JP6070880B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification is a communication device for executing bidirectional communication of target data with an external device in the NFC method, which is a communication method according to the NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication) standard.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a communication terminal and an NFC device. The communication terminal shifts to the R / W mode when a data read operation is performed by the user while the application is activated. In a state where the communication terminal is in the R / W mode and the NFC device is in the passive tag mode, a data read request is transmitted from the communication terminal to the NFC device. Next, each of the communication terminal and the NFC device shifts to the P2P mode. In a state where the communication terminal is in the P2P mode and the NFC device is in the P2P mode, data is transferred from the NFC device to the communication terminal. When the data transfer is completed, the communication terminal shifts to the passive tag mode, and the NFC device shifts to the R / W mode.

JP 2011-44092 A

  In the technique of the above Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the application of the communication terminal is activated when data communication should be executed between the communication terminal and the NFC device. No consideration is given to situations that are not activated.

  The present specification provides a technique for appropriately executing bidirectional communication of target data between a communication device and an external device in consideration of a situation where an application of the external device is not activated.

The present invention is an NFC method that is a communication method in accordance with the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard, and is a communication device for executing bidirectional communication of target data with an external device, and performs the NFC communication. An NFC interface, a processor, and a memory storing a program, and the processor performs the following steps according to the program stored in the memory:
A specific application for executing bidirectional communication of the target data using the communication link when a communication link via the NFC interface is established between the communication device and the external device Transmitting to the external device first data for causing the external device to execute
While the state of the communication device is the first state in which the P2P (Peer to Peer) mode of the NFC standard is not activated and the first mode of the NFC standard is activated, the communication device When the first type communication link through the NFC interface is established between the external device and the external device, the P2P mode is activated from the external device using the first type communication link. Receiving a second data to be executed by the communication device;
A first changing step of changing the state of the communication device from the first state to a second state in which the P2P mode is activated when the second data is received;
After the first changing step, a second type communication link is established between the communication device and the external device via the NFC interface while the state of the communication device is the second state. A communication step of performing bidirectional communication of the target data with the external device running the specific application via the NFC interface using the second type communication link. The communication step of the second type is a communication link in which the communication device and the external device operate in the P2P mode and data communication is to be executed; and
Execute.
The processor further includes:
When the communication step is executed, a second change step of changing the state of the communication device from the second state to the first state may be executed.
The first state may be a state where a reader mode of the NFC standard is activated, and the first type communication link is a communication link for the communication device to operate in the reader mode. May be.
The second state may be a state in which at least one of the NFC standard CE mode, Reader mode, and Writer mode is activated.
In the receiving step,
In the first case where the first type of communication link is established between the communication device and the external device that is a portable terminal while the state of the communication device is the first state, The second data may be received from the external device, which is the mobile terminal, using one type of communication link,
In the second case where the first type of communication link is established between the communication device and the external device that is an authentication card while the state of the communication device is the first state, the authentication The second data may not be received from the external device that is a card.
In the receiving step, in the second case, the third data to be used for authentication of the external device is received from the external device which is the authentication card using the first type communication link. May be.
The processor further includes:
In the first case, when the second data is received from the external device that is the portable terminal, a first disconnecting step of disconnecting the first type of communication link may be performed,
In the second case, when the third data is received from the external device that is the authentication card, a second disconnection step of disconnecting the first type of communication link may be performed,
In the first change step,
When the first disconnection step is executed, the state of the communication device may be changed from the first state to the second state,
When the second disconnecting step is executed, the state of the communication device may be maintained in the first state.
One technique disclosed in this specification is a communication device that performs bidirectional communication of target data with an external device in the NFC method, which is a communication method in accordance with the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard. The communication device includes an NFC interface for executing NFC communication, a processor, and a memory storing a program. The processor performs the following steps according to the program stored in the memory:
While the communication device is in the first state in which the NFC standard P2P (Peer to Peer) mode is not activated and the NFC standard first mode is activated, the communication device and the external device Monitoring step for monitoring that the first type of communication link is established during the first step, wherein the first type of communication link operates in the first mode and the external device is the second of the NFC standard. A monitoring step, which is a communication link in which data communication is to be performed,
When the first type communication link is established while the communication device is in the first state, the first type communication link is used to connect the first type to the external device via the NFC interface. A transmission step of transmitting data, wherein the first data includes a command for causing an external device to start a specific application for executing bidirectional communication of the target data; and
A first change step of changing the state of the communication device from the first state to the second state in which the P2P mode is activated at a predetermined timing after transmission of the first data;
When the second type communication link is established between the communication device and the external device while the communication device is in the second state, the NFC interface is set up using the second type communication link. A communication step for performing bidirectional communication of the target data with an external device running a specific application, wherein the communication device and the external device operate in the P2P mode, A communication step, which is a communication link on which data communication is to be performed;
Execute.

