JP7848638B2 - Computer program for terminal device, terminal device, and method executed by terminal device - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses a technique for establishing a wireless connection between a terminal device and a communication device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system comprising a printer and a mobile terminal. The printer is equipped with an NFC (Near Field Communication) interface that functions as an IC tag conforming to the NFC standard. Upon establishing an NFC connection with the printer, the mobile terminal uses the NFC connection to receive information from the printer for establishing a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct®) connection. The mobile terminal then uses this information to establish a WFD connection with the printer.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-107831

The NFC interface described in Patent Document 1 above can receive instructions from the printer's control unit and supply notifications to the control unit. Patent Document 1 does not consider situations where the printer has an NFC interface that cannot receive instructions from the control unit or supply notifications to the control unit; that is, an NFC interface that is independent of the control unit.

This specification provides technology that enables the realization of a terminal device that performs appropriate processing depending on whether the communication device has a wireless interface that is independent of the control unit of the communication device or a wireless interface that is not independent of the control unit.

This specification discloses a computer program for a terminal device. The terminal device may include a first wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to a first communication standard, a second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, a display unit, and a computer. The computer program causes the computer to display an operation screen on the display unit indicating a change operation to change the state of the communication device from a disabled state in which the function of a predetermined method of the second communication standard is disabled to an enabled state in which the function of the predetermined method of the second communication standard is enabled, when a wireless link is established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface of the communication device, which is a third wireless interface of the communication device that performs wireless communication according to the first communication standard, using the wireless link, the specific information receiving unit which receives specific information from the third wireless interface via the first wireless interface, wherein the specific information includes type information indicating the type of the third wireless interface, and when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface that is independent of the control unit of the communication device, the first operation screen indicates a change operation to change the state of the communication device from a disabled state in which the function of a predetermined method of the second communication standard is disabled to an enabled state in which the function of the predetermined method of the second communication standard is enabled. The display control unit may function as follows: The first display control unit, where the operation screen is not displayed when the type information indicates a second type of wireless interface different from the first type of wireless interface, and the second type of wireless interface is not independent of the control unit of the communication device; the first establishment unit, where, when the type information indicates a first type of wireless interface and the change operation is performed on the communication device, a first wireless connection is established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the second communication standard; and the second establishment unit, where, when the type information indicates a second type of wireless interface, a second wireless connection is established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface, where the change operation is not performed on the communication device, a second wireless connection is established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface, according to the predetermined method.

According to the above configuration, the terminal device displays an operation screen when the type information indicates a Type 1 wireless interface that is independent of the control unit. Therefore, it can prompt the user to perform a change operation on the communication device. For this reason, the terminal device can establish a first wireless connection with the communication device when the change operation is performed on the communication device. On the other hand, when the type information indicates a Type 2 wireless interface that is not independent of the control unit, the terminal device can establish a second wireless connection with the communication device even if the change operation is not performed on the communication device. In this way, the terminal device can perform appropriate processing depending on whether the communication device has a Type 1 or Type 2 wireless interface.

The computer-readable recording medium for storing the above computer program, the terminal device itself, and the method of execution by the terminal device are all novel and useful. Furthermore, a communication system comprising a terminal device and a communication device is also novel and useful.

This shows the configuration of the communication system. This shows a sequence diagram of the state transition process for a multi-function device. This shows a flowchart of the application processing on the terminal device. A flowchart of the independent interface processing is shown. This shows the various screens displayed on the terminal device. A flowchart of the tag interface processing is shown. The sequence diagram for Case A1 is shown. The sequence diagram following Figure 7 is shown. The sequence diagram for Case A2 is shown. The sequence diagram for Case A3 is shown. The sequence diagram for Case B1 is shown. The sequence diagram for Case B2 is shown. The sequence diagram for Case B3 is shown.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of communication system 2: Figure 1)
As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 2 comprises a terminal device 10, an access point (hereinafter simply referred to as "AP") 60, and a plurality of multifunction devices 100, 200. In this embodiment, a situation is assumed in which a wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard is established between the terminal device 10 and any of the multifunction devices 100, 200.

(Configuration of terminal device 10)
The terminal device 10 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone, PDA, or tablet PC. The terminal device 10 comprises an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, an NFC (Near Field Communication) interface 20, a Wi-Fi interface 22, and a control unit 30. Each of the units 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (symbols omitted).

The control unit 12 is equipped with multiple keys. The user can input various instructions to the terminal device 10 by operating the control unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for showing various information. The display unit 14 also functions as a touch panel (i.e., control unit) that receives instructions from the user.

The NFC interface 20 is a wireless interface for performing wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as "NFC communication") in accordance with the NFC standard. The NFC standard is a wireless communication standard based on international standards such as ISO/IEC 21481 or 18092. The NFC interface 20 is connected to the control unit 30 via a bus line (not shown) and can supply information to and receive information from the control unit 30. In other words, the NFC interface 20 is capable of communicating with the control unit 30. The NFC interface 20 can receive power from the power supply (not shown) of the terminal device 10.

The Wi-Fi interface 22 is a wireless interface for performing wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi communication") in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi standard is a wireless communication standard for performing wireless communication in accordance with, for example, the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and equivalent standards (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). The Wi-Fi interface 22 also supports the WFD (Wi-Fi Direct®) method developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Details of the WFD method are described in the "Wi-Fi Direct Specification Version 1.9" standard document created by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Here are the differences between NFC communication and Wi-Fi communication. The communication speed of Wi-Fi (for example, a maximum speed of 600 Mbps) is greater than that of NFC communication (for example, a maximum speed of 424 kbps). The carrier frequency in Wi-Fi communication (i.e., the 2.4 GHz band or the 5.0 GHz band) is different from that of NFC communication (i.e., 13.56 MHz). The maximum distance at which Wi-Fi communication is possible (e.g., 100 m) is greater than the maximum distance at which NFC communication is possible (e.g., approximately 10 cm).

The control unit 30 comprises a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to programs 36 and 40 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc., and stores the OS program 36 and the MFP application 40. Hereafter, the OS program 36 and the MFP application 40 will be referred to as "OS 36" and "application 40," respectively.

OS36 is a program for controlling the basic operation of the terminal device 10, such as iOS® or Android®. Application 40 is installed on the terminal device 10 from an internet server provided by the MFP 100 vendor. Application 40 is a program for establishing a wireless connection with the multifunction device in accordance with WFD, and for causing the multifunction device to perform printing or scanning.

(Configuration of the multi-function device 100)
The multifunction device 100 is a peripheral device (for example, a peripheral device of the terminal device 10) capable of performing printing and scanning functions. Hereafter, the multifunction device will be referred to as "MFP (abbreviation for Multi-Function Peripheral)". The MFP 100 comprises an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a printing execution unit 116, a scanning execution unit 118, an NFC independent interface 120, a Wi-Fi interface 122, and a control unit 130.

The operation unit 112 is equipped with multiple keys. The user can input various instructions to the MFP 100 by operating the operation unit 112. The display unit 114 is a display for showing various information. The display unit 114 also functions as a touch panel (i.e., operation unit) that receives instructions from the user. The print execution unit 116 is equipped with a printing mechanism such as an inkjet or laser type. The scan execution unit 118 is equipped with a reading mechanism such as a CCD or CIS type.

The NFC independent interface 120 is a wireless interface for performing NFC communication. The NFC independent interface 120 is a so-called sticker-type or label-type interface. The NFC independent interface 120 is not connected to the MFP 100's bus lines. Therefore, the NFC independent interface 120 cannot supply information to or receive information from the control unit 130. In other words, the NFC independent interface 120 cannot communicate with the control unit 130. Generally speaking, the NFC independent interface 120 is independent of the control unit 130. The NFC independent interface 120 cannot receive power from the MFP 100's power supply (not shown) and performs communication with the communication partner (e.g., terminal device 10) via electromagnetic induction.

The Wi-Fi interface 122 is the same as the Wi-Fi interface 22 of the terminal device 10 and has the MAC address "MAC1". The Wi-Fi interface 122 supports WFD. The MFP 100 can operate as a WFD Group Owner (i.e., the master station of the wireless network, hereinafter referred to as "G/O"). When the MFP 100 is operating as a G/O, it can establish a wireless connection (hereinafter referred to as "WFD connection") with the terminal device 10 in accordance with WFD.

