JP6825215B2 - Electronic devices, terminals, wireless communication systems, and processing control methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electronic devices, terminals, wireless communication systems, and processing control methods.

In recent years, some terminals such as smartphones perform wireless communication using a wireless LAN in addition to wireless communication using a mobile phone communication network. In addition, some electronic devices such as printers in recent years communicate wirelessly using a wireless LAN. For example, the terminal can wirelessly connect to the printer via a wireless LAN and transmit print data to the printer to execute printing.

In Patent Document 1, a wireless link is established when a print instruction is issued, and when the establishment of the wireless link is completed, print data is sent to the wireless printer, and when it is confirmed that the transfer of necessary data related to printing is completed. , The wireless link is disconnected and the application is terminated.

JP-A-2004-179872

However, for example, when an error in the printing process occurs after the wireless link is disconnected, the printer cannot notify the terminal of the error because the wireless link has already been disconnected. Therefore, the user who is away from the printer cannot know the error.

An object of the present invention is to reliably notify an event such as an error after disconnecting the wireless connection.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is an electronic device, which is a communication control unit that establishes a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a terminal and a wireless communication unit that establishes a wireless connection with the terminal via the wireless communication unit. And a processing unit that executes processing according to a processing request received from the terminal through the established wireless connection, and the communication control unit identifies the terminal from the terminal that has established the wireless connection. When receiving and storing the terminal identification information and performing wireless communication with the terminal after the wireless connection with the terminal is disconnected, the wireless connection with the terminal is reestablished using the terminal identification information. As a result, the electronic device can reliably notify the terminal of the occurrence of the event even after the wireless connection is disconnected when the processing request from the terminal is completed.

In the above electronic device, the communication control unit transmits a search request in which the terminal identification information is set to the terminal, and then transmits a connection request to the terminal when receiving a search response in response to the search request. Then, when the connection permission for the connection request is granted at the terminal, the wireless connection with the terminal may be reestablished. As a result, the electronic device can be connected to the terminal on the initiative from the electronic device side. Also, the electronic device can reestablish the wireless connection only when the terminal requires it.

In the above electronic device, when a predetermined event occurs in the processing unit after the wireless connection with the terminal is disconnected, the communication control unit uses the terminal identification information to make a wireless connection with the terminal. Reestablished, the processing unit may transmit information about the event to the terminal through the reestablished wireless connection. As a result, the electronic device can notify the terminal of the information of the event when the event occurs.

In the above electronic device, when the processing error occurs in the processing unit, the communication control unit reestablishes a wireless connection with the terminal using the terminal identification information, and the processing unit uses the terminal identification information to reestablish the wireless connection. Information about the error may be transmitted to the terminal through the reestablished wireless connection. As a result, when an error occurs, the electronic device can notify the terminal of the error information.

In the above electronic device, the communication control unit reestablishes a wireless connection with the terminal using the terminal identification information when the processing is normally completed in the processing unit, and the processing unit reestablishes the wireless connection with the terminal. Information indicating normal termination may be transmitted to the terminal through the established wireless connection. As a result, the electronic device can notify the terminal when the processing is normally completed.

In the above electronic device, the communication control unit may disconnect the reestablished wireless connection when the terminal confirms the information regarding the event. As a result, the electronic device can disconnect the wireless connection at the timing required by the terminal.

In the above electronic device, the wireless communication unit can wirelessly communicate with a plurality of the terminals, and the processing unit receives the processing request from each terminal and sequentially executes processing according to each processing request. It is possible, the communication control unit controls the establishment, disconnection, and re-establishment of a wireless connection with each terminal, and the communication control unit controls the processing corresponding to the processing request from the first terminal. When an error occurs and the processing request of the second terminal is not executed, the wireless connection with the first terminal is reestablished by using the terminal identification information of the first terminal, and the wireless connection with the first terminal is reestablished. The wireless connection with the second terminal is reestablished by using the terminal identification information of the second terminal, and the processing unit transmits information about the error to the first terminal through each of the reestablished wireless connections. And the second terminal may be notified. As a result, the electronic device can reliably notify the occurrence of the event even to the terminal for which the printing process has not been executed.

