communication equipment

Abstract

To provide a new technique for a communication apparatus to form a wireless network in accordance with a first communication system after performing wireless communication in accordance with a second communication system.SOLUTION: A printer PR performs wireless communication in accordance with Bluetooth (R), and repeats the broadcast transmission of an advertisement signal (T100). The advertisement signal is a signal that should be used by a mobile terminal PT1 as a trigger to transmit a Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR. The printer PR performs wireless communication in accordance with Wi-Fi and receives a Wi-Fi connection request signal from the mobile terminal PT1 (T120). In response to receiving the Wi-Fi connection request signal, the printer PR establishes Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal PT1 and forms a Wi-Fi network (T122).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a communication device capable of performing wireless communication according to a plurality of communication methods. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for a first terminal and an external device to perform wireless communication according to Wi-Fi. The first terminal transmits information (i.e., MAC address, SSID, channel number, security key, etc.) about the AP (abbreviation of Access Point) to which the first terminal itself is connected to the external device via BLE (abbreviation of Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). In this case, the external device activates a Wi-Fi module and connects to the AP using the information. This allows the first terminal and the external device to perform wireless communication according to Wi-Fi. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-53007 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for a first terminal to execute wireless communication with an external device according to Wi-Fi after executing wireless communication with the external device via BLE. This specification discloses a novel technique for forming a wireless network according to a first communication method after a communication device executes wireless communication according to a second communication method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printer disclosed in this specification includes a print execution unit, a Wi-Fi interface for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi system, a Bluetooth interface for performing wireless communication according to the Bluetooth system, a predetermined signal receiving unit for receiving a predetermined signal according to the Bluetooth system from a terminal device via the Bluetooth interface, a link establishing unit for establishing a link via the Bluetooth interface with the terminal device that transmitted the predetermined signal in response to receiving the predetermined signal from the terminal device, a connection information transmitting unit for transmitting connection information used to establish a wireless connection according to the Wi-Fi system to the terminal device using the established link, a connection request receiving unit for receiving a Wi-Fi connection request using the connection information via the Wi-Fi interface from the terminal device that received the connection information, and a connection establishing unit for establishing a Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface with a sender of the Wi-Fi connection request in response to receiving the Wi-Fi connection request from the terminal device. the first Wi-Fi connection request using the first connection information, the connection establishment unit establishes the first Wi-Fi connection with a sender of the first Wi-Fi connection request in response to receiving the first Wi-Fi connection request using the first connection information, the link establishment unit establishes a new link with the terminal device via the Bluetooth interface after the first Wi-Fi connection is disconnected and the Wi-Fi interface stops operating as a master station, the connection information transmission unit transmits second connection information different from the first connection information using the new link when the new link is established, and the connection establishment unit establishes the second Wi-Fi connection with a sender of the second Wi-Fi connection request in response to the connection request receiving unit receiving the second Wi-Fi connection request using the second connection information. A first communication device disclosed in this specification comprises: a first interface for performing wireless communication according to a first communication method; a second interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication method different from the first communication method; a trigger signal transmitting unit that repeatedly broadcasts a trigger signal via the second interface, wherein the trigger signal is a signal to be used by the second communication device as a trigger for transmitting a wireless connection request to the first communication device for forming a first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong, the first wireless network being a network for performing wireless communication via the first interface; a connection request receiving unit that receives the wireless connection request via the first interface from the second communication device that has received the trigger signal; and a first establishment unit that, in response to receiving the wireless connection request from the second communication device, establishes a first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first interface to form the first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the first communication device repeatedly performs wireless communication according to the second communication method and broadcasts a trigger signal. Thereafter, the first communication device receives a wireless connection request from the second communication device that received the trigger signal, and then establishes a first wireless connection with the second communication device to form a first wireless network. In this way, the first communication device can appropriately form a first wireless network according to the first communication method after performing wireless communication according to the second communication method.

[0007] A control method and a computer program for implementing the first communication device described above, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, are also novel and useful.

[0008] This specification also discloses a computer program for a second communication device, the second communication device including a first interface for performing wireless communication according to a first communication method, a second interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication method different from the first communication method, and a processor. The computer program causes the processor to perform the following processes: a trigger signal reception process for receiving a trigger signal from a first communication device via the second interface when the trigger signal is repeatedly broadcast from the first communication device, the trigger signal being a signal to be used by the second communication device as a trigger for transmitting a wireless connection request to the first communication device to form a first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong, the first wireless network being a network for performing wireless communication via the first interface; a connection request transmission process for transmitting the wireless connection request to the first communication device via the first interface in response to receiving the trigger signal from the first communication device; and a first establishment process for establishing a first wireless connection with the first communication device via the first interface in response to transmitting the wireless connection request to the first communication device, thereby forming the first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong.

[0009] The above computer program can realize the following second communication device. That is, when a trigger signal is repeatedly broadcast from the first communication device, the second communication device performs wireless communication according to a second communication method and receives the trigger signal from the first communication device. Thereafter, the second communication device transmits a wireless connection request to the first communication device and then establishes a first wireless connection with the first communication device via the first interface to form a first wireless network. In this way, the second communication device can appropriately form a first wireless network according to the first communication method after performing wireless communication according to the second communication method.

[0010] A computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program is also novel and useful. The second communication device itself is also novel and useful. A control method for realizing the second communication device is also novel and useful. A communication system including the first communication device and the second communication device is also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] 10 shows a flowchart of the printer's Wi-Fi I / F related processing. [Figure 3] 1 shows a flowchart of BTI / F-related processing of a printer. [Figure 4] 10 shows a flowchart of processing of a mobile terminal. [Figure 5] 10 shows a sequence diagram of case A in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B show sequence diagrams of cases B1 and B2 of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 shows a flowchart of Wi-Fi I / F related processing of the printer according to the second and third embodiments. [Figure 8] 10 shows a sequence diagram of case C of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 shows a sequence diagram of cases D1 and D2 of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 shows a sequence diagram of case E of the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 shows a sequence diagram of cases F1 and F2 of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (First Example) (Configuration of communication system 2) 1, the communication system 2 includes a printer PR and a plurality of portable terminals PT1 and PT2. The printer PR and the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 are capable of wirelessly communicating with each other.

[0013] (Printer PR configuration) The printer PR is a peripheral device capable of executing a printing function, i.e., a peripheral device such as a portable terminal PT1. The printer PR includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a Wi-Fi interface 20, a BT (short for Bluetooth (registered trademark)) interface 22, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (reference numeral omitted). Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0014] The operation unit 12 has a plurality of keys. By operating the operation unit 12, the user can input various instructions to the printer PR. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 14 also functions as a so-called touch panel. In other words, the display unit 14 also functions as an operation unit operated by the user. The print execution unit 16 is a printing mechanism such as an inkjet type or laser type.

[0015] The Wi-Fi I / F 20 is an I / F for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi communication"). The Wi-Fi standard is a wireless communication standard based on, for example, the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and equivalent standards (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). More specifically, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 supports the WFD (short for Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) standard established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD standard is a wireless communication standard described in the "Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1" standard created by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

[0016] The BTI / F 22 is an I / F for performing wireless communication in accordance with the Bluetooth standard (hereinafter referred to as "BT communication"). The Bluetooth standard is a wireless communication standard based on, for example, the IEEE 802.15.1 standard and standards equivalent thereto. More specifically, the BTI / F 22 supports BLE (an abbreviation for Bluetooth Low Energy). BLE is a standard implemented in Bluetooth standard version 4.0 and later. Note that Bluetooth standard versions prior to version 4.0 are hereinafter referred to as "Classic BT." To perform BT communication in accordance with BLE between a pair of BTI / Fs, one BTI / F may support "Bluetooth Smart Ready" as defined in the BT standard, and the other BTI / F may support "Bluetooth Smart Ready" or "Bluetooth Smart" as defined in the BT standard. A BTI / F that supports "Bluetooth Smart Ready" is an I / F that can perform both operations in accordance with BLE and operations in accordance with Classic BT (i.e., a so-called dual-mode I / F). A BTI / F compatible with "Bluetooth Smart" is an I / F that can perform operations according to BLE but cannot perform operations according to Classic BT. In this embodiment, BT communication according to BLE is performed between the printer PR and the portable terminals PT1 and PT2. Since the BTI / F (e.g., reference numeral 62) described below of the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 supports "Bluetooth Smart Ready," the BTI / F 22 of the printer PR may support either "Bluetooth Smart Ready" or "Bluetooth Smart." However, in a modified example, if the BTI / F 22 of the printer PR supports "Bluetooth Smart Ready," the BTI / F of the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 may support "Bluetooth Smart."

[0017] The differences between Classic BT and BLE are as follows: The number of channels in BLE (i.e., 40) is fewer than the number of channels in Classic BT (i.e., 79). The current consumption during data communication in BLE (e.g., 15 mA) is lower than the current consumption during data communication in Classic BT (e.g., 35 mA). Therefore, the power consumption of BLE is lower than that of Classic BT. Also, BLE uses Advertise signals, but Classic BT does not use Advertise signals.

[0018] The differences between the Wi-Fi system and the BT system will now be described. The communication speed of Wi-Fi communication (for example, a maximum communication speed of 600 Mbps) is faster than the communication speed of BT communication (for example, a maximum communication speed of 24 Mbps). The carrier wave frequency in Wi-Fi communication is the 2.4 GHz band or the 5.0 GHz band. The carrier wave frequency in BT communication is the 2.4 GHz band. In other words, when the 5.0 GHz band is adopted as the carrier wave frequency in Wi-Fi communication, the carrier wave frequency in Wi-Fi communication differs from the carrier wave frequency in BT communication. In addition, the maximum distance over which Wi-Fi communication can be performed (for example, approximately 100 m) is longer than the maximum distance over which BT communication can be performed (for example, approximately several tens of meters).

