Communication device, computer program for communication device, and method executed by communication device

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of appropriately selecting a target communication device with which wireless connection should be established.SOLUTION: A reception unit configured to receive a response signal from each of the M communication devices, each of the M response signals including device identification information for identifying a communication device that is a transmission source of the response signal and second method information indicating one or more methods available to the communication device that is the transmission source of the response signal; a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display a device selection screen for allowing a user to select a target communication device, the device selection screen having a display mode in which N pieces of device identification information included in the N response signals are recognizable among M pieces of device identification information included in the M response signals, wherein each of the N response signals is a signal including second method information corresponding to the first method information in the memory.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification relates to techniques in situations where a user selects a communication device with which to establish a wireless connection. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a technology that displays multiple acquisition methods for a bootstrapping key for executing Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) and displays support information corresponding to one acquisition method selected from the multiple acquisition methods. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-004365 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present specification provides a technique that allows a user to appropriately select a communication device with which a wireless connection with a specific communication device should be established. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A specific communication device disclosed in this specification includes a wireless interface for performing wireless communication, a memory for storing first method information indicating one or more methods available for establishing a wireless connection between the specific communication device and an external device via the wireless interface, a transmitter for transmitting a search signal for searching for other communication devices present around the specific communication device, and a receiver for receiving a response signal to the search signal from each of M communication devices (M is an integer of 1 or more), wherein each of the M response signals includes device identification information for identifying the communication device that transmitted the response signal and a signal indicating the source of the response signal. and second method information indicating one or more methods available to the communication device; and a display control unit that displays a device selection screen on a display unit of the specific communication device to allow a user to select a communication device with which the specific communication device should establish a wireless connection, wherein the device selection screen has a display mode that allows a user to recognize N device identification information contained in N response signals (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M) out of M device identification information contained in the M response signals, and each of the N response signals is a signal that includes the second method information corresponding to the first method information in the memory.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the specific communication device receives response signals from each of the M communication devices and displays a device selection screen having a display mode that allows the user to recognize N device identification information included in the N response signals among the M device identification information included in the M response signals. Here, the N response signals are signals that include second method information corresponding to first method information that indicates one or more methods available to the specific communication device. Therefore, the user can appropriately select a communication device with which to establish a wireless connection with the specific communication device from among the N communication devices identified by the N device identification information.

[0007] A computer program for the specific communication device described above, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the specific communication device are also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a continuation of the sequence diagram of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a device selection screen in the second to fourth embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First Example) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a plurality of printers 10A to 10E and a terminal 100. In this embodiment, a situation is assumed in which a wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi Aware method of the Wi-Fi standard (hereinafter referred to as a "Wi-Fi Aware connection") is established between any of the plurality of printers 10A to 10E and the terminal 100.

[0010] (Printer 10A configuration) The printer 10A is a peripheral device capable of executing a printing function, for example, a peripheral device of the terminal 100. In a modified example, the printer 10A may be a multi-function device capable of executing a scanning function, a facsimile function, etc. in addition to a printing function. The printer 10A is assigned a device name "AAA" that is information for identifying the printer 10A. The printer 10A includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a Wi-Fi interface 16, a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface 18, a print execution unit 20, and a control unit 30. Each of the units 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0011] The operation unit 12 is a user interface that allows the user to input various information to the printer 10A. The operation unit 12 includes, for example, a touch panel for displaying software keys (operation objects), hardware keys, or both. The hardware keys include, for example, buttons or switches. The display unit 14 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The panel may or may not be a touch panel. The panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The print execution unit 20 includes an inkjet, electrophotographic, or thermal print engine.

[0012] The Wi-Fi I / F 16 is a wireless I / F for performing wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi communication"). 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, 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 the Wi-Fi Aware method are described in the standard document "Wi-Fi Aware Specification Version 4.0" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi Aware is also called a Wi-Fi Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN).

[0013] As will be described in detail later, each device (printers 10A to 10E and terminal 100) can participate in a Wi-Fi Aware Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN) cluster. The discovery windows, which are the periods during which signals are sent and received, are synchronized among devices participating in the same NAN cluster.

[0014] 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 devices to the NAN cluster. An Anchor 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 devices to the cluster.

[0015] 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 for searching for services is called Subscribe. A device that receives Subscribe sends a response signal called Publish. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, terminal 100 sends Subscribe to search for other devices that can provide connection services related to Wi-Fi Aware connections. Since printer 10A can provide connection services, it sends Publish to terminal 100 indicating that it can provide connection services. As a result, when processing for establishing a Wi-Fi Aware connection between printer 10A and terminal 100 is executed, a Wi-Fi Aware connection is established between printer 10A and terminal 100.

[0016] The NFC I / F18 is an I / F for performing wireless communication according to the NFC standard (hereinafter referred to as "NFC" communication). The NFC standard is a wireless communication standard for short-range wireless communication, and is based on the international standard ISO / IEC 21481 or 18092, for example.

