JP6701415B2 - Communication device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, and more particularly to a communication technology capable of short-range wireless communication.

  In recent years, an external device such as a digital camera or a mobile phone is used to identify a communication partner by short-range wireless communication such as NFC. There is known a system in which an image output device outputs an image file held in a digital camera or a mobile phone by wireless communication other than short-range wireless communication.

  Further, as a part of the network function, there is one that has a remote printing function via the Internet and a firmware update function by connecting to the Internet via an access point. Further, even when there is no access point, the host terminal can use the access point function of the image output device to perform peer-to-peer (P2P) connection between them and execute printing and scanning. The mode in which the host terminal performs wireless communication in P2P using the access point included in the image output device is called an AP mode.

  However, when the image output device is in the AP mode, it becomes a P2P connection with the host terminal, the connection to the access point is cut off, and it becomes impossible to connect to the Internet. As a result, the image output device may not be able to use the various functions that require the Internet connection described above.

  Further, even if the host terminal operating in the AP mode cannot connect to the Internet at the P2P connection destination, the host terminal itself may not be able to connect to the Internet. In such a situation, the application in the host terminal cannot access the Internet, and for example, the browser cannot browse the site on the Internet.

  In Patent Document 1, when the first wireless communication device is in data communication via the access point when the second wireless communication device is brought close to the first wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device is the second wireless communication device. It is disclosed that the transition to the P2P connection with the communication device is not performed.

JP, 2011-182449, A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, when the first wireless communication device is not performing data communication with the Internet via an access point, the communication setting of the first wireless communication device is changed to P2P connection. For example, when the first wireless communication device receives a connection request from the second wireless communication device in a situation where the first wireless communication device is not performing data communication with the Internet via the access point, the first wireless communication device shifts to P2P connection. After that, even if the user wants to connect to the Internet using the first wireless communication device during the P2P connection between the first and second wireless communication devices, the P2P connection ends in order to perform the operation intended by the user. Need to wait until. Therefore, the convenience of the user may be reduced.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a communication device,
A target device and a first execution means for executing a first wireless communication;
Broadcast means for broadcasting a predetermined command to a predetermined network in which the communication device is participating,
When the predetermined command is broadcast, it is a response received from the device participating in the predetermined network based on the execution of the broadcast of the predetermined command, and a response corresponding to the identification information of the target device. Determination means for performing a determination process for determining whether or not a predetermined response that is,
When the determination result of the determination process indicates that the predetermined response has not been detected, it is established based on the communication information acquired by the first wireless communication, outside the communication device and in the target device. Using a direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device that is not an external device, which is an external device, executes second wireless communication for transmitting predetermined information to the target device,
When the determination result of the determination process indicates that the predetermined response is detected, the predetermined information is transferred to the predetermined information by using a wireless connection between the communication device and the target device via the external device. Second executing means for executing a third wireless communication to be transmitted to the target device,
The first wireless communication is performed by a short-range wireless communication method different from the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the communication method used for the third wireless communication.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve user convenience by performing wireless communication in consideration of the connection form of the communication partner device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a printing system according to an exemplary embodiment. The figure showing the external appearance of terminal unit 200. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device 200. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 300. The block diagram showing the structure of the NFC unit. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the second embodiment. The figure which shows the example of UI of a terminal device. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the relative arrangement of the constituent elements, the display screen, and the like described in the present embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to them unless otherwise specified.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a print processing system. This system mainly includes an access point 100 and a portable terminal device 200 and a printing device 300 that can be connected to the access point 100. The terminal device 200 that also functions as a communication device includes at least two types of wireless communication units having different communication speeds. The terminal device 200 may be of any type as long as it is a device capable of handling a file to be printed, such as a personal information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, or a digital camera.

  The printing device 300, which also functions as a communication device, has a reading function of placing a document on a platen and reading the document, and a printing function of performing printing using a print engine such as an inkjet printer. You may have the ability.

  The printing apparatus 300 is capable of wireless LAN connection in the infrastructure mode. That is, the printing apparatus 300 that operates in the infrastructure mode can wirelessly communicate with the terminal apparatus 200 via the external access point 100. Further, the printing apparatus 300 has an AP mode, and in the AP mode, both the terminal apparatus 200 and the printing apparatus 300 can also perform P2P communication via a wireless LAN. In the AP mode, as described above, the access point included in the printing device is validated, and the terminal device 200 wirelessly communicates with the printing device by peer-to-peer using the access point of the printing device.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing the outer appearance of the terminal device 200. In this embodiment, a smartphone is taken as an example. A smartphone is a multifunctional mobile phone equipped with a camera, an internet browser, an email function, etc. in addition to the functions of the mobile phone. The NFC (Near Field Communication) unit 201 is a unit that performs near field communication. The user can perform communication by bringing the NFC unit 201 closer to the partner NFC unit (the NFC unit of the printing apparatus 300 in the embodiment) within a predetermined distance (about 10 cm). That is, the terminal device 200 can execute near field communication.

