JP2015012383A - Radio communication device, portable communication terminal, radio communication method and radio communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a radio communication according to another radio communication scheme in a radio communication device from being affected by a radio wave of the other radio communication scheme from a portable communication terminal even when the portable communication terminal approaches the radio communication device for a radio communication according to one radio communication scheme, in the radio communication device and the portable communication terminals capable of performing the radio communications according to two different kinds of radio communication schemes.SOLUTION: In the case where an NFC communication with a smartphone 9 is executed by approach of the smartphone 9 during a wireless LAN communication with a PC 7, a multifunction machine 3 transmits a stop signal to the smartphone 9 via the NFC communication until at least the radio communication with the PC 7 being executed at present is completed. In the case where the stop signal is received from the multifunction machine 3, the smartphone 9 stops the radio communication according to a wireless LAN until at least the stop signal is not received any more.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and a mobile communication terminal that can perform wireless communication using two different types of wireless communication methods, a wireless communication method used in each of these devices and terminals, and a wireless communication program executed in the mobile communication terminal.

  For example, communication devices equipped with a plurality of different wireless communication functions such as wireless LAN and NFC (Near Field Communication) are becoming widespread. As one of such communication devices, there is a multifunction device having a printing function and a scanner function. Conventionally, in a multi-function peripheral having wireless LAN and NFC communication functions, it is common to separately install a wireless LAN communication IC and an NFC communication IC (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  On the other hand, in recent years, there has been a trend to reduce the size and cost of devices by integrating the wireless LAN function and the NFC function into one chip (using a combo chip equipped with the wireless LAN and NFC functions). (See, for example, Patent Document 2).

  As an application of NFC, for example, data communication with a portable communication terminal similarly equipped with an NFC function can be considered. In recent years, multifunctional mobile communication terminals (also generally referred to as smartphones) are rapidly spreading, and smartphones equipped with an NFC function are also rapidly increasing. In such a smartphone, for example, image data is transferred to the multifunction device by NFC, and an image of the image data is printed out by the multifunction device.

  Many smartphones are equipped with a wireless LAN function in addition to the NFC function. That is, recent smartphones that have both a wireless LAN function and an NFC function have become widespread.

JP 2005-223822 A JP 2008-283568 A

  In a multifunction device equipped with wireless LAN and NFC communication functions, while a wireless LAN communication is being performed with a device other than a smartphone, a smartphone equipped with the wireless LAN and NFC communication functions is also connected to the multifunction device and NFC. If it is held over the multifunction device for communication, the wireless LAN communication being performed may be affected by the smartphone.

  That is, there is a possibility that a smartphone whose wireless LAN function is operating (transmitting wireless LAN radio waves) is held over the multifunction device for NFC communication while the multifunction device is performing wireless LAN communication with other devices other than the smartphone. There is. When such a smartphone is held over a multifunction device that is performing wireless LAN communication, the wireless LAN radio wave transmitted from the smartphone interferes with the wireless LAN communication radio wave of the multifunction device, and the wireless LAN between the multifunction device and other devices. Communication may be affected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a wireless communication apparatus and a mobile communication terminal capable of wireless communication using two different types of wireless communication systems, the mobile communication terminal is capable of performing wireless communication using one wireless communication system. It is an object of the present invention to be able to suppress the influence of radio waves of the other wireless communication method from the mobile communication terminal on the wireless communication by the other wireless communication method in the wireless communication device even when the wireless communication device is close to the wireless communication device.

  The wireless communication device of the present invention made to solve the above problems includes a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, and a control unit. The first wireless communication unit can wirelessly communicate with an external device using the first wireless communication method. The second wireless communication unit can wirelessly communicate with the mobile communication terminal by a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method. The mobile communication terminal can perform wireless communication by both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method.

  The control unit executes a second wireless communication determination process and a stop signal transmission process. The second wireless communication determination process is a process of determining whether or not wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal by the second wireless communication unit is being executed during execution of wireless communication with the external device by the first wireless communication unit. . In the stop signal transmission process, when it is determined by the second wireless communication determination process that the wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal is being executed, at least until the wireless communication with the currently executed external device is completed, This is a process of transmitting a stop signal for instructing the portable communication terminal not to perform wireless communication by the first wireless communication method by the second wireless communication unit.

  In the wireless communication device configured in this way, during the wireless communication (in the first wireless communication method) with the first wireless communication unit with the external device, the second wireless communication unit with the portable communication terminal (second When wireless communication (in the wireless communication method) is executed, the second wireless communication unit transmits a stop signal to the mobile communication terminal. With this stop signal, the mobile communication terminal can recognize that the wireless communication device is currently performing wireless communication by the first wireless communication method with the external device.

  As a result, it is possible to take various measures for the mobile communication terminal so as not to affect the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method in the wireless communication device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of radio waves of the first wireless communication method from the mobile communication terminal on the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method in the wireless communication device.

  The control unit of the wireless communication device determines that the wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal is being executed by the second wireless communication determination process. May execute a communication status confirmation process for inquiring whether or not wireless communication is being executed in the first wireless communication method. Then, as a result of the communication status confirmation processing, when there is no response during execution that the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication in the first wireless communication method by the second wireless communication unit from the mobile communication terminal The stop signal transmission process may be executed.

  According to the wireless communication apparatus configured as described above, the mobile communication terminal transmits a stop signal when the mobile communication terminal is not executing wireless communication using the first wireless communication system, and the mobile communication terminal uses the first wireless communication system. If wireless communication is already being performed, the stop signal can be prevented from being transmitted. That is, when wireless communication using the first wireless communication method is already being executed in the mobile communication terminal, the wireless communication being executed is allowed as it is. And when the portable communication terminal is not performing the wireless communication by the 1st wireless communication system, the start of the wireless communication by the 1st wireless communication system can be prevented by transmitting a stop signal.