[0017] Here, we will describe the differences between NFC communication and Wi-Fi communication. The communication speed of Wi-Fi communication (for example, a maximum communication speed of 600 Mbps) is higher than the communication speed of NFC communication (for example, a maximum communication speed of 424 Kbps). The carrier frequency in Wi-Fi communication (for example, the 2.4 GHz band, the 5.0 GHz band, etc.) is different from the carrier frequency in NFC communication (for example, 13.56 MHz). The maximum distance over which Wi-Fi communication can be performed (for example, 100 m) is longer than the maximum distance over which NFC communication can be performed (for example, approximately 10 cm).

[0018] 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. As an example, the main storage device includes a RAM and a cache memory. As an example, the auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a ROM, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a combination thereof. A program 36 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 34. The CPU 32 performs various processes in accordance with the program 36 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0019] The memory 34 further stores method information indicating a bootstrap method. Hereinafter, bootstrap may be referred to as "BS." BS is a process for sharing a service set identifier (SSID) and a password (hereinafter referred to as "PW") between a pair of devices. The SSID and PW are used to execute pre-association security negotiation (PASN). PASN is a process for exchanging key information such as a public key between a pair of devices, and is executed in the same manner as, for example, WPA3-SAE.

[0020] The method information stored in the memory 34 of the printer 10A is information indicating one or more BS methods supported (i.e., available) by the printer 10A. Because the printer 10A supports two BS methods (i.e., QR code display and NFC tag), the memory 34 stores method information indicating these two methods. The BS method "QR code display" means that a QR code obtained by encoding the above-mentioned SSID and PW can be displayed. Here, QR code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Inc. The BS method "NFC tag" means that the above-mentioned SSID and PW can be transmitted to another device via NFC communication.

[0021] Printers 10B to 10E have the same configuration as printer 10A, except that the device name and the method information stored in the memory are different from those of printer 10A.

[0022] The printer 10B is assigned the device name “BBB.” The method information stored in the printer 10B indicates one BS method (i.e., an NFC tag).

[0023] The printer 10C is assigned the device name "CCC." The method information stored in the printer 10C indicates one BS method (i.e., BT (short for Bluetooth)). Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG. The printer 10C is equipped with a BTI / F (not shown) for performing wireless communication in accordance with the Bluetooth standard (hereinafter referred to as "BT communication"). The BS method "BT" means that the above SSID and PW can be transmitted to other devices via BT communication.

[0024] The printer 10D is assigned the device name "DDD." The method information stored in the printer 10D indicates one BS method (i.e., PIN code entry). The BS method "PIN code entry" means that when a PIN code is sent from the printer 10D to another device and the PIN code displayed on the other device is entered into the printer 10D, the above SSID and PW can be sent to the other device.

[0025] The printer 10E is assigned the device name "EEE." The method information stored in the printer 10E indicates one BS method (i.e., push button). The BS method "push button" means that when a push button is operated on another device and the push button on the printer 10E is also operated, the above SSID and PW can be sent to that device.

[0026] (Configuration of terminal 100) The terminal 100 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, or tablet PC. In a modified example, the terminal 100 may be a desktop PC, laptop PC, or the like. The terminal 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a Wi-Fi I / F 116, an NFC I / F 118, a camera 120, and a control unit 130. The units 112 to 130 are connected to a bus line.

[0027] The operation unit 112 is a user interface that allows a user to input various information into the terminal 100. The operation unit 112 includes, for example, a touch panel for displaying software keys, hardware keys, or both. The hardware keys include, for example, buttons or switches. The display unit 114 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The panel may or may not be a touch panel. The panel is, for example, an LCD panel or an organic EL panel. The Wi-Fi I / F 116 is the same as the Wi-Fi I / F 16 of the printer 10A. That is, the Wi-Fi I / F 116 supports the Wi-Fi Aware system. The NFC I / F 118 is the same as the NFC I / F 18 of the printer 10A. The camera 120 is a device for photographing an object. In this embodiment, the camera 120 is used to photograph a QR code.

[0028] 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. As an example, the main storage device includes a RAM and a cache memory. As an example, the auxiliary storage device may be a ROM, a flash memory, an SSD, an HDD, or a combination thereof. An OS program 136 and an application program 138 are stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 134. Hereinafter, the OS program and the application program will be referred to as "OS" and "app," respectively.

[0029] The OS 36 controls the basic operation of the terminal 100. As an example, the application 138 can establish a Wi-Fi Aware connection between the printer 10A or the like and the terminal 100 by having the OS 136 execute processing in accordance with the Wi-Fi Aware standard. The application 138 can also use the Wi-Fi Aware connection to transmit print data representing an image to be printed to the printer 10A or the like. The application 138 is, for example, downloaded from a server on the Internet and installed on the terminal 100. In other words, the application 138 is a so-called native application. The CPU 132 performs various processes in accordance with the programs 136 and 138 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device. Hereinafter, various processes performed by the CPU 32 in accordance with the programs may be described as being performed primarily by the OS 136 or the application 138.

