Communication device, image processing device, and computer program therefor

Abstract

To provide a new technique in which a communication device causes an image processing device to execute image processing.SOLUTION: A communication device includes: a search section configured to search for image processing devices which do not currently belong to the same Wi-Fi network to which the communication device belongs, according to a first scheme of the Wi-Fi standard; a specifying section configured to, for each of M image processing devices found in the search, specify a distance between the image processing device and the communication device; an output control section configured to cause an output section to output N pieces of identification information for identifying N image processing devices of the M image processing devices based on the specified distances of the M image processing devices; a joining section configured to, in a case where specific identification information is selected by a user, join the same Wi-Fi network to which a specific image processing device belongs, according to a second scheme of the Wi-Fi standard; and an instruction transmission section configured to transmit a processing instruction to execute image processing to the specific image processing device by using the Wi-Fi network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a technique in which a communication device causes an image processing device to execute image processing. [Background technology]

[0002] The terminal device in Patent Document 1 acquires the distance between the terminal device and each of multiple printers that are candidates for printing. The terminal device preferentially extracts printers that are close to the terminal device and has the extracted printers print. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-146202 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This specification provides a novel technique for a communication device to cause an image processing device to execute image processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a communication device. The communication device includes a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard, a search unit that searches for image processing devices present around the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a first method of the Wi-Fi standard, the image processing devices not currently belonging to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device, an identification unit that identifies the distance between each of M image processing devices (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) found by the search and the communication device, and an identification unit that identifies N (N=1, N=2, N=3, N=4, N=5, N=6, N=7, N=8, N=9, N=10, N=11, N=12, N=13, N=14, N=15, N=16, N=17, N=18, N=19, N=20, N=21, N=22, N=23, N=24, N=25, N=26, N=27, N=28, N=29, N=30, N=31, N=32, N=33, N=34, N=35, N=36, N=37, N=38, N=40, N=41, N=42, N=43, N=44, N=45, N=46, N=47, N=48, N=51, N=52, N=53, N=54, N=55, N=56, N=57, N=58, N=59, N=60, N=61, N=62, N=63, N=64, N=65, N=66, N=67, N=68, N=69, N=70, N=71, N=72, N=73, N=74, N=75, N=76, N=77, N=78, N=79, N=80, N=81, N=8 The image processing device may include an output control unit that causes an output unit to output N pieces of identification information that identify image processing devices (N being an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M); an belonging unit that belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device identified by the specific identification information via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a second method of the Wi-Fi standard that is different from the first method when a user selects specific identification information from the N pieces of identification information; and an instruction sending unit that sends a processing instruction to the specific image processing device via the Wi-Fi interface using the Wi-Fi network, instructing the specific image processing device to perform image processing.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the communication device searches for image processing devices that are not currently part of the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device according to a first method of the Wi-Fi standard, and outputs N pieces of identification information based on the respective distances of the M image processing devices. Then, when a user selects specific identification information from the N pieces of identification information, the communication device belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device identified by the specific identification information according to a second method of the Wi-Fi standard, and transmits a processing instruction to the specific image processing device. In this way, a novel technique is realized in which the communication device causes the image processing device to perform image processing.

[0007] This specification also discloses a specific image processing device, which includes an image processing execution unit, a Wi-Fi interface for executing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, and a response transmission unit for transmitting a response signal in accordance with the first method to a communication device that does not currently belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device when a search signal in accordance with the first method of the Wi-Fi method is received via the Wi-Fi interface from the communication device that does not currently belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device, and in the communication device, based on the response signals transmitted from M image processing devices (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) including the specific image processing device, N image processing devices (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than M) of the M image processing devices are searched for. the response sending unit outputs N pieces of identification information identifying the specific image processing device; an belonging unit that belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a second Wi-Fi method different from the first method when a user selects specific identification information identifying the specific image processing device from the N pieces of identification information; an instruction receiving unit that receives a processing instruction instructing the execution of image processing from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface using the Wi-Fi network; and an image processing control unit that causes the image processing execution unit to execute the image processing when the processing instruction is received from the communication device.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when a specific image processing device receives a search signal according to a first method of the Wi-Fi standard from a communication device that is not currently connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device, the specific image processing device transmits a response signal to the communication device. Then, when a user selects specific identification information identifying the specific image processing device from among N pieces of identification information in the communication device, the specific image processing device connects to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device according to a second method of the Wi-Fi standard, receives a processing instruction from the communication device, and causes the image processing execution unit to execute image processing. In this way, a novel technique is realized in which a communication device causes an image processing device to execute image processing.

