JP6171297B2 - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present specification discloses a wireless communication device for executing wireless communication of target data with an external device.

  Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to wireless communication according to a WFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct) method. In the WFD scheme, a pair of wireless communication devices perform wireless communication called G / O (abbreviation of Group Owner) negotiation when a new wireless network is to be formed. Accordingly, it is determined that one wireless communication device operates as a G / O device of a wireless network and the other wireless communication device should operate as a client device of the wireless network.

JP-A-2005-174134

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

  In the present specification, a technique is disclosed in which a wireless communication device can appropriately execute wireless communication of target data with an external device by executing processing according to the state of the wireless network to which the wireless communication device itself belongs.

  The wireless communication device disclosed in this specification includes a first connection unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The first connection unit establishes a first connection according to the first wireless communication method between the first external device and the wireless communication device. In the first wireless communication method, when a connection according to the first wireless communication method is established between a pair of devices and a wireless network is to be formed, the pair of devices are connected to a master station and a child of the wireless network. This is a system having a mechanism for executing wireless communication for determining a station. As a result of the establishment of the first connection, the determination unit is a situation where a first wireless network to which the first external device and the wireless communication device belong is formed. When a specific instruction for performing wireless communication of target data with a different second external device is given, it is determined whether the first wireless network is in the first state or the second state. The first state is a state in which the wireless communication device operates as a slave station and the first external device operates as a parent station. The second state is a state in which the wireless communication device operates as a master station and the first external device operates as a slave station. The output unit outputs participation information for the second external device to participate in the first wireless network in the first case where the first wireless network is determined to be in the first state. The first connection unit includes a participation unit and a communication unit. In the second case where the first wireless network is determined to be in the second state, the participation unit performs a first operation according to the first wireless communication method between the second external device and the wireless communication device. 2 connection is established, and the second external device joins the first wireless network. The communication unit (A) uses the first wireless network when the second external device joins the first wireless network as a result of outputting the participation information in the first case. Wireless communication of the target data with the second external device via the first external device, and (B) in the second case, using the first wireless network and without passing through other devices, Wireless communication of the target data with the external device 2 is executed.

  According to the above configuration, in the wireless communication device, whether the state of the first wireless network is the first state in which the wireless communication device operates as a slave station or the second state in which the wireless communication device operates as a parent station Therefore, it is possible to execute an appropriate process depending on whether or not. As a result, the wireless communication device can appropriately perform wireless communication of the target data with the second external device.

  The participation information may include identification information for identifying the first wireless network. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device outputs the participation information including the identification information, so that the second external device can appropriately participate in the first wireless network.

  In the first case, the output unit transmits the participation information to the second external device according to the second wireless communication method that does not have the above mechanism in a state where the first wireless network is maintained. Participation information may be output. According to this configuration, for example, the wireless communication device operates as a slave station of the first wireless network (that is, in the first case), so the first wireless communication is performed between the second external device and the wireless communication device. Even when the connection according to the method cannot be established, the participation information can be appropriately output according to the second wireless communication method.

  In the first case, the output unit establishes a third connection according to the second wireless communication method between the second external device and the wireless communication device in a state where the first wireless network is maintained. You may provide the 2nd connection part to establish. The output unit uses the second wireless network when the second wireless network to which the second external device and the wireless communication device belong is formed as a result of the establishment of the third connection. The participation information may be transmitted to the second external device. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device can appropriately output the participation information using the second wireless network according to the second wireless communication method.

  The second wireless network may be a wireless network in which the wireless communication device operates as an access point according to the access point mode of the second wireless communication method. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device can operate as an access point of the second wireless network and appropriately output the participation information.

  The first connection unit may establish the first connection and the second connection using a first MAC address assigned to the wireless communication device. The second connection unit may establish the third connection using a second MAC address assigned to the wireless communication device. The first MAC address and the second MAC address may be different. According to this configuration, the wireless communication apparatus can appropriately establish each connection using the first and second MAC addresses.

  In the second case, the output unit may output the participation information by causing the display unit of the wireless communication device to display the participation information. According to this configuration, the wireless communication device can appropriately output the participation information. Thereby, the user of the second external device can appropriately recognize the participation information.

  The specific instruction may be given by a user performing a specific operation on the wireless communication device. The specific instruction may be given by receiving a connection request for establishing a connection according to the first wireless communication scheme from the second external device.

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

1 shows a configuration of a communication system. 6 shows a flowchart of MFP operation monitoring processing. 6 shows a flowchart of MFP reception monitoring processing. The sequence diagram of each process performed by each device is shown. FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram subsequent to case A in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram subsequent to case A in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram subsequent to case B in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram of a second embodiment following the case A of FIG. 4.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of communication system 2)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes an AP (abbreviation for Access Point) 4, a PC (abbreviation for Personal Computer) 6, and a multi-function device (hereinafter “MFP (abbreviation for Multi-Function Peripheral)”). 10) and a plurality of portable terminals 50 and 100.

(Configuration of MFP 10)
The MFP 10 is a peripheral device that can execute multiple functions including a printing function and a scanning function. 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, and a control unit 30. And comprising. Each part 12-30 is connected to a bus line (reference number omitted).

  The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. The user can give various instructions to the MFP 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The print execution unit 16 is a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method. The scan execution unit 18 is a scan mechanism such as a CCD or CIS.

  The wireless LAN I / F 20 is an interface for executing wireless communication, and is physically one interface (that is, one IC chip). However, the wireless LAN I / F 20 includes a MAC address (hereinafter referred to as “WFDMAC”) used in wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as “WFD communication”) according to the WFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct) method. Both of the MAC addresses (hereinafter referred to as “normal Wi-Fi MAC”) used in wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as “normal Wi-Fi communication”) according to the normal Wi-Fi scheme are allocated.

  Specifically, the normal Wi-Fi MAC is pre-assigned to the wireless LAN I / F 20. The control unit 30 generates a WFDMAC different from the normal Wi-FiMAC using the normal Wi-FiMAC, and allocates the WFDMAC to the wireless LAN I / F 20. Therefore, the control unit 30 can simultaneously execute both normal Wi-Fi communication using normal Wi-FiMAC and WFD communication using WFDMAC.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The CPU 32 executes various processes (for example, each process in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 described later) according to the program stored in the memory 34. When the CPU 32 executes processing according to the above-described program, the functions of the first connection unit 41, the determination unit 44, and the output unit 45 are realized. The first connection unit 41 includes a participation unit 42 and a communication unit 43. The output unit 45 includes a second connection unit 46. However, the 2nd connection part 46 is a structure utilized in 2nd Example mentioned later, and may be abbreviate | omitted in a present Example.

(WFD and normal Wi-Fi)
As described above, from the viewpoint of the MAC address used by the MFP 10, the WFD communication and the WFD method are wireless communication and a wireless communication method using WFDMAC, respectively. The normal Wi-Fi communication and the normal Wi-Fi method are a wireless communication and a wireless communication method in which the normal Wi-Fi MAC is used, respectively.

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

  The MFP 10 cannot belong to the wireless network according to the WFD scheme when using the normal Wi-Fi MAC, but can belong to the wireless network according to the WFD scheme when using the WFDMAC. Hereinafter, a device that can belong to a wireless network in accordance with the WFD scheme, such as the MFP 10, is referred to as a “WFD-compatible device”. In the WFD standard document, the states of the WFD-compatible device are group owner state (hereinafter referred to as “G / O state”), client state (hereinafter referred to as “CL state”), and device state. Two states are defined. The WFD compatible device can selectively operate in one of the above three states.

  When a pair of WFD-compatible devices in the device state should newly form a wireless network, the pair of WFD-compatible devices normally perform wireless communication called G / O negotiation. In the G / O negotiation, one of the pair of WFD compatible devices is determined to be in the G / O state (that is, the G / O device), and the other of the pair of WFD compatible devices is in the CL state. (That is, CL device). Thereafter, the pair of WFD-compatible devices establish a connection and form a wireless network. Hereinafter, the wireless network formed as a result of the G / O negotiation is referred to as “WFDNW”.

  At the stage where a WFDNW is newly formed by G / O negotiation, only one G / O device and one CL device belong to the WFDNW. However, the G / O device can establish a connection with another device, and can newly participate in the WFDNW as the CL device. In this case, two or more CL devices belong to the WFDNW. That is, in the WFDNW, there can be one G / O device and one or more CL devices. The G / O device manages one or more CL devices. Specifically, the G / O device registers the MAC addresses of one or more CL devices in the management list in the memory of the G / O device. Further, when the CL device leaves the WFDNW, the G / O device deletes the MAC address of the CL device from the management list. When the number of CL devices becomes zero (that is, when the number of MAC addresses registered in the management list becomes zero), the G / O device shifts from the G / O state to the device state, and sets the WFDNW. Extinguish.

  The G / O device can execute wireless communication of target data without passing through other devices with the CL device registered in the management list. The target data is data including information on the network layer of the OSI reference model and information on an upper layer (for example, application layer) than the network layer, and includes, for example, print data, scan data, and the like. In addition, the G / O device can relay wireless communication of target data between a plurality of CL devices. In other words, the pair of CL devices can perform wireless communication of target data via the G / O device.

