JP2017147741A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for making it possible to appropriately execute communication using a first type interface and communication using a second type interface differing from the first type interface.SOLUTION: An MFP 10 monitors establishment of a communication link between an MFP(CE) and a partner (W) during an initial state where an only CE mode is started up. When the communication link between the MFP(CE) and the partner (W) is established, the MFP 10 receives authentication information and an execution request from a portable terminal 50. When the authentication is successful and a specific function designated by the execution request is ready, the MFP 10 establishes a P2P communication link with the portable terminal 50. The MFP 10 executes two-way communication on network information and wireless setting (or change unnecessity information) by using the P2P communication link.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a communication device capable of communicating with a terminal device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus for performing NFC (Near Field Communication) communication with a communication terminal. The information processing apparatus performs NFC communication with the communication terminal by switching between a CE (abbreviation of card emulation) mode of the NFC standard and a P2P (abbreviation of peer to peer) mode.

JP 2011-44092 A

  In the technique of the above-described Patent Document 1, it is not considered that the information processing apparatus includes an interface different from the interface for NFC communication.

  The present specification provides a technique capable of appropriately executing communication using a first type interface and communication using a second type interface different from the first type interface.

  One technique disclosed in this specification is a communication device capable of communicating with a terminal device. The communication device communicates with the terminal device by a method different from the NFC method and a first type interface for executing communication with the terminal device by the NFC method which is a communication method in accordance with NFC (Near Field Communication) standard. A second type interface for performing communication, wherein a communication speed of communication via the second type interface is higher than a communication speed of communication via the first type interface; And a control unit. The control unit includes a reception unit, a first determination unit, an establishment unit, and a communication control unit. When the first communication link via the first type interface is established between the communication device and the terminal device, the reception unit uses the first communication link to receive the first information from the terminal device. Receive. In the first communication link, the communication device operates in a first mode different from the P2P (abbreviation of Peer to Peer) mode of the NFC standard, and the terminal device operates in the P2P mode and the first mode of the NFC standard. Are communication links on which data communication is to be performed, operating in a different second mode. The first determination unit relates to whether or not communication via the second type interface can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device when the first information is received from the terminal device. The determination process is executed. The establishing unit establishes a second communication link via the first type interface between the communication device and the terminal device when the first information is received from the terminal device. The second communication link is a communication link in which data communication is to be performed while the communication device operates in the P2P mode and the terminal device operates in the P2P mode. The communication control unit uses the second communication link when it is determined in the first determination process that communication via the second type interface can be executed between the communication device and the terminal device. Thus, the two-way communication of the second information is performed with the terminal device, and it is determined in the first determination process that the communication via the second type interface is not executable between the communication device and the terminal device. In such a case, the two-way communication of the second information is not performed with the terminal device. The second information is information for executing communication via the second type interface between the communication device and the terminal device.

  According to the above configuration, the communication device has a first communication link between the communication device and the terminal device via the first type interface (that is, communication device = first mode, terminal device = second mode). ) Is established, the first information is received from the terminal device using the first type communication link. When the first information is received, the communication device establishes a second communication link (that is, communication device, terminal device = P2P mode) via the first type interface between the communication device and the terminal device. Can be established. In addition, when the first information is received, the communication device performs a first determination process regarding whether or not communication via the second type interface can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device. Run. The communication device uses the second communication link when it is determined in the first determination process that communication can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device via the second type interface. The two-way communication of the second information is executed with the terminal device. On the other hand, when it is determined in the first determination process that the communication device and the terminal device cannot perform communication via the second type interface, the communication device performs bidirectional communication of the second information. Is not executed with the terminal device. That is, according to whether or not the communication device described above is capable of performing communication via the second type interface between the communication device and the terminal device in the first determination process. Whether or not to perform bidirectional communication of the second information with the terminal device can be changed using the two communication links. Therefore, according to the communication apparatus, communication using the first type interface and communication using the second type interface different from the first type interface can be appropriately executed.

  Note that a control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program for realizing the communication apparatus are also novel and useful. A communication system including the communication device and the terminal device is also novel and useful. In addition, a control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the computer program for realizing a terminal device that can communicate with the communication device are novel and useful.

1 shows a configuration of a communication system. 3 shows a flowchart of communication processing of the CPU of the MFP according to the first embodiment. The flowchart of the installation process of CPU of the portable terminal of 1st Example is shown. The flowchart of the registration process of CPU of the portable terminal of 1st Example is shown. The flowchart of the function execution process of CPU of the portable terminal of 1st Example is shown. The communication sequence chart at the time of installation execution of the first embodiment is shown. The communication sequence chart at the time of the authentication information registration execution of 1st Example is shown. The sequence chart of communication at the time of the function execution of 1st Example is shown. 6 shows a flowchart of communication processing of a CPU of an MFP according to a second embodiment. The flowchart of the function execution process of CPU of the portable terminal of 2nd Example is shown. The communication sequence chart at the time of function execution of 2nd Example is shown. The communication sequence chart at the time of the function execution of 3rd Example is shown. The sequence chart of communication at the time of function execution of the 4th example is shown.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of communication system 2; FIG. 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a multi-function device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (Multi-Function
10), portable terminals 50 and 80, an access point (hereinafter referred to as “AP”) 6, and a PC 8. The MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80 can execute short-range wireless communication. Near field communication is wireless communication according to the NFC system. In the present embodiment, NFC wireless communication is executed based on the international standard of ISO / IEC21481 or ISO / IEC18092.

Further, the PC 8, the MFP 10, and the portable terminals 50 and 80 can execute wireless communication in accordance with a Wi-Fi Direct method (hereinafter referred to as “WFD method”), which will be described later. In the WFD system, the IEEE standard of IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) and a standard equivalent thereto (for example, 802.11a,
11b, 11g, 11n, etc.) wireless communication is executed. The NFC system and the WFD system are different in wireless communication system (that is, wireless communication standard). The communication speed of WFD wireless communication is faster than the communication speed of NFC wireless communication.

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

  The PC 8, the MFP 10, and the portable terminals 50 and 80 can further perform wireless communication according to normal Wi-Fi, which is different from wireless communication according to the WFD scheme. Generally speaking, the normal wireless communication in accordance with Wi-Fi is a wireless communication in which AP6 is used, and the wireless communication in accordance with the WFD method is a wireless communication in which AP6 is not used. For example, the MFP 10 can belong to the normal Wi-Fi network by establishing a connection with the AP 6 (hereinafter referred to as “normal Wi-Fi connection”) according to the normal Wi-Fi. The MFP 10 can execute wireless communication with another device (for example, the PC 8 or the portable terminal 50) belonging to the normal Wi-Fi network via the AP 6. Further, the NFC scheme and normal Wi-Fi are different in wireless communication scheme (that is, wireless communication standard). Further, the communication speed of normal Wi-Fi wireless communication is faster than the communication speed of NFC wireless communication.

(Configuration of MFP 10)
The MFP 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a scan execution unit 18, a wireless LAN interface (hereinafter referred to as “I / F”) 20, an NFC I / I F22 and the control part 24 are provided. The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the MFP 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The print execution unit 16 is a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method. The scan execution unit 18 is a scan mechanism such as a CCD or CIS.

The wireless LAN I / F 20 is an interface for the control unit 24 to execute wireless communication according to the WFD method and wireless communication according to normal Wi-Fi. The wireless LAN I / F 20 is physically one interface. However, the wireless LAN I / F 20 includes a MAC address used in wireless communication in accordance with the WFD method (hereinafter referred to as “MAC address for WFD”) and a MAC address used in wireless communication in accordance with normal Wi-Fi. Both addresses (hereinafter referred to as “normal Wi-Fi MAC addresses”) are assigned. More specifically, a normal Wi-Fi MAC address is pre-assigned to the wireless LAN I / F 20. The control unit 24 uses the normal Wi-Fi MAC address to generate a WFD MAC address and assigns the WFD MAC address to the wireless LAN I / F 20. The WFD MAC address is different from the normal Wi-Fi MAC address. Therefore, the control unit 24 can simultaneously execute both wireless communication in accordance with the WFD scheme and wireless communication in accordance with normal Wi-Fi via the wireless LAN I / F 20. As a result, a situation can be established in which the MFP 10 belongs to the WFD network and also belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network. In the modification, the interface for executing wireless communication in accordance with the WFD method and the interface for executing wireless communication in accordance with normal Wi-Fi are configured by physically different chips. Also good.

  The user operates the operation unit 12 to express the setting of the wireless LAN I / F 20 as a setting capable of performing wireless communication according to the WFD method (hereinafter, “WFDI / F setting is ON”). ) And a setting incapable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the WFD method (hereinafter referred to as “WFDI / F setting is OFF”). The CPU 30 stores a value (ON or OFF) indicating the WFDI / F setting set by the user in the memory 32.

  The NFC I / F 22 is an interface for the control unit 24 to perform NFC wireless communication. The wireless LAN I / F 20 and the NFC I / F 22 are configured by physically different chips.

  Note that the communication speed of wireless communication via the wireless LAN I / F 20 (for example, the maximum communication speed is 11 to 600 Mbps) is the communication speed of wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22 (for example, the maximum communication speed is 106 to 424 kbps). ) Faster than. Furthermore, the frequency of the carrier wave (for example, 2.4 GHz band and 5.0 GHz band) in the wireless communication via the wireless LAN I / F 20 is the frequency of the carrier wave (for example, 13.56 MHz band) in the wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22. Is different. When the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80 is approximately 10 cm or less, the CPU 30 can execute NFC wireless communication with the portable terminals 50 and 80 via the NFC I / F 22. On the other hand, regardless of whether the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80 is 10 cm or less or 10 cm or more (for example, about 100 m at the maximum), the CPU 30 uses the WFD system via the wireless LAN I / F 20. Wireless communication in accordance with the mobile terminal 50 and 80, and wireless communication in accordance with normal Wi-Fi. That is, the maximum distance that the MFP 10 can execute wireless communication with a communication destination device (for example, the portable terminal 50) via the wireless LAN I / F 20 is the maximum distance that the MFP 10 can communicate with the communication destination device via the NFC I / F 22. It is larger than the maximum distance at which wireless communication can be performed.

  The control unit 24 includes a CPU 30 and a memory 32. The CPU 30 executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory 32. The memory 32 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The memory 32 stores the above program executed by the CPU 30.

  The program includes an application program and a protocol stack. The application program is a program for the CPU 30 to execute processing of the application layer of the OSI reference model. The protocol stack is a program for the CPU 30 to execute processing in a lower layer than the application layer of the OSI reference model. The protocol stack includes a P2P (Peer to Peer) program, an R / W program, and a CE program. The P2P program is a program for executing processing according to the NFC standard P2P mode. The R / W program is a program for executing processing according to the NFC standard Reader / Writer mode. The CE program is a program for executing processing according to the NFC standard CE (abbreviation for Card Emulation) mode. These programs are programs for executing processing compliant with the NFC standard defined by the NFC Forum.

When the MFP 10 currently belongs to the WFD network, the CPU 30 stores information indicating that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the WFD network and target data (for example, print data, scan, etc.) via the WFD network. Wireless settings (authentication method, encryption method, password, wireless network SSID (Serv
ice Set Identifier) and BSSID (including Basic Service Set Identifier)). When the MFP 10 currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network, the CPU 30 communicates information indicating that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network and target data via the normal Wi-Fi network. Is stored in the memory 32. The SSID is an identifier for identifying a wireless network, and the BSSID is a unique identifier of an access point that constructs the wireless network (that is, a device in a G / O state (described later) in the case of a WFD network). (For example, a MAC address).