[0030] The memory 134 further stores method information indicating one or more BS methods supported by the terminal 100. Since the terminal 100 supports four BS methods (i.e., QR code reading, NFC reader, PIN code display, and push button), the memory 134 stores method information indicating the four methods.

[0031] The BS method "QR code reading" indicates that the SSID and PW can be obtained by photographing and decoding the QR code displayed on the printer. In other words, the BS method "QR code reading" corresponds to the BS method "QR code display" of printer 10A.

[0032] The BS method "NFC reader" indicates that the above SSID and PW can be received from the printer via NFC communication. That is, the BS method "NFC reader" corresponds to the BS method "NFC tag" of the printers 10A and 10B.

[0033] The BS method "Display PIN code" indicates that a PIN code can be received from a printer and displayed. That is, the BS method "Display PIN code" corresponds to the BS method "Enter PIN code" of the printer 10D.

[0034] The BS method "push button" means that when the push button on the terminal 100 is operated and the push button on the printer is also operated, the above SSID and PW can be received from the printer. In other words, the BS method "push button" corresponds to the BS method "push button" of the printer 10E.

[0035] Since the terminal 100 does not have a BTI / F, it cannot receive the above SSID and PW from the printer via BT communication. That is, the terminal 100 does not support the BS method corresponding to the BS method "BT" of the printer 10C.

[0036] (Processing performed between each device; Figure 2) Next, the processing executed between each device will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Note that, in the following, for ease of understanding, the processing executed by the CPU (e.g., 32, 132) of each device (e.g., printers 10A-10E, terminal 100) will be described as the processing subject, rather than each CPU being described as the processing subject. Also, 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.

[0037] In the initial state of FIG. 2, printers 10A to 10E belong to the same NAN cluster. In this NAN cluster, printer 10A operates as the Anchor Master. In particular, printer 10A stores its Nan Identity Key (NIK) "PPP." The NIK is device identification information in the Wi-Fi Aware system and is information used to establish a Wi-Fi Aware connection. Furthermore, each of the other printers 10B to 10E operates as a Master of the NAN cluster. Furthermore, each of printers 10A to 10E has not yet been paired with terminal 100. In other words, a Wi-Fi Aware connection has not yet been established between each of printers 10A to 10E and terminal 100.

[0038] The user desires to establish a Wi-Fi Aware connection between terminal 100 and one of the printers. Therefore, terminal 100 accepts a NAN activation operation from the user at T10. In this case, terminal 100 transitions to a state in which it can receive signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method, and generates the NIK "TTT" of terminal 100. Here, "a state in which it can receive signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method" means that Wi-Fi I / F 116 can receive signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method from an external device, and CPU 132 can execute processing conforming to the signals.

[0039] At T12, printer 10A 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 printer 10A 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 be said to be a signal for inviting devices that do not belong to the NAN cluster to join the NAN cluster. Note that printer 10A periodically transmits Discovery. Although not shown, printers 10B to 10E other than printer 10A in the NAN cluster may also periodically transmit Discovery.

[0040] At stage T12, terminal 100 is operating in a state in which it can receive signals conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method. Therefore, terminal 100 receives a Discovery from printer 10A at T12. In this case, terminal 100 joins the NAN cluster at T14. As a result, printers 10A to 10E and terminal 100 belong to the same NAN cluster. Although not shown, once terminal 100 joins the NAN cluster, it communicates with printer 10A to determine its role within the NAN cluster. In this case, terminal 100 operates as a Non-Master.

[0041] At T20, the terminal 100 broadcasts a Subscribe to the NAN cluster. The Subscribe is sent when a predetermined trigger occurs (for example, new membership in the NAN cluster, the arrival of a predetermined timing, or receipt of a predetermined operation). In this case, the Subscribe is sent to each of the printers 10A to 10E in the NAN cluster. The Subscribe in this case is a signal for searching for devices that provide connection services, i.e., a signal for searching for devices that can establish a Wi-Fi Aware connection. The Subscribe includes a NAN Identity Resolution Attribute (NIRA). The NIRA also includes Tag information. The Tag information includes a hash value of the NIK "TTT" of the terminal 100. Although not specifically described in this embodiment, the printer 10A or the like may also send a Subscribe.

[0042] When the printer 10A receives a Subscribe from the terminal 100 in T20, the printer 10A determines whether it has been paired with the terminal 100 that sent the Subscribe. Specifically, the printer 10A stores the NIKs of devices paired with the printer 10A. The printer 10A identifies one stored NIK and calculates a hash value for that NIK. If the calculated hash value matches the hash value received in T20, the printer 10A determines that it has been paired with the terminal 100. On the other hand, if the calculated hash value does not match the hash value received in T20, the printer 10A identifies another stored NIK and performs the same process as described above for that other NIK. If the hash value of that NIK does not match the hash value received in T20 for each of the stored NIKs, the printer 10A determines that it has not been paired with the terminal 100. If the printer 10A does not store even one NIK, it is determined that the printer 10A is not paired with the terminal 100.