  As described above, when the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method is already being executed in the mobile communication terminal, in the case of the configuration in which the wireless communication being executed is allowed as it is, the wireless communication device is simply allowed. There is a possibility of affecting the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method.

Therefore, the control unit of the wireless communication device may execute a notification process for notifying predetermined information when there is an execution response from the mobile communication terminal as a result of the communication status confirmation process.
By notifying predetermined information in the wireless communication device, the user of the mobile communication terminal can recognize that the wireless communication device is currently performing wireless communication using the first wireless communication method. . And by making it recognize, the radio | wireless wave of the radio | wireless communication by the 1st radio | wireless communication system in a mobile communication terminal, such as moving a mobile communication terminal away from the said radio | wireless communication apparatus, for example, the 1st radio | wireless communication system in the said radio | wireless communication apparatus Appropriate measures can be taken so as not to affect the wireless communication.

  As a result of the communication status confirmation process, the control unit of the wireless communication device receives an in-execution response from the mobile communication terminal, and after receiving the in-execution response, When wireless communication with the apparatus is completed, a completion notification transmission process is performed in which the first wireless communication unit transmits a completion notification indicating that wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit is completed to the mobile communication terminal. It may be.

  By transmitting a completion notification to the mobile communication terminal using the first wireless communication method after completion of the wireless communication with the external device, the mobile communication terminal side performs wireless communication using the first wireless communication method in the wireless communication device. Can be recognized. Therefore, for example, the user of the mobile communication terminal can receive the completion notification and know that there is no problem even if the mobile communication terminal is brought close to the wireless communication device. be able to.

  The control unit of the wireless communication device may end the stop signal transmission process when the wireless communication with the external device by the first wireless communication unit currently being executed is completed after the start of the stop signal transmission process. .

  When wireless communication by the first wireless communication method is completed in the wireless communication device, even if wireless communication by the first wireless communication method is performed in the mobile communication terminal (even if performed in the vicinity of the wireless communication device) Unaffected by radio waves from wireless communication. For this reason, when the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method is completed, the transmission of the stop signal is ended, so that the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method is completed for the portable communication terminal (and the first in the portable communication terminal). It is possible to quickly recognize that there is no problem even if wireless communication by the wireless communication method 1 is started.

  Next, the mobile communication terminal of the present invention made to solve the above-described problem includes a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, and a control unit. The first wireless communication unit can wirelessly communicate with an external device using the first wireless communication method. The second wireless communication unit can wirelessly communicate with the wireless communication device by a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method. The wireless communication device is a device that can perform wireless communication by both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method.

  The control unit executes a stop signal reception determination process and a wireless communication stop process. The stop signal reception determination process is a process of determining whether or not the second wireless communication unit has received a predetermined stop signal transmitted from the wireless communication device. The wireless communication stop process is a process of stopping wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit at least until the stop signal is not received when it is determined that the stop signal is received by the stop signal reception determination process.

  In the mobile communication terminal configured as described above, at least while the stop signal is received from the wireless communication device, the wireless communication (in the first wireless communication method) by the first wireless communication unit is stopped. Therefore, at least while receiving the stop signal, it is possible to suppress the influence of radio waves of the first wireless communication system from the mobile communication terminal on the wireless communication of the first wireless communication system in the wireless communication device. It becomes.

  The control unit of the mobile communication terminal may further execute an inquiry presence determination process and a non-execution response transmission process. The inquiry presence / absence determination process is a process of determining whether or not the second wireless communication unit has inquired from the wireless communication device whether or not the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit. The non-execution response transmission process is performed by the second radio communication unit when the mobile communication terminal is not executing the radio communication by the first radio communication unit when it is determined that there is an inquiry by the inquiry presence / absence determination process. This is processing for transmitting a non-execution response indicating that wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit is not being executed to the wireless communication device.

  According to the mobile communication terminal configured as described above, whether or not the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication using the first wireless communication method can be returned in response to an inquiry from the wireless communication apparatus. Therefore, the wireless communication device is appropriately determined whether or not to transmit a stop signal (that is, whether or not the mobile communication terminal is allowed to perform wireless communication using the first wireless communication method) based on the response content. be able to.

  The control unit of the mobile communication terminal performs a predetermined notification when the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit when it is determined by the inquiry presence determination process that there is an inquiry. The notification process may be executed.

  When there is an inquiry from the wireless communication device, there is a possibility that wireless communication by the first wireless communication method is being performed in the wireless communication device. Therefore, by performing predetermined notification in such a case, wireless communication by the first wireless communication method is currently being performed (or possibly) to the user of the mobile communication terminal in the wireless communication device. ) Can be recognized. And by making it recognize, for example, the mobile communication terminal is moved away from the wireless communication device, for example, the radio wave of the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method in the mobile communication terminal is caused by the first wireless communication method in the wireless communication device. Appropriate measures can be taken so as not to affect the wireless communication.

  The control unit of the mobile communication terminal receives a completion notification to the effect that the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method in the wireless communication device is completed in the first wireless communication unit from the wireless communication device after the start of the notification process. In such a case, the notification process may be terminated after the completion notification is received.

  By receiving the completion notification from the wireless communication device and ending the notification process, the user of the mobile communication terminal can recognize that the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method in the wireless communication device has been completed. Therefore, for example, the user of the mobile communication terminal can know that there is no problem even if the mobile communication terminal is brought close to the wireless communication device after the end of the notification process. Can be made.

