Communication device, computer program for communication device, and application program for terminal device

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus repeatedly transmits, via a first wireless interface for executing wireless communication based on Bluetooth standard, a first advertising signal including identification information identifying the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus causes, when a specific signal received from a first external device includes identification information, an output unit to output a specific image obtained with a public key of the communication apparatus. When the specific signal does not include the identification information, the specific image is not output. After the specific image is output, when receiving an authentication request with the public key from the first external device via a second wireless interface for executing wireless communication based on Wi-Fi standard, the communication apparatus establishes a wireless connection between the communication apparatus and a second external device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique for establishing a wireless connection between a communication device and another device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between a printer and an AP (abbreviation for Access Point) using a terminal in accordance with the DPP (abbreviation for Device Provisioning Protocol) method. When the printer receives an Advertise signal from the terminal, it displays a QR code obtained by encoding a public key. The terminal obtains the public key by reading the QR code. The terminal then uses the public key to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer and the AP. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-57713 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Device Provisioning Protocol Specification Version 1.1.13” Wi-Fi Alliance, 2019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] This specification provides techniques for improving convenience for users of communication devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication device disclosed in this specification includes a first wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to the Bluetooth standard, a second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard, an output unit, a first advertising signal transmission unit for repeatedly transmitting a first advertising signal including identification information for identifying the communication device via the first wireless interface, a specific signal reception unit for receiving a specific signal from a first external device via the first wireless interface or the second wireless interface, and an output control unit for causing the output unit to output a specific image obtained using a public key of the communication device when the specific signal includes the identification information, and for not outputting the specific image when the specific signal does not include the identification information. an authentication request receiving unit that receives an authentication request using the public key from the first external device via the second wireless interface after the specific image is output; an authentication response sending unit that sends an authentication response to the first external device via the second wireless interface when the authentication request is received from the first external device; a connection information receiving unit that receives connection information from the first external device via the second wireless interface when the authentication response is sent to the first external device; and an establishment unit that establishes a wireless connection between the communication device and the second external device via the second wireless interface using the connection information when the connection information is received from the first external device.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the communication device transmits a first advertising signal including identification information, and if the received specific signal includes the identification information, outputs a specific image obtained using the public key. On the other hand, if the received specific signal does not include the identification information, i.e., if the specific signal was not sent to the communication device, the communication device does not output the specific image. This improves convenience for users of the communication device.

[0008] This specification also discloses an application program for a terminal device, which may include a first wireless interface for performing wireless communication in accordance with the Bluetooth standard, a second wireless interface for performing wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, a camera, a memory for storing an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program, and a computer. The application program may cause the computer to function as the following units: a first advertising signal receiving unit that receives a first advertising signal including first identification information that identifies the first communication device from a first communication device via the first wireless interface; a specific signal transmitting unit that, when the first advertising signal is received from the first communication device, transmits a specific signal including the first identification information to the first communication device via the first wireless interface or the second wireless interface; a public key acquisition unit that, in response to the specific signal being transmitted to the first communication device, outputs a specific image obtained using a public key of the first communication device by the first communication device and, when the specific image is captured by the camera, acquires the public key; and a supply unit that supplies predetermined instructions including the public key to the OS program. The OS program may transmit an authentication request using the public key to the first communication device via the second wireless interface when the predetermined instruction is obtained from the application program, receive an authentication response from the first communication device via the second wireless interface when the authentication request is transmitted to the first communication device, and transmit connection information to the first communication device via the second wireless interface when the authentication response is received from the first communication device. The connection information may be information for establishing a wireless connection between the first communication device and another device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the terminal device receives a first advertising signal including first identification information from a first communication device and transmits a specific signal including the first identification information to the first communication device. Because the specific signal includes the first identification information, a specific image is output by the first communication device. Even if the specific signal is received by a second communication device different from the first communication device, because the specific signal does not include identification information of the second communication device, the specific image is not output by the second communication device. This improves convenience for the user of the second communication device.

[0010] A computer program for realizing the above-described communication device and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. A method implemented by the above-described communication device is also novel and useful. A computer-readable storage medium storing the above-described application program, a terminal device implemented by the application program, and a method executed by the terminal device are also novel and useful. Furthermore, a communication system including the above-described communication device and other devices (e.g., a first external device, a second external device, etc.) is also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] A sequence diagram of the processing executed by each device is shown. [Figure 3] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 2. [Figure 4] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 3. [Figure 5] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 4. [Figure 6] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Example) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a plurality of mobile terminals 10 and 20, a plurality of printers 100 and 200, and a plurality of APs (abbreviation of Access Points) 41 and 42. The technology of this embodiment is a technology that uses a mobile terminal (e.g., 10) to establish a wireless connection (hereinafter referred to as a "Wi-Fi connection") in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard between a printer (e.g., 100) and an AP (e.g., 41). Below, the mobile terminal will be simply referred to as a "terminal."

