JP7343008B2 - communication equipment - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses a communication device that performs wireless communication of target data.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system that includes a gate installed in an art museum or the like, a mobile communication terminal, an access point, and a content server. The gate includes a reader/writer and communicates with a non-contact IC chip of the mobile communication terminal to transmit the SSID of the access point and the URL of the content server to the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal establishes communication with the access point and accesses the URL of the content server. This allows the mobile communication terminal to acquire content data from the content server via the access point.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-134932

This specification discloses a technique that allows first and second communication devices to appropriately perform wireless communication of target data.

A first communication device disclosed in this specification includes a first type interface that functions as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, a second type interface, and a control unit. The control section includes an interface control section and a data communication section. The interface control unit causes the first type of interface to perform a transmission operation using a first wireless connection established between the first communication device and the second communication device. The transmission operation includes an operation in which the first type of interface transmits, to the second communication device, network identification information used in the first wireless network to which both the first and second communication devices should belong. . After the first type interface executes the transmission operation, the data communication unit transmits the data via the second type interface using the first wireless network to which both the first and second communication devices belong. Then, wireless communication of the target data to be communicated is performed with the second communication device.

According to the above configuration, the first type interface functioning as an IC tag is used in the first wireless network to which both the first and second communication devices belong, using the first wireless connection. network identification information to the second communication device. In this way, since the network identification information is transmitted to the second communication device, the first communication device can utilize the first wireless network to which both the first and second communication devices belong. , wireless communication of target data can be appropriately performed with a second communication device via the second type of interface. In particular, since the first type of interface is an interface that functions as an IC tag, the first communication device uses a relatively simple configuration to perform wireless communication of target data with the second communication device. obtain.

When the first communication device receives a specific signal including network identification information from the second communication device via the second type interface, the first communication device further transmits the first signal via the second type interface. and a forming unit that establishes a second wireless connection between the second communication device and forms a first wireless network to which both the first and second communication devices belong. . According to this configuration, when the first communication device receives a specific signal including the network identification information from the second communication device as a result of transmitting the network identification information to the second communication device, the first communication device transmits the network identification information to the second communication device. A first wireless network to which both the communication device and the second communication device belong can be appropriately formed. To this end, the first communication device uses the first wireless network to which both the first and second communication devices belong to properly communicate the target data wirelessly with the second communication device. can be executed.

The first communication device is selected in one of a plurality of states including a master station state in which it functions as a master station of a wireless network, and an unaffiliated state in which it does not belong to a wireless network. It may also work as intended. The control unit is further configured to change the state of the first communication device from an independent state to a master station state in a first case where the first wireless connection is established while the first communication device is in an independent state. A state transition unit may be provided that causes the state transition to form a first wireless network to which only the first communication device belongs. The formation unit establishes a second wireless connection and connects the first and second wireless connections when receiving a specific signal after the first wireless network to which only the first communication device belongs is formed. A first wireless network may be formed to which both communication devices belong. According to this configuration, in the first case where the first wireless connection is established while the state of the first communication device is an unaffiliated state, the first communication device only belongs to the first communication device. forming a first wireless network to which both the first and second communication devices belong; The first communication device can suitably form a first wireless network to which both the first and second communication devices belong.

The first type of interface may provide a specific notification to the controller when the first wireless connection is established. In the first case, the interface control unit may generate network identification information and supply the network identification information to the first type interface when a specific notification is obtained from the first type interface. . According to this configuration, when the first wireless connection is established, a specific notification is supplied from the first type interface to the control unit, so that the control unit is notified that the first wireless connection has been established. You can know. As a result, generation of network identification information and supply of network identification information to the first type interface are executed. To this end, the first type of interface can suitably transmit the network identification information to the second communication device when the first wireless connection is established.

In the first case, the state transition unit may transition the state of the first communication device from the independent state to the master station state after the network identification information is generated.

The interface control unit stores network identification information to be used in a first wireless network to be formed after the second wireless network, in which the first communication device functions as a master station, disappears. may be generated and provide the network identification information to the first type interface. According to this configuration, when the second wireless network disappears, generation of network identification information and supply of network identification information to the first type interface are executed. To this end, the first type of interface can suitably transmit the network identification information to the second communication device when the first wireless connection is established.

The first type of interface may provide a specific notification to the controller when the first wireless connection is established. In the first case, the state transition unit may transition the state of the first communication device from the independent state to the master station state when a specific notification is acquired from the first type interface. According to this configuration, when the first wireless connection is established, a specific notification is supplied from the first type interface to the control unit, so that the control unit is notified that the first wireless connection has been established. You can know. As a result, the transition from the independent state to the parent station state is executed.

The first type of interface may provide a specific notification to the controller when the first wireless connection is established. The interface control unit may supply network identification information to the first type interface when a specific notification is obtained from the first type interface. According to this configuration, since a specific notification is supplied from the first type interface to the control unit, the control unit can know that the first wireless connection has been established. Therefore,
The interface control unit can supply the network identification information to the first type interface at an appropriate timing.

The interface control unit may further control the operation mode of the first type interface such that the first wireless connection is established while the operation mode of the first type interface is the first mode. good. In the first mode, when the first type interface receives a read command from outside the first communication device, the first type interface performs an operation of transmitting information to the outside of the first communication device in response to the read command. The first type of interface may also be in a mode in which, even if the first type of interface receives a write command from outside the first communication device, it does not perform an operation according to the write command. According to this configuration, unnecessary information can be prevented from being written to the first communication device.

The first type of interface may function as an IC tag based on the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard. The interface control unit may cause the first type interface to perform a transmission operation using the first wireless connection of the NFC standard. According to this configuration, since the first type interface is an interface that functions as an IC tag according to the NFC standard, the first communication device can communicate with the second communication device using a relatively simple configuration. Wireless communication of data may be performed.

The second type of interface may be an interface for performing wireless communication according to a specific standard different from the NFC standard. The interface control unit is configured to control the interface control unit when the first wireless connection is established, regardless of whether the second communication device is equipped with an application for performing wireless communication of target data according to a specific standard or is not equipped with an application. , the first type interface may perform the sending operation. The data communication unit performs wireless communication of the target data with the second communication device when the second communication device includes the application, and performs wireless communication of the target data when the second communication device does not include the application. may not be performed with the second communication device. According to this configuration, the first type of interface transmits the network identification information to the second communication device, regardless of whether the second communication device is equipped with an application. However, the first communication device can appropriately change whether or not to perform wireless communication of target data with the second communication device, depending on whether the second communication device is equipped with an application.