  The wireless LAN unit 202 is a unit for performing communication by wireless LAN and is arranged in the terminal device 200. The display unit 203 is, for example, a display including an LCD type display mechanism. The operation unit 204 includes a touch panel type operation mechanism and detects pressing information of the user. A typical operation method is that the display unit 203 displays a button icon or a software keyboard, and the user presses the operation unit 204 to issue an event in which the button is pressed. The power key 205 is used when turning the power on and off.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing the outer appearance of the printing apparatus. In the present embodiment, a Multi Function Printer (MFP) having a reading function (scanner) is taken as an example. In FIG. 3A, a document table 301 is a glass-like transparent table and is used when a document is placed and read by a scanner. The document cover 302 is a cover for preventing the reading light from leaking to the outside when reading with a scanner. The printing paper insertion opening 303 is an insertion opening for setting paper of various sizes. The sheets set in the printing sheet insertion port 303 are conveyed to the printing unit one by one, printed, and ejected from the printing sheet ejection port 304.

  In FIG. 3B, an operation display unit 305 and an NFC unit 306 are arranged above the document cover 302. The NFC unit 306 is a unit for performing near field communication and is a place where the user brings the terminal device 200 close to the printing device 300. A predetermined distance (about 10 cm) from the NFC unit 306 is the effective contact distance. The wireless LAN antenna 307 is embedded with an antenna for communicating by wireless LAN.

  It should be noted that the short-range wireless communication means wireless communication represented by NFC in which a communication range is a relatively small predetermined range (for example, 1 meter to several centimeters).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device. The terminal device 200 includes a main board 210 that controls the entire device, a wireless LAN unit 202, an NFC unit 201, a line connection unit 206, an operation unit 204, and a display unit 203. Here, the wireless LAN unit 202, the NFC unit 201, and the line connection unit 206 all function as a communication unit of the terminal device 200.

  The microprocessor type CPU 211 arranged on the main board 210 operates according to the control program stored in the ROM type program memory 213 connected through the internal bus 212 and the contents of the RAM type data memory 214. To do.

  The CPU 211 controls the wireless LAN unit 202 via the wireless LAN control circuit 215 to communicate with another communication terminal device via the wireless LAN 102. By controlling the NFC unit 201 via the NFC control circuit 216, the CPU 211 can detect a connection by the NFC 101 to another NFC terminal, and can transmit/receive data to/from another NFC terminal. By controlling the line connection unit 206 via the line control circuit 217, the CPU 211 can connect to the mobile phone line network 105 and perform a call or data transmission/reception.

  The CPU 211 can display on the operation unit 204 by controlling the operation unit control circuit 218 and receive an operation from the user. The CPU 211 can control the camera unit 219 to capture an image, and stores the captured image in the image memory 220 in the data memory 214. In addition to the captured image, it is also possible to store an image acquired from the outside through the mobile phone network 105 and the wireless LAN 102 in the image memory 220, or conversely, send it to the outside.

  The non-volatile memory 221 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and stores data to be retained even after the power is turned off. For example, in addition to the telephone directory data, various communication connection information, device information connected in the past, image data to be saved, or programs such as application software for realizing various functions in the terminal device 200 are stored.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 300 includes a main board 310 that controls the entire apparatus, a line connection unit 322, a wireless LAN unit 308, an NFC unit 306, and an operation display unit 305. Here, the line connection unit 322, the wireless LAN unit 308, and the NFC unit 306 function as a communication unit of the printing apparatus 300.

  The microprocessor type CPU 311 arranged on the main board 310 operates according to the control program stored in the ROM type program memory 313 connected via the internal bus 312 and the contents of the RAM type data memory 314. To do.

  The CPU 311 controls the scanner unit 315 to read a document and stores it in the image memory 316 in the data memory 314. Further, the CPU 311 can control the printing unit 317 to print the image of the image memory 316 in the data memory 314 on the recording medium.

  The CPU 311 controls the wireless LAN unit 308 through the wireless LAN control circuit 318 to communicate with another communication terminal device by the wireless LAN 102. Further, the CPU 311 controls the NFC unit 306 via the NFC control circuit 319 to detect the connection of the NFC 101 to another NFC terminal, and to transmit/receive data to/from another NFC terminal. it can. The CPU 311 can control the line connection unit 322 via the line control circuit 321 to connect to the telephone line network 323 to perform FAX transmission/reception and data transmission/reception.

  By controlling the operation display unit control circuit 320, the CPU 311 can display the state of the printing apparatus 300 and the function selection menu on the operation display unit 305, and can accept an operation from the user.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of the NFC unit 600 used in the NFC unit 201 or the NFC unit 306.

  In NFC communication, when short-range wireless communication is performed by the NFC unit 600, a device that first outputs an RF (Radio Frequency) field and starts communication is called an initiator. A device that responds to a command issued by the initiator and communicates with the initiator is called a target.

  The NFC unit 600 has an NFC controller unit 601, an antenna unit 602, an RF unit 603, a transmission/reception control unit 604, an NFC memory 605, a power supply 606, and a device connection unit 607. The antenna unit 602 receives a radio wave from another NFC device or transmits a radio wave to another NFC device. The RF unit 603 has a function of modulating/demodulating an analog signal into a digital signal. The RF unit 603 includes a synthesizer, identifies the frequencies of the band and the channel, and controls the band and the channel by the frequency allocation data.

