Communication device, recording medium, and method executed by communication device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication device, a recording medium, and a method performed by the communication device. In a case where a first wireless connection with a first external device via a first wireless interface is established while the operation state of the communication device is in a specific state, and predetermined information is received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, the communication device may transition the operation state of the communication device from the specific state to a G / O state, and, after the operation state of the communication device has transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving the predetermined information from the first external device, establish a second wireless connection with the first external device via a second wireless interface to enable the first external device to participate in a first wireless network in which the communication device operates as a G / O.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese invention patent application. The invention title of the original application is “Communication device, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, and method performed by a communication device”, the application number of the original application is 201810233685.2, and the application date of the original application is March 21, 2018. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure discloses a communication device configured to be capable of transitioning to a G / O (Group Owner) state of a WFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) scheme. Background Art

[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0240776 discloses a communication system including a printer and a mobile terminal. When an NFC (Near Field Communication) link is established with the mobile terminal, in response to receiving a read command from the mobile terminal, the printer sends wireless setting information (such as SSID (Service Set Identifier), password, etc.) to be used in the WFD network to the mobile terminal. When sending the wireless setting information, the printer switches to the G / O state of the WFD scheme to create a WFD network. Then, the printer establishes a wireless connection with the mobile terminal by using the wireless setting information, and enables the mobile terminal to participate in the WFD network as a client of the WFD scheme. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the above configuration, in response to receiving a read command, the printer transitions to the G / O state and transmits wireless setup information to the mobile terminal. However, if preparations for establishing a wireless connection with the printer are not complete in the mobile terminal, the printer cannot establish a wireless connection with the mobile terminal. In this case, the printer's transition to the G / O state is wasted.

[0005] The disclosure herein discloses a technique for suppressing an increase in processing load on a communication device.

[0006] The communication device disclosed herein may include: a first wireless interface configured to perform wireless communication with another device located at a first distance; a second wireless interface configured to perform wireless communication according to a Wi-Fi scheme with another device located at a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance; a first conversion unit that, when an operation state of the communication device is in a specific state, establishes a first wireless connection with a first external device via the first wireless interface and, when predetermined information is received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, converts the operation state of the communication device from the specific state to a G / O (Group Owner, Group Owner) scheme compliant with a WFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) scheme of the Wi-Fi scheme. The WFD mode is a WFD mode in which the user is connected to the first external device via the wireless interface. The WFD mode is a WFD mode in which the user is connected to the first external device via the wireless interface. The WFD mode is a WFD mode in which the user is connected to the first external device via the wireless interface.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the communication device transitions to the G / O state when a first wireless connection is established with a first external device and predetermined information is received from the first external device, on which an application has been installed, using the first wireless connection. On the other hand, if predetermined information is not received from the first external device, the communication device does not transition to the G / O state even if the first wireless connection is established with the first external device. As described above, even if a first wireless connection is established with a first external device that does not have an application installed, that is, even if a first wireless connection is established with a first external device that cannot establish a second wireless connection, the communication device does not transition to the G / O state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing load on the communication device.

[0008] The first wireless interface may be configured to perform wireless communication according to an NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication) scheme, and the predetermined information may be write information according to a write command of the NFC scheme.

[0009] The first wireless interface is configured to send identification information to a first external device using a first wireless connection, the identification information being used to identify a first wireless network, and the first conversion unit converts an operating state of the communication device from a specific state to a G / O state to form a first wireless network identified by the identification information sent by the first wireless interface.

[0010] The first wireless interface may be configured to perform wireless communication according to an NFC (Near Field Communication) scheme, and the first wireless interface may be configured to send first read information of a read command according to the NFC scheme to a first external device using a first wireless connection, the first read information including identification information.

[0011] After the operation state has been transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving predetermined information including WFD device information from a first external device that is a WFD device capable of performing wireless communication according to the WFD scheme, the first establishing unit may establish a second wireless connection with the first external device so that the first external device participates in the first wireless network as a client, the WFD device information indicating that the first external device is a WFD device, and the communication device may further include: a second converting unit for establishing a third wireless connection with the second external device via the first wireless interface in a case where the operation state of the communication device is in a specific state, and in a case where predetermined information not including WFD device information is received from the second external device using the third wireless connection, changing the operation state of the communication device from A specific state is transitioned to a G / O state, the second external device is different from the first external device and is a legacy device (LegacyDevice) that is not capable of performing wireless communication according to the WFD scheme, wherein the operation state of the communication device may not be transitioned to the G / O state without receiving predetermined information from the second external device using a third wireless connection; and a second establishing unit, which is used to establish a fourth wireless connection with the second external device via a second wireless interface after the operation state of the communication device has been transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving predetermined information that does not include WFD device information from the second external device, so as to enable the second external device to participate as a legacy device of the Wi-Fi scheme in a second wireless network in which the communication device operates as a G / O.

[0012] After the operating state has transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving predetermined information including WFD device information from a first external device that is a WFD device, the first establishment unit may establish a second wireless connection with the first external device by performing a password sending process for sending a first password to be used in the first wireless network to the first external device via the second wireless interface, and by using the first password sent in the password sending process, the password sending process being for sending a first password to be used in the first wireless network to the first external device via the second wireless interface, the first wireless interface being configured to send a second password to be used in the second wireless network to the second external device using a third wireless connection, and after the operating state of the communication device has transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving predetermined information not including WFD device information from the second external device that is a legacy device, the second establishment unit may establish a fourth wireless connection with the second external device by using the second password sent by the first wireless interface without sending the second password to the second external device via the second wireless interface.

[0013] The first wireless interface may be configured to perform wireless communication according to an NFC (Near Field Communication) scheme, and the first wireless interface may be configured to send second read information of a read command according to the NFC scheme to a second external device using a third wireless connection, the second read information including the second password.

[0014] The communication device may also include: a display unit; a display control unit for causing the display unit to display an inquiry screen in the following situations: establishing a first wireless connection with a first external device; not receiving predetermined information from the first external device using the first wireless connection; and receiving a specific signal from a third external device via a second wireless interface, the inquiry screen being a screen for inquiring a user whether to establish a fifth wireless connection with the third external device via the second wireless interface; and a third establishing unit for establishing a fifth wireless connection with the third external device if the user selects to establish a fifth wireless connection with the third external device on the inquiry screen, wherein the fifth wireless connection is not established if the user does not select to establish a fifth wireless connection with the third external device on the inquiry screen, and if the first wireless connection with the first external device is established and predetermined information is received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, the first establishing unit establishes a second wireless connection with the first external device without displaying the inquiry screen.

[0015] A control method for implementing the aforementioned communication device, the aforementioned computer-readable instructions, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing the computer-readable instructions are also novel and useful. In addition, a communication system including the aforementioned communication device and an external device is also novel and useful. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 Shown is the configuration of a communication system.

[0017] Figure 2 A flowchart showing processing to be executed by the MFP is shown.

[0018] Figure 3 A flow chart showing device processing is shown.

[0019] Figure 4 A flow chart showing the automatic G / O processing.

[0020] Figure 5 A sequence diagram showing a case A in which an NFC connection is established in a state in which the WFD function is OFF.