[0043] In this case, the printer 10A determines that it is not already paired with the terminal 100, and at T22, sends a Publish including its own device name "AAA" and a NAN Pairing Bootstrapping Attribute (NPBA) to the terminal 100. The NPBA includes method information (i.e., "QR code display" and "NFC tag") that has already been stored in the memory 34 of the printer 10A.

[0044] Furthermore, when each of the printers 10B to 10E receives a Subscribe from the terminal 100 at T20, it determines that it is not already paired with the terminal 100, and sends a Publish to the terminal 100 at T24 to T30, respectively. Each Publish includes the device name of the sending printer and an NPBA including method information already stored by the sending printer.

[0045] When the terminal 100 receives a Publish from each of the printers 10A-10E at T22-T30, it identifies connectable devices at T32. Here, "connectable devices" refers to one or more printers among the printers 10A-10E that can execute BS from the terminal 100. Specifically, the terminal 100 determines whether each received Publish includes a BS method that corresponds to at least one of the four BS methods indicated by the method information in memory 134.

[0046] The terminal 100 first identifies one BS method, "QR code display," indicated by the method information included in the NPBA in the Publish from the printer 10A. The method information in the memory 134 includes the BS method, "QR code reading," corresponding to the identified BS method, "QR code display." The terminal 100 further identifies another BS method, "NFC tag," indicated by the method information included in the NPBA in the Publish from the printer 10A. The method information in the memory 134 includes the BS method, "NFC reader," corresponding to the identified BS method, "NFC tag." Therefore, the terminal 100 identifies the printer 10A as a connectable device.

[0047] The terminal 100 performs the same process as described above for each Publish from the other printers 10B to 10E to determine whether each printer 10B to 10E is a connectable device. In this case, the terminal 100 identifies the printers 10B, 10D, and 10E as connectable devices. This is because the BS methods "NFC tag," "PIN code input," and "push button" indicated by the method information included in each Publish from the printers 10B, 10D, and 10E correspond to the BS methods "NFC reader," "PIN code display," and "push button" included in the method information in memory 134. On the other hand, the terminal 100 does not identify the printer 10C as a connectable device. In other words, the terminal 100 identifies the printer 10C as an unconnectable device. This is because the BS method "BT" indicated by the method information included in the Publish from the printer 10C does not correspond to any of the BS methods indicated by the method information in memory 134.

[0048] In T34, the terminal 100 displays a device selection screen SC100 on the display unit 114. The device selection screen SC100 includes a message prompting the user to select a device and the device names "AAA" to "EEE" included in each Publish. In particular, the device selection screen SC100 displays the device names of connectable devices and the device names of non-connectable devices separately. The device names "AAA," "BBB," "DDD," and "EEE" of connectable devices are displayed in a selectable manner. The device name "CCC" of the non-connectable device is displayed in an unselectable manner (for example, a grayed-out manner). This prevents the user from accidentally selecting a non-connectable device. In this case, the terminal 100 accepts the user's selection of the device name "AAA" of the connectable device in T36.

[0049] (Continuation of Figure 2; Figure 3) First, the terminal 100 identifies the BS method "QR Code Read" from among the four BS methods indicated by the method information in the memory 134, which corresponds to the BS method "QR Code Display" included in the method information in the Publish received from the printer 10A identified by the selected device name "AAA." Next, at T40 in FIG. 3, the terminal 100 sends a Follow-up including an NPBA to the printer 10A. The NPBA includes the identified BS method "QR Code Read." The Follow-up is a signal defined by the Wi-Fi Aware method. As described above, the method information in the memory 134 also includes the BS method "NFC Reader" corresponding to the BS method "NFC Tag" included in the method information in the Publish received from the printer 10A. Therefore, in a modified example, the terminal 100 may send a Follow-up including the BS method "NFC Reader" to the printer 10A in place of the BS method "QR Code Read." In this way, the terminal 100 may transmit to the printer 10A a Follow-up including one of the two BS methods, "QR code reading" and "NFC reader," corresponding to the two BS methods, "QR code display" and "NFC tag," supported by the printer 10A. For example, the terminal 100 may identify one BS method having a predetermined high priority from the two BS methods, "QR code reading" and "NFC reader," or may randomly identify one BS method from the two BS methods. In another variation, the terminal 100 may transmit to the printer 10A a Follow-up including each of the two BS methods. In this case, the printer 10A may determine which BS method to use.

[0050] When the printer 10A receives a Follow-up from the terminal 100 in T40, it determines to execute BS using a QR code based on the BS method "QR code reading" included in the Follow-up. Then, in T42, the printer 10A sends a Follow-up including an NPBA to the terminal 100. The NPBA includes information indicating that BS will be executed using a QR code. Then, in T44, the printer 10A displays the QR code on the display unit 14. The QR code is a code image obtained by encoding the SSID and PW for executing PASN.

