Printing device, control method and program

Abstract

To enable identification of a network under use among a plurality of network connection means of a processing apparatus by an easy operation, and transmission of a processing request from a terminal device to the processing apparatus.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus that can execute short-range radio communication and LAN communication which is a communication method different from the short-range radio communication comprises: a first interface that is used to perform the LAN communication; a second interface that is used to perform the LAN communication; receiving means that receives a selection instruction of an interface which is activated on the basis of a user operation on an operation screen provided by the communication apparatus; and changing means that changes short-range radio communication information communicated by the short-range radio communication from first short-range radio communication information in which address information of the second interface is not included to second short-range radio communication information in which the address information is included, when the interface activated by the selection instruction is changed from the first interface to the second interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, it has become possible for a printer to receive and print images from an external device such as a digital camera or mobile phone by wirelessly communicating between the printer and the external device. In this case, the printer and the external device initially identify each other via short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication). It is also known that the printer then receives an image file to be printed from the external device via faster wireless communication other than the short-range wireless communication.

[0003] In addition, printers are equipped with multiple interfaces, such as wired LAN and wireless LAN, and users can use either interface to print. Conventional printers, even if they have multiple interfaces, generally communicate using only one of the interfaces.

[0004] Furthermore, in recent years, a method has been proposed in which a terminal device and an external device are connected to a common access point using NFC to prevent the Internet connection from being disconnected (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-182449 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 has a problem in that although it is fine when both the terminal and the device are on the same network and can be connected, if this is not the case, it is not easy to make a processing request (for example, printing) to the terminal.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that enables, with a simple operation, to identify the network being used from among multiple network connection means possessed by a processing device, and to send a processing request from a terminal device to the processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve this problem, for example, a communication device according to the present invention has the following configuration. A communication device capable of performing short-distance wireless communication and LAN (Local Area Network) communication, which is a communication method different from the short-distance wireless communication, a first interface used for performing the LAN communication; a second interface used for performing the LAN communication; a reception means for receiving a selection instruction of an interface to be enabled based on a user operation on an operation screen provided by the communication device; and a change means for changing, when the interface enabled by the selection instruction is changed from the first interface to the second interface, the short-range wireless communication information communicated by the short-range wireless communication from first short-range wireless communication information that does not include address information of the second interface to second short-range wireless communication information that includes the address information.

[0009] A program of the present invention is a program for causing a processor of a communication device to execute short-range wireless communication and LAN (Local Area Network) communication, which is a communication method different from the short-range wireless communication, the communication device having a first interface used for the LAN communication and a second interface used for the LAN communication, The processor, a receiving step of receiving a selection instruction of an interface to be enabled based on a user operation on an operation screen provided by the communication device; When the interface enabled by the selection instruction is changed from the first interface to the second interface, a change process is executed to change the short-range wireless communication information communicated by the short-range wireless communication from first short-range wireless communication information that does not include address information of the second interface to second short-range wireless communication information that includes the address information. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, by a simple operation of bringing a terminal device close to a processing device, it becomes possible to identify the network being used from among the multiple network connection means possessed by the processing device, and to send a processing request from the terminal device to the processing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a terminal device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an external appearance of a printing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus. [Figure 6] Block diagram showing the configuration of the NFC unit. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the NDEF data structure stored in the NFC unit. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing a process of the terminal device. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart showing a process of the printing device. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of a terminal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11]13 is a flowchart showing a printing process according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the relative arrangement of components, display screen, and the like described in the present embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0013] <System configuration> 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network processing system in an embodiment. This system is centered around a network 100 and is composed of a portable terminal device 200 connectable to the network 100, and a printing device 300 as a processing device that receives and processes requests from the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200, which also functions as a communication device, has at least two or more types of wireless communication units with different communication speeds (or communication ranges). The terminal device 200 can be any type of device that can handle files to be printed, such as a personal information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a digital camera.

