JP6519637B2 - Communication system, communication device, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed by the present specification relates to a communication system, communication apparatus, and information processing program for executing communication with a communication apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a gate installed in an art museum or the like, a mobile communication terminal, an access point, and a content server. The gate includes a reader / writer, performs communication with the noncontact IC chip of the mobile communication terminal, and transmits the SSID of the access point and the URL of the content server to the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal establishes communication with the access point to access the URL of the content server. Thus, the mobile communication terminal can acquire content data from the content server via the access point.

JP, 2012-134932, A

  The present specification discloses a technology that allows an information processing apparatus and a communication apparatus to appropriately execute wireless communication of target data.

A communication system disclosed by the present specification includes a communication device and an information processing device. The communication device is a first interface for performing communication with the information processing device by the first wireless communication method, and the first interface functioning as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag and information by the second wireless communication method. And a second interface for executing communication with the processing device, the information processing device further comprising: a third interface for performing communication with the communication device by the first wireless communication method; and a second wireless communication And a fourth interface for executing communication with the communication apparatus according to the method, indicating a network to which the communication apparatus is set to be connectable among the plurality of pieces of network identification information indicating each of the plurality of types of networks. Storage control means for storing one or more of connectable network identification information in the first interface; The plurality of pieces of network identification information include first network identification information identifying a first network which is a network formed by the relay device, and direct communication between the information processing device and the communication device. A second network identification information identifying a second network which is a network, performing communication by a first wireless communication method between the first interface and the third interface, and Identification information communication means for causing the information processing apparatus to acquire the written one or more connectable network identification information, and one or more identified by the one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the information processing apparatus The network does not include the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs In addition, using the second network identified by the second network identification information included in the acquired connectable network identification information, the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus may be connected via the fourth interface and the second interface. Among the one or more networks identified by the first communication execution means for executing the communication according to the second wireless communication scheme among them and the one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the information processing apparatus A fourth network using the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs when the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs is included;
And second communication execution means for executing communication according to a second wireless communication method between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus via the interface and the second interface.

  According to the above configuration, when the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs and the network to which the communication apparatus belongs are the same, communication can be performed using the same network. As a result, switching of the network does not occur, and it is possible to shorten the time required for communication. When the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs and the network to which the communication apparatus belongs are not the same, the communication apparatus can switch to a connectable network and execute communication. Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus can be appropriately performed.

  A communication device disclosed by the present specification is a first interface for performing communication with an information processing device according to a first wireless communication method, the first interface functioning as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, A communication apparatus comprising: a second interface for performing communication with an information processing apparatus according to the second wireless communication method; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to identify a plurality of networks indicating each of a plurality of types of networks. Storage control means for storing, in the first interface, one or more of connectable network identification information indicating a network to which the communication apparatus is set to be connectable among the information, and in the plurality of network identification information, First network identification information identifying a first network which is a network formed by a relay device And second network identification information that identifies a second network that is a network for performing communication directly with the information processing apparatus, and executes communication with the information processing apparatus using the first interface. (D) first transmission means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus one or more connectable network identification information stored in the first interface, and one or more connectable network identification information transmitted to the information processing apparatus; If the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs is not included in the one or more networks, the second network identification information identified by the second network identification information included in the transmitted connectable network identification information A second network for performing communication with the information processing apparatus via the second interface; When the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs is included in the communication execution means and the one or more networks identified by the one or more connectable network identification information transmitted to the information processing apparatus A second communication execution unit configured to execute communication with the information processing apparatus through the second interface using the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs; Do.

  According to the above configuration, when the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs and the network to which the communication apparatus belongs are the same, communication can be performed using the same network. As a result, switching of the network does not occur, and it is possible to shorten the time required for communication. When the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs and the network to which the communication apparatus belongs are not the same, the communication apparatus can switch to a connectable network and execute communication. Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus can be appropriately performed.

  According to the communication device and the like described in the present specification, the information stored in the first interface and related to the network to which the communication device is set to be connectable can be updated in real time. Even when the network state changes, it is possible to appropriately execute communication between the information processing device and the communication device.

According to the communication device and the like described in the present specification, when the information related to the network to which the communication device is set to be connectable is changed, the information after the change is stored. It can be sent to the processing unit. Even when the network state changes, it is possible to appropriately execute communication between the information processing device and the communication device.

  According to the communication device and the like described in this specification, by using the communication destination identification information, the information processing device can appropriately execute the operation of setting the communication destination of the information processing device to the communication device. It becomes.

  According to the communication device and the like described in the present specification, since the first type interface is an interface that functions as an IC tag of the NFC standard, it is intuitive and easy to bring the information processing device close to the communication device. It is possible to cause the information processing apparatus to acquire one or more connectable network identification information by the above operation.

  According to the communication apparatus and the like described in the present specification, it is possible to cause the information processing apparatus to acquire information for identifying the relay apparatus. Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus can be appropriately performed.

  According to the communication apparatus and the like described in the present specification, it is possible to cause the information processing apparatus to acquire the IP address of the communication apparatus. Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus can be appropriately performed.

  According to the communication apparatus and the like described in the present specification, it is possible to cause the information processing apparatus to acquire information for identifying the second network. Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus can be appropriately performed.

  According to the communication apparatus and the like described in the present specification, it is possible to cause the information processing apparatus to acquire information necessary to participate in the second network. Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus can be appropriately performed.

  According to the communication apparatus and the like described in the present specification, when there is no network to which the communication apparatus can belong, the information processing apparatus can be notified that connection to the communication apparatus can not be performed. it can. Thereby, the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

  According to the communication device and the like described in the present specification, when the power of the communication device is turned off, the information processing device can be notified that connection to the communication device can not be performed. Thereby, the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

  According to the communication apparatus and the like described in the present specification, it is possible to notify the information processing apparatus that an error has occurred in the communication apparatus. Thereby, the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

  According to the communication device and the like described in the present specification, when the processing using any function can not be executed by the communication device, the communication between the communication device and the information processing device is not executed. Can be controlled. This can prevent unnecessary communication processing from being executed.

  According to the communication device or the like described in the present specification, an error occurs in the communication device when it is determined that an error has occurred in the function instructed to execute the process by the process command information. It is possible to transmit information indicating that the user is doing to the information processing apparatus. This makes it possible to notify the user that the function for which the user has instructed to execute the process can not be used due to an error.

An information processing program disclosed by the present specification is an information processing program read into an information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus is a first interface for executing communication with a communication apparatus according to a first wireless communication method. And a second interface for executing communication with the communication device by the second wireless communication method, and the information processing program is configured to communicate with the communication device by the first wireless communication method. A first acquisition means for acquiring one or more connectable network identification information when performed via the interface, wherein the one or more connectable network identification information is transmitted to each of the plurality of types of networks; Information indicating the network to which the communication apparatus is set to be connectable among the plurality of pieces of network identification information shown, the plurality of networks The identification information includes a first network identification information that identifies a first network that is a network formed by the relay device, and a second that identifies a second network that is a network for performing communication directly with the communication device. A first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs, among the one or more networks including the network identification information and identified by the one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the first acquisition unit To execute communication with the communication device through the second interface using the second network identified by the second network identification information included in the acquired connectable network identification information, when the second network identification information is not included. First communication execution means, and one or more connectable nets acquired by the first acquisition means If in one or more networks that are identified by the work identification information includes the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs,
The information processing apparatus is caused to function as a second communication execution unit that executes communication with the communication apparatus via the second interface using the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs. I assume.

  According to the above configuration, when the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs and the network to which the communication apparatus belongs are the same, communication can be performed using the same network. As a result, switching of the network does not occur, and it is possible to shorten the time required for communication. When the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs and the network to which the communication apparatus belongs are not the same, the communication apparatus can switch to a connectable network and execute communication. Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus can be appropriately performed.

  According to the information processing program or the like described in the present specification, the information processing apparatus can appropriately execute the operation of setting the communication destination of the information processing apparatus to the communication apparatus by using the communication destination identification information. It becomes possible.

  According to the information processing program and the like described in the present specification, the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs can be appropriately acquired via the operating system program.