[0009] A computer program for realizing the above communication device, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the communication device are also novel and useful. Also, a computer program for realizing the above specific image processing device, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the specific image processing device are also novel and useful. Further, a system including the above communication device and the above specific image processing device is also novel and useful.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an outline of a communication system. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of each device constituting the communication system. [Figure 3] It is a sequence diagram of the processing executed between each device. [Figure 4] It is a sequence diagram following FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a sequence diagram of distance measurement processing.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (Outline of Communication System 2; FIG. 1)[[ID=三十]] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a terminal 10 and a plurality of printers 100A to 100D. Each device 10, 100A to 100D is installed at a predetermined position in, for example, a certain office. The distances between the terminal 10 and each printer 100A to 100D are dA to dD. In this embodiment, dA < dB < dC < dD. Note that the terminal 10 may be a stationary terminal device or a portable terminal device. In the latter case, the distances between the terminal 10 and each printer 100A to 100D can change.

[0012] (Hardware Configuration of Each Device; FIG. 2) Next, the hardware configuration of each of the devices 10, 100A to 100D that constitute the communication system 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0013] (Configuration of Terminal 10) In this embodiment, the terminal 10 is a desktop PC. In a modified example, the terminal 10 may be a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet PC, or a laptop PC. The terminal 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a Wi-Fi interface 16, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0014] The operation unit 12 is an I / F that allows the user to input various information to the terminal 10, and includes, for example, a touch screen and buttons. The user can input various information to the terminal 10 via the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information.

[0015] The Wi-Fi I / F 16 is a wireless I / F for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi standard is a wireless communication standard for performing wireless communication in accordance with, for example, the 802.11 standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) and its equivalent standards, such as 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, and 11ac. In particular, the Wi-Fi I / F 16 supports the Wi-Fi Aware method established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Details of Wi-Fi Aware are described in the specification "Wi-Fi Aware Specification Version 4.0" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

[0016] As will be described in detail later, each of the devices 10, 100A to 100D participates in a Wi-Fi Aware Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN) cluster. The discovery windows, which are the periods during which signals are transmitted and received, are synchronized among the devices participating in the same NAN cluster.

[0017] Each device participating in a NAN cluster is assigned one of three roles: Master, Anchor Master, or Non-Master. A Master can share timer information, search for services, and invite other devices to the NAN cluster. An Anchoring Master can set timer information for synchronization in addition to the functions that a Master can perform. A Non-Master can share timer information and search for services, but cannot invite other devices to the cluster.

[0018] Each device participating in a NAN cluster can search for other devices in the NAN cluster (more specifically, for services provided by those other devices). The signal used to search for services is called Subscribe. A device that receives Subscribe sends a response signal called Publish. In this embodiment, the terminal 10 sends Subscribe to search for other devices that can provide a print service. Since each of the printers 100A to 100D can provide a print service, it sends Publish to the terminal 10, indicating that it can provide the print service. This allows the terminal 10 to find each of the printers 100A to 100D.

[0019] Each of the above Subscribe and Publish is communication at a layer lower than the network layer of the OSI reference model. In other words, the above search is performed without performing communication at or above the network layer of the OSI reference model. A pair of devices belonging to the same NAN cluster cannot perform communication at or above the network layer of the OSI reference model unless they perform pairing and establish a connection. In this embodiment, a state in which a device simply belongs to a NAN cluster, i.e., a state in which a device cannot perform communication at or above the network layer with other devices in the NAN cluster, is expressed as "the device does not belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the other device." On the other hand, a state in which a device can perform communication at or above the network layer with other devices is expressed as "the device belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the other device."

[0020] The Wi-Fi I / F16 also supports the Wi-Fi Direct standard defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi Direct is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. In the following, Wi-Fi Direct will be referred to as "WFD." Details of WFD are described in the standard "Wi-Fi Direct Specification Version 1.9" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance. In the following, a Wi-Fi connection established according to the WFD standard will be referred to as a "WFD connection." When a WFD connection is established between a pair of devices, the pair can communicate with each other at or above the network layer of the OSI reference model, and will belong to the same Wi-Fi network.

[0021] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device includes, for example, RAM and cache memory. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), or a ROM, or a combination thereof. An OS program 36 and application programs 38 are stored in the auxiliary storage device. The CPU 32 performs various processes in accordance with the programs 36 and 38 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device. Hereinafter, the OS program will be referred to as "OS." Furthermore, application programs will be referred to as "apps."

[0022] The OS 36 controls the basic operations of the terminal 10. The application 38 can establish a Wi-Fi connection between the terminal 10 and a printer by causing the OS 36 to execute processing in accordance with the Wi-Fi Aware method. The application 38 can also use the Wi-Fi connection (i.e., use the Wi-Fi network to which both the terminal 10 and the printer belong) to send print data representing an image to be printed to the printer. The application 38 is, for example, downloaded from a server on the Internet and installed on the terminal 10.