[0013] The terminal 10, AP 41, and printer 100 are located within a first area A1. The terminal 10 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 41. The terminal 20, AP 42, and printer 200 are located within a second area A2. The terminal 20 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 42. The first area A1 is an area managed by a first administrator, and the second area A2 is an area managed by a second administrator different from the first administrator. For example, the first area A1 is a room of a certain household in an apartment building, and the second area A2 is a room of another household in the same apartment building (e.g., the room next door). The distance between the terminal 10 and the printer 100 is shorter than the distance between the terminal 10 and the printer 200, and the distance between the terminal 20 and the printer 200 is shorter than the distance between the terminal 20 and the printer 100.

[0014] (Printer 100, 200 configuration) Printer 100 is a peripheral device (e.g., a peripheral device of terminal 10) capable of performing a printing function. In a variant, printer 100 may be a multi-function device capable of performing a scanning function, a fax function, etc. in addition to a printing function. The model name of printer 100 is "M1", and the serial number of printer 100 is "SN1".

[0015] The printer 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a Wi-Fi interface 116, a BT (short for Bluetooth (registered trademark)) interface 117, a print execution unit 118, and a control unit 130. Each unit 112 to 130 is connected to a bus line (reference numeral omitted). Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0016] The operation unit 112 has a plurality of keys. By operating the operation unit 112, the user can input various instructions to the printer 100. The display unit 114 is a display that displays various information. The display unit 114 also functions as a so-called touch panel (i.e., an operation unit that accepts user operations). The print execution unit 118 has a printing mechanism such as an inkjet system or a laser system.

[0017] The Wi-Fi I / F 116 is a wireless I / F for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi standard is a wireless communication standard for performing wireless communication in accordance with, for example, the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and its equivalent standards (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, etc.). In particular, the Wi-Fi I / F 116 supports the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) method established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Details of the DPP method are described in the specification "Device Provisioning Protocol Specification Version 1.1.13" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

[0018] The BTI / F 117 is an I / F for performing wireless communication in accordance with the BT standard. The BT standard is a wireless communication method based on, for example, the IEEE 802.15.1 standard and standards equivalent thereto. The BTI / F 117 is an I / F defined in version 5 and later of the BT standard. Version 5 and later of the BT standard adopts extended advertising signals (so-called Advertising Extensions). The size of data that can be included in extended advertising signals is larger than the size of data that can be included in normal advertising signals. For this reason, the BTI / F 117 can use extended advertising signals to transmit relatively large amounts of data (for example, model name "M1," serial number "SN1," SSID (described later), etc.). Hereinafter, advertising signals are referred to as "AD signals."

[0019] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The CPU 132 executes various processes in accordance with a program 136 stored in the memory 134. The memory 134 is configured by a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or the like.

[0020] The hardware configuration (not shown) of printer 200 is the same as that of printer 100. That is, printer 200 has a BTI / F defined in version 5 or later of the BT standard and a Wi-Fi I / F that supports the DPP method. The model name of printer 200 is "M2," and the serial number of printer 100 is "SN2."

[0021] (Configuration of terminals 10 and 20) The terminal 10 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a PDA, or a tablet PC. In a modified example, the terminal 10 may be a desktop PC, a notebook PC, or the like. The terminal 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a Wi-Fi I / F 16, a BTI / F 17, a camera 18, and a control unit 30. The units 12 to 30 are connected to a bus line (reference numerals omitted).

[0022] The operation unit 12 has a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the terminal 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display that displays various information. The display unit 14 also functions as a so-called touch panel (i.e., an operation unit that accepts user operations). The camera 18 is a device for photographing an object. In this embodiment, the camera 18 is used to photograph a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the printer 100.

[0023] The Wi-Fi I / F 16 is the same as the Wi-Fi I / F 116 of the printer 100. That is, the Wi-Fi I / F 16 supports the DPP method. The BTI / F 17 is the same as the BTI / F 117 of the printer 100. That is, the BTI / F 17 is an I / F defined in version 5 or later of the BT standard.

[0024] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes in accordance with programs 36 and 38 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is configured by a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or the like.

[0025] The OS (short for Operating System) program 36 is a program for realizing basic operations of the terminal 10. The application 38 is a program for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the terminal 10 and the AP 41, and for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between a printer (e.g., 100) and the AP 41. Hereinafter, the OS program and application will be referred to as "OS" and "app," respectively. The app 38 can establish a Wi-Fi connection between the terminal 10 and the AP 41, or between a printer (e.g., 100) and the AP 41, by causing the OS 36 to execute processing in accordance with the DPP method. The app 38 is installed on the terminal 10 from, for example, a server (not shown) on the Internet provided by the vendor of the printer 100 or 200 or a server (not shown) on the Internet provided by the OS vendor.

[0026] The hardware configuration (not shown) of the terminal 20 is the same as that of the terminal 10. That is, the terminal 20 includes a camera, a BTI / F defined in version 5 or later of the BT standard, and a Wi-Fi I / F that supports the DPP method. An application 38 is also installed on the terminal 20.

[0027] (AP41 configuration) The AP 41 is a typical access point known as a wireless access point or wireless LAN router. The AP 41 supports both the DPP method and the typical Wi-Fi method. The AP 41 relays communications between a pair of devices that belong to a Wi-Fi network in which the AP 41 acts as a master station.