Another aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a terminal, which is a communication control unit that establishes a wireless connection with an electronic device via the wireless communication unit, and the electronic device through the established wireless connection. It has a processing request unit that transmits a processing request to the device, and the communication control unit transmits terminal identification information that identifies the terminal to the electronic device that has established the wireless connection, and wirelessly communicates with the electronic device. When a connection request including the terminal identification information is received from the electronic device after disconnecting the connection, the wireless connection with the electronic device is reestablished. As a result, the terminal can reliably receive the occurrence of the event from the electronic device even after the wireless connection is disconnected when the processing request is completed.

In the above terminal, when the communication control unit receives a search request set with the terminal identification information from the electronic device, the communication control unit may reestablish a wireless connection with the electronic device in response to the connection request. .. As a result, the terminal can accept a leading wireless connection from the electronic device side.

In the above terminal, when the connection request is received, the processing request unit receives an instruction from the user as to whether or not to allow wireless connection with the electronic device, and the communication control unit receives the permission. If so, the wireless connection with the electronic device may be reestablished. This allows the terminal to reestablish the wireless connection only when the user needs it.

In the terminal, after the wireless connection with the electronic device is reestablished, the processing requesting unit receives information about an event occurring in the electronic device through the reestablished wireless connection, and relates to the event. The information corresponding to the information may be output, the confirmation of the information regarding the event may be accepted from the user, and when the confirmation is accepted, the reestablished wireless connection with the electronic device may be disconnected. As a result, the terminal can disconnect the wireless connection at the timing required by the user.

Yet another aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a wireless communication system including an electronic device and a terminal, wherein the electronic device includes a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the terminal and the terminal. The terminal has a communication control unit that establishes a wireless connection via the wireless communication unit, and a processing unit that executes processing according to a processing request received from the terminal through the established wireless connection. A wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the electronic device, a communication control unit that establishes a wireless connection with the electronic device via the wireless communication unit, and the processing request are transmitted to the electronic device through the established wireless connection. It has a processing request unit. The communication control unit of the electronic device receives and stores the terminal identification information that identifies the terminal from the terminal that has established the wireless connection, and wirelessly communicates with the terminal after the wireless connection with the terminal is disconnected. When the above is performed, the wireless connection with the terminal is reestablished using the terminal identification information, and the communication control unit of the terminal transmits the terminal identification information to the electronic device having established the wireless connection, and the electronic device is used. When a connection request including the terminal identification information is received from the electronic device after disconnecting the wireless connection with the device, the wireless connection with the electronic device is reestablished. As a result, the wireless communication system can reliably notify the terminal of the occurrence of an event even after the wireless connection is disconnected when the processing request from the terminal to the electronic device is completed.

Yet another aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a processing control method for an electronic device that wirelessly communicates with a terminal, through a step of establishing a wireless connection with the terminal and the established wireless connection. A step of receiving and storing terminal identification information for identifying the terminal from the terminal, a step of disconnecting the wireless connection with the terminal after receiving a processing request from the terminal through the established wireless connection, and the terminal identification. It includes a step of reestablishing a wireless connection with the terminal using the information. As a result, the electronic device can reliably notify the terminal of the occurrence of the event even after the wireless connection is disconnected when the processing request from the terminal is completed.

Yet another aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a processing control method for a terminal that wirelessly communicates with an electronic device, wherein the step of establishing a wireless connection with the electronic device and the established wireless connection A step of transmitting terminal identification information for identifying the terminal to the electronic device through the electronic device, a step of transmitting a processing request to the electronic device through the established wireless connection, and then disconnecting the wireless connection with the electronic device, and the electronic device. It includes a step of reestablishing a wireless connection with the electronic device when a connection request including the terminal identification information is received from the device. As a result, the terminal can reliably receive the occurrence of the event from the electronic device even after the wireless connection is disconnected when the processing request is completed.