The control unit 130 comprises a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The CPU 132 executes various processes according to the program 136 stored in the memory 134. The memory 134 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.

(Configuration of the multi-function machine 200)
The MFP200 has the same configuration as the MFP100, except that it has a different type of NFC interface and the Wi-Fi interface has a MAC address "M2". The MFP200 includes an operation unit 212, a display unit 214, a print execution unit 216, a scan execution unit 218, an NFC tag interface 220, a Wi-Fi interface 222, and a control unit 230.

The NFC tag interface 220 is a wireless interface for performing NFC communication. The NFC tag interface 220 is connected to the bus line of the MFP 200. Therefore, the NFC tag interface 220 can supply information to the control unit 230 and receive information from the control unit 230. In other words, the NFC tag interface 220 cannot communicate directly with the control unit 230. Generally speaking, the NFC tag interface 220 is not independent of the control unit 230. The NFC tag interface 220 can receive power from the power supply (not shown) of the MFP 200.

In this embodiment, the NFC tag interface 220 is an IC tag interface that functions only with NFC standard cards. However, in a modified example, the NFC tag interface 220 may be an interface that can selectively operate in one of the following modes: card emulation mode, reader/writer mode, or P2P mode.

The control unit 230 comprises a CPU 232 and a memory 234. The CPU 232 executes various processes according to the program 236 stored in the memory 234. The memory 234 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.

(State transition process of MFP100: Figure 2)
Referring to Figure 2, the state transition process executed by the CPU 132 of the MFP 100 will be explained. The process shown in Figure 2 is triggered when the power of the MFP 100 is turned ON.

In S10, the CPU 132 first sets the WFD setting of the MFP 100 to "OFF". The WFD setting indicates either "ON," meaning the MFP 100 operates as the G/O for the WFD, or "OFF," meaning the MFP 100 does not operate as the G/O.

In S12, the CPU 132 displays the home screen SC0 on the display unit 114. The home screen SC0 includes various buttons such as a copy button, a scan button, and a WFD setting button. Although not shown in the flowchart, when the user selects either the copy button or the scan button, the CPU 132 performs a copy or scan of the document.

In S20, the CPU 132 determines whether the WFD setting button on the home screen SC0 has been selected by the user. If the CPU 132 determines that the WFD setting button has been selected (YES in S20), it proceeds to S22. On the other hand, if the CPU 132 determines that the WFD setting button has not been selected (NO in S20), it continues monitoring in S20. Note that Figure 2 shows that if NO is given in S20, the process proceeds to S40; however, the processing in S40 is executed by the CPU 232 of the MFP 200 equipped with the NFC tag interface 220, and not by the CPU 132 of the MFP 100 equipped with the NFC independent interface 120.

In S22, the CPU 132 displays the setting change screen SC1 on the display unit 114. The setting change screen SC1 includes a message indicating the current WFD setting, a message asking whether or not to change the WFD setting, a YES button, and a NO button.

In S24, the CPU 132 determines whether the YES button on the settings change screen SC1 was selected by the user. If the CPU 132 determines that the YES button was selected (YES in S24), it proceeds to S26. On the other hand, if the CPU 132 determines that the NO button was not selected (NO in S24), it returns to S12.

In S26, the CPU 132 changes the WFD setting. If the current WFD setting is "OFF", the CPU 132 changes the WFD setting from "OFF" to "ON" in S26. In this case, the CPU 132 changes the state of the MFP 100 from a state in which it does not operate as a WFD G/O (hereinafter referred to as "non-G/O state") to a state in which it operates as a G/O (hereinafter referred to as "G/O state"). In other words, the non-G/O state is a state in which the WFD function in the MFP 100 is disabled, and the G/O state is a state in which the WFD function in the MFP 100 is enabled. When the process in S26 is executed, a wireless network is formed in which the MFP 100 operates as a G/O (i.e., master station). The CPU 132 maintains the MFP 100 in the G/O state unless the WFD setting is changed from "ON" to "OFF" by the user. In other words, the CPU 132 permanently maintains the MFP 100 in the G/O state.

When the CPU 132 changes the WFD setting from "OFF" to "ON," it also changes the state of the MFP 100 from a state where WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is not activated (hereinafter referred to as "non-WPS state") to a state where WPS is activated (hereinafter referred to as "WPS state"). This allows the MFP 100 to establish a WFD connection with other devices by performing communication according to WPS. The CPU 132 maintains the MFP 100 in the WPS state until a first predetermined time (e.g., 70 seconds) has elapsed since the change from the non-WPS state to the WPS state. That is, after the first predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 132 returns the MFP 100's state from the WPS state back to the non-WPS state.

If the current WFD setting is "ON", CPU 132 changes the WFD setting from "ON" to "OFF" in S26. In this case, CPU 132 changes the MFP's state from G/O state to non-G/O state. This eliminates the wireless network where MFP 100 is operating as a G/O. After S26 finishes, the process returns to S12.

(MFP200 state transition process: Figure 2)
The CPU 232 of the MFP 200 is capable of executing the processes S10 to S26 in Figure 2, and in S40, it monitors whether the NFC link is established. When the CPU 232 receives an establishment notification from the NFC tag interface 220 indicating that the NFC link has been established, it determines YES in S40 and proceeds to S42. As described above, the NFC independent interface 120 of the MFP 100 is independent of the control unit 130. For this reason, the CPU 132 of the MFP 100 cannot receive an establishment notification from the NFC independent interface 120. In other words, the CPU 132 is unable to execute the process in S40.

In S42, the CPU 232 determines whether the current WFD setting is "ON" or not. If the CPU 232 determines that the current WFD setting is "ON" (YES in S42), it proceeds to S44. If it determines that the current WFD setting is "OFF" (NO in S42), it proceeds to S46.

In S44, the CPU 232 changes the state of the MFP 200 from non-WPS state to WPS state. The CPU 232 maintains the MFP 200 in the WPS state until a first predetermined time (e.g., 70 seconds) has elapsed since the change from non-WPS state to WPS state. When S44 ends, the process returns to S12.

In S46, the CPU 232 maintains the WFD setting at "OFF" while changing the state of the MFP 200 from the non-G/O state to the G/O state. If the MFP 200, which is in the G/O state, remains without a WFD connection to any device for a second predetermined time (e.g., 300 seconds), the CPU 232 returns the MFP 200's state from the G/O state back to the non-G/O state. For example, after a WFD connection with terminal device 10 is established, if the WFD connection is disconnected and a second predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 232 returns the MFP 200's state back to the non-G/O state. Thus, since the process in S46 involves temporarily changing the MFP 200 to the G/O state, the WFD setting remains at "OFF".

In S46, the CPU 232 further changes the state of the MFP 200 from a non-WPS state to a WPS state. The CPU 232 maintains the MFP 200 in the WPS state until a first predetermined time (e.g., 70 seconds) has elapsed since the change from the non-WPS state to the WPS state. After S46 ends, the process returns to S12.

(Application processing on terminal device 10: Figure 3)
Next, referring to Figure 3, we will explain the process realized by the CPU 32 of the terminal device 10 executing the application 40. When the operation to launch the application 40 is performed, the process shown in Figure 3 begins. In the following, when describing the process that the CPU 32 of the terminal device 10 executes according to the OS 36, we will not describe it with the CPU 32 as the main subject, but rather with the OS 36 as the main subject. Similarly, when describing the process that the CPU 32 executes according to the application 40, we will describe it with the application 40 as the main subject. In the following, it is possible that the OS 36 executes a process in response to the application 40 supplying an execution instruction to the OS 36. In this case, the process can be said to be a process that the application 40 executes via the OS 36. In other words, the application 40 causes the CPU 32 to function as a processing execution unit that executes the process by supplying an execution instruction to the OS 36.

In S110, application 40 displays the home screen SC10 on the display unit 14. The home screen SC10 includes a print icon and a scan icon.