[0023] (Configuration of printers 100A to 100D) Each of the printers 100A-100D is a peripheral device capable of executing a printing function, such as a peripheral device of the terminal 10. In a modified example, each of the printers 100A-100D may be a multi-function device capable of executing a scanning function, a facsimile function, etc. in addition to a printing function. A serial number SNA is assigned to the printer 100A to identify the printer 100A. The printer 100A includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a Wi-Fi I / F 116, a print execution unit 118, and a control unit 130. Each of the units 112-130 is connected to a bus line.

[0024] The operation unit 112 is an I / F that allows the user to input various information to the printer 100A, and includes, for example, a touch screen and buttons. The user can input various information to the printer 100A via the operation unit 112. The display unit 114 is a display for displaying various information. The Wi-Fi I / F 116 is similar to the Wi-Fi I / F 16 of the terminal 10, and supports the Wi-Fi Aware method and the Wi-Fi Direct method. The print execution unit 118 includes, for example, an inkjet or laser printing mechanism.

[0025] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. A program 136 is stored in the auxiliary storage device. The CPU 132 performs various processes in accordance with the program 136 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0026] The printers 100B to 100D have the same configuration as the printer 100A, except that they are assigned serial numbers SNB to SND, respectively.

[0027] (Processing performed between each device; Figure 3) Next, the processing executed by each of the devices 10, 100A to 100D will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In the following, for ease of understanding, the processing executed by the CPU (e.g., 32, 132) of each device (e.g., terminal 10, printers 100A to 100D) will be described as the processing subject, rather than each CPU. Furthermore, communication between each device is performed via a Wi-Fi I / F (e.g., 16, 116). Therefore, in the following description, when describing communication, the phrase "via a Wi-Fi I / F" will be omitted.

[0028] In the initial state of FIG. 3, printers 100A to 100D belong to the same NAN cluster. In this case, printer 100A operates as the anchor master of the NAN cluster, and printers 100B to 100D each operate as a master of its own NAN cluster. Also, in the initial state of FIG. 3, application 38 is not running on terminal 10, and terminal 10 is in a state in which it is unable to receive signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method. Here, "a state in which it is unable to receive signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method" refers to a state in which Wi-Fi I / F 16 does not receive signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method from an external device. In a modified example, "a state in which it is unable to receive signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method" may refer to a state in which Wi-Fi I / F 16 receives signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method from an external device, but CPU 32 does not execute processing conforming to the signals (i.e., a state in which the signals are discarded). In the following, a state in which signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method cannot be received will be referred to as an "impossible state."

[0029] At T10, the printer 100A broadcasts a NAN Discovery Beacon frame (hereinafter referred to as "Discovery"). Discovery is a signal conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method, and is a signal for notifying the outside world of information about the NAN cluster to which the printer 100A belongs. A device that does not belong to the NAN cluster can join the NAN cluster in response to receiving Discovery. In other words, Discovery can also be said to be a signal for inviting a device that does not belong to the NAN cluster to join the NAN cluster. The printer 100A periodically transmits Discovery. Note that, although not shown in the figure, each of the master printers 100B to 100D also periodically transmits Discovery. As described above, since the terminal 10 is in an inoperable state at the stage of T10, the terminal 10 does not receive Discovery from the printer 100A at T10.

[0030] At T12, the terminal 10 accepts a print operation from the user. The print operation is, for example, an operation of specifying an image to be printed via the application 38. The application 38 is launched on the terminal 10, and thereafter the terminal 10 executes each process in accordance with the application 38. In this case, at T14 the terminal 10 transitions from an incapable state to a state in which it is capable of receiving a signal conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method. Here, the "state in which it is capable of receiving a signal conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method" refers to a state in which the Wi-Fi I / F 16 receives a signal conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method from the outside and the CPU 32 is capable of executing a process in accordance with the signal. Hereinafter, the state in which it is capable of receiving a signal conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method will be referred to as the "capable state."

[0031] At T20, the printer 100A sends a Discovery. Since the terminal 10 is in a possible state at the stage of T20, the terminal 10 receives a Discovery from the printer 100A at T20. In this case, the terminal 10 joins the NAN cluster at T22. As a result, the terminal 10 and the printers 100A to 100D belong to the same NAN cluster. However, as described above, at this point, the terminal 10 cannot communicate with the printer 100A or the like at the network layer or above of the OSI reference model. In other words, the terminal 10 does not belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer 100A or the like. Although not shown, once the terminal 10 joins the NAN cluster, it communicates with the printer 100A to determine its role within the NAN cluster. In this case, the terminal 10 operates as a Non-Master.