The control unit further includes a second case in which the first wireless connection is established while the state of the first communication device is in the master station state, and a second case in which the first communication device functions as the master station. In the second case where one wireless network exists, whether the number of slave station devices that belong to the first wireless network and are in the slave station state matches a predetermined upper limit value. The determination unit may include a determination unit that determines. In the second case, if it is determined that the number of slave station devices does not match the upper limit, the interface control unit causes the first type interface to perform a transmission operation, and the data communication unit The target data may be wirelessly communicated with a second communication device via a second type of interface using a network. In the second case, if it is determined that the number of slave station devices matches the upper limit, the interface control unit does not cause the first type interface to perform a transmission operation, and the data communication unit The connection may be used to perform wireless communication of target data with a second communication device via the first type of interface. According to this configuration, in the second case in which the first wireless connection is established while the state of the first communication device is in the master station state, the first communication device has an upper limit value for the number of slave station devices. Wireless communication of the target data can be appropriately performed with the second communication device via the first type or the second type of interface depending on whether the second type of data matches the first type or the second type of interface.

The plurality of states may further include a slave station state in which the first communication device functions as a slave station of a wireless network. In the third case where the first wireless connection is established while the state of the first communication device is in the slave station state, the interface control unit does not cause the first type interface to perform the transmission operation and performs data communication. The unit may perform wireless communication of the target data with the second communication device via the first type of interface using the first wireless connection. According to this configuration, in the third case where the first wireless connection is established while the state of the first communication device is in the slave station state, the first communication device communicates via the first type interface. , it is possible to appropriately perform wireless communication of target data with a second communication device.

The interface control unit may further control the operation mode of the first type interface such that the first wireless connection is established while the operation mode of the first type interface is the first mode. good. In the first mode, when the first type interface receives a read command from outside the first communication device, the first type interface performs an operation of transmitting information to the outside of the first communication device in response to the read command. The first type of interface may also be in a mode in which, even if the first type of interface receives a write command from outside the first communication device, it does not perform an operation according to the write command. The interface control unit may further change the operation mode of the first type interface from the first mode to the second mode when not causing the first type interface to perform a transmission operation. The second mode is a mode in which, when a write command is received from outside the first communication device, information is received from outside the first communication device and the information is supplied to the control unit in response to the write command. It may be. The data communication unit transmits target data from the second communication device via the first type interface using the first wireless connection while the operation mode of the first type interface is the second mode. may be received. According to this configuration, unnecessary information can be prevented from being written to the first communication device. Further, when the first type interface does not perform a transmission operation, the operation mode of the first type interface is changed from the first mode to the second mode, so that the first type communication device The target data can be appropriately received from the second communication device via the interface of the second communication device.

The communication speed of wireless communication via the second type interface may be faster than the communication speed of wireless communication via the first type interface. According to this configuration, the first communication device can quickly perform wireless communication of target data via the second type of interface.

The data communication unit may receive the target data from the second communication device via the second type of interface using the first wireless network. The first communication device may further include a printing mechanism that prints an image represented by the received target data. According to this configuration, the first communication device can receive target data from the second communication device and appropriately print an image.

A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program for realizing the first and/or second communication device described above are also new and useful. Furthermore, a communication system including the first and second communication devices described above is also new and useful.

The configuration of the communication system is shown. A flowchart of processing of the CPU of the printer of the first embodiment is shown. A sequence diagram showing the operations of the printer and mobile terminal of the first embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the processing of the CPU of the printer of the second embodiment is shown. A sequence diagram showing operations of a printer and a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment is shown. A sequence diagram continuing from FIG. 5 is shown. A flowchart of the processing of the CPU of the printer of the third embodiment is shown. A sequence diagram showing operations of a printer and a mobile terminal according to a third embodiment is shown.

(First example)
(Configuration of communication system 2)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a printer 10 and a mobile terminal 50. In FIG. 1, a PC (abbreviation for Personal Computer) 110 is shown, and the PC 110 will be used in a third embodiment described later.

(Configuration of printer 10)
The printer 10 is a peripheral device (that is, a peripheral device such as the PC 110) that can execute a printing function. The printer 10 includes an operation panel 12, a display mechanism 14, a printing mechanism 16, a wireless LAN (abbreviation for Local Area Network) interface 20, and an IC (abbreviation for Integrated Circuit).
It includes a tag interface 22 and a control unit 30. Each part 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (numerals omitted). In the following, the interface will be referred to as "I/F".

The operation panel 12 includes a plurality of keys. A user can give various instructions to the printer 10 by operating the operation panel 12. The display mechanism 14 is a display for displaying various information. The printing mechanism 16 is an inkjet printing mechanism, a laser printing mechanism, or the like.

The wireless LAN I/F 20 is an I/F for performing wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as "WFD communication") according to the WFD (abbreviation for Wi-Fi Direct) method. The WFD method is a wireless communication method described in the standard document “Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1” created by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD method is a wireless system based on, for example, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and its equivalent standards (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). It is a wireless communication method for performing communication.

Hereinafter, a device that can perform WFD communication according to the WFD method (for example, the printer 10) will be referred to as a "WFD compatible device." In the above WFD standard, there are three states for WFD compatible devices: Group Owner state (hereinafter referred to as "G/O state"), client state (hereinafter referred to as "CL state"), and device state. Two states are defined. A WFD-compatible device is typically capable of selectively operating in one of the three states described above.

When a pair of WFD compatible devices in the device state should newly form a wireless network, the pair of WFD compatible devices usually perform wireless communication called G/O negotiation. In G/O negotiation, one of the pair of WFD-enabled devices decides to enter the G/O state (i.e., G/O device), and the other decides to enter the CL state (i.e., CL device). decide. Thereafter, the pair of WFD compatible devices establish a connection and form a wireless network (ie, WFD network). Note that in FIG. 3 and the like described later, the WFD network is referred to as "WFDNW".

At the stage when the WFD network is newly formed through G/O negotiation, only one G/O device and one CL device belong to the WFD network. However, the G/O device can establish a connection with another device and make the other device newly participate in the WFD network as a CL device. In this case, two or more CL devices belong to the WFD network. That is, in a WFD network, one G/O device and one or more CL devices may exist.

A G/O device manages one or more CL devices. Specifically, the G/O device registers the MAC address of one or more CL devices in a management list in the memory of the G/O device. Furthermore, when the CL device leaves the WFD network, the G/O device deletes the MAC address of the CL device from the management list. Note that the upper limit of the number of CL devices that can be managed by the G/O device (that is, the upper limit of the number of MAC addresses of CL devices that can be registered in the management list) is determined in advance by the G/O device. Generally speaking, the above upper limit value may be an integer of 1 or more.

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

As mentioned above, in a WFD network, access between the WFD compatible device that is the source of the target data and the WFD compatible device that is the destination of the target data is configured separately from these WFD compatible devices. Wireless communication of target data can be performed without using points. That is, WFD communication and the WFD method can be said to be wireless communication that does not involve an access point, and a wireless communication method that does not use an access point, respectively.