[0019] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is configured with volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, etc. The memory 34 stores the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR and a transmission flag 38. The BT device name "NP" is a unique name assigned to the BTI / F 22. In other words, it is a name used as information for identifying the printer PR so that the printer PR can perform BT communication. The transmission flag 38 indicates "ON" if the BT device name "NP" has already been transmitted externally, and indicates "OFF" if the BT device name "NP" has not already been transmitted externally. Note that in FIG. 1, the memory 34 is shown to include an area 40, but this area 40 will be used in a third embodiment, which will be described later.

[0020] (Configuration of mobile terminals PT1 and PT2) Each of the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a portable music player, a portable video player, etc. The configuration of the portable terminal PT1 will be described below, but the portable terminal PT2 also has a similar configuration to the portable terminal PT1.

[0021] The portable terminal PT1 includes an operation unit 52, a display unit 54, a Wi-Fi I / F 60, a BTI / F 62, and a control unit 70. The units 52 to 70 are connected to a bus line (reference numeral omitted).

[0022] The operation unit 52 has a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the portable terminal PT1 by operating the operation unit 52. The display unit 54 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 54 also functions as a so-called touch panel (i.e., it also functions as an operation unit). The Wi-Fi I / F 60 is an I / F for performing Wi-Fi communication. The Wi-Fi I / F 60 may or may not support WFD. The BTI / F 62 is an I / F for performing BT communication and supports BLE. The differences between the I / Fs 60 and 62 are the same as the differences between the I / Fs 20 and 22 of the printer PR.

[0023] The control unit 70 includes a CPU 72 and a memory 74. The CPU 72 executes various processes in accordance with an OS program 76 stored in the memory 74. The memory 74 is configured with volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, etc. The memory 74 stores not only the OS program 76 but also a printer application 78. The printer application 78 is an application for causing the printer PR to perform a printing function. When the user desires the printer PR to perform a printing function, the printer application 78 is launched by the user. The printer application 78 may be installed on the portable terminal PT1 from a server on the Internet provided by the vendor of the printer PR, for example, or may be installed on the portable terminal PT1 from media shipped together with the printer PR.

[0024] The memory 74 further stores the BT device name "N1" of the portable terminal PT1. The BT device name "N1" is a unique name assigned to the BTI / F 62, in other words, a name used as information for identifying the portable terminal PT1 so that the portable terminal PT1 can perform BT communication. The portable terminal PT2 has a BT device name "N2" that is different from the BT device name "N1". The memory 74 includes a BT device name storage area 80. The BT device name storage area 80 is an area for storing the BT device name of a printer with which a wireless connection via the Wi-Fi I / F 60, i.e., a wireless connection according to the Wi-Fi standard, has been established.

[0025] (Printer PR Wi-Fi I / F related processing; Figure 2) Next, the Wi-Fi I / F related processing executed by the CPU 32 of the printer PR will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The Wi-Fi I / F related processing is mainly processing related to the Wi-Fi I / F 20. When the power of the printer PR is turned on, the CPU 32 starts the processing of Fig. 2.

[0026] In S2, the CPU 32 generates an SSID (short for Service Set Identifier) by randomly generating a character string. Then, the CPU 32 stores the SSID in the memory 34. The SSID is an identifier for identifying a wireless network for performing Wi-Fi communication.

[0027] In S4, the CPU 32 changes the Wi-Fi I / F 20 from an OFF state to an ON state. Here, the OFF state of the Wi-Fi I / F 20 means that no power is supplied to the Wi-Fi I / F 20, i.e., a state in which Wi-Fi communication cannot be performed. Also, the ON state of the Wi-Fi I / F 20 means that power is supplied to the Wi-Fi I / F 20, i.e., a state in which Wi-Fi communication can be performed.

[0028] In S4, the CPU 32 also voluntarily transitions the operating state of the printer PR from the WFD device state to the G / O (short for Group Owner) state without executing WFD G / O negotiation. A printer PR in the G / O state transmits a beacon signal to notify surrounding devices of its presence via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. On the other hand, a printer PR in a state other than the G / O state (for example, the above-mentioned device state or client state) does not transmit a beacon signal. For this reason, the power consumption of a printer PR in the G / O state is higher than the power consumption of a printer PR in a state other than the G / O state.

[0029] Next, the CPU 32 sequentially executes the monitoring processes of S10 and S40. In S10, the CPU 32 monitors whether a Wi-Fi connection operation is performed by a user on the operation unit 12 or display unit 14 (i.e., touch panel) of the printer PR. The Wi-Fi connection operation is an operation for establishing a wireless connection (hereinafter referred to as a "Wi-Fi connection") between the printer PR and a portable terminal (e.g., PT1) in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi connection operation is typically performed by a user of a portable terminal that has not previously established a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR. If a Wi-Fi connection operation is being performed, the CPU 32 determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12.

[0030] In S12, the CPU 32 acquires the SSID from the memory 34 and displays the acquired SSID on the display unit 14. This allows the user to know the SSID required to establish a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR by looking at the display unit 14. As described above, the SSID is stored in the memory 34 in S2. However, if S34 or S56 (described below) is executed after S2 is executed, a new SSID is stored in the memory 34, replacing the old SSID. Therefore, if S34 or S56 has not been executed even once after S2 is executed, the SSID displayed in S12 is the SSID generated in S2. Furthermore, if S34 or S56 has been executed after S2 is executed, the SSID displayed in S12 is the SSID generated in the most recent S34 or S54. Hereinafter, the SSID currently stored in the memory 34 will be referred to as the "current SSID."

[0031] In S14, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a Probe Request signal (hereinafter referred to as a "Probe_Req signal") has been received from the mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. The Probe_Req signal is a signal broadcast from the mobile terminal, and more specifically, is a signal for searching for devices and access points in a G / O state that exist around the mobile terminal. If the CPU 32 has received the Probe_Req signal, the CPU 32 determines YES in S14 and proceeds to S16. On the other hand, if the CPU 32 has not received the Probe_Req signal within a predetermined time period since the end of S12, the CPU 32 determines NO in S14, skips S16 to S32, and proceeds to S34.

[0032] In S16, the CPU 32 transmits a Probe Response signal (hereinafter referred to as a "Probe_Res signal") including the current SSID to the mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. The Probe_Res signal is a response signal to the Probe_Req signal. When the mobile terminal receives the Probe_Res signal, it displays the SSID included in the Probe_Res signal on the display unit of the mobile terminal. By comparing the SSID displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal with the SSID displayed on the display unit 14 of the printer PR in S12 above, the user of the mobile terminal can determine which device's SSID is displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal and can select the current SSID of the printer PR. This allows the user to instruct the mobile terminal to transmit a Wi-Fi connection request signal, which will be described later.

[0033] In S18, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID has been received from the mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. The Wi-Fi connection request signal is a signal for requesting the printer PR to establish a Wi-Fi connection, and specifically, is an Association Request signal. If the CPU 32 has received a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID, the CPU 32 determines YES in S18 and proceeds to S20. On the other hand, if the CPU 32 has not received a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID within a predetermined time after the end of S16, the CPU 32 determines NO in S18, skips S20 to S32, and proceeds to S34.

[0034] In S20, the CPU 32 establishes a wireless connection (i.e., a Wi-Fi connection) with the portable terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. Specifically, the CPU 32 communicates various signals with the portable terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20 (e.g., transmitting an Association Response signal, communicating a 4-Way Handshake, etc.). During this communication, the CPU 32 receives Wi-Fi setting information, including an SSID and a password, from the portable terminal and authenticates the Wi-Fi setting information. If the received SSID matches the current SSID and the received password matches a predetermined password, the CPU 32 determines that authentication of the Wi-Fi setting information has been successful and establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal. Here, the predetermined password is a fixed character string preset in the printer PR. In other words, in this embodiment, when the printer PR is turned on or when S34 or S56 (described later) is executed, the SSID changes, but the password does not change.

[0035] As described above, in S20, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer PR and the portable terminal. This forms a Wi-Fi wireless network (hereinafter referred to as a "Wi-Fi network") in which the printer PR operates in a G / O state and the portable terminal operates as a so-called legacy device. "Legacy" refers to a device that participates in a Wi-Fi network without performing operations in accordance with WFD. Because the printer PR in the G / O state manages the Wi-Fi network, the printer PR in the G / O state can be said to be the parent station (in other words, the master device) of the Wi-Fi network. Furthermore, because a legacy portable terminal participates in the Wi-Fi network, the legacy portable terminal can be said to be a child station (in other words, a slave device) of the Wi-Fi network.

[0036] In S24, the CPU 32 uses the Wi-Fi network (that is, uses the Wi-Fi connection) to send the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR in the memory 34 to the mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20.

[0037] In S26, the CPU 32 determines whether the transmission flag 38 in the memory 34 indicates "OFF." If the CPU 32 determines that the transmission flag 38 indicates "OFF" (YES in S26), it changes the transmission flag 38 to "ON" in S28 and proceeds to S30. On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines that the transmission flag 38 indicates "ON" (NO in S26), it skips S28 and proceeds to S30.

[0038] In S30, CPU 32 uses the Wi-Fi network to receive print data representing an image to be printed from the mobile terminal via Wi-Fi I / F 20. CPU 32 then supplies the print data to print execution unit 16 and causes print execution unit 16 to execute printing in accordance with the print data.

[0039] In S32, the CPU 32 receives a disconnection signal from the mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20 using the Wi-Fi network. The disconnection signal is a signal requesting disconnection of the Wi-Fi connection. As a result, the Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR and the mobile terminal is disconnected.

[0040] In S34, the CPU 32 generates a new SSID and stores the new SSID in the memory 34 in place of the old SSID in the memory 34. That is, the CPU 32 changes the SSID. Changing the SSID in this way can improve the security of the Wi-Fi network. When S34 ends, the process returns to S10.