[0014] The printing device 300, which also functions as a communication device, has a reading function that optically reads an original placed on the platen, and a printing function that prints using a printing engine such as an inkjet printer, and may also have other functions such as a fax function and a telephone function.

[0015] The network 100 and the printing device 300 are connected via a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. The network 100 and the terminal device 200 are connected via a wireless LAN. The terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 are capable of communicating with each other via short-range wireless communication. In addition, since both the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 have wireless LAN functionality, peer-to-peer (hereinafter, P2P) communication is possible by mutual authentication.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the terminal device 200. In this embodiment, a smartphone is taken as an example. A smartphone is a multi-function mobile phone that is equipped with a camera, a web browser, an e-mail function, and the like in addition to the functions of a mobile phone.

[0017] The NFC (Near Field Communication) unit 201 is a unit that performs short-distance wireless communication. Communication can be performed by actually bringing the NFC unit 201 close to an NFC unit of a partner device (in this embodiment, the NFC unit of the printing device 300) within a predetermined distance (approximately 10 cm).

[0018] The wireless LAN unit 202 is a unit for performing communication via wireless LAN, which is faster than NFC communication, and is disposed within the terminal device 200. The display unit 203 is, for example, a display equipped with an LCD-type display mechanism. The operation unit 204 is equipped with a touch panel-type operation mechanism and detects information on user presses. A representative operation method is for the display unit 203 to display button icons or a software keyboard, and for the user to press the operation unit 204 to issue an event that the button has been pressed. The power key 205 is used to turn the power on and off.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a printing device 300. In this embodiment, a multi-function printer (MFP) having a reading function (scanner) is taken as an example. In FIG. 3(a), a manuscript table 301 is a transparent glass table on which a manuscript is placed and used when reading with a scanner. A manuscript cover 302 is a cover for preventing reading light from leaking to the outside when reading with the scanner. A print paper insertion port 303 is an insertion port for setting papers of various sizes. Paper sheets set in the print paper insertion port 303 are transported one sheet at a time to the printing section, where they are printed and discharged from a print paper discharge port 304.

[0020] 3(b) is a top view of the document lid 302. An operation display unit 305 and an NFC unit 306 are arranged on the top of the document lid 302. The NFC unit 306 is a unit for performing short-range wireless communication, and is actually a location where the terminal device 200 is brought close to the printing device 300. The effective contact distance is a predetermined distance (approximately 10 cm) from the NFC unit 306. The wireless LAN antenna 307 has an antenna embedded therein for communicating via wireless LAN.

[0021] It should be noted that short-distance wireless communication refers to wireless communication, such as NFC, in which the communication range is a relatively small predetermined range (for example, one meter to a few centimeters).

[0022] 4 is a block diagram of the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 has a main board 210 that controls the entire device, a wireless LAN unit 202, an NFC unit 201, a line connection unit 206, a display unit 203, and an operation unit 204. Here, the wireless LAN unit 202, the NFC unit 201, the line connection unit 206, and the priority LAN unit 309 all function as a communication unit of the terminal device 200.

[0023] A microprocessor-type CPU 211 arranged on a main board 210 executes processing in accordance with a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 213 connected via an internal bus 212 and the contents of a RAM-type data memory 214 .

[0024] The CPU 211 controls the wireless LAN unit 202 via the wireless LAN control circuit 215 to communicate with other communication terminal devices via the wireless LAN 102. The CPU 211 controls the NFC unit 201 via the NFC control circuit 216 to detect a connection with another NFC terminal via the NFC 101 and to transmit and receive data to and from the other NFC terminal. The CPU 211 controls the line connection unit 206 via the line control circuit 217 to connect to the mobile phone line network 105 and to make calls and transmit and receive data.

[0025] The CPU 211 can receive instructions from a user via the operation unit 204 by controlling the operation unit control circuit 218, and can display various menus, images, and the like on the display unit 203. The CPU 211 can capture images by controlling the camera unit 219, and stores the captured images in an image memory 220 in the data memory 214. In addition to captured images, it is also possible to store images acquired from the outside via the mobile phone network 105, the wireless LAN 102, or the NFC 101 in the image memory 220, or conversely transmit the images to the outside.