The G/O device cannot perform wireless communication of target data with a WFD compatible device in device state (ie, device device), but can perform wireless communication of WFD connection data with the device device. That is, the G/O device can establish a connection with the device by performing wireless communication of connection data using the WFD method with the device, thereby allowing the device to participate in the WFD network. In other words, the device can establish a connection with the G/O device and participate in the WFD network by performing wireless communication of connection data using the WFD method with the G/O device. In this case, the device moves from the device state to the CL state. The WFD method connection data is data that includes information on layers lower than the network layer of the OSI reference model (e.g., physical layer, data link layer) (i.e., data that does not include network layer information), and for example, It includes a Probe Request signal, a Probe Response signal, a Provision Discovery Request signal, a ProvisionDiscovery Response signal, an Association Request signal, an Association Response signal, an AuthenticationRequest signal, an Authentication Response signal, a 4-Way Handshake signal, and the like.

Note that the G/O device can also establish a connection with a device that cannot perform WFD communication according to the WFD method (hereinafter referred to as a "legacy device") and allow the legacy device to participate in the WFD network. When establishing a connection with a legacy device, the G/O device writes the MAC address of the legacy device in the management list. This allows legacy devices to participate in the WFD network. Legacy equipment has three states (i.e., G/O state, CL
Although it does not operate selectively in any of the following states (device state, device state), while belonging to the WFD network, it operates in the same state as a CL device.

Although the printer 10 is a WFD compatible device, in this embodiment, it cannot operate in the CL state. Further, the printer 10 is not equipped with a program for executing G/O negotiation with other WFD compatible devices. That is, the printer 10 can selectively operate in one of two states: the G/O state and the device state.

The IC tag I/F 22 is an I/F for performing wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as "NFC communication") according to the NFC (Near Field Communication) method for so-called short-range wireless communication. The NFC method is a wireless communication method based on the international standard of ISO/IEC21481 or 18092, for example. As types of I/Fs for performing NFC communication, there are known I/Fs called NFC Forum Devices and I/Fs called NFC Forum Tags. The IC tag I/F 22 is an NFC forum tag, and functions as an IC tag according to the NFC standard (that is, ISO/IEC21481 or 18092).

NFC Forum devices can selectively operate in one of the following modes: P2P (Peer To Peer) mode, R/W (Reader/Writer) mode, and CE (Card Emulation) mode. This is a possible I/F. For example, when both the NFC I/F of the first device and the NFC I/F of the second device operate in P2P mode, the first and second devices perform bidirectional communication of information. can do. Further, for example, if the NFC I/F of the first device operates in Reader mode of the R/W mode, and the NFC I/F of the second device operates in CE mode, the first device is capable of reading information from the second device, that is, receiving information from the second device. Further, for example, if the NFC I/F of the first device operates in Writer mode of the R/W mode, and the NFC I/F of the second device operates in CE mode, the first device can write information to the second device, ie, send information to the second device.

The NFC forum tag (ie, IC tag I/F 22) is not an I/F that can selectively operate in any one of the three modes described above, but is an I/F that functions only as an IC tag. For example, when the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 operates in the Reader mode of the R/W mode, the mobile terminal 50 reads information from the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10, that is, reads information from the printer 10. information can be received. Further, for example, when the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 operates in the Writer mode of the R/W mode, the mobile terminal 50 writes information to the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10, that is, the printer Transmission of information to 10 can be performed.

Since the NFC forum tag (i.e., IC tag I/F 22) is not an I/F that can selectively operate in any of the three modes described above, it has a simpler configuration than the NFC forum device ( In other words, the structure of the IC chip is simple). Generally speaking, an IC chip that functions as an NFC forum tag is cheaper than an IC chip that functions as an NFC forum device.

Note that the method of supplying power to the IC tag I/F 22 may be either a so-called passive type or an active type. The passive type is a configuration in which electric waves are received from the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 to generate electric power to activate the circuit of the IC chip within the IC tag I/F 22. Since the passive type IC tag I/F has a simpler structure than the active type IC tag I/F, it is relatively inexpensive and can realize miniaturization of the I/F itself. However, a passive type IC tag I/F has a feature that it can realize a shorter communication distance than an active type IC tag I/F. On the other hand, the active type is configured to receive power from the power supply within the IC tag I/F or the power supply within the printer 10 to activate the circuit of the IC chip within the IC tag I/F 22. An active type IC tag I/F has characteristics that it is more expensive and can realize a longer communication distance than a passive type IC tag I/F.

In this embodiment, the IC tag I/F 22 includes a buffer memory (not shown) for temporarily storing the information supplied from the control unit 30 in order to transmit the information to an external device (for example, the mobile terminal 50). ). However, the IC tag I/F 22 does not include a RAM for storing information supplied from the control unit 30 for a long period of time (for example, a period until other information is supplied from the control unit 30). Note that in a second embodiment described later, the IC tag I/F 22 includes a RAM 24 (see FIG. 5).

There are a ReadOnly mode and a Writable mode as operation modes of the IC tag I/F 22. In the ReadOnly mode, when the IC tag I/F 22 receives a read command of the NFC standard from an external device (for example, the mobile terminal 50), the operation (hereinafter referred to as "read response") is to transmit information to the external device in response to the read command. This is the mode in which operations are executed. However, the ReadOnly mode is a mode in which even if the IC tag I/F 22 receives an NFC standard write command from an external device, it does not perform an operation according to the write command (hereinafter referred to as a "write response operation"). On the other hand, the Writable mode is a mode in which both read response operations and write response operations are executed.

The write response operation described above is, for example, an operation of supplying the information to the control unit 30 when information is received together with a write command from an external device. In the ReadOnly mode, the write response operation is not executed, so information received from the external device is not supplied to the control unit 30. As a result, the information in the IC tag memory 36 of the control unit 30 is not transmitted to the external device. It is possible to suppress overwriting by information received from. Furthermore, in the second embodiment described below, it is possible to prevent the information in the RAM 24 of the IC tag I/F 22 from being overwritten by information received from an external device.

Here, the differences between the wireless LAN I/F 20 and the IC tag I/F 22 will be explained. The communication speed of wireless communication via the wireless LAN I/F 20 (for example, the maximum communication speed is 11 to 600 Mbps) is the communication speed of wireless communication via the IC tag I/F 22 (for example, the maximum communication speed is 100 to 424 Kbps). ) is faster than Furthermore, the carrier wave frequency (for example, 2.4 GHz band, 5.0 GHz band) in wireless communication via the wireless LAN I/F 20 is the same as the carrier wave frequency (for example, 13.56 MHz) in wireless communication via the IC tag I/F 22. It is different from Obi). Further, for example, when the distance between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 is approximately 10 cm or less, the control unit 30 can perform NFC communication with the mobile terminal 50 via the IC tag I/F 22. On the other hand, whether the distance between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 is 10 cm or less or 10 cm or more (for example, about 100 m at maximum), the control unit 30 can communicate with the mobile terminal via the wireless LAN I/F 20. 50 and WFD communication can be executed. That is, the maximum distance at which the printer 10 can perform wireless communication with a communication destination device (for example, the mobile terminal 50) via the wireless LAN I/F 20 is the maximum distance at which the printer 10 can communicate with the communication destination device via the IC tag I/F 22. Greater than the maximum distance over which wireless communication is possible.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32, a main memory 34, and an IC tag memory 36. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to programs stored in the main memory 34. The main memory 34 is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. The main memory 34 stores not only the above programs but also various data generated or acquired while the printer 10 executes various processes. The IC tag memory 36 is a memory for storing data to be supplied to the IC tag I/F 22.