[0028] The AP 41 stores an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​"AS1" and a PW "P1." The SSID "AS1" is information that identifies the Wi-Fi network formed by the AP 41. The PW "P1" is authentication information for joining the Wi-Fi network.

[0029] The hardware configuration (not shown) of the AP 42 is the same as that of the AP 41. The AP 42 stores the SSID "AS2" and PW "P2".

[0030] (Process for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the printer 100 and the AP 41: Figure 2) Specific processes executed by the devices 10, 20, 100, and 200 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. In the following, for ease of understanding, operations executed by the CPU of each device (e.g., CPU 32, etc.) will be described with reference to each device (e.g., terminal 10) rather than with reference to the CPU. Furthermore, among operations executed by the terminal 10, operations executed by the OS 36 and operations executed by the application 38 will be described with reference to the "OS 36" and the "application 38," respectively. In Figures 2 to 6, communication between the devices 10, etc., according to the BT standard and communication according to the Wi-Fi standard are indicated by solid lines and dashed lines, respectively.

[0031] First, referring to Fig. 2, a process for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the printer 100 and the AP 41 using the terminal 10 will be described. In the initial state of Fig. 2, the terminal 10 has established a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 41, and the terminal 20 has established a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 42.

[0032] At T2, the printer 100 is powered on by the user. In this case, the printer 100 (i.e., the CPU 132) instructs the BTI / F 117 to transmit an AD signal. As a result, the BTI / F 117 repeatedly transmits the AD signal at T4. In this way, the printer 100 starts transmitting the AD signal without receiving an instruction to transmit the AD signal from the user. This improves user convenience.

[0033] The AD signal includes a model name "M1," a serial number "SN1," and an SSID "SI1." The SSID "SI1" is information generated by the printer 100 at time T2, and includes, for example, the MAC address of the Wi-Fi I / F 116 of the printer 100 and the time at time T2. Since the SSID "SI1" includes the MAC address, it is information unique to the printer 100; in other words, it can be said to be information that identifies the printer 100. Note that, in a modified example, the SSID "SI1" may include another specific character string that can uniquely identify the printer 100, instead of the MAC address. Furthermore, the SSID "SI1" does not have to be generated by the printer 100 at time T2, and may be information that is pre-stored in the memory 134.

[0034] Next, at T6, a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) has elapsed since the start of AD signal transmission at T4. In this case, the printer 100 generates an SSID "SI1a" that is different from the SSID "SI1" and instructs the BTI / F 117 to transmit an AD signal including the SSID "SI1a." As a result, at T8, the BTI / F 117 begins transmitting an AD signal including the SSID "SI1a" instead of the SSID "SI1." In this way, the printer 100 does not use the same identification information for a long period of time, thereby improving the security of the printer 100.

[0035] At T12, the user turns on the power of the printer 200. In this case, the printer 200 instructs its BTI / F (not shown) to send an AD signal. As a result, at T14, the BTI / F starts sending an AD signal that includes the model name "M2", the serial number "SN2", and the SSID "SI2".

[0036] At T20, the user of the terminal 10 executes an operation to start up the application 38 of the terminal 10, and at T22, the user executes a Wi-Fi connection operation on a screen displayed by the application 38. The Wi-Fi connection operation is an operation for further connecting a printer (e.g., 100) to the AP 41 with which the terminal 10 has established a Wi-Fi connection. In this case, the application 38 supplies a reception instruction to the OS 36 to instruct it to receive an AD signal.

[0037] Similarly, at T30, an operation to start an app on the terminal 20 is performed by the user of the terminal 20, and at T32, a Wi-Fi connection operation is performed by the user. In this case, the app on the terminal 20 supplies a reception instruction to the OS of the terminal 20 to instruct reception of an AD signal.

[0038] When the OS 36 receives the reception instruction from the application 38, it activates the BTI / F 17. As a result, the application 38 receives the AD signal from the printer 100 via the BTI / F 17 at T40, and receives the AD signal from the printer 200 via the BTI / F 17 at T42.

[0039] Similarly, the application of the terminal 20 receives an AD signal from the printer 100 at T44, and receives an AD signal from the printer 200 at T46.

[0040] (Continuation of Figure 2: Figure 3) When the application 38 receives an AD signal from each printer 100, 200 (T40 and T42 in FIG. 2), it displays a connection selection screen SD1 on the display unit 14 at T50 in FIG. 3. The connection selection screen SD1 includes the model name "M1" and serial number "SN1" contained in the AD signal received from printer 100, and the model name "M2" and serial number "SN2" of printer 200 contained in the AD signal received from printer 200. This allows the user of the terminal 10 to recognize that multiple printers 100, 200 exist in the vicinity of the terminal 10. Furthermore, because not only the model names "M1" and "M2" but also the serial numbers "SN1" and "SN2" are displayed, the user can appropriately select the printer to connect to, even if the printers 100, 200 have the same model name.

