unit 80 receives communication data from the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 20.

  In S154, the selection unit 84 executes a selection process for selecting one type of wireless communication from among the four types of wireless communication of NFC communication, normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication. The contents of the selection process will be described in detail later. In S155, the first communication execution unit 80 transmits selection result information indicating the result of the selection process in S154 (that is, which wireless communication is selected) to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 20.

  In S156, the second communication execution unit 82 determines whether a wireless connection for wireless communication indicated by the result of the selection process in S154 has been established. If the selection result is NFC communication, the second communication execution unit 82 determines that a wireless connection has been established (YES in S156). As will be described in detail later, the communication data received in S153 includes a column of “wireless setting information” in the MFP communication table 35. When the selection result is the normal Wi-Fi communication, the second communication execution unit 82 includes the SSID corresponding to the normal Wi-Fi communication included in the communication data and the normal Wi-Fi communication in the terminal communication table 75. It is determined whether or not the SSID described in the wireless setting information column corresponding to (or WFD communication) matches. When the selection result is WFD communication, the second communication execution unit 82 uses the SSID corresponding to the WFD communication included in the communication data and the WFD communication (or normal Wi-Fi communication) in the terminal communication table 75. It is determined whether or not the SSID described in the wireless setting information column corresponding to () matches. If the selection result is BT communication, the second communication execution unit 82 determines that the wireless connection has not been established (NO in S156). S158 and S160 are the same as S58 and S60 of FIG.

(Example 2-1)
In Example 2-1, the selection unit 84 of the mobile terminal 50 selects one type of wireless communication using the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV described in the terminal communication table 75 of the mobile terminal 50. As shown in FIG. 10, the NFC data (S110 in FIG. 8, S152 in FIG. 9) transmitted from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 includes only a print instruction, and includes processing related information, table information, and SSID. Absent. Further, the communication data transmitted from the MFP 10 to the portable terminal 50 (S116 in FIG. 8 and S153 in FIG. 9) is associated with the “type” column and the “wireless setting information” column in the MFP communication table 35. Data included. The communication data does not include the “establishment time” column and the “communication speed” column in the MFP communication table 35.

  In S154 of FIG. 9, the calculation unit 86 uses the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV in the terminal communication table 75 according to the same method as S20 to S36 of FIG. Predicted times Tnf, Twf, Twd, and Tbt are calculated. In S154, the selection unit 84 selects one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time.

(Effect of Example 2-1)
According to the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 50 uses the communication speed MV related to the mobile terminal 50 and the processing related information obtained according to the printing operation applied to the mobile terminal 50 by the user, to predict the communication time T1. Can be calculated appropriately. Further, the portable terminal 50 can appropriately determine the estimated predicted time T2 using the establishment time TT related to the portable terminal 50. Then, the mobile terminal 50 can appropriately calculate the four predicted completion times T in consideration of the predicted communication time T1 and the estimated predicted time T2. The portable terminal 50 can transmit the print data to the MFP 10 using appropriate wireless communication that is predicted to have the shortest time for completing the print data communication.

  In this embodiment, not the MFP 10 but the portable terminal 50 executes the selection process (S154 in FIG. 9). Therefore, an increase in processing load on the MFP 10 can be suppressed. In Example 2-1, the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV related to the portable terminal 50 are used, but the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV related to the MFP 10 are not used. Therefore, in the modification, the MFP communication table 35 may not include the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV.

(Correspondence)
The portable terminal 50 and the MFP 10 are examples of “first communication device” and “second communication device”. The NFC I / F 62 is an example of a “first type interface”. The wireless LAN I / F 60 and the BTI / F 61 are examples of “one or more second type interfaces”. The communication speed TV in the terminal communication table 75 is an example of “communication speed information” and “first speed information”. In addition, the establishment time TT in the terminal communication table 75 is an example of “first time information”.

(Example 2-2)
In the present embodiment, the selection unit 84 selects one type of wireless communication using the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV described in the MFP communication table 35 of the MFP 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the NFC data transmitted from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 includes only a print instruction. The communication data transmitted from the MFP 10 to the portable terminal 50 includes all information in the MFP communication table 35 (that is, “type”, “establishment time”, “communication speed”, “wireless setting information”).

  In S154 of FIG. 9, the calculation unit 86 uses the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV included in the communication data according to the same method as S20 to S36 of FIG. Times Tnf, Twf, Twd, and Tbt are calculated. In S154, the selection unit 84 selects one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time.