  According to the above configuration, while the P2P mode is not activated and the first mode is activated in the communication device, the first type communication link (that is, the communication device = the first device). 1 mode, external device = second mode) may be established. The communication device transmits the first data to the external device when the first type communication link is established. The first data includes a command for causing an external device to start a specific application. Therefore, even if a specific application is not activated on the external device, the communication device can cause the external device to activate the specific application by transmitting the first data to the external device. Thereafter, the communication device changes the state of the communication device from the first state to the second state in which the P2P mode is activated. Thereby, the second type communication link (that is, communication device = P2P mode, external device = P2P mode) can be established. When the second type communication link is established, the communication device executes bidirectional communication between the target data and the external device that is activating the specific application. According to this technology, it is possible to appropriately execute bidirectional communication of target data between the communication device and the external device.

  The processor may further execute a second change step of changing the state of the communication device from the second state to the first state when the communication step is executed. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately return the state of the communication device to the first state.

  The first mode may be an NFC standard CE (Card Emulation) mode. The second mode may be a reader mode of the NFC standard. According to this configuration, while the communication device is in the first state, the first type of communication link (that is, communication device = CE mode, external device = Reader mode) can be appropriately established.

  The monitoring step may further include monitoring that a third type communication link is established between the communication device and the external device while the communication device is in the first state. . The third type communication link may be a communication link in which data communication is to be executed by operating the communication apparatus in the CE mode and operating the external apparatus in the NFC standard writer mode. The processor further uses the third type communication link to connect the external device via the NFC interface when the third type communication link is established while the communication device is in the first state. A first receiving step of receiving second data from the device may be performed. The second data may include a command for causing the communication device to start the P2P mode. The predetermined timing may be a timing at which the second data is received. According to this configuration, the communication device is configured when the third type communication link (that is, communication device = CE mode, external device = Writer mode) is established while the communication device is in the first state. The second data is received from the external device. The second data includes a command for causing the communication device to start the P2P mode. Therefore, the communication device can change the state of the communication device from the first state to the second state in which the P2P mode is activated in response to receiving the second data from the external device. . Therefore, the communication device can change the state of the communication device to the second state at an appropriate timing.

  The first state may be a state in which the CE mode is activated without the P2P mode, the Reader mode, and the NFC standard writer mode being activated. According to this configuration, while the communication device is in the first state, the first type of communication link (that is, communication device = CE mode, external device = Reader mode) can be appropriately established.

  The first state may be a state in which the P2P mode and the NFC Writer mode are not activated, and the Reader mode and the CE mode are activated. The monitoring step may further include monitoring that a fourth type of communication link is established between the communication device and the external device while the communication device is in the first state. . The fourth type communication link may be a communication link in which data communication is to be executed by operating the communication device in the Reader mode and the external device operating in the CE mode. The processor further uses the fourth type communication link and externally through the NFC interface when the fourth type communication link is established while the state of the communication device is the first state. A second receiving step of receiving second data from the device may be performed. The second data may include a command for causing the communication device to start the P2P mode. The predetermined timing may be a timing at which the second data is received. According to this configuration, when the communication device is in the first state, the communication device is in the case where the fourth type communication link (that is, communication device = Reader mode, external device = CE mode) is established. The second data is received from the external device. The second data includes a command for causing the communication device to start the P2P mode. Therefore, the communication device can change the state of the communication device from the first state to the second state in which the P2P mode is activated in response to receiving the second data from the external device. . The communication device can change the state of the communication device to the second state at an appropriate timing.

  The processor further sets the state of the communication device when the second data is not received from the external device even if the fourth type of communication link is established while the state of the communication device is the first state. From the first state, a third change step for changing to the third state where the P2P mode, the Reader mode, and the Writer mode are not activated and the CE mode is activated may be executed. While the communication device is in the first state, the processor is not only in the case where the first type of communication link is established, but also in the state where the communication device is in the third state. The transmission step may also be performed when a communication link is established. According to this configuration, the communication device is in a state where the fourth type communication link (that is, communication device = Reader mode, external device = CE mode) is established while the communication device is in the first state. When the second data is not received from the external device, the state of the communication device can be changed from the first state to the third state. The communication device can change the state of the communication device to the third state at an appropriate timing. When the communication device is in the third state and the first type of communication link (that is, communication device = CE mode, external device = Reader mode) is established, the communication device 1 data is transmitted. Therefore, the communication device can cause the external device to start a specific application by transmitting the first data to the external device.

  The processor further executes a fourth change step for changing the state of the communication device from the third state to the first state when the transmission step is executed after the third change step is executed. May be. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately return the state of the communication device to the first state.

  The processor further uses the fourth type communication link and externally through the NFC interface when the fourth type communication link is established while the state of the communication device is the first state. A third reception step of receiving third data different from the second data from the apparatus may be executed. The processor may not perform the third modification step when the third data is received. According to this configuration, when the communication device is in the first state, the communication device is in the case where the fourth type communication link (that is, communication device = Reader mode, external device = CE mode) is established. The third data is received from the external device. When the communication device receives the third data from the external device, the communication device can appropriately maintain the state of the communication device in the first state.

  The second state may be a state in which the CE mode, the Reader mode, and the Writer mode of the NFC standard are not activated and the P2P mode is activated. According to this configuration, while the state of the communication device is in the second state, the second type of communication link (that is, communication device = P2P mode, external device = P2P mode) can be appropriately established.

  Note that a control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program for realizing the communication device are also novel and useful. A communication system including the communication device and an external device is also new and useful.