[0041] Furthermore, in S40, the CPU 32 monitors whether a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID is received from the mobile terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20 without executing a Wi-Fi connection operation (NO in S10). If a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID is received, the CPU 32 determines YES in S40 and proceeds to S50. S50, S52, S54, and S56 are the same as S20, S30, S32, and S34, respectively. When S56 ends, the process returns to S10.

[0042] (Printer PR BTI / F related processing; Figure 3) Next, the BTI / F-related processing executed by the CPU 32 of the printer PR will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The BTI / F-related processing is mainly processing related to the BTI / F 22. When the power of the printer PR is turned on, the CPU 32 starts the processing of Fig. 3.

[0043] In S70, the CPU 32 determines whether the BTI / F 22 is in an OFF state. The CPU 32 inquires of the BTI / F 22 about its state. If the CPU 32 obtains information indicating an OFF state from the BTI / F 22, it determines YES in S70 and proceeds to S72. If the CPU 32 obtains information indicating an ON state from the BTI / F 22, it determines NO in S70 and proceeds to S80. Here, the OFF state of the BTI / F 22 means that no power is supplied to the BTI / F 22, i.e., a state in which BT communication cannot be performed. The ON state of the BTI / F 22 means that power is supplied to the BTI / F 22, i.e., a state in which BT communication can be performed. The power consumption of the BTI / F 22 in the ON state (i.e., the power consumption of BLE) is lower than the power consumption of the Wi-Fi I / F 20 in the ON state.

[0044] In S72, the CPU 32 determines whether the transmission flag 38 in the memory 34 indicates "ON." If the CPU 32 determines that the transmission flag 38 indicates "ON" (YES in S72), then in S74 the CPU 32 changes the BTI / F 22 from OFF to ON. Because the BTI / F 22 can be set to OFF until the BTI / F 22 is changed to ON in S74, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the printer PR. On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines that the transmission flag 38 indicates "OFF" (NO in S72), it skips S74 and returns to S70.

[0045] In S80 (i.e., when the BTI / F 22 is ON), the CPU 32 first acquires the printer PR's Bluetooth device name "NP," its current SSID, and a predetermined password from the memory 34. The CPU 32 then broadcasts an Advertise signal containing the acquired information via the BTI / F 22. Here, a broadcast signal is a signal without a specified destination. That is, the Advertise signal includes the Bluetooth device name "NP" as information indicating the sender, but does not include information indicating the destination. The Advertise signal is a signal for informing surrounding devices of the printer PR of its presence. In particular, the CPU 32 transmits the Advertise signal to the outside without establishing a Bluetooth logical link (i.e., a Bluetooth wireless connection). More specifically, communication above the L2CAP layer of the Bluetooth protocol stack is not performed; communication below the L2CAP layer (i.e., the Link Manager layer or Link Layer layer) is performed and transmitted to the outside. The L2CAP layer is the highest layer for establishing a Bluetooth logical link. That is, the Advertise signal is transmitted to the outside through communication in a layer lower than the highest layer, without communication in the highest layer for establishing a logical link.

[0046] When S80 ends, the process returns to S70. When S80 is executed again after NO in S70, the CPU 32 broadcasts the Advertise signal again. That is, the CPU 32 repeatedly broadcasts the Advertise signal.

[0047] (Processing of mobile terminal PT1; Figure 4) Next, the processing executed by the CPU 72 of the portable terminal PT1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Note that the portable terminal PT2 can also execute similar processing. When an operation to start the printer application 78 is executed on the portable terminal PT1, the CPU 72 starts the processing of Fig. 4 in accordance with the printer application 78. Note that the operation on the portable terminal PT1 may be executed on the operation unit 52 or on the display unit 54 (i.e., the touch panel). This also applies hereinafter.

[0048] The CPU 72 repeatedly executes the monitoring processes of S100 and S140 in sequence. In S100, the CPU 72 monitors whether a Wi-Fi connection operation is performed on the portable terminal PT1 by the user. The Wi-Fi connection operation is typically performed by a user of a portable terminal that has not previously established a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR. If a Wi-Fi connection operation is performed, the CPU 72 determines YES in S100 and proceeds to S102.

[0049] In S102, the CPU 72 broadcasts a Probe_Req signal via the Wi-Fi I / F 60. If the distance between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 is shorter than the distance at which Wi-Fi communication is possible, the Probe_Req signal can be received by the printer PR (see YES in S14 of FIG. 2).

[0050] In S104, the CPU 72 determines whether or not a Probe_Res signal has been received via the Wi-Fi I / F 60. If the printer PR is operating in the G / O state, the CPU 72 receives the Probe_Res signal from the printer PR (see S16 in FIG. 2). Furthermore, if an AP (short for Access Point) is present around the portable terminal PT1, the CPU 72 receives the Probe_Res signal from the AP. If the CPU 72 has received one or more Probe_Res signals, the CPU 72 determines YES in S104 and proceeds to S106. On the other hand, if the CPU 72 has not received even one Probe_Res signal within a predetermined time period since the end of S102, the CPU 72 determines NO in S104, skips S106 to S120, and returns to S100.

[0051] In S106, the CPU 72 causes the display unit 54 to display one or more SSIDs included in the one or more received Probe_Res signals. This allows the user to perform an operation on the portable terminal PT1 to select the current SSID (see S12 in FIG. 2) displayed on the printer PR from among the one or more SSIDs. That is, the user can compare the one or more SSIDs with the current SSID displayed on the display unit 14 of the printer PR in S12 in FIG. 2 and select the current SSID from among the one or more SSIDs.

[0052] In S108, the CPU 72 determines whether the user has performed an operation on the portable terminal PT1 to select one SSID from the one or more SSIDs displayed in S106. If the operation to select an SSID has been performed, the CPU 72 determines YES in S108 and proceeds to S110. Note that in Fig. 4, the processing of S110 to S120 is described on the assumption that the current SSID of the printer PR will be selected. On the other hand, if the operation to select an SSID has not been performed, that is, if the user has instructed to cancel, the CPU 72 determines NO in S108, skips S110 to S120, and returns to S100.

[0053] In S110, the CPU 72 displays a password entry screen on the display unit 54. For example, an administrator of the printer PR notifies the user of the portable terminal PT1 of a predetermined password for the printer PR in advance. This allows the user to perform an operation on the portable terminal PT1 to input the predetermined password. Once this operation is performed, the process proceeds to S112.

[0054] In S112, the CPU 72 transmits a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the SSID selected in S108 (i.e., the current SSID of the printer PR) to the printer PR via the Wi-Fi I / F 60. This allows the Wi-Fi connection request signal to be received by the printer PR (see YES in S18 of FIG. 2).

[0055] In S114, the CPU 72 establishes a wireless connection (i.e., a Wi-Fi connection) with the printer PR via the Wi-Fi I / F 60. Specifically, the CPU 72 executes various signal communications (e.g., receiving an Association Response signal, communicating a 4-Way Handshake, etc.) with the printer PR via the Wi-Fi I / F 60. During the above-described various signal communications, the CPU 72 transmits Wi-Fi setting information to the printer PR, including the SSID selected in S108 and the password entered in S110. If authentication of the Wi-Fi setting information is successful in the printer PR, a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR is established. This forms a Wi-Fi network in which the printer PR operates in a G / O state and the portable terminal PT1 operates as a legacy network (see S20 in FIG. 2).

[0056] In S116, the CPU 72 receives the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR from the printer PR via the Wi-Fi I / F 60 using the Wi-Fi network (i.e., using the Wi-Fi connection) (see S24 in FIG. 2). Then, the CPU 72 stores the received BT device name "NP" in the BT device name storage area 80. As a result, the BT device name of the printer with which a Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT1 has been established (hereinafter referred to as the "established printer") is stored in the BT device name storage area 80.

[0057] In S118, the CPU 72 uses the Wi-Fi network to send print data to the printer PR via the Wi-Fi I / F 60. This allows the printer PR to print the image represented by the print data (see S30 in FIG. 2). The print data is an image file designated by the user from one or more image files stored in the memory 74 of the portable terminal PT1. Here, the designation of the image file to be printed may be performed, for example, immediately after the printer application 78 is launched, after the password is entered in S110, or after a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR is established in S114.

[0058] In S120, when transmission of the print data to the printer PR is complete, the CPU 72 uses the Wi-Fi network to send a disconnection signal to the printer PR via the Wi-Fi I / F 60. As a result, the Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 is disconnected (see S32 in FIG. 2). When S120 ends, the process returns to S100.

[0059] Furthermore, in S140, the CPU 72 monitors whether an Advertise signal is received via the BTI / F 62. As described above, when the transmission flag 38 indicates ON, the printer PR repeatedly broadcasts an Advertise signal including the BT device name "NP," the current SSID, and a predetermined password (see S80 in FIG. 3). Therefore, if the distance between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 is shorter than the maximum distance at which BT communication can be performed, the CPU 72 receives an Advertise signal from the printer PR via the BTI / F 62. In this case, the CPU 72 determines YES in S140 and proceeds to S142.

[0060] In S142, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the BT device name in the received Advertise signal (i.e., the received BT device name) is stored in the BT device name storage area 80. As described above, the BT device name storage area 80 stores the BT device names of established printers (see S116). Therefore, the determination in S142 means determining whether or not the printer PR that sent the Advertise signal is an established printer. If the CPU 72 determines that the received BT device name is stored in the BT device name storage area 80 (YES in S142), the process proceeds to S148. Note that in FIG. 4, the processes of S148 to S154 are described on the assumption that the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR is stored in the BT device name storage area 80. On the other hand, if the CPU 72 determines that the received BT device name is not stored in the BT device name storage area 80 (NO in S142), the process skips S148 to S154 and returns to S100.

[0061] In S148, the CPU 72 transmits a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID contained in the received Advertise signal to the printer PR via the Wi-Fi I / F 60. This allows the Wi-Fi connection request signal to be received by the printer PR (see YES in S40 of FIG. 2). In this way, the CPU 72 uses the reception of the Advertise signal from the printer PR as a trigger to transmit the Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR. Therefore, the Advertise signal can be said to be a trigger signal for transmitting the Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR.