[0041] In T50, before displaying the connection selection screen SD1 on the display unit 14, the application 38 compares the received radio wave strength of the AD signal received from the printer 100 with the received radio wave strength of the AD signal received from the printer 200. As described above, in this embodiment, the distance between the terminal 10 and the printer 100 is shorter than the distance between the terminal 10 and the printer 200. Therefore, the received radio wave strength of the former is higher than the received radio wave strength of the latter. In this case, the application 38 displays the model name "M1" and serial number "SN1" contained in the AD signal with high received radio wave strength in a selectable manner, and displays the model name "M2" and serial number "SN2" contained in the AD signal with low received radio wave strength in an unselectable manner. The unselectable manner is what is known as graying out. In this way, the application 38 prioritizes the display unit 14 to display information about the printer 100 that sent the AD signal with high received radio wave strength over information about the printer 200 that sent the AD signal with low received radio wave strength. Therefore, the user of the terminal 10 can appropriately select the printer 100 located closest to the terminal 10 as the printer to be connected.

[0042] In T60, the user selects the model name "M1" and serial number "SN1" on the connection selection screen SD1. In this case, the application 38 identifies the SSID "SI1a" contained in the AD signal received from the printer 100 and instructs the OS 36 to send a Probe request including the identified SSID "SI1a." As a result, in T62 and T70, the OS 36 broadcasts the Probe request including the SSID "SI1a" via the Wi-Fi I / F 16.

[0043] In T62, the printer 200 receives a Probe request from the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F of the printer 200. In T64, the printer 200 authenticates the SSID "SI1a" included in the Probe request. Specifically, the printer 200 determines whether the SSID "SI1a" matches its own SSID "SI2." In this case, the printer 200 determines that the two SSIDs do not match (i.e., determines that authentication has failed), does not transition from the available state to the unavailable state (i.e., maintains the unavailable state), and does not display a QR code. The available state and unavailable state will be explained later.

[0044] In T70, the printer 100 receives a Probe request from the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F 116, and in T72, authenticates the SSID "SI1a" included in the Probe request. In this case, the printer 100 determines that the SSID "SI1a" matches its own SSID "SI1a" (i.e., determines that authentication was successful), and in T74, transitions from the unavailable state to the available state.

[0045] The impossible state is a state in which the Wi-Fi I / F does not send a DPP Authentication Response even when it receives a DPP Authentication (hereinafter referred to as "Auth") Request. In other words, the impossible state is a state in which an Auth Response, which is a response to an Auth Request, is not sent. Hereinafter, Request and Response will be referred to as "Req" and "Res," respectively. The possible state is a state in which the Wi-Fi I / F sends an Auth Res in response to receiving an Auth Req. In other words, by transitioning from the impossible state to the possible state, the printer 100 becomes capable of performing authentication according to the DPP method. In this way, if authentication is successful in T72, the printer 100 transitions to the possible state without receiving instructions from the user. This improves user convenience.

[0046] Next, in T76, the printer 100 displays a QR code Q1 on the display unit 114. The QR code Q1 is a code image obtained by encoding the public key PPK1 of the printer 100, the MAC address of the Wi-Fi I / F 116, and the like, which are pre-stored in the memory 134. The public key PPK1 is information used to send an Auth Req. The QR code Q1 may be generated by the printer 100 when the process of T76 is executed, or may be pre-stored in the memory 134 at the time of shipping the printer 100.

[0047] In T80, the OS 36 of the terminal 10 starts the camera 18 in response to receiving an operation to start the camera 18 from the user. Next, in T82, the OS 36 uses the camera 18 to capture an image of the QR code Q1 (see T76) displayed on the printer 100. In this case, in T84, the application 38 decodes the captured QR code Q1 and acquires information such as the public key PPK1 and the MAC address.

[0048] At T90, the application 38 displays a confirmation screen CD1 on the display unit 14. The confirmation screen CD1 is a screen for inquiring of the user as to whether or not to execute connection processing to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer 100 and the AP 41. The confirmation screen CD1 includes a YES button indicating that the connection processing is to be executed, and a NO button indicating that the connection processing is not to be executed. At T92, the application 38 accepts selection of the YES button from the user. Note that, in a modified example, the application 38 may execute the subsequent processing without displaying the confirmation screen CD.

[0049] (Continuation of Figure 3: Figure 4) 3, in response to the user selecting the YES button on the confirmation screen CD1, the application 38 supplies a connection instruction including the public key PPK1 and the MAC address to the OS 36. In this case, the OS 36 first generates an Auth Req using the public key PPK1 (see T84 in FIG. 3) included in the connection instruction. Then, in T100, the OS 36 transmits the Auth Req to the printer 100 via the Wi-Fi I / F 16, with the MAC address included in the connection instruction as the destination. The Auth Req is a signal requesting the printer 100 to perform authentication.

[0050] When the printer 100 receives an Auth Req from the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F 116 in T100, the printer 100 authenticates the sender of the Auth Req (i.e., the terminal 10) in T102 using the public key PPK1 of the printer 100. If the authentication is successful in T102, the printer 100 transmits an Auth Res indicating successful authentication to the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F 116 in T104.

[0051] At T104, the OS 36 of the terminal 10 receives Auth Res from the printer 100. This completes the DPP authentication.