  According to the information processing program and the like described in the present specification, it is possible to cause the communication device control program to appropriately execute various processes.

  According to the information processing program and the like described in the present specification, when the type of communication device is a non-compliant type of communication device control program, an image indicating that the communication device can not be connected is displayed. It can be displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus. Thereby, the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

According to the information processing program and the like described in the present specification, when the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs and the network to which the communication apparatus belong are not the same, a network to which the communication apparatus can be connected can be connected. It is possible to switch and execute communication. Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus can be appropriately performed.

According to the information processing program etc. described in this specification,
Since the first type interface is an interface that functions as an IC tag of the NFC standard, one or more connectable network identification information can be obtained by an intuitive and simple operation such as bringing the information processing apparatus close to the communication apparatus. It becomes possible to make a processing apparatus acquire.

1 shows the configuration of a communication system. 5 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the information processing apparatus. 5 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the information processing apparatus. 5 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the information processing apparatus. 3 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP. 3 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP. 3 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the MFP.

(Configuration of network 10)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network 10. The network 10 includes an information processing apparatus 100, MFPs 51 and 52, a first access point 501, and a second access point 502. Here, the MFP indicates a multi-functional peripheral device (also referred to as Multifunction Peripheral) having a print function, a scan function, and a copy function.

  The NFC communication I / F 112 of the information processing apparatus 100 can communicate with the NFC communication I / F 36 of the MFP 51 via the wireless communication 153 of NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication) method. In this embodiment, wireless communication in accordance with the NFC system is performed based on the international standard of ISO / IEC 21481 or 18092.

The wireless LAN I / F 105 of the information processing apparatus 100 can communicate with the wireless LAN I / F 34 of the MFP 51 via the infrastructure mode wireless communication 151 and 154. Also, the wireless LAN I / F 105 can communicate with the MFP 52 via the wireless communication 152 in infrastructure mode. The wireless LAN I / F 105 can directly communicate with the wireless LAN I / F 34 of the MFP 51 via the wireless communication 155 of the WiFi Direct (hereinafter, referred to as WFD) method. That is, the information processing apparatus 100 can construct a WFD network by establishing a connection with the MFP 51 according to the WFD method. In WFD, wireless communication is based on the 802.11 standard of IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) and standards conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). To be executed. Further, the Bluetooth (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter) communication I / F 113 of the information processing apparatus 100 can communicate with the Bluetooth communication I / F 40 of the MFP 51 via the wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth method.

  Each of the first access point 501 and the second access point 502 has an SSID (abbreviation of Service Set Identifier). The SSID is a name for identifying each of the first access point 501 and the second access point 502. By executing the print application 121, the information processing apparatus 100 can transmit a print request or a scan request to the MFPs 51 and 52 by communication using the wireless LAN I / F 105 or communication using the Bluetooth communication I / F 113. it can.

(Configuration of information processing apparatus 100)
The information processing apparatus 100 is, for example, a portable apparatus such as a mobile phone or a mobile terminal apparatus. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a display unit 102, a touch panel 103, an input I / F 104, a wireless LAN I / F 105, an NFC communication I / F 112, a Bluetooth communication I / F 113, a central processing unit (CPU) 106, and a read only memory (ROM). Abbreviation of) 107,
A random access memory (RAM) 108, a storage unit 109, and the like are provided, and they are connected to each other through an input / output port 110.

  The display means 102 receives an image signal output from the CPU 106, and displays an image based on the received image signal. As the display means 102, for example, an LCD, an organic EL panel or the like can be used. The touch panel 103 is formed of a transparent member, and is disposed so as to cover the surface of the display means 102. The touch panel 103 detects the position touched by the user's finger or the like, and outputs the detected position information to the CPU 106. The input I / F 104 is, for example, an operation button.

  The NFC communication I / F 112 is an interface for executing the wireless communication 153 of the NFC method. In order to establish the wireless communication 153 of the NFC method, various information (for example, IP address, SSID, etc.) for communication setting is unnecessary. The wireless LAN I / F 105 is an interface for executing wireless communication 151, 152, 155 of the wireless LAN method. The communicable distance of the wireless communication 151, 152, 155 of the wireless LAN method is larger than the communicable distance of the wireless communication 153 of the NFC method. In addition, the communication speed of the wireless communication 151, 152, 155 of the wireless LAN method is faster than the communication speed of the wireless communication 153 of the NFC method. The Bluetooth communication I / F 113 is an interface for executing the wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth method.

  The CPU 106 executes a program stored in the storage unit 109. The RAM 108 temporarily stores information necessary for the processing of the CPU 106. The storage unit 109 is configured by combining a flash memory, an HDD (hard disk), a buffer included in the CPU 106, and the like. The storage unit 109 can store image data, document data, and the like. The storage unit 109 can also store access point connection history information. The access point connection history information is information (example: SSID) for identifying an access point to which the information processing apparatus 100 has been connected in the past.

  The storage unit 109 also stores a program 120. The program 120 includes a print application 121, a connection module 122, and an operating system 124 (hereinafter referred to as the OS 124). The CPU 106 executes processing in accordance with the program 120. Here and in the following, the CPU 106 that executes a program, such as the print application 121, the connection module 122, and the OS 124, may be described simply by the program name. For example, the description "the print application 121 is" may mean "the CPU 106 that executes the print application 121".

  The print application 121 is an application for causing the CPU 106 to execute a process of transmitting a print request or a scan request from the information processing apparatus 100 to the MFP 51, the MFP 52, and the like. The print request is information for causing the MFP 51, the MFP 52, and the like to execute print processing. The scan request is information for causing the MFP 51, the MFP 52, and the like to execute a scan process.

The connection module 122 is a program for executing processing for connecting the information processing apparatus 100 to various networks via wireless communication. The connection module 122 may be a program called and executed by various applications such as the print application 121. That is, the connection module 122 may function as a lower application providing a communication function with respect to the upper application (for example, the print application 121) providing a function close to the user.

  The OS 124 is a program that provides basic functions commonly used by the print application 121 and the like. The OS 124 includes a program for causing the wireless LAN I / F 105, the NFC communication I / F 112, and the Bluetooth communication I / F 113 to execute wireless communication. The OS 124 is also a program that provides an API (abbreviation of Application Programming Interface) for each program to acquire information acquired by various hardware or for each program to instruct the various hardware.

(Configuration of MFP 51)
The configuration of the MFP 51 will be described. The MFP 51 mainly includes a CPU 32, a storage unit 33, a wireless LAN I / F 34, an NFC communication I / F 36, a Bluetooth communication I / F 40, a button input unit 38, a panel 39, a printer 19, and a scanner 20. These components can communicate with each other via the input / output port 43.

The CPU 32 executes the program 21 stored in the storage unit 33. Storage unit 33, RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD (abbreviation of Hard Disk), etc. CPU 3 2 comprises buffer is configured by combining. The storage unit 33 stores the program 21. The program 21 includes the OS 29 and the like.

  The wireless LAN_I / F 34 is an interface for performing the infrastructure mode wireless communication 154 and 157 and the WFD wireless communication 155. The Bluetooth communication I / F 40 is an interface for executing the wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth method.

The NFC communication I / F 36 is an interface for executing the wireless communication 153 according to the NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication) method for so-called short distance wireless communication. The NFC method is, for example, a wireless communication method based on the international standard of ISO / IEC 21481 or 18092. As types of I / F for performing NFC communication, an I / F called an NFC Forum Device (NFC Forum Device) and an I / F called an NFC Forum Tag (NFC Forum Tag) are known. The NFC communication I / F 36 is an NFC forum tag, and functions as an IC tag of the NFC standard (that is, ISO / IEC 21481 or 18092).

  The NFC communication I / F 36 includes a storage unit 37. The storage unit 37 is a memory for storing the transmission information for a long period of time in order to transmit the transmission information supplied from the CPU 32 to an external device (for example, the information processing apparatus 100). The storage unit 37 may be a non-volatile memory. The NFC communication I / F 36 can use an RF communication mode and a serial communication mode. In the RF communication mode, transmission information can be transmitted to an external device. In the serial communication mode, transmission information can be transmitted from the CPU 32 to the storage unit 37.