[0062] In S150, the CPU 72 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR, similar to S114. Here, the CPU 72 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR using Wi-Fi setting information, including the current SSID and password, contained in the received Advertise signal. S152 and S154 are similar to S118 and S120, respectively. When S154 ends, the process returns to S100.

[0063] (Specific case) Next, specific cases realized by the processes in Figures 2 to 4 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In Figures 5 and 6, thick arrows and thin arrows between the printer PR and the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 indicate Wi-Fi communication and BT communication, respectively.

[0064] (Case A; Figure 5) In the initial state of case A, the power of the printer PR is turned off. Furthermore, the portable terminal PT1 has not previously established a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR. That is, the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR is not stored in the BT device name storage area 80 of the portable terminal PT1. Furthermore, the BT device name storage area 80 does not store the BT device name of a single printer.

[0065] In A0, the power of the printer PR is turned on by the user. In this case, the printer PR generates the SSID "X1" at T2 (S2 in FIG. 2), and at T4, changes the Wi-Fi I / F 20 to the ON state and transitions to the G / O state (S4). Next, in A1, a Wi-Fi connection operation is performed on the printer PR by the user of the portable terminal PT1 (YES in S10). In this case, at T10, the printer PR displays the SSID "X1" (S12).

[0066] At A2, the user performs an operation to start the printer application 78 and a Wi-Fi connection operation on the portable terminal PT1 (YES in S100 of FIG. 4). In this case, at T20, the portable terminal PT1 broadcasts a Probe_Req signal (S102).

[0067] When the printer PR receives a Probe_Req signal from the portable terminal PT1 (YES in S14 of FIG. 2), it transmits a Probe_Res signal including the SSID "X1" to the portable terminal PT1 at T22 (S16). Note that if the operation of A2 is not performed on the portable terminal PT1, the Probe_Req signal is not transmitted from the portable terminal PT1, and as a result, the printer PR determines NO in S14 of FIG. 2.

[0068] When the portable terminal PT1 receives a Probe_Res signal from the printer PR (YES in S104 of FIG. 4), it displays the SSID "X1" included in the Probe_Res signal in T30 (S106). Note that when the portable terminal PT1 further receives a Probe_Res signal from a device other than the printer PR, it displays not only the SSID "X1" but also the SSID included in the Probe_Res signal. That is, in T30, the portable terminal PT1 displays one or more SSIDs including the SSID "X1." Here, by comparing the one or more SSIDs displayed on the portable terminal PT1 with the SSID "X1" displayed on the printer PR in T10, the user can confirm the SSID "X1" of the printer PR from among the one or more SSIDs.

[0069] In A3, the user operates the portable terminal PT1 to select SSID "X1" from one or more SSIDs (YES in S108 of FIG. 4). In this case, in T32, the portable terminal PT1 displays a password entry screen (S110). In A4, the user operates the portable terminal PT1 to enter the password "PS" for the printer PR. In this case, in T40, the portable terminal PT1 transmits a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the SSID "X1" selected in A3 to the printer PR. Note that if the SSID "X1" is not selected in A3 or if the password is not entered and canceled in A4, the Wi-Fi connection request signal will not be transmitted from the portable terminal PT1, and as a result, the printer PR will determine NO in S18 of FIG. 2.

[0070] When a Wi-Fi connection request signal is sent from the portable terminal PT1 to the printer PR, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 in T42 (S20 in FIG. 2, S114 in FIG. 4). During the process of T42, the printer PR receives Wi-Fi setting information including the SSID "X1" and password "PS" from the portable terminal PT1 and authenticates the Wi-Fi setting information. In this case, the authentication is successful, so a Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT1 is established. This forms a Wi-Fi network in which the printer PR operates as a parent station and the portable terminal PT1 operates as a child station.

[0071] After establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT1, the printer PR uses the Wi-Fi connection to send the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR to the portable terminal PT1 in T44 (S24 in FIG. 2). Then, the printer PR changes the sending flag 38 to "ON" (YES in S26, S28), and as a result, changes the BTI / F 22 from OFF to ON in T46 (YES in S70, YES in S72, S74 in FIG. 3).

[0072] When the portable terminal PT1 receives the BT device name "NP" from the printer PR, the portable terminal PT1 stores the BT device name "NP" in T50 (S116 in FIG. 4). Next, in T60, the portable terminal PT1 transmits print data to the printer PR using a Wi-Fi connection (S118).

[0073] When the printer PR receives print data from the portable terminal PT1, it executes printing processing in accordance with the print data in T62 (S30 in FIG. 2). It is possible for the printer PR to receive print data from the portable terminal PT1 using BT communication. However, the data size of the print data may be large, and the communication speed of BT communication is slower than the communication speed of Wi-Fi communication. Therefore, if a configuration is adopted in which print data is communicated using BT communication, it may take a long time to communicate the print data. In contrast, in this embodiment, the print data is communicated using Wi-Fi communication, so the print data can be communicated quickly.

[0074] After transmitting the print data to the printer PR, the portable terminal PT1 transmits a disconnection signal to the printer PR at T70 to disconnect the Wi-Fi connection (S120 in FIG. 4), thereby disconnecting the Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1.

[0075] After receiving a disconnection signal from the portable terminal PT1 (S32 in FIG. 2), the printer PR generates an SSID "X2" that is different from the SSID "X1" at T72 (S34).

[0076] (Case B1; Figure 6) Case B1 in Fig. 6 is a continuation of case A in Fig. 5, in which the Wi-Fi I / F 20 of the printer PR is ON (see T4 in Fig. 5), and the BTI / F 22 is ON (see T46). Also, the BT device name storage area 80 of the portable terminal PT1 stores the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR, which is an established printer (see T50).

[0077] In T100, the printer PR repeatedly broadcasts an Advertise signal (S80 in FIG. 3). The Advertise signal includes the BT device name of the printer PR, "NP," as information indicating the source of the signal, and also includes the SSID "X2" and the password "PS."

[0078] As described above, if the transmission flag 38 of the printer PR indicates "ON," that is, if the printer PR has sent the BT device name "NP" to the outside at least once, the BTI / F 22 is in the ON state (see T46 in FIG. 5), and the printer PR repeatedly sends an Advertise signal (T100). On the other hand, if the transmission flag 38 of the printer PR indicates "OFF," that is, if the printer PR has not sent the BT device name "NP" to the outside even once, the printer PR keeps the BTI / F 22 in the OFF state and does not send an Advertise signal (NO in S72, YES in S70 in FIG. 3). This makes it possible to achieve power saving in the printer PR.

[0079] In A10, the user executes an operation on the portable terminal PT1 to start the printer application 78 (triggering the process in FIG. 4). In this case, the portable terminal PT1 receives an Advertise signal from the printer PR (YES in S140), and determines in T102 that the BT device name "NP" in the Advertise signal is stored in the BT device name storage area 80 (YES in S142). Then, in T120, the portable terminal PT1 transmits a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the SSID "X2" in the Advertise signal to the printer PR (S148). In this way, the portable terminal PT1 transmits the Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR without displaying a screen for selecting an SSID (see T30 in FIG. 5) and a screen for entering a password (see T32). This allows the user to easily establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 for the second or subsequent times.

[0080] When a Wi-Fi connection request signal is sent from the portable terminal PT1 to the printer PR, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 in T122 (S50 in FIG. 2, S150 in FIG. 4). T130, T132, T140, and T142, which are executed after T122, are the same as T60, T62, T70, and T72 in FIG. 5, respectively (S52 to S56 in FIG. 2, S152 and S154 in FIG. 4). Note that in T142, an SSID "X3" different from the SSIDs "X1" and "X2" is generated.

[0081] (Case B2) Case B2 is a continuation of Case A. The BT device name "NP" of the printer PR is not stored in the BT device name storage area (not shown) of the portable terminal PT2.

[0082] In T150, similarly to T100, the printer PR repeatedly transmits an Advertise signal (S80 in FIG. 3). In A20, the user executes an operation on the portable terminal PT2 to start a printer application (triggering the processing in FIG. 4). In this case, the portable terminal PT2 receives an Advertise signal from the printer PR (YES in S140 in FIG. 4), but determines in T152 that the BT device name "NP" in the Advertise signal is not stored in the BT device name storage area (NO in S142). As a result, the portable terminal PT2 does not transmit a Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR. In order to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT2, operations A1, A2, etc. similar to those in case A in FIG. 5 must be executed on the printer PR and the portable terminal PT2.

[0083] (Effects of the first embodiment) The printer PR performs BT communication and repeatedly broadcasts an Advertise signal (T100 in FIG. 6). As a result, the Advertise signal is received by the portable terminal PT1, and a Wi-Fi connection request signal is transmitted from the portable terminal PT1 to the printer PR (T120), and a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 (T122). In this way, after performing BT communication, the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 can properly form a Wi-Fi network, and as a result, can properly communicate print data using the Wi-Fi network.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although BT communication is performed between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1, it is not necessary to establish a BT logical link (i.e., a BT wireless connection) between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1. As a result, the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 do not need to exchange signals for establishing a BT logical link, which can reduce the processing load between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1. Furthermore, because the Advertise signal contains Wi-Fi setting information including the SSID and password of the printer PR, the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 do not need to execute BT communication of Wi-Fi setting information after the BT communication of the Advertise signal. This also reduces the processing load between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the portable terminal PT1 stores the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR, that is, if the portable terminal PT1 has previously established a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR, a Wi-Fi connection request signal is sent from the portable terminal PT1 to the printer PR, which is the established printer (see case B1 in FIG. 6). As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1, even if a Wi-Fi connection operation is not performed on the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1. The user of the portable terminal PT1 can easily establish a Wi-Fi connection with the established printer.