[0052] Next, at T110, the printer 100 transmits a DPP-based Configuration (hereinafter referred to as "Config") Req to the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F 1116. The Req is a signal requesting the terminal 10 to transmit a printer Config Object (hereinafter simply referred to as "CO"). The Object is connection information required for the printer 100 to establish a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 41, and includes a printer Signed-Connector, etc.

[0053] In T110, when the OS36 of the terminal 10 receives the Config Req from the printer 100, it generates a printer CO1. The printer CO1 includes the SSID "AS1" and PW "P1" of the AP 41. Next, in T112, the OS36 transmits a Config Res including the printer CO1 to the printer 100 via the Wi-Fi I / F 16.

[0054] In T112, the printer 100 receives the ConfigRes from the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F 116, and in T114 stores the printer CO1 included in the ConfigRes in the memory 134. This completes the DPP-based Config.

[0055] Next, in T120, the printer 100 executes DPP Network Access with the AP 41, thereby establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 41 via the Wi-Fi I / F 116. In Network Access, various communications are performed between the printer 100 and the AP 41, and in the course of these communications, the SSID "AS1" and PW "P1" contained in the printer CO1 stored in T114 are used. This ends the DPP Network Access.

[0056] When the printer 100 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 41 in T120, the AP 41 assigns the printer 100 an IP address "IA1." In this case, the printer 100 instructs the BTI / F 117 to send an AD signal including the IP address "IA1." In this case, the BTI / F 117 repeatedly sends the AD signal including the IP address "IA1" in T122. After a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed, the printer 100 stops sending the AD signal.

[0057] When the application 38 receives an AD signal from the printer 100 via the BTI / F 17 at T122, it transmits a confirmation signal to the IP address "IA1" included in the AD signal as the destination via the Wi-Fi I / F 16 at T130. The confirmation signal is, for example, a PING signal. This allows the application 38 to transmit the confirmation signal to the printer 100 via the AP 41 at T130 and T132.

[0058] When the printer 100 receives a confirmation signal from the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F 116 at T130 and T132, the printer 100 transmits a response signal to the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F 116 at T140 and T142.

[0059] When the application 38 receives a response signal from the printer 100 in T142, the application 38 displays the confirmation result on the display unit 14 in T144. The confirmation result includes a message indicating that communication with the printer 100 can be performed via the AP 41. This allows the user of the terminal 10 to know that a Wi-Fi connection has been established between the printer 100 and the AP 41 and that communication with the printer 100 can be performed.

[0060] (Continuation of Figure 4: Figure 5) Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a process for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the printer 200 and the AP 42 using the terminal 20 will be described.

[0061] When the application of the terminal 20 receives an AD signal from each of the printers 100, 200 (T40 and T42 in FIG. 2), at T150, it displays the connection selection screen SD2 on the display unit of the terminal 20. The processing at T150 is the same as the processing at T50 in FIG. 3. However, at T150, the application of the terminal 20 displays the model name "M2" and serial number "SN2" included in the AD signal having a high received radio wave strength in a selectable manner, and displays the model name "M1" and serial number "SN1" included in the AD signal having a low received radio wave strength in a non-selectable manner.

[0062] In T160, the user selects the model name "M2" and serial number "SN2" on the connection selection screen SD2. In this case, the application of the terminal 20 identifies the SSID "SI2" contained in the AD signal received from the printer 200, and instructs the OS of the terminal 20 to send a Probe request including the identified SSID "SI2." As a result, in T162 and T170, the OS of the terminal 20 broadcasts the Probe request including the SSID "SI2" via the Wi-Fi I / F of the terminal 20.

[0063] When the printer 200 receives a Probe request from the terminal 20 via the Wi-Fi I / F of the printer 200 at T162, it executes the processes of T164 to T168 and displays a QR code Q2 on the display unit of the printer 200. T164 to T168 are the same as T72 to T76 in Fig. 3 except that the Probe request includes the SSID "SI2" instead of the SSID "SI1a" and that the QR code Q2 is displayed instead of the QR code Q1. The QR code Q2 is a code image obtained by encoding the public key PPK2 of the printer 200, the MAC address of the Wi-Fi I / F of the printer 200, and the like, which are stored in advance in the memory of the printer 200.

[0064] When the printer 100 receives a Probe request from the terminal 20 via the Wi-Fi I116 in T170, it authenticates the SSID "SI2" included in the Probe request in T172 and determines whether the SSID "SI2" matches its own SSID "SI1a." In this case, the printer 100 determines that the two SSIDs do not match, does not transition from the available state to the unavailable state, and does not display the QR code Q1.

[0065] In T180, the OS of the terminal 20 starts up the camera of the terminal 20 in response to receiving a start-up operation of the camera of the terminal 20 from the user. The subsequent steps T182 to T192 are the same as the processing of T80 to T92 in Fig. 3, except that in T184, the public key PPK2 etc. of the printer 200 is acquired instead of the public key PPK1 etc. of the printer 100.