  When it is determined that an inquiry has been made by the inquiry presence / absence determination process, the control unit of the mobile communication terminal performs wireless communication using the first wireless communication unit. An in-execution response transmission process for transmitting an in-execution response indicating that the first wireless communication unit is performing wireless communication may be executed to the wireless communication device.

  By transmitting the in-execution response to the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device can recognize that the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication by the first wireless communication method. Therefore, through the wireless communication device, for example, the user of the wireless communication device or the user of the mobile communication terminal moves the mobile communication terminal away from the wireless communication device. Appropriate measures can be taken to prevent radio waves of wireless communication from affecting wireless communication by the first wireless communication method in the wireless communication device.

  The control unit of the mobile communication terminal cancels the stop state of the wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit when the stop signal is not received after the start of the wireless communication stop process by receiving the stop signal. May be executed.

  The fact that the stop signal is no longer received means that there is no problem even if a radio wave of the first wireless communication system is transmitted from the portable communication terminal. Therefore, the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method in the mobile communication terminal can be quickly performed as necessary by releasing the wireless communication stopped state by the first wireless communication unit when the stop signal is not received. Can be started.

  In addition to the above-described wireless communication device and portable communication terminal, the present invention provides a wireless communication method for realizing the functions of the wireless communication device and portable communication terminal, a program for causing a computer to function as the portable communication terminal, and the program Can be realized in various forms, such as a recording medium on which the information is recorded, a wireless communication system including the wireless communication device and the mobile communication terminal as components.

It is a block diagram showing schematic structure of the radio | wireless communications system 1 of embodiment. FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 3, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the smartphone 9. 3 is a flowchart of wireless communication processing executed by the multifunction device 1. It is a flowchart of the radio | wireless communication process which the smart phone 9 performs.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the specific means, structure, etc. which are shown by the following embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, various forms can be taken. For example, a part of the configuration of the following embodiment is replaced with a known configuration having a similar function, added to or replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, or omitted as long as the problem can be solved. May be. Moreover, you may comprise combining the following several embodiment suitably.

(1) Overall Configuration of Radio Communication System 1 As shown in FIG. 1, a radio communication system 1 according to this embodiment includes a multifunction device 3, an access point (hereinafter referred to as “AP”) 5, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”). 7) and a smartphone 9.

  The multifunction machine 3 (corresponding to an example of the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention) is a multi-functional peripheral device having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scan function, and a copy function. The multifunction machine 3 has a wireless communication function based on two types of wireless communication methods, wireless LAN and NFC. The wireless LAN is, for example, a communication method defined by the IEEE802.11a / b / g / n standard, and uses a radio wave in a frequency band of 2.4 GHz band or 5 GHz band.

  The MFP 3 can perform wireless communication with the AP 5 by wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as “wireless LAN communication”), and performs wireless LAN communication with the PC 7 through the AP 5 or connects to the Internet through the AP 5. Can be.

  The multifunction device 3 can perform wireless communication by NFC (hereinafter referred to as “NFC communication”) with the smartphone 9. NFC is short-range wireless communication in which a communicable distance is limited to about 10 cm. For example, radio waves in a 13.56 MHz frequency band are used. The NFC communication between the multifunction device 3 and the smartphone 9 is usually realized by the user of the smartphone 9 bringing the smartphone 9 close to (holds over) a predetermined proximity portion of the multifunction device 3.

  Specifically, the multifunction device 3 is equipped with a wireless communication module 10 that is responsible for transmission and reception of RF signals in both wireless LAN and NFC wireless communication on the upper side inside the device. The wireless communication module 10 is provided with a loop antenna 13a for NFC communication. The upper part of the loop antenna 13a is the above-mentioned proximity part, and when the smartphone 9 is held over this proximity part (upper part of the loop antenna 13a), NFC communication between the multifunction device 3 and the smartphone 9 becomes possible, and a predetermined communication procedure is performed. Wireless communication is performed.

  The wireless communication module 10 has a configuration in which various circuits, components, antennas, and the like are mounted on a substrate. Specifically, the wireless communication module 10 includes an antenna 12a for wireless LAN communication, a loop antenna 13a for NFC communication, a mixed IC 11 and the like. Each antenna 12a, 13a is connected to the mixed IC 11.

  The mixed IC 11 is an IC (semiconductor integrated circuit) configured to be able to process signals of both wireless LAN communication and NFC communication. When transmission data for wireless LAN communication or NFC communication is input to the mixing IC 11, the mixing IC 11 converts the transmission data into an analog transmission signal (RF signal) and wirelessly transmits it from the corresponding antenna.

  When a radio wave of a corresponding communication method is received by the antenna 12a for wireless LAN communication or the loop antenna 13a for NFC communication, the received signal (RF signal) is input to the mixing IC 11. The mixing IC 11 converts the received signal into digital received data and outputs it.

  As described above, the mixed IC 11 can individually process RF signals of two types of wireless communication schemes, that is, wireless LAN communication and NFC communication. Moreover, the mixed IC 11 and the antennas 12a and 13a are mounted on the same substrate. For this reason, the distance between the antenna 12a for wireless LAN communication and the loop antenna 13a for NFC communication is very short.

  The smartphone 9 (corresponding to an example of the mobile communication terminal of the present invention) has an Internet connection function in addition to the functions of a general mobile phone such as a mobile phone and a mail function, and further, by installing various application software This is a multi-function mobile communication terminal to which various functions can be added.