[0086] On the other hand, if the portable terminal PT2 does not store the BT device name “NP” of the printer PR, that is, if the portable terminal PT2 has not previously established a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR, the portable terminal PT2 does not send a Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR (see case B2 in FIG. 6). To establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT2, a Wi-Fi connection operation must be performed by the printer PR and the portable terminal PT2 (see A1 and A2 in FIG. 5). Furthermore, an operation to select an SSID and an operation to enter a password must be performed by the portable terminal PT2 (see A3 and A4 in FIG. 5). This prevents, for example, a portable terminal PT2 that is not authorized by the administrator of the printer PR to use the printer PR from establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR. This improves the security of the printer PR.

[0087] Furthermore, each of the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 has a BT device name storage area 80, and determines whether the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR is stored in the BT device name storage area 80 (S142 in FIG. 4), and changes subsequent processing depending on the determination result. Therefore, the printer PR does not need to have a BT device name storage area, and furthermore, does not need to execute determination processing. This can reduce the processing load on the printer PR.

[0088] (Correspondence) The printer PR and the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 are examples of a "first communication device" and a "second communication device," respectively. The BT device name "NP" is an example of "first device identification information." From the perspective of the printer PR, the portable terminal PT1 is an example of a "third communication device." From the perspective of the portable terminal PT1, the printer PR and the BT device name "NP" are examples of a "third communication device" and "third device identification information," respectively. The Wi-Fi method and Wi-Fi I / Fs 20 and 60 are examples of a "first communication method" and a "first interface," respectively. The BT method and BTI / Fs 22 and 62 are examples of a "second communication method" and a "second interface," respectively. The Advertise signal and Wi-Fi connection request signal are examples of a "trigger signal" and a "wireless connection request," respectively. The OFF state and ON state of the BTI / F 22 are examples of a "first state" and a "second state," respectively. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi connection established at T122 in Fig. 6 and the Wi-Fi connection established at T42 in Fig. 5 are examples of a "first wireless connection" and a "second wireless connection", respectively. The SSID "X2" and password "PS" in the Advertise signal at T100 in Fig. 6 are examples of "network-related information".

[0089] (Second Example) The following will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the Advertise signal broadcast from the printer PR includes the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR, the current SSID, and the password (S80 in FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the Advertise signal includes the BT device name "NP", but does not include the current SSID and password. This is a major difference from the first embodiment.

[0090] (Printer PR Wi-Fi I / F related processing; Figure 7) In this embodiment, the Wi-Fi I / F related processing in Fig. 7 is executed instead of Fig. 2. S2 is the same as S2 in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, S4 is executed when S2 ends, but in Fig. 7, the processing proceeds to S10 when S2 ends.

[0091] S10 is the same as S10 in FIG. 2. If the answer is YES in S10, the CPU 32 executes S11. S11 is the same as S4 in FIG. 2. S12 to S32, which are executed thereafter, are the same as S12 to S32 in FIG. 2. In S34A, the CPU 32 transitions the operating state of the printer PR from the G / O state to the device state (i.e., stops the G / O state). This reduces the power consumption of the printer PR. In S34A, the CPU 32 also changes the Wi-Fi I / F 20 from the ON state to the OFF state. This reduces the power consumption of the printer PR. In S34A, the CPU 32 also generates a new SSID and stores the new SSID in the memory 34, replacing the old SSID in the memory 34. When S34A ends, the process returns to S10.

[0092] Also, in S40A, the CPU 32 monitors whether a predetermined notification (see S90 in FIG. 3) is received from the BTI / F-related processing without a Wi-Fi connection operation being executed (NO in S10). Hereinafter, a portable terminal with which a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR has been established is referred to as an "established terminal." The predetermined notification is a notification that is supplied from the BTI / F-related processing to the Wi-Fi I / F-related processing when a Scan Request signal is received from the established terminal via BT communication. If the predetermined notification is received, the CPU 32 determines YES in S40A and proceeds to S42.

[0093] S42 is the same as S11. In S44, the CPU 32 determines whether to receive a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID from a mobile terminal, which is an established terminal, via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. If the CPU 32 receives a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID, the CPU 32 determines YES in S44 and proceeds to S50. On the other hand, if the CPU 32 does not receive a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the current SSID within a predetermined time after the end of S42, the CPU 32 determines NO in S44, skips S50 to S54, and proceeds to S56A. S50 to S54 are the same as S50 to S54 in FIG. 2. S56A is the same as S34A. When S56A ends, the CPU 32 returns to S10.

[0094] (Printer PR BTI / F related processing; Figure 3) Next, the BTI / F-related processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Steps S70 to S74 are the same as those of the first embodiment. In step S80, the CPU 32 of the printer PR broadcasts an Advertise signal including the BT device name "NP" as information indicating the sender. However, the Advertise signal does not include the current SSID and password. When step S80 ends, the process proceeds to step S82.

[0095] In S82, the CPU 32 determines whether a Scan Request signal (hereinafter referred to as a "Scan_Req signal") has been received from the portable terminal via the BTI / F 22. The Scan_Req signal is a signal transmitted from the portable terminal when the portable terminal that received the Advertise signal is an established terminal. The Scan_Req signal is a unicast signal that includes the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR as information indicating the destination and the BT device name of the portable terminal (e.g., the BT device name "N1" of the portable terminal PT1) as information indicating the source. The Scan_Req signal is a signal for requesting Wi-Fi setting information, including the SSID and password, from the printer PR. In particular, the CPU 32 can receive the Scan_Req signal without establishing a logical link. That is, the Scan_Req signal is received externally through communication at a layer lower than the highest layer, without performing communication at the highest layer for establishing a logical link. If the Scan_Req signal has been received, the CPU 32 determines YES in S82 and proceeds to S90. On the other hand, if the CPU 32 does not receive a Scan_Req signal until a predetermined time has elapsed since S80 ended, the CPU 32 determines NO in S82, skips S90 and S92, and returns to S70.

[0096] In S90, the CPU 32 supplies a predetermined notification to the Wi-Fi I / F-related processing (see FIG. 7). As a result, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 is changed to the ON state, and the operating state of the printer PR is shifted to the G / O state (YES in S40A, S42 in FIG. 7).

[0097] In S92, the CPU 32 transmits a Scan Response signal (hereinafter referred to as a "Scan_Res signal") to the portable terminal that transmitted the Scan_Req signal via the BTI / F 22. The Scan_Res signal is a response signal to the Scan_Req signal and includes the current SSID and a predetermined password (i.e., a fixed character string that is preset in the printer PR). The Scan_Res signal is a unicast signal that includes the BT device name of the portable terminal (i.e., the BT device name of the transmission source in the Scan_Req signal) as information indicating the transmission destination, and also includes the BT device name of the printer PR, "NP," as information indicating the transmission source. The CPU 32 transmits the Scan_Res signal without establishing a logical link. In other words, the Scan_Res signal is transmitted to the outside via communication at a layer lower than the highest layer, without performing communication at the highest layer required to establish a logical link. When S92 ends, the process returns to S70.

[0098] (Mobile device processing; Figure 4) Next, the processing of the portable terminal PT1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. S100 to S120, S140, and S142 are the same as those of the first embodiment. If the answer to S142 is YES, the CPU 72 of the portable terminal PT1 unicasts a Scan_Req signal to the printer PR, which is the established printer, in S144. This allows the Scan_Req signal to be received by the printer PR (see YES in S82 of FIG. 3).

[0099] Next, in S146, the CPU 72 determines whether or not a Scan_Res signal (see S92 in FIG. 3) has been received from the printer PR, which is an established printer, via the BTI / F 62. If the Scan_Res signal has been received, the CPU 72 determines YES in S146 and proceeds to S148. On the other hand, if the CPU 72 has not received a Scan_Res signal within a predetermined time period since the end of S144, the CPU 72 determines NO in S146, skips S148 to S154, and returns to S100. S148 to S154 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0100] (Case C: Figure 8) Next, specific cases of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The initial state of Case C in Figure 8 is similar to the initial state of Case A in Figure 5. The contents of Case C will be described, focusing on the differences from Case A in Figure 5.

[0101] When the printer PR is turned on (A0), it generates an SSID in T202, but keeps the Wi-Fi I / F 20 in the OFF state and does not transition to the G / O state (i.e., does not execute T4 in Figure 5). This allows the power consumption of the printer PR to be reduced.

[0102] When a Wi-Fi connection operation is executed on the printer PR (A1), the printer PR changes the Wi-Fi I / F 20 to the ON state in T204 and transitions to the G / O state (YES in S10, S11 in FIG. 7). T210 is the same as T10 in FIG. 5. Operations A1 to A4 executed on the portable terminal PT1 are the same as those in FIG. 5. Also, T220 to T270 are the same as T20 to T70 in FIG. 5. In T272, the printer PR transitions to the device state, changes the Wi-Fi I / F 20 to the OFF state, and generates the SSID "X2" (S34A in FIG. 7). Since T272 is executed, the power consumption of the printer PR can be reduced.

[0103] (Case D1; Figure 9) Case D1 in Fig. 9 is a continuation of case C in Fig. 8, in which the Wi-Fi I / F 20 is in the OFF state (see T272 in Fig. 8), and the BTI / F 22 is in the ON state (see T246). Also, the BT device name storage area 80 of the portable terminal PT1 stores the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR, which is an established printer (see T250). The contents of case D1 will be explained, focusing on the differences from case B1 in Fig. 6.

[0104] The Advertise signal of T300 includes the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR as information indicating the sender, but does not include the SSID "X2" or the password "PS". The operation A10 executed by the portable terminal PT1 is the same as in Fig. 6. T302 is the same as T102 in Fig. 6.

[0105] In T310, the portable terminal PT1 transmits a Scan_Req signal to the printer PR (S144 in FIG. 4). The Scan_Req signal includes the BT device name “NP” as information indicating the destination, and also includes the BT device name “N1” as information indicating the source.