[0021] Figure 6 A sequence diagram showing a case B in which an NFC connection is established in a state in which the WFD function is turned on (ON).

[0022] Figure 7 A sequence diagram showing case C where a conventional connection is established.

[0023] Figure 8 A sequence diagram showing a case D in which an inquiry screen is displayed.

[0024] Figure 9 A sequence diagram of a comparative example is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] (Configuration of communication system 2, Figure 1 )

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 2 includes a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as "MFP") 10 and a plurality of mobile terminals 100, 200, and 300. Each of the devices 10, 100, 200, and 300 is capable of performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi scheme (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi communication") and wireless communication according to the NFC (abbreviation for Near Field Communication) scheme (hereinafter referred to as "NFC communication"). Each of the MFP 10 and the mobile terminals 100 and 300 is a WFD device that is capable of (i.e., supports) wireless communication according to the WFD (abbreviation for Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) scheme that conforms to the Wi-Fi scheme (hereinafter referred to as "WFD communication"). Mobile terminal 200 is a legacy device that is incapable of (i.e., does not support) WFD communication.

[0027] (Configuration of MFP 10)

[0028] The MFP 10 is a peripheral device (such as a peripheral device for the mobile terminal 100) capable of performing multiple functions including a printing function and a scanning function. The MFP 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a scan execution unit 18, a Wi-Fi interface 20, an NFC interface 22, and a controller 30. The respective units 12 to 30 are connected via a bus (reference numerals omitted). Hereinafter, the interface will be represented as "I / F".

[0029] The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys and accepts user operations. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various types of information. The print execution unit 16 includes a printing mechanism of an inkjet type, a laser type, or the like. The scan execution unit 18 is a scanning mechanism such as a CCD or CIS.

[0030] The Wi-Fi I / F 20 is a wireless interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi scheme. The Wi-Fi I / F 20 is assigned a MAC address "A". The Wi-Fi scheme is a wireless communication scheme for performing wireless communication according to, for example, the 802.11 standard of the IEEE (abbreviation of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and other standards that comply therewith (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). The Wi-Fi I / F 20 particularly supports the WFD scheme defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance and is capable of performing wireless communication according to the WFD scheme. That is, the MFP 10 is a WFD device. The WFD scheme is a wireless communication scheme described in the specification "Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance. In the WFD specification, three states are defined as states of a WFD device: the group owner state (hereinafter referred to as the "G / O state"), the client state, and the device state. A WFD device can selectively operate in any of the three states described above.

[0031] Furthermore, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 supports WPS (abbreviation for Wi-Fi Protected Setup) defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance. WPS is a so-called automatic wireless setup or simple wireless setup, and is a technology that can easily establish a wireless connection between a pair of devices even if the wireless setup information (such as a password, authentication scheme, encryption scheme, etc.) for establishing a wireless connection according to the Wi-Fi scheme has not been input by the user. In particular, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 supports the PBC (abbreviation for Push Button Configuration) scheme of WPS. The PBC scheme is a scheme for establishing a wireless connection between a pair of devices when the user performs a predetermined operation (such as a button press operation) on each of the pair of devices.

[0032] The NFC I / F 22 is an I / F for performing NFC communications according to the NFC scheme. The NFC scheme is a wireless communication scheme based on international standards such as ISO / IEC 14443, 15693, and 18092. Types of I / Fs used for performing NFC communications include an I / F known as an NFC Forum device and an I / F known as an NFC Forum tag. The NFC I / F 22 is an NFC Forum device and is capable of selectively operating in any of P2P (Peer to Peer) mode, R / W (Reader / Writer) mode, and CE (Card Emulation) mode. This embodiment assumes that the NFC I / F 22 is operating in CE mode.

[0033] Here, we will describe the differences between Wi-Fi communication and NFC communication. Wi-Fi communication (e.g., its maximum communication speed is 11 to 600 Mbps) is faster than NFC communication (e.g., its maximum communication speed is 100 to 424 Kbps). Furthermore, the carrier frequency of Wi-Fi communication (e.g., the 2.4 GHz band or the 5.0 GHz band) is different from the carrier frequency of NFC communication (e.g., the 13.56 MHz band). Furthermore, the maximum distance over which Wi-Fi communication can be performed (up to approximately 100 meters) is greater than the maximum distance over which NFC communication can be performed (up to approximately 10 cm).

[0034] The controller 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 is configured to execute various types of processing according to a program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like. Furthermore, the memory 34 stores a WFD function flag 38 indicating whether the MFP 10 is capable of performing operations according to the WFD scheme. The WFD function flag 38 is set to one of "ON" indicating that the MFP 10 is capable of performing operations according to the WFD scheme, and "OFF" indicating that the MFP 10 is incapable of performing such operations.

[0035] (Configuration of Mobile Terminal 100)

[0036] The mobile terminal 100 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a laptop PC, a tablet PC, a portable music player, a portable movie player, etc. The mobile terminal 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a Wi-Fi I / F 120, an NFC I / F 122, and a controller 130. The respective units 112 to 130 are connected via a bus (reference numerals thereof are omitted).

[0037] The operation unit 112 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the mobile terminal 100 by operating the operation unit 112. The display unit 114 is a display for displaying various types of information. The display unit 114 also functions as a so-called touch panel. That is, the display unit 114 also functions as an operation unit.

[0038] Wi-Fi I / F 120 is similar to Wi-Fi I / F 20 and supports the WFD scheme. That is, mobile terminal 100 is a WFD device. In addition, NFC I / F 122 is similar to NFC I / F 22 except that it operates in R / W mode.

[0039] The controller 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The CPU 132 executes various processes according to an OS (abbreviation of operating system) program 136 stored in the memory 134. The memory 134 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc. The OS program 136 is a program for implementing basic operations of the mobile terminal 100. The memory 134 also stores an MFP application (hereinafter referred to as "MFP app") 140. The MFP app 140 is an application for causing the MFP 10 to perform various functions. The MFP app 140 can be installed to the mobile terminal 100, for example, from a server on the Internet provided by a vendor of the MFP 10, or can be installed to the mobile terminal 100 from a medium included with the MFP 10.

[0040] (Configuration of Other Mobile Terminals 200 and 300)

[0041] Mobile terminal 200 includes a configuration that is almost identical to mobile terminal 100. However, the Wi-Fi I / F of mobile terminal 200 does not support the WFD scheme. In other words, mobile terminal 200 is a legacy device. Furthermore, mobile terminal 300 includes a configuration that is almost identical to that of mobile terminal 100. However, the memory of mobile terminal 300 does not store MFP app 140.

[0042] (Processing executed by the MFP 10: Figure 2 )

[0043] Next, we will refer to Figure 2 Description will be given of a process executed by the CPU 32 of the MFP 10. This process is executed in a state where the WFD function flag 38 is set to "OFF".

[0044] In S5, the CPU 32 monitors whether a WFD startup operation is performed on the operation unit 12. The WFD startup operation is an operation for changing the WFD function flag 38 from "OFF" to "ON." If the WFD startup operation is performed (Yes in S5), the CPU 32 proceeds to S10.