(Configuration of mobile terminal 50)
The mobile terminal 50 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a portable music playback device, a portable video playback device, or the like. The mobile terminal 50 includes a wireless LAN I/F and an NFC I/F (not shown).

The mobile terminal 50 is a WFD compatible device and can selectively operate in any one of three states: a G/O state, a CL state, and a device state. Therefore, the mobile terminal 50 can perform WFD communication via the wireless LAN I/F of the mobile terminal 50.

Note that in a modification, the mobile terminal 50 may be a legacy device instead of a WFD compatible device. Even with this configuration, the mobile terminal 50 can establish a connection with the G/O device (for example, the printer 10) and participate in the WFD network.

Further, the mobile terminal 50 can perform NFC communication via the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50. Note that the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 is the above-mentioned NFC forum device and can operate at least according to the R/W mode.

(Processes executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10; FIGS. 2 and 3)
Next, the process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the CPU 32, and FIG. 3 shows a specific example realized by the flowchart of FIG.

When the power of the printer 10 is turned on (that is, when the printer 10 is started), the printer 10 is not connected to any wireless network and is in a WFD standard device state. When the printer 10 is powered on, the CPU 32 stores a value indicating the device status in the main memory 34 as a value indicating the status of the printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "WFD status value").

As shown in FIG. 3, when the printer 10 is powered on, the CPU 32 (i.e., the control unit 30) of the printer 10 supplies a mode setting instruction to the IC tag I/F 22 to set the operation mode of the IC tag I/F 22. Set to ReadOnly mode. This can prevent the information in the IC tag memory 36 of the control unit 30 from being overwritten by information received from an external device (for example, the mobile terminal 50). As a result, although the details will be described later, the printer 10 can appropriately supply information in the IC tag memory 36 (WFDWSI to be described later) to the mobile terminal 50.

The IC tag I/F 22 transmits a detection radio wave for detecting a device capable of performing NFC communication (for example, the mobile terminal 50). The NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 also transmits a detection radio wave for detecting a device capable of performing NFC communication (for example, the printer 10). When the user brings the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 close to the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10, the distance between the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 and the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 becomes the distance at which radio waves can reach each other. (for example, 10 cm). In this case, one of the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 receives the detection radio wave from the other and transmits a response radio wave.

Next, wireless communication is performed between the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50 to establish an NFC connection (that is, an NFC wireless connection). During the wireless communication process, the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 transmits type information indicating that the IC tag I/F 22 itself functions as an NFC standard IC tag (that is, it is an NFC forum tag I/F). is transmitted to the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50. As a result, the mobile terminal 50 can know that the communication partner (that is, the printer 10) is an NFC forum tag.

When an NFC connection is established between the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50, the mobile terminal 50 determines in which R/W mode it should operate. do. Which of the R/W modes the mobile terminal 50 should operate in is determined in advance by a program (for example, an application) installed in the mobile terminal 50. For example, if a printing application for causing the printer 10 to perform a printing function has been installed on the mobile terminal 50, the mobile terminal 50 may operate in the Reader mode of the R/W mode according to the printing application. decide. On the other hand, if the printing application has not been installed on the mobile terminal 50, the mobile terminal 50 may use an application other than the printing application or the R/W mode according to the operation system (i.e., OS) of the mobile terminal 50. It may decide to operate in Reader mode, or it may decide to operate in Writer mode of R/W modes.

When the mobile terminal 50 determines to operate in the Reader mode of the R/W mode, it transmits a read command to the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 . Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 50 determines to operate in the Writer mode of the R/W mode, it transmits a write command to the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 .

Even if the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives a write command from the mobile terminal 50, it does not perform a write response operation. This is because the operation mode of the IC tag I/F 22 is set to ReadOnly mode. On the other hand, when receiving a read command from the mobile terminal 50, the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 executes a read response operation. Specifically, the IC tag I/F 22 first supplies a specific notification to the control unit 30 to notify that an NFC connection has been established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50.

As shown in S10 of FIG. 2, the CPU 32 monitors the acquisition of a specific notification from the IC tag I/F 22. When acquiring a specific notification from the IC tag I/F 22 (YES in S10), the CPU 32 proceeds to S12.

In S12, the CPU 32 generates wireless setting information to be used in the WFD network to which both the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 belong. Note that, hereinafter, the wireless setting information used in the WFD network will be referred to as "WFDWSI". WFDWSI includes SSID (abbreviation for Service Set Identifier), BSSID (abbreviation for Basic Service Set Identifier), authentication method, encryption method, and password. SSID and BSSID are identification information for identifying the WFD network. More specifically, the SSID is the network identifier of the WFD network, and the BSSID is the MAC address of the printer 10. The authentication method, encryption method, and password are information for authenticating devices, encrypting data, etc. in the WFD network. In FIG. 3, "X1" is shown as a specific value of the SSID.

The CPU 32 generates a new SSID and password by randomly generating character strings. However, the BSSID, authentication method, and encryption method are predetermined information and are not newly generated information by the CPU 32. The CPU 32 writes the generated WFDWSI into the IC tag memory 36.

Next, in S14, the CPU 32 supplies the WFDWSI in the IC tag memory 36 to the IC tag I/F 22. As a result, the IC tag I/F 22 transmits the WFDWSI to the mobile terminal 50 using the NFC connection (that is, the NFC connection used to communicate the read command). When WFDWSI is transmitted from the IC tag I/F 22, the NFC connection is disconnected.

As described above, since the IC tag I/F 22 is set to the ReadOnly mode, even if a write command is received from the mobile terminal 50 after the WFDWSI is stored in the IC tag memory 36 ( For example, even if a write command transmitted by an application other than the print application of the mobile terminal 50 is received, it is possible to prevent the WFDWSI in the IC tag memory 36 from being overwritten with other information. For this reason, the printer 10 can appropriately transmit the WFDWSI to the mobile terminal 50.

Subsequently, in S16, the CPU 32 changes the state of the printer 10 from the device state to the G/O state. In S16, the CPU 32 spontaneously shifts the state of the printer 10 to the G/O state without executing G/O negotiation. Specifically, the CPU 32 first changes the WFD status value in the main memory 34 from a value indicating the device status to a value indicating the G/O status. Next, the CPU 32 creates a management list in the main memory 34 in which the MAC addresses of the CL devices are to be written. At the stage of S16, no MAC address is written in the management list. That is, at the stage of S16, the CPU 32 forms a WFD network to which only the printer 10, which is a G/O device, belongs.