[0026] The non-volatile memory 221 is configured with a memory such as a flash memory, and stores data that is to be saved even after the power is turned off. For example, in addition to telephone directory data, various communication connection information, and information on previously connected devices, image data that is to be saved, or programs such as application software that realize various functions of the terminal device 200 are stored.

[0027] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing device 300. The printing device 300 has a main board 310 that controls the entire device, a line connection unit 322, a wireless LAN unit 308, an NFC unit 306, a wired LAN unit 309, and an operation panel 305. Here, the line connection unit 322, the wireless LAN unit 308, the NFC unit 306, and the priority LAN unit 309 function as a communication section of the printing device 300. Note that the wireless LAN is faster than the NFC unit, and the wired LAN can perform even faster communication.

[0028] A microprocessor-type CPU 311 arranged on a main board 310 executes processing in accordance with a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 313 connected via an internal bus 312 and the contents of a RAM-type data memory 314.

[0029] The CPU 311 controls a scanner unit 315 to read an original document and store the image in an image memory 316 in the data memory 314. The CPU 311 also controls a printing unit 317 to print an image in the image memory 316 in the data memory 314 onto a recording medium.

[0030] The CPU 311 controls the wireless LAN unit 308 via the wireless LAN control circuit 318 to communicate with other communication terminal devices via the wireless LAN 102. The CPU 311 also controls the priority LAN unit 309 via the wired LAN control circuit 329 to communicate with other communication terminal devices via the priority LAN 102. The CPU 311 also controls the NFC unit 306 via the NFC control circuit 319 to detect a connection with another NFC terminal via the NFC 101 and to transmit and receive data to and from other NFC terminals. The CPU 311 controls the line connection unit 322 via the line control circuit 321 to connect to a telephone line network 323 and transmit and receive FAX messages and data.

[0031] The CPU 311 controls the operation unit control circuit 320 to display the status of the printing device 300 and a function selection menu on the operation panel 305, and can accept operations from the user. For this reason, the operation panel 305 is composed of various switches and buttons, as well as a display with a touch panel.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the details of an NFC unit 600 used in the NFC unit 201 in the terminal device 200 or the NFC unit 306 in the printing device 300. As shown in FIG.

[0033] In near field communication (NFC communication) using the NFC unit 600, a device that outputs an RF (Radio Frequency) field during communication to start communication is called an initiator. A device that responds to a command issued by the initiator and communicates with the initiator is called a target. The communication modes of the NFC unit include a passive mode and an active mode.

[0034] In passive mode, the target responds to the initiator's command by performing load modulation. Therefore, the target does not need to be supplied with power. On the other hand, in active mode, the target responds to the initiator's command by using an RF field that it emits. Therefore, the target needs to be supplied with power. Another feature of active mode is that it can achieve faster communication speeds than passive mode.

[0035] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 6, the NFC unit includes an NFC controller section 601, an antenna section 602, an RF section 603, a transmission / reception control section 604, an NFC memory 605, a power supply 606, and a device connection section 607. The antenna section 602 receives radio waves and carriers from other NFC devices and transmits radio waves and carriers to other NFC devices. The RF section 603 has a function of modulating and demodulating analog signals into digital signals. The RF section 603 has a synthesizer, identifies the frequencies of bands and channels, and controls the bands and channels according to frequency allocation data.

[0036] The NFC memory 605 is composed of a readable and writable non-volatile memory. Even when power is not being supplied from the power source 606, as long as induced electromotive force is being generated in passive mode, data stored in the NFC memory 605 can be read and written. Data storage control including reading and writing data from and to the NFC memory 605 is realized by the NFC controller unit 601. The state in which power is not being supplied from the power source 606 refers to a state in which the battery of the terminal device 200 is depleted and a state in which power is not being supplied to the printing device 300.