Yet another aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a processing control method of a wireless communication system including an electronic device and a terminal, wherein the terminal establishes a wireless connection with the electronic device. A step in which the terminal transmits terminal identification information for identifying the terminal to the electronic device through the established wireless connection, and a step in which the electronic device receives and stores the terminal identification information through the established wireless connection. , The step of disconnecting the wireless connection with the electronic device after the terminal transmits the processing request to the electronic device through the established wireless connection, and the electronic device transmits the connection request including the terminal identification information to the terminal. This includes a step of reestablishing a wireless connection with the electronic device when the terminal receives the connection request. As a result, the wireless communication system can reliably notify the terminal of the occurrence of an event even after the wireless connection is disconnected when the processing request from the terminal to the electronic device is completed.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the wireless communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the processing of a wireless communication system. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the details of the process of reestablishing a wireless connection. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen for permitting the re-establishment of a wireless connection. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen for confirming the content of an error.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment relates to a printer which is an example of an electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system 1 includes one or more terminals 10 and one printer 20. The terminal 10 is, for example, a device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a mobile PC (Personal Computer). The terminal 10 and the printer 20 can be wirelessly connected and communicate with each other by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

The wireless LAN between the terminal 10 and the printer 20 uses the soft AP mode among the following Wi-Fi standard connection forms. Wi-Fi Direct mode may be used.
Infrastructure mode: Wi-Fi connection in which the printer 20 communicates with an external device via AP (Access Point) Wi-Fi Direct mode: Direct connection in which the printer 20 communicates with one external device in a peer-to-peer manner Soft AP mode: Printer Direct connection in which the printer 20 and one or more terminals 10 each communicate in a peer-to-peer manner via the AP provided in the 20.

For example, the terminal 10 establishes a wireless connection with the printer 20 and transmits a processing request such as a print instruction to the printer 20. When the transfer of print data to the printer 20 is completed, the wireless connection is disconnected. When the printer 20 detects an error (including the "event" of the present invention) during the printing process, the printer 20 establishes a wireless connection with the terminal 10 and transmits information about the error to the terminal 10. The processing of the wireless communication system 1 will be described in detail later.

In recent years, some general mobile terminals cannot use both a wireless connection to a mobile phone communication network (for example, 3G, 4G, etc.) and a direct connection to a wireless LAN device at the same time. When the mobile terminal is using the wireless connection to the mobile phone communication network and starts using the direct connection, the mobile terminal disconnects the wireless connection to the mobile phone communication network and establishes the direct connection. After using the direct connection (for example, transmitting print data), switch to the wireless connection with the mobile phone communication network. Therefore, an external device such as a printer cannot notify the mobile terminal of information after the direct connection is disconnected. The terminal 10 of the present embodiment may or may not be used by switching between a wireless connection with a mobile phone communication network and a direct connection with an external device.

The terminal 10 has a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a mobile communication unit 13, and a wireless communication unit 14. The control unit 11 has a processing request unit 111 and a communication control unit 112.

The control unit 11 controls the operation of the terminal 10 in an integrated manner. The control unit 11 includes, for example, a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the control unit 11. It can be realized by a computer equipped with an interface circuit for connecting other units, a bus for connecting these to each other, and the like. The control unit 11 may include various processing circuits such as an image processing circuit. The control unit 11 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like.

At least a part of the functions of the control unit 11 (including the processing request unit 111 and the communication control unit 112) is, for example, by the CPU reading one or more programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing them. It can be realized. Each program can be read from a portable storage medium and installed on the terminal 10, or downloaded from a server on the network and installed on the terminal 10. At least a part of the function of the control unit 11 may be realized by a processing circuit such as an image processing circuit. At least a part of the function of the control unit 11 may be realized by both the CPU and the processing circuit, for example.

The operation unit 12 includes an input unit, receives a user's operation input, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 11. Further, the operation unit 12 includes an output unit and displays the processing result of the control unit 11 as characters, graphs, tables, animations, and other images. The operation unit 12 may output the processing result of the control unit 11 by voice. The operation unit 12 can be realized by, for example, an input device including a key, a touch sensor, a touch panel, and the like, and an output device including, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), and a speaker. it can.

The mobile communication unit 13 is a communication module equipped with a communication function conforming to a standard of a mobile phone communication network (for example, 3G, 4G, etc.). The control unit 11 can realize functions such as access to a telephone and the Internet via the mobile communication unit 13.