In S120 and S130, application 40 monitors whether the user selects the print icon or the scan icon on the home screen SC10. If the print icon is selected, application 40 determines YES in S120 and proceeds to S122. If the scan icon is selected, application 40 determines YES in S130 and proceeds to S132.

In S122, the application 40 displays the image selection screen SC12 on the display unit 14. The image selection screen SC12 is a screen for selecting a file representing the image to be printed. The image selection screen SC12 includes, for example, the filenames of various files stored in memory 34 (e.g., "aaa.jpeg").

In S124, application 40 monitors whether a file (i.e., an image) is selected by the user within the image selection screen SC12. If a file is selected, application 40 determines YES in S124 and proceeds to S126.

In S126, the application 40 displays the preview screen SC14 on the display unit 14. The preview screen SC14 includes an image represented by the file selected in S124, i.e., a print preview image. The preview screen SC14 also includes a message prompting the user to bring the terminal device 10 closer to the MFP in order to have the MFP perform printing. When S126 ends, the process proceeds to S140.

In S132, the application 40 displays the scan screen SC20 on the display unit 14. The scan screen SC20 includes a message prompting the user to bring the terminal device 10 closer to the MFP in order to have the MFP perform a scan. After S126 is completed, the process proceeds to S140.

In S140, application 40 monitors whether an NFC link is established with the MFP. When the terminal device 10 is brought close to the MFP in response to a message on screen SC14 or SC20 displayed in S126 or S132, an NFC link is established between the NFC interface 20 and the MFP's NFC interface (e.g., 120 or 220). In this case, application 40 receives an establishment notification from the NFC interface 20 indicating that the NFC link has been established, and determines YES in S140, proceeding to S142. The establishment notification includes information received from the MFP's NFC interface using the above NFC link (hereinafter referred to as "specific information"). That is, application 40 receives specific information from the MFP via the NFC interface 20. The content of the specific information depends on the MFP to which the NFC link is established.

When an NFC link is established with the MFP 100, the specific information includes interface type information indicating that the MFP 100's NFC interface 120 is an NFC-independent interface. In this case, the specific information further includes the MFP 100's MAC address "MAC1" and its model name "M1". This information is pre-stored in the NFC-independent interface 120 from the time of shipment of the MFP 100.

On the other hand, when an NFC link is established with the MFP200, the specific information includes interface type information indicating that the MFP200's NFC interface 220 is an NFC tag interface. In this case, the specific information further includes the MFP200's MAC address "MAC2".

When the MFP200 is powered on, it generates an SSID (Service Set Identifier) that identifies the wireless network on which the MFP200 operates as a G/O, and a password used for that wireless network. This information is then stored in the NFC tag interface 220. After the MFP200 is powered on, when it transitions from a non-G/O state to a G/O state, it forms a wireless network using this information. Furthermore, when the MFP200 transitions from a G/O state to a non-G/O state, it generates a new SSID and a new password, and stores this information in the NFC tag interface 220. Therefore, the specific information also includes the SSID and password.

When the MFP200 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the AP60, it stores the IP address of the MFP200 used in the wireless network formed by the AP60 in the NFC tag interface 220. Therefore, if the MFP200 has established a Wi-Fi connection with the AP60, the specific information also includes the IP address of the MFP200.

The maximum number of devices that can participate as slave stations in the wireless network where the MFP200 operates as a G/O is predetermined. In this embodiment, this maximum number is "1". When the MFP200 forms the above-mentioned wireless network and other devices are participating in the wireless network as slave stations, it stores error information in the NFC tag interface 220. Therefore, in this case, the specific information further includes error information. This error information indicates that the number of slave stations in the wireless network has reached its limit, and therefore, the device cannot participate in the wireless network.

In S142, application 40 determines whether the interface type information contained in the received specific information indicates an NFC independent interface or an NFC tag interface. If the interface type information indicates an NFC independent interface, application 40 proceeds to S150 and executes independent interface processing (see Figure 4). If the interface type information indicates an NFC tag interface, application 40 proceeds to S160 and executes tag interface processing (see Figure 6). After S150 or S160 is completed, the process returns to S110.

(Independent interface processing: Figure 4)
Next, referring to Figure 4, the independent interface processing of S150 in Figure 3 will be explained. Hereafter, the MAC address included in the specific information received in S140 will be referred to as the "target MAC address". Also, as mentioned above, the specific information received from an MFP equipped with an NFC independent interface includes the model name of the MFP. Hereafter, this model name will be referred to as the "target model name". For example, the specific information received from MFP 100 includes "M1" as the target model name.

In S210, application 40 determines whether the connection history information in memory 34 includes the target MAC address. The connection history information includes the MAC address of the MFP on which the WFD connection was established through the process shown in Figure 4, and is stored in memory 34 in S272 (described later). If the connection history information includes the target MAC address, application 40 determines YES in S210 and proceeds to S212. If the connection history information does not include the target MAC address, application 40 determines NO in S210 and proceeds to S240.

In S212, the application 40 supplies a device search instruction to the OS 36. The device search instruction is a command that instructs the OS 36 to search for a base station of the wireless network present around the terminal device 10. In response, the OS 36 performs the base station search by sending a broadcast Probe request via the Wi-Fi interface 22. The OS 36 receives a Probe response from the base station via the Wi-Fi interface 22. This base station includes APs, WFD G/Os, etc. Therefore, for example, if MFP 100 or MFP 200 is operating as a G/O, the OS 36 receives a Probe response from MFP 100 or MFP 200. The Probe response includes the SSID of the wireless network formed by the base station that sent the Probe response, and the MAC address of the base station. OS36 supplies application 40 with the search results, including each MAC address contained in each Probe response received through the above search.

In S220, application 40 determines whether the search results obtained from OS 36 include the target MAC address. If the search results include the target MAC address, application 40 determines YES in S220 and proceeds to S260. If the search results do not include the target MAC address, application 40 determines NO in S220 and proceeds to S280.

In S240, application 40 determines whether the target model name is "M1" or "M2". If the target model name is "M1", application 40 determines YES in S240 and proceeds to S242. If the target model name is "M2", application 40 determines NO in S240 and proceeds to S244.

In S242, the application 40 displays the operation screen SC30 corresponding to the model name "M1" on the display unit 14. As shown in Figure 5, the operation screen SC30 includes a message 300 prompting the user to select the WFD setting on the MFP's home screen and change the MFP's WFD setting from "OFF" to "ON". That is, the message 300 prompts the user to select the YES button on the setting change screen SC1 displayed in S22 of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, an MFP equipped with an NFC independent interface does not automatically transition from a non-G/O state to a G/O state even after an NFC link with the terminal device 10 is established (i.e., S46, which proceeds after selecting YES in S40, is not executed). Therefore, the user needs to perform an operation on the MFP to change the MFP's WFD setting from "OFF" to "ON". In this embodiment, the operation screen SC30 is displayed, allowing the user to appropriately perform the operation to change the MFP's WFD setting to "ON". The operation screen SC30 further includes a message 302 prompting the user to bring the terminal device 10 closer to the MFP. After S242 is completed, the process proceeds to S250.

In S244, the application 40 displays the operation screen SC32 corresponding to the model name "M2" on the display unit 14. As shown in Figure 5, the operation screen SC32 includes a message 310 prompting the user to press the physical button on the front of the MFP to change the MFP's WFD setting from "OFF" to "ON". Thus, the MFP with model name "M2" (not shown) has its WFD setting changed by a different method than the MFP 100 with model name "M1". Therefore, the application 40 displays the operation screen SC30 or SC32 indicating the method corresponding to the model name. This allows the user to change the MFP's WFD setting using the method corresponding to the model name. After S244 ends, the process proceeds to S250.

In S250, application 40 monitors whether the NFC link with the MFP is re-established. The processing in S250 is the same as the processing in S140 in Figure 3. When application 40 receives an establishment notification from the NFC interface 20, it determines YES in S250 and proceeds to S260. In this way, when the NFC link with the MFP is re-established, application 40 can establish a WFD connection with the MFP in the processing from S260 onward.

In S260, application 40 supplies a connection instruction to OS 36, including the target MAC address. This connection instruction is a command that instructs the OS 36 to establish a WFD connection with the MFP having the target MAC address. As a result, OS 36 attempts to establish a WFD connection with the MFP acting as a G/O via the Wi-Fi interface 22.