  As described above, in the WFDNW, the AP (configured separately from the WFD-compatible device between the WFD-compatible device that is the transmission source of the target data and the WFD-compatible device that is the transmission destination of the target data. For example, wireless communication of target data can be executed without going through AP4). That is, it can be said that the WFD communication and the WFD method are wireless communication that does not use an AP and a wireless communication method that does not use an AP, respectively. The AP (for example, AP4) is a normal AP called a wireless access point, a wireless LAN router, or the like, and is different from a WFD G / O device or a so-called Soft AP of a normal Wi-Fi system.

  In addition, the G / O device cannot execute wireless communication of target data with a device device (that is, a WFD compatible device in a device state), but performs wireless communication of connection data for establishing a connection with the device device. Is possible. That is, the G / O device can establish a connection with the device device by executing wireless communication of the connection data with the device device, and can newly join the device device to the WFDNW. In other words, the device device can establish a connection with the G / O device by performing wireless communication of connection data with the G / O device, and can newly participate in the WFDNW. In this case, the device device transitions from the device state to the CL state (that is, participates in the WFDNW as the CL device). The connection data is data including information of lower layers (for example, physical layer and data link layer) than the network layer of the OSI reference model (that is, data not including information of the network layer), for example, a Probe Request signal. , Probe Response signal, Association Request signal, Association Response signal, Authentication Request signal, Authentication Response signal, 4-Way Handshake signal, and the like.

  The G / O device cannot execute wireless communication of target data with a WFD non-compliant device, but can execute wireless communication of connection data with a WFD non-compliant device. Note that a device that does not support WFD cannot belong to a wireless network according to the WFD scheme, but can belong to a wireless network according to a normal Wi-Fi scheme. The G / O device can establish a connection with the WFD-incompatible device by performing wireless communication of connection data with the WFD-incompatible device, and can newly join the WFD-incompatible device to the WFDNW. In other words, the WFD non-compliant device can establish a connection with the G / O device by performing wireless communication of connection data with the G / O device, and can newly participate in the WFDNW. A device that does not support WFD does not selectively operate in any of three states (ie, G / O state, CL state, and device state), but while belonging to the WFDNW, Operates in the same state as the state.

  As described above, the G / O device can establish a connection with a device device or a device that does not support WFD, and can newly join the device device or device that does not support WFD to the WFDNW. However, unlike the G / O device, the CL device cannot establish a connection with the device device or the WFD non-compliant device, and cannot newly join the device device or the WFD non-compliant device to the WFDNW.

(Normal Wi-Fi)
The normal Wi-Fi system is a wireless communication system defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and is a wireless communication system different from the WFD system. The normal Wi-Fi system, like the WFD system, is a wireless for performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard and standards conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). It is a communication method.

  However, the WFD scheme is a wireless communication scheme having a G / O negotiation mechanism, but the normal Wi-Fi scheme is a wireless communication scheme having no such mechanism. The WFD method is a wireless communication method that allows selective operation in any of three states (ie, G / O state, CL state, and device state), but the normal Wi-Fi method is The wireless communication system does not allow such a selective operation. In these points, the WFD system and the normal Wi-Fi system are different.

  The normal Wi-Fi system is classified into an infrastructure mode (hereinafter simply referred to as “infrastructure”) and an ad hoc mode (hereinafter simply referred to as “ad hoc”). Generally speaking, infrastructure is a mode in which AP is used, and ad hoc is a mode in which AP is not used. The normal Wi-Fi type ad hoc will be described in a third embodiment to be described later. Here, a normal Wi-Fi infrastructure will be described.

  An infrastructure wireless network (hereinafter referred to as “normal Wi-Fi NW”) is formed by an AP. For example, assume a situation where the AP 4 forms a normal Wi-Fi NW. The MFP 10 can establish a connection according to the infrastructure of the normal Wi-Fi system between the AP 4 and the MFP 10 using the normal Wi-Fi MAC. Thereby, the MFP 10 newly participates in the normal Wi-Fi NW. In this process, the MFP 10 does not execute the G / O negotiation and does not selectively determine to operate in the G / O state or the CL state. The MFP 10 can perform wireless communication of target data with another device (for example, the PC 6) belonging to the normal Wi-Fi NW via the AP 4. Note that AP4 registers the MAC address of each device connected to AP4 itself in the management list of AP4.

(Method for MFP 10 to belong to wireless network)
As described above, the MFP 10 can belong to a wireless network according to the WFD method or the normal Wi-Fi method. Here, methods for allowing the MFP 10 to belong to a wireless network are summarized.

(First method; G / O negotiation)
In a situation where the MFP 10 does not belong to the wireless network using the WFDMAC, the MFP 10 is in a WFD device state. When a WFD connection operation is applied to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10 in the device state, the MFP 10 executes SLS (abbreviation of Scan Listen Search). The WFD connection operation is an operation (for example, a display unit) for the user to instruct the MFP 10 that a connection according to the WFD method should be established between the MFP 10 and another device (for example, the portable terminals 50 and 100). 14 is an operation for selecting “WFD wireless connection” from among a plurality of items (for example, “WFD wireless connection” and “normal Wi-Fi wireless connection”).

  SLS is wireless communication for finding one or more devices (that is, a G / O device, a device device, and an AP) existing around the MFP 10, and includes a scan process, a listen process, a search process, including. The scan process is a process for finding a G / O device and an AP existing around the MFP 10 by transmitting a probe request signal and receiving a probe response signal. The Listen process is a process for notifying the devices existing around the MFP 10 of the presence of the MFP 10 by receiving a Probe Request signal and transmitting a Probe Response signal. The Search process is a process for finding a device device existing around the MFP 10 by transmitting a Probe Request signal and receiving a Probe Response signal. In the Scan process and the Search process of this method, the Probe Request signal includes the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission source. In SLS, it is usually not possible to find CL devices that exist around the MFP 10.

  The MFP 10 causes the display unit 14 to display a device list indicating information on one or more devices found by SLS. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select a device device (hereinafter referred to as “target device device”) from the device list. In this case, the MFP 10 transmits a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal) including the WFDMAC as a transmission source to the target device device, and then performs G / O negotiation with the target device device.

  In the G / O negotiation, the MFP 10 transmits information indicating the G / O priority of the MFP 10 to the target device device, and receives information indicating the G / O priority of the target device device from the target device device. The G / O priority of the MFP 10 is an index indicating the degree to which the MFP 10 should be in the G / O state, and is determined in advance in the MFP 10. Similarly, the G / O priority of the target device device is an index indicating the degree to which the target device device should be in the G / O state.

  The MFP 10 compares the G / O priority of the MFP 10 with the G / O priority of the target device device, and determines that the higher priority device (MFP 10 or target device device) is in the G / O state. Then, it is determined that the lower priority device (target device device or MFP 10) is in the CL state. The target device device uses the same method as the MFP 10 to determine the G / O state and the CL state based on the G / O priority of the MFP 10 and the G / O priority of the target device.

  In the G / O negotiation, when it is determined that the MFP 10 enters the G / O state, the MFP 10 establishes a connection with the target device device and forms a WFDNW. WFD wireless setting information to be prepared is prepared, and the WFD wireless setting information is supplied to the target device device. The WFD wireless setting information includes an authentication method, an encryption method, a password, an SSID (abbreviation for service set identifier), a BSSID (abbreviation for basic service set identifier), and the like. The authentication method, encryption method, and password included in the WFD wireless setting information are information used for authentication and encryption in the WFDNW. The SSID included in the WFD wireless setting information is a network identifier for identifying the WFDNW. The BSSID included in the WFD wireless setting information is the MAC address of the G / O device. Hereinafter, the wireless setting information is referred to as “WSI (abbreviation of Wireless Setting Information)”.

  When it is determined that the MFP 10 enters the G / O state, the MFP 10 specifies a predetermined authentication method and encryption method. The MFP 10 prepares a password by specifying a predetermined password or generating a new password. The MFP 10 prepares an SSID by specifying a predetermined SSID or by newly generating an SSID. In this embodiment, the MFP 10 specifies a predetermined WFDMAC as a BSSID.

  When the MFP 10 supplies WFDWSI to the target device device, the target device device requests the MFP 10 to execute authentication in accordance with WFDWSI (that is, an Authentication Request signal). If the MFP 10 executes authentication and the authentication is successful, a connection is established between the MFP 10 and the target device. The MFP 10 registers the MAC address of the target device device in the management list of the MFP 10. Accordingly, the MFP 10 newly belongs to the WFDNW as a G / O device (that is, newly forms a WFDNW), and the target device device newly belongs to the WFDNW as a CL device.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the G / O negotiation that the MFP 10 is in the CL state, the target device device prepares WFDWSI and supplies WFDWSI to the MFP 10. The MFP 10 acquires WFDWSI from the target device device, and requests the target device device to execute authentication in accordance with WFDWSI. If the target device apparatus executes authentication and the authentication is successful, a connection is established between the MFP 10 and the target device apparatus. The target device device registers the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 in the management list of the target device device. Accordingly, the target device device newly belongs to the WFDNW as a G / O device (that is, a new WFDNW is formed), and the MFP 10 newly belongs to the WFDNW as a CL device.