[0037] The transmission / reception control unit 604 controls transmission and reception, such as assembling and disassembling transmission and reception frames, adding and detecting preambles, and identifying frames. The transmission / reception control unit 604 also controls the NFC memory 605, and reads and writes various data and programs. When operating in an active mode, power is supplied via a power supply 606. Then, the terminal device 200 communicates with a device (the CPU 211 of the terminal device 200 or the CPU 311 of the printing device 300) via a device connection unit 607, and communicates with other NFC devices within a communicable range by a carrier transmitted and received via the antenna unit 602. When operating in a passive mode, the terminal device 200 receives a carrier from another NFC device via the antenna unit 602, receives power from the other NFC device by electromagnetic induction, and communicates with the other NFC device by modulating the carrier to transmit and receive data. Hereinafter, an operation of bringing the terminal device 200 (the NFC unit 201) and the printing device 300 (the NFC unit 306) close to each other is referred to as an "NFC touch operation."

[0038] [First embodiment] In this first embodiment, a use case will be described in which a user operates the terminal device 200 to select an image to be printed, and then performs an NFC touch operation on the printing device 300 to print the selected image.

[0039] 8 is a flowchart showing a process when an image specified by the terminal device 200 is printed by the printing device 300. In the present application, the flowchart executed by the terminal device 200 is realized by the CPU 211 of the terminal device 200 reading and executing a program related to the flowchart.

[0040] First, the user selects image data stored in the image memory 220 in response to an operation from the operation unit 204. Here, it does not matter whether a single image data is selected or multiple image data are selected.

[0041] The user performs an operation (NFC touch operation) of bringing the terminal device 200, with an image selected, close to the NFC unit 306 of the printing device 300 that is the target of the processing request. As a result, the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 transition to the NFC communication mode. Note that the transition to the NFC communication mode may be realized by a user setting it on the operation panel of the printing device 300, for example, or may be realized automatically by the NFC touch operation.

[0042] In step S802, the terminal device 200 receives an NDEF message in the NFC memory 605 within the NFC unit 306 from the NFC unit 306 of the printing device 300.

[0043] The NDEF data structure stored in the NFC unit will be described with reference to FIG. 7. As NDEF data, the RecordType indicating what the NDEF message is is stored in "Record 1" of the first NDEF constituting the header portion. Specifically, "Hq (Handover Request)" indicating that it is a message for a handover request, or "Hs (Handover Select)" indicating that it is a response message to the request, etc. are written in the Record Type. Note that NDEF data is sometimes called short-range wireless communication information because it is transmitted to a communication partner device by short-range wireless communication.

[0044] "Record2" is composed of a RecordType including a content indicating that this packet is A service setting information and a Payload including detailed network setting information. The network information stores parameters related to each communication method. Specifically, the first MAC address of the first unit and the second MAC address of the second unit of the two network interface units (or network interface cards: NICs) that the printing device 300 has are stored in the network information. For example, a MAC address for a wired LAN and a MAC address for a wireless LAN are stored in the network information. This enables the terminal device 200 to obtain MAC address information, which is a physical interface of the printing device 300, from the NDEF message. Note that in this application, an example in which the printing device 300 has two network interface units is shown, but there is no particular limit to this number as long as it is one or more.

[0045] Furthermore, the payload section stores peer-to-peer connection information (hereinafter, "peer-to-peer" will be abbreviated as P2P). Specifically, information such as the SSID, encryption method, authentication method, and network key required for P2P connections such as WiFi Direct is stored.

[0046] Generally, if the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 are not connected to the same access point, data communication cannot be performed. To avoid this, the terminal device 200 changes the wireless network settings on the terminal device 200 side using the P2P information acquired from the NDEF message of the printing device 300. In this way, peer-to-peer communication is established between the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300, and data communication can be performed.

