Communication device, printing device, control method thereof, program and storage medium

Abstract

To improve convenience in radio communication.SOLUTION: A communication device includes: reception means for receiving a first trigger frame according to IEEE802.11 standard including information on execution of a carrier sense from an external AP in a first mode of executing radio communication through the external AP; first communication means for executing the carrier sense and then transmitting data, when information indicating execution of the carrier sense is included in the first trigger frame; and second communication means for communicating with a device of a slave station without transmitting a second trigger frame according to IEEE802.11 standard including information indicating the execution of the carrier sense to the device of the slave station connected to a master station for determining a communication channel used in radio communication in a second mode of executing radio communication without through the external AP, when the communication device is operated as the master station in the second mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a printing device, a control method thereof, a program, and a storage medium.

Background Art

[0002] A technique in which an image forming apparatus can execute wireless communication in infrastructure mode via an access point and wireless communication in ad hoc mode in parallel is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, wireless communication has been used in various cases, and it is desired to provide highly convenient wireless communication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a communication device, control means for controlling to enable at least one of a first mode of executing wireless communication via an external access point outside the communication device and a second mode of executing wireless communication without passing through the external access point outside the communication device; receiving means for receiving a first trigger frame for transmitting UL data conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, including information regarding execution of carrier sense, from an external access point outside the communication device in a state where the first mode is enabled; If the first trigger frame contains information indicating that carrier sensing should be performed, a first communication means performs carrier sensing and then transmits data, When the second mode is enabled and the communication device operates as a master station that determines the communication channel used in wireless communication of the second mode, it indicates that carrier sensing will be performed. Don't A second trigger frame compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard is transmitted to the slave station device connected to the master station. The first 2. Communication methods, It is characterized by having the following features. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide more efficient wireless communication technology. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the system configuration in this embodiment. [Figure 2] (A) A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal. (B) A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of an access point. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of communication processing in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of communication processing in this embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram shows a flowchart executed in an image forming apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that these embodiments are merely examples, and unless otherwise specified, the specific examples of components, processing steps, display screens, etc., are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0009] (System Configuration) Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration according to this embodiment. In one example, this system is a wireless communication system in which multiple communication devices can communicate with each other wirelessly. In the example in Figure 1, the system includes an access point 131, an MFP 151, and a mobile terminal 101. Note that the mobile terminal 101 is just one example and can be a notebook computer or a smartphone.

[0010] The MFP151 has printing, scanning, and faxing functions. Furthermore, the MFP151 in this embodiment has a communication function that allows it to communicate wirelessly with the 101. While this embodiment describes the use of the MFP151 as an example, it is not limited to this. For example, a facsimile machine, scanner, projector, or single-function printer may be used instead of the MFP151. MFP is an abbreviation for Multi-Function Peripheral. In this embodiment, a device equipped with printing functionality may also be referred to as an image forming apparatus.

[0011] Access point 131 is located separately (externally) from the mobile terminal 101 and MFP 151, and operates as a base station device for wireless LAN (WLAN). Access point 131 may also be referred to as external access point 131 or external wireless base station (or external master station). MFP 151, which has WLAN communication capabilities, can communicate in WLAN infrastructure mode via access point 131. In the following, access point may be referred to as "AP". Infrastructure mode may also be referred to as "wireless infrastructure mode" or "infrastructure mode".

[0012] The infrastructure mode is a form in which the MFP 151 communicates with other devices via an external device (e.g., access point 131) that forms a network. The connection to the external access point established by the MFP 151 operating in the infrastructure mode is referred to as an infrastructure connection (hereinafter, an infra connection). In the present embodiment, in the infra connection, the MFP 151 operates as a slave station and the external access point operates as a master station. Note that in the present embodiment, the master station is a device that determines the communication channel used in the network to which the master station belongs, and the slave station is a device that does not determine the communication channel used in the network to which the slave station belongs and uses the communication channel determined by the master station.

[0013] The access point 131 performs wireless communication with a communication device (authenticated) that has permitted connection to the self-device, and relays the wireless communication between the communication device and other communication devices. Further, the access point 131 is connected to, for example, a wired communication network, and can relay communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and other communication devices wirelessly connected to the access point 131.