(Second method; join existing WFDNW)
As described above, the MFP 10 in the device state causes the display unit 14 to display the device list when the WFD connection operation is applied to the operation unit 12. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select a G / O device (hereinafter referred to as “target G / O device”) from the device list. In this case, the MFP 10 determines to enter the CL state without executing the G / O negotiation.

  The MFP 10 transmits a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal) including the WFDMAC as a transmission source to the target G / O device. As a result, the MFP 10 acquires the WFD WSI currently used in the WFDNW from the target G / O device, and requests the target G / O device to execute authentication according to the WFD WSI. If the target G / O device executes authentication and the authentication is successful, a connection is established between the MFP 10 and the target G / O device. The target G / O device registers the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 in the management list of the target G / O device. As a result, the MFP 10 newly belongs (that is, participates) in the existing WFDNW as a CL device using the WFDMAC.

(Third method; participate in infrastructure normal Wi-Fi NW)
When a normal Wi-Fi connection operation is applied to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10, the MFP 10 executes only the Scan process of the above SLS (that is, executes a process for finding a G / O device and an AP). The device list is displayed on the display unit 14. The normal Wi-Fi connection operation is an operation for instructing the MFP 10 that the user should establish a connection according to the normal Wi-Fi method between the MFP 10 and the AP 4 (for example, displayed on the display unit 14). This is an operation of selecting “normal Wi-Fi wireless connection” from among a plurality of items to be performed. In the Scan process of this method, the Probe Request signal includes the normal Wi-Fi MAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission source. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select an AP (hereinafter referred to as “target AP”) from the device list. In this case, unlike the first and second methods in which the WFD connection operation is executed, the MFP 10 does not selectively determine the state of the MFP 10 (that is, the G / O state or the CL state).

  The MFP 10 transmits a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal) including the normal Wi-Fi MAC as a transmission source to the target AP (for example, AP4). As a result, the MFP 10 acquires the normal Wi-Fi WSI currently used in the normal Wi-Fi NW from the target AP, and requests the target AP to execute authentication according to the normal Wi-Fi WSI. If the target AP executes authentication and the authentication is successful, a connection is established between the MFP 10 and the target AP. The target AP registers the normal Wi-Fi MAC of the MFP 10 in the management list of the target AP. As a result, the MFP 10 newly belongs to (ie participates in) the existing normal Wi-Fi NW using the normal Wi-Fi MAC.

  Note that the normal Wi-Fi WSI is wireless setting information prepared by the target AP, and includes an authentication method, an encryption method, a password, an SSID, a BSSID, and the like, similarly to the WFD WSI. Each of these pieces of information is the same as each piece of information included in WFDWSI except that it is normally used in Wi-Fi NW. Note that the BSSID normally included in Wi-Fi WSI is the MAC address of the AP.

(Information stored in the memory 34 of the multi-function device 10)
When the MFP 10 belongs to a wireless network using the WFDMAC (that is, the first and second methods described above), the memory 34 of the multi-function device 10 is associated with the WFDMAC and the WFD state value, WFDWSI is stored. The WFD state value is a value indicating the current state (that is, the G / O state or the CL state) of the MFP 10 related to the WFD method.

  Further, when the MFP 10 belongs to the wireless network using the normal Wi-FiMAC (that is, the third method described above), the memory 34 associates the normal Wi-FiMAC with the normal Wi-FiMAC. Store.

(Configuration of portable terminals 50 and 100)
The portable terminals 50 and 100 are portable terminal devices such as a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a portable music playback device, and a portable video playback device. Each of the portable terminals 50 and 100 can execute WFD communication and normal Wi-Fi communication, similarly to the MFP 10.

  Each of the portable terminals 50 and 100 stores an application (hereinafter referred to as “MFP application”) for causing the MFP 10 to execute a function (for example, a print function, a scan function, etc.). For example, the MFP application may be installed in the portable terminals 50 and 100 from a server provided by the vendor of the MFP 10, or may be installed in the portable terminals 50 and 100 from a medium shipped together with the MFP 10.

(Processing executed by MFP 10)
Next, the contents of processing executed by the MFP 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, the description will focus on the processing when the above WFD connection operation is applied (FIG. 2) and the processing when a connection request described later is received (FIG. 3). Therefore, for example, the description of the processing when the normal Wi-Fi connection operation is added is omitted.

(Operation monitoring process executed by the MFP 10; FIG. 2)
For example, a situation is assumed in which a user of a mobile terminal (for example, 50, 100) desires to print an image represented by data stored in the mobile terminal. In this case, the user applies the above WFD connection operation to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10 in order to establish a connection between the portable terminal and the MFP 10. Hereinafter, a mobile terminal that is to be connected to the MFP 10 is referred to as a “target mobile terminal”.

  In S <b> 10, the control unit 30 of the MFP 10 monitors whether a WFD connection operation is applied to the operation unit 12. When the WFD connection operation is applied to the operation unit 12, the control unit 30 determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12.

  In S12, the determination unit 44 determines whether the state of the MFP 10 is a device state. Specifically, if the WFD state value associated with WFDMAC (that is, the value indicating the G / O state or the value indicating the CL state) is not stored in the memory 34, the determination unit 44 determines that the MFP 10 Is determined to be a device state (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, when the WFD state value associated with WFDMAC is stored in the memory 34, the determination unit 44 determines that the state of the MFP 10 is not the device state (NO in S12), and proceeds to S20.

  In S14, the first connection unit 41 executes SLS. As described above, the first connection unit 41 can find G / O devices and device devices existing around the MFP 10 by transmitting a Probe Request signal and receiving a Probe Response signal. More specifically, the Probe Response signal includes the MAC address, device name, etc. of the transmission source of the signal. Further, the Probe Response signal received from the G / O device further includes the SSID of the WFDNW formed by the G / O device.

  In S14, the first connection unit 41 further generates a device list indicating information (SSID, device name, MAC address, etc.) of each device found in the SLS, and causes the display unit 14 to display the device list. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select the target mobile terminal from the device list. When the target mobile terminal is selected, the first connection unit 41 proceeds to S16.

  In S16, the first connection unit 41 transmits a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal) to the target mobile terminal. The connection request includes the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission source, and includes the MAC address of the target mobile terminal acquired by the SLS in S14 as a transmission destination.

  After selecting the target mobile terminal from the device list displayed in S14, the user further operates the target mobile terminal to activate the MFP application. Then, the user adds a printing operation (hereinafter referred to as “connected printing operation”) according to the screen realized by the MFP application to the target mobile terminal. When the connection printing operation is performed, the target portable terminal receives a connection request from the MFP 10 and transmits a response including information indicating that connection is possible (that is, an Association Response signal) to the MFP 10.

  In S16, the 1st connection part 41 will perform the process according to the state of the object portable terminal, if a response is further received from the object portable terminal. For example, when the target mobile terminal is in the device state, the first connection unit 41 executes G / O negotiation with the target mobile terminal to determine whether the MFP 10 enters the G / O state or the CL state. decide.

  The first connection unit 41 prepares WFD WSI when determining that the MFP 10 is in the G / O state. The method for preparing WFDWSI is as described above (for example, preparing WFDMAC of MFP 10 as BSSID). And the 1st connection part 41 performs wireless communication (namely, WPS communication) according to what is called pushbutton method (namely, PBC method) of WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) with an object portable terminal, and is intended for WFDWSI Supply to mobile devices. The push button method is a method different from the so-called PIN code method, and when a predetermined operation is performed on each of the pair of devices, even if the PIN code is not displayed and input on the pair of devices. This is a method for supplying WSI from one device to the other device (that is, executing WPS communication). In the present embodiment, the predetermined operation corresponds to a WFD connection operation on the MFP 10 and a connection printing operation on the target portable terminal.

  In the modification, AOSS (registered trademark), AOSS2, SES (abbreviation of Secure Easy Setup; registered trademark) or the like may be employed without employing the WPS PBC method. Both of these are similar to the WPS PBC method. In another modification, a WPS PIN code method may be adopted. In the PIN code method, when a PIN code is displayed on one device and the above PIN code is input to the other device, WSI is transmitted from one (or the other) device to the other (or one) device. This is a method for supplying (that is, executing WPS communication).

  Next, the first connection unit 41 executes authentication communication (that is, communication such as a 4-way handshake signal) in response to an authentication request (that is, Authentication Request signal) received from the target portable terminal, and the target portable terminal Perform authentication of. Thereby, the first connection unit 41 establishes a connection according to the WFD method between the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal. Then, the first connection unit 41 registers the MAC address of the target mobile terminal in the management list of the MFP 10. Thereby, the MFP 10 can newly form a WFDNW. The first connection unit 41 further stores the WFD state value indicating the G / O state and the prepared WFD WSI in the memory 34 in association with the WFDMAC. When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to S40.

  On the other hand, when determining that the MFP 10 is in the CL state, the first connection unit 41 executes WPS communication and acquires WFD WSI from the target portable terminal. Next, the first connection unit 41 transmits an authentication request (that is, an Authentication Request signal) to the target mobile terminal and executes authentication communication. As a result, the first connection unit 41 establishes a connection according to the WFD method between the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal. Then, WFDMAC is registered in the management list of the target mobile terminal. Thereby, the MFP 10 can belong to a WFDNW newly formed by the target portable terminal. The first connection unit 41 further stores the WFD state value indicating the CL state and the acquired WFD WSI in the memory 34 in association with the WFDMAC. When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to S40.