  The NFC memory 605 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory and can read and write the data stored in the NFC memory 605 even when the power from the power supply is not supplied. Storage control of data including reading/writing of data from/to the NFC memory 605 is realized by the NFC controller unit 601.

  The transmission/reception control unit 604 controls transmission/reception such as assembling and disassembling a transmission/reception frame, adding and detecting a preamble, and identifying a frame. The transmission/reception control unit 604 also controls the NFC memory 605 to read/write various data and programs. When operating in an active mode that allows bi-directional communication with the device, it receives power from a power source 606. Furthermore, communication is performed with other NFC devices through the device connection unit 607, and communication is performed with other NFC devices within the communicable range by radio waves transmitted and received via the antenna unit 602.

  In the present embodiment, since the terminal device 200 and the printing device need to perform bidirectional communication via NFC, NFC always operates in the active mode.

  Hereinafter, an operation of bringing the NFC unit 201 of the terminal device 200 and the NFC unit 306 of the printing apparatus 300 close to each other is referred to as an “NFC touch operation”.

  In the present embodiment, the user operates the terminal device 200 to select an image to be printed, and then performs an NFC touch operation on the printing device 300 that performs printing, so that the selected image is printed by the printing device 300. I will explain the use case.

  If the printing apparatus 300 is on the same network as the terminal, printing is performed while maintaining the connection state, and if not, P2P connection is performed with the printing apparatus 300 to perform printing.

  This embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a process when the image designated by the terminal device 200 is printed by the printing device 300. Each step of the flowchart related to the terminal device 200 in the present application is realized by the CPU 211 reading and executing a program related to the flowchart.

  The user operates the terminal device 200, selects image data, and performs an NFC touch operation on the printing device 300. FIG. 9 is an example of the UI of the terminal device. For example, the user activates the print application installed in the terminal device to display the selection screen (selection UI) of FIG. 9. A thumbnail image of the image data in the terminal device 200 is displayed on the UI of FIG. 9, and when the user taps the thumbnail of the image to be printed by a touch operation, a check mark indicating selection is displayed on the thumbnail. When an NFC touch operation is performed on the printing apparatus 300 with an image selected, printing processing is started.

  First, in step S1101, the terminal device 200 acquires tag information from the NFC tag of the printing device 300. The tag information includes at least three types of information regarding the network settings of the printing apparatus 300. Specifically, three types of information are (1) the MAC address of the printing apparatus 300, (2) the SSID and password of the printing apparatus 300 in the AP mode, and (3) the current wireless mode of the printing apparatus 300. Note that (3) is either the AP mode or the infrastructure mode. Note that the tag information in the present application is sometimes simply referred to as communication information because it is information related to communication.

  In S1102, the terminal device 200 confirms whether the WiFi setting is valid. When the WiFi setting is valid, it means that the terminal device 200 is in a state where WiFi communication is possible. If the WiFi setting is valid, the process proceeds to S1103, and if the WiFi setting is invalid, the process proceeds to S1110.

  In S1103, the terminal device confirms (3) the current wireless mode of the printing device 300 acquired in S1101, and proceeds to S1112 if the AP mode and proceeds to S1104 if the infrastructure mode. That is, when the terminal device 200 determines that the printing device 300 is operating in the peer-to-peer communication method, the process proceeds to step S1112.

  In step S1104, the terminal device 200 detects the printing device 300 that matches the (1) MAC address of the printing device 300 acquired in step S1101. Specifically, the terminal device broadcasts a device search command to the network in which it participates, and receives a response from each device participating in the network. Then, the terminal device executes the process of S1104 by detecting the response including the MAC address that matches the MAC address acquired in S1101.

  When the printing apparatus 300 can be detected in S1104, the terminal device 200 connects to the printing apparatus 300 detected in S1104 in S1106 by wireless LAN using the wireless LAN unit 202. Specifically, the access point 100 to which the terminal device 200 is connected is determined (maintained) as the connection destination. Then, the terminal device 200 transmits the print job to the printing device 300 via the wireless LAN via the access point 100 in step S1109. Specifically, the terminal device 200 establishes a session with the printing device 300 by issuing a specific command to the printing device 300. Then, the terminal device 200 generates a print job based on the image data selected on the selection screen of FIG. 9, and transmits the print job in S1109. The timing of generating the print job may be before the execution of the flowchart of FIG. 7 or after the connection is established in S1106.

  Upon receiving the print job, the printing apparatus 300 prints an image on paper based on the print job and ends the processing.

  On the other hand, if the printing apparatus 300 is not detected in S1104, the process of the mobile terminal 200 proceeds from S1105 to S1107.

  In step S1107, the terminal device 200 writes an instruction to shift to the AP mode in the NFC tag of the printing device 300. The information written as the transition instruction may be an AP mode transition instruction or information indicating that the printing device corresponding to the MAC address has not been found. Then, when the printing apparatus 300 detects that the instruction to switch to the AP mode is written in the NFC tag, the printing apparatus 300 executes the processing to transfer to the AP mode.