[0066] (Continuation of Figure 5: Figure 6) Thereafter, processes T200 to T214 are executed between the terminal 20 and the printer 200. T200 to T214 are the same as T100 to T114 in Fig. 4 except that the public key PPK2 of the printer 200 is used instead of the public key PPK1 of the printer 100, and the Config Res includes a printer CO2 instead of a printer CO1. The printer CO2 includes the SSID "AS2" and PW "P2" of the AP 42.

[0067] Next, in T220, the printer 200 executes DPP Network Access with the AP 42. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 200 and the AP 42.

[0068] In T220, the printer 200 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 42, and in T222, the printer 200 repeatedly transmits an AD signal including the IP address "IA2" assigned by the AP 42. The subsequent steps T230 to T244 are the same as T130 to T144 in FIG. 4, except that the AP 42 is used.

[0069] (Effects of this embodiment) The printers 100 and 200 are located in different areas A1 and A2, but receive probe requests from the terminals 10 and 20, respectively (T62 and T70 in FIG. 3, T162 and T170 in FIG. 5). For example, consider a comparative example in which the printer 100 located in the first area A1 displays the QR code Q1 in response to receiving the probe request T170 from the terminal 20 located in the second area A2. In this comparative example, the printer 100 displays the QR code Q1 even while the printer 100 is being operated by a user (i.e., a first administrator in the first area A1). That is, in this case, the QR code Q1 is displayed on the printer 100 located in the first area A1 in response to an action by a second administrator in the second area A2 (i.e., an administrator different from the first administrator). As a result, the first administrator may be confused and not know how to respond to the suddenly displayed QR code Q1. In this way, the comparative example reduces the convenience of the printer 100 for the user.

[0070] In this embodiment, the printer 100 transmits an AD signal including the SSID "SI1a" that identifies the printer 100 (T40 and T44 in FIG. 2). Then, the application 38 transmits a Probe request including the SSID "SI1a" of the printer 100 to the printer 100 (T70 in FIG. 3). For this reason, if the Probe request includes the SSID "SI1a," i.e., if the Probe request was sent to the printer 100, the printer 100 displays the QR code Q1 (T76). On the other hand, if the Probe request includes the SSID "SI2" (T170 in FIG. 5), i.e., if the Probe request was not sent to the printer 100, the printer 100 does not display the QR code Q1. For this reason, for example, it is possible to prevent the QR code Q1 from being displayed in response to a Probe request received from another area A2 while the printer 100 is being operated. That is, the QR code Q1 is not displayed on the printer 100 located in the first area A1, triggered by an action by the second administrator in the second area A2. As a result, convenience for the user of the printer 100 can be improved.

[0071] Furthermore, the printer 200 and the application of the terminal 20 operate in the same manner as the printer 100 and the application 38. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the QR code Q2 from being displayed in response to a Probe request received from another area A1 while the printer 200 is being operated. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user of the printer 200.

[0072] (Correspondence) The correspondence relationships regarding "communication devices" are as follows: The printer 100 is an example of a "communication device." The BTI / F 117 and Wi-Fi I / F 116 are examples of a "first wireless interface" and a "second wireless interface," respectively. The display unit 114 is an example of an "output unit." The SSIDs "SI1" and "SI1a" are examples of identification information. The terminal 10 and AP 41 are examples of a "first external device" and a "second external device," respectively. The QR code Q1 is an example of a "specific image."

[0073] The processes of T4 and T8 in FIG. 2 are examples of processes executed by a "first advertising signal transmitter." The processes of T70 in FIG. 3 and T170 in FIG. 5 are examples of processes executed by a "specific signal receiver." The process of T76 in FIG. 3 is an example of processes executed by an "output controller." The processes of T100 and T104 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by an "authentication request receiver" and an "authentication response transmitter," respectively. The processes of T112 and T120 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "connection information receiver" and an "establishment unit," respectively. The process of T74 in FIG. 3 is an example of processes executed by a "state transition unit." The process of T122 in FIG. 4 is an example of processes executed by a "second advertising signal transmitter."

[0074] The correspondence relationships regarding "terminal devices" are as follows: Terminal 10 is an example of a "terminal device." BTI / F 17 and Wi-Fi I / F 16 are examples of a "first wireless interface" and a "second wireless interface," respectively. Printer 100 and printer 200 are examples of a "first communication device" and a "second communication device," respectively. AP 41 is an example of an "other device." The connection instruction supplied from app 38 to OS 36 after T92 in FIG. 3 is an example of a "predetermined instruction." The connection selection screen SD1 is an example of a "selection screen."

[0075] The processing of T40 in FIG. 2, the processing of T122 in FIG. 4, and the processing of T42 in FIG. 2 are examples of processing executed by a "first advertising signal receiving unit," a "second advertising signal receiving unit," and a "third advertising signal receiving unit," respectively. The processing of T70 in FIG. 3 is an example of processing executed by a "specific signal transmitting unit." The processing of T84 in FIG. 3 is an example of processing executed by a "public key obtaining unit." The processing of T130 in FIG. 4 is an example of processing executed by a "confirmation signal transmitting unit." The processing of T50 in FIG. 3 is an example of processing executed by a "display control unit."

[0076] 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.