  The smartphone 9 can perform wireless LAN communication and NFC communication. Therefore, the smartphone 9 can perform data communication with the multifunction device 3 by NFC communication. The smartphone 9 can perform wireless LAN communication with other communication devices via the AP 5. Furthermore, the smartphone 9 is referred to as a function (“Wi-Fi Direct” (registered trademark; the same applies hereinafter) that can directly communicate with a communication target device without using a relay device such as the AP 5 as a wireless LAN function. Are also provided).

  The PC 7 includes an antenna 7a for transmitting and receiving radio waves for wireless LAN communication, and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD (hard disk drive), an input / output interface, a wireless LAN communication circuit, and the like (not shown). Yes. An OS, device drivers, and various application software are installed in the HDD. The device driver includes a device driver for the multifunction device 3, and the application software includes software for processing image data read by the scanning function of the multifunction device 3, Software for creating image data to be printed out by the printer function is included.

  Since the PC 7 includes the wireless LAN communication circuit and the antenna 7a, the PC 7 can perform wireless LAN communication with the AP 5, and thus can perform wireless LAN communication with the multifunction device 3 via the AP 5. It is. Therefore, the PC 7 can transmit and receive various types of data including image data to and from the multifunction machine 3 by wireless LAN communication via the AP 5.

  The AP 5 is a well-known wireless relay device that assumes a data relay function in a wireless LAN, and includes an antenna 5a for transmitting and receiving radio waves for wireless LAN communication. The AP 5 sets a communication standard and a communication speed in the wireless LAN according to a predetermined method, and periodically transmits the information using a beacon. Upon receiving the beacon from the AP 5, the multifunction device 3 and the PC 7 establish a wireless connection with the AP 5 by performing predetermined processing including authentication and the like with the AP 5. When the multifunction device 3 and the PC 7 each establish a wireless connection with the AP 5, wireless LAN communication that relays the AP 5 between the multifunction device 3 and the PC 7 becomes possible.

(2) Configuration of MFP 3 More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the MFP 3 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an NVRAM 24, a display unit 25, an input unit 26, a printing unit 27, and a scanner. In addition to the unit 28, the wireless communication module 10 already described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 21 controls each part in the multifunction machine 3 according to various programs stored in the ROM 22 and the NVRAM 24. The RAM 23 is used as a work area for storing various information, a main memory for storing image data, and the like. An NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 24 is a nonvolatile memory capable of electrically rewriting stored contents, and stores firmware, various setting values, various programs, various data, and the like.

  The display unit 25 includes various display devices such as a liquid crystal display and LEDs. The input unit 26 includes a touch panel, various operation buttons, and the like, and receives an operation input by a user. The printing unit 27 forms (prints) an image on a recording medium such as printing paper. The scanner unit 28 includes an image sensor, reads an image of a document, and generates image data thereof.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the wireless communication module 10 includes the mixing IC 11. The mixed IC 11 is configured to be capable of data communication with the CPU 21 and various storage devices, and is mainly controlled by the CPU 21.

  A wireless LAN communication circuit 12 and an NFC communication circuit 13 are formed inside the mixed IC 11 as a semiconductor integrated circuit. A wireless LAN antenna 12 a is connected to the wireless LAN communication circuit 12. The wireless LAN communication circuit 12 performs various processes of RF signals transmitted and received by the wireless LAN antenna 12a. An NFC loop antenna 13 a is connected to the NFC communication circuit 13. The NFC communication circuit 13 performs various processes of the RF signal transmitted / received by the loop antenna 13a.

(3) Configuration of Smartphone 9 As shown in FIG. 2B, the smartphone 9 includes a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, flash memory 34, memory card interface (hereinafter referred to as “memory card I / F”) 35, wireless LAN communication. Unit 36, NFC communication unit 37, display unit 38, operation unit 39, touch panel 40, voice input / output unit 41, and the like.

  The CPU 31 performs various processes based on various programs and data stored in the ROM 32, the flash memory 34, the memory card mounted on the memory card I / F 35, and the like. The RAM 33 is used as a work area or main memory for storing various information. The flash memory 34 is a non-volatile memory in which stored contents can be rewritten, and stores various programs, data, and the like including a program for wireless communication processing (FIG. 4) described later. The memory card I / F 35 is an interface to which a nonvolatile memory card is attached, and controls writing or reading of data with respect to the memory card.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 36 is a circuit that wirelessly connects the smartphone 9 and other devices. The wireless LAN communication unit 36 enables wireless LAN communication via a relay device such as AP5 and wireless LAN communication (Wi-Fi Direct) not via a relay device such as AP5.

  In order to enable such wireless LAN communication, the wireless LAN communication unit 36 does not perform substantial data communication by wireless LAN communication, but is also a wireless LAN radio wave (for example, a standby signal radio wave such as a beacon signal). Are sent continuously or intermittently.

  In the following description, when the wireless LAN communication by the wireless LAN communication unit 36 of the smartphone 9 is “under wireless LAN communication” or the like, substantial data communication is performed (only transmission of a standby signal) Rather than actually sending and receiving data). In addition, when “not in wireless LAN communication” or the like, it means a state in which no substantial data communication is performed and only a standby signal is transmitted. In addition, “stop the wireless LAN function” or the like means that the wireless LAN communication radio wave transmission is completely stopped (the standby signal transmission is also stopped). In addition, “returning the wireless LAN function” means returning from the stopped state, that is, restarting waiting signal transmission or starting data communication.