The wireless communication unit 14 is a communication module equipped with a communication function conforming to the Wi-Fi standard and the Wi-Fi Direct standard, which are wireless LAN standards. The control unit 11 can establish the above-mentioned direct connection with the printer 20 and communicate with the printer 20 via the wireless communication unit 14.

The processing request unit 111 executes the processing related to the printer 20. The processing request unit 111 is implemented by, for example, a printing application installed in the terminal 10. For example, when the processing request unit 111 receives a print instruction from the user, the processing request unit 111 instructs the communication control unit 112 to establish a wireless connection (direct connection) with the printer 20. Further, the processing request unit 111 generates print data based on the print target file and transmits it to the printer 20. Further, the processing request unit 111 instructs the communication control unit 112 to disconnect the wireless connection with the printer 20 when the transmission of the print data is completed. The processing of the processing request unit 111 will be described in detail later.

The communication control unit 112 controls wireless communication with the printer 20 via the wireless communication unit 14. The communication control unit 112 is implemented by, for example, a printing application installed in the terminal 10. For example, the communication control unit 112 establishes a wireless connection (direct connection) between the wireless communication unit 14 and the printer 20 in response to an instruction from the processing request unit 111, and sets the processing request unit 111 and the printer 20 to communicate with each other. To do. Further, the communication control unit 112 disconnects the wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 14 and the printer 20 in response to an instruction from the processing request unit 111. The processing of the communication control unit 112 will be described in detail later.

The printer 20 has a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a printing unit 23, and a wireless communication unit 24. The control unit 21 has a processing unit 211 and a communication control unit 212.

The control unit 21 controls the operation of the printer 20 in an integrated manner. The control unit 21 is, for example, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, a volatile storage device such as a RAM, a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM, an interface circuit connecting the control unit 21 and another unit, and a bus connecting these to each other. It can be realized by a computer equipped with, etc. The control unit 21 may include various processing circuits such as an image processing circuit. The control unit 21 may be realized by an ASIC or the like.

At least a part of the functions of the control unit 21 (including the processing unit 211 and the communication control unit 212) is realized, for example, by the CPU reading one or more programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing them. can do. Each program can be read from a portable storage medium and installed on the printer 20, or downloaded from a server on the network and installed on the printer 20. At least a part of the function of the control unit 21 may be realized by a processing circuit such as an image processing circuit. At least a part of the function of the control unit 21 may be realized by both the CPU and the processing circuit, for example.

The operation unit 22 receives the user's operation input and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 21. In addition, the operation unit 22 displays the processing result of the control unit 21 as characters, graphs, tables, animations, and other images. The operation unit 22 may output the processing result of the control unit 21 by voice. The operation unit 22 can be realized by, for example, an input device including a key, a touch sensor, a touch panel, and the like, and an output device including, for example, an LCD, an OLED, and a speaker.

The printing unit 23 forms an image on the printing medium according to the instruction from the control unit 21. The printing unit 23 is, for example, a printing engine of a type such as an inkjet method or a laser method, and is composed of mechanical parts, a sensor, a motor, a drive circuit, a control circuit, and the like.

The wireless communication unit 24 is a communication module equipped with a communication function conforming to the Wi-Fi standard and the Wi-Fi Direct standard, which are wireless LAN standards. The control unit 21 can establish the above-mentioned direct connection with the terminal 10 and communicate with the terminal 10 via the wireless communication unit 24.

The processing unit 211 executes various processes such as printing process of the printer 20. For example, when the processing unit 211 receives the print data from the terminal 10, the processing unit 211 instructs the printing unit 23 to execute printing on the printing medium. Further, the processing unit 211 establishes a wireless connection (direct connection) with the terminal 10 of the processing request source when an error in the printing process (for example, a paper jam, out of paper, etc.) is detected by the printing unit 23. , Instruct the communication control unit 212. In addition, the processing unit 211 transmits information about the error to the terminal 10. The processing of the processing unit 211 will be described in detail later.