[0051] At T42, the terminal 100 receives a Follow-up from the printer 10A. In this case, although not shown, the terminal 100 may display a message on the display unit 114 informing the user that they should photograph the QR code displayed on the printer 10A. At T46, the user of the terminal 100 photographs the QR code displayed on the printer 10A using the camera 120 of the terminal 100. In this case, the terminal 100 decodes the photographed QR code and acquires the SSID and PW. The terminal 100 can execute PASN with the printer 10A by using the acquired SSID and PW.

[0052] Then, in T48, the terminal 100 generates a public key TPK and a private key tpk of the terminal 100. The public key TPK and the private key tpk are information used to generate a NAN Pairing Key (NPK). The NPK is key information used for encryption in a Wi-Fi Aware connection, and is information for establishing a Wi-Fi Aware connection. After generating the public key TPK and the private key tpk, the terminal 100 transmits the public key TPK to the printer 10A in T50.

[0053] When the printer 10A receives the public key TPK from the terminal 100 at T50, it generates the public key PPK and private key ppk of the printer 10A at T52. The public key PPK and private key ppk are also information used to generate the NPK. After generating the public key PPK and private key ppk, the printer 10A generates the NPK "XXX" at T54 using the public key TPK of the terminal 100 that it has received and the private key ppk of the printer 10A that it has generated. Then, at T56, the printer 10A transmits the public key PPK to the terminal 100.

[0054] When the terminal 100 receives the public key PPK from the printer 10A in T56, it generates an NPK "XXX" in T60 using the received public key PPK of the printer 10A and the generated private key tpk of the terminal 100. The NPK "XXX" generated here is the same as the NKP "XXX" generated by the printer 10A in T54. In other words, the NPK "XXX" is shared between the printer 10A and the terminal 100.

[0055] Next, in T62, the terminal 100 transmits a Follow-up Protected Management Frame (PMF) including the terminal 100's NIK "TTT" to the printer 10A. Here, "Follow-up PMF" means that Follow-up communication is performed using a communication path encrypted by the NPK. In other words, the Follow-up in T62 is transmitted from the terminal 100 to the printer 10A using a communication path encrypted by the NPK "XXX."

[0056] At T62, the printer 10A receives a Follow-up PMF including the NIK "TTT" of the terminal 100 from the terminal 100. Then, at T64, the printer 10A transmits to the terminal 100 a Follow-up PMF including the NIK "PPP" of the printer 10A.

[0057] In T64, the terminal 100 receives a Follow-up PMF from the printer 10A, which includes the printer 10A's NIK "PPP." Through the above processing, the printer 10A acquires the NPK "XXX" and the terminal 100's NIK "TTT." The terminal 100 also acquires the NPK "XXX" and the printer 10A's NIK "PPP." As described above, the NPK and NIK are information for establishing a Wi-Fi Aware connection. Therefore, in T66, various processes using the NPK, NIK, etc. are executed between the printer 10A and the terminal 100, and a Wi-Fi Aware connection is established between the printer 10A and the terminal 100 (i.e., the printer 10A and the terminal 100 are in a paired state).

[0058] Thereafter, in T70, terminal 100 accepts a print operation from the user to cause printer 10A to print the image to be printed. The print operation includes, for example, specification of image data representing the image to be printed, specification of the printer to execute printing, and specification of printing conditions (e.g., print paper size, number of copies to be printed, number of colors (color, monochrome, grayscale), etc.). In this case, in T72, terminal 100 sends a Data Path Request to printer 10A. The Data Path Request is a signal requesting printer 10A to establish a communication path (i.e., a Data Path) for communicating print data within the established Wi-Fi Aware connection (see T66).

[0059] When the printer 10A receives a Data Path Request from the terminal 100 in T72, it transmits a Data Path Response to the terminal 100 in T74.

[0060] When the terminal 100 receives a Data Path Response from the printer 10A in T74, it sends a Data Path Confirm to the printer 10A in T76. As a result, in T78, a Data Path is established in the Wi-Fi Aware connection between the printer 10A and the terminal 100. Then, in T80, the terminal 100 uses the Data Path to send print data representing an image to be printed to the printer 10A. The print data has a data format that can be interpreted by the printer 10A.

[0061] When the printer 10A receives print data from the terminal 100 in T80, it causes the print execution unit 20 to execute the image to be printed represented by the print data in T82.

[0062] Furthermore, when the terminal 100 completes sending the print data in T80, it sends a Data Path Termination to the printer 10A in T84. As a result, the Data Path between the printer 10A and the terminal 100 disappears in T86.