  The NFC communication unit 37 is a circuit that performs NFC connection between the smartphone 9 and the multifunction device 3. The NFC communication unit 37 enables NFC communication between the smartphone 9 and the multifunction device 3. The range where wireless communication by NFC is possible is very short distance (for example, within about 10 cm). When the user brings the smartphone 9 close to the multifunction device 3 and the distance between the antenna of the NFC communication unit 37 of the smartphone 9 and the loop antenna 13a of the multifunction device 3 is within the communicable range, predetermined NFC communication is started between the two. The

  In this specification, when the positional relationship between the smartphone 9 and the multifunction device 3 is “close” or “hold”, the two are close enough to enable NFC communication unless otherwise specified. It means that

  The display unit 38 includes various display devices such as a liquid crystal display and an LED, and can display various screens, information, and the like. The operation unit 39 is a hard key provided on the housing of the smartphone 9, and setting information and instructions are input to the smartphone 9 by a user operation. The touch panel 40 is provided so as to overlap the display unit 38, and setting information, instructions, and the like are input to the smartphone 9 by a user's touch operation or the like. The voice input / output unit 41 is a voice input / output device including a microphone, a speaker, and the like.

(4) Features of the Wireless Communication System 1 In the wireless communication system 1, the smartphone 9 may be held over the multifunction device 3 when the multifunction device 3 and the PC 7 are performing wireless LAN communication. As a specific example, while a user transmits print data from the PC 7 to the multifunction device 3 by wireless LAN communication, another user causes the image data stored in the smartphone 9 to be transferred to the multifunction device 3. Therefore, a case where the smartphone 9 is held over the multifunction machine 3 is assumed.

  In such a case, if the smartphone 9 is performing wireless LAN communication with another device, radio waves from the smartphone 9 affect wireless LAN communication between the multifunction device 3 and the PC 7 ( There is a risk of reducing the communication quality between the two. Even if the smartphone 9 is not performing wireless LAN communication, the radio wave of the standby signal transmitted from the smartphone 9 may affect the wireless LAN communication between the multifunction device 3 and the PC 7.

  Therefore, the MFP 3 according to the present embodiment is a case where the smartphone 9 is held over while performing wireless LAN communication with an external device such as the PC 7, and the smartphone 9 is not performing wireless LAN communication with other devices. In this case, the stop signal is continuously transmitted to the smartphone 9 by NFC communication until the ongoing wireless LAN communication is completed. When the smartphone 9 receives a stop signal from the multifunction device 3 through NFC communication, the smartphone 9 stops the wireless LAN function (completely stops radio wave transmission) while receiving the stop signal.

The wireless communication processing executed by the multifunction device 3 and the smartphone 9 in order to realize such a function will be described below.
(4-1) Wireless Communication Processing of Multifunction Device 3 Wireless communication processing executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. When starting the operation, the CPU 21 of the multifunction machine 3 reads and executes the wireless communication processing program of FIG. 3 from the NVRAM 24.

  When starting the wireless communication process of FIG. 3, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the smartphone 9 has been recognized by NFC communication in S <b> 110. That is, it is determined whether or not data exchange by NFC with the smartphone 9 is started. The determination in S110 is repeated until the smartphone 9 is recognized by NFC communication, but if the smartphone 9 is recognized, the process proceeds to S120.

  In S120, the multifunction device 3 determines whether wireless LAN communication is currently being performed with a device other than the smartphone 9 (for example, the PC 7). If wireless LAN communication is being performed with another device, the process proceeds to S150. If wireless LAN communication is not being performed with another device, the process proceeds to S130.

  In S130, normal data communication is performed with the smartphone 9 by NFC communication. In S140, it is determined whether or not data communication by NFC communication with the smartphone 9 has been completed. The determination of S140 is repeated until the data communication by the NFC communication with the smartphone is completed, but when the data communication is completed, the process returns to S110.

  In S150, the NFC communication is requested to notify the smartphone 9 of the wireless LAN communication state of the smartphone 9. In other words, the smartphone 9 is inquired whether the smartphone 9 is currently performing wireless LAN communication.

  In S160, based on the notification (response) from the smartphone 9 in response to the notification request in S150, it is determined whether the smartphone 9 is currently performing wireless LAN communication with another device. If the smartphone 9 is not currently in wireless LAN communication with another device, the process proceeds to S170.

  In S170, transmission of a stop signal for stopping the wireless LAN function of the smartphone 9 (stopping radio wave transmission of the wireless LAN) is started to the smartphone 9 by NFC communication. Thereafter, until the process proceeds to S190, the stop signal is continuously or intermittently (periodically) continuously transmitted.

  In S180, it is determined whether or not the MFP 3 has completed wireless LAN communication with another device currently being executed. During the wireless LAN communication with other devices, the determination in S180 is repeated. When the wireless LAN communication with the other device is completed, the transmission of the stop signal is stopped in S190, and the process returns to S110.

  If it is determined in S160 that the smartphone 9 is currently performing wireless LAN communication with another device, the process proceeds to S200. In S <b> 200, a warning is displayed on the display unit 25 of the multifunction device 3 so that the smartphone 9 is not brought close to the multifunction device 3. Specifically, for example, a warning message “Please do not bring your smartphone close” is displayed.

  In S210, as in S180, it is determined whether or not the MFP 3 has completed wireless LAN communication with another device currently being executed. While performing wireless LAN communication with other devices, the determination in S210 is repeated. When wireless LAN communication with another device is completed, the warning display is canceled (erased) in S220.

  In S230, a wireless LAN completion notification indicating that the wireless LAN communication in the multifunction device 3 is completed is transmitted to the smartphone 9 by wireless LAN communication. After transmitting the wireless LAN completion notification, the process returns to S110.