  In step S1108, the terminal device 200 establishes a wireless LAN connection with the printing device 300 that has transitioned to the AP mode in step S1107, using (2) the SSID and password of the access point of the printing device 300 acquired in step S1101. To do. Specifically, the terminal device 200 changes the connection destination of the access point from the access point 100 to the access point of the printing device 300. That is, in S1108, the access point of the printing apparatus 300 is determined as the access point of the connection destination. By this processing, the P2P connection is established between the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300, and the terminal device 200 transmits the print job to the printing device 300 in S1109. The process of the printing apparatus that has received the print job is the same as the above process. If the printing apparatus 300 is already in the AP mode during the NFC touch operation, the process proceeds to S1109 via S1102. The communication mode of the printing apparatus is acquired by the process of S1101.

  If the process proceeds to S1110 in S1102, the terminal device 200 changes the WiFi setting of the terminal device 200 to valid in S1110. Then, in step S1111, the terminal device 200 writes the AP mode transition instruction in the NFC tag of the printing device 300. Then, when the printing apparatus 300 detects that the instruction to switch to the AP mode is written in the NFC tag, the printing apparatus 300 executes the processing to transfer to the AP mode.

  Note that the processing of S1112 is the same as that of S1106, and will be omitted.

  If the process proceeds to S1112 in S1103, the printing apparatus 300 is already in the AP mode. Therefore, the terminal device 200 establishes a connection with the printing device 300 by using (2) the SSID and password of the printing device 300 in the AP mode acquired in step S1101, and sends the print job to the printing device 300 in step S1109. Send. The printing apparatus 300 that has received the print job executes the print processing and ends the processing.

  Note that each step of the flowchart of FIG. 7 may be executed by the print application that provides the screen of FIG.

  When the connection between the printing apparatus 300 and the terminal device is established in the infrastructure mode by the series of processes shown in the above flowchart, the connection state is maintained and printing is performed. On the other hand, when the connection between the printing apparatus 300 and the terminal device is not in the infrastructure mode, the mobile terminal 200 instructs the printing apparatus 300 to shift to the AP mode and performs printing.

  As a result, since the connection in the infrastructure mode is maintained as much as possible, the connection of the printing device 300 and the terminal device 200 to the Internet can be maintained as much as possible.

  The WiFi setting of the terminal device 200 is a WiFi setting item in the system setting menu of the terminal device 200, and the user can easily enable/disable the setting. Here, a user who does not own the access point 100 does not need to establish a WiFi connection between the access point 100 and the terminal device 200. Therefore, it is highly possible that the WiFi setting of the terminal device 200 is disabled in order to suppress battery consumption of the terminal due to unnecessary functions. Even in such a case, in S1102, the terminal device 200 confirms the WiFi setting, and if the WiFi setting is invalid, the WiFi setting is validated and the wireless connection in the AP mode with the printing apparatus 300 is established. Printing in AP mode can be performed.

  Further, in step S1103, when the mobile terminal 200 confirms the wireless mode of the printing apparatus 300 and it is determined that the printing apparatus 300 is already operating in the AP mode, the mobile terminal 200 is expected to detect the printing apparatus 300. No detection processing is performed. Through the above processing, the connection between the printing device 300 and the terminal device 200 can be efficiently established.

  As described above, the WiFi setting validity confirmation process of the terminal device 200 in S1102 and the wireless mode confirmation process of the printing device 300 in S1103 are not indispensable processes of the present invention, and are not required by the user, such as speedup of the process. This is a process for improving the convenience of the. Therefore, even if S1102, S1103, or both steps are not present, it is possible to achieve the object of the present invention to maintain the connection in the infrastructure mode as much as possible.

  Here, the flow of processing of the present embodiment will be described using the screen displayed on the mobile terminal 200.

  The screen of FIG. 9A is displayed when the print application is activated in the terminal device 200. Here, when the user selects photo printing, the printing application displays a list of images held in the terminal device 200 as shown in FIG. 9B. On the other hand, when the document print is selected, a list of documents stored in the terminal device 200 is displayed.

  When the user performs the NFC touch operation on the printing apparatus 300 with the terminal device 200 in the state where the user selects the image to be printed in FIG. 9B, the print application displays the screen of FIG. 9C. Note that the processing of FIG. 7 of the present application described above is executed by performing the NFC touch operation.

  Further, when the user presses the print button in the state in which the image to be printed is selected in FIG. 9B, FIG. 9D is displayed. When the user performs the NFC touch operation of the terminal device 200 on the printing device 300 in the state where FIG. 9D is displayed, printing is executed with the print setting information displayed in FIG. 9D. ..

  The user can register the printing device in the printing application. Then, when the user performs the NFC touch operation on the printing apparatus 300 different from the registered printing apparatus while the screen of FIG. 9D is displayed, FIG. 9E is displayed. At this time, the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 are wirelessly connected by the process of FIG. 7. Then, the terminal device 200 acquires the function information of the printing device 300 (for example, the size of the paper and the paper type that can be handled by the printing device 300) via the wireless connection, and the acquired result is displayed on the screen of FIG. Reflect on. That is, the options displayed by the user pressing the paper size and the paper type are determined based on the function information of the printing apparatus 300 acquired through the wireless connection. When the user sets the print setting information on the screen of FIG. 9E and then presses the print button, the print job is transmitted via a wireless connection to the printing apparatus 300 on which the user has performed the NFC touch operation. .