An example of the content of the transmission information stored in the storage unit 37 is shown. The transmission information includes transmission information identification information, communication execution information, device type identification information, device status information, connectable network identification information, and the like. The transmission information identification information is information for indicating that the transmission information is information used for the print application 121. The transmission information identification information may be a predetermined character string. The communication execution information is information indicating that the transmission information is information for performing setting of wireless communication. The communication execution information may be a predetermined character string. The device type identification information is information for identifying the device type of the MFP 51. The device type identification information may be a model name of the MFP 51. The device status information is information indicating the device status of the MFP 51. Examples of the information included in the apparatus status information include the contents of an error occurring in the MFP 51, the ink remaining amount of the printer 19, and the like.

  The connectable network identification information is information indicating whether there is a network to which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable. Further, the connectable network identification information functions as information for identifying the network set to be connectable when there is a network to which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable. The “network in which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable” is, for example, a network in which the connection setting of the MFP 51 is set to “connectable”. The connection setting may be stored in the storage unit 33. The connection settings may be configurable for each of the infrastructure mode, the WFD system, and the Bluetooth system. The connection setting may be performed by the user or may be automatically performed by the CPU 32. For example, when the network to which the MFP 51 can connect is only the network formed by wireless communication in the infrastructure mode, the connection setting of the infrastructure mode is set to “connectable”, and the connection of the WFD system and the Bluetooth system is established. The setting may be set to "not connectable". When the connection setting is set to "Available", the wireless communication function in infrastructure mode using wireless LAN I / F 34 is enabled, or the WFD method using wireless LAN I I F 34 is used. The wireless communication function may be enabled, or the wireless communication function using the Bluetooth communication I / F 40 may be enabled.

  The connectable network identification information may include at least one of first to fifth network identification information shown below. Further, each of the first to fourth network identification information may include communication destination identification information necessary to execute communication with the MFP 51.

  The first network identification information is information for identifying a network formed by the infrastructure mode wireless communication 154. The first network identification information includes communication destination identification information (for example, the SSID of the first access point 501) for connecting to the MFP 51 using the infrastructure mode wireless communication 154. Further, the first network identification information includes communication destination identification information (for example, a node name of the MFP 51) for identifying the MFP 51.

  The second network identification information is information for identifying a network formed by the WFD wireless communication 155. The second network identification information includes communication destination identification information for connecting to the MFP 51 by the WFD wireless communication 155. As an example of such communication destination identification information, the SSID of the WFD network, an encryption method, a password, etc. may be mentioned. The encryption method and the password are information for performing device authentication, data encryption, and the like in the WFD network.

  The third network identification information is information for identifying a network formed by the wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth system. The third network identification information includes communication destination identification information for connecting to the MFP 51 by the wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth method. An example of such communication destination identification information is a MAC address.

The fourth network identification information is information for identifying a network formed by the wireless communication 157 of the wireless LAN method. The fourth network identification information includes communication destination identification information for connecting to the second access point 502 (e.g., the SSID of the second access point 502), and communication destination identification information for accessing the MFP 51 (e.g., the MFP 51). Node name) is included.

  The fifth network identification information is information indicating that there is no network to which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable. The fifth network identification information may be a predetermined character string.

  The button input unit 38 is a key for executing each function of the MFP 51. The button input unit 38 may be integrated with the panel 39 as a touch panel. A panel 39 displays various function information of the MFP 51. The printer 19 is a unit that executes print processing using the image data stored in the storage unit 33. The scanner 20 is a part that executes scan processing for reading an original to generate scan data. The MFP 52 also has a configuration similar to that of the MFP 51, but illustration of FIG. 1 is omitted for simplification of the drawing.

(Process Performed by MFP 51; FIGS. 5 to 7)
Subsequently, processing executed by the MFP 51 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. In the description example of the present embodiment, a case where the setting for using the wireless communication 154 in the infrastructure mode out of the wireless communication 154 and 157 in the infrastructure mode is performed in the MFP 51 will be described.

  In S405, the CPU 32 executes initialization processing of the MFP 51. In the initialization process, for example, wireless communication may be established according to the connection setting stored in the storage unit 33. In S410, the CPU 32 executes a process of rewriting transmission information stored in the storage unit 37 in the NFC communication I / F 36.

  The contents of the process of rewriting transmission information will be described with reference to FIG. In S510, the CPU 32 inquires the wireless LAN I / F 34 and the Bluetooth communication I / F 40 about the state. In S515, the CPU 32 determines whether response information has been received from the wireless LAN I / F 34 and the Bluetooth communication I / F 40. If a negative determination is made (S515: NO), the process returns to S515, and if a positive determination is made (S515: YES), the process proceeds to S520.

  In S520, the CPU 32 determines whether the MFP 51 is set to use the wireless LAN I / F 34. For example, when the response information indicating that the communication is available is received from the wireless LAN I / F 34, and the connection setting of the network formed by at least one of the wireless communication 154 or 155 is set to "connectable". In this case, it may be determined that the wireless LAN I / F 34 is set to be usable. If a positive determination is made (S520: YES), the process proceeds to S530.

  In S530, the CPU 32 determines the type of wireless communication for which usable settings are made. Specifically, either WFD wireless communication 155 and infrastructure mode wireless communication 154 can be set to be used, or only infrastructure mode wireless communication 154 can be set to be used. Determine if it is. If the setting is made to enable both types of wireless communication (S530: WFD and infrastructure), the process proceeds to S540.

In S540, the CPU 32 newly generates transmission information. Specifically, the CPU 32 adds the first network identification information (that is, the information for identifying the wireless communication 154 in the infrastructure mode) and the second network identification information to the connectable network identification information included in the generated transmission information. (Ie, information identifying the WFD wireless communication 155). The contents of the first and second network identification information have already been described, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. Then, the CPU 32 overwrites and stores the generated transmission information in the storage unit 37 using the serial communication mode. Then, the process of rewriting transmission information is ended.

  On the other hand, if it is set that only the infrastructure mode wireless communication 154 can be used (S530: infrastructure), the process proceeds to S535. At S535, the CPU 32 newly generates transmission information. Specifically, the CPU 32 includes the first network identification information (that is, the information for identifying the wireless communication 154 in the infrastructure mode) in the connectable network identification information included in the generated transmission information. Then, the CPU 32 overwrites and stores the generated transmission information in the storage unit 37 using the serial communication mode. Then, the process of rewriting transmission information is ended.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S520 (S520: NO), the process proceeds to S522. In S522, the CPU 32 determines whether the setting for enabling the Bluetooth communication I / F 40 has been made. For example, when the response information indicating that the wireless communication 156 is available is received from the Bluetooth communication I / F 40, and the connection setting of the wireless communication 156 is set to “connectable”, the Bluetooth communication I / F 40 is used It may be determined that possible settings have been made. If a positive determination is made (S522: YES), the process proceeds to S523. In S523, the CPU 32 newly generates transmission information. Specifically, the CPU 32 includes third network identification information (that is, information for identifying the Bluetooth wireless communication 156) in the connectable network identification information included in the generated transmission information. Then, the CPU 32 overwrites and stores the generated transmission information in the storage unit 37 using the serial communication mode. Then, the process of rewriting transmission information is ended.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S522 (S522: NO), the process proceeds to S525. At S525, the CPU 32 newly generates transmission information. Specifically, the CPU 32 sets fifth network identification information (that is, information indicating that there is no network to which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable) in the connectable network identification information included in the generated transmission information. Include. Then, the CPU 32 overwrites and stores the generated transmission information in the storage unit 37 using the serial communication mode. Then, the process of rewriting transmission information is ended.

  In S413 of FIG. 5, the NFC communication I / F 36 determines whether an RF communication mode command has been received. The RF communication mode command is information instructing to start the NFC wireless communication 153. The reception of the RF communication mode command is started by the NFC communication I / F provided in the device of the communication destination being in proximity within a predetermined distance centered on the NFC communication I / F 36 provided in the MFP 51. . The predetermined distance may be, for example, about 10 cm. If a negative determination is made (S413: NO), the process proceeds to S415.