[0032] At T24, the terminal 10 broadcasts a Subscribe to the NAN cluster to search for devices that provide a print service. In this case, the Subscribe is sent to each of the printers 100A to 100D in the NAN cluster.

[0033] When the printer 100A receives a Subscribe from the terminal 10 in T24, it sends a Publish to the terminal 10 in T30. The Publish includes the serial number SNA of the printer 100A and status information indicating the usage status of the printer 100A. The status information includes the number of uses of the printer 100A. The number of uses is the sum of the number of devices (hereinafter referred to as the "first number") that have established a one-to-one connection (e.g., a WFD connection) with the printer 100A and the number of devices (hereinafter referred to as the "second number") that have established a session for communicating with the printer 100A. Here, a "session" refers to communication in accordance with a specific protocol (e.g., HTTP) that is established between the external device and the printer 100A in response to an operation instructing the external device to execute printing, when the printer 100A belongs to a Wi-Fi network formed by an access point. Also, when the operation unit 112 of the printer 100A is being operated, the number of uses is the sum of the first number and the second number plus "1." In other words, the number of uses can be said to be the number of users who can currently use the printer 100A. In this case, the number of uses of the printer 100A is 2.

[0034] Furthermore, at T32, printer 100A transmits a Follow-up to terminal 10. The Follow-up is a signal for transmitting further information about the printing service to terminal 10, and includes information indicating that printer 100A is operating normally, and information about each unexecuted job currently registered in printer 100A (e.g., printing conditions such as paper size, number of pages to be printed, etc.). The Follow-up is also a signal at a layer lower than the network layer of the OSI reference model. Note that, for example, if an error (e.g., out of paper or ink) occurs in printer 100A, the Follow-up includes error information indicating the error instead of information indicating that printer 100A is operating normally.

[0035] The terminal 10 receives a Publish from the printer 100A at T30, and receives a Follow-up from the printer 100A at T32. In this case, the terminal 10 identifies and stores the status of the printer 100A at T33. Here, "status" refers to the number of uses included in the status information and various information included in the Follow-up.

[0036] At T34, the terminal 10 transmits a Ranging Request frame to the printer 100A. The Ranging Request frame is a signal requesting the execution of processing to measure the distance between the terminal 10 and the printer 100A. The Ranging Request frame is also a signal at a layer lower than the network layer of the OSI reference model.

[0037] When the printer 100A receives a Ranging Request frame from the terminal 10 at T34, it transmits a Ranging Response frame to the terminal 10 at T36. The Ranging Response frame is also a signal at a layer lower than the network layer of the OSI reference model.

[0038] At T36, the terminal 10 receives a Ranging Response frame from the printer 100A. In this case, at T38, a distance measurement process is executed between the terminal 10 and the printer 100A.

[0039] (Distance measurement process; Figure 5) Here, the distance measurement process of T38 in Fig. 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. At T100, the terminal 10 sends a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request to the printer 100A. FTM is a mechanism for measuring the distance between devices using Wi-Fi communication. The FTM request is a signal requesting the start of FTM, and includes, for example, information on the frequency bands used in various FTM communications.

[0040] When the printer 100A receives an FTM request from the terminal 10 in T100, it transmits an ACK to the terminal 10 in T102. As a result, the FTM is executed in T110 and thereafter.

[0041] In the FTM, first, at T110, the printer 100A transmits an FTM response to the terminal 10. At this time, the printer 100 stores the transmission time t1 of the FTM response.

[0042] At T110, the terminal 10 receives an FTM response from the printer 100A. At this time, the terminal 10 stores the time t2 at which the FTM response was received. Then, at T112, the terminal 10 sends an ACK to the printer 100A. At this time, the terminal 10 stores the time t3 at which the ACK was sent.

[0043] At T112, the printer 100A receives an ACK from the terminal 10. At this time, the printer 100A stores the time t4 at which the ACK was received.

[0044] Thereafter, at T114, the printer 100A transmits an FTM response to the terminal 10. The FTM response transmitted here includes the stored times t1 and t4. The printer 100A also stores the transmission time t5 of the FTM response transmitted at T114.

[0045] At T114, the terminal 10 receives the FTM response from the printer 100A. At this time, the terminal 10 stores the time t6 at which the FTM response was received.