The communication control unit 212 controls wireless communication with the terminal 10 via the wireless communication unit 24. For example, the communication control unit 212 establishes a wireless connection (direct connection) between the wireless communication unit 24 and the terminal 10 in response to an instruction from the processing unit 211, and sets the processing unit 211 and the terminal 10 to be able to communicate with each other. Further, the communication control unit 212 disconnects the wireless connection between the wireless communication unit 24 and the terminal 10 in response to an instruction from the processing unit 211. The processing of the communication control unit 212 will be described in detail later.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing in a wireless communication system.

First, the terminal 10 receives a print instruction from the user (step S1). For example, the processing request unit 111 receives a print instruction from the user via the operation unit 12.

Upon receiving the print instruction, the terminal 10 establishes a wireless connection with the printer 20 (step S2). For example, the processing request unit 111 instructs the communication control unit 112 to establish a direct connection with the printer 20. The communication control unit 112 controls the wireless communication unit 14 in response to an instruction from the processing request unit 111 to establish a direct connection with the printer 20. The communication control unit 112 and the wireless communication unit 14 are connected together with the communication control unit 212 and the wireless communication unit 24 of the printer 20 by using, for example, the setting information (for example, SSID, password, etc.) of the printer 20 specified in advance. Perform a sequence (eg, search, authentication, connection).

When the direct connection is established, the terminal 10 transmits the MAC address (corresponding to the "terminal identification information" of the present invention) to the printer 20 (step S3). For example, the communication control unit 112 acquires the MAC address of the wireless communication unit 14 from a storage device such as a ROM and transmits it to the printer 20. When the communication control unit 212 of the printer 20 receives the MAC address from the terminal 10 via the wireless communication unit 24, the communication control unit 212 stores and stores the MAC address in a storage device such as a RAM. This MAC address is used to directly connect to the terminal 10 from the printer 20 side, as will be described later.

Next, the terminal 10 transmits the print request to the printer 20 (step S4). For example, the processing request unit 111 generates print data based on the print target file specified in the print instruction, and starts transmitting the print data to the printer 20 via the wireless communication unit 14. When the processing unit 211 of the printer 20 starts receiving print data via the wireless communication unit 24, the processing unit 211 instructs the printing unit 23 to start printing.

When the transmission of the print data is completed, the terminal 10 disconnects the wireless connection from the printer 20 (step S5). For example, the processing request unit 111 instructs the communication control unit 112 to disconnect the direct connection with the printer 20. The communication control unit 112 controls the wireless communication unit 14 in response to an instruction from the processing request unit 111 to disconnect the direct connection with the printer 20. The communication control unit 112 and the wireless communication unit 14 execute a predetermined connection disconnection sequence together with the communication control unit 212 and the wireless communication unit 24 of the printer 20, for example.

In this figure, the printing process of the printer 20 is continued at the time of step S5. The processing when an error in the printing process (for example, paper jam, paper out, etc.) occurs will be described below.

When a print error occurs, the printer 20 requests the terminal 10 to make a wireless connection (step S6). For example, when the processing unit 211 detects an error in the printing process, the processing unit 211 instructs the communication control unit 212 to request a direct connection from the print requesting terminal 10 of the printing process in which the error has occurred. The communication control unit 212 controls the wireless communication unit 24 in response to the instruction of the processing unit 211 to request the terminal 10 to make a direct connection. The request for direct connection includes the MAC address stored in the storage device in step S3. When the communication control unit 112 of the terminal 10 receives the request for direct connection via the wireless communication unit 14, it notifies the processing request unit 111.

Upon receiving the wireless connection request from the printer 20, the terminal 10 requests the user for connection permission (step S7). For example, when the processing request unit 111 receives the notification from the communication control unit 112 in step S6, the processing request unit 111 displays the operation screen 500 as shown in FIG. 4 (a diagram showing an example of the operation screen for permitting the reestablishment of the wireless connection). , Displayed on the operation unit 12. The operation screen 500 includes a message 501 notifying the occurrence of an error and a request for permission of direct connection, a YES button 502 for permitting direct connection, and a NO button 503 for rejecting direct connection.