In S262, the application 40 displays the connection screen SC35 on the display unit 14. As shown in Figure 5, the connection screen SC35 includes a message 320 indicating that processing to establish a WFD connection with the MFP is being performed. The connection screen SC35 further includes a message 322 prompting the user to select the connect button when it appears on the MFP. The connect button is used to change the MFP 100 from a non-WPS state to a WPS state.

As described above, even if the MFP 100 changes from a non-WPS state to a WPS state in S26 of Figure 2, the MFP 100 will revert from the WPS state to a non-WPS state after a first predetermined time (e.g., 70 seconds) has elapsed. Therefore, for example, the NFC link with the MFP 100 can be re-established after the first predetermined time has elapsed since the operation corresponding to the operation screen SC30 displayed in S242 was performed on the MFP 100. In this case, since the MFP 100 has returned to a non-WPS state, even if the process for establishing a WFD connection with the MFP 100 is performed in S260, the WFD connection with the MFP 100 will not be established, and the connect button will be displayed on the MFP 100. The user can select the connect button displayed on the MFP 100 in response to message 322 in the connection screen SC35. This allows the user to properly establish a WFD connection with the MFP 100.

Furthermore, after the WFD connection with MFP100 is disconnected, the NFC link with MFP100 may be re-established in order for the user to re-establish the WFD connection with MFP100. In this case as well, since MFP100 has returned to a non-WPS state, even if the process for establishing a WFD connection with MFP100 is executed in S260, the WFD connection with MFP100 will not be established, and the connect button will be displayed on MFP100. The user can select the connect button displayed on MFP100 in response to message 322 in the connection screen SC35. This allows the user to properly re-establish the WFD connection with MFP100.

In S270, application 40 determines whether a WFD connection with the MFP has been established. If application 40 receives a connection notification from OS 36 indicating that a WFD connection has been established, it determines YES in S270 and proceeds to S272. If application 40 receives an error notification from OS 36 indicating that a WFD connection was not established, it determines NO in S270 and proceeds to S280.

In S272, if the application 40 has not already stored the target MAC address in the connection history information, it adds the target MAC address to the connection history information. If the application 40 has already stored the target MAC address in the connection history information, it skips S272.

In S274, application 40 uses the WFD connection established in S270 to send a print command or scan command to the MFP via the Wi-Fi interface 22. If application 40 has gone through S126 in Figure 3, it sends a print command to the MFP containing print data representing the image selected in S124. The MFP then prints the image. Alternatively, if application 40 has gone through S132 in Figure 3, it sends a scan command to the MFP. The MFP then scans the document and generates scan data. This scan data may be sent from the MFP to the terminal device 10 using the WFD connection, stored in the MFP's memory, or stored in external memory connected to the MFP.

Although not shown in the diagram, when S274 is completed, the WFD connection between the terminal device 10 and the MFP is disconnected. The WFD connection may be disconnected primarily by the terminal device 10, or primarily by the MFP. When S274 is completed, the process shown in Figure 4 is finished.

In S280, application 40 determines whether the target model name is "M1" or "M2". If the target model name is "M1", application 40 determines YES in S280 and proceeds to S282. If the target model name is "M2", application 40 determines NO in S280 and proceeds to S284.

In S282, the application 40 displays an error screen SC40 corresponding to the model name "M1" on the display unit 14. As shown in Figure 5, the error screen SC40 includes a message 340 indicating that the WFD connection was not established. The error screen SC40 further includes a message 342 prompting the user to select the WFD setting on the MFP's home screen and change the MFP's WFD setting from "OFF" to "ON". Message 342 is the same as message 300 in the operation screen SC30. Even though the operation screen SC30 is displayed in S242, the user may not perform the operation to change the MFP's WFD setting to "ON". In this case, the WFD connection with the MFP is not established (NO in S270), and the error screen SC40 including message 342 is displayed. Therefore, the user can perform the operation to change the MFP's WFD setting to "ON" in response to message 342. When step S282 is completed, the process shown in Figure 4 is finished.

In S284, the application 40 displays the error screen SC42 corresponding to the model name "M2" on the display unit 14. As shown in Figure 5, the error screen SC42 includes a message 350 indicating that the WFD connection was not established. The error screen SC42 further includes a message 352 prompting the user to press a physical button on the front of the MFP to change the MFP's WFD setting from "OFF" to "ON". Message 352 is the same as message 310 in the operation screen SC32. The user can then perform the operation to change the MFP's WFD setting to "ON" in response to message 352. In particular, in this embodiment, the application 40 displays the error screen SC40 or SC42 indicating a method corresponding to the model name. This allows the user to change the MFP's WFD setting using a method corresponding to the model name. When S284 ends, the process shown in Figure 4 is completed.

(Tag interface processing: Figure 6)
Next, with reference to Figure 6, the tag interface processing of S160 in Figure 3 will be explained. As described above, the specific information received from the MFP200 equipped with an NFC tag interface includes the MAC address "MAC2" of the MFP200, the SSID of the wireless network on which the MFP200 operates as a G/O, and the password of the said wireless network. Furthermore, this specific information may also include the IP address of the MFP200 used in the wireless network formed by AP60, and may also include error information.

In S310, application 40 determines whether the specific information contains error information. If the specific information contains error information, application 40 determines YES in S310 and proceeds to S312. If the specific information does not contain error information, application 40 determines NO in S310 and proceeds to S320.

In S312, the application 40 displays the error screen SC50 on the display unit 14. The error screen SC50 includes a message indicating that the number of slave stations in the wireless network where the MFP 200 operates as a G/O has reached its limit, and therefore a WFD connection with the MFP 200 cannot be established. Thus, the user can be informed that a WFD connection with the MFP 200 cannot be established. When S312 ends, the process shown in Figure 6 is completed.

In S320, application 40 determines whether terminal device 10 and MFP 200 have established a Wi-Fi connection with the same AP 60. Specifically, application 40 first determines whether the specific information includes an IP address. If the specific information does not include an IP address, it determines that a Wi-Fi connection with the same AP 60 has not been established (NO in S320) and proceeds to S330. If the specific information includes an IP address, application 40 supplies a continuity check instruction to OS 36 that includes the IP address. The continuity check instruction is a command that instructs the OS 36 to send a check signal that includes the IP address as the destination IP address. As a result, OS 36 sends a check signal via the Wi-Fi interface 22, and if it receives a response signal, it supplies a continuity notification to application 40. If OS 36 does not receive a response signal, it supplies a no-continuity notification to application 40. When application 40 receives a connectivity notification from OS 36, it determines that a Wi-Fi connection with the same AP 60 has been established (YES in S320) and proceeds to S322. When application 40 receives a disconnection notification from OS 36, it determines that a Wi-Fi connection with the same AP 60 has not been established (NO in S320) and proceeds to S330.

In S322, application 40 uses the Wi-Fi connection with AP60 to send a print command or a scan command to the MFP via the Wi-Fi interface 22. The type of command sent is the same as in S274 of Figure 4. When S322 ends, the process shown in Figure 6 ends.

The processes in S330 and S340 are the same as those in S260 and S270 in Figure 4, respectively. If a WFD connection is established with the MFP 200 (YES in S340), application 40, in S342, uses the WFD connection with the MFP 200 to send a print command or a scan command to the MFP via the Wi-Fi interface 22. Which command is sent is the same as in S274 in Figure 4. When S342 is completed, the process in Figure 6 is completed.

If the WFD connection with the MFP 200 cannot be established (NO in S340), the application 40 displays an error screen SC52 on the display unit 14 in S344. The error screen SC52 includes a message indicating that the WFD connection could not be established, and a message indicating the reason why the WFD connection could not be established. This reason, for example, indicates that the communication environment between the terminal device 10 and the MFP 200 may be poor. When S344 ends, the process shown in Figure 6 is completed.

(Specific cases: Figures 7-13)
Next, with reference to Figures 7 to 13, we will explain specific cases realized by the processes in Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 6. In Figures 7 to 13, NFC communication is indicated by thick dashed arrows, and Wi-Fi communication is indicated by thin dashed arrows.