  In S415, the CPU 32 determines whether the error of the MFP 51 detected in S437 or S440 described later is eliminated. If the error is resolved (S 415: YES), the CPU 32 adds the transmission information including the device status information including the error content stored in the storage unit 37 in the NFC communication I / F 36 to the new transmission information. The rewriting process is executed (S416). The contents of the rewriting process have already been described with reference to FIG. When the process of S416 is completed, the CPU 32 shifts the process to S420. When it is determined in S415 that the error is not resolved (S415: NO), the CPU 32 shifts the process to S420.

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in S413 (S413: YES), the process proceeds to S417. In S417, the NFC communication I / F 36 transmits the transmission information stored in the storage unit 37 to the communication destination apparatus using the RF communication mode via the wireless communication 153 of the NFC method.

  In S420, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the input of an instruction to turn off the power is accepted. The instruction may be input by pressing a power button (not shown) provided in the button input unit 38. If a positive determination is made (S420: YES), the process proceeds to S450. At S450, the CPU 32 newly generates transmission information. Specifically, the CPU 32 indicates that there is no fifth network identification information (that is, there is no network set to allow the MFP 51 to be connected) in the connectable network identification information included in the generated transmission information. Information). Then, the CPU 32 overwrites and stores the generated transmission information in the storage unit 37 using the serial communication mode. In S455, the CPU 32 executes processing for turning off the MFP 51. And the flow ends.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S420 (S420: NO), the process proceeds to S422. In S422, the CPU 32 determines whether the error state detected in S437 or S440 described later is continued. If a positive determination is made (S422: YES), the processing returns to S413, and if a negative determination is made (S422: NO), the processing proceeds to S425. Thus, it is possible to maintain the state in which the transmission information including the error information is stored in the storage unit 37 while the error state of the MFP 51 continues.

  In S425, the CPU 32 determines whether the network to which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable has been changed. The determination may be performed, for example, by monitoring whether the content of the connection setting stored in the storage unit 33 has been changed. If a negative determination is made (S425: NO), the processing proceeds to S435, and if a positive determination is made (S425: YES), the processing proceeds to S430.

  In S430, the CPU 32 executes a rewriting process of rewriting the old transmission information stored in the storage unit 37 in the NFC communication I / F 36 into new transmission information corresponding to the changed connection setting. The contents of the rewriting process have already been described with reference to FIG.

  As a specific operation example, from the first connection setting to which wireless communication in the infrastructure mode and the WFD scheme is connectable to the second connection setting to which only wireless communication in the infrastructure mode is connectable, S425. The case where it is changed in will be described. In the first connection setting, the connection settings of the infrastructure mode, the WFD method, and the Bluetooth method are “connectable”, “connectable”, and “not connectable”. Therefore, the connectable network identification information in the transmission information before being rewritten in S430 includes the first and second network identification information. On the other hand, in the second connection setting, the connection settings of the infrastructure mode, the WFD method, and the Bluetooth method are "connectable", "connection impossible", and "connection impossible". Therefore, only the first network identification information is included in the connectable network identification information in the transmission information after being rewritten in S430.

In S432, the CPU 32 determines whether or not to execute a transmission process of transmitting the rewritten transmission information to the communication destination apparatus. For example, when rewriting of the transmission information is executed within a predetermined time from when the transmission information is transmitted to the communication destination apparatus most recently (S417), the content of the transmitted transmission information is It may be determined that the connection setting has been changed in accordance with the confirmation, and the transmission process may be executed. If a negative determination is made (S432: NO), the processing proceeds to S435, and if a positive determination is made (S432: YES), the processing proceeds to S434.

  In S434, the CPU 32 executes a transmission process of transmitting the transmission information stored in the storage unit 37 to the device of the communication destination using the RF communication mode via the wireless communication 153 of the NFC method. The transmission process may be performed without receiving the RF communication mode command described above. That is, the transmission process may be performed without the operation of the communication destination apparatus being in proximity to the NFC communication I / F 36. The transmission process may be performed, for example, by restarting the NFC communication I / F 36.

  In S435, the CPU 32 determines whether processing instruction information has been received from the information processing apparatus 100. The process command information is information for instructing the MFP 51 to execute a process using any one of various types of functions such as print processing and scan processing. If the content of the processing command information is content that causes the MFP 51 to execute processing using the print function, the processing command information may include print data. If a negative determination is made (S435: NO), the process returns to S413, and if a positive determination is made (S435: YES), the process proceeds to S437.

  In S437, the CPU 32 determines whether an error has occurred in the function instructed to execute the process by the process command information. For example, if the content of the processing command information is content that causes the MFP 51 to execute processing using the print function, it is determined whether an error has occurred in the printer 19.

  If a negative determination is made in S437 (S437: NO), the process proceeds to S439. In S439, the CPU 32 starts execution of various processes based on the received process command information. For example, when the process command information instructs the print process, the printer 19 is made to execute the print process using the print data. Further, for example, when the process command information instructs the scan process, the scanner 20 is made to execute the scan process. In S440, the CPU 32 determines whether an error has occurred in the process being executed. If a negative determination is made in S440 (S440: NO), the CPU 32 determines whether the process has been completed in S442. If a negative determination is made in S442 (S442: NO), the process returns to S440, and if a positive determination is made in S442 (S442: YES), the process returns to S413.

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in S440 (S440: YES), or when an affirmative determination is made in S437 (S437: YES), the process proceeds to S444. In S444, the CPU 32 transmits, to the information processing apparatus 100, error notification information indicating that an error has occurred. The error notification information may be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100 using the wireless communication path from which the processing command information has been received in S435. The information processing apparatus 100 may cause the display unit 102 to display a character string indicating the content of the error that has occurred in response to receiving the error notification information.

In S445, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the transmission information including the error information is to be overwritten and stored in the storage unit 37. Specifically, when an error occurs in all of the functions (for example, the print function and the scan function) which can execute processing by the print application 121, the transmission information including the error information is overwritten and stored. It is judged that. As an example of the occurrence of such an error, there may be mentioned a case where a failure or the like of the power supply or drive circuit of the MFP 51 has occurred. In addition, when an error occurs in only part of the functions (for example, either the print function or the scan function) which can execute processing by the print application 121, the error information is included. It is determined that the transmission information is not overwritten and stored. In this case, the function can not be executed until it can be confirmed whether the information processing apparatus 100 wants the MFP 51 to execute the print function using the printer 19 or the scan function using the scanner 20. It can also be said that an error of a type that can not be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100 has occurred.

  The determination in S445 may be made according to the severity of the error. For example, it is determined that transmission information including error information is overwritten and stored in the storage unit 37 if the error is severe, and it is determined that transmission information including the error information is not overwritten and stored if the error is minor. May be Serious errors are errors that can not be physically processed. Examples of the serious error include a failure of a print head that constitutes the printer 19, a failure of a conveyance unit of original paper that constitutes the scanner 20, and the like. Examples of minor errors include out of print paper and out of ink. The determination of the severity of the error may be performed based on the error classification information stored in the storage unit 33. The error classification information may be, for example, information in which a severe error or a mild error is assigned to each error type that may occur in the MFP 51.

  If a negative determination is made in S445 (S445: NO), the process returns to S413, and if a positive determination is made (S445: YES), the process proceeds to S446. At S446, the CPU 32 newly generates transmission information. Specifically, the CPU 32 includes the contents of the error occurring in the MFP 51 in the device status information included in the generated transmission information. Then, the CPU 32 overwrites and stores the generated transmission information in the storage unit 37 using the serial communication mode, and returns to S413.

(Process Performed by CPU 106 of Information Processing Device 100)
The processing executed by the CPU 106 of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation in the case where the information processing apparatus 100 is brought close to the MFP 51 will be described as an example. In S110, the CPU 106 determines whether transmission information has been received from the MFP 51 via the NFC wireless communication 153. If a negative determination is made (S110: NO), the process returns to S110, and if a positive determination is made (S110: YES), the process proceeds to S112.