  The memory 32 further stores a value (ON or OFF) indicating the WFDI / F setting. Note that the control unit 24 cannot execute each process according to the WFD method when the WFDI / F setting in the memory 32 is OFF. In a state where the WFDI / F setting is ON, the memory 32 further stores a value indicating the current state of the MFP 10 relating to the WFD system (any one of the G / O state, the client state, and the device state). .

  The memory 32 further stores authentication information of the other device transmitted from another device (for example, the mobile terminal 50) by executing a registration process (FIG. 4) described later (see FIG. 4). The authentication information is an ID (identification information) unique to the mobile terminal 50, for example. The memory 32 is an application program (hereinafter referred to as “MFP application”) that allows another device (for example, the portable terminal 50) to execute various functions (printing function, scanning function, etc.) using the MFP 10. A URL (hereinafter referred to as “application download URL”) for downloading to another device is stored. The application download URL is stored in advance in the memory 32 by the vendor of the MFP 10.

(NFC communication)
Next, NFC communication will be described. Hereinafter, devices capable of performing NFC communication (MFP 10, mobile terminals 50, 80, etc.) are referred to as “NFC devices”. Hereinafter, the reader mode and the writer mode may be simply referred to as “R / W mode”.

  Some NFC devices can use all three modes of P2P mode, R / W mode, and CE mode, and only one or two of the above three modes can be used. There are also devices that can be used. In this embodiment, the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80 are devices that can use all of the above three modes.

  The P2P mode is a mode for executing bidirectional communication between a pair of NFC devices. For example, a situation is assumed in which the P2P mode is activated in both the first NFC device and the second NFC device. In this case, a communication link corresponding to the P2P mode (hereinafter referred to as “P2P communication link”) is established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. In this case, for example, the first NFC device transmits the first data to the second NFC device using a P2P communication link. Thereafter, the second NFC device transmits the second data to the first NFC device using the same P2P communication link. Thereby, bidirectional communication is realized. The NFC device that is Type A of ISO / IEC 1443 defined by the NFC Forum and the NFC device that is Type F of ISO / IEC 18092 can use the P2P mode, but the NFC device that is Type B of ISO / IEC 1443 is The P2P mode cannot be used.

The R / W mode and the CE mode are modes for executing unidirectional communication between a pair of NFC devices. The CE mode is a mode for the NFC device to operate as a “card” that is a format defined by the NFC forum. Type A NFC devices and Type
Both the eF NFC device and the Type B NFC device can use the CE mode. The Reader mode is a mode for reading data from an NFC device operating as a card in the CE mode. The writer mode is a mode for writing data to an NFC device operating as a card in the CE mode. In the Reader mode, data can also be read from an NFC standard card. In the writer mode, data can also be written to an NFC standard card.

  For example, it is assumed that the Reader mode is activated in the first NFC device and the CE mode is activated in the second NFC device. In this case, communication links corresponding to the Reader mode and the CE mode are established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. In this case, the first NFC device uses the communication link to execute an operation for reading data from the pseudo card in the second NFC device, so that the data is transferred from the second NFC device. Receive.

  Further, for example, a situation is assumed in which the writer mode is activated in the first NFC device and the CE mode is activated in the second NFC device. In this case, communication links corresponding to the writer mode and the CE mode are established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. In this case, the first NFC device uses the communication link to execute an operation for writing data to a pseudo card in the second NFC device, thereby transferring the data to the second NFC device. Send.

  As described above, in order for a pair of NFC devices to perform NFC communication, various mode combinations are possible. For example, as a combination of modes of a pair of NFC devices, the following five patterns, namely, “P2P mode, P2P mode”, “Reader mode, CE mode”, “Writer mode, CE mode”, “CE mode, Reader mode” "," CE mode, Writer mode ".

  Note that the NFC device cannot form a state in which both the Reader mode and the Writer mode are activated. In other words, if the NFC device has activated the Reader mode, it has stopped the Writer mode. In addition, the NFC device stops the Reader mode if the Writer mode is activated.

  In addition, the NFC device can establish a communication link corresponding to the activated mode, but cannot establish a communication link corresponding to the unactivated mode. For example, when the CE mode is activated in the MFP 10 and the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated, the MFP 10 can establish a communication link for the MFP 10 to operate in the CE mode. Another communication link (that is, a communication link for the MFP 10 to operate in the P2P mode, the Reader mode, or the Writer mode) cannot be established.

  When the MFP 10 is turned on, the MFP 10 is activated only in the CE mode, and shifts to an initial state in which the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated. In this embodiment, the MFP 10 is activated only in the P2P mode from the initial state described above in a predetermined case (YES in S20 in FIG. 2 and YES in S22), and the R / W mode and the CE mode are set. A transition is made to a state where it is not activated (S24). In this embodiment, the MFP 10 maintains a state where the R / W mode is not activated while the power of the MFP 10 is turned on. Therefore, in the modification of this embodiment, the MFP 10 may not be able to use the R / W mode.

(WFD)
Next, WFD will be described. WFD is a standard established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. WFD is described in “Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification” created by Wi-Fi Alliance.

  As described above, the PC 8, the MFP 10, and the portable terminals 50 and 80 can each perform wireless communication in accordance with the WFD scheme. Hereinafter, a device capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the WFD method is referred to as “WFD-compatible device”. In the WFD standard, three states of a Group Owner state (hereinafter referred to as “G / O state”), a client state, and a device state are defined as states of a WFD-compatible device. The WFD compatible device can selectively operate in one of the above three states.

  A WFD network is configured by the devices in the G / O state and the devices in the client state. In the WFD network, there can be only one device in the G / O state, but there can be one or more devices in the client state. A device in the G / O state manages one or more devices in the client state. More specifically, the G / O state device generates a management list in which identification information (that is, MAC address) of each of one or more client state devices is described. When the device in the G / O state newly belongs to the WFD network, the device in the G / O state adds the identification information of the device to the management list, and when the device in the client state leaves the WFD network, the identification information of the device is added. Clear from management list.

  A device in the G / O state is registered with a device registered in the management list, that is, a device in a client state (that is, a device belonging to the WFD network) with target data (for example, in the network layer of the OSI reference model). Wireless communication of data including information (print data, scan data, etc.) can be performed. However, a device in the G / O state is connected to an unregistered device that is not registered in the management list, so that the unregistered device participates in the WFD network (for example, data that does not include network layer information ( Wireless communication of physical layer data such as a probe request signal and a probe response signal can be performed, but wireless communication of the above-described target data cannot be performed. Print data can be received wirelessly from the mobile terminal 50 registered in the client (that is, the mobile terminal 50 in the client state), but cannot be received wirelessly from a device not registered in the management list.

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

  Note that a WFD compatible device that does not belong to the WFD network (that is, a device that is not registered in the management list) is a device in a device state. The device in the device state can execute wireless communication of data (physical layer data such as a probe request signal and a probe response signal) for participating in the WFD network, but the target data (print data) is transmitted via the WFD network. Wireless communication of scan data, etc.).

(Configuration of portable terminals 50 and 80)
The portable terminal 50 is a portable terminal such as a mobile 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 mobile terminal 80 has the same configuration as the mobile terminal 50. The portable terminal 50 includes an operation unit 52, a display unit 54, a wireless LAN I / F 56, an NFC I / F 58, and a control unit 60. The operation unit 52 includes a plurality of keys. The display unit 54 is a display for displaying various information. In the modification, the mobile terminal 50 may have a touch panel having both functions of the operation unit 52 and the display unit 54.

  The wireless LAN I / F 56 and the NFC I / F 58 are interfaces similar to the wireless LAN I / F 20 and the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10, respectively. That is, the control unit 60 can simultaneously execute both wireless communication according to the WFD scheme and wireless communication according to normal Wi-Fi via the wireless LAN I / F 56. In addition, the control unit 60 can execute wireless communication according to the NFC scheme via the NFC I / F 58.

  The control unit 60 includes a CPU 62 and a memory 64. The CPU 62 executes various processes according to the program stored in the memory 64. The memory 64 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The memory 64 stores the above program executed by the CPU 62. The program includes an application program and a protocol stack as in the case of the MFP 10. The application programs include application programs (hereinafter referred to as “MFP applications”) for causing the MFP 10 to execute various functions (for example, a print function, a scan function, etc.). The CPU 62 can download an MFP application by executing an installation process (FIG. 3) described later, and install the downloaded MFP application in the memory 64.

  The memory 64 further stores authentication information of the mobile terminal 50. As described above, the authentication information of the mobile terminal 50 is an ID (identification information) unique to the mobile terminal 50. The authentication information of the portable terminal 50 is stored in advance in the memory 64 by the vendor of the portable terminal 50 at the time of shipment of the portable terminal 50.

  The portable terminal 50 includes a first OS (abbreviation for Operation System) program. The first OS program is, for example, Android (registered trademark) version 4.0. The first OS program causes the mobile terminal 50 to operate as follows. That is, when the mobile terminal 50 is powered on, the mobile terminal 50 is in the initial state in which the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated and the writer mode is not activated (see S50 in FIG. 3). The portable terminal 50 maintains the above initial state when the MFP application is not installed. Even if the MFP application is installed, the portable terminal 50 maintains the above-described initial state when the MFP application is not activated. When the MFP application is activated, the portable terminal 50 shifts from the initial state to the state where the writer mode is activated and the reader mode and the P2P mode are not activated. Note that the portable terminal 50 can download the MFP application from the Internet server (not shown) provided by the vendor of the first OS program, and install the downloaded MFP application in the memory 64.

(Poll operation and Listen operation)
Next, the poll operation and listen operation executed by the NFC device will be described. For example, in the MFP 10, the CPU 30 does not execute the poll operation and the listen operation according to the program, but the NFC I / F 22 executes the poll operation and the listen operation. The poll operation is an operation for transmitting a polling signal and receiving a response signal for the polling signal. The Listen operation is an operation that receives a polling signal and transmits a response signal to the polling signal.

  The NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 performs a poll mode for executing the poll operation, a listen mode for executing the listen operation, and a mode in which neither the poll operation nor the listen operation is executed (hereinafter referred to as “non-execution mode”). ) And any one of the modes. The NFC I / F 22 sequentially operates in a poll mode, a listen mode, and a non-execution mode. For example, the NFC I / F 22 performs a set of operations that operate in the poll mode, then operate in the listen mode, and then operate in the non-execution mode. The NFC I / F 22 repeatedly executes the above one set of operations.

  In the poll mode, the NFC I / F 22 transmits a polling signal and monitors whether a response signal is received. Specifically, the NFC I / F 22 transmits a polling signal (that is, a polling signal corresponding to Type A) that can be responded to by the Type A NFC device, and monitors the reception of the response signal for a predetermined time. ) If a response signal is not received, a polling signal that can be responded by a Type B NFC device (that is, a polling signal corresponding to Type B) is transmitted, and reception of the response signal is monitored for a predetermined time, and (3) a response signal is received. Otherwise, the operation of transmitting a polling signal (that is, a polling signal corresponding to TypeF) that can be answered by the Type F NFC device and monitoring the reception of the response signal for a predetermined time is repeated. When the NFC I / F 22 receives a response signal from an NFC device (that is, a communication partner) within a predetermined time, the communication partner is a Type NFC device corresponding to the polling signal received immediately before the response signal is transmitted. It can be said. When the NFC I / F 22 receives the response signal, the NFC I / F 22 further transmits an inquiry signal for inquiring which mode the NFC device that is the transmission source of the response signal is activated to the communication partner.

  In the Listen mode, the NFC I / F 22 monitors reception of a polling signal and transmits a response signal when receiving the polling signal. The NFC I / F 22 transmits a response signal to the NFC device (that is, the communication partner) that transmitted the polling signal only when it receives the type polling signal corresponding to the NFC I / F 22. When the NFC I / F 22 transmits a response signal to the communication partner, the NFC I / F 22 further receives an inquiry signal from the communication partner and transmits an activation mode signal to the communication partner.