As shown in case A of FIG. 3, if the printing application is already installed on the mobile terminal 50, when the mobile terminal 50 receives the WFDWSI from the printer 10, the mobile terminal 50 uses the WFDWSI to print the G/O device. A process for establishing a WFD wireless connection (hereinafter referred to as "WFD connection") with a certain printer 10 is executed. Specifically, the mobile terminal 50 transmits a Probe Request signal including the SSID included in the WFDWSI via the wireless LAN I/F of the mobile terminal 50. On the other hand, as shown in case B of FIG. 3, if the printing application has not been installed on the mobile terminal 50, the mobile terminal 50 can operate in Reader mode and receive the WFDWSI from the printer 10. , do not send a Probe Request signal. This is because a printing application for interpreting WFDWSI and transmitting a ProbeRequest signal is not installed.

In S18 of FIG. 2, the CPU 32 monitors reception of a ProbeRequest signal including the SSID "X1" via the wireless LAN I/F 20. CPU32 has SSID “X1”
When receiving a Probe Request signal including
It is determined as ES and the process proceeds to S20. On the other hand, if a predetermined period of time passes without receiving a Probe Request signal including SSID "X1" after the printer 10 transitions to the G/O state in S16 (i.e., in case B of FIG. 3), the CPU 32 ), it is determined NO in S18, skips S20 to S24 (that is, does not perform print data reception processing and print processing), and proceeds to S26.

In S20, the CPU 32 executes a process for establishing a WFD connection with the mobile terminal 50 (that is, a process for making the mobile terminal 50 participate in the WFD network in which the printer 10 is a G/O device). Specifically, the CPU 32 communicates connection data such as a Probe Response signal, an Authentication Request signal, and an Authentication Response signal with the mobile terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I/F 20 .

The mobile terminal 50 transmits the authentication method, encryption method, password, etc. included in the WFDWSI to the printer 10 in the process of communicating the above connection data. Then, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 executes authentication of the mobile terminal 50. Since the WFDWSI is sent from the printer 10 to the mobile terminal 50, the authentication is normally successful. As a result, a WFD connection is established between the wireless LAN I/F 20 of the printer 10 and the wireless LAN I/F of the mobile terminal 50.

When the WFD connection is established, the CPU 32 writes the MAC address of the mobile terminal 50 in the management list. As a result, the mobile terminal 50 participates as a CL device in the WFD network in which the printer 10 is a G/O device. That is, the CPU 32 forms a WFD network to which both the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 belong.

When the WFD connection is established, the mobile terminal 50 (ie, the print application) uses the WFD network to transmit print data to the printer 10 via the wireless LAN I/F of the mobile terminal 50. Since the mobile terminal 50 is a CL device and the printer 10 is a G/O device, print data is directly transmitted from the mobile terminal 50 to the printer 10 without going through other devices. The print data is data designated as a print target by the user of the mobile terminal 50, and is, for example, an image file, a document file, or the like.

In S22, the CPU 32 receives print data from the mobile terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I/F 20 using the WFD network. Next, in S24, the CPU 32 supplies print data to the printing mechanism 16. Thereby, the printing mechanism 16 prints the image represented by the print data on the print medium.

Since the print data is an image file or the like, it has a relatively large data size. The communication speed of NFC communication is slower than the communication speed of WFD communication. Therefore, if a configuration is adopted in which wireless communication of print data is performed between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 using NFC communication, it will take a long time to wirelessly communicate the print data. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 use WFD communication to perform wireless communication of print data, so that wireless communication of print data can be quickly performed.

In S26, the CPU 32 changes the state of the printer 10 from the G/O state to the device state. That is, the CPU 32 changes the WFD status value in the main memory 34 from a value indicating the G/O status to a value indicating the device status. Next, the CPU 32 erases the management list from the main memory 34. This causes the WFD network to disappear. After completing S26, the CPU 32 returns to S10.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the IC tag I/F 22 functioning as an NFC standard IC tag uses the NFC connection (that is, executes NFC communication) to transmit the WFDWSI including the SSID "X1" to the mobile terminal. Send to 50. Then, the printer 10 shifts to the G/O state and forms a WFD network to which only the printer 10 belongs. When the printer 10 receives a Probe Request signal including SSID "X1" from the mobile terminal 50, the printer 10 establishes a WFD connection between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50, and indicates that both the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 belong to the WFD connection. form a WFD network with Next, the printer 10 receives print data from the mobile terminal 50 using the WFD network (ie, executing WFD communication). Printer 10 prints an image represented by print data on a print medium. Thereby, the printed print medium can be provided to the user of the mobile terminal 50.

As described above, the NFC forum tag (ie, IC tag I/F 22) has a simpler configuration (ie, the IC chip has a simpler configuration) than the NFC forum device. Therefore, compared to the case where an NFC forum device is used as an I/F for executing NFC communication, the printer 10 of this embodiment can be realized with a simpler configuration. As a result, for example, the printer 10 can be manufactured at relatively low cost.

Note that if the IC tag I/F 22 includes a RAM as in the second embodiment described later, the CPU 32 needs to write WFDWSI to the RAM in the IC tag I/F 22 in S14 of FIG. be. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the IC tag I/F 22 does not include a RAM, there is no need for the CPU 32 to write WFDWSI to the RAM in the IC tag I/F 22 in S14 of FIG. Therefore, the process of S14 can be quickly executed, and as a result, the WFDWSI can be quickly supplied from the printer 10 to the mobile terminal 50.

(correspondence)
The printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 are examples of a "first communication device" and a "second communication device." The IC tag I/F 22 and the wireless LAN I/F 20 are examples of a "first type interface" and a "second type interface", respectively. The operation of transmitting the WFDWSI including the SSID "X1" to the mobile terminal 50 is an example of the "transmission operation." Print data is an example of "target data." The WFD standard is an example of a "specific standard." The ReadOnly mode is an example of the "first mode." An NFC connection and a WFD connection are examples of a "first wireless connection" and a "second wireless connection," respectively. The G/O state and the device state are examples of the "master station state" and the "independent state", respectively. The WFD network, SSID "X1", and Probe Request signal are examples of the "first wireless network", "network identification information", and "specific signal", respectively. A print application is an example of an "application". The processes in S12 and S14 in FIG. 2 are examples of processes executed by the "interface control unit." The process of S16, the process of S20, and the process of S22 are examples of processes executed by the "state transition unit", the "formation unit", and the "data communication unit", respectively.

(Second example)
Points different from the first embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, the IC tag I/F 22 includes a RAM 24 for storing information supplied from the control unit 30 for a long period of time.

(Processes executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10; FIGS. 4 to 6)
The contents of the process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. Unlike the first embodiment, the CPU 32 (ie, the control unit 30) of the printer 10 generates WFDWSI when the power of the printer 10 is turned on, and supplies the generated WFDWSI to the IC tag I/F 22. The WFDWSI generation method is the same as S12 in FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, "X1" is shown as a specific value of the SSID included in the WFDWSI generated when the printer 10 is powered on. The IC tag I/F 22 stores the WFDWSI in the RAM 24.

Each process S10 to S26 in FIG. 4 is similar to each process S10 to S26 in FIG. 2, but the order of each process is different. As shown in FIG. 5, an NFC connection is established between the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50, and then a read command is communicated using the NFC connection. , is similar to the first embodiment.

The IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 supplies a specific notification to the control unit 30 when receiving a read command from the mobile terminal 50. Thereby, the CPU 32 determines YES in S10 of FIG. 4, and proceeds to S16. In this embodiment, if YES in S10, the CPU 32 does not generate the WFDWSI (S12) and does not supply the WFDWSI to the IC tag I/F 22 (S14). This is because the WFDWSI is supplied to the IC tag I/F 22 when the power of the printer 10 is turned on or during the process of S14 described later, and the WFDWSI is already stored in the RAM 24 of the IC tag I/F 22. Therefore, when receiving a read command from the mobile terminal 50, the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 transfers the WFDWSI (i.e., SSID "X1") in the RAM 24 to the mobile terminal 50 without acquiring the WFDWSI from the control unit 30. Send to.

Each process from S16 to S26 in FIG. 4 is similar to each process from S16 to S26 in FIG. When each process of S16 to S26 in FIG. 4 is executed, as shown in FIG. Network formation and print data communication are executed, and then the WFD network disappears.

As shown in FIG. 4, after completing S26 (that is, when the WFD network disappears), the CPU 32 generates a WFDWSI (S12) and supplies the WFDWSI to the IC tag I/F 22 (S14). . In S12, the CPU 32 generates an SSID and a password by randomly generating character strings. Therefore, the SSID and password generated in S12 are different from the SSID and password generated when the power is turned on (or when S12 was executed in the past). In FIG. 6, "X2" is shown as a specific value of the SSID generated in S12. The IC tag I/F 22 deletes the WFDWSI in the RAM 24 (that is, the WFDWSI generated when the power is turned on) and stores a new WFDWSI (that is, the WFDWSI supplied in S14) in the RAM 24.

After completing S14 in FIG. 5, the CPU 32 returns to S10. As shown in FIG. 6, when the NFC connection is re-established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50, the IC tag I/F 22 transfers the WFDWSI (i.e. SSID "X2") in the RAM 24 to the mobile terminal 50. Send to. The subsequent processing is the same as that in FIG. 5 except that SSID "X2" is used instead of SSID "X1".

(Effects of the second embodiment)
This embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the IC tag I/F 22 includes the RAM 24, the WFDWSI can be stored in the RAM 24 in advance before the NFC connection is established. Therefore, when an NFC connection is established, the IC tag I/F 22 can quickly transmit the WFDWSI in the RAM 24 to the mobile terminal 50 without acquiring the WFDWSI from the control unit 30.

(correspondence)
In this embodiment, the WFD network in FIG. 5 and the WFD network in FIG. 6 are examples of a "second wireless network" and a "first wireless network," respectively. Further, SSID "X2" is an example of "network identification information".

(Third example)
Points different from the first embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, the IC tag I/F 22 does not include a RAM, as in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the printer 10 selectively operates in one of two states: the G/O state and the device state. In contrast, in this embodiment, the printer 10 selectively operates in one of three states: the G/O state, the CL state, and the device state. For example, printer 10 may perform G/O negotiation with a device different from printer 10 and determine that printer 10 becomes a CL device.

(Processes executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10; FIGS. 7 and 8)
The details of the process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. When the user desires to form a WFD network to which the printer 10 and the PC 110 belong, the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation panel 12 of the printer 10 and performs a predetermined operation on the PC 110. Thereby, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 executes G/O negotiation with the PC 110 via the wireless LAN I/F 20.

In G/O negotiation, the CPU 32 transmits information indicating the G/O priority of the printer 10 (more specifically, Intent value) to the PC 110, and receives information indicating the G/O priority of the PC 110 from the PC 110. do. The G/O priority of the printer 10 is an index indicating the degree to which the printer 10 should be in the G/O state, and is predetermined in the printer 10. Similarly, the G/O priority of the PC 110 is an index indicating the degree to which the PC 110 should be in the G/O state, and is predetermined in the PC 110.

The CPU 32 compares the G/O priority of the printer 10 and the G/O priority of the PC 110, and determines that the device with the higher priority will enter the G/O state, and the device with the lower priority Decide that the device will go into CL state. In case C of FIG. 8, it is determined that the printer 10 will be in the G/O state, and it is determined that the PC 110 will be in the CL state. That is, the CPU 32 changes the WFD status value in the main memory 34 from a value indicating the device status to a value indicating the G/O status. Further, the CPU 32 generates a management list including the MAC address of the PC 110 in the main memory 34. Furthermore, in case D, it is determined that the printer 10 will be in the CL state, and it is determined that the PC 110 will be in the G/O state. That is, the CPU 32 changes the WFD status value in the main memory 34 from a value indicating the device status to a value indicating the CL status.

When the printer 10 becomes a G/O device (ie, case C), the printer 10 (ie, the CPU 32) generates the WFDWSI. Then, the CPU 32 supplies the generated WFDWSI to the PC 110 via the wireless LAN I/F 20. As a result, a WFD connection is established between the printer 10 and the PC 110, and a WFD network is formed to which the printer 10, which is a G/O device, and the PC 110, which is a CL device, belong.

On the other hand, when the printer 10 becomes a CL device (ie, case D), the PC 110 generates the WFDWSI. Then, the CPU 32 receives the WFDWSI from the PC 110 via the wireless LAN I/F 20. As a result, a WFD connection is established between the printer 10 and the PC 110, and a WFD network is formed to which the printer 10, which is a CL device, and the PC 110, which is a G/O device, belong.

As in case C or D above, when a WFD network to which the printer 10 and PC 110 belong is formed, the printer 10 uses the WFD network to receive print data from the PC 110 and perform print processing. can be executed.

In the first or second embodiment, an NFC connection is established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 while the printer 10 is in the device state, but the printer 10 is in the G/O state or the CL state. An NFC connection is not established during this time. In contrast, in this embodiment, since a WFD network to which the printer 10 and PC 110 belong can be formed, an NFC connection can be established even while the printer 10 is in the G/O state or the CL state. .

As shown in FIG. 8, an NFC connection is established between the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 50, and then a read command is communicated using the NFC connection. , is similar to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

The IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 supplies a specific notification to the control unit 30 when receiving a read command from the mobile terminal 50. Thereby, the CPU 32 determines YES in S10 of FIG. 7, and proceeds to S50.

In S50, the CPU 32 determines whether the current state of the printer 10 is a device state. Specifically, if the WFD status value in the main memory 34 is a value indicating the device status, the CPU 32 determines YES in S50 and proceeds to S12. Each process from S12 to S26 is similar to each process from S12 to S26 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the WFD status value in the main memory 34 is a value indicating the G/O status or the CL status, the CPU 32 determines NO in S50 and proceeds to S52. In S52, the CPU 32 determines whether the current state of the printer 10 is the CL state. Specifically, if the WFD status value in the main memory 34 is a value indicating the CL status (ie, case D in FIG. 8), the CPU 32 determines YES in S52 and proceeds to S58. On the other hand, if the WFD status value in the main memory 34 is a value indicating the G/O status (ie, case C in FIG. 8), the CPU 32 determines NO in S52 and proceeds to S54.