[0014] The mobile terminal 101 and the MFP 151 can perform wireless communication in a wireless infrastructure mode via an external access point 131 or in a peer-to-peer mode without passing through the external access point 131, using the WLAN communication functions each has. Hereinafter, peer-to-peer is referred to as "P2P". Alternatively, communication without passing through the external access point 131 may be referred to as direct wireless communication. The P2P mode includes Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark), soft AP mode, and the like. Hereinafter, Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) may be referred to as WFD. The P2P mode can also be said to be communication compliant with the IEEE802.11 series.

[0015] The P2P mode is a form in which the MFP 151 communicates directly with other devices such as the mobile terminal 101 without going through an external device that forms a network. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the P2P mode includes the AP mode in which the MFP 151 operates as an access point. It is assumed that the connection information (SSID and password) of the access point enabled within the MFP 151 in the AP mode can be arbitrarily set by the user. Note that the P2P mode may include, for example, the WFD mode for the MFP 151 to communicate by Wi-Fi Direct (WFD). Note that which of the plurality of WFD-compatible devices operates as the master station is determined, for example, according to a sequence called Group Owner Negotiation. Note that the master station may be determined without executing Group Owner Negotiation. A device that is a WFD-compatible device and plays the role of the master station is particularly called a Group Owner. A direct connection with other devices established by the MFP 151 operating in the P2P mode is called a direct connection. In this embodiment, in the direct connection, the MFP 151 operates as the master station, and other devices (such as the mobile terminal 101) operate as slave stations.

[0016] Next, the configuration of the mobile terminal of this embodiment and the communication device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Also, in this embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example, but this embodiment is applicable to a device capable of communicating with a communication device, and is not particularly limited to the functions as shown in this figure.

[0017] The mobile terminal 101 includes an input interface 102, a CPU 103, a ROM 104, a RAM 105, an external storage device 106, an output interface 107, a display unit 108, a keyboard 109, a communication unit 110, a short-range wireless communication unit 111, a network interface 112, a USB interface 113, etc. A computer of the mobile terminal 101 is formed by the CPU 103, the ROM 104, the RAM 105, etc.

[0018] The input interface 102 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user when an operation unit such as a keyboard 109 is operated. The operation unit may be a physical keyboard or physical buttons, or it may be a soft keyboard or soft buttons displayed on the display unit 108. In other words, the input interface 102 may also receive input (operation) from the user via the display unit 108.

[0019] The CPU 103 is the system control unit and controls the entire mobile terminal 101. The ROM 104 stores fixed data such as control programs executed by the CPU 103, data tables, and embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) programs. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 104 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt handling under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 104.

[0020] RAM105 consists of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and other components that require a backup power supply. Since RAM105's data is held by a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, important data such as program control variables can be stored without being lost. RAM105 also includes a memory area for storing the settings information and management data of the mobile terminal 101. Furthermore, RAM105 is used as both the main memory and work memory of the CPU 103.

[0021] The external storage device 106 stores, for example, a print information generation program that generates print information that can be interpreted by the printing device 115. The output interface 107 is an interface that controls the display unit 108 to display data and notify the status of the mobile terminal 101.

[0022] The display unit 108 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and displays data and notifies the status of the mobile terminal 101. The communication unit 110 is configured to connect to devices such as the MFP 151 and access point (AP) 131 to perform data communication. For example, the communication unit 110 can connect to an access point (not shown) inside the MFP 151. By connecting the communication unit 110 and the access point inside the MFP 151, the mobile terminal 101 and the MFP 151 can communicate via P2P. The communication unit 110 may communicate directly with the MFP 151 via wireless communication, or it may communicate via an AP 131 unit located outside the mobile terminal 101 and the MFP 151. External devices include external access points (such as access point 131) located outside the mobile terminal 101 and the MFP 151, as well as devices other than access points that can relay communication. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the communication unit 110 is Wi-Fi (WirelessFidelity) (registered trademark), a communication standard compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series. The access point 131 may be, for example, a wireless LAN router or similar device.

[0023] The short-range wireless communication unit 111 is configured to wirelessly connect to devices such as the MFP 151 at short range and perform data communication, and communicates using a different communication method than the communication unit 110. The short-range wireless communication unit 111 can connect to, for example, the short-range wireless communication unit 157 in the MFP 151. Examples of communication methods include Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth® Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0024] The network interface 112 is a connection interface that controls communication via wireless and communication processing via wired LAN cables.