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, when the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 do not exist on the same network, the mobile terminal 200 instructs the printing device 300 to shift to the AP mode. However, if the printing apparatus 300 can reconnect to the same access point as the terminal apparatus 200, the printing apparatus 300 may reconnect.

  Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of each device in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. This will be described below with reference to FIG.

  In step S1201, the terminal device 200 acquires the tag information from the NFC tag of the printing device 300. The tag information includes four types of information regarding the network settings of the printing apparatus 300. Specifically, in addition to (1) to (3) described above, (4) the connection history of the SSID corresponding to the access point of the printing apparatus 300 is included. Regarding the connection history of (4), the password corresponding to the SSID is also separately stored in the printing apparatus 300, not in the tag.

  Since S1202 is the same as S1104 and S1203 is the same as S1105, detailed description will be omitted. If the printing apparatus 300 is not detected in S1203, the process proceeds from S1203 to S1206.

  In step S1206, the SSID of the access point to which the terminal device 200 is currently connected is compared with the connection history of the SSID of the access point (4) acquired in step S1201 to confirm whether there is a match. If there is no match, the process proceeds to S1207, and if there is a match, the process proceeds to S1209.

  Since the processes of S1207 to S1208 and S1205 are the same as the processes of S1107 to S1108 and S1109, detailed description thereof will be omitted. If YES is determined in S1206, the terminal device 200 writes the SSID matched in S1206 and the connection instruction to the access point in the NFC tag of the printing device 300 in S1209. When the printing apparatus 300 detects that the connection instruction to the access point has been written in the NFC tag, the printing apparatus 300 uses the SSID designated by the terminal apparatus 200 and the corresponding password stored together with the access point history. And reconnect to the access point. As a result, the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 are connected to the same access point and are connected to the same network.

  In S1210, the terminal device 200 broadcasts in the network, detects (1) the printing device 300 that matches the MAC address of the printing device 300 acquired in S1201, and establishes a wireless connection with the detected printing device 300. The specific process of S1210 is the same as S1106. Then, the terminal device 200 transmits the print job to the printing device 300 via the wireless connection established in S1205. The printing apparatus 300 that has received the print job executes the print processing and ends the processing.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the terminal device 200 can use the access point connection history held by the printing device 300 to connect to the printing device 300 via the access point. As a result, both the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 can maintain the state of being connectable to the Internet with a higher probability.

  In the description of the present exemplary embodiment, the example in which the connection history of the access points of the printing apparatus 300 is held is shown. On the contrary, the terminal apparatus 200 holds the connection history (SSID) of its own access point. Good. In this case, in step S1201, the terminal device 200 acquires (4) the SSID of the access point to which the printing device 300 is currently connected, rather than the connection history of the SSID corresponding to the access point of the printing device 300. Then, in step S1206, the terminal device 200 compares the SSID of the connection history of the terminal device 200 with the SSID of the access point to which the printing device 300 acquired in step S1201 is connected. Then, when the matching SSID is included in the connection history, the terminal device 200 may reset the connection destination to the access point of the SSID.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, an example of application to the printing apparatus 300 is shown, but the present invention can also be applied to a digital camera having a WiFi connection and a P2P connection function, like the printing apparatus. Specifically, if you want the terminal device to function as a remote control for a digital camera, you can also perform operations such as releasing the shutter of the digital camera connected from the terminal device while maintaining the Internet connection between the terminal device and the digital camera as much as possible. Becomes

  Also, when the terminal device is made to function as a remote controller for a device such as a network audio player or a video recorder, the remote control function can be realized while maintaining the Internet connection of each device as much as possible.

  Therefore, the application range of the present invention is not limited to the printing apparatus.

  Further, in the embodiment, the example of the AP mode is presented as an example of the P2P connection between the terminal devices. However, even in other P2P connection methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) connection and Wi-FiDirect connection, if the connection method is in a situation in which the connection to the Internet of one or both of the terminal or the device is obstructed, The invention may be applied. As a result, it is possible to obtain the effect of maintaining the Internet connection of each device as much as possible.

  Further, although the example of the AP mode is presented as an example of the P2P connection between the terminal device and the device, the printing device 300 does not need to function as the AP during the P2P connection. Specifically, in a P2P connection by Wi-FiDirect, one operates as a host and the other operates as an AP, but according to the standard, which becomes the AP changes depending on the situation. In the present invention, as long as P2P connection is possible, the object of the present invention can be achieved regardless of which of the terminal and the printing device is the AP. Therefore, the printing device need not be limited to function as the AP. When the P2P connection is executed by Wi-FiDirect after the processing of the present application, the negotiation is executed between the terminal device and the printing device, and which one operates as the AP is determined.

  Further, although NFC is used as an example of the short-range wireless communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used instead of NFC.