  According to the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 50 can appropriately calculate the predicted communication time T1 using the communication speed MV related to the MFP 10 and the processing related information. Further, the portable terminal 50 can appropriately determine the estimated establishment time T2 using the establishment time MT related to the MFP 10. In the embodiment 2-2, the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV related to the MFP 10 are used, but the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV related to the portable terminal 50 are not used. Therefore, in the modified example, the terminal communication table 75 may not include the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV. In this embodiment, the communication speed MV in the MFP communication table 35 is an example of “communication speed information” and “second speed information”. The establishment time MT in the MFP communication table 35 is an example of “second time information”.

(Example 2-3)
In the present embodiment, the selection unit 84 establishes the establishment time TT and communication speed TV described in the terminal communication table 75 of the portable terminal 50 and the establishment time MT and communication speed MV described in the MFP communication table 35 of the MFP 10. Both types are used to select one type of wireless communication. As shown in FIG. 10, the NFC data transmitted from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 includes only a print instruction. Communication data transmitted from the MFP 10 to the portable terminal 50 includes all information in the MFP communication table 35.

  In S154 of FIG. 9, the calculation unit 86 uses both the establishment time TT and the communication speed TV in the terminal communication table 75, and the establishment time MT and the communication speed MV included in the communication data. 4, four completion prediction times Tnf, Twf, Twd, and Tbt are calculated according to the same method as S20 to S36 in FIG. In S154, the selection unit 84 selects one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time.

  Also in this embodiment, the same effects as those of Embodiment 2-1 and Embodiment 2-2 can be obtained. In the present embodiment, the communication speed TV in the terminal communication table 75 and the communication speed MV in the MFP communication table 35 are examples of “first speed information” and “second speed information”, respectively. The establishment time TT in the terminal communication table 75 and the establishment time MT in the MFP communication table 35 are examples of “first time information” and “second time information”, respectively.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification 1) In S36 of FIGS. 5 to 7, the calculation units 46 and 86 calculate a predicted completion time Tnf corresponding to NFC communication by calculating the sum of T1nf and T2nf. However, since the establishment times MTnf and TTnf corresponding to NFC communication are zero, T2nf is determined to be zero (S34a, S34b, S34c). For this reason, the calculation units 46 and 86 may use T1nf as it is as Tnf in S36 without determining T2nf in the selection process of FIGS. That is, the calculation units 46 and 86 do not need to consider the estimated establishment time T2nf corresponding to NFC communication. Generally speaking, the calculation unit only needs to consider at least the estimated establishment times of each of the M types of wireless communications. Similarly, the MFP communication table 35 may not include MTnf, and the terminal communication table 75 may not include TTnf. Generally speaking, the first time information and the second time information may be information indicating an establishment time when establishing each wireless connection of at least M types of wireless communications.

(Modification 2) In S20 to 24 of FIGS. 5 to 7, the calculation units 46 and 86 use the file format of the target file, the file size of the target file, the number of print colors, and the print resolution, and the communication data. The size DS is determined. Instead, for example, the calculation units 46 and 86 may determine the file size of the target file as DS, as in S22, regardless of the file format of the target file. Further, for example, in S24, the calculation units 46 and 86 may calculate the DS using only the file size and the number of printing colors, or calculate the DS using only the file size and the printing resolution. May be. That is, the processing related information may not include all of the file format, the file size, the number of printing colors, and the printing resolution, and may include information related to the processing of the second data. In addition, for example, the calculation units 46 and 86 may use a predetermined value as DS regardless of the file format, file size, number of print colors, and print resolution (that is, without using processing-related information). You may decide. Even in such a modification, the calculation units 46 and 86 can appropriately calculate the completion prediction time T in order to take into account the establishment prediction time T2. Generally speaking, the calculation unit may calculate the completion prediction time in consideration of the communication prediction time and the establishment prediction time.

(Modification 3) If it is assumed that both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 do not belong to the same wireless network at the stage of the selection process of FIGS. S28 may not be executed. In this case, the calculation units 46 and 86 determine T2wf as TTwf (or MTwf or ATwf) regardless of whether both the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the same wireless network, and T2wd is determined as TTwd. (Or MTwd, ATwd). Generally speaking, the calculation unit may take into account the estimated estimated time.

(Modification 4) In each of the above embodiments, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can execute NFC communication, but may not be able to execute all of the other three types of wireless communication. It may be impossible to execute wireless communication of only one type or two types of communication. In this case, the tables 35 and 75 need only include information related to the one or two types of wireless communication that can be executed by the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50. In the present embodiment, the above-described one type or two types of wireless communication is an example of “M types of wireless communication”. Generally speaking, “M” may be an integer of 1 or more.