1 shows a configuration of a communication system. 3 shows a flowchart of communication processing of the MFP of the first embodiment. The sequence chart of communication of case A of 1st Example is shown. 9 shows a flowchart of communication processing of an MFP according to a second embodiment. The communication sequence chart of case B1 of 2nd Example is shown. The communication sequence chart of case B2 of 2nd Example is shown. The communication sequence chart of case B3 of 2nd Example is shown. The communication sequence chart of case B4 of 2nd Example is shown.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of communication system 2)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes an AP (abbreviation for Access Point) 4, a PC (abbreviation for Personal Computer) 6, and a multi-function device (hereinafter, “MFP (abbreviation for Multi-Function Peripheral)”. 10), portable terminals 50 and 52, and an authentication card 54. The MFP 10, the portable terminals 50 and 52, and the authentication card 54 can each perform communication using the NFC standard communication method (that is, the NFC method). In this embodiment, the NFC standard is an international standard of ISO / IEC21481 or ISO / IEC18092. NFC communication is wireless communication using radio waves in the 13.56 MHz band. Further, the MFP 10 and the mobile terminals 50 and 52 can execute wireless communication using a communication network different from the NFC communication link.

(Configuration of MFP 10)
The MFP 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “I / F”) 16, a print execution unit 18, a scan execution unit 20, an NFC I / O. F22 and the control part 30 are provided.

  The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the MFP 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The network I / F 16 is an I / F for connecting to a wireless network. This wireless network is a network for performing wireless communication different from NFC communication. For example, IEEE (abbreviation of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard, and The network conforms to a standard (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.) according to it. In this embodiment, the wireless network is a network including the AP 4, the PC 6, and the MFP 10. The print execution unit 18 is a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method. The scan execution unit 20 is a scan mechanism such as a CCD or CIS.

  The NFC I / F 22 is an interface for executing NFC communication. The NFC I / F 22 is configured by a chip different from the network I / F 16. The network I / F 16 and the NFC I / F 22 are different in the following points.

  That is, the communication speed of the wireless communication via the network I / F 16 is faster than the communication speed of the wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22. Furthermore, the frequency of the carrier wave in the wireless communication via the network I / F 16 is different from the frequency of the carrier wave in the wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22. Further, when the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is approximately 10 cm or less, the MFP 10 can perform NFC communication with the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. On the other hand, regardless of whether the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is 10 cm or less or 10 cm or more, the MFP 10 can execute wireless communication with the portable terminal 50 via the network I / F 16. That is, the maximum distance at which the MFP 10 can perform wireless communication with the communication partner (for example, the portable terminal 50) via the network I / F 16 is the maximum distance that the MFP 10 can wirelessly communicate with the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22. Greater than the maximum feasible distance. Hereinafter, wireless communication via the network I / F 16 is referred to as “network wireless communication”.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to the program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The memory 34 stores the program 36 executed by the CPU 32.

  The program 36 includes an application program and a protocol stack. The application program is a program for the CPU 32 to execute processing of the application layer of the OSI reference model. The protocol stack is a program for the CPU 32 to execute processing in a lower layer than the application layer of the OSI reference model. The protocol stack includes a P2P (Peer to Peer) program, an R / W program, and a CE program. The P2P program is a program for executing processing according to the NFC standard P2P mode. The R / W program is a program for executing processing according to the NFC standard Reader / Writer mode. The CE program is a program for executing processing according to the NFC standard CE (abbreviation for Card Emulation) mode. These programs are programs for executing processing compliant with the NFC standard defined by the NFC Forum.

  Hereinafter, devices capable of performing NFC communication (MFP 10, portable terminals 50, 52, authentication card 54, etc.) are referred to as “NFC devices”. Hereinafter, the reader mode and the writer mode may be simply described as “R / W mode”.

  Some NFC devices can use all three modes of P2P mode, R / W mode, and CE mode, and only one or two of the above three modes can be used. There are also devices that can be used. In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 52 are devices that can use all of the above three modes. However, the portable terminal 50 can use the P2P mode and the R / W mode, but cannot use the CE mode. Further, the authentication card 54 is an NFC standard card, and more specifically, the CE mode can be used, but the P2P mode and the R / W mode cannot be used.

The P2P mode is a mode for executing bidirectional communication between a pair of NFC devices.
For example, a situation is assumed in which the P2P mode is activated in both the first NFC device and the second NFC device. In this case, a communication link corresponding to the P2P mode (hereinafter referred to as “P2P communication link”) is established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. In this case, for example, the first NFC device transmits the first data to the second NFC device using a P2P communication link. Thereafter, the second NFC device transmits the second data to the first NFC device using the same P2P communication link. Thereby, bidirectional communication is realized. The NFC device that is Type A of ISO / IEC 1443 defined by the NFC Forum and the NFC device that is Type F of ISO / IEC 18092 can use the P2P mode, but the NFC device that is Type B of ISO / IEC 1443 is The P2P mode cannot be used.