[0063] (Effects of the first embodiment) With the above configuration, terminal 100 receives Publish from each of five printers 10A-10E (T22-T30 in FIG. 2), and displays device selection screen SC100 having a display format that allows the device names "AAA," "BBB," "DDD," and "EEE" of connectable devices to be recognized (T34). Therefore, the user can appropriately select a printer with which to establish a Wi-Fi Aware connection with terminal 100 from among four printers 10A, 10B, 10D, and 10E identified by the four device names "AAA," "BBB," "DDD," and "EEE."

[0064] (Correspondence) The terminal 100 is an example of a "specific communication device." The printers 10A to 10E are an example of "M communication devices." The printer 10A is an example of a "target communication device." The Wi-Fi I / F 116 is an example of a "wireless interface." The method information stored in the terminal 100 and the method information stored in each of the printers 10A to 10E are examples of "first method information" and "second method information," respectively. The Subscribe at T20 and the Publish at T22 to T30 in FIG. 2 are examples of a "search signal" and a "response signal," respectively. The device name is an example of "device identification information." In particular, the five device names "AAA" to "EEE," the four device names "AAA," "BBB," "DDD," and "EEE," and the one device name "CCC" are examples of "M device identification information," "N device identification information," and "(MN) device identification information," respectively. The device name "AAA" of the printer 10A is an example of "target device identification information." The device selection screen SC100 is an example of a "device selection screen." The Wi-Fi Aware connection established in T66 in FIG. 3 is an example of a "wireless connection." The QR code is an example of a "code image." NFC communication and BT communication are examples of "near field wireless communication."

[0065] The process of T20 and the processes of T22 to T30 in Fig. 2 are examples of processes executed by a "transmitter" and a "receiver", respectively. The process of T34 is an example of processes executed by a "display controller". The process of T66 in Fig. 3 is an example of processes executed by an "establisher".

[0066] (Second embodiment; Figure 4) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the second embodiment, at T34 in FIG. 2, a device selection screen SC200 is displayed instead of the device selection screen SC100. The device selection screen SC200 does not display the device names of devices that cannot be connected. Even on this device selection screen SC200, the user can appropriately select a printer with which to establish a Wi-Fi Aware connection with the terminal 100 from among the four printers 10A, 10B, 10D, and 10E identified by the four device names "AAA," "BBB," "DDD," and "EEE."

[0067] (Third embodiment; Figure 4) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the third embodiment, at T34 in FIG. 2, a device selection screen SC300 is displayed in place of the device selection screen SC100. On the device selection screen SC300, for each of the four BS methods supported by the terminal 100, a character string corresponding to the BS method (e.g., "QR code," "NFC," etc.) and the device name of a printer supporting the BS method are displayed in association with each other. For example, in this embodiment, since printer 10A of printers 10A-10E supports the BS method "QR code display," the device selection screen SC300 displays the device name of printer 10A, "AAA," in association with the character string "QR code." Furthermore, among printers 10A-10E, printers 10A and 10B support the BS method "NFC tag," and therefore the device selection screen SC300 displays the device name of printer 10A, "AAA," and the device name of printer 10B, "BBB," in association with the character string "NFC." Even with this device selection screen SC300, the user can appropriately select the printer with which to establish a Wi-Fi Aware connection with the terminal 100 from among the four printers 10A, 10B, 10D, and 10E identified by the four device names "AAA," "BBB," "DDD," and "EEE."

[0068] In particular, the device selection screen SC300 displays the device name of each printer 10A, etc. in association with a character string corresponding to the BS method supported by each printer 10A, etc. Therefore, by looking at the device selection screen SC300, the user can know what BS method each printer 10A, etc. supports.

[0069] The printer 10A stores method information indicating two BS methods, "QR code display" and "NFC tag." Therefore, on the device selection screen SC300, the device name "AAA" is displayed in association with the character string "QR code," and the device name "AAA" is displayed in association with the character string "NFC." When the device name "AAA" associated with the character string "QR code" is selected by the user, the terminal 100 transmits a Follow-up including the BS method "QR code reading" to the printer 10A in T40 of FIG. 3. When the device name "AAA" associated with the character string "NFC" is selected by the user, the terminal 100 transmits a Follow-up including the BS method "NFC reader" to the printer 10A in T40 of FIG. 3. In this way, the user can also select a BS method for executing BS with the printer 10A.

[0070] In this embodiment, each character string associated with a device name on the device selection screen SC300 (for example, "QR code," "NFC," etc.) is an example of "method identification information."

[0071] (Fourth embodiment; Figure 4) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the fourth embodiment, at T34 in FIG. 2, a device selection screen SC400 is displayed instead of the device selection screen SC100. On the device selection screen SC400, a character string indicating the BS method supported by the device identified by each connectable device's device name is displayed in association with the device name. Even on this device selection screen SC400, the user can appropriately select a printer with which to establish a Wi-Fi Aware connection with the terminal 100 from among the four printers 10A, 10B, 10D, and 10E identified by the four device names "AAA," "BBB," "DDD," and "EEE." Furthermore, by viewing the device selection screen SC400, the user can learn what BS method each printer, such as the printer 10A, supports.