[0077] (Variation 1) At T76 in Fig. 3, instead of displaying the QR code Q1 on the display unit 114, the printer 100 may, for example, cause the print execution unit 118 to print the QR code Q1. In this variation, the print execution unit 118 is an example of an "output unit."

[0078] (Variation 2) In T120 of FIG. 4, the printer 100 may establish a Wi-Fi connection with the terminal 10 instead of establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 41. In this variation, the terminal 10 is an example of a "second external device" and an "other device."

[0079] (Variation 3) In T70 of FIG. 3 , instead of receiving a Probe request from the terminal 10 via the Wi-Fi I / F 116, the printer 100 may receive an AD signal including an SSID from each terminal 10, 20 via the BTI / F 117. In this case, when the printer 100 receives an AD signal including the SSID "SI1a" from the terminal 10, it displays the QR code Q1, and when the printer 100 receives an AD signal including the SSID "SI2" from the terminal 10, it does not display the QR code Q1. Generally speaking, the "specific signal receiving unit" may receive a specific signal from a first external device via the first wireless interface. Since the printer 100 of this variation needs to receive an AD signal from the terminal 10, it is required to function as a BT central. In contrast, the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment does not need to receive an AD signal from the terminal 10, so it only needs to function as a BT peripheral. Therefore, the configuration of the printer 100 can be simplified in the above-described embodiment.

[0080] (Variation 4) In T72 of FIG. 3, if authentication of the SSID "SI1a" is successful, the printer 100 does not need to transition from the unavailable state to the available state. For example, the printer 100 may transition from the unavailable state to the available state when it receives an instruction from the user to transition from the unavailable state to the available state. In this variation, the "state transition unit" can be omitted.

[0081] (Variation 5) The printer 100 may not start transmitting an AD signal when the power is turned on at T2 in FIG. 2. For example, the printer 100 may start transmitting an AD signal when it receives an instruction from a user to transmit an AD signal. Generally speaking, the "first advertising signal transmitter" may not start transmitting a first advertising signal when the power of the communication device is turned on.

[0082] (Variation 6) The printer 100 may continue transmitting an AD signal including the SSID "SI1" without changing the SSID, even after a predetermined time has elapsed at T6 in Figure 2. Generally speaking, the "first advertising signal transmitter" may not start transmitting an advertising signal including identification information different from the identification information when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of transmission of the first advertising signal.

[0083] (Variation 7) The AD signals transmitted at T4 and T8 in Fig. 2 include the SSID "SI1" etc., but may not include the model name "M1" and the serial number "SN1". For example, the AD signal may include only the model name "M1", or may include only the serial number "SN1", or may not include either the model name "M1" or the serial number "SN1".

[0084] (Variation 8) The processes of T122 to T144 in Fig. 4 do not have to be executed. In this variation, the "second advertising signal transmitter," "second advertising signal receiver," and "confirmation signal transmitter" can be omitted.

[0085] (Variation 9) The application 38 may display the model name "M1" and serial number "SN1" and the model name "M2" and serial number "SN2" in the same format without comparing the received radio wave strength of the AD signal at T50 in Fig. 3. In this variation, the "display control unit" can be omitted.

[0086] (Variation 10) In T50 of FIG. 3, the application 38 may display only the model name "M1" and serial number "SN1" contained in the AD signal having a high received radio wave strength on the connection selection screen SD1. This variation is also an example of "displaying with priority." "Displaying with priority" may be realized by the following variations (1) to (3). (1) Information contained in the AD signal having a high received radio wave strength is positioned above information contained in the AD signal having a low received radio wave strength. (2) Information contained in the AD signal having a high received radio wave strength is displayed in a larger size than information contained in the AD signal having a low received radio wave strength. (3) Information contained in the AD signal having a high received radio wave strength is displayed in a different color from information contained in the AD signal having a low received radio wave strength.

[0087] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 2: Communication system, 10, 20: Mobile terminal, 12, 112: Operation unit, 14, 114: Display unit, 16, 116: Wi-Fi I / F, 17, 117: BTI / F, 18: Camera, 30, 130: Control unit, 32, 132: CPU, 34, 134: Memory, 36: OS, 38: Application, 41, 42: AP, 100, 200: Printer, 118: Print execution unit, 136: Program, PPK1, PPK2: Public key, Q1, Q2: QR code, SD1, SD2: Connection selection screen

Claims

1. A communication device, a first wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to the Bluetooth standard; a second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; an output unit; a first advertising signal transmitter configured to repeatedly transmit, via the first wireless interface, a first advertising signal including identification information for identifying the communication device; a specific signal receiving unit that receives a specific signal from a first external device via the first wireless interface or the second wireless interface; an output control unit that causes the output unit to output a specific image obtained using a public key of the communication device when the specific signal includes the identification information, and that does not output the specific image when the specific signal does not include the identification information; an authentication request receiving unit that receives an authentication request using the public key from the first external device via the second wireless interface after the specific image is output; an authentication response transmission unit that transmits an authentication response to the first external device via the second wireless interface when the authentication request is received from the first external device; a connection information receiving unit that receives connection information from the first external device via the second wireless interface when the authentication response is transmitted to the first external device; an establishment unit that, when the connection information is received from the first external device, establishes a wireless connection between the communication device and a second external device via the second wireless interface by using the connection information; A communication device comprising:

2. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the specific signal receiving unit receives the specific signal, which is a probe request, from the first external device via the second wireless interface.