(Modification 5) The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 may not be able to execute NFC communication. In this case, the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 50 first perform communication of data corresponding to NFC data using BT communication, and then perform one of normal Wi-Fi communication, WFD communication, and BT communication. Communication of print data may be performed using a type of wireless communication (ie, selected wireless communication). In the present embodiment, BT communication is an example of “first type wireless communication”, and normal Wi-Fi communication and WFD communication are examples of “second type wireless communication”. Further, infrared communication or Transfer Jet wireless communication may be an example of “first type wireless communication”. Generally speaking, the communication speed of each of the M types of wireless communication may be higher than the communication speed of the first type of wireless communication.

(Modification 6) The “first type interface” and the “second type interface” are a plurality of interfaces (for example, a plurality of IC chips) configured separately as in the above embodiment. There may be one interface (for example, one IC chip) integrally formed.

(Modification 7) In each of the above embodiments, the print data is an example of “second data”. Instead, the “second data” may be scan data, for example. In this case, the calculation units 46 and 86, instead of executing S20 to S24 in FIGS. 5 to 7, the size of the document to be scanned placed on the scan execution unit 18 of the MFP 10 and the number of scan colors (that is, color) The communication data size DS may be determined using a scan or monochrome scan), scan resolution, or the like. The control unit 30 of the MFP 10 may cause the scan execution unit 18 to scan a document instead of the printing process of S26 (or S126) of FIG. 3 (or FIG. 8). Thereafter, the second communication execution unit 42 of the MFP 10 may transmit the scan data to the portable terminal 50. That is, the second communication execution unit 82 of the mobile terminal 50 may receive scan data from the MFP 10. The “second data” may be voice data, FAX data, or the like.

(Modification 8) The “first communication device” and the “second communication device” are not limited to the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50, and other communication devices (for example, a printer, a scanner, a FAX device, a copier, a telephone, Desktop PC, notebook PC, tablet PC, server, mobile phone, PDA terminal, etc.).

(Modification 9) In the above-described embodiment, the functions of the units 40 to 46 are realized by the CPU 32 of the MFP 10 executing the program (that is, software) in the memory 34. Instead, at least one of the units 40 to 46 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit. Similarly, at least one of the units 80 to 86 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

  2: communication system, 4: AP, 10: MFP, 35: MFP communication table, 50: mobile terminal, 75: mobile communication table, MT: establishment time related to MFP, MV: communication speed related to MFP, TT: Established time related to portable terminal, TV: Communication speed related to portable terminal, T1: Estimated communication time, T2: Estimated estimated time, T: Estimated completion

Claims (10)