  In S112, the CPU 106 determines whether the MFP 51 is in an error state. The determination may be made based on whether or not the device status information included in the received transmission information includes an error content occurring in the MFP 51. If a positive determination is made (S112: YES), the process proceeds to S113. In step S113, the print application 121 displays an error image on the display unit 102. And it returns to S110. As an example of the error image in this case, there is a character string such as “Because an error has occurred in the MFP, please fix the error in the MFP and then touch the information processing apparatus to the MFP again”. When an error occurs in all of the functions of the MFP 51 that can execute processing by the print application 121 (for example, the print function and the scan function) or when a serious error occurs in the MFP 51 Even when the information processing apparatus 100 communicates with the MFP 51, the function of the MFP 51 can not be used. In such a case, the process of switching wireless communication in order to communicate with the MFP 51 is wasted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, switching of wireless communication is not performed when the MFP 51 is in a severe error state in which the function can not be executed.

If a negative determination is made in S112 (S112: NO), the process proceeds to S115. In S115, the CPU 106 activates the print application 121. The activation of the print application 121 may be performed by the OS 124. The activation of the print application 121 may be performed by the OS 124 based on transmission information identification information included in the received transmission information. The transmission information identification information is information indicating that the transmission information is information used for the print application 121 as described above. In addition, when there are a plurality of applications to be activated, an image indicating each of the plurality of applications may be displayed on the display unit 102, and the selection of any one application may be accepted.

  In step S120, the print application 121 determines whether connection of wireless communication is instructed by the transmission information received in step S110. The determination may be made depending on whether the received transmission information includes communication execution information. If a negative determination is made (S120: NO), the process proceeds to S125. In step S125, the print application 121 determines whether the transmission information received in step S110 indicates that there is a network to which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable. When the fifth network identification information is not included in the transmission information, it is determined that the transmission information is information indicating that there is a network to which MFP 51 is set to be connectable (S125: YES). . Thus, the print application 121 is ended. On the other hand, when the fifth network identification information is included in the transmission information, it is determined that the transmission information is information indicating that there is no network to which MFP 51 is set to be connectable (S125: NO). Therefore, it progresses to S170.

  In S170, the print application 121 displays an error image on the display unit 102. As an example of the error image, a character string “Please turn on the power of the MFP or turn on the wireless setting while touching the information processing apparatus to the MFP” may be mentioned. And it returns to S110.

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in S120 (S120: YES), the process proceeds to S140. In S140, the print application 121 activates the connection module 122. The operation content of the connection module 122 will be described later. In S145, the print application 121 notifies the connection module 122 of the corresponding model information of the print application 121 and the corresponding wireless communication information. The corresponding model information is information indicating the type of device that can be controlled by the print application 121. The corresponding wireless communication information is information indicating the type of wireless communication that can be used by the print application 121 (eg, WFD wireless communication, Bluetooth wireless communication, etc.). When the OS 124 is an Android (registered trademark) OS, communication between the print application 121 and the connection module 122 may be performed using an intent.

  In step S147, the print application 121 determines whether or not reply information has been received from the connection module 122. If a negative determination is made (S147: NO), the process returns to S147, and if a positive determination is made (S147: YES), the process proceeds to S150.

In step S150, the print application 121 determines whether it is possible to communicate with the MFP 51 using any of the wireless communication methods. The determination may be made based on the content of the reply information received from the connection module 122. For example, when communication execution information (S275) is received as reply information, it may be determined that wireless communication in the infrastructure mode can be used. Further, for example, when communication destination identification information (S316) related to WFD wireless communication is received as reply information, it may be determined that WFD wireless communication can be used. Further, for example, when the Bluetooth setting information (S336) is received as the reply information, it may be determined that the wireless communication of the Bluetooth system is usable. Further, for example, when the communication disablement information (S225) is received as the reply information, it may be determined that any type of wireless communication can not be used. If a negative determination is made (S150: NO), the processing proceeds to S170, and if a positive determination is made (S150: YES), the processing proceeds to S155.

  In step S155, the print application 121 generates processing command information. The content of the processing command information has already been described in S435, and thus the description is omitted here.

  In S160, the print application 121 transmits processing instruction information to the MFP 51 via the wireless communication formed by the connection module 122. Then, the print application 121 ends.

(Operation of connection module 122)
The operation of the connection module 122 activated in S140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In S210, the connection module 122 determines whether the corresponding model information and the corresponding wireless communication information have been received from the print application 121. If a negative determination is made (S210: NO), the process returns to S210, and if a positive determination is made (S210: YES), the process proceeds to S215.

  In step S <b> 215, the connection module 122 determines whether the MFP 51 is an apparatus that can be controlled by the print application 121. Whether the determination is that the device type of the MFP 51 indicated by the device type identification information included in the transmission information received in S110 is included in the types of devices that can be controlled by the print application 121 indicated by the corresponding model information It may be performed depending on whether or not. If a negative determination is made (S215: NO), the process proceeds to S225. In S225, the connection module 122 transmits, to the print application 121, communication disable information indicating that any wireless communication can not be used. The connection module 122 then ends.

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in S215 (S215: YES), the process proceeds to S220. In S220, the connection module 122 determines whether the MFP 51 can execute wireless communication. The determination may be made based on whether the transmission information received in S110 includes the fifth network identification information (that is, information indicating that there is no network to which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable). Good. When an affirmative determination is made (S220: YES), the process proceeds to S240, and when a negative determination is made (S220: NO), the process proceeds to S225.

  In S240, the connection module 122 determines whether the MFP 51 is set so as to be able to use the infrastructure mode wireless communication 154. The determination may be made based on whether or not the transmission information received in S110 includes the first network identification information (that is, the information for identifying the wireless communication 154 in the infrastructure mode). If a positive determination is made (S240: YES), the process proceeds to S245.

In S245, the connection module 122 acquires, from the OS 124, the SSID of the access point to which the information processing apparatus 100 is currently connected. In S250, the connection module 122 determines whether the access point currently connected to the MFP 51 and the access point currently connected to the information processing apparatus 100 are the same. The determination may be performed based on whether or not the SSID of the access point set as the connection destination of the MFP 51 is the same as the SSID of the network to which the information processing apparatus 100 is currently connected. The SSID of the access point set as the connection destination of the MFP 51 may be acquired from the communication destination identification information included in the first network identification information in the transmission information received in S110. If a positive determination is made (S250: YES), the processing proceeds to S265, and if a negative determination is made (S250: NO), the processing proceeds to S255.

  In S255, the connection module 122 determines whether there is a switching access point capable of switching connection. For example, by searching for an access point registered in the access point connection history information stored in the storage unit 109 and existing within the communication range of the wireless LAN_I / F 105, the presence or absence of a switching access point You may decide When a plurality of access points are detected, an access point that has been connected most recently may be selected as a switching access point. If a negative determination is made (S255: NO), the processing proceeds to S300, and if a positive determination is made (S255: YES), the processing proceeds to S260. In addition, even if the access point corresponding to the SSID indicated by the communication destination identification information included in the connectable network identification information included in the transmission information received in S110 is searched as the access point for switching from the access point connection history information. Good.

  In S260, the connection module 122 switches the connection destination of the wireless LAN I / F 105 to the switching access point.

  In S265, the connection module 122 acquires the IP address of the MFP 51. For example, the node name of the MFP 51 included in the first network identification information may be broadcasted, and the IP address of the MFP 51 may be received.

  In S 270, the connection module 122 establishes infrastructure mode wireless communication 151 and 154 with the MFP 51. In S275, the connection module 122 transmits the communication execution information to the print application 121. The communication execution information is information used to execute the infrastructure mode wireless communication 151 and 154 with the MFP 51. The communication execution information may include, for example, the SSID of the first access point 501, the model name of the MFP 51, the IP address of the MFP 51, and the like. Then, the connection module 122 ends.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S240 or S255 (S240: NO or S255: NO), the process proceeds to S300. In S300, the connection module 122 determines whether the MFP 51 is set to use the WFD wireless communication 155. The determination may be made based on whether the transmission information received in S110 includes the second network identification information (that is, the information for identifying the WFD wireless communication 155). If a positive determination is made (S300: YES), the process proceeds to S305.

  In S305, the connection module 122 switches the communication method to be used to the WFD wireless communication 155. In S310, the connection module 122 reads communication destination identification information for using the WFD wireless communication 155 from the second network identification information included in the transmission information received in S110.