[0106] When the printer PR receives a Scan_Req signal from the portable terminal PT1, in T312, the printer PR changes the Wi-Fi I / F 20 to the ON state and transitions to the G / O state (YES in S82, S90 in FIG. 3; YES in S40A, S42 in FIG. 7). Then, in T314, the printer PR transmits a Scan_Res signal to the portable terminal PT1. The Scan_Res signal includes the BT device name "N1" as information indicating the destination and the BT device name "NP" as information indicating the source. The Scan_Res signal also includes the SSID "X2" and the password "PS". T320 to T340 are the same as T120 to T140 in FIG. 6. In T342, the printer PR transitions to the device state (i.e., stops the G / O state), changes the Wi-Fi I / F 20 to the OFF state, and generates the SSID "X3" (S56A in FIG. 7). Since T342 is executed, the power consumption of the printer PR can be reduced.

[0107] (Case D2) Case D2 is a continuation of Case C. The Advertise signal of T350 does not include the SSID "X2" and the password "PS." A20 is the same as Case B2 in FIG. 6, and T352 is the same as T152 in FIG. 6. The portable terminal PT2 does not send a Scan_Req signal to the printer PR (NO in S142 in FIG. 4), and as a result, does not send a Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR.

[0108] (Effects of the second embodiment) In this embodiment, the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 can also properly form a Wi-Fi network after executing BT communication (see Case D1 in FIG. 9). Other effects similar to those of the first embodiment can also be achieved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the Advertise signal does not include Wi-Fi setting information, including the SSID and password of the printer PR. This prevents the Wi-Fi setting information from being transmitted to, for example, a portable terminal PT2 that is not authorized by the administrator of the printer PR to use the printer PR. This improves the security of the printer PR. In this embodiment, the Scan_Req signal and the Scan_Res signal are examples of a "predetermined request signal" and a "response signal," respectively. The SSID and password included in the Scan_Res signal are examples of "network-related information."

[0109] (Third Example) The following mainly describes the differences from the above-mentioned embodiments. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the portable terminal (e.g., PT1) has a BT device name storage area (e.g., 80), but in this embodiment, it does not have a BT device name storage area. The memory 34 of the printer PR has a BT device name storage area 40 for storing the BT device name of the established terminal (see FIG. 1). Furthermore, the memory 34 does not store the transmission flag 38.

[0110] (Printer PR Wi-Fi I / F related processing; Figure 7) Next, the contents of the Wi-Fi I / F related processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. S2 to S20 are the same as in the second embodiment. In S24, the CPU 32 of the printer PR receives the BT device name of the portable terminal from the portable terminal via the Wi-Fi I / F 20 using the Wi-Fi connection. The CPU 32 then stores the received BT device name in the BT device name storage area 40. As a result, the BT device name of the established terminal is stored in the BT device name storage area 40. Furthermore, when S24 ends, the CPU 32 proceeds to S30 without executing S26 and S28. S30 to S34A and S40A to S56A are the same as in the second embodiment.

[0111] (Printer PR BTI / F related processing; Figure 3) Next, the details of the BTI / F-related processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. S70 is the same as in the first and second embodiments. In S72, the CPU 32 determines whether one or more BT device names are stored in the BT device name storage area 40 in the memory 34. If one or more BT device names are stored, the CPU 32 determines YES in S72 and proceeds to S74, but if not a single BT device name is stored, the CPU 32 determines NO in S72, skips S74, and returns to S70.

[0112] S80 and S82 are the same as those in the second embodiment. If the CPU 32 determines YES in S82, it determines in S84 whether the BT device name of the transmission source included in the Scan_Req signal is stored in the BT device name storage area 40 in the memory 34. If the BT device name of the transmission source is stored in the BT device name storage area 40, i.e., if the mobile terminal that transmitted the Scan_Req signal is an established terminal, the CPU 32 determines YES in S84 and proceeds to S90. On the other hand, if the BT device name of the transmission source is not stored in the BT device name storage area 40, i.e., if a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal that transmitted the Scan_Req signal has not been established in the past, the CPU 32 determines NO in S84, skips S90 and S92, and returns to S70. S90 and S92 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0113] (Mobile device processing; Figure 4) Next, the processing of the portable terminal PT1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Steps S100 to S114 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. In S116, the CPU 72 of the portable terminal PT1 uses the Wi-Fi connection established in S114 to send the BT device name "N1" of the portable terminal PT1 to the printer PR via the Wi-Fi I / F 60 (S24 in FIG. 7). Steps S118, S120, and S140 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. If the answer to step S140 is YES, the CPU 72 of the portable terminal PT1 skips step S142 and proceeds to step S144. That is, the CPU 72 sends a Scan_Req signal to the printer PR in step S144, regardless of whether the printer PR that sent the Advertise signal is an established printer. Steps S146 to S154 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0114] (Case E: Figure 10) Next, specific cases of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. The initial state of Case E in Figure 10 is the same as the initial state of Case A in Figure 5 (i.e., the initial state of Case C in Figure 8). The contents of Case E will be described, focusing on the differences from Case C in Figure 8.

[0115] A0 to A4 are the same as in Fig. 8, and T402 to T442 are the same as T202 to T242 in Fig. 8. At T444, the portable terminal PT1 uses the Wi-Fi connection established at T442 to send the BT device name "N1" of the portable terminal PT1 to the printer PR (S116 in Fig. 4).

[0116] When the printer PR receives the BT device name "N1" from the portable terminal PT1, in T445 the printer PR stores the BT device name "N1" in the BT device name storage area 40 (S24 in FIG. 7). As a result, in T446 the printer PR changes the BTI / F 22 from OFF to ON (YES in S70, YES in S72, S74 in FIG. 3). T460 to T472 are the same as T260 to S272 in FIG. 8.

[0117] (Case F1; Figure 11) Case F1 in Fig. 11 is a continuation of case E in Fig. 10, in which the Wi-Fi I / F 20 is OFF (see T472 in Fig. 10) and the BTI / F 22 is ON (see T446). Also, the BT device name storage area 40 of the printer PR stores the BT device name "N1" of the portable terminal PT1, which is an established terminal (see T445). The contents of case F1 will be explained, focusing on the differences from case D1 in Fig. 9.

[0118] A10 is the same as case D1 in Fig. 9, and T500 and T510 are the same as T300 and T310 in Fig. 9. When the printer PR receives a Scan_Req signal from the portable terminal PT1, in T511 it determines that the BT device name "N1" of the sender in the Scan_Req signal is stored in the BT device name storage area 40 (YES in S84 in Fig. 3). Therefore, in T512, the printer PR changes the Wi-Fi I / F 20 to the ON state and transitions to the G / O state (S90 in Fig. 3, YES in S40A in Fig. 7, S42). T514 to T542 are the same as T314 to T342 in Fig. 9.

[0119] (Case F2) Case F2 is a continuation of Case E. The BT device name "N2" of the portable terminal PT2 is not stored in the BT device name storage area 40 of the printer PR. T550 is similar to T350 in FIG. 9. When the operation of A20 is executed and the portable terminal PT2 receives an Advertise signal from the printer PR, it sends a Scan_Req signal to the printer PR in T560 (YES in S140, S144 in FIG. 4). The Scan_Req signal includes the BT device name "NP" as information indicating the destination, and also includes the BT device name "N2" as information indicating the sender.

[0120] When the printer PR receives a Scan_Req signal from the portable terminal PT2, it determines in T561 that the sender BT device name "N2" in the Scan_Req signal is not stored in the BT device name storage area 40 (NO in S84 of FIG. 3). Therefore, the printer PR does not change the Wi-Fi I / F 20 to the ON state and does not transition to the G / O state. This reduces the power consumption of the printer PR. Furthermore, the printer PR does not send a Scan_Res signal to the portable terminal PT2. As a result, the portable terminal PT2 does not send a Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR (NO in S146 of FIG. 4).

[0121] (Effects of the third embodiment) In this embodiment, the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1 can also properly form a Wi-Fi network after executing BT communication (see case F1 in FIG. 11). Other effects similar to those of the first and second embodiments can also be achieved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the printer PR receives a Scan_Req signal from the portable terminal, it does not automatically send a Scan_Res signal including Wi-Fi setting information to the portable terminal. Instead, it sends a Scan_Res signal including Wi-Fi setting information to the portable terminal if the portable terminal is an established terminal (YES in S84 in FIG. 3). This can further prevent the Wi-Fi setting information from being sent to, for example, a portable terminal PT2 that is not authorized by the administrator of the printer PR to use the printer PR. This can improve the security of the printer PR.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printer PR has a BT device name storage area 40, and determines whether the BT device name of the portable terminal is stored in the BT device name storage area 40 (S84 in FIG. 3), and changes subsequent processing depending on the determination result. Therefore, the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 do not need to have a BT device name storage area, and furthermore, do not need to execute the determination process. This reduces the processing load on the portable terminals PT1 and PT2. Note that in this embodiment, the BT device names "N1" and "N2" of the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 are examples of "second device identification information." Furthermore, from the perspective of the printer PR, the portable terminal PT1 and the BT device name "N1" are examples of "third communication device" and "third device identification information," respectively.

[0123] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, 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-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0124] (Variation 1) In S80 of FIG. 3 in each embodiment, the printer PR may externally transmit an Advertise signal that does not include the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR. Then, in S140 of FIG. 4, when the portable terminal PT1 receives an Advertise signal from the printer PR (YES in S140), it may execute S148 without executing S142 to S146. In other words, the "trigger signal" does not have to include the "first device identification information." Also, in this variation, the "determination process" can be omitted.

[0125] (Variation 2) In the first and second embodiments, the printer PR does not need to execute S24 in FIGS. 2 and 7. In this case, for example, the portable terminal PT1 may execute BT communication with the printer PR and receive the BT device name "NP" from the printer PR. Also, for example, the user of the portable terminal PT1 may execute an operation on the portable terminal PT1 to input the BT device name "NP" of the printer PR, and store the BT device name "NP" in the BT device name storage area 80. In this variation, the "second establishment unit" and the "device identification information transmission unit" can be omitted, and the "second establishment process" and "device identification information reception process" can be omitted.