[0072] Furthermore, when the terminal 100 receives from the user at T436 a selection of the device name "AAA" associated with two character strings (i.e., "QR code" and "NFC") indicating two BS methods, the terminal 100 displays the method selection screen SC410 on the display unit 114. The method selection screen SC410 includes a message prompting the user to select a BS method and the two character strings (i.e., "QR code" and "NFC"). At T40 of FIG. 3, the terminal 100 transmits a Follow-up including the BS method selected on the method selection screen SC410 to the printer 10A. In this way, the user can select a BS method for executing BS with the printer 10A on the method selection screen SC410.

[0073] 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.

[0074] (Variation 1) In each of the above embodiments, the terminal 100 searches for printers 10A-10E present around the terminal 100 and displays a device selection screen SC100. Alternatively, for example, the printer 10A may search for devices 10B-10E, 100 present around the printer 10A and display a device selection screen on the display unit 14 of the printer 10A. Then, when the printer 10A accepts the selection of the device name of the terminal 100, it establishes a Wi-Fi Aware connection with the terminal 100. In this variation, the printer 10A is an example of a "specific communication device."

[0075] (Variation 2) In the above embodiments, each of the printers 10A to 10E transmits its own device name and BS method to the terminal 100 by Publish. Alternatively, each of the printers 10A to 10E may transmit the device name and the like to the terminal 100 by Follow-up. In this variation, the Follow-up is an example of a "response signal."

[0076] (Variation 3) The device selection screen SC100 in FIG. 2 may have a display form in which the device name "CCC" of the non-connectable device can be selected.

[0077] (Variation 4) BS methods other than the above BS methods are also possible. For example, a situation may be considered in which a printer supports the BS method "enter passphrase" and another device (e.g., terminal 100) supports the BS method "display passphrase." The BS method "enter passphrase" means that when a passphrase is sent from the printer to another device and the passphrase displayed on the other device is entered into the printer, the above SSID and PW can be sent to the other device. The BS method "display passphrase" indicates that a passphrase can be received from the printer and displayed.

[0078] (Variation 5) In the device selection screen SC300 etc. of the third embodiment, instead of the character string corresponding to the BS method, a symbol, mark, icon, etc. representing the BS method may be displayed. In this variation, the symbol, mark, icon, etc. are examples of "method identification information."

[0079] (Variation 6) In T20, terminal 100 may search for nearby printers using a search signal that complies with a method other than the Wi-Fi Aware method. Terminal 100 may also receive a response signal that complies with a method other than the Wi-Fi Aware method. The wireless connection established between printer 10A and terminal 100 does not have to be a Wi-Fi Aware connection (i.e., a wireless connection that complies with the Wi-Fi Aware method).

[0080] (Variant 7) In the above embodiment, the processing of each step in Figures 2 and 3 is realized by software (e.g., program 36, OS 136, app 138, etc.), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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 specific communication device, a wireless interface for performing wireless communication; a memory that stores first method information indicating one or more methods that can be used to establish a wireless connection between the specific communication device and an external device via the wireless interface; a transmitter that transmits a search signal to search for other communication devices present around the specific communication device; a receiving unit that receives a response signal to the search signal from each of M communication devices (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), wherein each of the M response signals includes device identification information that identifies the communication device that is the source of the response signal, and second method information that indicates one or more methods that can be used by the communication device that is the source of the response signal; a display control unit that displays a device selection screen on a display unit of the specific communication device to allow a user to select a communication device with which the specific communication device should establish a wireless connection, the device selection screen having a display mode that allows recognition of N pieces of device identification information contained in N response signals (N is an integer between 1 and M) out of M pieces of device identification information contained in the M response signals, and each of the N response signals is a signal containing the second method information corresponding to the first method information in the memory; A specific communication device comprising: (Item 2) The device selection screen includes: The N pieces of device identification information having selectable display modes are included, and A specific communication device according to item 1, which does not include, among the M pieces of device identification information contained in the M response signals, any of the (MN) pieces of device identification information contained in the (MN) response signals as device identification information having a selectable display mode. (Item 3) Item 3. The specific communication device according to item 2, wherein the device selection screen includes the (MN) pieces of device identification information having a non-selectable display mode. (Item 4) Item 3. The specific communication device according to item 2, wherein the device selection screen does not include the (MN) device identification information. (Item 5) The method comprises: A method using code images, A method using short-range wireless communication; A method using a Personal Identification Number (PIN) code, A push button method and A specific communication device according to any one of items 1 to 4, including at least one of the following: (Item 6) A specific communication device described in any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the device selection screen includes, for each of the N device identification information, method identification information corresponding to a method available to the communication device identified by the device identification information. (Item 7) The specific communication device further A specific communication device described in any one of items 1 to 6, comprising an establishment unit that establishes a wireless connection via the wireless interface between the specific communication device and the target communication device identified by the target device identification information when target device identification information is selected from the N device identification information on the device selection screen. (Item 8) the wireless interface is a communication interface capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi Aware method of the Wi-Fi standard, each of the search signal and the response signal is a signal conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware standard; A specific communication device described in any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the wireless connection is a wireless connection conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 2: Communication system, 10A to 10E: Printer, 12, 112: Operation unit, 14, 114: Display unit, 16, 116: Wi-Fi I / F, 18, 118: NFC I / F, 20: Print execution unit, 30, 130: Control unit, 32, 132: CPU, 34, 134: Memory, 36: Program, 120: Camera, 136: OS program, 138: Application program