[0047] After receiving the NDEF message, the terminal device 200 determines in step S803 whether a mode transition command to wait for data reception from the terminal device 200 has been issued to the printing device 300. Information on whether the command has been issued is stored in the data memory 214 of the terminal device 200. If the mode transition command has not been issued, in step S804, it is confirmed (searched) whether the first MAC address of the NDEF message exists on the same network as the terminal device 200. If the first MAC address exists on the same network, the terminal device 200 can recognize the IP address of the printing device 300 (step S805). For example, ICMP, Multicast DNS, or the like is used to recognize the IP address. Then, in step S806, the terminal device 200 issues a mode transition command to wait for data reception to the printing device 300.

[0048] Furthermore, if the first MAC address cannot be detected on the network, the terminal device 200 checks in step S810 whether the second MAC address exists on the same network as the terminal device 200. If the second MAC address cannot be detected, the terminal device 200 refers to the P2P information stored in the NDEF message acquired from the NFC unit 201 of the printing device 300 in step S811, and determines whether the communication mode of the terminal device 200 is the same as the wireless LAN setting in the P2P information. As an example of the determination, the terminal device 200 compares the SSID of the access point provided in the printing device 300 with the SSID set in the terminal device 200, and determines whether they are the same.

[0049] If the communication mode of the terminal device 200 does not match the P2P information, the terminal device 200 changes the communication mode of the terminal device 200 to match the communication mode of the printing device 300 (step S812). For example, the terminal device 200 sets the SSID of the printing device 300.

[0050] In this way, when the printing device 300 has multiple interfaces and returns only one of the interface information, the device may not be detected. For example, if the MAC address of the wireless LAN is stored in the NDEF message even though the wired LAN is enabled, the terminal device 200 searches for the MAC address of the wireless LAN on the network. As a result, even if the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 are on the same network, the printing device 300 touched by NFC cannot be found. However, by performing the above process, it becomes possible to properly establish a connection between the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300.

[0051] In step S806, the terminal device 200 issues a mode transition command to the printing device 300 to wait for data reception from the terminal device. After issuing the command, in step S807, the terminal device 200 converts the image data selected by the user into a format that can be printed by the printing device 300, and transmits the converted data as print data to the printing device 300 via the wireless LAN unit 202. Note that just because the terminal device 200 transmits print data to the printing device 300 via the wireless LAN, it does not necessarily mean that the printing device 300 will receive the print data from the terminal device 200 via the wireless LAN. This is because the printing device 300 may also receive the print data via a wired LAN connected to an access point.

[0052] After all print data has been sent, in step S808 the terminal device 200 determines whether to continue sending print data. This determination may be based on a user operation, or it may be determined that no operation has been performed for a certain period of time. When printing is to end, in step S809 the terminal device 200 issues a command to the printing device 300 to cancel the data reception wait mode. As a result, the connection between the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 is released.

[0053] 9, a process of printing an image received by the printing device 300 from the terminal device 200 will be described. In the present application, the flowchart executed in the printing device 300 is realized by the CPU 311 of the printing device 300 reading and executing a program related to the flowchart.

[0054] First, the user brings the terminal device 200 (the NFC unit 201) close to the printing device 300 (the NFC unit 306). As a result, NFC communication is started by both NFC units, and in step S902, the printing device 300 transfers the NDEF message stored in the NFC memory in the NFC unit 306 of the printing device to the terminal device 200.

[0055] When the NDEF message is transferred to the terminal device 200, in step S903, the printing device 300 determines whether or not a mode transition command to wait for data reception has already been received from the terminal device 200.

[0056] If a mode transition command has not been received, then in step S904, the printing device 300 determines whether there is an IP protocol level request from the terminal device 200. If there is an IP protocol level request, it can be determined that the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 are already on the same network, and the printing device 300 waits to receive a mode transition command issued by the terminal device 200 to wait for data reception.

[0057] Thereafter, in step S905, the printing device 300 receives a mode transition command from the terminal device 200. If it is determined in step S904 that there is no communication at the IP protocol level, the printing device 300 stores (saves) the current communication mode of the printing device 300 in the data memory 314 in step S910. Then, in step S911, the printing device 300 changes the communication mode of the printing device 300 to the P2P mode. Thereafter, the terminal device 200 executes the process of S812, thereby enabling the printing device 300 to be connected to the terminal device 200 on the same network. For example, if the printing device 300 is operating in a communication mode in which communication is performed using an external access point, the communication mode is changed in S911 from the communication mode in which communication is performed using the access point to the P2P mode.