  Further, when the target mobile terminal is already in the G / O state at the time when S16 is started, the first connection unit 41 does not execute the G / O negotiation, and the MFP 10 enters the CL state. To decide. And the 1st connection part 41 performs WPS communication, acquires WFDWSI from an object portable terminal, and then performs authentication communication. As a result, the first connection unit 41 establishes a connection according to the WFD method between the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal. Thereby, WFDMAC is registered in the management list of the target mobile terminal. The MFP 10 can belong to (that is, participate in) the existing WFDNW formed by the target mobile terminal. The first connection unit 41 further stores the WFD state value indicating the CL state and the acquired WFD WSI in the memory 34 in association with the WFDMAC. When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to S40.

  On the other hand, in S20, the determination unit 44 determines whether or not the MFP 10 is in the CL state. Specifically, when the WFD state value in the memory 34 is a value indicating the CL state, the determination unit 44 determines that the state of the MFP 10 is the CL state (YES in S20), and proceeds to S22. . On the other hand, when the WFD state value in the memory 34 is a value indicating the G / O state, the determination unit 44 determines that the state of the MFP 10 is not the CL state (that is, the G / O state) (S20). NO), the process proceeds to S30.

  When the MFP 10 is in the G / O state (NO in S20), the MFP 10 belongs to the WFDNW (hereinafter referred to as “WFDNW (MFP = G / O)”) as a G / O device, The target portable terminal can newly participate in WFDNW (MFP = G / O). Accordingly, in S30 described later, the MFP 10 executes processing for newly joining the target portable terminal to the WFDNW (MFP = G / O).

  On the other hand, when the MFP 10 is in the CL state (YES in S20), the MFP 10 belongs to the WFDNW (hereinafter referred to as “WFDNW (MFP = CL)”) as the CL device, and the target mobile terminal Cannot be newly added to WFDNW (MFP = CL). The authority to newly join the target mobile terminal to the WFDNW (MFP = CL) is given only to the G / O device forming the WFDNW (MFP = CL) (hereinafter referred to as “specific G / O device”). Because it is. For this purpose, the MFP 10 executes the following process of S22.

  In S <b> 22, the output unit 45 causes the display unit 14 to display the SSID (hereinafter referred to as “specific SSID”) included in the WFD WSI currently used by the WFDNW (MFP = CL). The memory 34 of the MFP 10 stores WFDWSI associated with WFDMAC (that is, WFDWSI currently used in WFDNW (MFP = CL)). Therefore, the output unit 45 can acquire a specific SSID included in the WFD WSI in the memory 34 and cause the display unit 14 to display the specific SSID.

  In S22, since the specific SSID is displayed on the display unit 14, the user of the target portable terminal can know the specific SSID by looking at the display unit 14. That is, the user can know that the target portable terminal should participate in the WFDNW (MFP = CL) identified by the specific SSID. Then, the user operates the target mobile terminal to activate the MFP application, and performs a connection printing operation on the target mobile terminal. In this case, the target mobile terminal executes SLS to display a device list. The device list includes information regarding a specific G / O device forming the WFDNW (MFP = CL) (that is, a specific SSID).

  The user selects a specific G / O device (that is, a specific SSID) from the device list. Thereby, the target mobile terminal transmits a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal) to a specific G / O device. The target mobile terminal and the specific G / O device execute WPS communication and authentication communication. As a result, a connection according to the WFD method is established between the specific G / O device and the target mobile terminal. Thereby, the MAC address of the target portable terminal is registered in the management list of the specific G / O device. Therefore, the target portable terminal can belong to (that is, participate in) WFDNW (MFP = CL). That is, the MFP 10 and the target mobile terminal can belong to the same wireless network (that is, WFDNW (MFP = CL)) formed by a specific G / O device. When S22 ends, the process proceeds to S40.

  On the other hand, when the MFP 10 is in the G / O state (NO in S20), S30 is executed. The user adds a WFD connection operation (S10) to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10, and then adds a connection printing operation to the target portable terminal. In this case, the target mobile terminal executes SLS to display a device list. The device list includes information related to the MFP 10 that is a G / O device. The user selects the MFP 10 from the device list. Thereby, the target portable terminal transmits a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal) to the MFP 10.

  In S <b> 30, the participation unit 42 receives a connection request from the target mobile terminal, and transmits a response including information indicating that connection is possible (that is, an Association Response signal) to the target mobile terminal. Then, the participation unit 42 executes WPS communication with the target portable terminal, and uses the WFD WSI currently used in the WFDNW (MFP = G / O) (that is, the WFD WSI in the memory 34 associated with the WFDMAC). Supply to the target mobile terminal. Next, the participation unit 42 performs authentication communication to perform authentication of the target mobile terminal. As a result, the participation unit 42 establishes a connection according to the WFD method between the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal. Then, the participation unit 42 registers the MAC address of the target mobile terminal in the management list of the MFP 10. Thereby, the MFP 10 can cause the target portable terminal to participate in the WFDNW (MFP = G / O). When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to S40.

  In S40, the communication unit 43 receives print data from the target mobile terminal. Note that the print data is data (for example, image data, web data, etc.) stored in the target mobile terminal and is designated as a print target by the user.

  When going through S16 or S30, one of the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal operates as a G / O device, and the other operates as a CL device. In this state, the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal can execute print data wireless communication without going through other devices. Accordingly, in S40 via S16 or S30, the communication unit 43 uses the WFDNW (that is, using the connection established in S16 or S30) and prints from the target portable terminal without using another device. Receive data.

  On the other hand, when going through S22, both the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal operate as CL devices of WFDNW (MFP = CL) formed by a specific G / O device. Accordingly, the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal can execute wireless communication of print data via a specific G / O device. Accordingly, in S40 via S22, the communication unit 43 receives print data from the target portable terminal via the specific G / O device using WFDNW (MFP = CL).

  Next, in S <b> 42, the control unit 30 supplies print data to the print execution unit 16. Thereby, the print execution unit 16 prints the image represented by the print data on the print medium. The user of the target mobile terminal can obtain a printed print medium. When S42 ends, the process returns to S10 of FIG.

(Reception monitoring process executed by the MFP 10; FIG. 3)
In the flowchart of FIG. 2, it is assumed that the WFD connection operation is applied to the MFP 10 before the connection printing operation is applied to the target mobile terminal. On the other hand, in the flowchart of FIG. 3, it is assumed that a connection print operation is applied to the target mobile terminal before the WFD connection operation is applied to the MFP 10.

  The user of the target mobile terminal applies a connection print operation to the target mobile terminal in the device state before applying the WFD connection operation to the MFP 10. In this case, the target mobile terminal executes SLS and displays a device list including information related to the MFP 10. As described above, the SLS can normally find the G / O device, device device, and AP, but cannot find the CL device. However, the target mobile terminal (that is, the MFP application) can find the CL device. That is, when the target mobile terminal can find the G / O device, the G / O device supplies the information (MAC address, device name, etc.) related to the CL device managed by the G / O device. Request to equipment. The target mobile terminal can find the CL device by acquiring information about the CL device from the G / O device. Therefore, even if the MFP 10 belongs to WFD NW (MFP = CL) as a CL device, the target portable terminal can find the MFP 10 (that is, the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 can be acquired).

  The user selects the MFP 10 from the device list displayed on the target mobile terminal. In this case, the target mobile terminal transmits a connection request (that is, an Association Request signal) to the MFP 10. The connection request includes the MAC address of the target mobile terminal as a transmission source, and includes the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission destination.

  In S110, the control unit 30 of the MFP 10 monitors whether a connection request including the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission destination is received. When receiving the connection request, the control unit 30 determines YES in S110 and proceeds to S112.

  S112 and S120 are the same as S12 and S20 of FIG. When the state of the MFP 10 is the device state (YES in S112), in S116, the first connection unit 41 waits until a WFD connection operation is applied to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10. Then, when the WFD connection operation is applied, the first connection unit 41 transmits a response including information indicating that connection is possible (that is, an Association Response signal) to the target mobile terminal. Thereafter, G / O negotiation, WPS communication, and authentication communication are executed in the same manner as S16 in FIG. When S116 ends, the process proceeds to S140.

  When the state of the MFP 10 is the CL state (YES in S120), the output unit 45 displays a specific SSID included in the WFD WSI currently used in WFDNW (MFP = CL), as in S22 of FIG. And displayed on the display unit 14. The user of the target mobile terminal can know the specific SSID by looking at the display unit 14. The user selects a specific G / O device (that is, a specific SSID) instead of the MFP 10 from the device list displayed on the target mobile terminal. The operation after a specific G / O device is selected from the device list, that is, the operation until the target portable terminal belongs to (that is, joins) the WFDNW (MFP = CL) is the same as the operation described in S22 of FIG. It is the same. When S122 ends, the process proceeds to S140.