[0025] The USB interface 113 is a connection interface that controls USB connections via a USB cable. Specifically, the USB interface 113 is an interface for connecting to devices such as the MFP 151 and the external access point 131 via USB and performing data communication.

[0026] Next, I will explain the MFP151. The MFP151 includes a ROM152, RAM153, CPU154, print engine155, communication unit156, short-range wireless communication unit157, input interface158, operation unit159, output interface160, display unit161, network interface162, USB interface163, etc. The ROM152, RAM153, CPU154, etc. form the computer of the MFP151.

[0027] The communication unit 156 controls the communication processing using each interface. For example, the MFP 151 can operate in infrastructure mode and P2P (Peer to Peer) mode as modes for performing communication using the communication unit 156.

[0028] Specifically, the communication unit 156 can operate as an access point within the MFP 151. For example, the MFP 151 will operate as an access point if the user instructs it to activate the internal access point. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the communication unit 156 is a communication standard compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series. In the following description, Wi-Fi (WirelessFidelity) (registered trademark) (Wi-Fi communication) refers to a communication standard compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series. The communication unit 156 may have hardware that functions as an access point, or it may operate as an access point through software that enables it to function as an access point. When the communication unit 156 operates as a master station, it can maintain parallel P2P wireless connections with a predetermined number of slave station devices (e.g., 3 or fewer). The communication unit 156 can perform wireless communication using frequency bands selected from 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz.

[0029] The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is configured to establish a short-range wireless connection with a device such as a mobile terminal 101, and can, for example, connect to the short-range wireless communication unit 111 within the mobile terminal 101. Examples of communication methods include NFC, Bluetooth Classic, BLE, and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0030] RAM153 consists of SRAM and other components that require a backup power supply. Since RAM153's data is held by a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, important data such as program control variables can be stored without being lost. RAM153 also includes a memory area for storing MFP151 configuration information and management data. Furthermore, RAM153 is used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU154, storing a receive buffer for temporarily saving print information received from mobile terminals such as the 101, and various other information.

[0031] ROM152 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU154. In this embodiment, each control program stored in ROM152 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt handling under the management of the embedded OS also stored in ROM152.

[0032] The CPU 154 is the system control unit and controls the entire MFP 151.

[0033] The print engine 155 performs a printing process to form an image on a recording medium by adding a recording material such as ink to paper, based on information stored in the RAM 153 or print jobs received from a mobile terminal 101, and outputs the print result. Generally, the amount of data for print jobs transmitted from a mobile terminal 101 is large, so it is necessary to use a communication method that enables high-speed communication for the communication of print jobs. For this reason, the MFP 151 receives print jobs via a communication unit 156 that enables communication at a higher speed than the short-range wireless communication unit 157. Note that printing using ink is just one example, and printing may also be performed using an electrophotographic method with toner. Furthermore, the MFP may be a cartridge type that uses cartridges, or an MFP that refills ink from an ink bottle into its ink tank.

[0034] Furthermore, the MFP151 may be equipped with optional memory such as an external HDD or SD card, and the information stored in the MFP151 may be stored in such memory.

[0035] The input interface 158 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user when an operation unit 159, such as a physical button, is operated. The operation unit may also be a soft keyboard or soft buttons displayed on the display unit 161. In other words, the input interface 158 may also receive input from the user via the display unit 161.

[0036] The output interface 160 is an interface that controls the display unit 161 to display data and notify the status of the MFP 151.

[0037] The display unit 161 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays), and is used to display data and notify the status of the MFP 151.

[0038] The USB interface 163 is an interface that controls USB connections via a USB cable. Specifically, the USB interface 163 is an interface for connecting to devices such as the MFP 151 or external access points via USB and performing data communication.

[0039] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of AP131. AP131 has, for example, a wireless LAN control unit 301, a trigger frame control unit 302, a received frame analysis unit 303, a UI control unit 304, a storage unit 305, and a bandwidth distribution unit 306.