[0046] Furthermore, the terminal 10 calculates the distance between the terminal 10 and the printer 100A using the stored times t2 and t3 and the times t1 and t4 included in the FTM response of T114. Specifically, the terminal 10A first calculates RTT1 = (t4 - t1) - (t3 - t2). RTT1 is the sum of the time required to send the FTM response of T110 and the time required to send the ACK of T112. In other words, RTT1 is the time required for one round-trip communication between the terminal 10 and the printer 100A. The terminal 10 then calculates the distance between the terminal 10 and the printer 100A using the formula ((c × RTT1) / 2), where c is the speed of light. In this way, the terminal 10 can calculate the distance between the terminal 10 and the printer 100A using the times t1 and t2 related to the communication of the FTM response and the times t3 and t4 related to the communication of the ACK.

[0047] At T116, the terminal 10 transmits an ACK to the printer 100A. At this time, the terminal 10 stores the transmission time t7 of the ACK.

[0048] At T116, the printer 100A receives an ACK from the terminal 10. At this time, the printer 100A stores the time t8 at which the ACK was received.

[0049] The terminal 10 and printer 100A continue to repeat the communication of FTM responses and ACKs a predetermined number of times. The terminal 10 calculates the distance between the terminal 10 and printer 100A for each round-trip communication of FTM responses and ACKs. For example, for the FTM response of T114 and the ACK of T116, the distance between the terminal 10 and printer 100A is calculated using the formula ((c×RTT2) / 2). Here, RTT2 = (t8-t5)-(t7-t6). The terminal 10 calculates the distance between the terminal 10 and printer 100A by averaging the distances calculated in this way for a predetermined number of times.

[0050] Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the terminal 10 determines the distance dA between the terminal 10 and the printer 100A at T40 in FIG. 3 after the distance measurement process of FIG. 5. Thereafter, processes similar to those at T30 to T40 are executed between the terminal 10 and each of the printers 100B to 100D. As a result, the terminal 10 determines the status of each of the printers 100B to 100D and the distances dB to dD between the terminal 10 and each of the printers 100B to 100D. In particular, according to this embodiment, the terminal 10 can determine the status and distance of each of the printers 100A to 100D by executing communications at T24 to T38 before joining the same Wi-Fi network as the printer 100A, etc.

[0051] (Continuation of Figure 3; Figure 4) After identifying the status of each of the printers 100A-100D and the distances dA-dD, the terminal 10 displays a selection screen SC1 on the display unit 14. The selection screen SC1 includes a serial number that identifies each of the printers 100A-100D and the number of uses of the printer corresponding to the serial number. Specifically, the terminal 10 generates the selection screen SC1 as follows.

[0052] First, the terminal 10 determines whether each of the distances dA to dD is less than a predetermined distance. The terminal 10 excludes the serial numbers of printers that are further than the predetermined distance from the display targets. In this case, the terminal 10 determines that each of the distances dA to dD is less than the predetermined distance. In other words, there are no printer serial numbers that are excluded from the display targets.

[0053] Next, the terminal 10 identifies the number of uses included in the printer status for each of the printers 100A-100D identified by the serial numbers to be displayed. The terminal 10 then writes the serial numbers of each of the printers 100A-100D on the selection screen SC1 so that the serial numbers of printers with fewer uses are positioned higher. That is, the terminal 10 prioritizes the display of printers with fewer uses. The terminal 10 also writes the number of uses of the printer identified by each serial number in association with that serial number. Here, "associated" means being written to the right of the serial number in this embodiment, but it may also be written below or to the left of the serial number. Generally speaking, "associated" may mean being written near the serial number.

[0054] When there are two or more printers with the same usage count, the terminal 10 prioritizes the display of the printer closest to the terminal 10. In this case, of the two printers 100B and 100C with the same usage count of "0," the serial number SNB of the printer 100B, which is closest to the terminal 10, is displayed at the top. Because this selection screen SC1 is displayed, the user can easily recognize that they can obtain printed materials more quickly by printing on the printer with the higher-ranked serial number. This improves user convenience.

[0055] If there are two or more printers that have the same number of uses and the same distance, the terminal 10 may determine the display order based on the information included in the Follow-up. For example, the terminal 10 may place a printer that is operating normally above a printer that has an error, or may display a printer with fewer pending jobs at a higher position.