  In the non-execution mode, the NFC I / F 22 does not transmit a polling signal, and does not transmit a response signal even when the polling signal is received.

  Each of the portable terminals 50 and 80 also repeatedly executes the above one set of operations. Therefore, for example, the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is less than 10 cm, and the period in which the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 operates in the poll mode and the period in which the portable terminal 50 operates in the listen mode match. If so, the NFC I / F 22 transmits a polling signal to the portable terminal 50 and executes a poll operation for receiving a response signal from the portable terminal 50. Further, for example, if the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is less than 10 cm, and the period during which the NFC I / F 22 operates in the Listen mode matches the period during which the portable terminal 50 operates in the Poll mode, NFCI / F22 receives the polling signal from the portable terminal 50 and executes the Listen operation for transmitting the response signal to the portable terminal 50. In the following description, the NFC device that has performed the poll operation and the NFC device that has performed the listen operation are referred to as “Poll device” and “Listen device”, respectively.

When the NFC I / F 22 performs a poll operation, that is, when the MFP 10 is a poll device, each process for subsequent communication is taken over by the CPU 30. Specifically, first, information indicating which mode of operation the communication partner (for example, the portable terminal 50) that is the Listen device can execute (that is, information indicated by the received start mode signal) is NFCI. / F22 to CPU30.

  For example, the current state of the MFP 10 that is a Poll device is a state in which the P2P mode is activated, other modes (CE mode and R / W mode) are not activated, and delivery from the NFC I / F 22 When the received information indicates that the communication partner that is the Listen device is in the P2P mode, the CPU 30 transmits an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode to the communication partner, and sends an OK command from the communication partner. Receive. As a result, a communication link in the P2P mode is established between the MFP 10 that is the poll device and the communication partner that is the listen device.

  Further, for example, the current state of the MFP 10 that is the Listen device is a state in which the P2P mode is activated and the other mode is not activated, and the current state of the communication partner that is the Poll device is P2P. When the mode is in the activated state, the CPU 30 receives an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode from the communication partner. In this case, the CPU 30 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode, and transmits an OK command to the communication partner. As a result, a P2P communication link is established between the MFP 10 that is the listen device and the communication partner that is the poll device.

  Also, for example, the current state of the MFP 10 that is the Listen device is a state in which the CE mode is activated, the P2P mode is not activated, and the current state of the communication partner that is the Poll device is the Reader mode. Alternatively, when the writer mode is activated, the CPU 32 receives an activation command corresponding to the R / W mode from the communication partner. In this case, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the CE mode, and transmits an OK command to the communication partner. As a result, communication links corresponding to the CE mode and the R / W mode are established between the MFP 10 that is the Listen device and the communication partner that is the Poll device.

  When a communication link corresponding to the CE mode and the R / W mode is established, the CPU 32 further receives information indicating whether the communication partner operates in the reader mode or the writer mode from the communication partner. To do. Therefore, for example, when information indicating that the communication partner operates in the Reader mode is received, communication corresponding to the CE mode and the Reader mode is performed between the MFP 10 that is the Listen device and the communication partner that is the Poll device. It can be said that a link (hereinafter referred to as "MFP (CE) -other party (R) communication link") is established. Further, for example, when information indicating that the communication partner operates in the writer mode is received, communication corresponding to the CE mode and the writer mode is performed between the MFP 10 that is the listen device and the communication partner that is the poll device. It can be said that a link (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (CE) -other party (W) communication link”) is established.

(Configuration of PC8)
The PC 8 includes a wireless LAN I / F (that is, an interface for WFD and normal Wi-Fi), but does not include an NFC I / F. Accordingly, the PC 8 can execute communication with the MFP 10 using the wireless LAN, but cannot execute NFC wireless communication. The PC 8 includes a driver program for causing the MFP 10 to execute a function (for example, a print function, a scan function, etc.). Note that the driver program is normally installed in the PC 8 from a medium shipped with the MFP 10. However, in a modification, the driver program may be installed on the PC 8 from a server provided by the vendor of the MFP 10.

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

(Communication processing executed by CPU 30 of MFP 10; FIG. 2)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the contents of communication processing executed by the CPU 30 of the MFP 10 according to the program will be described. When the power of the MFP 10 is turned on, the CPU 30 starts the communication process of FIG. In S10, the CPU 30 shifts the state of the MFP 10 to an initial state in which the CE mode is activated and the other modes (P2P mode and R / W mode) are not activated.

  Next, in S12, the CPU 30 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22. Specifically, the CPU 30 stores the application download URL stored in the memory 32 in a chip that constitutes the NFC I / F 22. When a communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (R) is established with a communication partner (for example, portable terminal 50) operating in the Reader mode, the NFC I / F 22 is registered using the communication link. The downloaded application download URL is transmitted to the communication partner.

  Next, in S14, the CPU 30 monitors whether the communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) is established. As described above, when the CPU 30 receives an activation command corresponding to the writer mode from the communication partner (for example, the portable terminal 50), the CPU 30 determines that the communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) has been established. In this case, the CPU 30 determines YES in S14, and proceeds to S16 and S18.

  In S <b> 16, the CPU 30 monitors reception of a registration request and authentication information from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link. The registration request is a request signal for requesting the memory 32 to store authentication information of the communication partner. When receiving a registration request and authentication information of the communication partner from the communication partner operating in the writer mode, the CPU 30 determines YES in S16 and proceeds to S34. At this time, when receiving a registration request and authentication information from the communication partner, the chip constituting the NFC I / F 22 stores the received registration request and authentication information instead of the application download URL. Next, the NFC I / F 22 passes the received registration request and authentication information to the CPU 30. Hereinafter, in this specification, when CPU30 receives a registration request and authentication information from a communicating party via NFCI / F22, it demonstrates that the same process as the above is performed. In S <b> 34, the CPU 30 stores the received authentication information in the memory 32. When S34 ends, the CPU 30 returns to S12 and registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again. Next, the CPU 30 executes the processes after S14 again.

In S18, the CPU 30 monitors reception of an execution request and authentication information from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link. The execution request is a request signal for requesting execution of a specific function (scanning function, printing function) of the MFP 10. When receiving an execution request and authentication information of a communication partner from a communication partner operating in the writer mode, the CPU 30 determines YES in S18 and proceeds to S20. At this time, when the chip configuring the NFC I / F 22 receives the execution request and authentication information from the communication partner, the chip stores the received execution request and authentication information instead of the application download URL. Next, the NFC I / F 22 passes the received execution request and authentication information to the CPU 30.
Hereinafter, in this specification, when CPU30 receives an execution request and authentication information from a communicating party via NFCI / F22, it demonstrates that the same process as the above is performed.

  In S20, the CPU 30 determines whether the authentication is successful. Specifically, in S20, the CPU 30 determines whether or not authentication information that matches the received authentication information is stored in the memory 32. At the time of S20, if registration of authentication information of the communication partner has already been performed (S34), authentication information that matches the received authentication information is already stored in the memory 32. When the authentication information that matches the received authentication information is stored in the memory 32, the CPU 30 determines that the authentication is successful. In this case, the CPU 30 determines YES in S20, and proceeds to S22. On the other hand, if the communication partner's authentication information is not registered (S34) at the time of S20, authentication information that matches the received authentication information is not stored in the memory 32. When the authentication information that matches the received authentication information is not stored in the memory 32, the CPU 30 determines that the authentication has failed. In this case, the CPU 30 determines NO in S20, and proceeds to S36. In this case, in S36, the CPU 30 causes the display unit 14 to display an error screen including a message indicating that the authentication has failed. When S36 ends, the CPU 30 returns to S12 and registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again. Next, the CPU 30 executes the processes after S14 again.

  In S22, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the MFP 10 can execute a specific function indicated by the execution request. For example, when the specific function is printing, in S22, the CPU 30 causes the print execution unit 16 to cause a device error such as a paper jam or a printing mechanism failure or a consumable error such as toner (ink) running out or paper running out. Check whether or not this has occurred. More specifically, the CPU 30 checks the status of each unit (print execution unit 16, scan execution unit 18, etc.) of the MFP 10 to determine whether an apparatus error has occurred, and the remaining amount of consumables is zero. It is determined whether or not. As a result, if neither a device error nor a consumable error has occurred in the print execution unit 16, the CPU 30 determines that the function can be executed. In this case, the CPU 30 determines YES in S22, and proceeds to S24. On the other hand, if at least one of an apparatus error and a consumable error has occurred in the print execution unit 16, the CPU 30 determines that the function cannot be executed. In this case, the CPU 30 determines NO in S22, and proceeds to S36. Similarly, for example, when the specific function is scanning, in S22, the CPU 30 confirms whether or not a failure of the scan execution unit 18 (for example, a document feeding mechanism failure, a sensor failure, etc.) has occurred. . As a result, if no failure has occurred in the scan execution unit 18, the CPU 30 determines that the function can be executed (YES in S22), and proceeds to S24. On the other hand, if a failure has occurred in the scan execution unit 18, the CPU 30 determines that the function cannot be executed (NO in S22), and proceeds to S36. In this case, in S36, the CPU 30 causes the display unit 14 to display an error screen including a message indicating that the specific function cannot be executed. When S36 ends, the CPU 30 returns to S12 and registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again. Next, the CPU 30 executes the processes after S14 again.

In S24, the CPU 30 stops the CE mode and activates the P2P mode. Specifically, first, the CPU 30 disconnects the communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W). That is, the CPU 30 executes communication of a Deactivation command and an OK command. In the NFC standard, it is determined that the Poll device transmits the Deactivation command, that is, the Listen device receives the Deactivation command. When the communication link between MFP (CE) and the other party (W) is disconnected, the other party is a poll device, and the MFP 10 is a listen device. For this purpose, the CPU 30 receives a Deactivation command from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22, and transmits an OK command to the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22. As a result, the communication link between MFP (CE) and partner (W) is disconnected. In this embodiment, as described later, the communication partner (portable terminal 50) transmits an execution request and authentication information to the MFP 10, and then
The writer mode is stopped and the P2P mode is activated (see S94 and S96 in FIG. 5). For this reason, the above-mentioned communication link between MFP (CE) and partner (W) is disconnected at any timing from the time when YES is determined in S18 to the time in S24. After the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link is disconnected, the CPU 30 stops the CE mode and activates the P2P mode. As a result, the CPU 30 can change the state of the MFP 10 from the initial state to a state in which the P2P mode is activated and the R / W mode and the CE mode are not activated.

  Next, in S26, the CPU 30 monitors whether a P2P communication link is established. As described above, for example, when the MFP 10 is a Poll device, the CPU 30 transmits an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode to the communication partner and receives an OK command from the communication partner. Is determined to be established. In this case, the CPU 30 determines YES in S26 and proceeds to S28. For example, when the MFP 10 is a listen device, the CPU 30 receives an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode from the communication partner and transmits an OK command to the communication partner, so that a P2P communication link is established. Judge that Also in this case, the CPU 30 determines YES in S26 and proceeds to S28.

  In S28, the CPU 30 uses the P2P communication link to execute bidirectional communication (hereinafter, referred to as “P2P communication”) with the communication partner (for example, the mobile terminal 50) via the NFC I / F 22. To do. Specifically, first, the CPU 30 receives network information related to the network to which the communication partner belongs from the communication partner. Details of the network information will be described later. Next, the CPU 30 sets setting information (authentication method, encryption method, password, SSID, BSSID, etc.) indicating the wireless setting of the network to which the communication partner belongs, and change unnecessary information indicating that setting change is not required. Send one of them. The bidirectional communication executed in S28 differs depending on whether or not the communication partner belongs to the network, as described below. Hereinafter, the contents of the bidirectional communication executed in S28 will be described for each case.