  When the MFP 10 is in the G / O state (NO in S120), in S130, the first connection unit 41 waits until a WFD connection operation is applied to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10. Then, when the WFD connection operation is applied, the first connection unit 41 transmits a response including information indicating that connection is possible to the target mobile terminal. Thereafter, WPS communication and authentication communication are executed in the same manner as S30 in FIG. When S130 ends, the process proceeds to S140.

  S140 and S142 are the same as S40 and S42 of FIG. When S142 ends, the process returns to S110.

(Concrete example)
Next, specific examples realized by the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 are realized by the MFP 10 executing the processes in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(Figure 4; G / O negotiation)
In the initial state of FIG. 4, the MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 100 are each in a device state. When the user of the portable terminal 50 desires the MFP 10 to execute printing, the user of the portable terminal 50 applies a WFD connection operation to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). In this case, the MFP 10 executes SLS to display a device list (YES in S12, S14).

  The user operates the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10 to select the portable terminal 50 from the device list. In this case, the MFP 10 transmits a connection request to the portable terminal 50 (S16). The connection request includes the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission source, and includes the MAC address of the portable terminal 50 (hereinafter referred to as “MAC50”) as a transmission destination. Since the MFP 10 has acquired the MAC 50 in the above SLS process, the MFP 10 can transmit a connection request including the MAC 50 as a transmission destination.

  The user further performs a connection printing operation on the portable terminal 50. In this case, the portable terminal 50 receives a connection request from the MFP 10 and transmits a response indicating that connection is possible to the MFP 10. As a result, the MFP 10 executes G / O negotiation with the portable terminal 50 (S16).

  Case A in FIG. 4 is a case where the MFP 10 enters the CL state and the portable terminal 50 enters the G / O state as a result of the G / O negotiation. The portable terminal 50 prepares WFDWSI including the SSID “a1”, the password “b1”, and the like (S16). The MFP 10 executes WPS communication and acquires WFD WSI from the portable terminal 50 (S16). Next, the MFP 10 executes authentication communication with the portable terminal 50 and establishes a connection C1 according to the WFD method (S16). Thereby, the portable terminal 50 in the G / O state forms a wireless network (hereinafter referred to as “NW1”), and the MFP 10 in the CL state joins the NW1. Then, the MFP 10 receives the print data PD1 from the portable terminal 50 using the NW1 (that is, using the connection C1) without passing through another device (S40), and executes the printing process according to the print data PD1. (S42).

  Case B in FIG. 4 is a case where the MFP 10 enters the G / O state and the portable terminal 50 enters the CL state as a result of the G / O negotiation. The MFP 10 prepares WFD WSI including the SSID “a2”, the password “b2”, and the like (S16). The MFP 10 executes WPS communication and supplies WFDWSI to the portable terminal 50. Next, the MFP 10 executes authentication communication with the portable terminal 50, and establishes a connection C1 'according to the WFD method (S16). Thereby, the MFP 10 in the G / O state forms the NW1, and the portable terminal 50 in the CL state participates in the NW1. The MFP 10 receives the print data PD1 from the portable terminal 50 using the NW1 (that is, using the connection C1 ′) without going through another device (S40), and performs print processing according to the print data PD1. Execute (S42).

(Fig. 5: Continuation of case A in Fig. 4)
As described above, in the case A of FIG. 4, the connection C1 according to the WFD method is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 (that is, NW1 is formed). In NW1, the MFP 10 is in the CL state, and the portable terminal 50 is in the G / O state. In this situation, when the user of the portable terminal 100 desires the MFP 10 to perform printing, the user adds a WFD connection operation to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). In this case, the MFP 10 determines that the state of the NW 1 is a state in which the MFP 10 operates as a CL device and the portable terminal 50 operates as a G / O device (YES in S20). Therefore, the MFP 10 displays the SSID “a1” of NW1 on the display unit 14 (S22).

  The user of the portable terminal 100 wants the MFP 10 to execute printing. Therefore, the user is expected to approach the MFP 10 in order to acquire a print medium to be printed by the MFP 10. Therefore, the user can see the SSID “a1” displayed on the display unit 14 of the MFP 10, and as a result, knows that the mobile terminal 100 should participate in the NW1 identified by the SSID “a1”. Can do. The user further performs a connection printing operation on the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 executes SLS and displays a device list. The device list includes information related to the mobile terminal 50 (that is, SSID “a1”, device name, etc.).

  The user selects the mobile terminal 50 (that is, SSID “a1”) from the device list displayed on the mobile terminal 100. Since the portable terminal 50 is a G / O device, the portable terminal 100 determines to be in the CL state. Then, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a connection request to the mobile terminal 50. The connection request includes the MAC address of the mobile terminal 100 (hereinafter referred to as “MAC100”) as a transmission source, and includes the MAC 50 as a transmission destination. Since the portable terminal 100 has acquired the MAC 50 in the above SLS process, the portable terminal 100 can transmit a connection request including the MAC 50 as a transmission destination.

  The user of the mobile terminal 100 needs to further perform a WFD connection operation on the mobile terminal 50 in order to execute WPS communication between the mobile terminals 50 and 100. As described above, the connection printing operation applied to the portable terminal 50 is an operation in accordance with the MFP application screen. On the other hand, the WFD connection operation applied to the mobile terminal 50 is not an operation according to the screen realized by the MFP application, but an operation according to the screen realized by the OS program of the mobile terminal 50. That is, when a WFD connection operation is applied, the mobile terminal 50 is not intended to transmit print data in the mobile terminal 50 to the MFP 10, but between the mobile terminal 50 and another device (for example, the mobile terminal 100). A connection according to the WFD scheme can be established between them.

  The portable terminal 50 and the portable terminal 100 are usually owned by different users. For this reason, the user of the mobile terminal 100 needs to request the user of the mobile terminal 50 to apply the WFD connection operation to the mobile terminal 50. The user of the mobile terminal 100 can know the device name of the mobile terminal 50 from the device list displayed on the mobile terminal 100, and the device name indicates the user of the mobile terminal 50 (for example, the device) When the name includes the user name of the portable terminal 50), the user of the portable terminal 50 can be known. Therefore, the user of the mobile terminal 100 can make the above request to the user of the mobile terminal 50. For example, in a situation where the MFP 10 is installed in a specific company and each user of the mobile terminals 50 and 100 is an employee of the specific company, the user of the mobile terminal 100 requests the user of the mobile terminal 50 from the above request. Can be performed.

  In the case of FIG. 5, the G / O device forming the WFDNW (MFP = CL) (that is, NW1) is the portable terminal 50 owned by an individual. However, in a modified example, the G / O device may be a shared device shared by a plurality of users, such as an MFP, a printer, a scanner, a server, etc., instead of the portable terminal 50. In this case, the user of the mobile terminal 100 can add the WFD connection operation to the shared device without requesting another person. Note that, in the situation of this modification, each communication similar to each communication described later (WPS communication, authentication communication, print data communication, etc.) executed between the mobile terminal 50 and the mobile terminal 100 is performed with the shared device. It is executed with the portable terminal 100.

  When a connection printing operation is applied to the mobile terminal 100 and a WFD connection operation is applied to the mobile terminal 50, conditions for the mobile terminals 50 and 100 to execute WPS communication (that is, WPS PBC system conditions) are set. It is filled. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 50 receives the connection request from the mobile terminal 100 and transmits a response including information indicating that connection is possible to the mobile terminal 100. As a result, the portable terminals 50 and 100 execute WPS communication, and the WFD WSI currently used in the NW 1 (that is, the SSID “a1”, the password “b1”, etc. (see FIG. 4)) is carried from the portable terminal 50. Supplied to the terminal 100. Next, the portable terminals 50 and 100 execute authentication communication and establish a connection C4 according to the WFD scheme. Thereby, the portable terminal 100 in the CL state participates in the NW1.

  The MFP 10 receives the print data PD2 from the portable terminal 100 via the portable terminal 50 using the NW1 (that is, using the connection C1 and the connection C4) (S40), and performs print processing according to the print data PD2. Execute (S42).

(Fig. 6; continued from case A in Fig. 4)
As described above, the case of FIG. 5 is a case where the WFD connection operation is applied to the MFP 10 before the connection printing operation is applied to the portable terminal 100. On the other hand, the case of FIG. 6 is a case where a connection printing operation is applied to the portable terminal 100 without a WFD connection operation being applied to the MFP 10.

  The user adds a connection printing operation to the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 executes SLS and displays a device list. The user selects the MFP 10 from the device list displayed on the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a connection request to the MFP 10. The connection request includes the MAC 100 as a transmission source and the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission destination. The portable terminal 100 transmits WFDMAC because it acquires information about the MFP 10 (that is, the device name of the MFP 10, WFDMAC, etc.) from the portable terminal 50 that is the G / O device of the NW1 in the SLS process described above. A connection request including the destination can be transmitted.

  The MFP 10 receives the connection request from the portable terminal 100 (YES in S110 of FIG. 3). In this case, the MFP 10 determines that the state of the NW 1 is a state in which the MFP 10 operates as a CL device and the portable terminal 50 operates as a G / O device (YES in S120). Therefore, the MFP 10 displays the SSID “a1” of NW1 on the display unit 14 (S122).