  In step S313, the connection module 122 establishes the WFD wireless communication 155 with the MFP 51. In step S316, the connection module 122 transmits, to the print application 121, communication destination identification information regarding WFD wireless communication. Then, the connection module 122 ends.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S300 (S300: NO), the process proceeds to S320. In S320, the connection module 122 determines whether the MFP 51 is set to use the wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth method. The said judgment is S110
The third embodiment may be performed depending on whether or not the third network identification information (i.e., information for identifying the wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth system) is included in the transmission information received in step (b). If a negative determination is made (S320: NO), the processing proceeds to S225, and if a positive determination is made (S320: YES), the processing proceeds to S325.

  In S325, the connection module 122 switches the communication method to be used to the wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth method. In S333, the connection module 122 establishes wireless communication 156 of the Bluetooth scheme with the MFP 51. In S336, the connection module 122 transmits the Bluetooth setting information to the print application 121. The Bluetooth setting information includes a MAC address. Then, the connection module 122 ends.

(effect)
If the access point currently connected to the information processing apparatus 100 is the same as the access point currently connected to the MFP 51 (S250: YES), wireless communication in infrastructure mode is executed via the same access point. (S270). As a result, network switching processing (eg, S305 and S325) does not occur, so the time required for communication can be shortened. When the access point currently connected to the information processing apparatus 100 and the access point currently connected to the MFP 51 are not the same (S250: NO), another communication method in which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable is made. Communication can be performed by switching (S305, S325). Thus, communication between the information processing apparatus 100 and the MFP 51 can be appropriately performed.

  It is possible to connect included in the transmission information stored in the storage unit 37 of the NFC communication I / F 36 in response to the setting content defining the network to which the MFP 51 can be connected being changed (S425: YES) The contents of the network identification information can be rewritten to the setting contents after the change (S430). That is, it is possible to update in real time the setting content that is stored in storage unit 37 and that defines the network to which MFP 51 can connect. As a result, even when the setting defining the network to which the MFP 51 can be connected changes, communication between the information processing apparatus 100 and the MFP 51 can be appropriately performed.

  In response to the content of the connectable network identification information included in the transmission information stored in the storage unit 37 of the NFC communication I / F 36 being changed (S425: YES), the connectable network identification information after the change Can be transmitted from the MFP 51 to the information processing apparatus 100 (S434). As a result, since the latest connectable network identification information can be always held in the information processing apparatus 100, communication between the information processing apparatus 100 and the MFP 51 can be appropriately performed.

  Transmission information including communication destination identification information necessary to execute communication with the MFP 51 can be transmitted from the MFP 51 to the information processing apparatus 100 (S417, S110). This enables the information processing apparatus 100 to appropriately execute processing (S265, S310, S325) of starting execution of communication with the MFP 51 using the communication destination identification information. Specifically, using the SSID of the first access point 501 and the IP address of the MFP 51, the information processing apparatus 100 can establish wireless communication 151 and 154 in infrastructure mode with the MFP 51 (S270). . Further, the WFD wireless communication 155 with the MFP 51 can be established in the information processing apparatus 100 using the WFD network SSID, the encryption method, the password, and the like (S313).

The information processing apparatus 100 includes an NFC communication I / F 112, and the MFP 51 includes an NFC communication I / F 36. Thus, the transmission information including the connectable network identification information can be acquired by the information processing apparatus 100 by an intuitive and simple operation such as bringing the information processing apparatus 100 close to the MFP 51 (S417, S110). ).

  If there is no network to which MFP 51 is set to be connectable, storage unit 37 can overwrite and store fifth network identification information indicating that there is no network to which MFP 51 is set to be connectable. (S525 or S450). As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 can be notified that the MFP 51 can not be connected via wireless communication (S110), and can be displayed on the display unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 100 (S170). Can be enhanced. As an example when there is no network to which the MFP 51 is set to be connectable, all wireless communication of the MFP 51 is set to disable (S522: NO), or the MFP 51 is powered off. (S420: YES) is mentioned. Further, since the NFC communication I / F 36 functions as an IC tag, even after the power of the MFP 51 is turned off, transmission information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100 in response to the proximity of the information processing apparatus 100. Can. Therefore, when the power of the MFP 51 is turned off (S420: YES), the transmission information including the fifth network identification information is overwritten and stored in the storage unit 37 (S450), so that the power of the MFP 51 is off. It is possible to notify the information processing apparatus 100 that the MFP 51 can not be connected via wireless communication even after the power of the MFP 51 is turned off.

  If an error occurs in all of the functions that can execute processing by the print application 121 (S445: YES), processing using any of the functions can not be performed by the MFP 51. Therefore, the process in which the information processing apparatus 100 starts communication with the MFP 51 is useless. Therefore, in this case, the transmission information including the content of the error occurring in the MFP 51 can be overwritten and stored in the storage unit 37 (S446). As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 can recognize that the MFP 51 is in an error state (S112: YES), so that unnecessary processing of starting communication with the MFP 51 can be prevented from being executed. it can.

  If an error occurs in only part of the functions that can execute processing by the print application 121 (S445: NO), processing instruction information is received from the information processing apparatus 100 (S435: YES) ), It is necessary to confirm whether an error has occurred in a function instructed to execute processing by the processing command information. Therefore, in this case, it is possible not to overwrite and store the transmission information including the content of the error occurring in the MFP 51 in the storage unit 37 (S445: NO). As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 can start communication with the MFP 51 (S112: NO), so that processing command information can be transmitted to the MFP 51. Then, when it is determined that an error has occurred in the function instructed to execute the process in the process command information (S437: YES), the error notification information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100 (S444). be able to. This makes it possible to notify the user that the function for which the user has instructed to execute the process can not be used due to an error.

  The connection module 122 can be activated by being called by the print application 121, which is the upper application (S115). Then, the connection module 122 can execute connection processing of wireless communication (S210 to S336), and can return information indicating a connection result to the print application 121 (S275, S225, S316, and S336). As a result, since the connection module 122 can be shared by a plurality of upper applications, the functions of the upper applications can be simplified.

  When the type of the MFP 51 is a non-compliant type of the print application 121 (S215: NO), an image indicating that the wireless connection can not be made to the MFP 51 is displayed on the display unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 100. It can do (S150: NO, S170). Thereby, the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

If the access point currently connected to the MFP 51 and the access point currently connected to the information processing apparatus 100 are not the same (S250: NO), the connection module 122 switches to the switching access point and executes wireless communication. It can be done ( S 260). For example, when the MFP 51 is connected to the second access point 502 and the information processing apparatus 100 is connected to the first access point 501, the connection module 122 sets the connection destination of the wireless LAN I / F 105 to the second. It is possible to switch to the access point 502 (S260). Thus, the information processing apparatus 100 and the MFP 51 can communicate with each other via the wireless communication 152 and 157. Thus, the network 10 can be provided with redundancy.

  As mentioned above, although the specific example of this invention was described in detail, these are only an illustration and do not limit a claim. The art set forth in the claims includes various variations and modifications of the specific examples described above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification)
In the present embodiment, the case where WFD wireless communication is used in preference to Bluetooth wireless communication has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Bluetooth wireless communication may be prioritized over WFD wireless communication. In this case, if a negative determination is made in S240 or S255 (S240: NO or S255: NO), the process may proceed to S320. Then, if a negative determination is made in S320 (S320: NO), the process may proceed to S300.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP 51 has been described as an example of the “communication apparatus” that communicates with the information processing apparatus 100, but the present invention is not limited to this form. The “communication device” may be a label printer, a scanner, a copier, a portable terminal, a PC, a server or the like.

  The timing at which the connection module 122 acquires the SSID of the network currently connected by the information processing apparatus 100 from the OS 124 is not limited to the timing at S245. For example, it may be acquired at the timing when the connection module 122 is activated.

  In S450, the present invention is not limited to the form in which the fifth network identification information is included in the connectable network identification information. Information indicating that the power of the MFP 51 is off may be included.