[0045] At S10, the CPU 32 changes the WFD function flag 38 from "OFF" to "ON." Then, at S15, the CPU 32 provides the Wi-Fi I / F 20 with an LS (short for Listen Search) start instruction for starting the listening process and the search process. The LS start instruction includes instructions for setting the duration of the listening process and the duration of the search process. Here, each of the duration of the listening process and the duration of the search process is set to a value greater than zero. Thus, according to the instructions included in the LS start instruction, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 repeatedly performs the listening process for the duration of the listening process and then performs the search process for the duration of the search process. In other words, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 alternately repeats the listening process and the search process. As a result, the operating state of the MFP 10 transitions to a device state of the WFD scheme, i.e., a state in which the MFP 10 performs operations according to the WFD scheme. The listening process is a process of sending a probe response in response to receiving a probe request. Furthermore, the search process is a process of monitoring the receipt of a probe response in response to sending a probe request.

[0046] At S20, the CPU 32 executes device processing (see Figure 3 ). The device process is a process executed during a period in which the operation state of the MFP 10 is the device state.

[0047] Furthermore, in S45, the CPU 32 monitors whether a wireless connection (hereinafter referred to as "NFC connection") has been established between the NFC I / F 22 and the NFC I / F (e.g., 122) of the mobile terminal (e.g., 100). If information indicating that an NFC connection has been established is obtained from the NFC I / F 22, the CPU 32 determines yes in S45 and proceeds to S50. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal with which the NFC connection has been established will be referred to as the "target mobile terminal."

[0048] As described above, this embodiment is described assuming that the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 operates in CE mode and the NFC I / F of the target mobile terminal operates in R / W mode. Therefore, the target mobile terminal can send a read command in the reader mode of the R / W mode and a write command in the writer mode of the R / W mode to the MFP 10. The read command is a command for requesting the MFP 10 to read information (i.e., send read information to the target mobile terminal). The write command is a command for requesting the MFP 10 to write information (i.e., receive write information from the target mobile terminal). At S50, in response to receiving the read command from the target mobile terminal using the NFC connection established at S45, the CPU 32 sends read information to the target mobile terminal. The read information includes the MAC address "A" of the MFP 10 and the wireless setting information to be used in the wireless network (hereinafter referred to as the "WFD network") in which the MFP 10 operates as a G / O. The wireless setting information includes SSID (abbreviation of Service Set Identifier) ​​which is an identifier for identifying the WFD network, and a password used for authentication and encryption in the WFD network.

[0049] The wireless setting information is generated according to the following process. When the power of the MFP 10 is turned on, the CPU 32 generates the wireless setting information and stores it in the memory 34. Then, the CPU 32 forms a WFD network in which the MFP 10 Figure 3 When the S180 is used as a G / O operation or when performing Figure 4 In the case of processing, the wireless setting information will be used in the WFD network. Thereafter, the CPU 32 generates new wireless setting information when the current WFD network disappears, and stores the new wireless setting information in the memory 34 instead of the old wireless setting information. Figure 3 S180, or in Figure 4 In the process of , the CPU 32 forms a WFD network using the new wireless setting information. In this way, before forming the WFD network, the CPU 32 generates the wireless setting information to be used in the WFD network, and Figure 2 S50 sends the read information including the wireless setting information to the target mobile terminal. It should be noted that, in a variation, the CPU 32 may generate wireless setting information each time a WFD network is formed, and may delete the wireless setting information from the memory 34 when the WFD network disappears.

[0050] In S55, CPU 32 monitors whether write information is received from the target mobile terminal using the NFC connection established in S45. Write information is information to be sent from a device on which MFP app 140 has been installed, and includes a G / O conversion instruction for converting the operating state of MFP 10 to a G / O state. In the case where the target mobile terminal is a WFD device, the write information also includes PBC information. PBC information is information indicating that the target mobile terminal supports the PBC scheme. On the other hand, in the case where the target mobile terminal is a traditional device, the write information does not include PBC information. In the case where write information is received from the target mobile terminal ("Yes" in S55), CPU 32 proceeds to S57, or in the case where write information is not received from the target mobile terminal before a predetermined time has passed since the read information was sent in S50 ("No" in S55), CPU 32 returns to monitoring of S5 and S45.

[0051] S57 is the same as S10. At S60, the CPU 32 performs automatic G / O processing (see Figure 4 ). Automatic G / O processing is a process performed when writing information is received from a target mobile terminal.

[0052] (Device processing: Figure 3 )

[0053] Next, we will refer to Figure 3 To describe Figure 2 Details of the device processing performed by the S20. Figure 3 In the initial state of , the operation state of the MFP 10 is the device state, and the Wi-Fi I / F 20 repeatedly performs the listening process and the searching process alternately.

[0054] S145 and Figure 2 If S145 is "yes", S150 and S155 are the same as Figure 2 The CPU 32 proceeds to S160 if the write information is received from the target mobile terminal ("Yes" in S155), or returns to S145 if the write information is not received from the target mobile terminal ("No" in S155). Figure 2 S60 (ie, Figure 4 The same treatment)

[0055] As described above, since the Wi-Fi I / F 20 is performing a listening process, in response to receiving a probe request sent by broadcast from a mobile terminal, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 sends a probe response to the mobile terminal. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal that sent the probe request will be referred to as the "specific mobile terminal." The probe response includes the MAC address "A" of the MFP 10. Thereafter, upon receiving a probe request including the MAC address "A" from the specific mobile terminal, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 retransmits the probe response to the specific mobile terminal. In this case, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 receives a service discovery request from the specific mobile terminal, sends its response, and receives a provision discovery request and sends its response. Next, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 receives a G / O negotiation request from the specific mobile terminal. The G / O negotiation request is a command for requesting execution of a G / O negotiation, which is communication used to determine which of the MFP 10 and the specific mobile terminal will serve as the G / O. At S165, the CPU 32 monitors whether a G / O negotiation request is received from the specific mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. In the case where a G / O negotiation request is received (YES at S165), the CPU 32 proceeds to S170.

[0056] At S170, the CPU 32 displays an inquiry screen on the display unit 14. The inquiry screen is a screen for inquiring the user whether to establish a WFD connection with a specific mobile terminal. The inquiry screen includes a "Yes" button indicating that a WFD connection is to be established.

[0057] At S175, the CPU 32 determines whether the YES button on the inquiry screen has been operated. If the YES button has been operated, the CPU 32 determines "yes" at S175 and proceeds to S180. On the other hand, if the YES button has not been operated, that is, if the button indicating not to establish a WFD connection has been selected, the CPU 32 determines "no" at S175 and returns to monitoring at S145 and S165. This prevents the user from establishing a WFD connection unintentionally.

[0058] At S180, the CPU 32 executes a WFD connection process for establishing a WFD connection with the specific mobile terminal. Specifically, the CPU 32 provides a WFD connection establishment instruction to the Wi-Fi I / F 20. Consequently, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 performs a G / O negotiation by sending a G / O negotiation response to the specific mobile terminal, and determines which of the MFP 10 and the specific mobile terminal will become the G / O. The Wi-Fi I / F 20 further communicates various signals (such as WSC exchange, authentication, association, and a four-way handshake) with the specific mobile terminal.