[0056] At T52, the user selects the serial number SNB located at the top of the selection screen SC1. In this case, at T54, a WFD connection is established between the terminal 10 and the printer 100B identified by the serial number SNB. Specifically, at the stage of T52, the printer 100B operates as a WFD-scheme group owner (i.e., a master station). In this situation, in response to the selection of the serial number SNB on the terminal 10 (T52), communication such as a 4-way handshake is executed between the terminal 10 and the printer 100B, and a WFD connection is established between the terminal 10 and the printer 100B. In other words, the terminal 10 and the printer 100B belong to the same Wi-Fi network in which the printer 100B operates as a WFD-scheme group owner, for example. Note that in a modified example, the printer 100B does not have to operate as a group owner at the stage of T52. In this case, when the serial number SNB is selected in the terminal 10 and a trigger operation for establishing a WFD connection is received in the printer 100B, G / O negotiation may be performed to determine that either the terminal 10 or the printer 100B will operate as the Group Owner. After that, communication such as a 4-way handshake may be performed between the terminal 10 and the printer 100B, and a WFD connection may be established between the terminal 10 and the printer 100B.

[0057] In T56, the terminal 10 converts the image to be printed that was specified in T12 into print data, and transmits the print data to the printer 100B using the established WFD connection (i.e., the Wi-Fi network). The print data has a data format that can be interpreted by the printer 100B.

[0058] When printer 100B receives the print data from terminal 10 at T56, it executes printing according to the print data at T60. This allows the user to obtain the printed material printed by printer 100B. When printing is completed, at T62, the WFD connection between terminal 10 and printer 100B is disconnected.

[0059] (Effects of the Example) According to the above configuration, the terminal 10 sends a Subscribe to the printers 100A-100D belonging to the same NAN cluster in accordance with the Wi-Fi Aware method (T24 in FIG. 3). In this case, each of the printers 100A-100D sends a Publish including status information to the terminal 10 (T30). Furthermore, communication is performed between the terminal 10 and each of the printers 100A-100D to measure the distance therebetween (T34-T38 in FIG. 3, FIG. 5). As a result, for each of the printers 100A-100D, the terminal 10 identifies the distance between the terminal 10 and the printer and the status of the printer (T40 in FIG. 3), and displays a selection screen SC1 based on the distance and the status (T50 in FIG. 4). Thereafter, when the serial number SNB is selected by the user on the selection screen SC1 (T52), a WFD connection is established between the terminal 10 and the printer 100B in accordance with the WFD method (T54). That is, terminal 10 and printer 100B belong to the same Wi-Fi network. Terminal 10 then uses the Wi-Fi network to send a print instruction to printer 100B (T56). Printer 100B receives the print instruction from terminal 10 and executes printing in accordance with the print instruction (T60). In this way, a novel technique is realized in which terminal 10 causes one of printers 100A to 100D belonging to a NAN cluster to execute printing.

[0060] (Correspondence) The terminal 10 is an example of a "communication device." The four printers 100A-100D are examples of "M image processing devices" and "N image processing devices." The display unit 14 is an example of an "output unit." The print execution unit 118 is an example of an "image processing execution unit." The four serial numbers SNA-SND are an example of "N pieces of identification information." The printer 100B and serial number SNB are examples of "specific image processing device" and "specific identification information," respectively. Subscribe at T24 and Publish at T30 in FIG. 3 are examples of "search signal" and "response signal," respectively. The print instruction at T56 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "processing instruction." The FTM response at T110 and ACK at T112 in FIG. 5 are examples of "first signal" and "second signal," respectively. The Wi-Fi Aware method and the WFD method are examples of "first method" and "second method," respectively.

[0061] The correspondence relationship of the "communication devices" is as follows: The processes of T24 to T32 and T34 to T38 in FIG. 3 are examples of processes executed by a "search unit". The processes of T33 and T40 in FIG. 3 are examples of processes executed by a "identification unit". The process of T50 in FIG. 4 is an example of processes executed by an "output control unit". The process of T54 in FIG. 4 is an example of processes executed by an "affiliation unit". The process of T56 in FIG. 4 is an example of processes executed by an "instruction transmission unit".

[0062] The correspondence relationship of "specific image processing devices" is as follows: The process of T30 in FIG. 3, which is cited as the process of printer 100B, is an example of a process executed by a "response sending unit." The process of T54 in FIG. 4 is an example of a process executed by an "belonging unit." The process of T56 in FIG. 4 is an example of a process executed by an "instruction receiving unit." The process of T60 in FIG. 4 is an example of a process executed by an "image processing control unit."

[0063] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

[0064] (Variation 1) At T54 in FIG. 4, the terminal 10 and the printer 100B may belong to a Wi-Fi network in which the terminal 10 operates as a WFD Group Owner. In this variation, the Wi-Fi network in which the terminal 10 operates as a Group Owner is an example of a "Wi-Fi network." In another variation, at T54 in FIG. 4, the terminal 10 and the printer 100B may belong to a Wi-Fi network formed by an access point (not shown). In this variation, the Wi-Fi network formed by the access point is an example of a "Wi-Fi network." In another variation, at T54 in FIG. 4, the terminal 10 and the printer 100B may belong to a Wi-Fi network in which the printer 100B operates as a SoftAP. In this variation, the Wi-Fi network formed by the printer 100B operating as a SoftAP is an example of a "Wi-Fi network." In another variation, at T54 in FIG. 4, the terminal 10 and the printer 100B may belong to a Wi-Fi network in which the terminal 10 operates as a SoftAP. In this modification, the Wi-Fi network formed by the terminal 10 operating as a SoftAP is an example of a "Wi-Fi network."