[0058] After the network is established, in step S907, the printing device 300 receives print data from the terminal device 200 and performs printing. However, even if the network is established, if no data is sent from the terminal device 200 for a certain period of time in step S906, the printing communication mode is returned to the original in step S909.

[0059] After printing, in step S908, the printing device 300 determines whether a command to wait for data reception to be released from the terminal device 200 has been received. If the release command has been received, and if the printing communication mode was changed in step S909, the communication mode is returned to the communication mode immediately before printing using NFC (i.e., the communication mode stored in step S910).

[0060] A specific example of returning the communication mode is as follows. For example, if the wireless LAN of the printing device 300 is disabled, the wireless LAN disabled state is stored in step S910, printing is performed in P2P mode, and after printing is completed, the wireless LAN state is disconnected and processing ends. In other words, the communication mode of the printing device 300 is changed to the wireless LAN disabled state. Also, if the wireless LAN of the printing device 300 is enabled and on the same network as the terminal device, printing processing is performed with the communication mode unchanged, and after printing is completed, in step S909, the communication mode remains unchanged.

[0061] If either or both of the first and second interfaces of the printing device 300 are enabled and are not on the same network as the terminal device, the first and second interface states are stored in step S911. Then, printing is performed in P2P mode, and after printing is completed, the first and second interface states are restored to their original states and the process ends.

[0062] In this manner, in this embodiment, even if the user does not switch the current communication mode, the optimal communication method is automatically selected by the NFC touch operation of the terminal device 200. If a command for waiting for mode release is not sent from the terminal device 200 for a certain period of time in step S908, by monitoring the elapsed time in step S912, it is possible to return the communication mode to the previous communication mode if a command for waiting for mode release is not sent for a certain period of time.

[0063] A timer is used to measure the fixed time, but the start trigger for the timer may be after printing is completed, or the timer may be cleared when the next print process is executed before the fixed time has elapsed even after the timer has started. Alternatively, the communication mode may be ended by operating the main unit on the operation panel 305. This makes it possible for the user to execute printing without being aware of the communication mode.

[0064] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, a use case will also be described in which the user operates the terminal device 200 to select an image to be printed, and then the image is printed.

[0065] The difference from the first embodiment is that the interface information acquired by the NFC touch operation includes information indicating a valid MAC address. Below, a user performs an NFC touch operation with the terminal device 200 against the printing device 300. A use case will be described in which the terminal device 200 then acquires currently valid interface information and uses the MAC address of the valid interface to print a selected image on the printing device 300. For example, the terminal device 200 can acquire information indicating the MAC address currently valid on the printing device 300 by the NFC touch operation, out of the wired MAC address and the wireless MAC address.

[0066] First, the user selects image data in response to an operation from the operation unit 204. Here, a plurality of image data may be selected.

[0067] The user performs an NFC touch operation by bringing the terminal device 200 (the NFC unit 201) close to the printing device 300 (the NFC unit 306).

[0068] As a result, in step S1002, the terminal device 200 receives the NDEF message in the NFC memory 605 in the NFC unit 306 of the printing device 300.

[0069] After receiving the NDEF message, the terminal device 200 determines in step S1003 whether a mode transition command to wait for data reception has been issued from the terminal device 200 to the printing device 300. Information on whether a mode transition command has been issued is stored in the data memory 214 of the terminal device 200. If a mode transition command has not been issued, in step S1004, the terminal device 200 acquires interface information of the currently valid state acquired from the NDEF message. For example, S1004 can be realized by the terminal device 200 acquiring information indicating valid MAC address information from among multiple MAC addresses included in the NDEF message. Incidentally, the valid state refers to a state in which the printing device 300 has established a network connection and is able to acquire an IP address.