  The determination process performed in step S112 is not limited to the mode performed by the print application 121, and may be performed by the connection module 122. In this case, the connection module 122 may additionally execute the determination process performed in S112 in S220.

  In step S530, it may be determined whether only the WFD wireless communication 155 is available. Then, when setting that only the WFD wireless communication 155 can be used is performed, transmission information including the second network identification information may be overwritten and stored in the storage unit 37.

The MFP 51 may be set to use the infrastructure mode wireless communication 157. In this case, in S535 or S540, instead of the first network identification information, fourth network identification information (that is, information for identifying the wireless communication 157 in infrastructure mode) may be included in the connectable network identification information.

  Communication between the first access point 501 and the MFP 51 and communication between the second access point 502 and the MFP 52 may be performed either wirelessly or by wire.

  The information processing apparatus 100 may be configured to be able to connect an external memory such as a memory card. Then, instead of the storage unit 109, various data may be stored in an external memory.

  In the above embodiment, the CPU 106 of the information processing apparatus 100 executes the program 120 (i.e., software) in the storage unit 109, whereby the processes of FIGS. 2 to 4 are realized. Alternatively, at least one of the processes in FIGS. 2 to 4 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

  The MFP 51 is an example of a communication device. The NFC method is an example of a first wireless communication method. The NFC communication I / F 36 is an example of a first interface. The infrastructure mode, the WFD system, and the Bluetooth system are examples of the second wireless communication system. The wireless LAN I / F 34 or the Bluetooth communication I / F 40 is an example of the second interface. The NFC communication I / F 112 is an example of a third interface. The wireless LAN I / F 105 and the Bluetooth communication I / F 113 are an example of a fourth interface. The CPU that executes S525, S535, and S540 is an example of a storage control unit. The wireless communication 154 is an example of a first network. The wireless communication 155 and the wireless communication 156 are an example of a second network. CPU which performs S417 is an example of an identification information communication means. The CPU that executes S305 or S325 is an example of a first communication execution unit. The CPU 32 is an example of a control unit. The access point 501 is an example of a relay device. The CPU that executes S417 is an example of the first transmission unit. The CPU that executes S305 or S325 is an example of a first communication execution unit. The CPU that executes S265 is an example of a second communication execution unit. The CPU that executes S425 is an example of setting means. The CPU that executes S434 is an example of the second transmission unit. The SSID, the node name of the MFP 51, the MAC address, and the like are examples of communication destination identification information. The node name is an example of information for identifying the IP address of the communication apparatus. A password, an encryption method, etc. are examples of information required to join the second network. The fifth network identification information is an example of connectable network identification information indicating that there is no network to which the communication apparatus can belong. The CPU that executes S245 is an example of identification information acquisition means. The print application 121 is an example of a communication device control program. The device type identification information is an example of communication device type identification information. The corresponding model information is an example of controllable type information. CPU which performs S170 is an example of a display control means. The CPU that executes S260 is an example of a third communication execution unit.

The technical elements described in the present specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness singly or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the techniques illustrated in the present specification or the drawings simultaneously achieve a plurality of purposes, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical utility.
The following features are elements described in the claims at the beginning of the application.
(Item 1)
A communication system comprising an information processing device and a communication device, the communication system comprising:
The communication device is a first interface for executing communication with the information processing device by a first wireless communication method, and the first interface functions as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, and a second wireless communication. And a second interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus according to a method.
The information processing apparatus further includes: a third interface for performing communication with the communication apparatus according to the first wireless communication method; and a fourth interface for performing communication with the communication apparatus according to the second wireless communication method And, and,
Storage control for storing, in the first interface, one or more of connectable network identification information indicating a network to which the communication apparatus is set to be connectable among a plurality of network identification information indicating each of a plurality of types of networks Means,
Here, in the plurality of network identification information, first network identification information identifying a first network which is a network formed by a relay device, and communication directly between the information processing device and the communication device Second network identification information identifying a second network that is a network for performing
A communication according to the first wireless communication method is performed between the first interface and the third interface, and the one or more connectable network identification information written in the first interface is the information processing apparatus Identification information communication means to be acquired by
When the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs is not included in one or more networks identified by the one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the information processing apparatus Using the second network identified by the second network identification information included in the acquired connectable network identification information, and the information processing apparatus via the fourth interface and the second interface First communication execution means for executing communication with the communication device according to the second wireless communication system;
When the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs is included in one or more networks identified by the one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the information processing apparatus The second wireless communication between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus via the fourth interface and the second interface using the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs Second communication execution means for executing communication according to the communication system;
A communication system comprising:
(Item 2)
A first interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus according to a first wireless communication method, the first interface functioning as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag;
A second interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus according to a second wireless communication method;
A control unit,
A communication device comprising
The control unit
Storage control for storing, in the first interface, one or more of connectable network identification information indicating a network to which the communication device is set to be connectable among a plurality of network identification information indicating each of plural types of networks Means,
Here, the plurality of pieces of network identification information include first network identification information identifying a first network which is a network formed by a relay device, and a network for directly performing communication with the information processing device. And second network identification information identifying a second network,
First transmission means for performing communication with the information processing apparatus using the first interface, and transmitting the one or more connectable network identification information stored in the first interface to the information processing apparatus When,
When the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs is not included in one or more networks identified by the one or more connectable network identification information transmitted to the information processing apparatus Performing communication with the information processing apparatus via the second interface using the second network identified by the second network identification information included in the transmitted connectable network identification information; 1 communication execution means,
When the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs is included in one or more networks identified by the one or more connectable network identification information transmitted to the information processing apparatus A second communication execution unit configured to execute communication with the information processing apparatus via the second interface using the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs;
And a communication device characterized by functioning.
(Item 3)
The control unit includes setting means for setting a network to which the communication device is connected,
The storage control means causes one or more of connectable network identification information after change to the first interface in response to a change occurring in one or more networks to which the communication apparatus is set to be connectable. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the communication device is overwritten and stored.
(Item 4)
The changed connectable network identification information stored in the first interface in response to the storage control means overwriting and storing one or more of the changed connectable network identification information in the first interface. 4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit further functions as a second transmission unit that transmits to the information processing apparatus.
(Item 5)
5. The communication destination identification information required to set the communication device as a communication destination is included in each of the plurality of network identification information, according to any one of claims 2 to 4. Communication device.
(Item 6)
The first interface functions as the IC tag of NFC (Near Field Communication) standard,
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first transmission unit executes the communication of the NFC standard.
(Item 7)
When storing the first network identification information in the first interface as the connectable network identification information, the storage control means includes information for identifying the relay apparatus in the connectable network identification information. The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that:
(Item 8)
When the storage control means stores the first network identification information in the first interface as the connectable network identification information, the information for identifying the IP address of the communication device is the connectable network identification information. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the communication device is included in
(Item 9)
When storing the second network identification information as the connectable network identification information in the first interface, the storage control means includes information for identifying the second network in the connectable network identification information. Claim that is characterized by
The communication device according to any one of 2 to 8.
(Item 10)
In the case where the storage control means stores the second network identification information in the first interface as the connectable network identification information, the information necessary for joining the second network is the connectable network identification information. The communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that
(Item 11)
The storage control means may, when there is no network to which the communication device is set to be connectable, connectable network identification information indicating that there is no network to which the communication device can belong. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the communication apparatus is stored in one interface.
(Item 12)
The control unit further functions as a receiving unit that receives an input of a power off instruction to turn off the communication device,
The storage control means stores, in the first interface, information indicating that communication can not be performed with the communication device in response to the reception means receiving the power-off instruction. The communication device according to any one of Items 2 to 11.
(Item 13)
The storage control means overwrites and stores information indicating that an error has occurred in the communication device in the first interface in response to the occurrence of an error in the communication device. The communication apparatus according to any one of the above.
(Item 14)
The communication device is provided with a plurality of types of functions for executing various types of processing,
The storage control means sends information indicating that an error has occurred in the communication device to the first interface in response to the occurrence of an error that can not be used by all the functions of the plurality of types of functions. The communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the communication apparatus stores data by overwrite.
(Item 15)
The first communication execution means or the second communication execution means receives from the information processing apparatus processing instruction information instructing execution of processing using any one of the plurality of types of functions. Receiving means for
Among the plurality of types of functions, the type of function in which an error that can not be used has occurred includes the type of function used in the process instructed by the process command information, the communication Third transmission means for transmitting information indicating that an error has occurred in the device to the information processing apparatus by the first communication execution means or the second communication execution means;
The communication device according to claim 14, wherein the control unit further functions.
(Item 16)
An information processing program read into an information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus comprises: a first interface for performing communication with a communication apparatus according to a first wireless communication method; and a second interface for performing communication with the communication apparatus according to a second wireless communication method Have
The information processing program is
A first acquisition unit that acquires one or more connectable network identification information when communication with the communication apparatus is performed via the first interface according to the first wireless communication method;
Here, the one or more connectable network identification information is information indicating a network to which the communication device is set to be connectable among a plurality of network identification information indicating each of a plurality of types of networks,
The plurality of network identification information includes first network identification information identifying a first network which is a network formed by a relay device, and the communication device directly
And second network identification information identifying a second network that is a network for performing communication,
The first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs is not included in one or more networks identified by the one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the first acquisition means. In this case, communication with the communication device is performed via the second interface using the second network identified by the second network identification information included in the acquired connectable network identification information. First communication execution means,
The one or more networks identified by the one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the first acquisition means include the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs. A second communication execution unit configured to execute communication with the communication device via the second interface using the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs;
An information processing program for causing the information processing apparatus to function.
(Item 17)
Each of the plurality of pieces of network identification information includes communication destination identification information necessary for setting the communication device as a communication destination,
The first communication execution unit and the second communication execution unit set the communication destination of the information processing device to the communication device based on the communication destination identification information, thereby enabling communication with the information processing device. The information processing program according to claim 16, wherein communication is performed.
(Item 18)
An operating system program that causes the information processing apparatus to function as a first communication control unit that controls communication with a network identified by network identification information by being read into the information processing apparatus is the information processing apparatus. Stored in the storage unit,
The information processing program causes the information processing apparatus to further function as identification information acquisition means for acquiring from the first communication control means the belonging network identification information for identifying the network to which the information processing apparatus belongs.
The first communication execution means includes information corresponding to the belonging network identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means among the one or more connectable network identification information acquired from the communication device. If not, the second network identified by the second network identification information included in the connectable network identification information is used to communicate with the communication device via the second interface. Let the first communication control means execute
The second communication execution means includes information corresponding to the belonging network identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means among the one or more connectable network identification information acquired from the communication device. And causing the first communication control unit to execute communication with the communication apparatus through the second interface using the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs. The information processing program according to claim 16 or 17.
(Item 19)
A communication device control program that causes the information processing device to function as a second communication control unit by being read into the information processing device is stored in the storage unit of the information processing device.
The first communication execution means and the second communication execution means cause the second communication control means to acquire communication execution information for executing communication with the communication device.
The second communication control means causes the communication device to execute various processing by executing communication with the communication device based on the communication execution information. The information processing program according to any one of the above.
(Item 20)
There are multiple types of communication devices,
The second communication control means is capable of controlling at least some types of communication devices of the plurality of types of communication devices,
The one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the first acquisition means includes communication device type identification information indicating the type of the communication device,
The information processing program is
A second acquisition unit that acquires controllable type information indicating one or more types of communication devices that can be controlled by the second communication control unit from the second communication control unit;
The type of the communication device indicated by the communication device type identification information is not included in one or more of the types of the communication device indicated by the controllable type information acquired by the second acquisition unit. A display control unit configured to display an image indicating that connection to the communication apparatus can not be performed on a display unit of the information processing apparatus;
The information processing program according to claim 19, further causing the information processing apparatus to function.
(Item 21)
There are a plurality of the first networks formed by the relay device,
The information processing program is
Storing, in a storage unit, affiliation information which is information on an attached first network to which the information processing apparatus has belonged in the past, and which is used to cause the information processing apparatus to belong to the attached first network Storage control means,
The one or more networks identified by the one or more connectable network identification information acquired by the first acquisition means include the first network to which the information processing apparatus belongs. If there is no affiliation information stored in the storage unit, the second interface and the affiliated first network are formed using the affiliated first network identified by the affiliation information. Third communication execution means for executing communication with the communication device via the relay device;
The information processing program according to any one of claims 16 to 20, further causing the information processing apparatus to function.
(Item 22)
The first interface is an interface for communication by a wireless communication method of NFC (Near Field Communication) standard,
The information processing program according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the first acquisition unit executes communication of the NFC standard.