[0065] (Variation 2) Printer 100A may send a Publish that does not include status information to terminal 10 at T30 in Fig. 3. In this case, terminal 10 may display selection screen SC1 that does not include the number of uses at T50 in Fig. 4. In particular, the selection screen SC1 displayed in this case may not preferentially display serial numbers of printers with fewer uses.

[0066] (Variation 3) In T50 of Fig. 4, the terminal 10 may determine the display order of the printer serial numbers based on the information included in the Follow-up, instead of determining the display order based on the number of uses. For example, the terminal 10 may place a printer that is operating normally above a printer in which an error has occurred, or may display a printer with fewer pending jobs at a higher position.

[0067] (Variation 4) The method for determining the distance between the terminal 10 and a printer (e.g., 100A) is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the terminal 10 may determine the distance between the terminal 10 and a printer based on the received radio wave intensity of a signal from the printer.

[0068] (Modification 5) The terminal 10 may search for printers present around the terminal 10 according to a method different from the Wi-Fi Aware method. In this modification, the different method is an example of the "first method."

[0069] (Variant 6) In the above embodiment, the processing of each step in Figures 2 to 5 is realized by software (e.g., OS 36, application 38, program 136), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0070] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives alone is technically useful.

[0071] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing, even if each claim depends on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can depend on only those some of the claims. To the extent that there is no technical contradiction, each claim can also depend on other claims that were not dependent at the time of filing. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A communication device, a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a search unit that searches for image processing devices that exist around the communication device and that do not currently belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface according to a first method of the Wi-Fi standard; an identification unit that identifies, for each of M image processing devices found by the search (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), a distance between the image processing device and the communication device; an output control unit that outputs, to an output unit, N pieces of identification information for identifying N image processing devices (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than M) among the M image processing devices based on the respective distances of the M image processing devices; an belonging unit that belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device identified by the specific identification information via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a second system of the Wi-Fi standard that is different from the first system, when specific identification information from among the N pieces of identification information is selected by a user; an instruction sending unit that sends a processing instruction for instructing the specific image processing device to execute image processing via the Wi-Fi interface and using the Wi-Fi network; A communication device comprising: (Item 2) Item 1. The communication device according to item 1, wherein the first method is a Wi-Fi Aware method. (Item 3) The communication device described in item 1 or 2, wherein the second method is one of a normal Wi-Fi method, a Wi-Fi Direct method, and a SoftAP method, which are methods that use an access point different from the communication device and the specific image processing device. (Item 4) The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit determines the distance between the image processing device and the communication device by using a time related to communication of a first signal transmitted from the image processing device and a time related to communication of a second signal transmitted to the image processing device. (Item 5) The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the search unit searches for image processing devices that are not currently part of the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device without performing communication at or above the network layer of the OSI reference model. (Item 6) A specific image processing device, an image processing execution unit; a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a response transmitting unit that, when a search signal conforming to a first method of the Wi-Fi system is received via the Wi-Fi interface from a communication device that is not currently affiliated with the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device, transmits a response signal conforming to the first method to the communication device, wherein the response transmitting unit outputs N pieces of identification information that identify N image processing devices (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M) out of the M image processing devices based on the response signals transmitted from each of M image processing devices (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) including the specific image processing device; an belonging unit that belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a second Wi-Fi scheme different from the first scheme when a user selects specific identification information that identifies the specific image processing device from the N pieces of identification information; an instruction receiving unit that receives a processing instruction for executing image processing from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface using the Wi-Fi network; an image processing control unit that causes the image processing execution unit to execute the image processing when the processing instruction is received from the communication device; A specific image processing device comprising: (Item 7) Item 7. The specific image processing device according to item 6, wherein the first method is a Wi-Fi Aware method. (Item 8) The specific image processing device described in item 6 or 7, wherein the second method is one of a normal Wi-Fi method, a Wi-Fi Direct method, and a SoftAP method, which are methods that use an access point different from the communication device and the specific image processing device. (Item 9) 9. The specific image processing device according to any one of items 6 to 8, wherein each of the search signal and the response signal is a signal at a layer lower than the network layer of the OSI reference model. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 2: communication system, 10: terminal, 12, 112: operation unit, 14, 114: display unit, 16, 116: Wi-Fi I / F, 30, 130: control unit, 32, 132: CPU, 34, 134: memory, 36: OS program, 38: application program, 100A to 100D: printer, 118: print execution unit, 136: program