[0059] For example, if a specific mobile terminal is determined to become the G / O in G / O negotiation, the CPU 32 receives the SSID and password to be used in the WFD network from the specific mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. In this WFD network, the specific mobile terminal operates as the G / O in WSC exchange communications based on the PBC scheme of WPS. In this case, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 further transmits the received SSID and password to the specific mobile terminal during the communication process of authentication, association, and a 4-way handshake with the specific mobile terminal. Authentication of the SSID and password is then successful in the specific mobile terminal. As a result, the CPU 32 establishes a WFD connection with the specific mobile terminal and participates in the WFD network, in which the specific mobile terminal operates as the G / O, as a client of the WFD scheme.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, if the MFP 10 is determined to be the G / O in the G / O negotiation, the CPU 32 transmits the SSID and password stored in the memory 34 to the specific mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20 in the WSC exchange communication. The Wi-Fi I / F 20 further receives the SSID and password from the specific mobile terminal during the communication process of authentication, association, and a four-way handshake with the specific mobile terminal. Authentication of the received SSID and password is performed, and if authentication succeeds, the CPU 32 establishes a WFD connection with the specific mobile terminal, enabling the specific mobile terminal to participate in the WFD network in which the MFP 10 operates as the G / O as a client of the WFD scheme.

[0061] (Automatic G / O processing: Figure 4 )

[0062] Next, we will refer to Figure 4 To describe Figure 2 The S60 performs automatic G / O processing and Figure 3 S160.

[0063] At S200, the CPU 32 starts the G / O conversion process. Specifically, the CPU 32 provides the Wi-Fi I / F 20 with a G / O start instruction, which initiates operations as a G / O (e.g., transmitting a beacon signal to check for the presence of a slave station). Thus, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 attempts to start operations, but this operation takes approximately one to two seconds to complete. That is, at S200, the MFP 10's operating state is not yet in the G / O state.

[0064] At S205, the CPU 32 determines Figure 2 S55 or Figure 3The CPU 32 determines whether the received written information includes PBC information in S155. If it is determined that the written information includes PBC information, that is, if it is determined that the target mobile terminal is a WFD device, the CPU 32 determines yes in S205 and proceeds to S210. If it is determined that the written information does not include PBC information, that is, if it is determined that the target mobile terminal is a legacy device, the CPU 32 determines no in S205 and proceeds to S225.

[0065] In S210, the CPU 32 provides a prohibition instruction to the Wi-Fi I / F 20 for prohibiting the listening process. Specifically, for example, Figure 2 The S60's automatic G / O processing in the S210, with Figure 2 Similar to S15 of FIG. 1 , the CPU 32 provides the Wi-Fi I / F 20 with an LS start instruction. However, the LS start instruction here includes an instruction to set zero as the duration of the listening process (i.e., a prohibition instruction) and an instruction to set a value greater than zero as the duration of the search process. Thus, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 performs only the search process without performing the listening process according to the instruction included in the LS start instruction. In addition, for example, when Figure 3 When S210 of the automatic G / O process of S160 is executed, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 has already started executing the listening process and the search process. In this case, the CPU 32 provides the Wi-Fi I / F 20 with a setting instruction to set the duration of the listening process to zero (i.e., a prohibition instruction). As a result, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 changes the duration of the listening process to zero according to this setting instruction. In other words, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 stops the listening process and executes only the search process.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 32 provides the Wi-Fi I / F 20 with an instruction to set the duration of the listening process to zero, so the Wi-Fi I / F 20 does not receive probe requests. Alternatively, a comparative example configuration can be considered in which the CPU 32 provides the Wi-Fi I / F 20 with an instruction to set the duration of the listening process to a value greater than zero, and also provides an instruction to ignore probe requests even if they are received. In this case, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 receives probe requests but does not send probe responses, resulting in the listening process being disabled. However, in the comparative example configuration, since a specific instruction to ignore probe requests is provided to the Wi-Fi I / F 20, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 must be programmed to operate in accordance with this instruction. In contrast, a Wi-Fi I / F 20 supporting the WFD scheme is generally capable of operating in accordance with an instruction to set the duration of the listening process. According to this embodiment, the listening process is disabled using such a normal instruction, making it easier to disable the listening process compared to the comparative example configuration. In one variation, the configuration of the aforementioned comparative example may be employed.

[0067] In S215, the CPU 32 monitors whether the G / O conversion process is completed. Specifically, when the CPU 32 obtains information from the Wi-Fi I / F 20 indicating that the operation as the G / O (such as sending a beacon signal for checking whether a substation exists) has started, it determines as "yes" in S215 and proceeds to S220. When the operation as the G / O starts, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 stops the search process and further starts a response process of sending a probe response in response to receiving a probe request. The response process is similar to the listening process, but in the WFD specification, the listening process is defined as a process performed in the device state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the process of sending a probe response after the S215 G / O conversion process has been completed will be referred to as a response process, rather than referring to it as a listening process.

[0068] In step S220, the CPU 32 executes a WFD connection process for establishing a WFD connection with the target mobile terminal. Specifically, the CPU 32 provides a WFD connection establishment instruction to the Wi-Fi I / F 20. Thus, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 sends a WFD connection request including the MAC address "A" and the WFD address to the target mobile terminal in response to receiving the probe request sent by broadcast from the target mobile terminal. Figure 2 S50 or Figure 3Next, in response to receiving a probe request including the MAC address "A" from the target mobile terminal (i.e., a probe request sent by unicast), the Wi-Fi I / F 20 sends a probe response to the target mobile terminal. The Wi-Fi I / F 20 further performs communication of various signals with the target mobile terminal (service discovery, provisioning discovery, WSC exchange, authentication, association, 4-way handshake, etc.). The CPU 32 sends the target mobile terminal the signal received in the WSC exchange communication. Figure 2 S50 or Figure 3 The SSID and password sent in S150 are identical. Then, during the communication of the various signals described above, the CPU 32 receives the SSID and password sent by the WSC exchange from the target mobile terminal. The CPU 32 authenticates the received SSID and password, and if this authentication succeeds, it establishes a WFD connection with the target mobile terminal. This allows the CPU 32 to enable the target mobile terminal to participate in the WFD network as a client, with the MFP 10 operating as a G / O within the WFD network.

[0069] On the other hand, in the case where the target mobile terminal is a legacy device (No in S205), the CPU 32 proceeds to S225. Figure 2 The S60's automatic G / O processing in the S225, with Figure 2 Similar to S15 of FIG. 1 , the CPU 32 provides the LS start instruction to the Wi-Fi I / F 20. Figure 3 In the automatic G / O process of S160, S225 is skipped because the Wi-Fi I / F 20 has already started the listening process and the search process.

[0070] S230 is the same as S215, and in the case of yes in S230, the CPU 32 proceeds to S235. In S235, the CPU 32 executes a conventional connection process for establishing a conventional connection with the target mobile terminal. Specifically, the CPU 32 provides a conventional connection establishment instruction to the Wi-Fi I / F 20. Thus, in response to receiving a conventional connection instruction from the target mobile terminal, the conventional connection establishment instruction is received. Figure 2 S50 or Figure 3 The Wi-Fi I / F 20 sends a probe response to the target mobile terminal in response to a probe request with the same SSID as the SSID of S150 (ie, a probe request sent by unicast). Figure 2 S50 or in Figure 3The target mobile terminal has received the SSID and password in S150, so it can send the above-mentioned probe request including the SSID to the MFP 10. The Wi-Fi I / F 20 also performs communication of various signals (authentication, association, four-way handshake, etc.) with the target mobile terminal. That is, unlike S220, the CPU 32 does not perform WSC exchange. However, since the target mobile terminal has already Figure 2 S50 or Figure 3 The SSID and password are received at S150, so even when WSC exchange is not performed, the SSID and password can be confirmed. Figure 2 S50 or Figure 3 The SSID and password of S150 are the same as those of S150. Authentication of the received SSID and password is performed, and when such authentication succeeds, the CPU 32 establishes a conventional connection with the target mobile terminal. Thus, the CPU 32 can enable the target mobile terminal to participate in the WFD network in which the MFP 10 operates as a G / O as a conventional device.