  The R / W mode and the CE mode are modes for executing unidirectional communication between a pair of NFC devices. The CE mode is a mode for the NFC device to operate as a “card” that is a format defined by the NFC forum. Any of the Type A NFC device, the Type F NFC device, and the Type B NFC device can use the CE mode. The Reader mode is a mode for reading data from an NFC device operating as a card in the CE mode. The writer mode is a mode for writing data to an NFC device operating as a card in the CE mode. In the Reader mode, data can also be read from an NFC standard card (that is, the authentication card 54). In the writer mode, data can also be written to an NFC standard card.

  For example, it is assumed that the Reader mode is activated in the first NFC device and the CE mode is activated in the second NFC device. In this case, communication links corresponding to the Reader mode and the CE mode are established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. In this case, the first NFC device uses the communication link to execute an operation for reading data from the pseudo card in the second NFC device, so that the data is transferred from the second NFC device. Receive.

  Further, for example, a situation is assumed in which the writer mode is activated in the first NFC device and the CE mode is activated in the second NFC device. In this case, a communication link corresponding to the writer mode and the CE mode is established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. In this case, the first NFC device uses the communication link to execute an operation for writing data to a pseudo card in the second NFC device, thereby transferring the data to the second NFC device. Send.

  As described above, in order for a pair of NFC devices to perform NFC communication, various mode combinations are possible. For example, as a combination of modes of a pair of NFC devices, the following five patterns, namely, “P2P mode, P2P mode”, “Reader mode, CE mode”, “Writer mode, CE mode”, “CE mode, Reader mode” "," CE mode, Writer mode ".

  Note that the NFC device cannot form a state in which both the Reader mode and the Writer mode are activated. In other words, if the NFC device has activated the Reader mode, it has stopped the Writer mode. In addition, the NFC device stops the Reader mode if the Writer mode is activated.

  In addition, the NFC device can establish a communication link corresponding to the activated mode, but cannot establish a communication link corresponding to the unactivated mode. For example, when the CE mode is activated in the MFP 10 and the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated, the MFP 10 can establish a communication link for the MFP 10 to operate in the CE mode. Another communication link (that is, a communication link for the MFP 10 to operate in the P2P mode, the Reader mode, or the Writer mode) cannot be established.

  When the MFP 10 is turned on, the MFP 10 is activated only in the CE mode, and shifts to an initial state in which the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated. When the MFP 10 receives a P2P activation command, which will be described later (YES in S32 in FIG. 2), from the initial state described above, only the P2P mode is activated, and the R / W mode and the CE mode are not activated. (S36). Note that the MFP 10 maintains a state where the R / W mode is not activated while the MFP 10 is powered on. Therefore, in a modification, the MFP 10 may not be able to use the R / W mode.

(Configuration of portable terminals 50 and 52)
The portable terminals 50 and 52 are portable terminals such as a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a portable music playback device, and a portable video playback device. Each of the portable terminals 50 and 52 includes a network I / F for connecting to a wireless network and an NFC I / F. Accordingly, each of the portable terminals 50 and 52 can execute wireless communication with the MFP 10 via the network I / F, and can execute wireless communication with the MFP 10 using the NFC I / F.

  Each of the portable terminals 50 and 52 can install an application program (hereinafter referred to as “MFP application”) for causing the MFP 10 to execute various functions (for example, a printing function, a scanning function, etc.). In this embodiment, the portable terminals 50 and 52 install the MFP application from the Internet server (not shown) provided by the MFP 10 vendor.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the portable terminal 50 can use the P2P mode and the R / W mode, but cannot use the CE mode. The portable terminal 50 includes a first OS (abbreviation for Operation System) program. The first OS program is, for example, Android (registered trademark) version 4.0. The first OS program causes the mobile terminal 50 to operate as follows. That is, when the power of the mobile terminal 50 is turned on, the mobile terminal 50 enters the initial state in which the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated and the writer mode is not activated. The portable terminal 50 maintains the above initial state when the MFP application is not installed. Even if the MFP application is installed, the portable terminal 50 maintains the above-described initial state when the MFP application is not activated. When the MFP application is activated, the portable terminal 50 shifts from the initial state to the state where the P2P mode and the writer mode are activated and the reader mode is not activated.

Further, as described above, the mobile terminal 52 can use the P2P mode, the R / W mode, and the CE mode. The portable terminal 52 includes a second OS program that is different from the first OS program. The second OS program operates the mobile terminal 52 as follows.
That is, when the power of the mobile terminal 52 is turned on, the mobile terminal 52 is in the initial state in which the P2P mode, the Reader mode, and the CE mode are activated and the writer mode is not activated. The portable terminal 52 maintains the above initial state when the MFP application is not installed. Even if the MFP application is installed, the portable terminal 52 maintains the above-described initial state when the MFP application is not activated. When the MFP application is activated, the portable terminal 52 shifts from the initial state to a state where the P2P mode, the writer mode, and the CE mode are activated and the reader mode is not activated.

  Note that AP4, PC6, and authentication card 54 are used in a second embodiment to be described later. Therefore, the description regarding these devices is omitted here.

(Poll operation and Listen operation)
Next, the poll operation and listen operation executed by the NFC device will be described. For example, in the MFP 10, the CPU 32 does not execute the poll operation and the listen operation according to the program 36, but the NFC I / F 22 executes the poll operation and the listen operation. The poll operation is an operation for transmitting a polling signal and receiving a response signal for the polling signal. The Listen operation is an operation that receives a polling signal and transmits a response signal to the polling signal.