  The user of the mobile terminal 100 has already selected the MFP 10 from the device list. However, since the SSID “a1” is displayed on the MFP 10, the mobile terminal 100 should participate in the NW1 identified by the SSID “a1”. I can know. Therefore, the user selects the mobile terminal 50 (ie, SSID “a1”) from the device list instead of the MFP 10. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a connection request to the mobile terminal 50 as in the case of FIG. Each subsequent communication is the same as the case of FIG. That is, the MFP 10 receives the print data PD2 from the portable terminal 100 via the portable terminal 50 using the NW1 (S140), and executes the printing process according to the print data PD2 (S142).

(FIG. 7; continuation of case B in FIG. 4)
As described above, in the case B of FIG. 4, the connection C1 ′ according to the WFD method is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 (that is, NW1 is formed). In NW1, the MFP 10 is in the G / O state, and the portable terminal 50 is in the CL state. In this situation, when the user of the portable terminal 100 desires the MFP 10 to perform printing, the user adds a WFD connection operation to the operation unit 12 of the MFP 10 (YES in S10 of FIG. 2). In this case, the MFP 10 determines that the state of the NW 1 is a state in which the MFP 10 operates as a G / O device and the portable terminal 50 operates as a CL device (NO in S20). Accordingly, the MFP 10 waits until it receives a connection request including WFDMAC as a transmission destination (S30).

  The user further performs a connection printing operation on the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 executes SLS and displays a device list. The user selects the MFP 10 from the device list displayed on the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a connection request to the MFP 10. The connection request includes the MAC 100 as a transmission source and the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission destination.

  The MFP 10 receives the connection request from the portable terminal 100 and transmits a response indicating that the connection is possible to the portable terminal 100 (S30). In the case of FIG. 7, unlike the case of FIG. 6, the display process (S122) is not executed. The MFP 10 executes WPS communication and supplies the WFD WSI of the NW 1 (that is, SSID “a2”, password “b2”, etc. (see FIG. 4)) to the mobile terminal 100 (S30). Next, the MFP 10 performs authentication communication with the mobile terminal 100 and establishes a connection C2 in accordance with the WFD method (S30). Thereby, the portable terminal 100 participates in NW1. Then, the MFP 10 receives the print data PD2 from the portable terminal 100 using the NW1 (that is, using the connection C2) without passing through another device (S40), and executes the print processing according to the print data PD2. (S42).

(Effect of this embodiment)
When a WFD connection operation is applied to the MFP 10 in the CL state (YES in S20 in FIG. 2), or when the MFP 10 in the CL state receives a connection request (YES in S120 in FIG. 3), FIG. 5 and FIG. As described above, the MFP 10 displays the SSID “a1” of the NW1 to which the MFP 10 belongs on the display unit 14 (S22 in FIG. 2 and S122 in FIG. 3). Thereby, the user of the portable terminal 100 makes the portable terminal 100 participate in NW1. In other words, the MFP 10 causes the mobile terminal 100 to participate in the NW 1 by displaying the SSID “a1” on the display unit 14. Therefore, the MFP 10 can receive the print data PD2 from the portable terminal 100 via the portable terminal 50 using NW1 (S40 in FIG. 2 and S140 in FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, when a WFD connection operation is applied to the MFP 10 in the G / O state (NO in S20 in FIG. 2) or the MFP 10 in the G / O state receives a connection request (NO in S120 in FIG. 3), FIG. 7, the MFP 10 executes WPS communication and authentication communication, and causes the mobile terminal 100 to participate in the NW 1 (S30 in FIG. 2 and S130 in FIG. 3). Therefore, the MFP 10 can receive the print data PD2 from the portable terminal 100 using the NW1 without going through another device (S40 in FIG. 2 and S140 in FIG. 3).

  As described above, the MFP 10 determines whether the state of the NW 1 to which the MFP 10 belongs is a state in which the MFP 10 operates as a CL device (YES in S20 in FIG. 2, YES in S120 in FIG. 3), An appropriate process (S22 or S30 in FIG. 2, S122 or S130 in FIG. 3) is executed depending on whether the device is operating as an O device (NO in S20 in FIG. 2 or NO in S120 in FIG. 3). Can do. As a result, the MFP 10 can appropriately cause the mobile terminal 100 to participate in the NW 1 and can appropriately receive the print data PD 2 from the mobile terminal 100.

(Correspondence)
The MFP 10, the portable terminal 50, and the portable terminal 100 are examples of “wireless communication device”, “first external device”, and “second external device”, respectively. The WFD method is an example of a “first wireless communication method”. A WFD connection operation applied to the MFP 10 and a connection request including the WFDMAC as a transmission destination are examples of the “specific instruction”. The WFD connection operation is an example of “specific operation”. The print data is an example of “target data”. The G / O device and the CL device are examples of “master station” and “slave station”, respectively. The G / O negotiation is an example of “wireless communication for determining a master station and a slave station”.

  The state of the NW 1 shown in FIG. 5 or 6, that is, the state where the MFP 10 is a CL device and the portable terminal 50 is a G / O device is an example of the “first state”. The state of NW1 shown in FIG. 7, that is, the state where the MFP 10 is a G / O device and the portable terminal 50 is a CL device is an example of the “second state”. In the case of YES in S20 of FIG. 2 (or YES in S120 of FIG. 3), the case of NO in S20 of FIG. 2 (or NO in S120 of FIG. 3) is respectively “first case”, “second It is an example of “case”. NW1 is an example of a “first wireless network”. Further, the connection C1 (or connection C1 ′) in FIG. 4 and the connection C2 in FIG. 7 are examples of “first connection” and “second connection”, respectively. The SSID displayed in S22 of FIG. 2 (or S122 of FIG. 3) is an example of “participation information” and “identification information”.

(Second embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the process of S122 in FIG. 3 is different from the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, in S122, the output unit 45 displays the SSID of the WFDNW (MFP = CL) on the display unit 14, thereby recognizing the SSID of the WFDNW (MFP = CL) to the user of the target portable terminal. The target portable terminal is allowed to participate in WFDNW (MFP = CL). In contrast, in this embodiment, in S122, the second connection unit 46 of the output unit 45 establishes a connection according to the normal Wi-Fi method between the MFP 10 and the target mobile terminal. Then, the second connection unit 46 transmits the WFD WSI currently used in the WFDNW (MFP = CL) to the target mobile terminal according to the normal Wi-Fi method, thereby causing the target mobile terminal to be WFDNW (MFP = CL). To join.

(Normal Wi-Fi SoftAP mode)
Before explaining the processing of S122 of this embodiment, the normal Wi-Fi SoftAP mode will be explained. As described above, in an infrastructure wireless network, a normal AP called a wireless access point, a wireless LAN router, or the like is generally used. However, an infrastructure wireless network can be formed even if a normal AP is not used. That is, a device (for example, MFP 10) equipped with a so-called Soft AP mode can execute the same operation as a normal AP. Such a device can form an infrastructure wireless network by operating according to the Soft AP mode even when a normal AP does not exist.

  As described above, the infrastructure wireless network may be formed by a normal AP or may be formed by a device equipped with the Soft AP mode. However, in either case, the infrastructure wireless network is still a wireless network in which the AP is used. That is, the normal Wi-Fi infrastructure is a wireless communication method for performing wireless communication via the AP. On the other hand, the WFD method is a wireless communication method for executing wireless communication not via an AP. In this respect, the infrastructure of the normal Wi-Fi system is different from the WFD system.

(Processing of S122 in FIG. 3)
As described above, when the MFP 10 is in the CL state, YES is determined in S120 of FIG. 3, and the process proceeds to S122. In S122, the second connection unit 46 first determines whether or not the MFP 10 currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi NW. Specifically, in the case where the normal Wi-Fi WSI associated with the normal Wi-Fi MAC is stored in the memory 34, the second connection unit 46 is currently associated with the normal Wi-Fi NW. If the normal Wi-Fi WSI is not stored in the memory 34, it is determined that the MFP 10 does not currently belong to the normal Wi-Fi NW.

  When the second connection unit 46 determines that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi NW, the second connection unit 46 transmits a leave signal to the AP 4 forming the normal Wi-Fi NW. Accordingly, the second connection unit 46 disconnects the connection between the MFP 10 and the AP 4 according to the normal Wi-Fi method. As a result, the MFP 10 leaves the normal Wi-Fi NW. The second connection unit 46 further stores the normal Wi-Fi WSI (hereinafter referred to as “past WSI”) in the memory 34 associated with the normal Wi-Fi MAC in a predetermined storage area in the memory 34. Evacuate. As a result, the second connection unit 46 can reestablish a connection according to the normal Wi-Fi method by using the past WSI in the post-processing.

  Next, the second connection unit 46 switches the Soft AP mode of the MFP 10 from OFF to ON in a state where the MFP 10 does not belong to the normal Wi-Fi NW. At this time, the second connection unit 46 prepares normal Wi-Fi WSI (hereinafter referred to as “Soft AP WSI”) to be used in the normal Wi-Fi NW in which the MFP 10 operates as an AP. The method for preparing the WAP for SoftAP is the same as the method for preparing the WFDWSI. However, the second connection unit 46 prepares the normal Wi-Fi MAC of the MFP 10 as a BSSID. The second connection unit 46 further stores the WAP of the Soft AP in the memory 34 in association with the normal Wi-Fi MAC.