3. The communication device according to claim 2 , wherein the identification information includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier).

4. The communication device further comprises:

3. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a state transition unit that transitions the state of the communication device from an impossible state to a possible state when the specific signal includes the identification information, the impossible state being a state in which the authentication response is not transmitted, and the possible state being a state in which the authentication response is transmitted to the first external device in response to receiving the authentication request from the first external device.

5. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the first advertising signal transmitter starts transmitting the first advertising signal when the communication device is powered on.

6. 6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first advertising signal transmission unit starts transmitting an advertising signal including identification information different from the identification information when a predetermined time has elapsed since transmission of the first advertising signal started.

7. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the first advertising signal further includes at least one of a model name of the communication device and a serial number of the communication device.

8. The communication device further comprises:

8. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second advertising signal transmitting unit configured to repeatedly transmit, via the first wireless interface, a second advertising signal including an IP address of the communication device when the wireless connection is established.

9. 1. A computer program for a communication device, comprising: The communication device a first wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to the Bluetooth standard; a second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; an output unit; A computer, Equipped with The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a first advertising signal transmitter configured to repeatedly transmit, via the first wireless interface, a first advertising signal including identification information for identifying the communication device; a specific signal receiving unit that receives a specific signal from a first external device via the first wireless interface or the second wireless interface; an output control unit that causes the output unit to output a specific image obtained using a public key of the communication device when the specific signal includes the identification information, and that does not output the specific image when the specific signal does not include the identification information; an authentication request receiving unit that receives an authentication request using the public key from the first external device via the second wireless interface after the specific image is output; an authentication response transmission unit that transmits an authentication response to the first external device via the second wireless interface when the authentication request is received from the first external device; a connection information receiving unit that receives connection information from the first external device via the second wireless interface when the authentication response is transmitted to the first external device; an establishment unit that, when the connection information is received from the first external device, establishes a wireless connection between the communication device and a second external device via the second wireless interface by using the connection information; A computer program that functions as a

10. An application program for a terminal device, The terminal device a first wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to the Bluetooth standard; a second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; A camera and A memory that stores the OS (short for Operating System) program; a computer; The application program controls the computer to operate as follows: a first advertising signal receiving unit that receives, from a first communication device via the first wireless interface, a first advertising signal including first identification information that identifies the first communication device; a specific signal transmission unit that, when the first advertising signal is received from the first communication device, transmits a specific signal including the first identification information to the first communication device via the first wireless interface or the second wireless interface; a public key acquisition unit that acquires a public key when a specific image obtained using a public key of the first communication device is output by the first communication device in response to the specific signal being transmitted to the first communication device and the specific image is captured by the camera; a supply unit that supplies a predetermined instruction including the public key to the OS program; The OS program When the predetermined instruction is acquired from the application program, an authentication request using the public key is transmitted to the first communication device via the second wireless interface; receiving an authentication response from the first communication device via the second wireless interface when the authentication request is sent to the first communication device; When the authentication response is received from the first communication device, transmitting connection information to the first communication device via the second wireless interface; An application program, wherein the connection information is information for establishing a wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard between the first communication device and another device.

11. The application program according to claim 10 , wherein the specific signal transmission unit transmits the specific signal, which is a probe request, to the first communication device via the second wireless interface.

12. The application program according to claim 11 , wherein the first identification information includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier).

13. 13. The application program according to claim 10, wherein the first advertising signal further includes at least one of a model name of the first communication device and a serial number of the first communication device.

14. The application program further causes the computer to: a second advertising signal receiving unit that receives, after the predetermined instruction is supplied to the OS program, a second advertising signal including an IP address of the first communication device from the first communication device via the first wireless interface; a confirmation signal transmitting unit that transmits a confirmation signal including the IP address as a destination address via the second wireless interface when the second advertising signal is received from the first communication device; The application program according to claim 10, wherein the application program causes the device to function as a

15. The terminal device further includes a display unit, The application program further causes the computer to: a third advertising signal receiving unit that receives, via the first wireless interface, a third advertising signal from a second communication device different from the first communication device, the third advertising signal including second identification information that identifies the second communication device; a display control unit that, when the first advertising signal is received from the first communication device and the third advertising signal is received from the second communication device, causes the display unit to display a selection screen for selecting one of the first communication device and the second communication device, wherein, on the selection screen, information corresponding to a communication device that has transmitted an advertising signal having a high received radio wave strength, out of the first advertising signal and the third advertising signal, is displayed preferentially over information corresponding to a communication device that has transmitted an advertising signal having a low received radio wave strength; It functions as 15. The computer program according to claim 10, wherein, when the first communication device is selected on the selection screen, the identification signal transmission unit identifies the first identification information included in the first advertising signal received from the first communication device, and transmits the identification signal including the identified first identification information to the first communication device.

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