In S54, the CPU 32 determines whether the number of CL devices belonging to the WFD network in which the printer 10 is a G/O device matches a predetermined upper limit. Specifically, the CPU 32 first reads the number of MAC addresses written in the management list in the main memory 34 and identifies the number of CL devices. If the number of CL devices matches the upper limit, the CPU 32 determines YES in S54 and proceeds to S58. On the other hand, if the number of CL devices does not match the upper limit, that is, if the number of CL devices is less than the upper limit, the CPU 32 determines NO in S54 and proceeds to S56.

In S56, the CPU 32 stores the WFDWSI currently used in the WFD network in which the printer 10 is a G/O device (that is, the WFDWSI generated by the printer 10 after the above G/O negotiation) into the IC tag memory. Write to 36. Then, the CPU 32 supplies the WFDWSI in the IC tag memory 36 to the IC tag I/F 22. As a result, the IC tag I/F 22 transmits the WFDWSI to the mobile terminal 50 using the NFC connection.

After completing S56, the CPU 32 proceeds to S18. When the CPU 32 receives a Probe Request signal from the mobile terminal 50 (YES in S18), the CPU 32 causes the mobile terminal 50 to join the WFD network to which the printer 10 and the PC 110 belong (S20), and uses the WFD network to Print data is received from the terminal 50 (S22), and print processing is executed (S24). Note that even after completing S24, the CPU 32 does not shift from the G/O state to the device state (that is, does not execute the process of S26). This is because if the process of S26 were executed, the WFD network to which the printer 10 and PC 110 belong would disappear, and the printer 10 would no longer be able to receive print data from the PC 110.

In this embodiment, in the WFD network, the G/O device has the authority to allow other devices to participate in the WFD network, but the CL device does not have the authority to allow other devices to participate in the WFD network. policy is adopted. Therefore, if YES in S52, that is, if the NFC connection is established while the printer 10 is in the CL state, the printer 10 cannot allow the mobile terminal 50 to participate in the WFD network. For this reason, in S58, the CPU 32 provides information ( (hereinafter referred to as "disapproval information") is supplied to the IC tag I/F 22. Specifically, in S58, the CPU 32 writes the disapproval information in the IC tag memory 36, and supplies the disapproval information in the IC tag memory 36 to the IC tag I/F 22. Thereby, the IC tag I/F 22 transmits the disapproval information to the mobile terminal 50 using the NFC connection.

Further, if YES in S54, that is, the NFC connection is established while the printer 10 is in the G/O state, but if the number of CL devices matches the upper limit, the CPU 32 Since the number of CL devices cannot be increased any further, the mobile terminal 50 cannot participate in the WFD network. Also in this case, the CPU 32 supplies the impossibility information to the IC tag I/F 22 in S58.

Next, in S60, the CPU 32 supplies a mode change instruction to the IC tag I/F 22 to change the operation mode of the IC tag I/F 22 from the ReadOnly mode to the Writable mode.

When the mobile terminal 50 (ie, the printing application) receives the disapproval information from the printer 10, it determines that the print data should be sent to the printer 10 using NFC communication instead of WFD communication. Then, the mobile terminal 50 determines to operate in the Writer mode of the R/W mode, and uses the NFC connection to transmit the NFC standard write command and print data to the printer 10.

Since the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 operates in the Writable mode (see S60), upon receiving a write command from the mobile terminal 50, it executes a write response operation in accordance with the write command. Specifically, the IC tag I/F 22 supplies print data to the control unit 30. As a result, in S62, the CPU 32 receives print data from the mobile terminal 50 via the IC tag I/F 22.

Next, in S64, the CPU 32 executes printing processing (processing similar to S24). Subsequently, in S66, the CPU 32 supplies a mode change instruction to the IC tag I/F 22 to change the operation mode of the IC tag I/F 22 from the Writable mode to the ReadOnly mode. After completing S66, the CPU 32 returns to S10.

(Effects of the third embodiment)
In this embodiment, when an NFC connection is established while the printer 10 is in the device state (YES in S50 in FIG. 7), the printer 10 transmits the WFDWSI to the mobile terminal 50, as in the first embodiment. (S14), forms a WFD network to which only the printer 10, which is a G/O device, belongs (S16), and then forms a WFD network to which both the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 belong (S16). S20). For this reason, the printer 10 can receive print data from the mobile terminal 50 using the WFD network (S22) and appropriately execute the print process (S24).

If the NFC connection is established while the printer 10 is in the G/O state (NO in S52 of FIG. 7), the printer 10 determines whether the number of CL devices matches the upper limit ( S54). If the printer 10 determines that the number of CL devices does not match the upper limit (NO in S54), it transmits the WFDWSI to the mobile terminal 50 (S56), and indicates that both the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 belong to it. A WFD network is formed (S20). For this reason, the printer 10 can receive print data from the mobile terminal 50 using the WFD network (S22) and appropriately execute the print process (S24).

On the other hand, if the printer 10 determines that the number of CL devices matches the upper limit (
If YES in S54), transmit the disapproval information to the mobile terminal 50 (S58), receive print data from the mobile terminal 50 using the NFC connection (S62), and appropriately execute the print process (S64). I can do it.

Further, if an NFC connection is established while the printer 10 is in the CL state (YES in S52 of FIG. 7), the printer 10 sends the disable information to the mobile terminal 50 (S58) and uses the NFC connection. It is possible to receive print data from the mobile terminal 50 (S62) and appropriately execute print processing (S64).

As described above, the printer 10 can perform appropriate processing depending on the state of the printer 10 to appropriately perform print processing. In particular, when printer 10 should receive print data from mobile terminal 50 using NFC connection (YES in S52 or YES in S54), it changes the operation mode of IC tag I/F 22 to Writable mode. (S60), print data can be appropriately received from the mobile terminal 50 using the NFC connection (S62).

Note that when receiving print data using an NFC connection (S62), it takes a longer time to communicate the print data than when receiving print data using a WFD connection (S22). However, instead of a normal printer that can print on relatively large print media such as A4 size printing paper, for example, a so-called label printer that can print on relatively small print media such as labels such as laminate film. Since the data size of print data is relatively small, even if a configuration is adopted in which print data is received using an NFC connection, it is possible to prevent users from feeling dissatisfied with the long print data communication time. obtain. That is, the printer 10 may be a normal printer, but is preferably a label printer.

(correspondence)
ReadOnly mode and Writable mode are examples of "first mode" and "second mode", respectively. YES in S50, NO in S52, and YES in S52 are examples of the "first case,""secondcase," and "third case," respectively. The CL state is an example of a "slave station state." Not only the process of S14 but also the process of S56 is an example of the process executed by the "interface control unit". Further, the process of S54 is an example of the process executed by the "determination unit".