[0071] As described above, in S220 or S235, the CPU 32 can appropriately establish a WFD connection or a conventional connection with the target mobile terminal. In particular, since the CPU 32 prohibits the listening process in step S210, it is possible to suppress the failure of establishing a WFD connection with the target mobile terminal due to sending a probe request. In addition, in the case of receiving write information from the target mobile terminal, the CPU 32 establishes a WFD connection or a conventional connection with the target mobile terminal without displaying the connection information. Figure 3 Since the user does not have to perform an operation after the inquiry screen, user convenience can be improved.

[0072] (Specific circumstances: Figures 5 to 8 )

[0073] Next, we will refer to Figures 5 to 8 To describe the basis Figures 2 to 4 The specific situation is achieved by the processing of Figures 5 to 8 , the dotted arrows and solid arrows between the MFP 10 and the corresponding mobile terminals 100, 200, and 300 represent NFC communication and Wi-Fi communication, respectively. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the operations performed by the CPUs 32, 132, and the like of the devices 10, 100, 200, and 300 will be described below with the devices (i.e., the MFP 10 and the respective mobile terminals 100, 200, and 300) as the objects of the actions, rather than the CPU.

[0074] (Process for Case A, where an NFC connection is established when the WFD function is off: Figure 5 )

[0075] First, refer to Figure 5 , a case where an NFC connection is established between the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 100 in a state where the WFD function flag 38 of the MFP 10 is set to “off”, that is, in a case where the MFP 10 cannot perform an operation according to the WFD scheme will be described.

[0076] At T10, the user activates the MFP app 140 by using the operation unit 112 of the mobile terminal 100, and brings the mobile terminal 100 close to the MFP 10. Thus, at T12, an NFC connection is established between the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 100 ( Figure 2 Yes in S45 of ).

[0077] At T20, the MFP 10 transmits read information to the mobile terminal 100 in response to receiving a read command from the mobile terminal 100 using the NFC connection (S50). The read information includes a MAC address "A", an SSID "X", and a password "P".

[0078] At T30, the MFP 10 receives write information from the mobile terminal 100 (Yes in S55). This write information includes a G / O conversion instruction and PBC information. At T40, the MFP 10 changes the WFD function flag 38 from "off" to "on" (S57).

[0079] In response to receiving the write information from the mobile terminal 100, the MFP 10 performs the automatic G / O processing (S60). First, at T42, the MFP 10 starts the G / O conversion process ( Figure 4 Since the received write information includes PBC information (Yes in S205), the MFP 10 does not perform the listening process but only performs the search process (S210) of T44. Therefore, at T50, the MFP 10 does not receive the probe request transmitted by broadcast from the mobile terminal 100. As a result, the MFP 10 does not transmit a probe response to the mobile terminal 100.

[0080] At T60, the MFP 10 completes the G / O conversion process and begins operating as a G / O (Yes in S215). For this reason, in response to receiving a probe request, the MFP 10 can perform a response process of sending a probe response. Therefore, in response to receiving the probe request sent by broadcast from the mobile terminal 100 at T70, the MFP 10 sends a probe response to the mobile terminal 100 at T72 (S220). This probe response includes the MAC address "A" and the SSID "X".

[0081] The mobile terminal 100 receives a probe response from each of one or more devices including the MFP 10. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 can confirm the existence of the MFP 10 as the connection target by identifying the probe response including the SSID "X" received at T20 from among the one or more probe responses. Then, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a probe request including the MAC address "A" included in the probe response, that is, a probe request including the MAC address "A" received at T20 as the destination, to the MFP 10 (that is, the probe request is transmitted by unicast).

[0082] In response to receiving a probe request including MAC address "A" from the mobile terminal 100 at T80, the MFP 10 transmits a probe response to the mobile terminal 100 at T82 (S220). At this point, the MFP 10 has already begun operating as a G / O in the WFD network using SSID "X", so the probe response includes not only MAC address "A" but also SSID "X". This allows the mobile terminal 100 to be notified of the existence of a WFD network using SSID "X", namely, the fact that the MFP 10 is operating as a G / O.

[0083] Next, at T90, the MFP 10 performs various signal communications (service discovery, provisioning discovery, WSC exchange, authentication, association, 4-way handshake, etc.) with the mobile terminal 100 (S220). Thus, the MFP 10 establishes a WFD connection with the mobile terminal 100, so that the mobile terminal 100 participates as a client in the WFD network in which the MFP 10 operates as a G / O. Although not shown in the drawings, the MFP 10 can communicate target data (such as print data, scan data, etc.) with the mobile terminal 100 using the WFD connection.

[0084] (Process for Case B, where an NFC connection is established when the WFD function is turned on: Figure 6 )

[0085] Next, refer to Figure 6 , describes establishing an NFC connection between the MEP 10 and the mobile terminal 100 in a state where the WFD function flag 38 of the MFP 10 is set to “ON”, that is, in a state where the MFP 10 can perform operations according to the WFD scheme.

[0086] At T100, the user performs a WFD startup operation on the MFP 10 ( Figure 2In this case, at T102, the MFP 10 changes the WFD function flag 38 from "off" to "on" (S10), and at T104, alternately repeats the listening process and the searching process (S15). As a result, the operating state of the MFP 10 transitions to the device state, and the MFP 10 executes the device process (S20).

[0087] Figure 6 T10 to T30 with Figure 5 T10 to T30 are the same ( Figure 3 S145 to S155). In addition, T142 to T160 are Figure 5 However, at T144, since the MFP 10 has already started the listening process ( Figure 4 's S210), so it stops the listening process. Figure 6 T70 to T90 with Figure 5 The T70 is the same as the T90.

[0088] (Process for Case C, where a traditional connection is established: Figure 7 )

[0089] Next, refer to Figure 7 , a case C in which a conventional connection is established between the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 200 will be described.

[0090] T210 to T230 are similar to the above except that the communication counterpart is the mobile terminal 200 instead of the mobile terminal 100 and since the mobile terminal 200 is a legacy device, the PBC information is not included in the written information of T230. Figure 5 The same as T10 to T30.

[0091] At T240, the MFP 10 changes the WFD function flag 38 from "off" to "on" ( Figure 2 S57), and the G / O conversion process starts at T242 ( Figure 4 Since the written information at T230 does not include PBC information (No at S205), the MFP 10 starts the listening process and the search process at T244 (S225).