  In the present application, the process in which the terminal device 200 searches for the printing device 300 using the MAC address acquired from the printing device 300 has been described. However, as another method, the terminal device 200 acquires the IP address and the MAC address using NFC and searches for the printing device 300 using the IP address. If the terminal device 200 cannot search for the printing device 300 using the IP address, the terminal device 200 may search again using the MAC address. This processing enables efficient search processing.

  Further, device information such as the model name and type of the printing apparatus 300 may be notified to the terminal apparatus 200 by NFC. When the device information of the printing device that can be used by the printing application of the terminal device 200 does not match the device information acquired by the NFC touch operation (for example, when the model names do not match), the printing application displays an error screen. Then, a message indicating that the printing process cannot be continued is displayed on the error screen. The error screen may display a message indicating a printing device that can be used by the print application, a message recommending the use of another print application, or the like.

  Besides, the function information of the printing apparatus 300 may be notified to the terminal apparatus 200 by NFC. When the function selected on the screen of FIG. 9A provided by the print application of the terminal device 200 is not included in the function information acquired by the NFC touch operation, the print application displays an error screen. Then, a message indicating that the process cannot be continued may be displayed on the error screen. Specifically, when the FAX is selected in FIG. 9A and the scan function is not included in the function information acquired from the printing apparatus 300 by the NFC touch operation, the print application stops the FAX process. Display the error screen.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when the WiFi setting of the terminal device 200 is valid and the printing device 300 is not WiFi-connected, the process proceeds from step S1101 to step S1105 to step S1107. At this time, in step S1107, the terminal device 200 writes the instruction to shift to the AP mode in the NFC tag of the printing device 300 to shift the printing device 300 to the AP mode. Therefore, the user must keep the terminal away from the printing apparatus until the processing of S1101 to S1107 is completed. Specifically, the distance between the terminal device and the printing device should not be the distance at which NFC communication cannot be performed.

  However, before the process of the terminal device 200 completes the process of S1107, the terminal device touched by the user may be displaced or may be separated from the printing device. As a result, there is a possibility that NFC communication cannot be performed in S1107 and the instruction to shift to the AP mode fails, resulting in a connection error in the communication between the terminal device and the printing device. When a connection error occurs in S1107, the user performs a touch operation again, and the flow from S1101 to S1107 is executed again. At this time, if the same processing is simply repeated, the user may move the terminal device away from the printer or shift the terminal device again, which may cause a connection error again.

  Therefore, when a connection error occurs in S1107, a process for reducing the possibility of a connection error occurring may be executed.

  Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of each device in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. This will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, before explaining the processing of FIG. 10, as a result of the user performing an NFC touch operation on the printing apparatus 300 and attempting to connect to the printing apparatus 300, the user sets the printing apparatus 300 to the printing apparatus 300 before the processing of S1107 is completed. Imagine a scene that has been separated from. In this scene, the printing apparatus 300 has not properly received the instruction to shift to the AP mode, and thus the printing apparatus 300 is in a state where it has not shifted to the AP mode. As a result, the terminal device 200 cannot connect to the printing device 300. At this time, the terminal device 200 holds the connection error information in the non-volatile memory 221 in the terminal device 200. This connection error information is updated at the end of the process of S1307, which will be described later, and if a connection error with respect to the printing apparatus 300 occurs in the process of S1307, the connection value is printed together with the setting value indicating that the connection error has occurred. The MAC address of the device 300 is stored. On the other hand, if the connection error does not occur in S1307, the setting value indicating that there is no connection error is stored. Further, if the process of S1307 has not been performed even once, the setting value when the connection error does not occur is stored as the initial value.

  Next, the flow of processing using this error information will be described.

  In step S1301, the terminal device 200 acquires the tag information from the NFC tag of the printing device 300. The tag information includes the same three types of information regarding the network settings of the printing apparatus 300 as in the first embodiment.

  Since S1302 and S1309 are the same as S1103 and S1112, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  When it is determined in S1302 that the printing apparatus 300 is not in the AP mode, the process proceeds to S1303.

  In step S1303, the terminal device 200 acquires the connection error information stored in the terminal device 200. Then, it is determined whether the connection error information is a set value indicating that an error has occurred, and the MAC address of the printing apparatus 300 acquired in S1301 matches the MAC address of the printing apparatus 300 included in the error information. To do. When it is determined Yes in S1303, the terminal device 200 skips S1304 to S1305 and proceeds to S1307.

  On the other hand, if No in S1303, the process proceeds to S1304. Since S1304 to S1306 are the same as S1104 to S1106, detailed description will be omitted.

  In S1307, the same processing as in S1107 is performed, and finally the connection error information is updated.

  Since S1310 is the same process as S1109, detailed description will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the connection error caused by the NFC touch has occurred last time, it is possible to skip the printing device specifying process (the process of S1305, which is also referred to as a determination process) that takes a relatively long processing time. .. As a result, it becomes possible to shorten the time for instructing the transition to the AP mode when touching again. As a result, even if the user leaves the terminal device 200 from the printing device 300 immediately after performing a touch operation, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a connection error occurring again.