  Subsequently, the second connection unit 46 supplies the Soft AP WSI to the target mobile terminal using the MAC address of the target mobile terminal included in the connection request received in S110 as the transmission destination. Next, the second connection unit 46 performs authentication communication to perform authentication of the target mobile terminal. As a result, the second connection unit 46 establishes a connection according to the normal Wi-Fi system between the MFP 10 and the target mobile terminal, and the normal Wi-Fi NW (hereinafter referred to as “SoftAP NW” in accordance with the Soft AP mode). ").

  Next, the second connection unit 46 acquires the WFD WSI in the memory 34 associated with the WFDMAC. Then, the second connection unit 46 uses the SoftAP NW (that is, using the connection according to the normal Wi-Fi method) and uses the acquired WFD WSI as the target mobile terminal without going through another device. Send to.

  When the second connection unit 46 transmits WFDWSI to the target portable terminal, the Soft AP mode of the MFP 10 is switched from ON to OFF, and the Soft AP NW disappears. The second connection unit 46 further deletes the WSI of the Soft AP in the memory 34 that is associated with the normal Wi-Fi MAC. Next, when the past WSI is saved in a predetermined storage area in the memory 34, the second connection unit 46 uses the past WSI to make a connection between the MFP 10 and the AP 4. The connection according to the normal Wi-Fi system is reestablished. As a result, the MFP 10 can belong again (that is, participate) in the normal Wi-Fi NW formed by the AP 4.

  When receiving the WFD WSI from the MFP 10, the target mobile terminal executes authentication communication with a specific G / O device forming the WFDNW (MFP = CL), and performs communication between the specific G / O device and the target mobile terminal. Then, a connection according to the WFD method is established. Since the target mobile terminal has already acquired WFD WSI from the MFP 10, it does not need to acquire WFD WSI from a specific G / O device. That is, the target portable terminal does not need to execute WPS communication with a specific G / O machine. The MAC address of the target mobile terminal is registered in the management list of the specific G / O device. Thereby, the target portable terminal can belong (that is, participate) in WFDNW (MFP = CL).

  In S122 of FIG. 3, since the MFP 10 has received a connection request from the target mobile terminal (YES in S110), the MAC address of the target mobile terminal has been acquired. For this reason, the MFP 10 can transmit the WAP of SoftAP to the target mobile terminal using the MAC address of the target mobile terminal as the transmission destination. In contrast, in S22 of FIG. 2, the MFP 10 has not acquired the MAC address of the target mobile terminal. Therefore, the MFP 10 cannot transmit the Soft AP WSI to the target mobile terminal. For this reason, in S22, the MFP 10 executes the display process as in the first embodiment (in other words, in S22, the configuration of the second embodiment is not adopted).

(Specific example: FIG. 8)
A specific example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows a sequence diagram following the case A of FIG. Therefore, the MFP 10 is in the CL state, and the portable terminal 50 is in the G / O state. Further, a connection C5 is established between the MFP 10 and the AP 4 according to the normal Wi-Fi method. In this situation, the user of the mobile terminal 100 performs a connection printing operation on the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 executes SLS and displays a device list. The user selects the MFP 10 from the device list displayed on the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a connection request to the MFP 10. The connection request includes the MAC 100 as a transmission source and the WFDMAC of the MFP 10 as a transmission destination.

  The MFP 10 receives the connection request from the portable terminal 100 (YES in S110 of FIG. 3). In this case, the MFP 10 determines that the state of the NW 1 is a state in which the MFP 10 operates as a CL device and the portable terminal 50 operates as a G / O device (YES in S120). Accordingly, the MFP 10 first transmits a disconnection signal to the AP 4 to disconnect the connection C5 (S122). Next, the MFP 10 switches the Soft AP mode from OFF to ON while maintaining the state where the connection C1 is established (that is, maintaining NW1), and transmits the Soft AP WSI to the mobile terminal 100 (S122). . As a result, a connection C3 according to the normal Wi-Fi system is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 100. As a result, the SoftAP NW (hereinafter referred to as “NW2”) is formed.

  Next, the MFP 10 transmits the WFD WSI of NW 1 to the mobile terminal 100 using NW 2 (that is, using connection C 3). Subsequently, the MFP 10 disconnects the connection C3 and causes the NW2 to disappear. Then, the MFP 10 reestablishes the connection C5 according to the normal Wi-Fi method with the AP 4.

  When the portable terminal 100 receives the NFD WFDWSI from the MFP 10, the portable terminal 100 transmits a connection request to the portable terminal 50. The connection request includes the MAC 100 as a transmission source and the MAC 50 as a transmission destination. Since the mobile terminal 100 has acquired the WFD WSI of the NW 1 from the MFP 10, it can transmit a connection request including the MAC 50 (that is, the BSSID included in the WFD WSI of the NW 1) as a transmission destination.

  Since the mobile terminal 100 has already acquired the NFD WFD WSI from the MFP 10, it is not necessary to acquire the NFD WFD WSI from the mobile terminal 50. That is, the mobile terminal 100 does not need to execute WPS communication. In such a situation, even if the operation according to the WPS PBC method (for example, the WFD connection operation in FIG. 6) is not applied to the mobile terminal 50, the mobile terminals 50 and 100 execute the authentication communication and execute the WFD method. Connection C4 can be established. Thereby, the portable terminal 100 in the CL state participates in the NW1.

  Similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, the MFP 10 receives the print data PD2 from the mobile terminal 100 using the NW1 via the mobile terminal 50 (S140), and executes the printing process according to the print data PD2 (S142). ).

(Effect of this embodiment)
The MFP 10 can execute an appropriate process (S122 in FIG. 3) when the state of the WFDNW to which the MFP 10 belongs is a state in which the MFP 10 operates as a CL device (YES in S120 in FIG. 3). . As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the MFP 10 can appropriately cause the mobile terminal 100 to participate in the NW 1 and can appropriately receive the print data PD 2 from the mobile terminal 100.

  Further, in the case of FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, the user of the mobile terminal 100 needs to select the mobile terminal 50 from the device list displayed on the mobile terminal 100, and further performs a WFD connection operation on the mobile terminal 50. Need to add. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the MFP 10 transmits the WFD WSI of NW 1 to the mobile terminal 100 using the connection C 3. For this reason, the mobile terminal 100 can transmit a connection request to the mobile terminal 50 even if the mobile terminal 50 is not selected from the device list displayed on the mobile terminal 100. In addition, the mobile terminals 50 and 100 can appropriately execute the authentication communication and establish the connection C4 even if the WFD connection operation is not applied to the mobile terminal 50. For this reason, the user of the portable terminal 100 can easily join the portable terminal 100 to the NW1.

  In this embodiment, the MFP 10 transmits the WFD WSI of NW1 to the portable terminal 100 using the connection C3. Instead, the MFP 10 uses the connection C3 to print data from the portable terminal 100. May be adopted (hereinafter referred to as “composition of comparative example”). However, before establishing the connection C3, the MFP 10 must temporarily disconnect the connection C5 established between the MFP 10 and the AP 4 to leave the normal Wi-Fi NW. In this case, the MFP 10 cannot execute wireless communication of target data with other devices via the AP 4. For example, the MFP 10 cannot receive print data from the PC 6 via the AP 4. The print data that can include image data or the like usually has a larger data size than the wireless setting information (for example, WFDWSI of NW1). Therefore, when the configuration of the comparative example is adopted, the communication time using the connection C3 becomes long. For this reason, the period during which the connection C5 is disconnected becomes longer, and as a result, the period during which the MFP 10 cannot execute wireless communication via the AP 4 becomes longer.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration is employed in which the MFP 10 transmits the WFD WSI of NW1 having a relatively small data size to the mobile terminal 100 using the connection C3. Accordingly, the period during which the connection C5 is disconnected is shortened, and as a result, the period during which the MFP 10 cannot execute wireless communication via the AP 4 is shortened. For this reason, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute the wireless communication via the AP 4.

  In this embodiment, in S122 of FIG. 3, the second connection unit 46 establishes a connection according to the Soft AP mode (for example, FIG. 8) regardless of whether the MFP 10 belongs to the normal Wi-Fi NW. Using connection C3), WFDWSI is transmitted to the target portable terminal (for example, portable terminal 100). Instead, in the modification, the second connection unit 46 prevents the period during which wireless communication via the AP 4 cannot be performed from being prolonged when the MFP 10 belongs to the normal Wi-Fi NW. Therefore, similarly to the second embodiment, WFDWSI may be transmitted to the target mobile terminal (for example, the mobile terminal 100) using a connection according to the SoftAP mode (for example, the connection C3 in FIG. 8). On the other hand, when the MFP 10 does not belong to the normal Wi-Fi NW, there is no problem that the period during which wireless communication via the AP 4 cannot be performed becomes long. The print data may be received from the target portable terminal (for example, the portable terminal 100) using (for example, the connection C3 in FIG. 8).

(Correspondence)
The normal Wi-Fi method (that is, Soft AP mode) is an example of the “second wireless communication method”. NW2 is an example of a “second wireless network”. The connection C3 is an example of “third connection”. The WFD WSI transmitted in S122 of FIG. 3 is an example of “participation information”, and the SSID included in the WFD WSI is an example of “identification information”. WFDMAC and normal Wi-FiMAC are examples of “first MAC address” and “second MAC address”, respectively.