[0092] Since the MFP 10 is executing the listening process, in response to receiving the probe response transmitted by broadcast from the mobile terminal 200 at T250, the MFP 10 transmits a probe response to the mobile terminal 200 at T252. This probe response includes the MAC address "A". At this point, since the MFP 10 has not yet started operating as the G / O of the WFD network in which the SSID "X" is used, the probe response does not include the SSID "X".

[0093] The mobile terminal 200 receives a probe response from each of the one or more devices including the MFP 10. In this case, the mobile terminal 200 can confirm the existence of the MFP 10 as the connection target by identifying the probe response including the MAC address "A" received at T220 from among the one or more probe responses. As described above, the mobile terminal 100 as the WFD device transmits a probe request including the MAC address "A" as the destination ( Figure 5 In contrast, the mobile terminal 200, which is a legacy device, transmits a probe request including the SSID “X” received at T220 (ie, a probe request transmitted by unicast) to the MFP 10.

[0094] At T260, the MFP 10 receives a probe request including SSID "X" from the mobile terminal 200. However, at this point in time, the MFP 10 has not yet started operating as a G / O of the WFD network using the SSID included in the probe request. Therefore, the MFP 10 does not send a probe response to the mobile terminal 200.

[0095] T270 and Figure 5 The MFP 10 has already started operating as the G / O of the WFD network using SSID "X". In response to receiving a probe request including SSID "X" from the mobile terminal 200 again at T280, the MFP 10 transmits a probe request including MAC address "A" and SSID "X" to the mobile terminal 200 at T282 (S235). The mobile terminal 200 is thus notified of the existence of the WFD network using SSID "X", that is, the fact that the MFP 10 is operating as the G / O.

[0096] Next, at T290, the MFP 10 performs communication of various signals (authentication, association, four-way handshake, etc.) with the mobile terminal 200 (S235). Thus, the MFP 10 establishes a legacy connection with the mobile terminal 200 so that the mobile terminal 200 participates as a legacy device in the WFD network in which the MFP 10 operates as a G / O.

[0097] As shown in Case C, when the other party establishing the NFC connection is a mobile terminal 200, which is a conventional device, the MFP 10 does not prohibit the listening process (T244). Although the MFP 10 does not prohibit the listening process, even when it receives a probe request including the SSID "X" as the destination from the mobile terminal 200 at T260, it does not send a probe response. This can prevent the failure of establishing a conventional connection with the mobile terminal 200 due to the sending of a probe response. However, in a variation, the MFP 10 can prohibit the listening process at T244.

[0098] (Process of Case D, where the inquiry screen is displayed: Figure 8 )

[0099] Next, the operation of the MFP 10 in the device state, that is, executing Figure 2 The S20 device handles (i.e., Figure 3 Case D in which the MFP 10 displays an inquiry screen in response to receiving a G / O negotiation request from the mobile terminal 100. Figure 8 In the initial state of , since the operation state of the MFP 10 is the device state, the MFP 10 is executing the listening process and the search process.

[0100] T300 to T310 are similar to the mobile terminal 300 except that the communication counterpart is the mobile terminal 100. Figure 5 Here, because the mobile terminal 300 does not store the MFP app 140, the MFP 10 does not receive the write information from the mobile terminal 300 (in Figure 3 Therefore, the operation state of the MFP 10 remains the device state, and thus the MFP 10 does not establish a WFD connection with the mobile terminal 300.

[0101] At T320, the user performs a WFD device search operation on the mobile terminal 100 for searching for WFD devices around the mobile terminal 100. As a result, at T330, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a probe request by broadcasting.

[0102] In response to receiving the probe request transmitted by broadcast from the mobile terminal 100 at T330, the MFP 10 transmits a probe response to the mobile terminal 100 at T332. This probe response includes the MAC address “A.” Although not shown, the probe response also includes the device name of the MFP 10.

[0103] The mobile terminal 100 receives a probe response from each of one or more devices including the MFP 10. The probe response received from the MFP 10 includes the device name of the MFP 10. In addition, for example, the probe response received from the access point includes the SSID of the wireless network formed by the access point. Although not shown, the mobile terminal 100 displays the one or more device names and / or SSIDs included in the one or more probe responses and accepts selection of the device name of the MFP 10. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a probe request including the MAC address "A" as the destination to the MFP 10 (i.e., a probe request transmitted by unicast).

[0104] In response to receiving a probe request including MAC address "A" from mobile terminal 100 at T340, MFP 10 transmits a probe response to mobile terminal 100 at T342, including MAC address "A" but not including the SSID. This notifies mobile terminal 100 that MFP 10 is not operating as a G / O. Therefore, mobile terminal 100 can confirm that it will perform G / O negotiation to establish a WFD connection with MFP 10, which is in the device state.

[0105] Next, in response to receiving the service discovery request from the mobile terminal 100 at T350, the MFP 10 sends a service discovery response to the mobile terminal 100 at T352. Then, in response to receiving the provision discovery request from the mobile terminal 100 at T360, the MFP 10 sends a provision discovery response to the mobile terminal 100 at T362.

[0106] At T370, the MFP 10 receives a G / O negotiation request from the mobile terminal 100 (S165: YES). In this case, at T380, the MFP 10 displays an inquiry screen (S170) on the display unit 14. The inquiry screen includes a "Yes" button indicating that a WFD connection is to be established and a "No" button indicating that a WFD connection is not to be established.

[0107] In response to the user selecting the "Yes" button in the inquiry screen at T382 ("Yes" in S175), at T390, the MFP 10 sends a G / O negotiation response to the mobile terminal 100 and performs G / O negotiation with the mobile terminal 100 (S180). In this case, as a result of the G / O negotiation, the mobile terminal 100 is determined to become the G / O, and at T392, the mobile terminal 100 starts operating as the G / O.

[0108] At T394, the MFP 10 performs communication of various signals (WSC exchange, authentication, association, four-way handshake, etc.) with the mobile terminal 100 (S180). As a result, the MFP 10 establishes a WFD connection with the mobile terminal 100 and participates as a client in the WFD network in which the mobile terminal 100 operates as a G / O.

[0109] (Comparative Example: Figure 9 )

[0110] Next, we will refer to Figure 9 The following describes a case where the MFP 10' of the comparative example fails to establish a WFD connection. The MFP 10' of the comparative example includes substantially the same configuration as the MFP 10 of the present embodiment, but in Figure 4In S210 , no prohibition instruction is provided to its Wi-Fi I / F. That is, the MFP 10′ performs the listening process from the start to the end of the G / O conversion process. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi I / F of the MFP 10′ is assigned a MAC address "B." Furthermore, in the WFD network in which the MFP 10′ operates as the G / O, SSID "Y" and password "Q" are used.

[0111] T410 to T442 are identical to the MAC address "B", SSID "Y" and password "Q" included in the read information of T420. Figure 5 The MFP 10′ starts the listening process and the searching process at T444. As a result, in response to receiving the probe request broadcasted from the mobile terminal 100 at T450 before the G / O conversion process is completed, the MFP 10′ transmits a probe response including the MAC address “B” to the mobile terminal 100 at T452.