  Further, when a connection error occurs, the user is likely to immediately perform a retouching operation, and thus the connection error information may include the occurrence time at the time of the error occurrence. Specifically, in the determination of S1303, the current time is compared with the difference between the error occurrence times included in the connection error information. Then, if the difference between the previous error occurrence time and the current time is within a predetermined time (for example, within 10 seconds) and the MAC addresses match, the process may proceed to S1307.

  Further, the current connection state of the printing device 300 may be used as the determination condition. Specifically, the tag information acquired in S1301 includes information on whether or not the printing apparatus 300 is connected in the infrastructure mode, and this information is stored as connection error information when an error occurs. Then, in the determination of S1303, when the connection error occurred last time in S1307 and the state of the infrastructure connection mode of the printing apparatus 300 acquired in S1301 matches the state of the infrastructure connection mode included in the connection error information, You may make it advance to S1307.

  Further, in S1303, the condition for determining whether to skip the process of identifying the printing device and proceed to S1307 may be a single unit such as a MAC address, an elapsed time, a change in the connection state of the printing device, or a combination thereof. Absent. Also, the determination condition itself may be any as long as it can be determined that the state of the printing apparatus 300 may be changed, such as the change of the IP address of the printing apparatus 300 or the SSID in the AP mode.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed. Moreover, the computer that executes the program may be one, or a plurality of computers may cooperate to execute the program. Further, hardware such as a circuit that executes a part of the program may be provided, and the hardware and a computer that executes software may cooperate to execute the processing described in the present embodiment.

100 network 200 terminal device 201 NFC unit 202 wireless LAN unit

Claims (48)