  The NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 performs a poll mode for executing the poll operation, a listen mode for executing the listen operation, a mode in which neither the poll operation nor the listen operation is executed (hereinafter referred to as “non-execution mode”). Can be operated in any one of the modes. The NFC I / F 22 sequentially operates in a poll mode, a listen mode, and a non-execution mode. For example, the NFC I / F 22 performs a set of operations that operate in the poll mode, then operate in the listen mode, and then operate in the non-execution mode. The NFC I / F 22 repeatedly executes the above one set of operations.

  In the poll mode, the NFC I / F 22 transmits a polling signal and monitors whether a response signal is received. Specifically, the NFC I / F 22 transmits a polling signal (that is, a polling signal corresponding to Type A) that can be responded to by the Type A NFC device, and monitors the reception of the response signal for a predetermined time. 2) If a response signal is not received, a Type B NFC device transmits a polling signal that can be responded (that is, a polling signal corresponding to Type B), monitors reception of the response signal for a predetermined time, and (3) If not received, the operation of transmitting a polling signal (that is, a polling signal corresponding to Type F) that can be answered by the Type F NFC device and monitoring the reception of the response signal for a predetermined time is repeated. When the NFC I / F 22 receives a response signal from an NFC device (that is, a communication partner) within a predetermined time, the communication partner is a Type NFC device corresponding to the polling signal received immediately before the response signal is transmitted. It can be said that there is. When the NFC I / F 22 receives the response signal, the NFC I / F 22 further transmits an inquiry signal for inquiring which mode the NFC device that is the transmission source of the response signal is activated to the communication partner. As a result, the NFC I / F 22 receives the activation mode signal from the communication partner. The activation mode signal indicates that both the P2P mode and the CE mode are activated at the communication partner, indicates that only the P2P mode is activated, or indicates that only the CE mode is activated. .

  In the Listen mode, the NFC I / F 22 monitors reception of a polling signal and transmits a response signal when receiving the polling signal. The NFC I / F 22 transmits a response signal to the NFC device (that is, the communication partner) that transmitted the polling signal only when it receives the Type polling signal corresponding to the NFC I / F 22. When the NFC I / F 22 transmits a response signal to the communication partner, the NFC I / F 22 further receives an inquiry signal from the communication partner and transmits an activation mode signal to the communication partner.

  In the non-execution mode, the NFC I / F 22 does not transmit a polling signal, and does not transmit a response signal even when the polling signal is received.

  Each of the portable terminals 50 and 52 also repeatedly executes the above one set of operations. Therefore, for example, the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is less than 10 cm, and the period in which the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 operates in the poll mode and the period in which the portable terminal 50 operates in the listen mode are If they match, the NFC I / F 22 transmits a polling signal to the portable terminal 50 and executes a poll operation for receiving a response signal from the portable terminal 50. For example, if the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is less than 10 cm and the period during which the NFC I / F 22 operates in the Listen mode and the period during which the portable terminal 50 operates in the Poll mode match, The I / F 22 receives a polling signal from the mobile terminal 50 and executes a Listen operation for transmitting a response signal to the mobile terminal 50. In the following description, the NFC device that has performed the poll operation and the NFC device that has performed the listen operation are referred to as “Poll device” and “Listen device”, respectively.

  When the NFC I / F 22 executes a poll operation, that is, when the MFP 10 is a poll device, each process for subsequent communication is taken over by the CPU 32. Specifically, first, information indicating which mode of operation the communication partner (for example, the portable terminal 50) that is the Listen device can execute (that is, information indicated by the received start mode signal) is NFC. The data is transferred from the I / F 22 to the CPU 32. The CPU 32 determines in which mode the MFP 10 should operate based on the current state of the MFP 10 (that is, the mode currently activated in the MFP 10) and the information passed from the NFC I / F 22. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines in which mode the MFP 10 that is a poll device should operate in the following manner.

  According to the NFC standard, the Poll device can operate in the P2P mode or the R / W mode, but cannot operate in the CE mode. Accordingly, when the MFP 10 is a Poll device, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode or the R / W mode. For example, the current state of the MFP 10 that is a poll device is a state in which the P2P mode is activated and the R / W mode is not activated, and information received from the NFC I / F 22 is the Listen device. If the communication partner indicates that the P2P mode is activated, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode. In this case, the CPU 32 transmits an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode to the communication partner and receives an OK command from the communication partner. As a result, a communication link in the P2P mode is established between the MFP 10 that is the poll device and the communication partner that is the listen device. In this embodiment, since the MFP 10 is not activated in the R / W mode, the CPU 32 does not determine that the MFP 10 should operate in the R / W mode.

  Also, when the NFC I / F 22 executes the Listen operation, that is, when the MFP 10 is a Listen device, each process for subsequent communication is taken over by the CPU 32. The CPU 32 determines in which mode the MFP 10 should operate based on an activation signal received from a communication partner that is a poll device. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines in which mode the MFP 10 as the Listen device should operate as follows.