(Two-way communication when communication partner belongs to network (S28))
When the communication partner belongs to the network, first, the communication partner transmits to the MFP 10 the wireless setting (SSID, BSSID) of the network (normal Wi-Fi network or WFD network) to which the communication partner belongs. The CPU 30 receives the wireless setting of the network to which the communication partner belongs. In this case, the wireless setting of the network to which the communication partner belongs is “network information” of the communication partner.

  Next, the CPU 30 determines whether the MFP 10 belongs to the same network as the communication partner based on the received wireless setting. That is, it is determined whether the received SSID and BSSID respectively match the SSID and BSSID included in the network wireless setting to which the MFP 10 belongs. When it is determined that the MFP 10 belongs to the same network as the communication partner, the CPU 30 transmits change-unnecessary information indicating that setting change is unnecessary to the communication partner.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the network to which the MFP 10 belongs and the network to which the communication partner belongs are different from each other, the CPU 30 sets the wireless setting of the WFD network in which the MFP 10 is G / O to the communication partner ( Authentication method, encryption method, password, SSID, BSSID) are transmitted to the communication partner. For example, when the MFP 10 belongs to the WFD network as G / O, the CPU 30 transmits the wireless setting used in the WFD network to the communication partner. For example, when the MFP 10 does not belong to the WFD network in which the MFP 10 itself is G / O, the CPU 30 changes the MFP 10 to G / O.
O, the WFD network is newly formed, and the wireless setting of the WFD network is transmitted to the communication partner.

(Two-way communication when communication partner does not belong to network (S28))
When the communication partner does not belong to the network, first, the communication partner transmits information indicating that the communication partner does not belong to the network to the MFP 10. The CPU 30 receives information indicating that the communication partner does not belong to the network. In this case, information indicating that the communication partner does not belong to the network is “network information” of the communication partner.

  Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the MFP 10 itself belongs to a WFD network that is G / O. When the MFP 10 itself belongs to the WFD network that is G / O, the CPU 30 transmits the wireless setting used in the WFD network to the communication partner.

  On the other hand, when the MFP 10 itself does not belong to the WFD network that is G / O, the CPU 30 shifts to G / O, newly forms a WFD network, and transmits the wireless setting of the WFD network to the communication partner. .

  As a result of the bidirectional communication in S28, the MFP 10 and the communication partner can use a common wireless setting. The CPU 30 establishes a wireless communication link (WFD connection or normal Wi-Fi connection) using the wireless LAN I / F 20 with a communication partner using a common wireless setting.

  Next, in S30, the CPU 30 stops the P2P mode and activates the CE mode. Specifically, first, the CPU 30 disconnects the P2P communication link. That is, the CPU 30 executes communication of a Deactivation command and an OK command, as in S24. As a result, the P2P communication link is disconnected. Next, the CPU 30 stops the P2P mode and activates the CE mode. As a result, the CPU 30 can return the state of the MFP 10 to the initial state.

  Next, in S32, the CPU 30 executes a specific function. Specifically, in S32, the CPU 30 communicates target data to be executed with the function via the wireless LAN I / F 20 using the established wireless communication link with the communication partner. For example, when the specific function is printing, print data (target data) is transmitted from the communication partner to the MFP 10. When receiving the target data, the CPU 30 causes the print execution unit 16 to print an image indicated by the target data. For example, when the specific function is scanning, the CPU 30 scans a document set on the document feeding mechanism of the scan execution unit 18 and generates scan data (target data). The CPU 30 transmits the generated target data to the communication partner.

  When S32 ends, the CPU 30 returns to S12 and registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again. Next, the CPU 30 executes the processes after S14 again.

(Installation process executed by CPU 62 of portable terminal 50; FIG. 3)
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the contents of the installation process executed by the CPU 62 of the portable terminal 50 according to the program will be described. At the time when the installation process of FIG. 3 is executed, the MFP application is not installed in the memory 64 of the portable terminal 50. When the power is turned on, in S50, the CPU 62 shifts the state of the portable terminal 50 to the initial state in which the Reader mode and the P2P mode are activated and the other modes (Writer mode and CE mode) are not activated. Let

  Next, in S <b> 52, the CPU 62 monitors whether the communication link of the portable terminal (R) -the other party (CE) is established. When the CPU 62 transmits an activation command corresponding to the reader mode to the communication partner (that is, the MFP 10) and receives the OK command from the MFP 10, the communication link of the portable terminal (R) -the partner (CE) is established. Judge that In this case, the CPU 62 determines YES in S52, and proceeds to S54.

  In S54, the CPU 62 monitors reception of the application download URL from the communication partner (that is, the MFP 10) via the NFC I / F 58 using the communication link of the portable terminal (R) -partner (CE). When receiving the application download URL from the MFP 10 operating in the CE mode, the CPU 62 determines YES in S54 and proceeds to S56.

  In S56, the CPU 62 accesses the Internet server (server provided by the first OS vendor) indicated by the application download URL in accordance with the received application download URL. The CPU 62 downloads the MFP application from the server. Next, the CPU 62 installs the downloaded MFP application in the memory 64. When the installation is completed, the CPU 62 can execute various processes according to the MFP application. When S56 ends, the CPU 62 ends the installation process of FIG.

(Registration process executed by CPU 62 of portable terminal 50; FIG. 4)
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the contents of the registration process executed by the CPU 62 of the portable terminal 50 in accordance with the MFP application program will be described. When the registration process of FIG. 4 is executed, the MFP application is already installed in the memory 64 of the portable terminal 50. When a registration instruction is input on the operation unit 52 after the MFP application is activated, the CPU 62 starts the registration process of FIG. The CPU 62 executes the registration process of FIG. 4 according to the MFP application. In S70, the CPU 62 shifts the state of the portable terminal 50 to a state in which the writer mode is activated and the other modes (reader mode, P2P mode, and CE mode) are not activated.

  Next, in S <b> 72, the CPU 62 monitors that the communication link of the portable terminal (W) -the other party (CE) is established. When the CPU 62 transmits an activation command corresponding to the writer mode to the communication partner (that is, the MFP 10) and receives an OK command from the MFP 10, the communication link of the portable terminal (W) -the partner (CE) is established. Judge that In this case, the CPU 62 determines YES in S72, and proceeds to S74.

  In S <b> 74, the CPU 62 transmits a registration request and authentication information of the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 58 using the portable terminal (W) -partner (CE) communication link. After completing S74, the CPU 62 ends the registration process of FIG. In this embodiment, when the registration process ends, the CPU 62 maintains a state where the MFP application is activated.

(Function execution process executed by the portable terminal 50; FIG. 5)
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the contents of the function execution process executed by the CPU 62 of the portable terminal 50 in accordance with the MFP application program will be described. Even when the function execution process of FIG. 5 is executed, the MFP application is already installed in the memory 64 of the portable terminal 50. When the MFP application is activated and a function execution instruction (print instruction or scan instruction) is input on the operation unit 52, the CPU 62 starts the function execution process of FIG. The CPU 62 executes the function execution process of FIG. 5 according to the MFP application. In S90, the CPU 62 shifts the state of the portable terminal 50 to a state in which the writer mode is on and other modes (reader mode, P2P mode, and CE mode) are not activated.

  Next, in S92, the CPU 62 monitors whether the communication link of the portable terminal (W) -the other party (CE) is established. When the CPU 62 transmits an activation command corresponding to the writer mode to the communication partner (that is, the MFP 10) and receives an OK command from the MFP 10, the communication link of the portable terminal (W) -the partner (CE) is established. Judge that In this case, the CPU 62 determines YES in S92, and proceeds to S94.

  In S94, the CPU 62 transmits an execution request and authentication information of the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 58 using the portable terminal (W) -partner (CE) communication link.

  In S96, the CPU 62 stops the writer mode and activates the P2P mode. Specifically, in S96, the CPU 62 executes the following processes. First, the CPU 62 disconnects the communication link between the portable terminal (W) and the other party (CE). That is, the CPU 62 executes communication of a Deactivation command and an OK command. Next, the CPU 62 stops the writer mode and activates the P2P mode. As a result, the CPU 62 can change the state of the portable terminal 50 to a state where the P2P mode is activated and the R / W mode and the CE mode are not activated.

  Next, in S98, the CPU 62 monitors whether a P2P communication link is established. For example, when the mobile terminal 50 is a Poll device, the CPU 62 transmits an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode to the communication partner and receives an OK command from the communication partner (that is, the MFP 10). It is determined that a communication link has been established. In this case, the CPU 62 determines YES in S98, and proceeds to S100. For example, when the mobile terminal 50 is a listen device, the CPU 62 receives an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode from the MFP 10 and transmits an OK command to the communication partner, so that a P2P communication link is established. Judge that it was done. Also in this case, the CPU 62 determines YES in S98, and proceeds to S100. On the other hand, if the P2P communication link is not established before the predetermined timeout period elapses, the CPU 62 determines NO in S98 and proceeds to S104. In S104, the CPU 62 causes the display unit 54 to display an error screen including a predetermined error message. When S104 ends, the function execution process of FIG. 5 ends with an error. In this case, the CPU 62 ends the activated MFP application. The CPU 62 returns the state of the portable terminal 50 to an initial state (a state where the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated and other modes are stopped).

  In S100, the CPU 62 executes bidirectional communication with the communication partner (MFP 10) via the NFC I / F 58 using the P2P communication link. The contents of the bidirectional communication executed in S100 are the same as the contents of the bidirectional communication executed in S28 of FIG. Specifically, first, the CPU 62 transmits network information to the MFP 10. That is, when the mobile terminal 50 belongs to a network (normal Wi-Fi network or WFD network), the CPU 62 transmits setting information (SSID, BSSID) indicating wireless settings of the network to which the mobile terminal 50 belongs. When the mobile terminal 50 does not belong to the network, the CPU 62 transmits information indicating that the mobile terminal 50 itself does not belong to the network to the MFP 10. Here, the setting information indicating the wireless setting of the network to which the mobile terminal 50 itself belongs, or the information indicating that the mobile terminal 50 itself does not belong to the network corresponds to “network information”.

As described above, the MFP 10 transmits wireless setting or change unnecessary information to the portable terminal 50. The CPU 62 receives wireless setting or change unnecessary information.

  As a result of the two-way communication in S100, the portable terminal 50 and the MFP 10 can use a common wireless setting. The CPU 62 establishes a wireless communication link (WFD connection or normal Wi-Fi connection) using the wireless LAN I / F 56 with the MFP 10 using the common wireless setting. When a wireless communication link using the wireless LAN I / F 56 is established, the CPU 62 disconnects the P2P communication link.

  Next, in S102, the CPU 62 executes a specific function. Specifically, in S <b> 102, the CPU 62 communicates target data to be executed with the function via the wireless LAN I / F 56 using the established wireless communication link with the MFP 10. For example, when the specific function indicated by the execution request transmitted in S 94 is printing, the CPU 62 transmits print data (target data) to the MFP 10. Upon receiving the target data, the MFP 10 causes the print execution unit 16 to print the image indicated by the target data. For example, when the specific function is scan, the MFP 10 causes the scan execution unit 18 to scan a document set on the MFP 10 and generates scan data (target data). The MFP 10 transmits the generated target data to the portable terminal 50.

  When S102 ends, the CPU 62 ends the function execution process of FIG. In this case, the CPU 62 ends the activated MFP application. The CPU 62 returns the state of the portable terminal 50 to an initial state (a state where the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated and other modes are stopped).

(Communication during installation execution; Fig. 6)
With reference to FIG. 6, an example of communication performed between MFP 10 and portable terminal 50 when MFP application installation is executed will be described.