[0040] The wireless LAN control unit 301 performs control for sending and receiving wireless signals with other wireless LAN communication devices. The wireless LAN control unit 301 can be implemented, for example, by a program for controlling the baseband circuit, RF circuit and antenna for the wireless LAN. The wireless LAN control unit 301 performs wireless LAN communication control in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard series and performs wireless communication with STAs that comply with the IEEE 802.11 standard series.

[0041] The Trigger frame control unit 302 controls the transmission of a Trigger frame to an STA that has successfully authenticated, via the Wireless LAN control unit 301. When the STA receives a Trigger frame, it transmits an Uplink (UL) frame in response to that frame. When AP131 receives the UL frame via the Wireless LAN control unit 301, the Received Frame Analysis Unit 303 interprets the contents of the received UL frame. For example, if the received UL frame contains AC information, the Received Frame Analysis Unit 303 obtains the AC information through analysis and determines which AC data the STA that sent the UL frame has.

[0042] The bandwidth allocation unit 306 determines, based on the information acquired by the received frame analysis unit 303, the width of the frequency band to be allocated for data transmission to each STA, the center frequency of the frequency band, and the time for allocating the frequency band. In other words, the bandwidth allocation unit 306 determines, for each STA, which frequency range of radio resources to allocate and at what timing. The trigger frame control unit 302 notifies each STA of the allocation determined by the bandwidth allocation unit 306 via a trigger frame and causes it to transmit a UL frame according to that allocation.

[0043] The UI control unit 304 is implemented by a program that controls user interface hardware such as a touch panel or buttons for receiving operations on AP131 by a user (not shown) of AP131. The UI control unit 304 may also have functions for presenting information to the user, such as displaying images or outputting sound. The storage unit 305 is a storage function that may consist of ROM and RAM for storing programs and data on which AP131 operates.

[0044] In IEEE 802.11ax, the frequency band can be allocated in a size smaller than the conventional 20 MHz, allowing many terminals to use wireless resources simultaneously. This allocation of wireless resources is performed using OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access). In IEEE 802.11ax, for example, a 20 MHz bandwidth is divided into nine blocks, each containing 26 subcarriers (tones) that do not overlap on the frequency axis, and wireless resources are allocated to terminals in block units. This allocation unit block is called a Resource Unit (RU), and the size of the RU can be determined according to the frequency bandwidth and the number of terminals receiving the wireless resource allocation. The size of the RU is expressed in units of the number of tones; for example, 26, 52, 106, 242, 484, 996, and 2 × 996 are available, but for a 20 MHz bandwidth, values ​​of 242 or less are available. When allocating the entire 20 MHz bandwidth to a single terminal, a maximum of 242 tones can be allocated. On the other hand, if, for example, nine terminals simultaneously use a 20MHz bandwidth, 26 tones will be allocated to those terminals. In this way, by dividing the frequency band into the smallest allocation unit of 26 tones, nine terminals can communicate simultaneously using a 20MHz bandwidth. Similarly, when frequency bands of 40MHz, 80MHz, and 160MHz are used, up to 18, 37, and 74 terminals can communicate simultaneously, respectively.

[0045] Next, we will explain the basic flow of multi-user (MU) communication in UL using Figure 4. First, AP131 sends a Buffer Status Report Request (BSR Request) via the Trigger frame control unit 302 (S401). An example of the structure of the frame sent at this time is shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 contains information from 501 to 508. In the following, fields that are not relevant to the explanation in this embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, AP131, MFP151, and mobile terminal 101 are capable of performing communication based on IEEE801.11ax.

[0046] Returning to Figure 4, each STA sends a Buffer Status Report (BSP) (S402). In S402, each STA notifies the AP whether or not there is data to send.

[0047] When AP131 receives a BSP from each STA, it sends a Trigger frame (S403) based on that information, prompting the transmission of UL data. The frame transmitted at this time also has the format shown in Figure 5, for example. In Figure 5, the Frame Control field 501 is a field that contains a value indicating, for example, that it is an IEEE802.11ax Trigger frame. Here, an example of the data structure of Common Info 505 in Figure 5 is shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 contains information from 601 to 609. The Trigger Type subfield 601 stores "0". The UL Length subfield 602 stores a value corresponding to the communication period common to all STAs, and this value indicates the amount of data that each STA can transmit. If the value of the Trigger Type subfield 601 is "0", User Info fields 506-1 to 506-K are added to the frame in Figure 5. Refer to Figure 7 for details on User Info fields 506-1 to 506-K. Figure 7 contains information from 701 to 709. The STA is identified by the AID subfield 701, and the RU and tone size to be assigned to that STA are determined by the index value indicated by the RU Allocation subfield 702. The tone size is a value that indicates the width of the frequency bandwidth that can be assigned to each STA.