(Case A1: Figure 7)
Case A1 in Figure 7 is a case in which the terminal device 10 establishes a WFD connection with the MFP 100. In the initial state of Figure 7, the WFD setting of the MFP 100 is "OFF", and the MFP 100 is in a non-G/O state.

At T10, when an operation to launch application 40 is performed on the terminal device 10, application 40 is launched at T12 (trigger in Figure 3). At T14, application 40 displays the home screen SC10 (S110), and at T20, accepts the operation to select the print icon (YES at S120). At T22, application 40 displays the image selection screen SC12 (S122), and at T24, accepts the operation to select the image to be printed (YES at S124). In this case, application 40 displays the preview screen SC14 (S126).

When the terminal device 10 is brought close to the MFP 100, at T30, an NFC link is established between the terminal device 10 and the MFP 100, and the application 40 receives specific information from the MFP 100 (YES at S140). This specific information includes interface type information indicating an NFC independent interface, the MAC address of the MFP 100 "MAC1", and the model name of the MFP 100 "M1". In this case, at T32, the application 40 displays the operation screen SC30 corresponding to the model name "M1" (YES at S142, S150, NO at S210 in Figure 4, YES at S240, S242). Thus, the application 40 displays the operation screen SC30 when the interface type information indicates an NFC independent interface. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation on the MFP 100. Therefore, when the above operation is performed on the MFP 100, application 40 can establish a WFD connection with the MFP 100.

The user, in response to message 300 on the operation screen SC30, performs an operation on the MFP 100 at T34. Specifically, the MFP 100 displays the home screen SC0 (S12 in Figure 2), accepts the selection operation of the WFD setting button (S20), and displays the setting change screen SC1 (S22). Then, the MFP 100 accepts the selection operation of the YES button on the setting change screen SC1 (S24), and at T36, changes the WFD setting from "OFF" to "ON" (S26). That is, the MFP 100 transitions from a non-G/O state to a G/O state, and from a non-WPS state to a WPS state.

Subsequently, in response to message 302 on the operation screen SC30, when the terminal device 10 is brought closer to the MFP 100, the NFC link is re-established between the terminal device 10 and the MFP 100 at T40, and the application 40 receives specific information from the MFP 100 (YES at S250 in Figure 4). In this case, at T42, the application 40 supplies a connection instruction including the MAC address "MAC1" to the OS 36 (S260), and at T44, displays the connection screen SC35 (S262).

When OS36 receives a connection instruction from application 40 at T42, it performs WPS-compliant communication with MFP100 at T50, and establishes a WFD connection with MFP100 at T52. In this case, OS36 sends a connection notification to application 40 at T54.

When application 40 receives a connection notification from OS36 at T54 (YES in S270), it stores the MAC address "MAC1" as connection history information at T56 (S272). Then, at T60, application 40 sends a print command to MFP100 (S274).

When the MFP 100 receives a print command from the terminal device 10 at T60, it executes printing according to the print command at T62. Subsequently, at T70, the WFD connection between the terminal device 10 and the MFP 100 is disconnected. In this case, the MFP 100 maintains the G/O state. However, the MFP 100 transitions from the WPS state to the non-WPS state.

(Continuation of Figure 7: Figure 8)
Referring to Figure 8, the situation in which the user causes the MFP 100 to print again after the process in Figure 7 has been executed will be explained. The processes T110 to T130 are the same as the processes T10 to T30 in Figure 7. In this case, at T134, the application 40 supplies a device search instruction to the OS 36 that includes the MAC address "MAC1" (YES at S210 and S212 in Figure 4).

When OS36 receives a device search instruction from application 40 at T134, it sends a broadcast Probe request at T130 and receives a Probe response from MFP100, which is the G/O, at T138. This Probe response includes the MAC address "MAC1" of MFP100 and the SSID "SSID1" of the wireless network on which MFP100 operates as a G/O. At T140, OS36 supplies the search results, including the MAC address "MAC1" from the Probe response, to application 40.

When application 40 obtains search results from OS 36 at T140, it supplies a connection instruction including the MAC address "MAC1" to OS 36 at T142 (S260), and displays the connection screen SC35 at T144.

When OS36 receives a connection instruction from application 40 at T142, it sends a connection request to MFP100 at T146, including the MAC address "MAC1" from the connection instruction as the destination MAC address.

At T146, the MFP 100 receives a connection request from the terminal device 10. However, since the MFP 100 is in a non-WPS state, it cannot perform communication according to WPS. In this case, at T147, the MFP 100 displays a connect button. The user, in response to message 322 in the connection screen SC35, selects the connect button displayed on the MFP 100 at T148. This selection operation corresponds to a button operation according to the WPS PBC (Push Button Configuration) method. As a result, at T149, the MFP 100 transitions from a non-WPS state to a WPS state.

Subsequently, at T150, OS36 performs communication with MFP100 according to WPS, and at T152, establishes a WFD connection with MFP100. In this way, when the NFC link with MFP100 is re-established (T130 in Figure 8) after the first WFD connection is disconnected (T70 in Figure 7), application 40 can re-establish the WFD connection with MFP100 without displaying the operation screen SC30 (T152). The subsequent processing at T154-T170 is the same as the processing at T54-T70 in Figure 7.

(Case A2: Figure 9)
Case A2 in Figure 9 is a case where the operation to change the WFD setting of MFP100 to "ON" is not performed. The processing from T210 to T232 is the same as the processing from T10 to T32 in Figure 7.

Even when the operation screen SC30 is displayed, the user does not perform the operation to change the WFD setting of the MFP100 to "ON". Then, at T240, the NFC link is re-established between the terminal device 10 and the MFP100 (YES at S250 in Figure 4). In this case, at T242, the application 40 supplies a connection instruction including the MAC address "MAC1" to the OS36 (S260), and at T244, displays the connection screen SC35 (S262).

When OS36 receives a connection instruction from application 40 at T242, it sends a broadcast Probe request at T246. However, since MFP100 is in a non-G/O state, OS36 does not receive a Probe response from MFP100. Therefore, OS36 cannot establish a WFD connection with MFP100 and sends an error notification to application 40 at T254.

When application 40 receives an error notification from OS 36 at T254, it displays the error screen SC40 at T260 (NO at S270, YES at S280, S282). Thus, application 40 displays the error screen SC40 (T260) when the NFC link with MFP 100 is re-established (T240) without the operation to change the MFP 100's WFD setting to "ON" being performed. Therefore, the user can know that the WFD connection with MFP 100 was not established. In particular, the error screen SC40 includes message 342 indicating the operation to change the MFP 100's WFD setting to "ON". Therefore, the user can know that this operation must be performed in order to establish the WFD connection with MFP 100.

After Case A2 in Figure 9, when the processes T210-T230 are executed again, application 40 is at T232 and displays the operation screen SC30 (NO at S210, YES at S240, S242). Therefore, the user knows that they should perform an operation to change the WFD setting of MFP 100 to "ON". Then, when the above operation is performed on MFP 100, application 40 can establish a WFD connection with MFP 100 (T34-T52 in Figure 7).

(Case A3: Figure 10)
Case A3 in Figure 10 is a case where the MFP 100 in the G/O state has established a WFD connection with another terminal device 50. The WFD setting of the MFP 100 is "ON", and the MFP 100 is in the G/O state and not in the WPS state. The processing of T310 to T332 is the same as the processing of T10 to T32 in Figure 7.

The user attempts to perform an operation on the MFP 100 in response to message 300 in the operation screen SC30 displayed at T332. However, in this case, since the WFD setting of the MFP 100 is already "ON," the user does not perform an operation to change the WFD setting of the MFP 100 to "ON." Then, at T340, the NFC link is re-established between the terminal device 10 and the MFP 100 (YES at S250 in Figure 4). In this case, at T342, the application 40 supplies a connection instruction including the MAC address "MAC1" to the OS 36 (S260), and at T344, displays the connection screen SC35 (S262).

At T342, OS36 receives a connection instruction from application 40 and attempts to perform WPS-compliant communication with MFP100. However, because MFP100 is not in a WPS state and the number of slave stations belonging to the wireless network in which MFP100 operates as a G/O has reached its limit, OS36 cannot perform WPS-compliant communication with MFP100. Therefore, at T354, OS36 sends an error notification to application 40.