(4-2) Wireless Communication Processing of Smartphone 9 The wireless communication processing executed by the CPU 31 of the smartphone 9 will be described with reference to FIG. When the operation starts, the CPU 31 of the smartphone 9 reads and executes the wireless communication processing program of FIG. 4 from the flash memory 34.

  When starting the wireless communication process of FIG. 4, the CPU 31 of the smartphone 9 determines whether or not the multifunction device 3 has been recognized by NFC communication in S <b> 310. That is, it is determined whether or not data exchange by NFC with the multifunction device 3 has been started. The determination in S310 is repeated until the multifunction device 3 is recognized by NFC communication, but if the multifunction device 3 is recognized, the process proceeds to S320.

  In S320, it is determined whether there is a notification request about the wireless LAN communication state of the smartphone 9 by NFC communication from the multifunction device 3. This notification request is a process executed in S150 of FIG. If there is a notification request from the multifunction device 3, the process proceeds to S350, and if there is no notification request from the multifunction device 3, the process proceeds to S330. If there is a notification request from the multifunction device 3, it means that the multifunction device 3 is currently in wireless LAN communication with another device. If there is no notification request from the multifunction device 3, the multifunction device 3 This means that the device is not in wireless LAN communication.

  In S330, normal data communication is performed with the MFP 3 by NFC communication. In S340, it is determined whether or not the data communication by the NFC communication with the multifunction device 3 is completed. The determination in S340 is repeated until the data communication by the NFC communication with the multifunction machine 3 is completed, but when the data communication is completed, the process returns to S310.

  In S350, in response to the notification request from the multifunction device 3, it is determined whether or not the smartphone 9 is currently performing wireless LAN communication with another device other than the multifunction device 3. If the smartphone 9 is not currently performing wireless LAN communication with another device, the process proceeds to S360.

  In S360, the multifunction device 3 is notified by NFC communication that the smartphone 9 is not currently performing wireless LAN communication. In S370. It is determined whether or not a stop signal is received from the multifunction device 3 by NFC communication. The stop signal is a signal that starts transmission in S170 of FIG. 3 in the multifunction machine 3 and stops transmission in S190.

  If a stop signal is received from the multifunction machine 3, the wireless LAN function of the smartphone 9 is stopped in S380. That is, the wireless LAN radio wave transmission is completely stopped. While the stop signal is received from the multifunction machine 3, the processes of S370 to S380 are repeated. If the stop signal is no longer received from the multifunction machine 3, the wireless LAN function is restored in S390, and the process returns to S310.

  If it is determined in S350 that the smartphone 9 is currently performing wireless LAN communication with another device other than the multifunction machine 3, the process proceeds to S400. In S400, the MFP 3 is notified by NFC communication that the smartphone 9 is currently performing wireless LAN communication.

  In S <b> 410, a warning is displayed on the display unit 38 of the smartphone 9 so that the smartphone 9 is not brought close to the multifunction device 3. Specifically, for example, a warning message “Please do not approach the MFP” is displayed.

  In S420, it is determined whether or not a wireless LAN completion notification is received from the multifunction machine 3 through wireless LAN communication. This wireless LAN completion notification is a notification transmitted in S230 of FIG. The determination in S420 is repeated until a wireless LAN completion notification is received from the multifunction machine 3. If a wireless LAN completion notification is received from the multifunction device 3, the process proceeds to S430.

  In S430, it is determined whether the smartphone 9 is currently performing wireless LAN communication. If wireless LAN communication is being performed, the determination in S430 is repeated. If the wireless LAN communication is not in progress, the warning display is canceled (erased) in S440. After canceling the warning display, the process returns to S310.

(5) Effects of Embodiments As described above, in the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, the smartphone 3 is held over the multifunction device 3 while the multifunction device 3 is communicating with the PC 7 or the like through wireless LAN communication. When NFC communication is started, the multifunction device 3 transmits a stop signal to the smartphone 9 by NFC communication. More specifically, the stop signal is transmitted when the smartphone 9 is not in wireless LAN communication with another device. With this stop signal, the smartphone 9 recognizes that the multifunction device 3 is currently communicating with another device via wireless LAN, and completely stops the wireless LAN function.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wireless LAN communication being executed in the multifunction machine 3 from being affected by the wireless LAN radio wave from the smartphone 9. Moreover, the multifunction device 3 stops transmitting the stop signal when its own wireless LAN communication is completed. Therefore, the smartphone 9 can quickly recognize that the wireless LAN communication in the multifunction device 3 has ended (and that there is no problem even if the wireless LAN communication is started while being close to the multifunction device 3).

  When the smartphone 9 is held over the multifunction machine 3 and the wireless LAN communication is already performed in the smartphone 9, the wireless communication being executed is allowed as it is. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence on the wireless LAN communication that is already being executed by the smartphone 9.

  However, if the wireless LAN communication that is already being performed in the smartphone 9 is permitted as it is, the radio wave of the wireless LAN communication may naturally affect the wireless LAN communication of the multifunction machine 3.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the smartphone 9 is already holding the wireless LAN communication and is held over the multifunction device 3, a warning is given so that both the multifunction device 3 and the smartphone 9 do not come close to each other. Is displayed.

  This warning display allows the user of the smartphone 9 to recognize that wireless LAN communication is currently being performed (or possibly) in the multifunction device 3. Then, by taking the recognition, for example, taking appropriate measures to prevent the wireless LAN radio waves of the smartphone 9 from affecting the wireless LAN communication in the multifunction device 3, such as moving the smartphone 9 away from the multifunction device 3. Can be taken.