  When the MFP 10 is turned on, the CE mode is activated, and the MFP 10 shifts to an initial state in which other modes (P2P mode and R / W mode) are not activated (S10 in FIG. 2). Next, the MFP 10 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 (S12 in FIG. 2).

  The portable terminal 50 has no MFP application installed. When the portable terminal 50 is turned on, the Reader mode and the P2P mode are activated, and the portable terminal 50 shifts to an initial state in which other modes (Writer mode and CE mode) are not activated. Next, the mobile terminal 50 monitors that the communication link of the mobile terminal (R) -the other party (CE) is established.

  In this state, when the portable terminal 50 is brought closer to the MFP 10, the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 approach each other so that they can communicate with each other (for example, less than 10 cm). In that case, a communication link between MFP 10 (CE) and portable terminal 50 (R) is established between MFP 10 and portable terminal 50 via NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 (YES in S 52 of FIG. 3).

  When a communication link between MFP 10 (CE) and portable terminal 50 (R) is established between MFP 10 and portable terminal 50, NFC I / F 22 of MFP 10 uses the communication link between MFP 10 (CE) and portable terminal 50 (R). Then, the application download URL registered in the NFC I / F 22 is transmitted to the portable terminal 50. The portable terminal 50 receives the application download URL via the NFC I / F 58 (YES in S54 of FIG. 3).

The portable terminal 50 accesses the server indicated by the application download URL (a server provided by the vendor of the first OS) according to the received application download URL, and downloads the MFP application (S56 in FIG. 3). Next, the portable terminal 50 installs the downloaded MFP application in the memory 64 (S56 in FIG. 3). When the installation is completed, the portable terminal 50 can execute various processes according to the MFP application.

(Registration of authentication information; Fig. 7)
Next, an example of communication executed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 when registration of authentication information of the portable terminal 50 is executed will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the MFP 10 is turned on, the CE mode is activated, and the MFP 10 shifts to an initial state in which other modes (P2P mode and R / W mode) are not activated (S10 in FIG. 2). Next, the MFP 10 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 (S12 in FIG. 2). Next, the MFP 10 monitors whether a communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) is established.

  An application for MFP is installed in the portable terminal 50. When the registration instruction is input in the operation unit 52 after the MFP application is activated, the mobile terminal 50 is activated in the writer mode, and other modes (reader mode, P2P mode, and CE mode) are activated. It shifts to the state which is not done (S70 of FIG. 4). Next, the portable terminal 50 monitors that the communication link between the portable terminal 50 (W) and the other party (CE) is established (S72 in FIG. 4).

  In this state, when the portable terminal 50 is brought close to the MFP 10, the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 approach each other so that they can communicate with each other. In that case, the MFP 10 (CE) -portable terminal 50 (W) communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 (YES in S14 of FIG. 2, YES in FIG. 4). YES in S72).

  The portable terminal 50 transmits the registration request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / C 58 using the MFP 10 (CE) -mobile terminal 50 (W) communication link (S74 in FIG. 4). ).

  The MFP 10 receives the registration request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S16 of FIG. 2). Upon receiving the registration request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50, the MFP 10 stores the received authentication information of the portable terminal 50 in the memory 32. After completing the registration of the authentication information, the MFP 10 registers the application download URL in the NFC 22 again.

(Function execution; Fig. 8)
Next, an example of communication executed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80 when a specific function of the MFP 10 is executed will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, when a communication is performed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50, a specific function of the MFP 10 is executed, and when a communication is performed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 80, a specific function of the MFP 10 is performed. An example in which is not executed will be described. 8 illustrates an example in which the authentication information of the mobile terminal 50 is stored in the memory 32 of the MFP 10, but the authentication information of the mobile terminal 80 is not stored. The same applies to the examples shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 described later.

When the MFP 10 is turned on, the CE mode is activated, and the MFP 10 shifts to an initial state in which other modes (P2P mode and R / W mode) are not activated (S10 in FIG. 2). Next, the MFP 10 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 (S12 in FIG. 2). Next, the MFP 10 monitors whether a communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) is established.

  An application for MFP is installed in the portable terminal 50. When the MFP application is activated and a function execution instruction (scan instruction, print instruction) is input in the operation unit 52, the mobile mode is activated in the mobile terminal 50, and other modes (Reader mode, P2P mode, and , CE mode) is not activated (S90 in FIG. 4). Next, the portable terminal 50 monitors whether the communication link of the portable terminal (W) -the other party (CE) is established (S92 in FIG. 5).

  In this state, when the portable terminal 50 is brought close to the MFP 10 and the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 approach each other so that they can communicate with each other, the MFP 10 passes between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58. (CE) -The communication link of the portable terminal 50 (W) is established (YES in S14 of FIG. 2, YES in S92 of FIG. 5).

  The portable terminal 50 transmits the execution request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / C 58 using the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -portable terminal 50 (W) (S94 in FIG. 5). ). Next, the mobile terminal 50 stops the writer mode and activates the P2P mode. In this case, the mobile terminal 50 and the MFP 10 disconnect the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -mobile terminal 50 (W). The portable terminal 50 monitors that a P2P communication link is established.

  The MFP 10 receives the execution request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S18 of FIG. 2). Next, the MFP 10 determines whether the authentication is successful. If authentication information that matches the received authentication information is stored in the memory 32, it is determined that the authentication is successful (YES in S20 of FIG. 2). On the other hand, when the authentication information that matches the received authentication information is not stored in the memory 32, the MFP 10 determines that the authentication has failed (NO in S20 of FIG. 2). As described above, in the example of FIG. 8, the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 is stored in the memory 32 of the MFP 10. Therefore, the MFP 10 determines that the authentication is successful (YES in S20 of FIG. 2).

  If it is determined that the authentication is successful (YES in S20 of FIG. 2), the MFP 10 determines whether or not the specific function indicated by the execution request can be executed. For example, when the specific function is printing, the MFP 10 causes the print execution unit 16 to generate an apparatus error such as a paper jam or a printing mechanism failure, or a consumable error such as toner (ink) running out or paper running out. Check if it is. As a result, if neither a device error nor a consumable error has occurred in the print execution unit 16, the MFP 10 determines that the function can be executed (YES in S22 of FIG. 2). On the other hand, if an apparatus error or a consumable error has occurred in the print execution unit 16, the MFP 10 determines that the function cannot be executed (NO in S22 of FIG. 2). Similarly, for example, when the specific function is scanning, the MFP 10 checks whether or not a failure (for example, a document feeding mechanism failure, a sensor failure, etc.) has occurred in the scan execution unit 18. As a result, if no failure has occurred in the scan execution unit 18, the MFP 10 determines that the function can be executed (YES in S22 of FIG. 2). On the other hand, if a failure has occurred in the scan execution unit 18, the MFP 10 determines that the function cannot be executed (NO in S22 of FIG. 2).

  When it is determined that the function can be executed (YES in S22 in FIG. 2), the MFP 10 stops the CE mode and activates the P2P mode (S24 in FIG. 2). Next, the MFP 10 monitors whether a P2P communication link is established.

In this state, if the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 exist within a communicable distance, the MFP
A P2P communication link is established between the mobile terminal 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 (YES in S26 of FIG. 2, YES in S98 of FIG. 5). Next, P2P communication is executed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 using a P2P communication link (S28 in FIG. 2 and S100 in FIG. 5). That is, first, the mobile terminal 50 transmits network information (wireless setting of the network to which the mobile terminal 50 belongs or information indicating that the mobile terminal 50 does not belong to the network) to the MFP 10. Next, the MFP 10 transmits to the portable terminal 50 wireless setting of the WFD network in which the MFP 10 itself is G / O, or change unnecessary information.

  As a result of the above P2P communication, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can use a common wireless setting. The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 establish a wireless communication link (WFD connection or normal Wi-Fi connection) using the wireless LAN I / Fs 20 and 56 using a common wireless setting.

  Next, the MFP 10 stops the P2P mode and activates the CE mode (S30 in FIG. 2). In this case, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 disconnect the P2P communication link. Next, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 communicate the target data for execution of the specific function indicated by the execution request via the wireless LAN I / Fs 20 and 56 using the established wireless communication link (S32 in FIG. 2). , S102 in FIG. For example, when the specific function is printing, the portable terminal 50 transmits print data (target data) to the MFP 10. Upon receiving the target data, the MFP 10 causes the print execution unit 16 to print the image indicated by the target data. When the specific function is scanning, the MFP 10 scans a document set on the document feeding mechanism of the scan execution unit 18 and generates scan data (target data). The MFP 10 transmits the generated target data to the portable terminal 50.

  When the execution of the function ends, the MFP 10 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again. On the other hand, the portable terminal 50 ends the activated MFP application. In this case, the portable terminal 50 returns to an initial state (a state where the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated and the other modes are stopped).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication has failed (NO in S20 of FIG. 2), or when it is determined that the function cannot be executed (NO in S22 of FIG. 2), the MFP 10 displays an error screen. (S36 in FIG. 2). Thereafter, the MFP 10 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 8, the authentication information of the portable terminal 80 is not stored in the memory 32 of the MFP 10. Therefore, the MFP 10 determines that the authentication has failed (NO in S20 of FIG. 2). In this case, a P2P communication link is not established between the portable terminal 80 and the MFP 10. Therefore, the portable terminal 80 displays an error screen on the display unit when a predetermined timeout period elapses (S104 in FIG. 5). Next, the portable terminal 80 ends the activated MFP application. The portable terminal 80 returns to the initial state.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described with reference to FIG. 8, the MFP 10 receives the execution request and the authentication information of the mobile terminal 50 from the mobile terminal 50 using the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -mobile terminal 50 (W). (YES in S18 of FIG. 2). Further, when the MFP 10 receives the execution request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50, the MFP 10 determines whether the authentication is successful and whether a specific function can be executed (S20 and S22 in FIG. 2). . When the authentication is successful (YES in S20 of FIG. 2) and the specific function indicated by the execution request can be executed (YES in S22 of FIG. 2), the MFP 10 is between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50. Then, a P2P communication link is established via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S26 of FIG. 2). The MFP 10 executes bi-directional communication (P2P communication) using the established P2P communication link (S28 in FIG. 2, FIG. 8). On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication has failed (NO in S20 of FIG. 2), or when it is determined that the function cannot be executed (NO in S22 of FIG. 2), the MFP 10 communicates with the mobile terminal 80. Bidirectional communication (P2P communication) is not executed (see FIG. 8). That is, the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment depends on whether authentication between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is successful between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 and whether a specific function can be executed. Whether or not to perform bidirectional communication with the portable terminal 50 can be changed using the P2P communication link. Therefore, according to the MFP 10 of the present embodiment, communication using the NFC I / F 22 and communication using the wireless LAN I / F 20 can be appropriately executed.

  In this embodiment, the MFP 10 is successfully authenticated (YES in S20 of FIG. 2) and can execute a specific function indicated by the execution request (YES in S20 of FIG. 2 and YES in S22). In addition, a P2P communication link is established with the portable terminal 50 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the MFP 10 can appropriately establish a P2P communication link. Further, in this embodiment, the MFP 10 carries the mobile phone when it is determined that the authentication has failed (NO in S20 of FIG. 2) or when it is determined that the function cannot be executed (NO in S22 of FIG. 2). A P2P communication link is not established with the terminal 80 (see FIG. 8). The MFP 10 can change whether or not to establish a P2P communication link according to the determination result. Therefore, the MFP 10 can appropriately establish a P2P communication link.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the MFP 10 has been successfully authenticated (YES in S20 of FIG. 2) and the specific function indicated by the execution request can be executed (YES in S22 of FIG. 2). Bidirectional communication of information for executing a specific function (P2P communication in S28 of FIG. 2) can be executed. That is, in this embodiment, the MFP 10 performs bidirectional communication of information for executing a specific function with the portable terminal 50 that has previously registered authentication information in the memory 32 of the MFP 10 (S28 in FIG. 2). ) And two-way communication of information for executing a specific function is not executed with the portable terminal 80 in which the authentication information is not registered in the memory 32 of the MFP 10. Therefore, the MFP 10 can permit the function execution only to the user of the portable terminal 50 that has registered the authentication information. Furthermore, the MFP 10 can permit the function execution only when the state of the MFP 10 is a state in which a specific function can be executed. That is, the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment can appropriately determine whether or not the function can be executed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80.