When application 40 receives an error notification from OS 36 at T354, it displays the error screen SC40 at T360 (NO at S270, YES at S280, S282). Therefore, the user can be informed that a WFD connection with MFP 100 was not established.

(Case B1: Figure 11)
Case B1 in Figure 11 is a case where terminal device 10 establishes a WFD connection with MFP200. In the initial state of Figure 11, the WFD setting of MFP200 is "OFF", and MFP200 is in a non-G/O state. MFP200 has established a Wi-Fi connection with AP60. Terminal device 10 has not established a Wi-Fi connection with AP60.

The processing at T410 to T426 is the same as the processing at T10 to T26 in Figure 7. At T430, an NFC link is established between the terminal device 10 and the MFP 200, and the application 40 receives specific information from the MFP 200 (YES at S140). This specific information includes interface type information indicating the NFC tag interface, the MAC address of the MFP 200 "MAC2", the SSID "SSID2" of the wireless network in which the MFP 200 operates as a G/O, the password for the wireless network, and the IP address of the MFP 200 used in the wireless network formed by AP 60. At T440, the application 40 supplies a continuity confirmation instruction to the OS 36, including the received IP address (NO at S142, S160, NO at S310 in Figure 6, S320).

When an NFC link is established with the terminal device 10 at T430 (YES in S40 in Figure 2), the MFP 200 transitions from a non-G/O state to a G/O state, and then from a non-WPS state to a WPS state (NO in S42, S46).

When OS36 receives a continuity check instruction from application 40 at T440, it attempts to send a confirmation signal that includes the IP address in the continuity check instruction as the destination IP address. In this case, since terminal device 10 has not established a Wi-Fi connection with AP60, OS36 cannot send the confirmation signal to MFP200, and as a result does not receive a response signal from MFP200. Therefore, at T441, OS36 supplies a no-continuity notification to application 40.

When application 40 receives a disconnection notification from OS 36 at T441 (NO in S320 in Figure 6), it supplies a connection instruction to OS 36 including the MAC address "MAC2" (S330). The subsequent processing at T450-T470 is the same as T50-T70 in Figure 7, except that the MFP 200 is the target. In this way, application 40 can establish a WFD connection with MFP 200 even if the MFP 200 does not perform an operation to change the WFD setting to "ON" when the interface type information indicates an NFC tag interface.

At T470, when the WFD connection with terminal device 10 is disconnected, MFP 200 transitions from the WPS state to the non-WPS state. Furthermore, after a second predetermined time (e.g., 300 seconds) has elapsed since the WFD connection was disconnected, MFP 200 transitions from the G/O state to the non-G/O state. Here, the point at which MFP 200 transitions from the G/O state to the non-G/O state differs from the point at which MFP 100 maintains the G/O state in Case A1 of Figure 7. In Case A1 of Figure 7, MFP 100 transitions to the G/O state in response to an operation performed on MFP 100 by the user (T34, T36). Therefore, MFP 100 maintains the G/O state in response to the user's intention to change the WFD setting of MFP 100 to "ON". On the other hand, in Case B1 of Figure 11, no operation is performed on MFP 200 by the user. Therefore, the MFP200 temporarily switches to the G/O state, and returns to the non-G/O state when the WFD connection with the terminal device 10 is disconnected.

(Case B2: Figure 12)
Case B2 in Figure 12 is a case in which the terminal device 10 sends a print command to the MFP 200 via AP 60. In the initial state of Figure 12, the terminal device 10 and the MFP 200 have established a Wi-Fi connection with the same AP 60.

The processing at T510 to T540 is the same as the processing at T410 to T440 in Figure 11. At T540, when OS36 receives a continuity check instruction from application 40, at T542, it sends a confirmation signal including the IP address in the continuity check instruction as the destination IP address. As a result, at T542, OS36 sends the confirmation signal to MFP200 via AP60, and at T544, receives a response signal from MFP200 via AP60. Therefore, at T546, OS36 supplies a continuity notification to application 40.

When application 40 receives a connectivity notification from OS 36 at T546 (YES at S320 in Figure 6), it sends a print command to MFP 200 via AP 60 (S322). In this way, application 40 can send a print command to MFP 200 via AP 60 without establishing a WFD connection with MFP 200, even when terminal device 10 and MFP 200 are connected to the same AP 60.

When the MFP 200 receives a print command from the terminal device 10 via AP 60 at T546, it executes printing according to the print command. Then, after a first predetermined time (e.g., 70 seconds) has elapsed since transitioning to the WPS state at T536, the MFP 200 transitions to a non-WPS state. Furthermore, if a second predetermined time (e.g., 300 seconds) has elapsed since transitioning to the G/O state at T536 without establishing a WFD connection, the MFP 200 transitions to a non-G/O state.

(Case B3: Figure 13)
Case B3 is a case in which the MFP200 in the G/O state has established a WFD connection with another terminal device 50. The WFD setting of the MFP200 is "ON", and the MFP200 is in the G/O state and not in the WPS state.

The processing at T610 to T626 is the same as the processing at T410 to T426 in Figure 11. At T630, an NFC link is established between the terminal device 10 and the MFP 200, and the application 40 receives specific information from the MFP 200 (YES at S140). This specific information includes error information. In this case, at T632, the application 40 displays the error screen SC50 (YES at S310 and S312 in Figure 6). Therefore, the user can learn that a WFD connection with the MFP 200 cannot be established because the number of slave stations in the wireless network operating as a G/O has reached its limit.

(Effects of this embodiment)
In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 displays the operation screen SC30 when the interface type information indicates an NFC independent interface (T32 in Figure 7). Therefore, it can prompt the user to perform an operation on the MFP 100. As a result, the terminal device 10 can establish a WFD connection with the MFP 100 when the operation is performed on the MFP 100 (T34) (T52). On the other hand, the terminal device 10 can establish a WFD connection with the MFP 200 even if the above operation is not performed on the MFP 200 when the interface type information indicates an NFC tag interface (T452 in Figure 11). In this way, the terminal device 10 can perform appropriate processing depending on whether the MFP has an NFC independent interface or an NFC tag interface.

(Correspondence)
MFP100 and 200 are examples of "communication devices". NFC standard and Wi-Fi standard are examples of "first communication standard" and "second communication standard", respectively. WFD method is an example of "predetermined method". The NFC interface 20 and Wi-Fi interface 22 of terminal device 10 are examples of "first wireless interface" and "second wireless interface", respectively. The NFC interface 120 or 220 of MFP100 or MFP200 is an example of "third wireless interface". The Wi-Fi interface 122 or 222 of MFP100 or MFP200 is an example of "fourth wireless interface". The NFC independent interface and NFC tag interface are examples of "first type wireless interface" and "second type wireless interface", respectively. Operation screens SC30 and SC32 are examples of "multiple operation screens". Connection screen SC35 is an example of a "notification screen". The operation of selecting the connect button is an example of a "predetermined connection operation." Error screen SC40 (or SC42) is an example of a "first error screen." Message 342 in error screen SC40 is an example of a "message indicating a change operation." Error screen SC50 and error screen SC40 (or SC42) are examples of a "second error screen" and a "third error screen," respectively.

S140 in Figure 3 is an example of processing performed by the "Specific Information Receiving Unit". S242 and S244 in Figure 4 are examples of processing performed by the "First Display Control Unit". S260, executed via S242 or S244, is an example of processing performed by the "First Establishment Unit". S330 in Figure 6 is an example of processing performed by the "Second Establishment Unit". S260, executed via YES in S210 in Figure 4, is an example of processing performed by the "Re-establishment Unit". S262 is an example of processing performed by the "Second Display Control Unit". S282 and S284 are examples of processing performed by the "Third Display Control Unit". S312 in Figure 6 is an example of processing performed by the "Fourth Display Control Unit". S282 and S284 in Figure 4 are examples of processing performed by the "Fifth Display Control Unit".