  In the NFC standard, the Listen device can operate in the P2P mode or the CE mode, but cannot operate in the R / W mode. Therefore, when the MFP 10 is a Listen device, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode or the CE mode. For example, the current state of the MFP 10 that is the listen device is a state in which the P2P mode is activated and the CE mode is not activated, and the current state of the communication partner that is the poll device is activated in the P2P mode. If it is in the state, the CPU 32 receives an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode from the communication partner. In this case, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode, and transmits an OK command to the communication partner. As a result, a P2P communication link is established between the MFP 10 that is the listen device and the communication partner that is the poll device.

  Also, for example, the current state of the MFP 10 that is the Listen device is a state in which the CE mode is activated, the P2P mode is not activated, and the current state of the communication partner that is the Poll device is the Reader mode. Alternatively, when the writer mode is activated, the CPU 32 receives an activation command corresponding to the R / W mode from the communication partner. In this case, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the CE mode, and transmits an OK command to the communication partner. As a result, communication links corresponding to the CE mode and the R / W mode are established between the MFP 10 that is the Listen device and the communication partner that is the Poll device.

  When a communication link corresponding to the CE mode and the R / W mode is established, the CPU 32 further receives information indicating whether the communication partner operates in the reader mode or the writer mode from the communication partner. To do. Therefore, for example, when information indicating that the communication partner operates in the Reader mode is received, communication corresponding to the CE mode and the Reader mode is performed between the MFP 10 that is the Listen device and the communication partner that is the Poll device. It can be said that a link (hereinafter referred to as "MFP (CE) -other party (R) communication link") is established. Further, for example, when information indicating that the communication partner operates in the writer mode is received, communication corresponding to the CE mode and the writer mode is performed between the MFP 10 that is the listen device and the communication partner that is the poll device. It can be said that a link (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (CE) -other party (W) communication link”) is established.

(MFP communication processing; FIG. 2)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, processing contents executed by the CPU 32 of the MFP 10 according to the program 36 will be described. When the power of the MFP 10 is turned on, the CPU 32 shifts the state of the MFP 10 to an initial state in which the CE mode is activated and the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated in S10.

  As shown in S <b> 20, the CPU 32 monitors that the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link is established while the MFP 10 is in the initial state. As described above, when the CPU 32 receives information indicating that the communication partner operates in the Reader mode, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link has been established. In this case, the CPU 32 determines YES in S20, and proceeds to S22.

  In S22, the CPU 32 transmits URL (abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator) data to the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the MFP (CE) -party (R) communication link. As described above, the Internet server provided by the vendor of the MFP 10 stores the MFP application, and permits the external device to download and install the MFP application in response to a request from the external device. The URL data transmitted in S22 indicates the URL of the MFP application (that is, the file address of the MFP application in the Internet server). The URL data includes a Smart Poster command defined by the NFC standard. The smart poster command is a command for causing the communication partner (that is, the portable terminals 50 and 52) to start the MFP application. The operation executed when the communication partner receives URL data will be described in detail later. When S22 ends, the process proceeds to S24.

  In S24, the CPU 32 disconnects the communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (R). More specifically, the CPU 32 executes communication of a Deactivation command and an OK command. In the NFC standard, it is determined that the Poll device transmits the Deactivation command, that is, the Listen device receives the Deactivation command. When S24 is executed, the communication partner is a poll device, and the MFP 10 is a listen device. For this purpose, the CPU 32 receives a Deactivation command from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22, and transmits an OK command to the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22. As a result, the communication link between MFP (CE) and partner (R) is disconnected.

  Note that there is a possibility that the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 may not be NFC communication due to the communication partner leaving the MFP 10 before the communication partner transmits a Deactivation command to the MFP 10. There is. In this case, in S24, the link is forcibly disconnected without performing the communication of the Deactivation command and the OK command. When S24 ends, the process returns to S20.

  As shown in S <b> 30, the CPU 32 further monitors that the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link is established while the MFP 10 is in the initial state. As described above, when the CPU 32 receives information indicating that the communication partner operates in the writer mode, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link has been established. In this case, the CPU 32 determines YES in S30, and proceeds to S32.

  In S32, the CPU 32 monitors the reception of the P2P activation command from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link. The P2P activation command is a command for causing the MFP 10 to activate the P2P mode. The P2P activation command is a command prepared according to the MFP application. That is, receiving the P2P activation command from the communication partner means that the MFP application is activated at the communication partner. When receiving the P2P activation command from the communication partner, the CPU 32 determines YES in S32 and proceeds to S34. On the other hand, when the CPU 32 does not receive the P2P activation command from the communication partner (that is, when a command different from the P2P activation command is received or when neither command is received), the CPU 32 determines NO in S32, Proceed to S24.