[0048] The AP reserves a communication channel to send a trigger frame. The AP then divides the reserved communication channel into multiple resource units in the frequency domain and assigns each resource unit to a terminal.

[0049] Let's return to the explanation in Figure 6. 604 is CS (Carrier Sense) Required and has a length of 1 bit. CS604 stores information indicating whether or not carrier sense should be performed. Therefore, if CS604 contains information indicating whether or not carrier sense should be performed, the communication device that received the trigger frame will perform carrier sense. On the other hand, if CS604 contains information indicating whether or not carrier sense should be performed, the communication device that received the trigger frame will not perform carrier sense.

[0050] When each STA receives a Trigger frame, it transmits a UL Data frame within the data volume range determined by the UL Length subfield 512 of the Trigger frame (S404). If CS604 contains information indicating that carrier sense should be performed, the STA performs carrier sense before executing S404. When AP131 receives a PPDU from each STA, it transmits a Multi Block Ack (Multi BA) as an acknowledgment of receipt (S405).

[0051] Next, the operation of MFP151 will be explained using Figure 8. It is assumed that both infrastructure mode and P2P mode are enabled on MFP151 by user instruction. For example, both modes are enabled when the user enables infrastructure mode and WFD mode on MFP151. Furthermore, MFP151 operates as a master station (e.g., a WFD group owner) in P2P communication. Here, it is assumed that MFP151 receives a trigger frame from AP131 in S403. Note that when both infrastructure communication and P2P communication are enabled, MFP151 may refer to the communication channel used for infrastructure communication and build a network as a master station to perform P2P communication on the same communication channel. Alternatively, when both infrastructure communication and P2P communication are enabled, MFP151 may refer to the communication channel used for infrastructure communication and build a network as a master station to perform P2P communication on a different channel than the one used for infrastructure communication. In other words, in Figure 8, the MFP151 receives an IEEE 802.11 compliant trigger frame containing information about carrier sense execution from an external access point at S403 while both infrastructure mode and P2P mode are enabled.

[0052] The MFP151, acting as the master station, transmits a Trigger frame (S801). Here, the MFP151 uses the Trigger frame described above (as shown in Figure 5) to divide a single communication channel (e.g., 20MHz) into multiple resource units and assign each resource unit to an STA, including the mobile terminal 101. In other words, the RU Allocation 702 in the Trigger frame transmitted by the MFP151 contains information regarding the resource unit assignment. Furthermore, the CS Required 604 in the Trigger frame transmitted by the MFP151 contains information indicating that carrier sensing is not required. The number of slave devices to which resource units are assigned by the MFP151 is the maximum number that can maintain parallel direct connections. For example, if the communication unit 156 can maintain parallel P2P wireless connections with a maximum of three slave devices, the maximum number of slave devices to which resource units are assigned is 3. The mobile terminal 101 transmits data to the MFP151 in S802 (S802). Here, the mobile terminal transmits data using the resource unit assigned in the Trigger frame. In this embodiment, since information indicating that carrier sensing is unnecessary is set, the mobile terminal 101 transmits data to the MFP 151 without performing carrier sensing. The MFP 151 can also notify the mobile terminal 101 of the remaining amount of consumables (ink or toner) via direct connection. This allows applications running on the mobile terminal 101 to display the remaining amount of consumables. Other states of the MFP 151 may also be communicated via direct connection. Examples of other states include no paper, the cover of the MFP 151 being open, and errors in the MFP 151 (such as a paper jam).

[0053] Next, the processes performed by the MFP151 will be explained using a flowchart. Note that the flowchart in this embodiment is realized when the CPU154 reads and executes the program related to the flowchart's processing from the ROM152.

[0054] The CPU 154 receives the trigger frame described above from AP 131 in S403 of Figure 4 (S901) and checks whether carrier sensing is required (S902). S902 is performed by referring to the CS Required604 information in Figure 6. If it is determined in S902 that carrier sensing is not required, the CPU 154 transmits the data to be sent to the target device via AP 131 without performing carrier sensing (S905).