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification 1) The "first communication device" is not limited to the printer 10, but may be a scanner, a copy machine, a multi-function device, a mobile terminal, a PC, a server, or the like. For example, in a modified example in which the scanner is an example of a "first communication device," the scanner's CPU uses the WFD network to which the scanner and mobile terminal belong to transmit the scan data via the wireless LAN I/F. may be sent to a mobile terminal. In this modification, scan data is an example of "target data." Further, for example, in an embodiment where the PC is an example of the "first communication device", the CPU of the PC uses the WFD network to which the PC and mobile terminal belong, and uses the wireless LAN I/F to Data files (for example, document files, etc.) in the PC may be transmitted to the mobile terminal. In this modification, the data file is an example of "target data." Furthermore, the "second communication device" is not limited to the mobile terminal 50, and may be a printer, scanner, copy machine, multi-function device, PC, server, or the like.

(Modification 2) The “second type interface” is a wireless LAN for performing WFD communication.
It is not limited to the I/F 20, and may be, for example, a wireless LAN I/F for performing wireless communication via an access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP"). In this modification, when the CPU 32 of the printer 10 belongs to a specific wireless network formed by an AP, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 transmits the SSID of the specific wireless network to the mobile terminal 50 using an NFC connection. You may. In this case, the mobile terminal 50 may transmit a Probe Request signal including the SSID to the AP to participate in the above-mentioned specific wireless network. In this case as well, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 receives print data from the mobile terminal 50 using the above-mentioned specific wireless network to which both the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 50 belong (i.e., via the AP). be able to.

(Modification 3) The "second type interface" is not limited to the wireless LAN I/F 20, and may be, for example, a BT I/F for performing Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication. In this modification, a passkey (ie, PIN) used in a Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless network is an example of "network identification information." Note that if the communication speed of NFC communication can be increased, the communication speed of wireless communication via the BT I/F may be slower than the communication speed of wireless communication via the NFC I/F 22. Generally speaking, the communication speed of wireless communication via the second type interface may be faster or slower than the communication speed of wireless communication via the first type interface.

(Modification 4) In FIG. 2, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 may execute the process of S16, and then execute the process of S14. Generally speaking, the CPU 32 may shift the state of the printer 10 from the device state to the G/O state in the process of S14 after generating the SSID in the process of S12, as in each of the above embodiments. However, as in this modification, the SSID may be generated in the process of S12 after the state of the printer 10 is transferred from the device state to the G/O state in the process of S14.

(Variation 5) In S16 of FIG. 2, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 forms a wireless network by shifting the state of the printer 10 from the WFD standard device state to the G/O state. Alternatively, the CPU 32 may form a wireless network in which the printer 10 operates as an AP by activating a so-called Soft AP. In this modification, the CPU 32 generates wireless setting information (SSID, BSSID, etc.) used in the wireless network in S12, and supplies the wireless setting information to the IC tag I/F 22 in S14. In this modification as well, S18 to S24 are executed in the same way. In S26, the CPU 32 stops SoftAP. In this modification, the state in which SoftAP is activated is an example of the "master station state."

(Variation 6) In the above embodiment, each process in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, or FIG. 7 is realized by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 executing the program (ie, software) in the main memory 34. Alternatively, at least one of the processes in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, or FIG. 7 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

Further, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness singly or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims as filed. Furthermore, the techniques illustrated in this specification or the drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of the objectives has technical utility in itself.

2: Communication system, 10: Printer, 12: Operation panel, 14: Display mechanism, 16: Printing mechanism, 20: Wireless LAN I/F, 22: IC tag I/F, 30: Control unit, 34: Main memory, 36 : IC tag memory, 50: Mobile terminal, 110: PC

Claims (13)

A first communication device,
It functions as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag of the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard, and whether the second communication device is equipped with a printing application program or not, it can be connected to the first communication device. A first type of interface that transmits specific information to the second communication device using the NFC standard wireless connection established with the second communication device, the print application program , the second communication device is a program for wirelessly transmitting target data to be printed according to a specific standard different from the NFC standard, and the specific information is a program for the first communication device to wirelessly transmit target data to be printed. the first type of interface, which is information used when the second communication device participates in a first wireless network formed by operating as a master station;
a second type of interface that performs wireless communication according to the specific standard;
When the second communication device includes the print application program, the wireless connection via the first type of interface is established, and the second communication device uses the specific information. a data communication unit that receives the target data from the second communication device via the second type of interface using the first wireless network by participating in the first wireless network; If the second communication device does not include the print application program, even if the wireless connection is established via the first type of interface, the first communication device does not function as the master station. the data communication unit is operative, but the second communication device does not participate in the first wireless network and the target data is not received from the second communication device;
a printing mechanism that executes printing of an image represented by the received target data;
A first communication device comprising: The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device is a printer. The first communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first communication device operates as the master station of the first wireless network by activating SoftAP. The first communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first communication device operates as the master station of the first wireless network by transitioning to a Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) group owner state. 1 communication equipment. The first communication device further includes:
The second communication device includes the print application program, and after sending the specific information, the second communication device sends the specific information including the specific information via the second type of interface. A forming unit that, when receiving a signal, forms the first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong via the second type interface, , when the second communication device does not include the printing application program, the first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong is not formed; The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: The first communication device further includes:
The first communication device according to claim 1 , further comprising a generation unit that generates the specific information when the first communication device is powered on. The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first type of interface further includes a memory that stores the specific information. The first communication device further includes:
comprising a control unit separate from the first type interface,
The first communication device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit supplies the specific information to the memory of the first type interface. The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the specific information includes information identifying the first wireless network. The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first wireless network disappears after communication of the target data is completed. The first method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a communication speed of wireless communication via the second type interface is faster than a communication rate of wireless communication via the first type interface. Communication equipment. The second type of interface is a wireless interface according to at least one of the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and a standard based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, configured to perform communication. A computer program for a first communication device, the computer program comprising:
The first communication device includes:
It functions as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag of the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard, and whether the second communication device is equipped with a printing application program or not, it can be connected to the first communication device. A first type of interface that transmits specific information to the second communication device using the NFC standard wireless connection established with the second communication device, the print application program , the second communication device is a program for wirelessly transmitting target data to be printed according to a specific standard different from the NFC standard, and the specific information is a program for the first communication device to wirelessly transmit target data to be printed. the first type of interface, which is information used when the second communication device participates in a first wireless network formed by operating as a master station;
a second type of interface that performs wireless communication according to the specific standard;
The computer program causes a computer installed in the first communication device to perform the following processing, namely:
When the second communication device includes the print application program, the wireless connection via the first type of interface is established, and the second communication device uses the specific information. data communication processing of receiving the target data from the second communication device via the second type of interface by using the first wireless network by participating in the first wireless network; If the second communication device does not include the print application program, even if the wireless connection is established via the first type of interface, the first communication device does not function as the master station. executing the data communication process, in which the second communication device operates but the second communication device does not participate in the first wireless network and the target data is not received from the second communication device;
The first communication device further includes a printing mechanism that prints an image represented by the received target data.

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