  When the mixed IC 11 having both wireless LAN and NFC functions is installed as in the multifunction device 3 of the present embodiment, if the smartphone 9 is held over the multifunction device 3 for NFC communication, inevitably, The wireless LAN antennas of both the smartphone 9 and the multifunction machine 3 are also close to each other, and radio wave interference is likely to occur between the two. For this reason, it is more effective to apply the present invention to the multifunction machine 3 on which the mixed IC 11 is mounted.

  The smartphone 9 returns the wireless LAN function when transmission of a stop signal from the multifunction device 3 is stopped even if the smartphone 9 is held over the multifunction device 3 after the wireless LAN function is completely stopped. . In addition, even when the stop signal from the multifunction device 3 is not received because the wireless LAN function is completely stopped and then moved away from the multifunction device 3, even if the stop signal is still transmitted from the multifunction device 3. The wireless LAN function is restored. Even if a stop signal is transmitted from the multifunction device 3, if the smartphone 9 is moved away from the multifunction device 3, there is no possibility that the wireless LAN radio waves from the smartphone 9 will affect the wireless LAN communication of the multifunction device 3 (or significantly). To lower). The smartphone 9 can quickly return the wireless LAN function based on the presence / absence of the stop signal.

  The multifunction device 3 displays a warning so as not to bring the smartphone 9 close thereto, and then transmits a wireless LAN completion notification to the smartphone 9 by wireless LAN communication when its wireless LAN communication is completed. When the smartphone 9 receives the wireless LAN completion notification from the multifunction machine 3, the smartphone 9 cancels the warning display. Thereby, the user of the smartphone 9 can know that there is no problem even if the smartphone 9 is brought close to the multifunction device 3 after the warning display is released. Therefore, the usability of the user of the smartphone 9 can be improved.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) When the smartphone 3 is held over the multifunction device 3 during wireless LAN communication (that is, the multifunction device 3 recognizes the smartphone 9 by NFC communication), the multifunction device 3 uses the wireless LAN communication between the smartphone 9 and another device. A stop signal may be transmitted regardless of whether it is in the middle or not. This is because if the wireless LAN communication is already being executed in the smartphone 9, the user of the smartphone 9 does not notice it (or ignores it) and simply puts the smartphone 9 into the multifunction device 3. This is because there is a possibility of holding it over.

  When the smartphone 9 is held over the multifunction device 3 but receives a stop signal from the multifunction device 3, the smartphone 9 is not only a warning (or instead of the warning) even if the smartphone 9 is performing wireless LAN communication. ) The wireless LAN function may be completely stopped by interrupting (stopping) its own wireless LAN communication. When the smartphone 9 is no longer received from the multifunction device 3 because the smartphone 9 is moved away from the multifunction device 3 or the wireless LAN communication of the multifunction device 3 is terminated, the wireless LAN communication may be resumed. Good.

  (2) The smartphone 9 of the above embodiment has a configuration in which the wireless LAN function is completely stopped (radio wave transmission is stopped) while the stop signal is received from the multifunction device 3, but the smartphone 9 is completely stopped. Is not required. The transmission of radio waves may be permitted within a range that does not affect the wireless LAN communication of the multifunction machine 3.

  For example, when the smartphone 9 receives a stop signal from the multifunction device 3 and is in data communication with another device via a wireless LAN, the data communication is stopped, but the data communication is not performed. When only the regular transmission of a standby signal such as a beacon is performed, the state may be continued as it is. In that case, the intensity of the transmission radio wave of the standby signal may be weaker than normal. Alternatively, the ongoing data communication may be continued with the radio wave intensity weakened. However, if even a small amount of wireless LAN radio waves are emitted from the smartphone 9, there is a risk of affecting the wireless LAN communication being executed by the multifunction device 3 (the desired communication quality cannot be maintained), as in the above embodiment. It is preferable to completely stop the LAN function.

  In other words, as long as the smartphone 9 can maintain the quality of the wireless LAN communication being executed in the multifunction device 3 at a desired level, the smartphone 9 specifically explains how to perform its own wireless LAN function when receiving a stop signal from the multifunction device 3. Whether to do it can be decided appropriately.

  (3) After the multifunction device 3 starts transmitting a stop signal due to the smartphone 9 being held over during the wireless LAN communication (S170), the smartphone 3 is still executing the wireless LAN communication. May be stopped (for example, when NFC communication cannot be performed between the two), the transmission of the stop signal may be stopped.

  (4) The smartphone 9 of the above embodiment has a configuration in which wireless LAN radio waves such as a standby signal are emitted continuously or periodically even during wireless LAN communication, but such a configuration is essential. is not. A smartphone that completely stops radio wave transmission when wireless LAN communication is not being performed may be used.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the wireless LAN is described as an example of the first wireless communication system of the present invention, and NFC is described as an example of the second wireless communication system. However, the wireless LAN and NFC are merely examples. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to other communication systems. Further, the present invention is not limited to application to the multifunction machine 3 and the smartphone 9.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wireless communication system, 3 ... Multi-function machine, 5 ... AP, 5a, 7a, 12a ... Antenna, 7 ... PC, 9 ... Smartphone, 10 ... Wireless communication module, 11 ... Mixed IC, 12 ... Wireless LAN communication circuit, 13 ... NFC communication circuit, 13a ... Loop antenna, 21, 31 ... CPU, 22, 32 ... ROM, 23, 33 ... RAM, 24 ... NVRAM, 25, 38 ... Display unit, 26 ... Input unit, 27 ... Printing unit, 28 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS scanner unit 34 flash memory 35 memory card I / F 36 wireless LAN communication unit 37 NFC communication unit 39 operation unit 40 touch panel 41 voice input / output unit