[0070] In step S1005, the terminal device 200 checks whether the MAC address of the interface in a valid state described in the NDEF message is on the same network as the terminal device 200. If the MAC address is on the same network in step S1006, the terminal device 200 can recognize the IP address of the printing device 300. If the IP address cannot be detected, the terminal device 200 performs steps S1011-S1012. Note that the processing of S1011-S1012 is the same as S811-S812, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the processing of S1007-S1010 is the same as S806-S809, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] According to this embodiment, for example, when a device search is performed by broadcast using multiple MAC addresses, the device search using the MAC address of a disabled interface can be prevented. Therefore, this embodiment can reduce the network communication load.

[0072] [Third embodiment] In the above first embodiment, the MAC address of the first interface and the MAC address of the second interface stored in the NDEF message are sequentially referenced. Priorities may be set for the first interface and the second interface, and information for determining which interface should be preferentially connected may be stored in the NDEF message. The terminal device 200 may detect whether the acquired MAC address exists on the same network based on the priority of the read NDEF message.

[0073] In the embodiment, the processing device that communicates with the terminal device 200 is described as a printing device (MFP) 300, but it is not limited to a printing device as long as it is a device that responds to processing requests. For example, it may be a network scanner or a network storage.

[0074] [Fourth embodiment] In this embodiment, the process in which the printing device 300 rewrites the NDEF information depending on the available interface will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] The printing device 300 determines whether or not an instruction to select an interface to be enabled has been received from a user using the operation panel 305 (S1101). For example, the printing device 300 receives an instruction to enable either a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. Note that the terminal device 200 capable of communicating with the printing device 300 may issue a selection instruction to select an interface to be enabled. Alternatively, an information processing device capable of communicating with the printing device 300 may issue an instruction to select an interface to be enabled.

[0076] If it is determined in S1101 that the instruction has been accepted, the printing device 300 writes the MAC address corresponding to the interface enabled by the user's instruction in the NDEF of the NFC memory 605 of the NFC unit 600 (S1102). In FIG. 7, it has been described that the first MAC address of the first unit and the second MAC address of the second unit of the two network interface units (or NICs) that the printing device 300 has are stored in the network information. However, in this embodiment, the printing device 300 writes only the MAC address corresponding to the enabled interface in the network information of FIG. 7. For example, if the wired LAN is enabled by the above instruction, only the MAC address of the wired LAN is written in the network information of FIG. 7. On the other hand, if the enabled interface is changed from the wired LAN to the wireless LAN, the printing device 300 rewrites the network information of FIG. 7 from the MAC address of the wired LAN to the MAC address of the wireless LAN.

[0077] The printing device 300 determines whether an NFC touch operation has been received (S1103). If it is determined that an NFC touch operation has been received, the process proceeds to S902 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if an NFC touch operation has not been received, the process returns to S1101. Note that the process from S902 onwards is the same as that in FIG. 9, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] Through the above process, the terminal device 200 can obtain the MAC address of the interface that is enabled in the printing device 300, and therefore can properly connect to the printing device 300.

[0079] (Other Examples) In this application, NFC has been used as an example of short-distance wireless communication, but other communication methods, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), may be used. In addition, in this application, a printing device has been used as an example, but a digital camera, music player, or other device other than a printing device may be used.

[0080] The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process: That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the programs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 100... network, 200... terminal device, 300... printer

Claims

1. A printing device capable of performing short-range wireless communication and LAN (Local Area Network) communication capable of faster communication than the short-range wireless communication, An operation panel; a first interface used for performing the LAN communication; a receiving means for receiving a first user instruction for enabling the first interface from a user via the operation panel; a change means for, when the reception means receives the first user instruction, changing communication information that the communication partner device can acquire through the short-range wireless communication between the communication partner device and the printing device from first communication information that does not include information corresponding to the first interface to second communication information that includes information corresponding to the first interface in response to the reception means receiving the first user instruction; Equipped with the communication partner device acquires the second communication information through the short-range wireless communication between the communication partner device and the printing device, the short-range wireless communication being executed after the reception unit receives the first user instruction; A printing device comprising:

2. The printing device as described in Claim 1, further comprising a print control means for executing a print process based on print data received via the enabled first interface.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the printing control means executes the printing process by an inkjet method.