(Third embodiment)
As described above, in the second embodiment, in S122 of FIG. 3, the second connection unit 46 establishes a connection according to the normal Wi-Fi Soft AP mode between the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal. Then, WFDWSI currently used by WFDNW (MFP = CL) is transmitted to the target portable terminal. Instead, in the present embodiment, in S122, the second connection unit 46 establishes a connection according to the normal Wi-Fi ad hoc between the MFP 10 and the target portable terminal, and targets the WFD WSI. Send to mobile device.

(Normal Wi-Fi ad hoc)
The ad hoc wireless network is formed by a pair of devices different from the AP. Specifically, one device prepares normal Wi-Fi WSI to be used in an ad hoc wireless network and supplies the normal Wi-Fi WSI to the other device. Thereby, a pair of apparatus can perform authentication communication and can establish the connection according to ad hoc. That is, the pair of devices can belong to the normal Wi-Fi NW without using the normal AP or the Soft AP mode. In this process, the pair of devices does not perform G / O negotiation and does not selectively determine to operate in the G / O state or the CL state. In this respect, the ad hoc of the normal Wi-Fi system is different from the WFD system.

(Processing of S122 in FIG. 3)
In S122, the second connection unit 46 prepares normal Wi-Fi WSI (hereinafter referred to as “ad hoc WSI”) to be used in the ad hoc wireless network. The method for preparing the ad hoc WSI is the same as the method for preparing the WFD WSI. However, the second connection unit 46 prepares the normal Wi-Fi MAC of the MFP 10 as a BSSID. Then, the second connection unit 46 transmits the ad hoc WSI to the target mobile terminal. Thereby, the second connection unit 46 can form an ad hoc normal Wi-Fi NW, and uses an ad hoc normal Wi-Fi NW (that is, using a connection according to the normal Wi-Fi system). ), WFDWSI can be transmitted to the target mobile terminal without going through another device. Other points are the same as in the second embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained. In this embodiment, the normal Wi-Fi system (that is, the ad hoc mode) is an example of the “second wireless communication system”.

  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) “Target data” may be scan data instead of print data. In this modification, for example, in FIG. 5, a connection scan operation is applied to the mobile terminal 100 instead of the connection print operation. Then, the communication unit 43 causes the scan execution unit 18 to execute scanning to generate scan data, and transmits the scan data to the mobile terminal 100 via the mobile terminal 50 using the NW1. The “target data” may be data of a different type (for example, audio data, moving image data, etc.) from the print data and the scan data.

(Modification 2) A “master station” is not limited to a WFD G / O device, but is a device that manages devices belonging to a wireless network (for example, a device that can relay wireless communication between devices belonging to a wireless network) ) As long as it is any device. Further, the “slave station” is not limited to the CL device of the WFD, and may be any device as long as it is managed from the master station of the wireless network.

(Modification 3) The “first wireless communication method” may not be the WFD method, and is a method having a mechanism in which a pair of devices execute wireless communication for determining a master station and a slave station of a wireless network. Any method may be used. Further, the “second wireless communication method” is not limited to the normal Wi-Fi method. For example, in S122 of FIG. 3, the output unit 45 is currently used in WFDNW (MFP = CL) in accordance with an infrared communication method, an NFC (Near Field Communication) method, a BlueTooth (registered trademark) method, or a TransferJet method. WFDWSI may be transmitted to the target mobile terminal. Generally speaking, the “first wireless communication method” and the “second wireless communication method” may be different methods.

(Modification 4) In S22 of FIG. 2 or S122 of FIG. 3, the output unit 45 displays the BSSID of WFDNW (MFP = CL) on the display unit 14 of the MFP 10 without displaying the SSID of WFDNW (MFP = CL). It may be displayed. In this configuration, the user of the target mobile terminal can know the BSSID displayed on the display unit 14 of the MFP 10. The user can select a specific G / O device forming the WFDNW (MFP = CL) by selecting the BSSID from the device list displayed on the target mobile terminal. Generally speaking, the “participation information” may be information for allowing the second external device to participate in the first wireless network.

(Modification 5) The “wireless communication device” is not limited to the MFP 10, and other communication devices (for example, a printer, a scanner, a FAX device, a copier, a telephone, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a server, a mobile phone, PDA terminal or the like). The “first (or second) external device” is not limited to the portable terminal 50 (or 100), but other communication devices (for example, MFP, printer, scanner, FAX device, copier, telephone, desktop PC) Etc.).

(Modification 6) In the above embodiment, each unit 41 to 46 is realized by the CPU 32 of the MFP 10 executing the program (that is, software) in the memory 34. Instead, at least one of the units 41 to 46 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: MFP, 12: operation unit, 14: display unit, 16: print execution unit, 18: scan execution unit, 20: wireless LAN I / F, 30: control unit 32: CPU, 34: memory, 50, 100: portable terminal, C1 to C5: connection

Claims (10)

A wireless communication device,
A first connection unit that establishes a first connection according to a first wireless communication method between a first external device and the wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication method includes a pair When a connection in accordance with the first wireless communication method is established between the devices of the wireless network and a wireless network is to be formed, the pair of devices determines a master station and a slave station of the wireless network. The first connection unit, which is a system having a mechanism for performing wireless communication;
As a result of the establishment of the first connection, in a situation where a first wireless network to which the first external device and the wireless communication device belong is formed, what is the first external device? When a specific instruction for performing wireless communication of target data with a different second external device is given, it is determined whether the first wireless network is in the first state or the second state In the determination unit, the first state is a state in which the wireless communication device operates as the slave station, and the first external device operates as the parent station, and the second state is The determination unit, wherein the wireless communication device operates as the master station and the first external device operates as the slave station;
An output unit that outputs participation information for the second external device to participate in the first wireless network in a first case in which the first wireless network is determined to be in the first state; With
The first connection portion is
In the second case where the first wireless network is determined to be in the second state, the first wireless communication method is followed between the second external device and the wireless communication device. A joining unit that establishes a second connection and joins the second external device to the first wireless network;
(A) In the first case, when the second external device joins the first wireless network as a result of the participation information being output, the first wireless network is used, Perform wireless communication of the target data with the second external device via the first external device, and (B) in the second case, the other device using the first wireless network A communication unit that performs wireless communication of the target data with the second external device without going through
A wireless communication device.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the participation information includes identification information for identifying the first wireless network.   In the first case, the output unit sends the participation information to the second external device according to a second wireless communication method without the mechanism in a state where the first wireless network is maintained. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the participation information is output by transmission. In the first case, the output unit follows the second wireless communication method between the second external device and the wireless communication device in a state where the first wireless network is maintained. A second connection for establishing a third connection,
When the second wireless network to which the second external device and the wireless communication device belong is formed as a result of the establishment of the third connection, the output unit generates the second wireless network. The wireless communication device according to claim 3, wherein the participation information is transmitted to the second external device using a wireless network.   The wireless communication device according to claim 4, wherein the second wireless network is a wireless network in which the wireless communication device operates as an access point according to an access point mode of the second wireless communication method. The first connection unit establishes the first connection and the second connection using a first MAC address assigned to the wireless communication device,
The second connection unit establishes the third connection using a second MAC address assigned to the wireless communication device,
The wireless communication device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first MAC address and the second MAC address are different. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit outputs the participation information by causing the display unit of the wireless communication apparatus to display the participation information in the first case.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the specific instruction is given by a user performing a specific operation on the wireless communication device.   The specific instruction is given by receiving a connection request for establishing a connection according to the first wireless communication method from the second external device. The wireless communication device according to item. A computer program for a wireless communication device,
The computer program stores the following processes in a computer installed in the wireless communication device, that is,
A first connection process for establishing a first connection according to a first wireless communication method between a first external device and the wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication method includes a pair When a connection in accordance with the first wireless communication method is established between the devices of the wireless network and a wireless network is to be formed, the pair of devices determines a master station and a slave station of the wireless network. The first connection process, which is a method having a mechanism for performing wireless communication;
As a result of the establishment of the first connection, in a situation where a first wireless network to which the first external device and the wireless communication device belong is formed, what is the first external device? When a specific instruction for performing wireless communication of target data with a different second external device is given, it is determined whether the first wireless network is in the first state or the second state In the determination process, the first state is a state in which the wireless communication device operates as the slave station, and the first external device operates as the parent station, and the second state is The determination process, wherein the wireless communication device operates as the master station and the first external device operates as the slave station;
An output process for outputting participation information for the second external device to participate in the first wireless network in a first case in which the first wireless network is determined to be in the first state; , Execute
The first connection process includes:
In the second case where the first wireless network is determined to be in the second state, the first wireless communication method is followed between the second external device and the wireless communication device. Establishing a second connection and joining the second external device to the first wireless network;
(A) In the first case, when the second external device joins the first wireless network as a result of the participation information being output, the first wireless network is used, Perform wireless communication of the target data with the second external device via the first external device, and (B) in the second case, the other device using the first wireless network Communication processing for performing wireless communication of the target data with the second external device without going through
Including computer programs.

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