Then, the terminal 10 accepts the connection permission from the user (step S8). For example, when the processing request unit 111 receives the operation of the YES button 502 displayed on the operation screen 500 displayed in step S7, it determines that the connection permission has been accepted.

Upon receiving the connection permission, the terminal 10 establishes a wireless connection with the printer 20 (step S9). For example, the processing request unit 111 instructs the communication control unit 112 to establish a direct connection with the printer 20. The communication control unit 112 controls the wireless communication unit 14 in response to an instruction from the processing request unit 111 to establish a direct connection with the printer 20.

In step S8, the processing request unit 111 may transmit information indicating connection permission to the printer 20. In this case, in step S9, the processing unit 211 of the printer 20 may instruct the communication control unit 212 to establish a direct connection with the terminal 10.

When the wireless connection is established, the printer 20 transmits the error information to the terminal 10 (step S10). For example, the processing unit 211 transmits information indicating the type of error (for example, paper jam, paper out, etc.) to the terminal 10 via the wireless communication unit 24. The processing request unit 111 of the terminal 10 receives error information from the printer 20 via the wireless communication unit 14.

Upon receiving the error information, the terminal 10 outputs the error information (step S11). For example, the processing request unit 111 causes the operation unit 12 to display an operation screen 510 as shown in FIG. 5 (a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for confirming the content of an error). The operation screen 510 includes a message 511 notifying the content of the error that has occurred and a method for dealing with the error, and an OK button 512 for inputting the confirmation. The processing request unit 111 may generate the content of the message 511 according to the error type included in the received error information. The processing request unit 111 may include a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) to a Web page explaining how to deal with the generated error in the message 511.

Then, the terminal 10 receives confirmation from the user (step S12). For example, when the processing request unit 111 receives the operation of the OK button 512 displayed on the operation screen 510 displayed in step S11, it determines that the confirmation of the error information has been accepted.

Upon receiving the confirmation, the terminal 10 disconnects the wireless connection from the printer 20 (step S13). For example, the processing request unit 111 instructs the communication control unit 112 to disconnect the direct connection with the printer 20. The communication control unit 112 controls the wireless communication unit 14 in response to an instruction from the processing request unit 111 to disconnect the direct connection with the printer 20. The communication control unit 112 and the wireless communication unit 14 execute a predetermined connection disconnection sequence together with the communication control unit 212 and the wireless communication unit 24 of the printer 20, for example.

In step S12, the processing request unit 111 may transmit information indicating confirmation to the printer 20. In this case, in step S13, the processing unit 211 of the printer 20 may instruct the communication control unit 212 to disconnect the direct connection with the terminal 10.

When the user clears an error state such as a paper jam or a paper out, the printer 20 may restart the printing process.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a detailed example of the process of reestablishing the wireless connection. FIG. 3 shows the details of step S6 and step S9 of FIG.

First, the communication control unit 212 of the printer 20 acquires the MAC address of the terminal 10 stored in the storage device in step S3, and makes a probe request (corresponding to the “search request” of the present invention) for which the MAC address is set. , Broadcast via the wireless communication unit 24 (step S61). The communication control unit 112 of the terminal 10 receives the probe request via the wireless communication unit 14.

When the MAC address set in the received probe request matches the MAC address of the wireless communication unit 14, the communication control unit 112 of the terminal 10 responds to the probe (corresponding to the "search response" of the present invention). Is transmitted to the printer 20 via the wireless communication unit 14 (step S62). The communication control unit 212 of the printer 20 receives the probe response via the wireless communication unit 24.

Upon receiving the probe response, the communication control unit 212 and the wireless communication unit 24 of the printer 20 execute a predetermined connection preparation sequence together with the communication control unit 112 and the wireless communication unit 14 of the terminal 10 (step S63). In step S63, for example, authentication information is exchanged. When the connection preparation is completed, the communication control unit 212 of the printer 20 transmits a connection request to the terminal 10 via the wireless communication unit 24 (step S64). When the communication control unit 112 of the terminal 10 receives the connection request via the wireless communication unit 14, it notifies the processing request unit 111. After that, steps S7 to S8 of FIG. 2 are executed. Upon receiving the connection permission, the terminal 10 executes the connection process with the printer 20 and establishes a direct connection with the printer 20 (step S65).