4. When the short-range wireless communication is performed between the printing device and the communication partner device, and the printing device is connected to a network to which the communication partner device is connected, the printing device receives print data from the communication partner device that has performed the short-range wireless communication via the network, A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the short-range wireless communication is executed between the printing device and the communication partner device and the printing device is not connected to a network to which the communication partner device is connected, the printing device further comprises a receiving means for receiving print data from the communication partner device via a direct connection between the communication partner device and the printing device that is newly established based on the execution of the short-range wireless communication between the printing device and the communication partner device.

5. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the information corresponding to the first interface is a MAC address.

6. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the information corresponding to the first interface is information for the communication partner device to search for the printing device.

7. The printing device described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the short-range wireless communication is Near Field Communication (NFC) communication.

8. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the communication information is NDEF information.

9. A printing device described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the short-range wireless communication is Bluetooth communication.

10. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is provided with a second interface used for communication at a higher speed than the short-range wireless communication.

11. The printing device described in Claim 10, characterized in that the first interface is an interface for wireless communication, and the second interface is an interface for wired communication.

12. A printing device as described in Claim 11, characterized in that when the receiving means receives the first user instruction while the second interface is enabled, thereby changing the enabled interface in the printing device from the second interface to the first interface, the change means changes the communication information from the first communication information which includes information corresponding to the second interface to the second communication information.

13. The printing device according to claim 10 or claim 12, characterized in that the receiving means receives an instruction to select the interface to be enabled from the first interface and the second interface.

14. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the receiving means receives an instruction to enable the first interface that has been disabled.

15. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the second communication information includes information for establishing a peer-to-peer connection with the printing device.

16. The printing device of claim 15, wherein the information for establishing the peer-to-peer connection with the printing device includes at least one of an SSID, an encryption method, an authentication method, and a network key.

17. The printing device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the peer-to-peer connection is a connection via Wi-Fi Direct.

18. The present invention further comprises a transition means for transitioning the printing device to a communication mode for the peer-to-peer connection based on the execution of the short-range wireless communication between the communication partner device and the printing device.

18. The printing device according to claim 15, wherein the printing device is a printer.

19. A device capable of performing short-range wireless communication and LAN (Local Area Network) communication capable of faster communication than the short-range wireless communication, An operation panel; a first interface used for performing the LAN communication; A method for controlling a printing device having a receiving step of receiving a first user instruction for enabling the first interface from a user via the operation panel; a changing step of changing, when the first user instruction is accepted in the accepting step, communication information that can be acquired by the communication partner device through the short-range wireless communication between the communication partner device and the printing device from first communication information that does not include information corresponding to the first interface to second communication information that includes information corresponding to the first interface in response to accepting the first user instruction in the accepting step; Equipped with the communication partner device acquires the second communication information through the short-range wireless communication between the communication partner device and the printing device, the short-range wireless communication being executed after the first user instruction is accepted in the accepting step; A control method comprising:

20. A device capable of performing short-range wireless communication and LAN (Local Area Network) communication capable of faster communication than the short-range wireless communication, An operation panel; a first interface used for performing the LAN communication; A computer of a printing device having a receiving step of receiving a first user instruction for enabling the first interface from a user via the operation panel; a changing step of changing, when the first user instruction is accepted in the accepting step, communication information that can be acquired by the communication partner device through the short-range wireless communication between the communication partner device and the printing device from first communication information that does not include information corresponding to the first interface to second communication information that includes information corresponding to the first interface in response to accepting the first user instruction in the accepting step; Run the command, the communication partner device acquires the second communication information through the short-range wireless communication between the communication partner device and the printing device, the short-range wireless communication being executed after the first user instruction is accepted in the accepting step; A program characterized by:

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