  In S34, the CPU 32 executes communication of the Deactivation command and the OK command and disconnects the communication link, similarly to S24. Next, in S36, the CPU 32 stops the CE mode and starts the P2P mode according to the P2P start command. As a result, the CPU 32 can change the state of the MFP 10 from the initial state to a state in which the P2P mode is activated and the R / W mode and the CE mode are not activated. As described above, receiving a P2P activation command from a communication partner means that the MFP application is activated at the communication partner. Therefore, the MFP 10 can change the state of the MFP 10 from the initial state to the state in which the P2P mode is activated at an appropriate timing (that is, when the MFP application is activated at the communication partner). In S36, the CPU 32 stops the CE mode without maintaining the state in which the CE mode is activated. Accordingly, in S38, which will be described later, it is possible to suppress the establishment of a communication link for the MFP 10 to operate in the CE mode, and a P2P communication link is appropriately established. When S36 ends, the process proceeds to S38.

  In S38, the CPU 32 monitors whether a P2P communication link is established. As described above, for example, when the MFP 10 is a Poll device, the CPU 32 transmits an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode to the communication partner and receives an OK command from the communication partner. Is determined to be established. In this case, the CPU 32 determines YES in S38, and proceeds to S40. For example, when the MFP 10 is a listen device, the CPU 32 receives an activation command corresponding to the P2P mode from the communication partner and transmits an OK command to the communication partner, so that a P2P communication link is established. Judge that Also in this case, the CPU 32 determines YES in S38, and proceeds to S40.

  In S40, the CPU 32 executes two-way communication with the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the P2P communication link. More specifically, the CPU 32 executes bidirectional communication of print request data and response data. The CPU 32 first receives print request data from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22. The print request data includes a print instruction command for causing the MFP 10 to execute the print function. Note that the print request data does not include print data itself that is data to be printed.

  As described above, the communication speed of NFC communication is slower than the communication speed of network wireless communication. For this reason, if NFC communication is used as communication of print data from the communication partner (that is, the portable terminals 50 and 52) to the MFP 10, it may take a long time for communication of the print data. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the MFP 10 receives print data from a communication partner using network wireless communication. In order to employ such a configuration, the communication partner needs to know the wireless setting for performing network wireless communication with the MFP 10. Accordingly, when the MFP 10 receives print request data including a print instruction command from the communication partner, the MFP 10 transmits the wireless setting to the communication partner as response data indicating a response to the print instruction command.

  That is, in S <b> 40, when the CPU 32 reads the print instruction command included in the print request data, the CPU 32 specifies the wireless setting used in the wireless network to which the MFP 10 currently belongs from the memory 34. In S40, the CPU 32 further generates response data including the specified wireless setting. In S <b> 40, the CPU 32 further transmits the generated response data to the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the P2P communication link. Accordingly, the communication partner can participate in the wireless network using the wireless setting included in the response data. As a result, the MFP 10 and the communication partner can communicate print data by executing network wireless communication instead of NFC communication. That is, the MFP 10 can receive print data from a communication partner and execute a print function. When S40 ends, the process proceeds to S42.

  In S42, the CPU 32 disconnects the P2P communication link. For example, when the MFP 10 is a Listen device, the CPU 32 receives a Deactivation command from the communication partner and transmits an OK command to the communication partner as in S24. As a result, the P2P communication link is disconnected. For example, when the MFP 10 is a poll device, the CPU 32 transmits a Deactivation command to the communication partner and receives an OK command from the communication partner. As a result, the P2P communication link is disconnected. If the communication partner leaves the MFP 10 before the Deactivation command and OK command communication are executed, the link may be forcibly disconnected in S42 without performing the communication of those commands. . When S42 ends, the process proceeds to S44.

  In S44, the CPU 32 stops the P2P mode and activates the CE mode. As a result, the CPU 32 can change the state of the MFP 10 from the state in which the P2P mode is activated and the R / W mode and the CE mode are not activated to the initial state described above. According to this configuration, the MFP 10 can appropriately return the state of the MFP 10 to the initial state. When S44 ends, the process returns to S20.

(Case A; Fig. 3)
Next, a specific case A realized by the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Case A is realized by the MFP 10 executing each process of FIG.

  Case A1 shows communication performed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 including the first OS program. In the initial state of the MFP 10, the CE mode is activated, and the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated (that is, P2P = OFF, R / W = OFF, CE = ON). Further, the portable terminal 50 has not yet installed the MFP application. Alternatively, the portable terminal 50 has already installed the MFP application, but has not activated the MFP application. Therefore, in the initial state of the portable terminal 50, the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated, and the writer mode is not activated (that is, P2P = ON, Reader = ON, Writer = OFF).

  The user of the portable terminal 50 brings the portable terminal 50 closer to the MFP 10 in a state where the MFP application is not activated. The CE mode is activated in the MFP 10, and the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated in the portable terminal 50. In such a situation, only the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 (S20 in FIG. 2). That is, the communication link of P2P, the communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W), the communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE), and the communication link of MFP (W) -partner (CE) are established. Not.

  The MFP 10 transmits the URL data to the portable terminal 50 when the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link is established (YES in S20 of FIG. 2) (S22). Next, the MFP 10 disconnects the communication link between MFP (CE) and the other party (R) (S24).