A communication device,
A target device and a first execution means for executing a first wireless communication;
Broadcast means for broadcasting a predetermined command to a predetermined network in which the communication device is participating,
When the predetermined command is broadcast, it is a response received from the device participating in the predetermined network based on the execution of the broadcast of the predetermined command, and a response corresponding to the identification information of the target device. Determination means for performing a determination process for determining whether or not a predetermined response that is,
When the determination result of the determination process indicates that the predetermined response has not been detected, it is established based on the communication information acquired by the first wireless communication, outside the communication device and in the target device. Using a direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device that is not an external device, which is an external device, executes second wireless communication for transmitting predetermined information to the target device,
When the determination result of the determination process indicates that the predetermined response is detected, the predetermined information is transferred to the predetermined information by using a wireless connection between the communication device and the target device via the external device. Second executing means for executing a third wireless communication to be transmitted to the target device,
A communication device, wherein the first wireless communication is executed by a short-range wireless communication method different from a communication method used for the second wireless communication and a communication method used for the third wireless communication.   The direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device not via the external device is a direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device using an access point of the target device. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is provided.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the short-range wireless communication system used for the first wireless communication is Near Field Communication (NFC).   The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the short-range wireless communication method used for the first wireless communication is Bluetooth.   The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system used for the second wireless communication and the communication system used for the third wireless communication are wireless LANs.   The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the communication method used for the second wireless communication is Wi-Fi Direct.   The short-distance wireless communication method used for the first wireless communication has a communication speed different from that of the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the communication method used for the third wireless communication. The communication device according to any one of 1 to 6.   The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the identification information of the target device is received from the target device by the short-range wireless communication method.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the identification information of the target device includes a MAC address.   The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the communication information includes at least one of an SSID and a password. Confirmation means for confirming whether or not the setting of the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the third wireless communication is valid;
The communication according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: a processing unit that executes a process for validating the setting when it is confirmed that the setting is not valid. apparatus. A direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device, in which the target device does not go through the external device, based on communication by the short-range wireless communication method between the communication device and the target device. To newly start the operation as a predetermined mode for executing
12. The second wireless communication is communication using a connection between the target device operating in the predetermined mode and the communication device, according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The communication device described.   The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined mode is a mode in which the target device operates as an access point.   The communication device according to claim 13, wherein in the first wireless communication, information for operating the target device in the predetermined mode is transmitted to the target device.   A response including information matching the identification information of the target device acquired by the first wireless communication from the response received from the device participating in the predetermined network based on the execution of the broadcast of the predetermined command. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the predetermined response is detected when is detected. The target device is a printing device that executes printing,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information is a print job for causing the target device to execute printing. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising:
A first execution step of executing first wireless communication with the target device;
A broadcast step of broadcasting a predetermined command to a predetermined network in which the communication device is participating,
When the predetermined command is broadcast, it is a response received from the device participating in the predetermined network based on the execution of the broadcast of the predetermined command, and a response corresponding to the identification information of the target device. A determination step for performing a determination process for determining whether or not a predetermined response that is
When the determination result of the determination process indicates that the predetermined response has not been detected, it is established based on the communication information acquired by the first wireless communication, outside the communication device and in the target device. Using a direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device that is not an external device, which is an external device, executes second wireless communication for transmitting predetermined information to the target device,
When the determination result of the determination process indicates that the predetermined response is detected, the predetermined information is transferred to the predetermined information by using a wireless connection between the communication device and the target device via the external device. A second execution step of executing a third wireless communication to be transmitted to the target device,
The control method, wherein the first wireless communication is executed by a short-range wireless communication method different from a communication method used for the second wireless communication and a communication method used for the third wireless communication.   The direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device not via the external device is a direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device using an access point of the target device. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the control method is provided.   The control method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the short-range wireless communication method used for the first wireless communication is Near Field Communication (NFC).   The control method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the short-range wireless communication method used for the first wireless communication is Bluetooth.   21. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the communication system used for the second wireless communication and the communication system used for the third wireless communication are wireless LANs.   22. The control method according to claim 21, wherein the communication method used for the second wireless communication is Wi-Fi Direct.   The short-distance wireless communication method used for the first wireless communication has a communication speed different from that of the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the communication method used for the third wireless communication. 23. The control method according to any one of 17 to 22.   The control method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the identification information of the target device is received from the target device by the short-range wireless communication method.   The control method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the identification information of the target device includes a MAC address.   The control method according to claim 17, wherein the communication information includes at least one of an SSID and a password. A confirmation step of confirming whether or not the setting of the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the third wireless communication is valid;
27. The control according to any one of claims 17 to 26, further comprising a processing step of executing a process for validating the setting when it is confirmed that the setting is not valid. Method. A direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device, in which the target device does not go through the external device, based on communication by the short-range wireless communication method between the communication device and the target device. To newly start the operation as a predetermined mode for executing
The second wireless communication is a communication using a connection between the target device operating in the predetermined mode and the communication device. The described control method.   29. The control method according to claim 28, wherein the predetermined mode is a mode in which the target device operates as an access point.   30. The control method according to claim 29, wherein in the first wireless communication, information for operating the target device in the predetermined mode is transmitted to the target device.   A response including information matching the identification information of the target device acquired by the first wireless communication from the response received from the device participating in the predetermined network based on the execution of the broadcast of the predetermined command. 31. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined response is detected when is detected. The target device is a printing device that executes printing,
The control method according to any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein the predetermined information is a print job for causing the target device to execute printing. In the computer of the communication device,
A first execution step of executing first wireless communication with the target device;
A broadcast step of broadcasting a predetermined command to a predetermined network in which the communication device is participating,
When the predetermined command is broadcast, it is a response received from the device participating in the predetermined network based on the execution of the broadcast of the predetermined command, and a response corresponding to the identification information of the target device. A determination step for performing a determination process for determining whether or not a predetermined response that is
When the determination result of the determination process indicates that the predetermined response has not been detected, it is established based on the communication information acquired by the first wireless communication, outside the communication device and in the target device. Using a direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device that is not an external device, which is an external device, executes second wireless communication for transmitting predetermined information to the target device,
When the determination result of the determination process indicates that the predetermined response is detected, the predetermined information is transferred to the predetermined information by using a wireless connection between the communication device and the target device via the external device. A second execution step of executing a third wireless communication to be transmitted to the target device,
A program characterized in that the first wireless communication is executed by a short-range wireless communication method different from the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the communication method used for the third wireless communication.   The direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device not via the external device is a direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device using an access point of the target device. 34. The program according to claim 33, wherein the program is present.   The program according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the short-range wireless communication method used for the first wireless communication is Near Field Communication (NFC).   The program according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the short-range wireless communication method used for the first wireless communication is Bluetooth.   37. The program according to claim 33, wherein the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the communication method used for the third wireless communication are wireless LANs.   38. The program according to claim 37, wherein the communication method used for the second wireless communication is Wi-Fi Direct.   The short-distance wireless communication method used for the first wireless communication has a communication speed different from that of the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the communication method used for the third wireless communication. The program according to any one of 33 to 38.   The program according to any one of claims 33 to 39, wherein the identification information of the target device is received from the target device by the short-range wireless communication system.   41. The program according to claim 33, wherein the identification information of the target device includes a MAC address.   The program according to any one of claims 33 to 41, wherein the communication information includes at least one of an SSID and a password. A confirmation step of confirming whether or not the setting of the communication method used for the second wireless communication and the third wireless communication is valid;
The processing step of executing processing for validating the setting when it is confirmed that the setting is not valid, further performing the processing step. program. A direct wireless connection between the communication device and the target device, in which the target device does not go through the external device, based on communication by the short-range wireless communication method between the communication device and the target device. To newly start the operation as a predetermined mode for executing
44. The any one of claims 33 to 43, wherein the second wireless communication is communication using a connection between the target device operating in the predetermined mode and the communication device. The listed program.   The program according to claim 44, wherein the predetermined mode is a mode in which the target device operates as an access point.   The program according to claim 45, wherein in the first wireless communication, information for operating the target device in the predetermined mode is transmitted to the target device.   A response including information matching the identification information of the target device acquired by the first wireless communication from the response received from the device participating in the predetermined network based on the execution of the broadcast of the predetermined command. 47. The program according to claim 33, wherein the predetermined response is detected when is detected. The target device is a printing device that executes printing,
The program according to any one of claims 33 to 47, wherein the predetermined information is a print job for causing the target device to execute printing.

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