(Correspondence)
The MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80 are examples of “communication device” and “terminal device”, respectively. The NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 and the wireless LAN I / Fs 20 and 56 are examples of the “first type interface” and the “second type interface”, respectively. The CE mode and the writer mode are examples of the “first mode” and the “second mode”, respectively. The communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -portable terminal 50 (80) (W) is an example of the “first communication link”. A P2P communication link between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is an example of a “second communication link”. The execution request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 are examples of “first information”. The authentication information of the portable terminal 50 is an example of “specific identification information”. The network information of the portable terminal 50 and the wireless setting or change unnecessary information transmitted by the MFP 10 are examples of “second information”. The determinations in S20 and S22 in FIG. 2 are examples of “first determination processing” and “second determination processing”, respectively.

S18 in FIG. 2 is an example of processing executed by the “receiving unit”. S26 in FIG. 2 is an example of processing executed by the “establishing unit”. S20 in FIG. 2 is an example of a process executed by the “first determination unit”. S22 in FIG. 2 is an example of a process executed by the “second determination unit”. S28 and S36 in FIG. 2 are an example of processing executed by the “communication control unit”. S34 in FIG. 2 is an example of a process executed by the “storage control unit”.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the content of the communication process executed by the CPU 30 of the MFP 10 is different from that in the first embodiment (see FIG. 9). Further, in this embodiment, the contents of the function execution process executed by the CPU 62 of the portable terminal 50 are also different from those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 10).

(Communication processing executed by CPU 30 of MFP 10; FIG. 9)
With reference to FIG. 9, the contents of the communication process executed by the CPU 30 of the MFP 10 according to the program will be described. When the power of the MFP 10 is turned on, the CPU 30 starts the communication process of FIG. In S120, the CPU 30 shifts the state of the MFP 10 to an initial state in which the CE mode is activated and the other modes (P2P mode and R / W mode) are not activated.

  Next, in S122, the CPU 30 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22. Next, in S124, the CPU 30 monitors whether the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -partner (W) is established. When the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link is established, the CPU 30 determines YES in S124, and proceeds to S126 and S128.

  In S126, the CPU 30 monitors reception of a registration request and authentication information from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link. If YES in S126, the process proceeds to S154. Since the contents of the processes of S126 and S154 and the processes after the end of S154 are the same as the contents of the processes of S16, S34 and the processes after the end of S34 in FIG. .

  In S128, the CPU 30 monitors reception of a Reader activation command from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link. The Reader activation command is a command for requesting activation of the Reader mode of the MFP 10. When receiving a Reader activation command from a communication partner operating in the writer mode, the CPU 30 determines YES in S128 and proceeds to S130.

  In S130, the CPU 30 stops the CE mode and activates the Reader mode. Specifically, in S130, the CPU 30 disconnects the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link, and then stops the CE mode and activates the Reader mode.

  In S132, the CPU 30 monitors whether a communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) is established. When the MFP (R) -other party (CE) communication link is established, the CPU 30 determines YES in S132, and proceeds to S134.

  In S134, it is monitored that the execution request and the authentication information are received from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the MFP (R) -party (CE) communication link. When receiving an execution request and authentication information of the communication partner from the communication partner operating in the CE mode, the CPU 30 determines YES in S134 and proceeds to S136.

  In S136, the CPU 30 determines whether the authentication is successful. The process of S136 is the same as the process of S20 of FIG. If YES in S136, the process proceeds to S138. On the other hand, if NO in S136, the process proceeds to S156.

  In S138, the CPU 30 determines whether the MFP 10 can execute the specific function indicated by the execution request. The process of S138 is the same as the process of S22 of FIG. If YES in S138, the process proceeds to S140. On the other hand, if NO in S138, the process proceeds to S156.

  In S156, the CPU 30 causes the display unit 14 to display a predetermined error screen, as in S36 of FIG. When S156 ends, the CPU 30 returns to S120, activates the CE mode, turns off the Reader mode, and re-executes each process from S122.

  In S140, the CPU 30 stops the Reader mode and activates the Writer mode. Specifically, in S140, the CPU 30 disconnects the communication link of MFP 10 (R) -partner (CE), then stops the Reader mode and activates the Writer mode.

  In S142, the CPU 30 monitors whether a communication link of MFP (W) -other party (CE) is established. If the MFP (W) -other party (CE) communication link is established, the CPU 30 determines YES in S142, and proceeds to S144.

  In S144, the CPU 30 transmits a P2P activation command to the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 by using the MFP (W) -partner (CE) communication link. The P2P activation command is a command for requesting the communication partner to activate the P2P mode.

  Next, in S145, the CPU 30 stops the writer mode and activates the P2P mode. More specifically, in S145, the CPU 30 disconnects the MFP (W) -partner (CE) communication link, stops the writer mode, and activates the P2P mode.

  Next, in S146, the CPU 30 monitors whether a P2P communication link is established. The process of S146 is the same as the process of S26 of FIG. When the P2P communication link is established, the CPU 30 determines YES in S146, and proceeds to S148.

  Each process of S148, S150, and S152 is the same as each process of S28, S30, and S32 of FIG. The contents of each process after the process of S152 are the same as the contents of each process after the process of S32 of FIG. Therefore, detailed description is omitted in this embodiment.

(Function execution process executed by the portable terminal 50; FIG. 10)
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the contents of the function execution process executed by the CPU 62 of the portable terminal 50 according to the MFP application program will be described. When a function execution instruction (print instruction or scan instruction) is input on the operation unit 52 after the MFP application is activated, the CPU 62 starts the function execution process of FIG. That is, also in this embodiment, the CPU 62 executes the function execution process of FIG. 10 according to the MFP application. In S170, the CPU 62 shifts the state of the portable terminal 50 to a state in which the writer mode is activated and the other modes (reader mode, P2P mode, and CE mode) are not activated.

  Next, in S172, it is monitored that a communication link between the portable terminal (W) and the other party (CE) is established. The process of S172 is the same as S92 of FIG. If YES in S172, the process proceeds to S174.

In S174, the CPU 62 transmits a Reader activation command to the communication partner (that is, the MFP 10) via the NFC I / F 58 using the communication link of the portable terminal (W) -the partner (CE).

  Next, in S176, the CPU 62 stops the writer mode and activates the CE mode. More specifically, in S176, the CPU 62 first disconnects the communication link between the portable terminal 50 (W) and the other party (CE), then stops the writer mode and activates the CE mode. As a result, the CPU 62 can change the state of the MFP 10 to a state where the CE mode is activated and the R / W mode and the P2P mode are not activated.

  Next, in S177, the CPU 62 registers the execution request and the authentication information of the mobile terminal 50 itself in the NFC I / F 58.

  In S178, the CPU 62 monitors whether the communication link between the mobile terminal (CE) and the partner (R) is established. When the communication link between the mobile terminal (CE) and the other party (R) is established, the CPU 62 determines YES in S178, and proceeds to S182.

  When the communication link between the mobile terminal (CE) and the partner (R) is established (YES in S178), the NFC I / F 58 sends a registered execution request to the partner (MFP 10) operating in the Reader mode. Then, the authentication information of the mobile terminal 50 itself is automatically transmitted.

  In S <b> 182, the CPU 62 monitors whether the communication link between the mobile terminal (CE) and the other party (W) is established. When the communication link between the portable terminal (CE) and the other party (W) is established, the CPU 62 determines YES in S182 and proceeds to S184.

  In S <b> 184, the CPU 62 monitors the reception of the P2P activation command via the NFC I / F 58 using the mobile terminal (CE) -partner (W) communication link. When receiving a P2P activation command from a communication partner operating in the writer mode, the CPU 62 determines YES in S184 and proceeds to S186. On the other hand, if the P2P activation command is not received before the predetermined timeout period elapses, the CPU 62 determines NO in S184, and proceeds to S196.

  In S186, the CPU 62 stops the CE mode and activates the P2P mode. Specifically, in S186, the CPU 62 disconnects the communication link between the mobile terminal (CE) and the other party (W), and then stops the CE mode and activates the P2P mode.

  In S188, the CPU 62 monitors whether a P2P communication link is established. The process of S188 is the same as the process of S98 of FIG. If YES in S188, the process proceeds to S190. On the other hand, if the P2P communication link is not established before the predetermined timeout period elapses, the CPU 62 determines NO in S188 and proceeds to S196.

  In S196, the CPU 62 causes the display unit 54 to display a predetermined error screen. When S196 ends, the function execution process of FIG. 10 ends with an error. In this case, the CPU 62 ends the activated MFP application. The CPU 62 returns the state of the portable terminal 50 to an initial state (a state where the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated and other modes are stopped).

Each process of S190 and S192 is the same as each process of S100 and S102 of FIG. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. When S192 ends, the function execution process of FIG. 10 ends. In this case, the CPU 62 ends the activated MFP application. The CPU 62 returns the state of the portable terminal 50 to an initial state (a state where the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated and other modes are stopped).

(Function execution; Fig. 11)
Next, an example of communication executed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80 when a specific function of the MFP 10 is executed will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the MFP 10 is turned on, the CE mode is activated, and the MFP 10 shifts to an initial state in which other modes (P2P mode and R / W mode) are not activated (S120 in FIG. 9). Next, the MFP 10 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 (S122 in FIG. 9). Next, the MFP 10 monitors whether a communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) is established.

  An application for MFP is installed in the portable terminal 50. When a function execution instruction (scan instruction, print instruction) is input in the operation unit 52 after the MFP application is started, the mobile terminal 50 is started in the writer mode, and other modes (reader mode, P2P mode). , And CE mode) are not activated (S170 in FIG. 10). Next, the portable terminal 50 monitors whether the communication link of the portable terminal (W) -the other party (CE) is established (S172 in FIG. 10).

  In this state, when the portable terminal 50 is brought close to the MFP 10, the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 approach each other so that they can communicate with each other. In that case, the MFP 10 (CE) -portable terminal 50 (W) communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22, 58 (YES in S124 of FIG. 9, YES in FIG. 10). YES in S172).

  The portable terminal 50 transmits a Reader activation command to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / C 58 using the MFP 10 (CE) -mobile terminal 50 (W) communication link (S174 in FIG. 10). Next, the mobile terminal 50 stops the writer mode and activates the CE mode (S176 in FIG. 10). In this case, the mobile terminal 50 and the MFP 10 disconnect the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -mobile terminal 50 (W). The portable terminal 50 registers the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 and the execution request in the NFC I / F 58 (S177 in FIG. 10). Next, the mobile terminal 50 monitors whether the communication link of MFP 10 (R) -mobile terminal 50 (CE) is established.

  The MFP 10 receives the above-described Reader activation command via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S128 of FIG. 9). Next, the MFP 10 disconnects the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -portable terminal 50 (W). The MFP 10 stops the CE mode and activates the Reader mode (S130 in FIG. 9). Next, the MFP 10 monitors whether the communication link of MFP 10 (R) -portable terminal 50 (CE) is established (S132 in FIG. 9).

  In this state, if the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 exist within a communicable distance, the MFP 10 (R) -the portable terminal 50 (CE) between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58. Is established (YES in S132 of FIG. 9, YES in S178 of FIG. 10).