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. For example, the printer 20 of the present embodiment reestablishes the wireless connection with the terminal 10 when a printing error occurs after disconnecting the wireless connection with the terminal 10. As a result, the printer 20 can reliably notify the terminal 10 of the occurrence of an error even after the wireless connection is disconnected when the print request from the terminal 10 is completed.

Further, for example, the printer 20 attempts to connect to the terminal 10 by using a probe request in which the MAC address of the terminal 10 received in advance is set. Terminal 10 is listening for a probe request. As a result, the printer 20 can take the initiative in attempting a wireless connection to the terminal 10.

Further, for example, the terminal 10 requests a connection permission from the user when receiving the probe request, and reestablishes the wireless connection with the printer 20 only when the connection permission is accepted. Thereby, the wireless communication system 1 can reestablish the wireless connection only when the user needs it. For example, if the user already knows the print error, they can refuse to reestablish the wireless connection.

Also, for example, the printer 20 transmits information about the error to the terminal 10 after the wireless connection is reestablished. The terminal 10 displays information about the error. As a result, the wireless communication system 1 can notify the user of the content of the error.

Further, for example, the terminal 10 requests confirmation from the user when displaying the information regarding the error, and when the confirmation is accepted, the terminal 10 disconnects the wireless connection with the printer 20. As a result, the wireless communication system 1 can disconnect the wireless connection at the timing required by the user.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various embodiments without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications may be added to each of the above embodiments. In addition, two or more of the embodiments and the modifications may be combined as appropriate.

For example, the printer 20 reestablishes a wireless connection with the terminal 10 not only when an error in the print process occurs but also when the print process ends normally (included in the "event" of the present invention). You may. In this case, the printer 20 may transmit information indicating normal termination to the terminal 10 in step S10. In step S11, the terminal 10 may display information indicating normal termination. In this way, the wireless communication system 1 can notify the user that the printing process has been normally completed even after the wireless connection is disconnected when the printing request is completed.

For example, when the printer 20 receives print requests from a plurality of terminals 10, the printer 20 sequentially executes the print process corresponding to each print request. In this case, the printer 20 may store the MAC address of each terminal 10 in association with each print request. Here, when an error occurs in the printing process being executed and an unexecuted print request remains, the printer 20 responds to each terminal 10 of the source of the unexecuted print request. The MAC address may be used to reestablish the wireless connection and send error information. That is, the same processing as in steps S6 to S13 of FIG. 2 is executed for each terminal 10 of the transmission source of the unexecuted print request. By doing so, it is possible to reliably notify the occurrence of the error even to the terminal 10 in which the printing process has not been executed.

The configuration of the wireless communication system 1 described in the above-described embodiment is classified according to the main processing contents in order to make the configuration easy to understand. The invention of the present application is not limited by the method and name of classification of the components. The configuration of the wireless communication system 1 can be further classified into more components according to the processing content. It can also be categorized so that one component performs more processing. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware. Further, the processing or division of functions of each component is not limited to those described above as long as the object and effect of the present invention can be achieved. For example, at least a part of the functions of the terminal 10 may be mounted on the printer 20, and vice versa.

The processing unit of the sequence diagram described in the above-described embodiment is divided according to the main processing contents in order to make the processing of the wireless communication system 1 easy to understand. The present invention is not limited by the method of dividing the processing unit and the name. The processing of the wireless communication system 1 can be divided into more processing units according to the processing content. Further, one processing unit can be divided so as to include more processing. Furthermore, the processing order of the above sequence diagram is not limited to the illustrated example.

The screens and data structures described in the above embodiments are examples, and are not limited to the illustrated examples as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

The electronic device of the present invention is not limited to a printer. The electronic device can include a device such as a scanner, a multifunction printer, a projector, a television, a video recorder, etc., which has a direct connection function of a wireless LAN and performs processing in response to a processing request from a terminal. Further, the terminal of the present invention may be a device such as a wearable computer.