A first communication device comprising:
A first type interface for executing the first type of wireless communication with the second communication device;
One or more second type interfaces for executing M types (M is an integer of 1 or more) of wireless communication with the second communication device, each of the communication speeds of the M types of wireless communication Is the second type interface faster than the communication speed of the first type wireless communication;
A control unit,
The controller is
A first communication execution unit that executes communication of first data with the second communication device using the first type of wireless communication;
A selection unit that selects one type of wireless communication from a plurality of types of wireless communication including the first type of wireless communication and the M types of wireless communication when communication of the first data is executed. When,
A second communication execution unit that executes communication of second data with the second communication device using the selected one type of wireless communication;
The selection unit includes:
For each of the plurality of types of wireless communication, a calculation unit that calculates a predicted completion time for completing the communication of the second data using the wireless communication,
For each of the plurality of types of wireless communication, the calculation unit supports the wireless communication in consideration of a predicted communication time from the start to completion of the communication of the second data using the wireless communication. Calculating the estimated completion time,
The calculation unit further considers an estimated completion time for establishing a wireless connection for executing the wireless communication for at least each of the M types of wireless communication, and the completion prediction corresponding to the wireless communication. Calculate the time,
The first communication device, wherein the selection unit selects the one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time from among the plurality of predicted completion times corresponding to the plurality of types of wireless communication. The calculation unit includes:
When both the first communication device and the second communication device do not belong to a specific wireless network for executing the second type of wireless communication among the M types of wireless communication, Utilizing the first value as the estimated establishment time corresponding to the second type of wireless communication,
When both the first communication device and the second communication device belong to the specific wireless network, the first predicted time corresponding to the second type of wireless communication is set as the first estimated time. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein a second value smaller than the value is used. The calculation unit supports the plurality of types of wireless communication by using communication speed information indicating communication speeds of the plurality of types of wireless communication and processing relation information related to processing for the second data. Calculating a plurality of the estimated communication times.
The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the plurality of predicted completion times using the calculated plurality of predicted communication times. The first communication execution unit receives the first data including the processing related information from the second communication device using the first type of wireless communication,
The calculation unit according to claim 3, wherein the calculation unit calculates the plurality of predicted communication times using the communication speed information and the processing relation information included in the received first data. 1. Communication device. The first data further includes first speed information indicating a communication speed when the second communication apparatus executes each of the plurality of types of wireless communication, and the second communication apparatus includes at least the M First time information indicating an establishment time when establishing each wireless connection of the type of wireless communication,
The calculation unit includes:
Using the communication speed information obtained using the first speed information included in the received first data and the processing related information included in the received first data, Calculate multiple estimated communication times,
Using the first time information included in the received first data to determine at least M estimated establishment times corresponding to at least the M types of wireless communications;
5. The first communication according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of predicted completion times are calculated using the calculated plurality of predicted communication times and at least the determined M estimated prediction times. apparatus. The first communication device further includes:
Second speed information indicating a communication speed when the first communication device executes each of the plurality of types of wireless communication; and the wireless connection of the first communication device for at least the M types of wireless communication. And a second time information indicating an establishment time when establishing
The calculation unit includes:
Using the communication speed information obtained by using the second speed information in the memory and the processing relation information included in the received first data, the plurality of predicted communication times are obtained. Calculate
Using the second time information in the memory to determine at least M estimated establishment times corresponding to at least the M types of wireless communications;
6. The first prediction according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of predicted completion times are calculated using the calculated plurality of predicted communication times and at least the determined M estimated prediction times. Communication equipment.   The calculation unit calculates the plurality of predicted communication times using the communication speed information and the processing relation information obtained according to a specific operation applied to the first communication device by a user. The first communication device according to claim 3. The first communication device further includes:
First speed information indicating a communication speed when the first communication device executes each of the plurality of types of wireless communication; and the wireless connection of the first communication device at least for the M types of wireless communication. A first time information indicating an establishment time when establishing
The calculation unit includes:
The plurality of predicted communication times are calculated using the communication speed information obtained using the first speed information in the memory and the processing relation information obtained according to the specific operation. ,
Determining at least M estimated establishment times corresponding to at least the M types of wireless communications using the first time information in the memory;
8. The first communication according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of predicted completion times are calculated using the calculated plurality of predicted communication times and at least the determined M estimated prediction times. apparatus. The first communication execution unit further transmits the first data to the second communication device, and then uses the first type of wireless communication so that the second communication device has the plurality of types. Second speed information indicating a communication speed when executing each of the wireless communication, and a second time information indicating an establishment time when the second communication device establishes each wireless connection of at least the M types of wireless communication. 2 time information from the second communication device,
The calculation unit includes:
Using the communication speed information obtained using the received second speed information and the processing relation information obtained according to the specific operation, the plurality of communication predicted times are calculated,
Using the received second time information to determine at least M estimated establishment times corresponding to at least the M types of wireless communications;
9. The first prediction according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of completion predicted times are calculated using the calculated communication predicted times that have been calculated and at least the determined M estimated predicted times that have been determined. Communication equipment. A computer program for a first communication device, comprising:
The first communication device is:
A first type interface for executing the first type of wireless communication with the second communication device;
One or more second type interfaces for executing M types (M is an integer of 1 or more) of wireless communication with the second communication device, each of the communication speeds of the M types of wireless communication Is the second type interface faster than the communication speed of the first type wireless communication;
With
The computer program stores the following processes in a computer mounted on the first communication device, that is,
A first communication execution process for executing communication of first data with the second communication device using the first type of wireless communication;
Selection processing for selecting one type of wireless communication from a plurality of types of wireless communication including the first type of wireless communication and the M types of wireless communication when communication of the first data is executed When,
A second communication execution process for executing communication of second data with the second communication device using the selected one type of wireless communication;
The selection process includes
For each of the plurality of types of wireless communication, including a calculation process for calculating a predicted completion time for completing the communication of the second data using the wireless communication,
In the calculation process, for each of the plurality of types of wireless communication, the wireless communication is supported in consideration of a predicted communication time from the start to the completion of the communication of the second data using the wireless communication. Calculating the estimated completion time,
In the calculation process, the completion prediction corresponding to the wireless communication is further considered for at least each of the M types of wireless communication in consideration of an estimated prediction time for establishing a wireless connection for executing the wireless communication. Calculate the time,
A computer program that, in the selection process, selects the one type of wireless communication corresponding to the minimum predicted completion time from among the plurality of predicted completion times corresponding to the plurality of types of wireless communication.

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