  The NFC I / F 58 transmits an execution request and authentication information of the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 using the communication link of MFP 10 (R) -portable terminal 50 (CE). Next, the mobile terminal 50 monitors whether the communication link of MFP 10 (W) -mobile terminal 50 (CE) is established.

The MFP 10 receives the execution request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 (YES in S134 of FIG. 9). Next, the MFP 10 determines whether the authentication is successful (S136 in FIG. 9). Also in the example of FIG. 11, the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 is stored in the memory 32 of the MFP 10. Therefore, the MFP 10 determines that the authentication is successful (YES in S136 of FIG. 9).

  If it is determined that the authentication is successful (YES in S136 of FIG. 9), the MFP 10 subsequently determines whether or not the specific function indicated by the received execution request can be executed (S138 of FIG. 9). ). When it is determined that the function can be executed (YES in S138 of FIG. 9), the MFP 10 disconnects the communication link of MFP 10 (R) -portable terminal 50 (CE). Next, the MFP 10 stops the Reader mode and activates the Writer mode (S140 in FIG. 9). Next, the MFP 10 monitors whether the communication link of MFP 10 (W) -portable terminal 50 (CE) is established.

  In this state, if the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 exist within a communicable distance, the MFP 10 (W) -the portable terminal 50 (CE) between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58. Is established (YES in S142 of FIG. 9, YES in S182 of FIG. 10).

  The MFP 10 transmits a P2P activation command to the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the communication link of MFP 10 (W) -portable terminal 50 (CE) (S144 in FIG. 9). The portable terminal 50 receives the P2P activation command via the NFC I / F 58 (YES in S184 of FIG. 10).

  Next, the MFP 10 disconnects the communication link of MFP 10 (W) -portable terminal 50 (CE). Next, the MFP 10 stops the writer mode and activates the P2P mode (S145 in FIG. 9). The MFP 10 monitors the establishment of the P2P communication link (S146 in FIG. 9).

  On the other hand, when receiving the P2P activation command, the portable terminal 50 stops the CE mode and activates the P2P mode (S186 in FIG. 10). Next, the portable terminal 50 monitors that a P2P communication link is established (S188 in FIG. 10).

  In this state, if the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 exist within a communicable distance, a P2P communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 (FIG. 9). YES in S146, YES in S188 of FIG. 10). Next, P2P communication is executed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 using the P2P communication link (S148 in FIG. 9 and S190 in FIG. 10).

  As a result of the above P2P communication, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can use a common wireless setting. The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 establish a wireless communication link (WFD connection or normal Wi-Fi connection) using the wireless LAN I / Fs 20 and 56 using a common wireless setting.

  Next, the MFP 10 stops the P2P mode and activates the CE mode (S150 in FIG. 9). The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 disconnect the P2P communication link. Next, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 communicate the target data for execution of a specific function indicated by the execution request via the wireless LAN I / Fs 20 and 56 using the established wireless communication link (S152 in FIG. 9). , S192 in FIG.

When the execution of the function ends, the MFP 10 registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again. On the other hand, the portable terminal 50 ends the activated MFP application. In this case, the portable terminal 50 returns to an initial state (a state where the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated and the other modes are stopped).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication has failed (NO in S136 of FIG. 9), or when it is determined that the function cannot be executed (NO in S138 of FIG. 9), the MFP 10 displays an error screen. 14 (S156 in FIG. 9). Thereafter, the MFP 10 activates the CE mode, turns off the Reader mode, and registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again (S120 and S122 in FIG. 9).

  Also in the example of FIG. 11, the authentication information of the portable terminal 80 is not stored in the memory 32 of the MFP 10. Therefore, the MFP 10 determines that the authentication has failed (NO in S136 of FIG. 9). In this case, the communication link between MFP 10 (W) and portable terminal 80 (CE) is not established between portable terminal 80 and MFP 10. Therefore, the portable terminal 80 displays an error screen on the display unit 54 when a predetermined timeout period elapses (S196 in FIG. 10). Next, the portable terminal 80 ends the activated MFP application. The portable terminal 80 returns to the initial state.

(Effect of this embodiment)
The MFP 10 of the present embodiment also exhibits the same operational effects as the first embodiment. That is, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute communication using the NFC I / F 22 and communication using the wireless LAN I / F 20.

(Correspondence)
The Reader mode and the CE mode are examples of the “first mode” and the “second mode”, respectively. A communication link between MFP 10 (R) and portable terminal 50 (80) (CE) is an example of a “first communication link”.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the second embodiment. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the MFP 10 can simultaneously activate the Reader mode and the CE mode. In this embodiment, the MFP 10 is activated in the Reader mode and the CE mode in the initial state, and the other modes (P2P mode and Writer mode) are not activated. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the function of the MFP 10 is executed, the contents of communication executed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 80 are also different from those in the second embodiment.

(Function execution; FIG. 12)
With reference to FIG. 12, an example of communication executed between MFP 10 and portable terminals 50 and 80 when the function of MFP 10 is executed will be described.

  In this embodiment, when the power is turned on, the MFP 10 is activated in the CE mode and the Reader mode, and shifts to an initial state in which other modes (P2P mode and Writer mode) are not activated. Next, the MFP 10 monitors that a communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) is established.

  When the MFP application is activated and a function execution instruction (scan instruction, print instruction) is input in the operation unit 52, the CE mode is activated in the portable terminal 50, and other modes (P2P mode and R / W mode) are activated. ) Is not activated. Next, the portable terminal 50 monitors that the communication link of the portable terminal (CE) -the other party (R) is established.

In this state, when the portable terminal 50 is brought close to the MFP 10, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 are connected.
Between the MFP 10 (R) and the portable terminal 50 (CE) via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58.

  The NFC I / F 58 transmits an execution request and authentication information of the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 using the communication link of MFP 10 (R) -portable terminal 50 (CE). Next, the mobile terminal 50 monitors whether the communication link of MFP 10 (W) -mobile terminal 50 (CE) is established.

  The MFP 10 receives the execution request and the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Next, the MFP 10 determines whether the authentication is successful. Also in the example of FIG. 12, the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 is stored in the memory 32 of the MFP 10. Therefore, the MFP 10 determines that the authentication is successful. When it is determined that the authentication is successful, the MFP 10 subsequently determines whether or not the specific function indicated by the received execution request can be executed. If it is determined that the function can be executed, the MFP 10 stops the Reader mode and starts the Writer mode.

  Since communication performed after this between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is the same as that in the second embodiment (see FIG. 11), detailed description is omitted in this embodiment.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication has failed, or when it is determined that the function cannot be executed, the MFP 10 displays an error screen on the display unit 14.

  Also in the example of FIG. 12, the authentication information of the portable terminal 80 is not stored in the memory 32 of the MFP 10. Therefore, the MFP 10 determines that the authentication has failed. In this case, the communication link between MFP 10 (W) and portable terminal 80 (CE) is not established between portable terminal 80 and MFP 10. Therefore, the portable terminal 80 displays an error screen on the display unit 54 when a predetermined timeout period elapses. Next, the portable terminal 80 ends the activated MFP application. The portable terminal 80 returns to the initial state.

(Correspondence)
Also in the present embodiment, the Reader mode and the CE mode are examples of the “first mode” and the “second mode”, respectively. The communication link between MFP 10 (R) and portable terminal 50 (80) (CE) is an example of “first communication link”.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the P2P communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 before determining whether or not the authentication is successful. Different from the example.

(Function execution; FIG. 13)
With reference to FIG. 13, an example of communication executed between MFP 10 and portable terminals 50 and 80 when the function of MFP 10 is executed will be described.

  Also in this embodiment, each process until the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -portable terminal 50 (W) is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 is the first embodiment. (See FIG. 8).

In the present embodiment, the portable terminal 50 transmits only an execution request to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / C 58 using the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -portable terminal 50 (W). Next, the mobile terminal 50 stops the writer mode and activates the P2P mode. In this case, the mobile terminal 50 and the MFP 10 disconnect the communication link of MFP 10 (CE) -mobile terminal 50 (W). The portable terminal 50 monitors that a P2P communication link is established.

  The MFP 10 receives the execution request via the NFC I / F 22. Next, the MFP 10 determines whether or not the specific function indicated by the received execution request can be executed.

  When it is determined that the function can be executed, the MFP 10 stops the CE mode and starts the P2P mode. Next, the MFP 10 monitors whether a P2P communication link is established.

  In this state, if the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58 exist within a communicable distance, a P2P communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / Fs 22 and 58.

  Although not shown in FIG. 13, if it is determined that the function cannot be executed, the MFP 10 does not activate the P2P mode. Therefore, a P2P communication link is not established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50. In this case, the MFP 10 displays an error screen on the display unit 14 and registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again, as in the case where it is determined that the function cannot be executed in the first embodiment. The portable terminal 50 also displays a predetermined error after a predetermined timeout period has elapsed. Thereafter, the portable terminal 50 ends the MFP application and returns to the initial state. According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can appropriately establish a P2P communication link.

  When the P2P communication link is established, the portable terminal 50 transmits the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 58 using the P2P communication link.

  The MFP 10 receives the authentication information of the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Next, the MFP 10 determines whether the authentication is successful. When it is determined that the authentication is successful, the MFP 10 transmits success information indicating that the authentication is successful to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 using the P2P communication link.

  When the mobile terminal 50 receives the success information, the mobile terminal 50 transmits network information (wireless setting of the network to which the mobile terminal 50 belongs or information indicating that the mobile terminal 50 does not belong to the network) to the MFP 10. Next, the MFP 10 transmits to the portable terminal 50 wireless setting of the WFD network in which the MFP 10 itself is G / O, or change unnecessary information.

  As a result, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can use a common wireless setting. The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 establish a wireless communication link (WFD connection or normal Wi-Fi connection) using the wireless LAN I / Fs 20 and 56 using a common wireless setting. Since the subsequent communications are the same as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. According to this configuration, when the P2P communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 before the determination as to whether or not the authentication is successful, Thus, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not communication using the wireless LAN I / F 20 can be executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the authentication has failed, the MFP 10 uses the P2P communication link to send error information indicating that the authentication has failed via the NFC I / F 22 to the communication partner (mobile terminal 80). Send to. Next, the MFP 10 displays an error screen on the display unit 14. Thereafter, the MFP 10 activates the CE mode, turns off the Reader mode, and registers the application download URL in the NFC I / F 22 again.

  Also in the example of FIG. 13, the authentication information of the portable terminal 80 is not stored in the memory 32 of the MFP 10. Therefore, the MFP 10 determines that the authentication has failed. When receiving the error information, the portable terminal 80 displays a predetermined error screen on the display unit. Next, the portable terminal 80 ends the activated MFP application. The portable terminal 80 returns to the initial state.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described above, the MFP 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment establishes a P2P communication link with the portable terminal 50 (80) before executing the determination as to whether or not the authentication is successful. When it is determined that the authentication has succeeded, the MFP 10 uses the established P2P communication link to perform bidirectional communication of the network information and the wireless setting or change unnecessary information. On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication has failed, the MFP 10 transmits error information to the portable terminal 80 using the established P2P communication link. Therefore, the MFP 10 of the present embodiment can appropriately establish a P2P communication link. As a result, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute bidirectional communication of network information and wireless setting or change unnecessary information, or transmission of error information, using the P2P communication link.