Claims (14)

A first wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with an external device by a first wireless communication method;
Wireless communication is possible with a mobile communication terminal capable of wireless communication in both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method by a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method. A second wireless communication unit;
A control unit;
A wireless communication device comprising:
The controller is
A second wireless communication determination process for determining whether wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal by the second wireless communication unit is being executed while the first wireless communication unit is performing wireless communication with the external device; ,
When it is determined by the second wireless communication determination process that wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal is being executed, at least until the wireless communication with the external device currently being executed is completed, A stop signal transmission process for transmitting a stop signal for instructing the portable communication terminal not to perform wireless communication in the first wireless communication method by a wireless communication unit;
A wireless communication apparatus characterized by The wireless communication device according to claim 1,
The controller is
When it is determined by the second wireless communication determination process that wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal is being executed, the mobile communication terminal is connected to the mobile communication terminal by the second wireless communication unit. A communication status confirmation process for inquiring whether or not wireless communication is being executed in the wireless communication method 1;
As a result of the communication status confirmation process, there was no response during execution indicating that the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication in the first wireless communication method by the second wireless communication unit from the mobile communication terminal. In this case, the stop signal transmission process is executed. The wireless communication device according to claim 2,
The said control part performs the alerting | reporting process which alert | reports predetermined | prescribed information, when there exists the said response under execution from the said mobile communication terminal as a result of the said communication condition confirmation process. The radio | wireless communication apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The wireless communication device according to claim 2 or 3,
As a result of the communication status confirmation process, the control unit is the case where the mobile communication terminal has received the execution response, and after the execution response, the first wireless communication unit currently executing When the wireless communication with the external device is completed, the first wireless communication unit transmits a completion notification indicating that the wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit is completed to the mobile communication terminal. A wireless communication device that executes processing. The wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
After the start of the stop signal transmission process, the control unit ends the stop signal transmission process when wireless communication with the external device by the first wireless communication unit currently being executed is completed. Wireless communication device. A first wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with an external device by a first wireless communication method;
Wireless communication is possible with a wireless communication apparatus capable of wireless communication in both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method by a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method. A second wireless communication unit;
A control unit;
A mobile communication terminal comprising:
The controller is
A stop signal reception determination process for determining whether the second wireless communication unit has received a predetermined stop signal transmitted from the wireless communication device;
When it is determined that the stop signal is received by the stop signal reception determination process, at least until the stop signal is not received, a wireless communication stop process for stopping wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit;
The mobile communication terminal characterized by performing. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 6,
The controller is
Inquiry presence / absence determination processing for determining whether or not there is an inquiry from the wireless communication device by the second wireless communication unit whether or not the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit;
When it is determined that the inquiry has been made by the inquiry presence determination process, and the mobile communication terminal is not performing wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit, the second wireless communication unit performs the wireless communication device. A non-execution response transmission process for transmitting a non-execution response indicating that wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit is not being executed;
The mobile communication terminal characterized by performing. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 7,
When the control unit determines that the inquiry has been made by the inquiry presence determination process, the control unit performs a predetermined notification when the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit. A mobile communication terminal characterized by executing processing. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 8, wherein
The controller is
After the start of execution of the notification process, in the first wireless communication unit from the wireless communication device, when receiving a completion notification that the wireless communication by the first wireless communication method in the wireless communication device is completed, The notification process is terminated after the reception. The mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
When the mobile communication terminal is performing wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit when the control unit determines that the inquiry has been made by the inquiry presence / absence determination process, the second wireless communication unit The mobile communication terminal is characterized by executing an in-execution response transmission process for transmitting an in-execution response to the effect that the first wireless communication unit is executing wireless communication. It is a portable communication terminal given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 6-10,
The control unit cancels the stop state of the wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit when the stop signal is not received after the execution of the wireless communication stop process by the reception of the stop signal is started. A mobile communication terminal characterized by executing processing. A first wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with an external device by a first wireless communication method;
Wireless communication is possible with a mobile communication terminal capable of wireless communication in both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method by a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method. A second wireless communication unit;
A wireless communication method used in a wireless communication device comprising:
When wireless communication with the portable communication terminal is performed by the second wireless communication unit while wireless communication with the external device is being performed by the first wireless communication unit, at least wireless with the external device currently being performed Until the communication is completed, the second wireless communication unit transmits a predetermined stop signal to the mobile communication terminal. A first wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with an external device by a first wireless communication method;
Wireless communication is possible with a wireless communication apparatus capable of wireless communication in both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method by a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method. A second wireless communication unit;
A wireless communication method used in a mobile communication terminal equipped with
When a predetermined stop signal transmitted from the wireless communication device is received by the second wireless communication unit, the wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit is stopped at least until the stop signal is not received. A wireless communication method. A first wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with an external device by a first wireless communication method;
Wireless communication is possible with a wireless communication apparatus capable of wireless communication in both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method by a second wireless communication method different from the first wireless communication method. A second wireless communication unit;
A wireless communication program to be executed by a computer included in the mobile communication terminal,
A stop signal reception determination process for determining whether the second wireless communication unit has received a predetermined stop signal transmitted from the wireless communication device;
When it is determined that the stop signal is received by the stop signal reception determination process, at least until the stop signal is not received, a wireless communication stop process for stopping wireless communication by the first wireless communication unit;
Wireless communication program for executing

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