(Second Example)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, in S272 of Figure 4, application 40 stores the target MAC address and the date and time when the WFD connection was established as connection history information. Then, in S210 of Figure 4, if the answer is YES, application 40 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, one month) has elapsed since the date and time associated with the target MAC address. If application 40 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, it proceeds to S240; if it determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, it proceeds to S212.

For example, if a long time has passed since the WFD connection was established between the terminal device 10 and the MFP 100, the WFD setting of the MFP 100 may have been changed from "ON" to "OFF" by the user performing an operation corresponding to the setting change screen SC1, or the WFD setting of the MFP 100 may have been changed from "ON" to "OFF" by the MFP 100 being initialized. Therefore, even if the application 40 has stored the target MAC address as connection history information, if the above-mentioned predetermined time has elapsed, it will display the operation screen SC30 or S32 (S242, S244). This allows the application 40 to properly establish a WFD connection with the MFP 100.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, in S272 of Figure 4, application 40 stores the target MAC address and the date and time when the WFD connection was established as connection history information. Then, in S210 of Figure 4, if the answer is YES, application 40 identifies the number of date and time associated with the target MAC address, that is, the number of times the WFD connection was established, and determines whether the number of connections is less than a predetermined number (for example, 3 times). If application 40 determines that the number of connections is less than the predetermined number, it proceeds to S240, and if it determines that the number of connections is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, it proceeds to S212.

If the number of connections is less than the predetermined number, it is possible that the user has limited knowledge about the MFP 100. Furthermore, if the MAC address of the MFP 100 is stored in the connection history information, the WFD setting of the MFP 100 should have been initially changed to "ON," but it is possible that a user with limited knowledge subsequently changed the WFD setting of the MFP 100 back to "OFF." Therefore, even if the application 40 stores the target MAC address in the connection history information, if the number of connections is less than the predetermined number, it displays the operation screen SC30 or S32 (S242, S244). This allows the application 40 to properly establish a WFD connection with the MFP 100.

The above provides a detailed description of specific examples of the technology disclosed herein; however, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the examples exemplified above. Examples of these modifications are listed below.

(Modification 1) In various MFP models equipped with an independent NFC interface, if the operation to change the WFD setting to "ON" is common, the NFC independent interface of each MFP model does not need to store the model name as specific information. In this case, the application 40 can display an operation screen common to all MFP models without performing the decision in S240 of Figure 4. Generally speaking, "specific information" does not need to include model name information. Also, the "first display control unit" may display only one type of operation screen on the display unit.

(Modification 2) The processes S210 to S220 in Figure 4 may be omitted. Generally speaking, the "re-establishment unit" may re-establish the first wireless connection after the operation screen is displayed, when the wireless link is re-established after the first wireless connection has been disconnected.

(Modification 3) The process in S262 of Figure 4 may be omitted. In this modification, the "second display control unit" can be omitted.

(Modification 4) The process at S250 in Figure 4 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the application 40 may monitor whether a predetermined button is operated by the user, and if the operation is performed, it may proceed to S260. Alternatively, for example, the application 40 may immediately proceed to S260 after displaying the operation screen SC30 or SC32 in S242 or S252. Generally speaking, the "first establishment unit" may establish the first wireless connection even if the wireless link is not re-established.

(Modification 5) The processes S280 to S284 in Figure 4 may be omitted. In this modification, the "third display control unit" and the "fifth display control unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 6) Error screen SC40 does not need to include message 342, and error screen SC42 does not need to include message 352. Generally speaking, the "first error screen" does not need to include a message indicating a change operation.

(Modification 7) Even if the number of slave stations belonging to the wireless network in which the MFP 200 operates as a G/O reaches its upper limit, the NFC tag interface 220 of the MFP 200 does not need to store error information. That is, the specific information received from the MFP 200 does not need to include error information. In this case, the processes S310 and S312 in Figure 6 may be omitted. In this modification, the "fourth display control unit" can be omitted.

(Modification 8) The situation in which the MFP 200 transmits specific information including error information to the terminal device 10 is not limited to the situation in which the number of slave stations belonging to the wireless network in which the MFP 200 operates as a G/O has reached its upper limit. For example, even when the MFP 200 is operating as a WFD client, it may not be able to establish a WFD connection with the terminal device 10. In this case, the specific information may include error information indicating that the MFP 200 is operating as a WFD client. Then, in S312 of Figure 6, an error screen indicating that the MFP 200 is operating as a WFD client may be displayed.

(Modification 9) The "first communication standard" is not limited to the NFC standard, but may be, for example, the TransferJet standard. The "second communication standard" is not limited to the Wi-Fi standard, but may be, for example, the Bluetooth® standard.

(Modification 10) The "prescribed method" is not limited to the WFD method, but may also be the SoftAP method.

(Modification 11) The term "communication device" is not limited to an MFP, but may also refer to other devices such as printers, scanners, terminal devices, PCs, servers, etc.

(Modification 11) In the above embodiment, each process in Figures 2 to 4 and Figures 6 to 13 is executed by software (e.g., application 40), but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical utility individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations specified in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical utility.

Even if, in the claims of this patent application, each claim depends on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the claim being dependent only on those specific claims. To the extent that it is not technically contradictory, each claim may be dependent on other claims that were not dependent at the time of application. That is, the technologies of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows:
(Item 1)
A computer program for a terminal device,
The aforementioned terminal device is
A first wireless interface for performing wireless communication in accordance with a first communication standard,
A second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard,
Display unit and
Equipped with a computer,
The aforementioned computer program comprises the following components of the computer, namely:
When the terminal device is brought closer to the communication device, and a wireless link is established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the first communication standard, the specific information receiving unit receives specific information from the third wireless interface via the first wireless interface using the wireless link, wherein the specific information includes type information indicating the type of the third wireless interface.
A first display control unit that, when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface independent of the control unit of the communication device, causes the display unit to display an operation screen indicating a change operation to change the state of the communication device from a disabled state in which the function of a predetermined method of the second communication standard is disabled to an enabled state in which the function of the predetermined method is enabled, wherein the first display control unit does not display the operation screen when the type information indicates a second type wireless interface different from the first type wireless interface and which is not independent of the control unit of the communication device.
When the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface and the change operation is performed on the communication device, a first establishment unit establishes a first wireless connection in accordance with the predetermined method between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the second communication standard.
When the type information indicates the second type of wireless interface, a second establishment unit establishes a second wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface in accordance with the predetermined method, even if the change operation is not performed on the communication device.
A computer program that functions as such.
(Item 2)
When the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface, the specific information further includes model name information indicating the model name of the communication device.
The computer program described in item 1, wherein the first display control unit causes the display unit to display the operation screen corresponding to the model name indicated by the model name information, from among a plurality of operation screens corresponding to a plurality of model names.
(Item 3)
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
The computer program according to item 1 or 2, which, when the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface after the first wireless connection has been disconnected, functions as a re-establishment unit that re-establishes the first wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface without the operation screen being displayed on the display unit.
(Item 4)
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
A second display control unit, which causes the display unit to display a notification screen prompting the communication device to perform a predetermined connection operation when the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface after the first wireless connection has been disconnected, wherein the predetermined connection operation is an operation to cause the communication device to perform communication to re-establish the first wireless connection, functions as the second display control unit.
The re-establishment unit is a computer program according to item 3, which re-establishes the first wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface when the predetermined connection operation is performed in the communication device.
(Item 5)
The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the first establishment unit causes the first wireless connection to be established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface, the change operation is performed on the communication device, and the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface.
(Item 6)
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
The computer program according to item 5, which functions as a third display control unit that displays a first error screen on the display unit when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface and the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface without the change operation being performed on the communication device.
(Item 7)
The first error screen is the computer program described in item 6, which includes a message indicating the modification operation.
(Item 8)
The computer program according to item 6 or 7, wherein the first display control unit causes the operation screen to be displayed on the display unit when the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface after the first error screen has been displayed on the display unit.
(Item 9)
If the type information indicates the second type of wireless interface, and the state of the communication device is the enabled state, and the communication device is unable to establish a wireless connection with the terminal device in accordance with the predetermined method, the specific information further includes error information.
If the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface, and the communication device is unable to establish a wireless connection with the terminal device in accordance with the predetermined method, the specific information shall not include the error information.
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
A fourth display control unit that causes a second error screen to be displayed on the display unit when the type information indicates the second type of wireless interface and the specific information includes the error information,
A fifth display control unit that displays a third error screen on the display unit when the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface and the first wireless connection cannot be established because the communication device is unable to establish a wireless connection with the terminal device in accordance with the predetermined method,
A computer program described in any one of items 1 through 8 that functions as such.
(Item 10)
The first display control unit causes the operation screen to be displayed on the display unit when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the first wireless connection was last established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface.
The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the operation screen is not displayed when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface and the predetermined time has not elapsed since the first wireless connection was last established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface.
(Item 11)
The first display control unit causes the operation screen to be displayed on the display unit when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface and the number of times the first wireless connection has been established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface is less than a predetermined number of times.
The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the operation screen is not displayed when the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface, and the number of times the first wireless connection has been established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times.
(Item 12)
The first communication standard mentioned above is the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard,
The second communication standard is the Wi-Fi standard, and the computer program is one of the items 1 to 11.
(Item 13)
The computer program described in any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the predetermined method is the WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) method.