[0055] On the other hand, if S902 determines that carrier sensing is necessary, CPU154 performs carrier sensing (S903) and senses the energy (power) of the radio waves generated in the communication channel specified by the trigger frame. It then determines whether the sensed energy is above a threshold (S904). If it is determined that the energy of the radio waves generated in the communication channel is above the threshold, CPU154 determines that it cannot transmit data to AP131 and returns to S903. If S904 is determined to be No, CPU154 may skip the processing in S905 and proceed to S906.

[0056] On the other hand, if the CPU 154 determines that the power generated in the communication channel is below a threshold, it determines that it can send data to the AP 131 and sends the data to be sent to the target device via the AP 131 (S905). For example, scan data obtained when the MFP 151 reads a document, or status information of the MFP 151, are sent in S905. The CPU 154 sends the data to be sent using the resource units allocated to the MFP 151 by RU Allocation 702.

[0057] Next, the CPU 154 determines whether or not to operate as the master station for direct communication (S906). For example, if the user instructs the MFP 151 to enable WFD, and it is determined through negotiation (comparison of Intent values) with the WFD communication partner device that it will operate as the group owner, the CPU 154 determines Yes in S906. Also, if the user instructs the MFP 151 to enable software AP mode, the CPU 154 determines Yes in S906.

[0058] The CPU 154 operates the MFP 151 as the master station for direct communication (S907). Next, the CPU 154 sends a trigger frame to the slave station connected to it (e.g., the mobile terminal 101) (S908). At this time, the MFP 151 sets information indicating that carrier sensing is not required to the CS Required 604 in Figure 6 and sends the trigger frame shown in Figure 5. The CPU 154 also allocates resource units to be used by the device connected to the MFP 151 (e.g., the mobile terminal 101) using the RU Allocation 702. In this case, the mobile terminal 101 sends data to the MFP 151 using the allocated resource units. For example, the mobile terminal 101 sends print data to the MFP 151 using the allocated resource units.

[0059] Although Figure 9 shows a configuration in which S901 to S905 are executed followed by S906 to S908, the CPU 154 may execute the processes in the reverse order. That is, it may execute S906 to S908 first, followed by S901 to S905. Furthermore, S901 to S905 and S906 to S908 may be executed in parallel.

[0060] Furthermore, if infrastructure communication is disabled and only direct communication is enabled, CPU154 may execute only S906 through S908.

[0061] According to this embodiment, even when AP131 instructs MFP151 to perform carrier sensing, MFP151 instructs its connected slave stations to transmit data without carrier sensing. This allows slave stations, including the mobile terminal 101, to efficiently transmit print data, etc., and for example, users can shorten the time from instructing to print to receiving the printed document.

[0062] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 151 MFP

Claims

1. A communication device, Control means for enabling at least one of a first mode, which performs wireless communication via an external access point outside the communication device, and a second mode, which performs wireless communication without going through an external access point outside the communication device. With the first mode enabled, a receiving means receives a first trigger frame for transmitting UL data in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, which includes information regarding the execution of carrier sense, from an external access point outside the communication device. If the first trigger frame contains information indicating that carrier sensing should be performed, a first communication means performs carrier sensing and then transmits data, When the second mode is enabled and the communication device operates as a master station that determines the communication channel used in wireless communication of the second mode, a second communication means transmits a second trigger frame compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard that does not indicate that carrier sensing is performed to a slave station device connected to the master station, A communication device characterized by having the following features.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first communication means receives the first trigger frame which contains information indicating that carrier sensing is to be performed when both the first mode and the second mode are enabled, it performs carrier sensing and then transmits data.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second communication means communicates with the slave device by transmitting a second trigger frame, which does not contain information indicating that carrier sensing is to be performed, to the slave device, even when it receives a first trigger frame which contains information indicating that carrier sensing is to be performed when both the first mode and the second mode are enabled.

4. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second communication means communicates with the slave device by transmitting the second trigger frame, which does not contain information indicating that carrier sensing is to be performed, to the slave device while the second mode is enabled.

5. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second communication means communicates with the slave device by transmitting the second trigger frame, which contains information indicating that carrier sensing is not performed, to the slave device while the second mode is enabled.

6. The system further includes a reading means for acquiring scanned data by scanning the original document. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first communication means performs the carrier sense and, if it determines that the sensed energy is below a threshold, transmits the scan data using one or more resource units allocated to the communication device by the first trigger frame.

7. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first trigger frame is an IEEE 802.11ax trigger frame.

8. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second trigger frame includes information specifying the Resource Unit to be assigned to the slave station device and the width of the frequency band.

9. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second trigger frame includes information regarding the allocation of radio resources to the communication device using OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access).

10. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second trigger frame includes information relating to the allocation of one or more resource units as information identifying the resource unit used when transmitting data from the slave station device to the communication device.

11. The communication device according to claim 10, characterized in that the maximum number of devices to which the resource unit specified in the trigger frame is allocated is the same as the maximum number of slave station devices that can be maintained in parallel in the second mode of wireless communication.

12. The communication device according to claim 11, characterized in that the communication device operating as a master station maintains in parallel wireless connections in the second mode with a predetermined number or fewer slave station devices.

13. The control means is capable of enabling both the first mode and the second mode. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first mode of wireless communication and the second mode of wireless communication are performed using the same communication channel.

14. The control means is capable of enabling both the first mode and the second mode. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the first mode of wireless communication and the second mode of wireless communication are performed using different communication channels.

15. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it performs wireless communication using a frequency band selected from 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz.

16. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the first trigger frame includes information specifying the Resource Unit and the width of the frequency bandwidth to be assigned to the communication device.

17. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the first trigger frame includes information regarding the allocation of radio resources to the communication device using OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access).

18. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising printing processing means for performing printing on paper based on print data received from the slave station device.

19. A program for causing at least one computer to function as one of the means of a communication device described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as one of the means of a communication device described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. A method for controlling a communication device, A control step to enable at least one of a first mode in which wireless communication is performed via an external access point outside the communication device, and a second mode in which wireless communication is performed without an external access point outside the communication device. A receiving step in which, with the first mode enabled, the receiving step receives a first trigger frame for transmitting UL data in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, which includes information regarding the execution of carrier sense, from an external access point outside the communication device; If the first trigger frame contains information indicating that carrier sensing should be performed, the first communication step involves performing carrier sensing and then transmitting data. When the second mode is enabled and the communication device operates as a master station that determines the communication channel used in wireless communication of the second mode, a second communication step is to transmit a second trigger frame compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard that does not indicate that carrier sensing is performed to a slave station device connected to the master station, A method for controlling a communication device, characterized by having the following features.

22. A printing device, Control means for enabling at least one of a first mode, which performs wireless communication via an external access point outside the printing device, and a second mode, which performs wireless communication without going through an external access point outside the printing device. With the first mode enabled, receiving means for receiving a first trigger frame for transmitting UL data in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, which includes information regarding the execution of carrier sense, from an external access point outside the printing device; If the first trigger frame contains information indicating that carrier sensing should be performed, a first communication means performs carrier sensing and then transmits data, When the second mode is enabled and the printing device operates as a master station that determines the communication channel used in wireless communication of the second mode, a second communication means transmits a second trigger frame compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard that does not indicate that carrier sensing is performed to a slave station device connected to the master station, A printing apparatus characterized by having the following features.

23. A method for controlling a printing device, A control step to enable at least one of a first mode in which wireless communication is performed via an external access point outside the printing device, and a second mode in which wireless communication is performed without an external access point outside the printing device. A receiving step in which, with the first mode enabled, a first trigger frame for transmitting UL data, which includes information about performing carrier sensing, is received from an external access point outside the printing device, in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard; If the first trigger frame contains information indicating that carrier sensing should be performed, the first communication step involves performing carrier sensing and then transmitting data. When the second mode is enabled and the printing device operates as a master station that determines the communication channel used in wireless communication of the second mode, a second communication step is to transmit a second trigger frame compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard that does not indicate that carrier sensing is performed to a slave station device connected to the master station, A method for controlling a printing apparatus, characterized by having the following features.

24. A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the printing apparatus described in claim 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium storing at least one computer and a program for causing each of the means of the printing apparatus described in claim 22 to function.

Images