[0112] Next, in response to receiving a probe request including the MAC address "B" from the mobile terminal 100 at T460 (i.e., a probe request sent by unicast), at T462, the MFP 10' sends a probe response to the mobile terminal 100. At this moment, the MFP 10' has not yet started operating as a G / O of the WFD network in which the SSID "Y" is used. Therefore, the probe response includes the MAC address "B" but does not include the SSID "Y". Thus, the mobile terminal 100 can be notified that the MFP 10' is not operating as a G / O. Thus, the mobile terminal 100 can confirm that a G / O negotiation is to be performed to establish a WFD connection with the MFP 10' in the device state. Thereafter, T470 to T482 are the same as Figure 8 The T350 to T362 are the same.

[0113] (Case E)

[0114] In case E, the MFP 10′ completes the G / O conversion process at T490 and begins operating as a G / O. However, as described above, since the mobile terminal 100 is operating to perform G / O negotiation, the MFP 10′ receives a G / O negotiation request from the mobile terminal 100 at T500. However, since the MFP 10′ is in the G / O state, the MFP 10′ does not send a G / O negotiation response to the mobile terminal 100. Consequently, the subsequent processes after the WSC exchange are not executed, and establishment of a WFD connection between the MFP 10′ and the mobile terminal 100 fails.

[0115] (Case F)

[0116] Case F differs from Case E in the timing of completing the G / O conversion process. Before completing the G / O conversion process, the MFP 10' receives a G / O negotiation request from the mobile terminal 100 at T500, and then at T502, it sends a G / O negotiation response to the mobile terminal 100 to perform G / O negotiation with the mobile terminal 100. In this case, as a result of the G / O negotiation, the mobile terminal 100 is determined to become the G / O. Afterwards, at T510, the MFP 10' completes the G / O conversion process and starts operating as the G / O. At the same time, at T520, based on the result of the G / O negotiation, the mobile terminal 100 also starts operating as the G / O. In this case, no WSC exchange is performed between the MFP 10' and the mobile terminal 100. The reason is as follows. Before the WSC exchange, the device operating as the client sends a signal for starting the WSC exchange (for example, a probe request including a WSCIE) to the device operating as the G / O. In the case where both the MFP 10 ′ and the mobile terminal 100 operate as G / O, the signal is not transmitted, and thus WSC exchange is not performed. Therefore, establishment of a WFD connection between the MFP 10 ′ and the mobile terminal 100 fails.

[0117] (Effects of the embodiment)

[0118] As described above, in order to shift the MFP 10 to the G / O state, a period of time (ie, G / O shift time (eg, 1 to 2 seconds)) is required. Figure 9 As shown in the comparative example of FIG, when the communication (T462) of the probe response for establishing the WFD connection between the MFP 10' and the mobile terminal 100 is performed before the G / O conversion process is completed, the establishment of the WFD connection between the MFP 10' and the mobile terminal 100 fails. In this regard, in the present embodiment, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in Cases A and B, the MFP 10 disables the listening process during the G / O transition process (T44, T144). Therefore, the probe response is not sent until the MFP 10 completes the transition to the G / O state. This prevents failure in establishing a WFD connection by sending a probe request. As a result, the MFP 10 can properly establish a WFD connection with the mobile terminal 100, enabling the mobile terminal 100 to participate as a slave in the WFD network in which the MFP 10 operates as a G / O.

[0119] Furthermore, in this embodiment, Figure 5 Situation A to Figure 7 As shown in case C, when an NFC connection with the mobile terminal 100 is established and write information is received from the mobile terminal 100 (or 200) in which the MFP app 140 is installed, the MFP 10 transitions to the G / O state. Figure 8 As shown in case D, even when an NFC connection is established with the mobile terminal 300, the MFP 10 does not transition to the G / O state unless write information is received from the mobile terminal 300. As described above, even when an NFC connection is established with a mobile terminal 300 that does not have the MFP app 140 installed—that is, a mobile terminal 300 that cannot establish a WFD connection—the MFP 10 does not transition to the G / O state. This can suppress an increase in the processing load on the MFP 10.

[0120] (Corresponding relationship)

[0121] The MFP 10, the mobile terminal 100, and the mobile terminal 200 are examples of a "communication device," a "first external device," and a "second external device," respectively. Figure 8 In case D, the mobile terminal 300 and the mobile terminal 100 are examples of the “first external device” and the “third external device”, respectively. The NFC I / F 22 and the Wi-Fi I / F 20 are examples of the “first wireless interface” and the “second wireless interface”, respectively. Figure 5 and Figure 6 T12 NFC connection, Figure 5 and 6 The WFD connection established by T90 Figure 7 NFC connection in T212, Figure 7 The traditional connection established by T290, and Figure 8 The WFD connections of T394 are examples of a “first wireless connection,” a “second wireless connection,” a “third wireless connection,” a “fourth wireless connection,” and a “fifth wireless connection,” respectively.

[0122] Figure 4 S200 is an example of a process performed by the “first conversion unit” and the “second conversion unit.” S220 and S235 are examples of processes performed by the “first establishment unit” and the “second establishment unit,” respectively.

[0123] SSID "X" is an example of "identification information". Writing information and PBC information are examples of "predetermined information" and "WFD device information", respectively. MFP application 140 is an example of "application program". WSC exchange is an example of a password transmission process. Figure 5 The password "P" sent by the MFP 10 and the Figure 7 The passwords “P” in the read information of T220 are examples of “first password” and “second password” respectively. Figure 8 The G / O negotiation request of the T370 is an example of a “specific signal”.

[0124] (Variant 1) Each of the devices 10, 100, 200, and 300 may be provided with an I / F for performing wireless communication using a communication scheme other than the NFC scheme (e.g., an infrared scheme, a TransferJet (registered trademark) scheme, or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) scheme) instead of the NFC I / F. That is, the "first communication interface" is not limited to the NFC I / F 22 and may be an I / F for performing short-range wireless communication using other communication schemes.

[0125] (Variant 2) Figure 2 S50 and Figure 3 The read information in S150 may not include SSID "X". In this case as well, the mobile terminal 100 may identify the SSID included in Figure 5 T80 receives a probe response for MAC address "A." In this variation, MAC address "A" is an example of "identification information."

[0126] (Variant 3) In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the MFP 10 establishes wireless connections with both the WFD device and the conventional device, but in a variant, the MFP 10 may be configured to establish a wireless connection only with the WFD device. In this case, Figure 4 S205, S225 to S235 can be omitted. Figure 4 The password is sent to the WFD device in the WSC exchange of the S220, so it can be Figure 2 S50 and Figure 3 S150 sends the read information that does not include the password. In this variation, the "second conversion unit" and the "second establishment unit" can be omitted.

[0127] (Variant 4) The NFC I / F of each of the devices 10 , 100 , 200 , 300 can perform communication corresponding to communication for reading information and writing information by operating in the P2P mode.

[0128] (Variant 5) Figure 3 S165 to S180 may not be executed. That is, the "display control unit" and the "third establishment unit" may be omitted.

[0129] (Variant 6) Figure 3 In S165, the MFP 10 may monitor a service discovery request or a provision discovery request instead of the G / O negotiation request. In this variation, the service discovery request or the provision discovery request is an example of a "specific signal".

[0130] (Variation 7) The "communication device" may not be an MFP, and it may be other devices such as a printer, a scanner, a mobile terminal, a PC, a server, or the like.