1 ... Wireless communication system, 10 ... Terminal, 11 ... Control unit, 12 ... Operation unit, 13 ... Mobile communication unit, 14 ... Wireless communication unit, 20 ... Printer, 21 ... Control unit, 22 ... Operation unit, 23 ... Printing unit , 24 ... Wireless communication unit, 111 ... Processing request unit, 112 ... Communication control unit, 211 ... Processing unit, 212 ... Communication control unit, 500 ... Operation screen, 501 ... Message, 502 ... YES button, 503 ... NO button, 510 … Operation screen, 511… message, 512… OK button

Claims (8)

A wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal ,
A communication control unit that establishes a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the terminal via the wireless communication unit, and
It has a processing unit that executes processing according to a processing request received from the terminal through the established wireless connection.
The communication control unit receives and stores terminal identification information that identifies the terminal from each of the first terminal and the second terminal that have established the wireless connection.
When an error occurs in the processing according to the processing request received from the first terminal after the wireless connection with the second terminal is disconnected, the processing request received from the second terminal has not yet occurred. When it was executed, the terminal identification information of the second terminal was used to reestablish a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the second terminal.
The processing unit is an electronic device that notifies the second terminal of information regarding the error through the reestablished wireless connection. The electronic device according to claim 1.
When the communication control unit transmits a search request in which the terminal identification information is set to the terminal and then receives a search response in response to the search request, the communication control unit transmits a connection request to the terminal, and the terminal receives the search response. An electronic device that reestablishes a wireless connection with the terminal when connection permission is granted for the connection request. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.
When a predetermined event occurs in the processing unit after the wireless connection with the terminal is disconnected, the communication control unit reestablishes the wireless connection with the terminal by using the terminal identification information.
The processing unit is an electronic device that transmits information about the event to the terminal through the reestablished wireless connection. The electronic device according to claim 3.
When an error in the processing occurs in the processing unit, the communication control unit reestablishes a wireless connection with the terminal by using the terminal identification information.
The processing unit is an electronic device that transmits information about the error to the terminal through the reestablished wireless connection. The electronic device according to claim 3.
When the processing is normally completed in the processing unit, the communication control unit reestablishes a wireless connection with the terminal by using the terminal identification information.
The processing unit is an electronic device that transmits information indicating normal termination to the terminal through the reestablished wireless connection. The electronic device according to claim 3.
The communication control unit is an electronic device that disconnects the reestablished wireless connection when the terminal confirms information about the event. A wireless communication system including an electronic device and a plurality of terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal .
The electronic device is
A wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with each terminal of the plurality of terminals ,
A communication control unit that establishes a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the terminal via the wireless communication unit, and
It has a processing unit that executes processing according to a processing request received from the terminal through the established wireless connection.
The terminal
A wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the electronic device,
A communication control unit that establishes a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the electronic device via the wireless communication unit, and
A processing request unit that transmits the processing request to the electronic device through the established wireless connection, and
Have,
The communication control unit of the electronic device receives and stores terminal identification information that identifies the terminal from each of the first terminal and the second terminal that have established the wireless connection.
When an error occurs in the processing according to the processing request received from the first terminal after the wireless connection with the second terminal is disconnected, the processing request received from the second terminal has not yet occurred. When it was executed, the terminal identification information of the second terminal was used to reestablish a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the second terminal.
The processing unit is a wireless communication system that transmits information about the error to the second terminal through the reestablished wireless connection. A processing control method for an electronic device that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal .
Steps to establish a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the terminal,
A step of receiving and storing terminal identification information that identifies the terminal from the terminal through the established wireless connection.
A step of disconnecting the wireless connection with the terminal after receiving a processing request from the terminal through the established wireless connection, and
A step of reestablishing a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the terminal using the terminal identification information ,
A step of receiving and storing terminal identification information that identifies the terminal from each of the first terminal and the second terminal that have established the wireless connection.
When an error occurs in the processing according to the processing request received from the first terminal after the wireless connection with the second terminal is disconnected, the processing request received from the second terminal has not yet occurred. When executed, a step of reestablishing a peer-to-peer wireless connection with the second terminal using the terminal identification information of the second terminal, and
A processing control method comprising the step of transmitting information about the error to the second terminal through the reestablished wireless connection.

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