Claims

1. A communication device, a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a search unit that searches for image processing devices that are present around the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a first method of the Wi-Fi standard and that do not currently belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device; an identification unit that identifies, for each of M image processing devices found by the search (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), a distance between the image processing device and the communication device; an output control unit that causes an output unit to output N pieces of identification information that identify N image processing devices (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M) among the M image processing devices based on the distances between the M image processing devices; an belonging unit that belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device identified by the specific identification information via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a second method of the Wi-Fi standard that is different from the first method, when specific identification information from among the N pieces of identification information is selected by a user; an instruction sending unit that sends a processing instruction to the specific image processing device via the Wi-Fi interface using the Wi-Fi network, the processing instruction instructing the specific image processing device to execute image processing; A communication device comprising:

2. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the first method is a Wi-Fi Aware method.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second method is one of a normal Wi-Fi method, a Wi-Fi Direct method, and a SoftAP method, which are methods that use an access point different from that of the communication device and the specific image processing device.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the distance between the image processing device and the communication device by using a time related to communication of a first signal transmitted from the image processing device and a time related to communication of a second signal transmitted to the image processing device.

5. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the search unit searches for the image processing device that is not currently part of the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device without performing communication at or above the network layer of the OSI reference model.

6. A specific image processing device, an image processing execution unit; a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a response transmitting unit that, when a search signal conforming to a first method of the Wi-Fi system is received via the Wi-Fi interface from a communication device that does not currently belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device, transmits a response signal conforming to the first method to the communication device, wherein the response transmitting unit outputs N pieces of identification information that identify N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M) image processing devices out of the M image processing devices based on the response signals transmitted from each of M (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) image processing devices including the specific image processing device; an belonging unit that belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a second method of the Wi-Fi method that is different from the first method when specific identification information that identifies the specific image processing device is selected by a user from the N pieces of identification information; an instruction receiving unit that receives a processing instruction for instructing execution of image processing from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface using the Wi-Fi network; an image processing control unit that causes the image processing execution unit to execute the image processing when the processing instruction is received from the communication device; A specific image processing device comprising:

7. The specific image processing device according to claim 6 , wherein the first method is a Wi-Fi Aware method.

8. The specific image processing device according to claim 6, wherein the second method is one of a normal Wi-Fi method, a Wi-Fi Direct method, and a SoftAP method, which are methods that use an access point different from that of the communication device and the specific image processing device.

9. 7. The specific image processing device according to claim 6, wherein the search signal and the response signal are signals at a layer lower than the network layer of the OSI reference model.

10. 1. A computer program for a communication device, comprising: The communication device a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; A computer, Equipped with The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a search unit that searches for image processing devices that are present around the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a first method of the Wi-Fi standard and that do not currently belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device; an identification unit that identifies, for each of M image processing devices found by the search (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), a distance between the image processing device and the communication device; an output control unit that causes an output unit to output N pieces of identification information that identify N image processing devices (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M) among the M image processing devices based on the distances between the M image processing devices; an belonging unit that belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device identified by the specific identification information via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a second method of the Wi-Fi standard that is different from the first method, when specific identification information from among the N pieces of identification information is selected by a user; an instruction sending unit that sends a processing instruction to the specific image processing device via the Wi-Fi interface using the Wi-Fi network, the processing instruction instructing the specific image processing device to execute image processing; A computer program that functions as a

11. A computer program for a specific image processing device, The specific image processing device includes: an image processing execution unit; a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; A computer, Equipped with The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a response transmitting unit that, when a search signal conforming to a first method of the Wi-Fi system is received via the Wi-Fi interface from a communication device that does not currently belong to the same Wi-Fi network as the specific image processing device, transmits a response signal conforming to the first method to the communication device, wherein the response transmitting unit outputs N pieces of identification information that identify N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M) image processing devices out of the M image processing devices based on the response signals transmitted from each of M (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) image processing devices including the specific image processing device; an belonging unit that belongs to the same Wi-Fi network as the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a second method of the Wi-Fi method that is different from the first method when specific identification information that identifies the specific image processing device is selected by a user from the N pieces of identification information; an instruction receiving unit that receives a processing instruction for instructing execution of image processing from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface using the Wi-Fi network; an image processing control unit that causes the image processing execution unit to execute the image processing when the processing instruction is received from the communication device; A computer program that functions as a

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