[0126] (Variation 3) In the third embodiment, the portable terminal PT1 does not need to execute S116 in FIG. 4. In this case, for example, the printer PR may execute BT communication with the portable terminal PT1 and receive the BT device name "N1" from the portable terminal PT1. Also, for example, the user of the portable terminal PT1 may execute an operation on the printer PR to input the BT device name "N1" of the portable terminal PT1, and store the BT device name "N1" in the BT device name storage area 40. In this variation, the "second establishment unit" and the "device identification information receiving unit" can be omitted.

[0127] (Variation 4) In the first embodiment, the BTI / F 22 of the printer PR may include a CPU and memory. The memory of the BTI / F 22 may pre-store a program and the BT device name "NP." While the BTI / F 22 is in the ON state, the CPU of the BTI / F 22 may repeatedly transmit the BT device name "NP" to the outside in accordance with the program in its memory, even without receiving an instruction from the CPU 32 in the control unit 30. In this case, the BTI / F 22 may have a simple configuration that does not allow bidirectional communication. In other words, the BTI / F 22 may not be able to communicate the Scan_Req signal and the Scan_Res signal. Generally speaking, the "trigger signal transmitter" may be realized by the CPU in the control unit of the "first communication device" controlling the "second interface," as in the first embodiment, or may be realized without the CPU in the control unit of the "first communication device" controlling the "second interface." More generally, the "first communications device" may have two or more processors (e.g., CPU 32 in the control unit 30 of the printer PR and a CPU in BTI / F 22) and two or more memories (e.g., memory 34 in the control unit 30 and a memory in BTI / F 22), and each processor may execute processing according to a respective program stored in each memory.

[0128] (Variation 5) In S80 of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, the printer PR may send an Advertise signal that does not include a password. Also, in S92 of FIG. 3 in the second and third embodiments, the printer PR may send a Scan_Res signal that does not include a password. In this case, a password entry screen is displayed on the portable terminal that receives the Advertise signal or Scan_Res signal, and the password is entered into the portable terminal by the user. In this variation, only the SSID is an example of "network-related information."

[0129] (Variation 6) In each embodiment, the BTI / F 22 may be maintained in the ON state while the power of the printer PR is ON. The printer PR may then repeatedly transmit an Advertise signal while the power of the printer PR is ON. In this variation, the "change unit" can be omitted.

[0130] (Variation 7) In each embodiment, the password of the printer PR is fixed information, but the SSID of the printer PR changes each time the Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR and the portable terminal is disconnected. Alternatively, both the SSID and password of the printer PR may be fixed information. In S80 of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, the printer PR may transmit an Advertise signal that does not include an SSID or password. In S92 of FIG. 3 in the second and third embodiments, the printer PR may transmit a Scan_Res signal that does not include an SSID or password. In this case, when a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR is established in S114 of FIG. 4, the portable terminal PT1 stores both the SSID and password of the printer PR. Then, in S150 of FIG. 4, the portable terminal PT1 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR using the stored SSID and password. In other words, the "first communication device" does not need to transmit network-related information to the outside.

[0131] 3 in the second and third embodiments, the printer PR may establish a BT logical link (i.e., a BT connection) with the portable terminal and transmit the SSID and password to the portable terminal using the BT connection. That is, the "network-related information" may be transmitted to the outside without using a wireless connection according to the second communication method, as in the second and third embodiments, or may be transmitted to the outside using a wireless connection according to the second communication method, as in this modification.

[0132] (Variation 9) The printer PR does not have to support WFD, and instead may support what is called SoftAP. In this case, the printer PR starts SoftAP in S4 of Fig. 2 and S11 or S42 of Fig. 7, and stops SoftAP in S34A and S56A of Fig. 7.

[0133] (Modification 10) The "first (or second or third) device identification information" does not have to be a BT device name, and may be other identification information (for example, a MAC address, an IP address, etc.).

[0134] (Variation 11) In the first embodiment, while the power of the printer PR is ON, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 is maintained in the ON state, and the operating state of the printer PR is maintained in the G / O state (S4 in FIG. 2). Alternatively, when the power of the printer PR is turned ON, the printer PR determines whether the transmission flag 38 indicates "ON," and if the transmission flag 38 indicates "ON," executes the process of S4, and if the transmission flag 38 indicates "OFF," does not execute the process of S4. In this variation, while the power of the printer PR is ON, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 can be set to the OFF state, and the operating state of the printer PR can be set to the device state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the printer PR.

[0135] (Variation 12) In each embodiment, the "first state" of the "second interface" is an OFF state in which no power is supplied to the BTI / F 22. Alternatively, the "first state" may be a power-saving state in which a small amount of power is supplied to the BTI / F 22. In this case, the "first state" may be a state in which wireless communication via the BTI / F 22 is executable, or a state in which wireless communication via the BTI / F 22 is not executable. However, in the former case, for example, the "first state" may be a state in which the communication speed is slower than the "second state." Then, in S74 of FIG. 3, the state of the BTI / F 22 may be changed from the power-saving state to an ON state in which power consumption is higher than in the power-saving state. Similarly, the Wi-Fi I / F 20 may be set to a power-saving state in which a small amount of power is supplied, instead of the OFF state.

[0136] (Variation 13) The "first interface" does not have to be an I / F for executing Wi-Fi communication, but may be an I / F for executing wireless communication according to another communication method capable of establishing a wireless LAN. Also, the "second interface" does not have to be an I / F for executing BT communication, but may be, for example, an I / F for executing wireless communication according to another communication method capable of executing short-range wireless communication (for example, the TransferJet (registered trademark) method).

[0137] (Variation 14) The "first communication device" does not have to be the printer PR, but may be, for example, a scanner. In this case, for example, in S30 or S50 of FIGS. 2 and 7, the scanner may transmit scan data generated by scanning an original to the portable terminal PT1 instead of receiving print data from the portable terminal PT1. Furthermore, the "first communication device" may be a device other than a printer and a scanner (for example, a copier, facsimile, telephone, PC, server, portable terminal, etc.). Furthermore, the "second communication device" does not have to be a portable terminal, but may be another device (for example, a printer, scanner, copier, facsimile, telephone, desktop PC, server, etc.).