(Correspondence)
The error information is an example of “third information”. The determination of whether or not the authentication is successful and the determination of whether or not the function can be executed are examples of “first determination processing” and “second determination processing”, 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) The CPU 30 of the MFP 10 may execute only the determination (S20 in FIG. 2 or S136 in FIG. 9) of whether or not the authentication is successful. That is, the CPU 30 may omit the determination of whether or not the specific function indicated by the execution request can be executed (S22 in FIG. 2 and S138 in FIG. 9). In this modification, the determination of whether or not the authentication is successful is an example of “first determination processing”. Further, the CPU 30 that performs the determination as to whether or not the authentication has succeeded is an example of the “first determination unit”.

(Modification 2) On the contrary, the CPU 30 of the MFP 10 may execute only the determination of whether or not a specific function can be executed (S22 in FIG. 2 and S138 in FIG. 9). That is, the CPU 30 may omit the determination of whether or not the authentication is successful (S20 in FIG. 2 and S136 in FIG. 9). In this modification, determination of whether or not a specific function can be performed is an example of “first determination processing”. The CPU 30 that determines whether or not a specific function can be executed is an example of the “first determination unit”.

(Modification 3) In the first to third embodiments, the CPU 30 of the MFP 10 determines that the authentication has failed (NO in S20 of FIG. 2, NO in S136 of FIG. 9), or the function cannot be executed. 2 (NO in S22 in FIG. 2, NO in S138 in FIG. 9), the P2P mode is activated to establish a P2P communication link with a mobile terminal (for example, mobile terminal 80). Good. In this case, the MFP 10 uses the established P2P communication link to notify the mobile terminal 80 of error information indicating that the authentication has failed for the mobile terminal or that it has been determined that the function cannot be executed. You may send it. That is, generally speaking, when the first information is received from the terminal device, the communication device establishes the second communication link via the first type interface between the communication device and the terminal device. What is necessary is just to provide the establishment part to perform. The second communication link may be a communication link in which data communication is to be executed while the communication device operates in the P2P mode and the terminal device operates in the P2P mode.

(Modification 4) The “communication device” is not limited to the multi-function device (that is, the MFP 10) that can execute the print function and the scan function, and is a printer that can execute only the print function of the print function and the scan function. Alternatively, it may be a scanner that can execute only the scan function of the print function and the scan function. The “communication device” is a device (for example, a PC, a server, a mobile terminal (a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA) that executes a function (for example, an image display function, a data calculation function) different from the print function and the scan function. Etc.)). That is, the “communication apparatus” includes any device that can execute NFC communication and wireless LAN communication. The “terminal device” is not limited to the portable terminals 50 and 80, and includes any device capable of performing NFC communication and wireless LAN communication.

(Modification 5) In each of the above embodiments, each process of FIGS. 2 to 5, 9, and 10 is realized by software (that is, a program). At least one of the processes in FIG. 10 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, 6: PC, 10: multi-function device (MFP), 24: control unit, 30: CPU, 32: memory, 50, 80: portable terminal

Claims (13)

A communication device capable of communicating with a terminal device,
A first type of interface for performing communication with the terminal device in the NFC method, which is a communication method according to NFC (Near Field Communication) standard;
A second type interface for executing communication with the terminal device using a method different from the NFC method, and a communication speed of communication via the second type interface is determined via the first type interface. The second type interface faster than the communication speed of the communication,
A control unit,
The controller is
When a first communication link through the first type interface is established between the communication device and the terminal device, the terminal device uses the first communication link to A receiving unit configured to receive information, wherein the first communication link is configured such that the communication device operates in a first mode different from the P2P (abbreviation of Peer to Peer) mode of the NFC standard, and the terminal The receiver is a communication link in which data communication is to be performed by operating in a second mode different from the P2P mode and the first mode of the NFC standard; and
When the first information is received from the terminal device, a first determination as to whether or not communication via the second type interface can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device. A first determination unit that executes processing;
When the first information is received from the terminal device, the establishing unit establishes a second communication link between the communication device and the terminal device via the first type interface, The establishment unit, wherein the second communication link is a communication link in which the communication device operates in the P2P mode and the terminal device operates in the P2P mode to perform data communication;
In the first determination process, when it is determined that communication via the second type interface can be executed between the communication device and the terminal device, the second communication link is used. Then, bi-directional communication of second information can be performed with the terminal device, and communication can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device via the second type interface in the first determination process. A communication control unit that does not perform bidirectional communication of the second information with the terminal device when it is determined that the second information is not transmitted between the communication device and the terminal device. The communication control unit, which is information for executing communication via the second type interface;
A communication device comprising:   In the first determination process, when the establishment unit determines that communication via the second type interface can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device, the second determination unit The communication device according to claim 1, wherein a communication link is established.   In the first determination process, the establishing unit determines that the second communication is performed when it is determined that communication via the second type interface cannot be performed between the communication device and the terminal device. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein no link is established. The control unit further includes:
A storage control unit that stores the specific identification information in a memory when an instruction to register the specific identification information for identifying the terminal device is given;
The first information includes the specific identification information,
The first determination unit includes:
When the first information including the specific identification information is received from the terminal device in a state where the specific identification information is stored in the memory, in the first determination process, the communication device Determining that communication via the second type interface can be executed between the terminal device and the terminal device;
When the first information including the specific identification information is received from the terminal device in a state where the specific identification information is not stored in the memory, in the first determination process, the communication device 4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device determines that communication via the second type interface is not executable between the terminal device and the terminal device. 5. The control unit further includes:
When the first information is received from the terminal device, a second determination regarding whether or not communication via the second type interface can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device. A second determination unit for executing processing;
The first information includes an execution request for causing the communication device to execute a specific function,
The second determination unit includes:
Communication via the second type interface between the communication device and the terminal device in the second determination process when the state of the communication device is a state in which the specific function can be executed. Is determined to be feasible,
When the state of the communication device is a state in which the specific function cannot be executed, in the second determination process, the communication device and the terminal device are connected via the second type interface. Determine that communication is not possible,
The communication control unit
In both the first and second determination processes, when it is determined that communication via the second type interface can be executed between the communication device and the terminal device, the second Using the communication link to perform bidirectional communication of the second information with the terminal device;
When it is determined in at least one of the first and second determination processes that communication via the second type interface cannot be executed between the communication device and the terminal device, the first The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the two-way communication of the information of 2 is not performed with the terminal device. The first information includes an execution request for causing the communication device to execute a specific function,
The first determination unit includes:
Communication via the second type interface between the communication device and the terminal device in the first determination process when the state of the communication device is a state in which the specific function can be executed. Is determined to be feasible,
When the state of the communication device is a state in which the specific function cannot be executed, in the first determination process, the communication device and the terminal device are connected via the second type interface. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus determines that communication is not possible. The establishment unit establishes the second communication link before the first determination process is executed,
The communication control unit is established when it is determined in the first determination process that communication via the second type interface can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device. Using the second communication link, bidirectional communication of the second information is executed with the terminal device, and the second information is transmitted between the communication device and the terminal device in the first determination process. A third information different from the second information using the established second communication link when it is determined that communication via a kind of interface cannot be executed, and the communication device The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third information indicating that communication via the second type interface is not executable between the terminal apparatus and the terminal apparatus is transmitted to the terminal apparatus. The control unit further includes:
A storage control unit that stores the specific identification information in a memory when an instruction to register the specific identification information for identifying the terminal device is given;
The first determination unit includes:
In the first determination process, when the specific identification information is received from the terminal device using the second communication link in a state where the specific identification information is stored in the memory. , Determining that communication via the second type interface can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device;
In the first determination process, when the specific identification information is received from the terminal device using the second communication link in a state where the specific identification information is not stored in the memory. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein it is determined that communication via the second type interface is not executable between the communication device and the terminal device. The control unit further includes:
A second determination unit that executes a second determination process regarding whether or not communication via the second type of interface is executable between the communication device and the terminal device;
The first information includes an execution request for causing the communication device to execute a specific function,
The second determination unit includes:
Communication via the second type interface between the communication device and the terminal device in the second determination process when the state of the communication device is a state in which the specific function can be executed. Is determined to be feasible,
When the state of the communication device is a state in which the specific function cannot be executed, in the second determination process, the communication device and the terminal device are connected via the second type interface. Determine that communication is not possible,
The establishment unit
In the second determination process, when it is determined that communication via the second type interface can be executed between the communication device and the terminal device, the second communication link is established. ,
In the second determination process, when it is determined that communication via the second type interface is not executable between the communication device and the terminal device, the second communication link is not established. The communication apparatus according to claim 8. The first mode is a CE (abbreviation for Card Emulation) mode of the NFC standard,
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second mode is a writer mode of the NFC standard. The first mode is a reader mode of the NFC standard,
The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second mode is a CE (abbreviation for Card Emulation) mode of the NFC standard. A computer program for a communication device capable of communicating with a terminal device,
The communication device
A first type of interface for performing communication with the terminal device in the NFC method, which is a communication method according to NFC (Near Field Communication) standard;
A second type interface for executing communication with the terminal device using a method different from the NFC method, and a communication speed of communication via the second type interface is determined via the first type interface. The second type interface, which is faster than the communication speed of the communication,
The computer program stores the following steps in a computer mounted on the communication device:
When a first communication link through the first type interface is established between the communication device and the terminal device, the terminal device uses the first communication link to A receiving step of receiving information, wherein the first communication link is configured such that the communication device operates in a first mode different from the P2P (abbreviation of Peer to Peer) mode of the NFC standard, and the terminal The receiving step, wherein the device is a communication link in which data communication is to be performed by operating in a second mode different from the P2P mode and the first mode of the NFC standard;
When the first information is received from the terminal device, a first determination as to whether or not communication via the second type interface can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device. A first determination step for executing processing;
An establishment step of establishing a second communication link via the first type interface between the communication device and the terminal device when the first information is received from the terminal device; The establishing step, wherein the second communication link is a communication link in which the communication device operates in the P2P mode and the terminal device operates in the P2P mode to perform data communication;
In the first determination process, when it is determined that communication via the second type interface can be executed between the communication device and the terminal device, the second communication link is used. Then, bi-directional communication of second information can be performed with the terminal device, and communication can be performed between the communication device and the terminal device via the second type interface in the first determination process. A communication control step of not performing bidirectional communication of the second information with the terminal device when it is determined that the second information is not transmitted between the communication device and the terminal device. The communication control step, which is information for executing communication via the second type interface;
A computer program that executes A computer program for a terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device,
The terminal device
A first type interface for performing communication with the communication device in the NFC method, which is a communication method in accordance with NFC (Near Field Communication) standard;
A second type interface for performing communication with the communication device in a method different from the NFC method communication, and the communication speed of communication via the second type interface is the same as that of the first type interface. The second type interface faster than the communication speed of communication via
The computer program stores the following steps in a computer mounted on the terminal device, that is,
When a first communication link via the first type interface is established between the terminal device and the communication device, the first communication link is used to connect the first communication link to the communication device. A transmission step of transmitting information, wherein the first communication link is configured such that the communication apparatus operates in a first mode different from the P2P (abbreviation of Peer to Peer) mode of the NFC standard, and the terminal The transmitting step, wherein the device is a communication link in which data communication is to be performed by operating in a second mode different from the P2P mode and the first mode of the NFC standard;
An establishment step of establishing a second communication link via the first type interface between the terminal device and the communication device when the first information is transmitted to the communication device; The establishing step, wherein the second communication link is a communication link in which the communication device operates in the P2P mode and the terminal device operates in the P2P mode to perform data communication;
As a result of the transmission of the first information to the communication device, the communication device determines that communication between the terminal device and the communication device can be performed via the second type interface. If the communication device performs two-way communication of second information with the communication device using the second communication link, and the first information is transmitted to the communication device, the communication device Communication control that does not execute bi-directional communication of the second information with the terminal device when it is determined that communication via the second type interface is not executable between the terminal device and the communication device The communication control step, wherein the second information is information for executing communication between the communication device and the terminal device via the second type interface;
A computer program that executes

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