34: Wireless LAN I / F, 36: NFC communication I / F, 51 and 52: MFP, 100: information processing device, 102: display means, 105: wireless LAN I / F, 109: storage unit, 112: NFC communication I / F F, 121: Print application, 122: Connection module

Claims (10)

A first interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus according to a first wireless communication method, the first interface functioning as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag;
A second interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus according to a second wireless communication method;
A printer that executes printing,
A communication device comprising
The first interface has a storage unit,
First relation information related to a first network which is a network formed by the relay device is stored in the storage unit;
The first interface transmits the first related information to the information processing apparatus,
When the communication apparatus and the information processing apparatus belong to the first network, the communication apparatus further transmits the first relation information sent to the information processing apparatus via the second interface. Second communication execution means for receiving print data from the information processing apparatus using the related first network;
Print execution means for causing the printer to execute print processing of the print data;
And a communication device characterized by functioning. A first interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus according to a first wireless communication method, the first interface functioning as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag;
A second interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus according to a second wireless communication method;
A scanner that performs a scan to read an original,
A communication device comprising
The first interface has a storage unit,
First relation information related to a first network which is a network formed by the relay device is stored in the storage unit;
The first interface transmits the first related information to the information processing apparatus,
When the communication apparatus and the information processing apparatus belong to the first network, the communication apparatus further transmits the first relation information sent to the information processing apparatus via the second interface. A second communication execution unit that receives an instruction to cause the scanner to execute a scan process of reading a document and generating scan data using the related first network;
Scan execution means for causing the scanner to execute the scan process;
And a communication device characterized by functioning.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first relation information includes a node name of the communication device.   The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first relation information includes an SSID of an access point. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first relation information is stored in the storage unit when a specific condition is satisfied. The communication device according to claim 5 , wherein the specific condition includes that an error of the communication device has been eliminated. Wherein the first interface is, NFC is an interface that serves as the IC tag (Near Field Communication) standard, a communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The second interface is based on IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. approximately) 802.11 standard, and, standard (e.g. 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.) based thereon The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , which is an interface capable of performing wireless communication. The first communication for performing communication with a communication device having a printer for printing according to a first wireless communication method, the communication comprising a storage unit and an interface that functions as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag Said first interface for performing communication with a device;
A second interface for performing communication with the communication device according to a second wireless communication scheme;
An information processing apparatus provided with
First relationship information related to a first network which is a network formed by a relay device is stored in the storage unit included in the interface included in the communication device;
The first interface receives the first related information from the communication device,
When the communication apparatus and the information processing apparatus belong to the first network, the information processing apparatus further transmits the first relationship information received from the communication apparatus via the second interface. A second communication execution unit that transmits print data to the communication device using the related first network, wherein the print data is data to be printed by the printer. Means,
And an information processing apparatus characterized by functioning. The first wireless communication system, comprising: a first interface for performing communication with the communication apparatus having a scanner to perform the scan, the communication with the interface that acts as IC (Integrated Circuit) tag includes a storage unit Said first interface for performing communication with a device;
A second interface for performing communication with the communication device according to a second wireless communication scheme;
An information processing apparatus provided with
First relationship information related to a first network which is a network formed by a relay device is stored in the storage unit included in the interface included in the communication device;
The first interface receives the first related information from the communication device,
When the communication apparatus and the information processing apparatus belong to the first network, the information processing apparatus further transmits the first relationship information received from the communication apparatus via the second interface. A second communication execution unit that transmits an instruction for causing the scanner to execute a scan process of performing scan processing of reading a document on the communication apparatus using the first network concerned to generate scan data;
And an information processing apparatus characterized by functioning.

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