[0138] (Variation 15) In each embodiment, the CPU 32 of the printer PR and the CPU 72 of the portable terminal PT1 execute a program (i.e., software) to realize the processes in Figures 2 to 11. Alternatively, at least one of the processes in Figures 2 to 11 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0139] Furthermore, 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 simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. The features of the technology described in this specification are listed below. (Item 1) a first communication device, a first interface for performing wireless communication according to a first communication method; a second interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication method different from the first communication method; a trigger signal transmitting unit that repeatedly broadcasts a trigger signal via the second interface, the trigger signal being a signal to be used by the second communication device as a trigger for transmitting a wireless connection request to the first communication device for forming a first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong, the first wireless network being a network for performing wireless communication via the first interface; a connection request receiving unit that receives the wireless connection request from the second communication device that has received the trigger signal, via the first interface; a first establishing unit that, in response to receiving the wireless connection request from the second communication device, establishes a first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first interface, thereby forming the first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong; A first communication device comprising: (Item 2) the trigger signal transmitter repeatedly broadcasts, via the second interface, the trigger signal including first device identification information stored in a memory of the first communication device, the first device identification information being for identifying the first communication device; The connection request receiving unit receiving the wireless connection request from the second communication device when the first device identification information included in the trigger signal is stored in the second communication device; Item 1. A first communication device according to item 1, which does not receive the wireless connection request from the second communication device if the first device identification information included in the trigger signal is not stored in the second communication device. (Item 3) The first communication device further comprises: a second establishing unit that establishes a second wireless connection with a third communication device via the first interface before establishing the first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first interface, thereby forming a second wireless network to which both the first communication device and the third communication device belong; a device identification information transmission unit that transmits the first device identification information in the memory to the third communication device via the first interface by using the second wireless network, The first communication device described in item 2, wherein the connection request receiving unit receives the wireless connection request from the second communication device when the first device identification information included in the trigger signal is stored in the second communication device due to a match between the second communication device and the third communication device. (Item 4) The first communication device further comprises: A first communication device according to item 3, further comprising a change unit that changes the state of the second interface from a first state to a second state that consumes more power than the first state after the first device identification information is transmitted to the third communication device. (Item 5) the trigger signal includes network-related information relating to the first wireless network; 5. The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first establishment unit uses the network relationship information to establish the first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first interface. (Item 6) The first communication device further comprises: a request signal receiving unit that receives a predetermined request signal via the second interface from the second communication device that has received the trigger signal; a response signal transmitter that transmits a response signal to the second communication device via the second interface in response to receiving the predetermined request signal from the second communication device, the response signal including network related information related to the first wireless network; the connection request receiving unit receives the wireless connection request via the first interface from the second communication device that has received the response signal; 5. The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first establishment unit uses the network relationship information to establish the first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first interface. (Item 7) The first communication device further comprises: a request signal receiving unit that receives, via the second interface, from the second communication device that has received the trigger signal, a predetermined request signal including second device identification information for identifying the second communication device; a determination unit that determines whether the second device identification information included in the predetermined request signal is stored in a memory of the first communication device; a response signal transmitting unit that transmits a response signal to the second communication device via the second interface in response to the predetermined request signal when it is determined that the second device identification information is stored in the memory, and does not transmit the response signal to the second communication device in response to the predetermined request signal when it is determined that the second device identification information is not stored in the memory, the response signal including network related information related to the first wireless network; the connection request receiving unit receives the wireless connection request via the first interface from the second communication device that has received the response signal; The first communication device described in item 1, wherein the first establishment unit uses the network relationship information to establish the first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first interface. (Item 8) The first communication device further comprises: a second establishing unit that establishes a second wireless connection with a third communication device via the first interface before establishing the first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first interface, thereby forming a second wireless network to which both the first communication device and the third communication device belong; a device identification information receiving unit that receives third device identification information for identifying the third communication device from the third communication device via the first interface by using the second wireless network; a storage control unit that stores the third device identification information in the memory in response to receiving the third device identification information from the third communication device, The determination unit If the second communication device and the third communication device match, it is determined that the second device identification information that matches the third device identification information is stored in the memory; 8. The first communication device according to item 7, wherein if the second communication device and the third communication device do not match, it determines that the second device identification information is not stored in the memory. (Item 9) The first communication device further comprises: Item 9. A first communication device according to item 8, further comprising a change unit that changes the state of the second interface from a first state to a second state that consumes more power than the first state after the third device identification information is stored in the memory. (Item 10) 10. The first communication device according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the trigger signal transmission unit does not perform communication at a highest layer for establishing a logical link of the second communication method, but instead performs communication at a lower layer that is lower than the highest layer, and repeatedly broadcasts the trigger signal via the second interface. (Item 11) a computer program for a second communication device, the computer program comprising: The second communication device a first interface for performing wireless communication according to a first communication method; a second interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication method different from the first communication method; a processor, The computer program causes the processor to perform the following processes: a trigger signal reception process for receiving a trigger signal from a first communication device via the second interface when the trigger signal is repeatedly broadcast from the first communication device, the trigger signal being a signal to be used by the second communication device as a trigger for transmitting to the first communication device a wireless connection request for forming a first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong, the first wireless network being a network for performing wireless communication via the first interface; a connection request transmission process of transmitting the wireless connection request to the first communication device via the first interface in response to receiving the trigger signal from the first communication device; a first establishment process for establishing a first wireless connection with the first communication device via the first interface in response to transmitting the wireless connection request to the first communication device, and forming the first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong; A computer program that executes (Item 12) the trigger signal includes first device identification information for identifying the first communication device; The computer program further causes the processor to perform the following processes: executes a determination process to determine whether the first device identification information included in the trigger signal is stored in a memory of the second communication device; In the connection request transmission process, transmitting the wireless connection request to the first communication device via the first interface when it is determined that the first device identification information is stored in the memory; Item 12. The computer program of item 11, wherein the wireless connection request is not sent to the first communication device via the first interface if it is determined that the first device identification information is not stored in the memory. (Item 13) The computer program further causes the processor to perform the following processes: a request signal transmission process of transmitting a predetermined request signal to the first communication device via the second interface when it is determined that the first device identification information is stored in the memory, and not transmitting the predetermined request signal to the first communication device when it is determined that the first device identification information is not stored in the memory; a response signal reception process for receiving a response signal in response to the predetermined request signal from the first communication device via the second interface, the response signal including network related information relating to the first wireless network; in the connection request transmission process, when it is determined that the first device identification information is stored in the memory, transmitting the predetermined request signal to the first communication device, and in response to receiving the response signal from the first communication device, transmitting the wireless connection request to the first communication device via the first interface; Item 13. The computer program of item 12, wherein the first establishment process uses the network relationship information to establish the first wireless connection with the first communication device via the first interface. (Item 14) The computer program further causes the processor to perform the following processes: a second establishment process of establishing a second wireless connection with a third communication device via the first interface before establishing the first wireless connection with the first communication device via the first interface, thereby forming a second wireless network to which both the second communication device and the third communication device belong; executing a device identification information receiving process of receiving third device identification information for identifying the third communication device from the third communication device via the first interface by using the second wireless network; In the determination process, If the first communication device and the third communication device match, it is determined that the first device identification information that matches the third device identification information is stored in the memory; Item 14. The computer program according to item 12 or 13, wherein if the first communication device and the third communication device do not match, it is determined that the first device identification information is not stored in the memory. (Item 15) the trigger signal includes network-related information relating to the first wireless network; Item 13. The computer program according to item 11 or 12, wherein the first establishment process uses the network relationship information to establish the first wireless connection with the first communication device via the first interface. (Item 16) The computer program further causes the processor to perform the following processes: a request signal transmission process of transmitting a predetermined request signal to the first communication device via the second interface in response to receiving the trigger signal; a response signal reception process for receiving a response signal in response to the predetermined request signal from the first communication device via the second interface, the response signal including network related information relating to the first wireless network; In the connection request transmission process, in response to receiving the response signal, the wireless connection request is transmitted to the first communication device via the first interface; Item 13. The computer program according to item 11 or 12, wherein the first establishment process uses the network relationship information to establish the first wireless connection with the first communication device via the first interface. (Item 17) a second communication device, a first interface for performing wireless communication according to a first communication method; a second interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication method different from the first communication method; a trigger signal receiving unit that receives a trigger signal from a first communication device via the second interface when the trigger signal is repeatedly broadcast from the first communication device, the trigger signal being a signal to be used by the second communication device as a trigger for transmitting to the first communication device a wireless connection request for forming a first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong, the first wireless network being a network for performing wireless communication via the first interface; a connection request transmitting unit that transmits the wireless connection request to the first communication device via the first interface in response to receiving the trigger signal from the first communication device; a first establishing unit that, in response to transmitting the wireless connection request to the first communication device, establishes a first wireless connection with the first communication device via the first interface, thereby forming the first wireless network to which both the first communication device and the second communication device belong; A second communication device comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 2: Communication system, PR: Printer, 12: Operation unit, 14: Display unit, 16: Print execution unit, 20: Wi-Fi I / F (interface), 22: BTI / F, 26: Memory, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 36: Program, 38: Transmission flag, 40: BT device name storage area, PT1, PT2: Mobile terminal, 52: Operation unit, 54: Display unit, 60: Wi-Fi I / F, 62: BTI / F, 70: Control unit, 72: CPU, 74: Memory, 76: OS program, 78: Printer application, 80: BT device name storage area

Claims

1. 1. A printer comprising: a print execution unit; a Wi-Fi interface for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a Bluetooth interface for performing wireless communication according to the Bluetooth standard; a predetermined signal receiving unit that receives a predetermined signal conforming to the Bluetooth standard from a terminal device via the Bluetooth interface; a link establishing unit that, in response to receiving the predetermined signal from the terminal device, establishes a link via the Bluetooth interface with the terminal device that transmitted the predetermined signal; a connection information transmitting unit that transmits connection information used to establish a wireless connection according to the Wi-Fi standard to the terminal device using the established link; a connection request receiving unit that receives a Wi-Fi connection request using the connection information from the terminal device that has received the connection information, via the Wi-Fi interface; a connection establishment unit that, in response to receiving the Wi-Fi connection request from the terminal device, establishes a Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface with a sender of the Wi-Fi connection request; an image data receiving unit that receives image data using the established Wi-Fi connection; a print control unit that causes the print execution unit to execute printing according to the received image data; Equipped with the connection information transmission unit transmits first connection information via the link; the connection establishment unit, in response to receiving a first Wi-Fi connection request using the first connection information, establishes a first Wi-Fi connection with a sender of the first Wi-Fi connection request; the link establishment unit establishes a new link with the terminal device via the Bluetooth interface after the first Wi-Fi connection is disconnected and the Wi-Fi interface stops operating as a master station; when the new link is established, the connection information transmission unit transmits second connection information different from the first connection information using the new link; the connection establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection with a sender of the second Wi-Fi connection request in response to the connection request receiving unit receiving the second Wi-Fi connection request using the second connection information; Printer.

2. the connection information is information for identifying a network conforming to the Wi-Fi standard in which the printer operates as a master station; The printer according to claim 1, wherein the disconnection of the first Wi-Fi connection is performed in accordance with a disconnection signal sent from the sender of the first Wi-Fi connection request in response to completion of communication using the first Wi-Fi connection.

3. The connection information includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier), The printer according to claim 2, wherein the communication using the first Wi-Fi connection is reception of print data including an instruction to print according to the image data.

4. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined signal includes printer identification information for identifying the printer.

5. the predetermined signal includes terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device, the link establishment unit establishes the link with the terminal device when the same information as the terminal identification information included in the predetermined signal is stored in a memory of the printer; 5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the link is not established if the same information as the terminal identification information included in the predetermined signal is not stored in the memory.

6. A computer program for a printer, comprising: The printer a print execution unit; a Wi-Fi interface for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a Bluetooth interface for performing wireless communication according to the Bluetooth standard; A computer, Equipped with The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a predetermined signal receiving unit that receives a predetermined signal conforming to the Bluetooth standard from a terminal device via the Bluetooth interface; a link establishing unit that, in response to receiving the predetermined signal from the terminal device, establishes a link via the Bluetooth interface with the terminal device that transmitted the predetermined signal; a connection information transmitting unit that transmits connection information used to establish a wireless connection according to the Wi-Fi standard to the terminal device using the established link; a connection request receiving unit that receives a Wi-Fi connection request using the connection information from the terminal device that has received the connection information, via the Wi-Fi interface; a connection establishment unit that, in response to receiving the Wi-Fi connection request from the terminal device, establishes a Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface with a sender of the Wi-Fi connection request; an image data receiving unit that receives image data using the established Wi-Fi connection; a print control unit that causes the print execution unit to execute printing according to the received image data; It functions as the connection information transmission unit transmits first connection information via the link; the connection establishment unit, in response to receiving a first Wi-Fi connection request using the first connection information, establishes a first Wi-Fi connection with a sender of the first Wi-Fi connection request; the link establishment unit establishes a new link with the terminal device via the Bluetooth interface after the first Wi-Fi connection is disconnected and the Wi-Fi interface stops operating as a master station; when the new link is established, the connection information transmission unit transmits second connection information different from the first connection information using the new link; the connection establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection with a sender of the second Wi-Fi connection request in response to the connection request receiving unit receiving the second Wi-Fi connection request using the second connection information; Computer program.

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