Claims

1. A specific communication device, a wireless interface for performing wireless communication; a memory that stores first method information indicating one or more methods that can be used to establish a wireless connection between the specific communication device and an external device via the wireless interface; a transmitter that transmits a search signal to search for other communication devices present around the specific communication device; a receiving unit that receives a response signal to the search signal from each of M communication devices (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), wherein each of the M response signals includes device identification information that identifies the communication device that transmitted the response signal, and second method information that indicates one or more methods that the communication device that transmitted the response signal can use; a display control unit that displays a device selection screen on a display unit of the specific communication device to allow a user to select a communication device with which the specific communication device should establish a wireless connection, the device selection screen having a display mode that allows a user to recognize N pieces of device identification information contained in N response signals (N is an integer between 1 and M) out of M pieces of device identification information contained in the M response signals, and each of the N response signals is a signal containing the second method information corresponding to the first method information in the memory; A specific communication device comprising:

2. The device selection screen includes: The N pieces of device identification information having selectable display modes are included; The specific communication device of claim 1, wherein, of the M pieces of device identification information contained in the M response signals, none of the (M-N) pieces of device identification information contained in the (M-N) response signals is included as device identification information having a selectable display mode.

3. The specific communication device according to claim 2 , wherein the device selection screen includes the (MN) pieces of device identification information having non-selectable display modes.

4. The specific communication device according to claim 2 , wherein the device selection screen does not include the (M−N) device identification information.

5. The method comprises: A method using code images, A method using short-range wireless communication; A method using a Personal Identification Number (PIN) code; A push button method and 2. The specific communication device of claim 1, comprising at least one of:

6. The specific communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the device selection screen includes, for each of the N pieces of device identification information, method identification information corresponding to a method usable by the communication device identified by the device identification information.

7. The specific communication device further 2. The specific communication device of claim 1, further comprising an establishment unit that establishes a wireless connection via the wireless interface between the specific communication device and the target communication device identified by the target device identification information when target device identification information is selected from the N device identification information on the device selection screen.

8. the wireless interface is a communication interface capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi Aware method of the Wi-Fi standard; each of the search signal and the response signal is a signal conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware system; The specific communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless connection is a wireless connection conforming to the Wi-Fi Aware method.

9. A computer program for a specific communication device, comprising: The specific communication device is a wireless interface for performing wireless communication; a memory that stores first method information indicating one or more methods that can be used to establish a wireless connection between the specific communication device and an external device via the wireless interface; A computer, Equipped with The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a transmitter that transmits a search signal to search for other communication devices present around the specific communication device; a receiving unit that receives a response signal to the search signal from each of M communication devices (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), wherein each of the M response signals includes device identification information that identifies the communication device that transmitted the response signal, and second method information that indicates one or more methods that the communication device that transmitted the response signal can use; a display control unit that displays a device selection screen on a display unit of the specific communication device to allow a user to select a communication device with which the specific communication device should establish a wireless connection, the device selection screen having a display mode that allows a user to recognize N pieces of device identification information contained in N response signals (N is an integer between 1 and M) out of M pieces of device identification information contained in the M response signals, and each of the N response signals is a signal containing the second method information corresponding to the first method information in the memory; A computer program that functions as a

10. A method performed by a particular communication device, comprising: The specific communication device is a wireless interface for performing wireless communication; a memory that stores first method information indicating one or more methods that can be used to establish a wireless connection between the specific communication device and an external device via the wireless interface; Equipped with The method comprises: a transmitting step of transmitting a search signal for searching for other communication devices present around the specific communication device; a receiving step of receiving a response signal to the search signal from each of M communication devices (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), wherein each of the M response signals includes device identification information that identifies the communication device that transmitted the response signal, and second method information that indicates one or more methods that can be used by the communication device that transmitted the response signal; a display control process for displaying a device selection screen on a display unit of the specific communication device to allow a user to select a communication device with which the specific communication device should establish a wireless connection, the device selection screen having a display mode that allows a user to recognize N pieces of device identification information contained in N response signals (N is an integer between 1 and M) out of M pieces of device identification information contained in the M response signals, and each of the N response signals is a signal containing the second method information corresponding to the first method information in the memory; A method comprising:

Images