[0131] (Variant 8) In the above embodiments, Figures 2 to 8 The processes in FIG. 3 are implemented by software (ie, the program 36 ), but at least one of the processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: a first wireless interface; a second wireless interface configured to perform wireless communication according to a Wi-Fi scheme, a maximum distance over which wireless communication via the first wireless interface can be performed being smaller than a maximum distance over which wireless communication via the second wireless interface can be performed; a first conversion unit, configured to, when a first wireless connection with a first external device via the first wireless interface is established in a case where an operation state of the communication device is in a specific state and a G / O conversion instruction is received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, convert the operation state of the communication device from the specific state to a G / O (Group Owner) state of a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) scheme that complies with the Wi-Fi scheme, the specific state being different from the G / O state; Wherein, in the case where the first external device is a device on which an application has been installed, the first external device sends the G / O conversion instruction to the communication device using the first wireless connection, and the application is used to establish a wireless connection with the communication device via the second wireless interface. Wherein, in the case that the first external device is a device on which the application is not installed, the first external device does not send the G / O conversion instruction, and, after the operation state of the communication device has transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving the G / O transition instruction from the first external device, performing a first communication with the first external device via the second wireless interface so that the first external device participates as either a client of the WFD scheme or a legacy device in the first wireless network in which the communication device operates as a G / O, Wherein, when the G / O conversion instruction is not received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, the operation state of the communication device remains in the specific state.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein The first wireless interface is configured to perform wireless communication according to the NFC (Near Field Communication) scheme, and The G / O conversion instruction is write information according to a write command of the NFC scheme.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein The first wireless interface is configured to send identification information to the first external device using the first wireless connection, the identification information being used to identify the first wireless network, and The first conversion unit converts the operation state of the communication device from the specific state to the G / O state to form the first wireless network identified by the identification information transmitted by the first wireless interface. The communication device according to claim 3 , wherein: The first wireless interface is configured to perform wireless communication according to the NFC (Near Field Communication) scheme, and The first wireless interface is configured to transmit first read information according to a read command of the NFC scheme to the first external device using the first wireless connection, the first read information including the identification information. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein: performing the first communication with the first external device after the operating state has transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving the G / O transition instruction including WFD device information from the first external device that is a WFD device capable of performing wireless communication according to the WFD scheme, and The communication device further includes: a second conversion unit configured to, in a case where a second wireless connection with a second external device via the first wireless interface is established in a situation where the operating state of the communication device is in the specific state, and the G / O conversion instruction that does not include the WFD device information is received from the second external device using the second wireless connection, convert the operating state of the communication device from the specific state to the G / O state, the second external device being different from the first external device and being a legacy device that is not capable of performing wireless communication according to the WFD scheme; wherein, in a case where the G / O conversion instruction is not received from the second external device using the second wireless connection, the operation state of the communication device remains in the specific state; and After the operation state of the communication device has transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving the G / O transition instruction that does not include the WFD device information from the second external device, second communication with the second external device is performed via the second wireless interface so that the second external device participates as a legacy device of the Wi-Fi scheme in the second wireless network in which the communication device operates as the G / O. The communication device according to claim 5 , wherein: The first communication includes a sending process for sending a first password to be used in the first wireless network to the first external device via the second wireless interface, and an operation of causing the first external device to participate in the first wireless network is to use the first password sent in the first communication. The first wireless interface is configured to send a second password to be used in the second wireless network to the second external device using the second wireless connection, and The second communication does not include transmitting the second password to the second external device via the second wireless interface, and an operation of causing the second external device to participate in the second wireless network as the legacy device of the Wi-Fi scheme is to use the second password.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein: The first wireless interface is configured to perform wireless communication according to the NFC (Near Field Communication) scheme, and The first wireless interface is configured to transmit second read information according to a read command of the NFC scheme to the second external device using the second wireless connection, the second read information including the second password. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein: The communication device further includes: a display unit; The display unit is caused to display an inquiry screen in the following situations: establishing the first wireless connection with the first external device; The G / O conversion instruction is not received from the first external device using the first wireless connection; and receiving a specific signal from the first external device via the second wireless interface, the inquiry screen is a screen for inquiring a user whether to perform the first communication with the first external device via the second wireless interface; and When the user selects on the inquiry screen to execute the first wireless connection with the first external device, executing the first communication with the first external device; wherein, if the user does not select on the inquiry screen to execute the first communication with the first external device, the first communication is not executed; and In a case where the first wireless connection with the first external device is established and the G / O conversion instruction is received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, the first communication with the first external device is performed without displaying the inquiry screen.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for a communication device, in, The computer-readable instructions, when executed by a processor of the communication device, cause the communication device to: In a case where a first wireless connection with a first external device via a first wireless interface of the communication device is established under a condition where an operation state of the communication device is in a specific state, and a G / O transition instruction is received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, transitioning the operation state of the communication device from the specific state to a G / O (Group Owner) state of a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) scheme compliant with the Wi-Fi scheme, the specific state being different from the G / O state, the first wireless interface being a wireless interface configured to perform wireless communication with another device located at a first distance, the maximum distance at which wireless communication via the first wireless interface can be performed being smaller than the maximum distance at which wireless communication via a second wireless interface can be performed, the second wireless interface being a wireless interface configured to perform wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi scheme. Wherein, in the case where the first external device is a device on which an application has been installed, the first external device sends the G / O conversion instruction to the communication device using the first wireless connection, and the application is used to establish a wireless connection with the communication device via the second wireless interface. Wherein, in the case that the first external device is a device on which the application is not installed, the first external device does not send the G / O conversion instruction, and, after the operation state of the communication device has transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving the G / O transition instruction from the first external device, performing a first communication with the first external device via the second wireless interface so that the first external device participates in the first wireless network in which the communication device operates as a G / O as either a client of the WFD scheme or a legacy device, Wherein, when the G / O conversion instruction is not received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, the operation state of the communication device remains in the specific state.

10. A method performed by a communication device, the method comprising: In a case where a first wireless connection with a first external device via a first wireless interface of the communication device is established under a condition where an operation state of the communication device is in a specific state, and a G / O transition instruction is received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, transitioning the operation state of the communication device from the specific state to a G / O (Group Owner) state of a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) scheme compliant with the Wi-Fi scheme, the specific state being different from the G / O state, the first wireless interface being a wireless interface configured to perform wireless communication with another device located at a first distance, the maximum distance at which wireless communication via the first wireless interface can be performed being smaller than the maximum distance at which wireless communication via a second wireless interface can be performed, the second wireless interface being a wireless interface configured to perform wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi scheme. Wherein, in the case where the first external device is a device on which an application has been installed, the first external device sends the G / O conversion instruction to the communication device using the first wireless connection, and the application is used to establish a wireless connection with the communication device via the second wireless interface. Wherein, in the case that the first external device is a device on which the application is not installed, the first external device does not send the G / O conversion instruction, and, after the operation state of the communication device has transitioned to the G / O state in response to receiving the G / O transition instruction from the first external device, performing a first communication with the first external device via the second wireless interface so that the first external device participates in the first wireless network in which the communication device operates as a G / O as either a client of the WFD scheme or a legacy device, Wherein, when the G / O conversion instruction is not received from the first external device using the first wireless connection, the operation state of the communication device remains in the specific state.

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