2: Communication system, 10: Terminal device, 12: Operation unit, 14: Display unit, 20: NFC interface, 22: Wi-Fi interface, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 36: OS program, 40: MFP application, 50: Terminal device, 60: AP, 100: Multifunction device, 112: Operation unit, 114: Display unit, 116: Print execution unit, 118: Scan execution unit, 120: NFC independent Vertical interface, 122: Wi-Fi interface, 130: Control unit, 132: CPU, 134: Memory, 136: Program, 200: Multifunction unit, 212: Operation unit, 214: Display unit, 216: Print execution unit, 218: Scan execution unit, 220: NFC tag interface, 222: Wi-Fi interface, 230: Control unit, 232: CPU, 234: Memory, 236: Program

Claims (15)

A computer program for a terminal device,
The aforementioned terminal device is
A first wireless interface for performing wireless communication in accordance with a first communication standard,
A second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard,
Display unit and
Equipped with a computer,
The aforementioned computer program comprises the following components of the computer, namely:
When the terminal device is brought closer to the communication device, and a wireless link is established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the first communication standard, the specific information receiving unit receives specific information from the third wireless interface via the first wireless interface using the wireless link, wherein the specific information includes type information indicating the type of the third wireless interface.
A first display control unit that, when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface independent of the control unit of the communication device, causes the display unit to display an operation screen indicating a change operation to change the state of the communication device from a disabled state in which the function of a predetermined method of the second communication standard is disabled to an enabled state in which the function of the predetermined method is enabled, wherein the first display control unit does not display the operation screen when the type information indicates a second type wireless interface different from the first type wireless interface and which is not independent of the control unit of the communication device.
When the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface and the change operation is performed on the communication device, a first establishment unit establishes a first wireless connection in accordance with the predetermined method between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the second communication standard.
When the type information indicates the second type of wireless interface, a second establishment unit establishes a second wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface in accordance with the predetermined method, even if the change operation is not performed on the communication device.
A computer program that functions as such. When the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface, the specific information further includes model name information indicating the model name of the communication device.
The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the first display control unit causes the display unit to display the operation screen corresponding to the model name indicated by the model name information, from among a plurality of operation screens corresponding to a plurality of model names. The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
The computer program according to claim 1, wherein, after the first wireless connection is disconnected, when the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface, the operation screen is not displayed on the display unit, and the re-establishment unit functions to re-establish the first wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface. The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
A second display control unit, which causes the display unit to display a notification screen prompting the communication device to perform a predetermined connection operation when the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface after the first wireless connection has been disconnected, wherein the predetermined connection operation is an operation to cause the communication device to perform communication to re-establish the first wireless connection, functions as the second display control unit.
The computer program according to claim 3, wherein the re-establishment unit re-establishes the first wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface when the predetermined connection operation is performed in the communication device. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the first establishment unit establishes the first wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface when the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface, the change operation is performed on the communication device, and the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface. The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
The computer program according to claim 5, wherein the type information indicates a first type of wireless interface, and the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface without the change operation being performed on the communication device, the third display control unit is configured to display a first error screen on the display unit. The computer program according to claim 6, wherein the first error screen includes a message indicating the modification operation. The computer program according to claim 6, wherein the first display control unit causes the operation screen to be displayed on the display unit when the wireless link is re-established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface after the first error screen has been displayed on the display unit. If the type information indicates the second type of wireless interface, and the state of the communication device is the enabled state, and the communication device is unable to establish a wireless connection with the terminal device in accordance with the predetermined method, the specific information further includes error information.
If the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface, and the communication device is unable to establish a wireless connection with the terminal device in accordance with the predetermined method, the specific information shall not include the error information.
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
A fourth display control unit that causes a second error screen to be displayed on the display unit when the type information indicates the second type of wireless interface and the specific information includes the error information,
A fifth display control unit that displays a third error screen on the display unit when the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface and the first wireless connection cannot be established because the communication device is unable to establish a wireless connection with the terminal device in accordance with the predetermined method,
A computer program according to claim 1, which functions as such. The first display control unit causes the operation screen to be displayed on the display unit when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the first wireless connection was last established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface.
The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the type information indicates a first type of wireless interface, and the predetermined time has not elapsed since the first wireless connection was last established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface. The first display control unit causes the operation screen to be displayed on the display unit when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface and the number of times the first wireless connection has been established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface is less than a predetermined number of times.
The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the type information indicates a first type of wireless interface, and the number of times the first wireless connection has been established between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times. The first communication standard mentioned above is the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard,
The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the second communication standard is the Wi-Fi standard. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined method is the WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) method. A terminal device,
A first wireless interface for performing wireless communication in accordance with a first communication standard,
A second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard,
Display unit and
When the terminal device is brought closer to the communication device, and a wireless link is established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the first communication standard, the specific information receiving unit receives specific information from the third wireless interface via the first wireless interface using the wireless link, wherein the specific information includes type information indicating the type of the third wireless interface.
A first display control unit that, when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface independent of the control unit of the communication device, causes the display unit to display an operation screen indicating a change operation to change the state of the communication device from a disabled state in which the function of a predetermined method of the second communication standard is disabled to an enabled state in which the function of the predetermined method is enabled, wherein the first display control unit does not display the operation screen when the type information indicates a second type wireless interface different from the first type wireless interface and which is not independent of the control unit of the communication device.
When the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface and the change operation is performed on the communication device, a first establishment unit establishes a first wireless connection in accordance with the predetermined method between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the second communication standard.
When the type information indicates the second type of wireless interface, a second establishment unit establishes a second wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface in accordance with the predetermined method, even if the change operation is not performed on the communication device.
A terminal device equipped with the following features. A method performed by a terminal device,
The aforementioned terminal device is
A first wireless interface for performing wireless communication in accordance with a first communication standard,
A second wireless interface for performing wireless communication according to a second communication standard different from the first communication standard,
It includes a display unit,
The aforementioned method,
When the terminal device is brought closer to the communication device, and a wireless link is established between the first wireless interface and the third wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the first communication standard, the specific information receiving step is to receive specific information from the third wireless interface via the first wireless interface using the wireless link, wherein the specific information includes type information indicating the type of the third wireless interface.
A first display control step in which, when the type information indicates a first type wireless interface independent of the control unit of the communication device, an operation screen indicating a change operation to change the state of the communication device from a disabled state in which the function of a predetermined method of the second communication standard is disabled to an enabled state in which the function of the predetermined method is enabled is displayed on the display unit, and the first display control step in which, when the type information indicates a second type wireless interface different from the first type wireless interface and the second type wireless interface is not independent of the control unit of the communication device, the operation screen is not displayed.
When the type information indicates the first type of wireless interface and the modification operation is performed on the communication device, a first establishment step is performed to establish a first wireless connection in accordance with the predetermined method between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface of the communication device, which is for performing wireless communication according to the second communication standard.
When the type information indicates the second type of wireless interface, a second establishment step is performed to establish a second wireless connection between the second wireless interface and the fourth wireless interface in accordance with the predetermined method, even if the change operation is not performed on the communication device.
A method that includes [a certain feature].