  When the portable terminal 50 receives the URL data from the MFP 10, the portable terminal 50 reads the smart poster command included in the URL data in accordance with the first OS program. In the case where the portable terminal 50 has not installed the MFP application, the following first example and second example are realized. In the first example, when the mobile terminal 50 reads the smart poster command, the mobile terminal 50 automatically accesses the URL (that is, the Internet server storing the MFP application) included in the URL data, and the MFP from the Internet server. Download the application. Thereby, the portable terminal 50 can install the application for MFP. In the second example, when the mobile terminal 50 reads the smart poster command, the mobile terminal 50 displays a predetermined screen and inquires of the user whether or not to access the URL included in the URL data. When the user permits access, the portable terminal 50 downloads the MFP application from the Internet server. Thereby, the portable terminal 50 can install the application for MFP. When the MFP application is installed, the portable terminal 50 activates the MFP application. As a result, the portable terminal 50 stops the Reader mode and starts the Writer mode.

  In the case where the portable terminal 50 has already installed the MFP application, the portable terminal 50 does not download the MFP application even when the smart poster command is read. When the portable terminal 50 reads the smart poster command, for example, the portable terminal 50 starts a predetermined application (such as a browser application) and displays a predetermined screen indicating the URL included in the URL data. Then, when the user performs an operation for starting the MFP application via the predetermined screen, the portable terminal 50 starts the MFP application. As a result, the portable terminal 50 stops the Reader mode and starts the Writer mode.

  The user of the portable terminal 50 applies an operation for causing the MFP 10 to execute the printing function on the portable terminal 50 according to the screen of the MFP application. Then, the user brings the mobile terminal 50 close to the MFP 10. The CE mode is activated in the MFP 10, and the P2P mode and the writer mode are activated in the portable terminal 50. In such a situation, only the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 (S30 in FIG. 2).

  The portable terminal 50 transmits a P2P activation command to the MFP 10 using the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link in accordance with the MFP application. As a result, the MFP 10 receives the P2P activation command from the portable terminal 50 using the MFP (CE) -partner (W) communication link (YES in S32). Next, the MFP 10 disconnects the communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) (S34).

  In response to the P2P activation command, the MFP 10 stops the CE mode and activates the P2P mode (S36). In the MFP 10, the P2P mode is activated, and in the portable terminal 50, the P2P mode and the writer mode are activated. In such a situation, only the P2P communication link can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 (YES in S38 of FIG. 2). When the MFP 10 receives the P2P activation command, the MFP 10 shifts to a state where only the P2P mode is activated (S36), but shifts to a state where both the P2P mode and the R / W mode are activated. May be.

  The portable terminal 50 generates print request data according to the MFP application. Then, the portable terminal 50 transmits print request data to the MFP 10 using the P2P communication link. As a result, the MFP 10 receives the print request data from the portable terminal 50 using the P2P communication link (S40). Next, the MFP 10 transmits response data including wireless settings to the portable terminal 50 using the P2P communication link (S40).

  The portable terminal 50 receives response data from the MFP 10 using a P2P communication link. Thereby, the portable terminal 50 participates in the wireless network using the wireless setting included in the response data in accordance with the MFP application. The portable terminal 50 performs network wireless communication and transmits print data to the MFP 10.

  The MFP 10 performs network wireless communication and receives print data from the portable terminal 50 (the flowchart and the sequence chart are not shown). The print data is supplied to the print execution unit 18. Thereby, the MFP 10 (that is, the print execution unit 18) prints the image represented by the print data on the print medium.

  When the two-way communication between the print request data and the response data ends, the MFP 10 disconnects the P2P communication link (S42). Next, the MFP 10 stops the P2P mode and activates the CE mode (S44). As a result, the MFP 10 returns to the initial state.

  In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the MFP application is not activated in the portable terminal 50. However, it is assumed that the MFP application is activated in the portable terminal 50.

(Effect of this embodiment)
If the MFP 10 employs a configuration that maintains the state in which the P2P mode is activated (hereinafter referred to as “comparative configuration”), the following event may occur. In the portable terminal 50, the P2P mode is activated even if the MFP application is not activated. Accordingly, a P2P communication link can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 even when the MFP application is not activated on the portable terminal 50. In this case, the portable terminal 50 does not operate according to the MFP application, and therefore does not transmit print request data to the MFP 10. That is, according to the configuration of the comparative example, there is a possibility that bidirectional communication of target data (that is, print request data and response data) is not properly executed.

  In contrast, in this embodiment, in the initial state of the MFP 10, the CE mode is activated, and the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated. Accordingly, unlike the configuration of the comparative example, a P2P communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 in a situation where the MFP 10 is in the initial state and the MFP application is not activated on the portable terminal 50. Not. Therefore, the MFP 10 can appropriately establish a communication link of MFP (CE) -other party (R) while in the initial state (YES in S20 of FIG. 2). Then, the MFP 10 transmits the URL data to the portable terminal 50 using the MFP (CE) -other party (R) communication link (S22). Thereby, the MFP 10 can cause the portable terminal 50 to start the MFP application.

  Thereafter, the MFP 10 changes the state of the MFP 10 from the initial state to a state in which the P2P mode is activated (S36). As a result, a P2P communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50. At this time, since the MFP application is activated on the portable terminal 50, the MFP 10 can execute bidirectional communication of the target data with the portable terminal 50 using the P2P communication link. According to the present embodiment, the two-way communication of the target data can be appropriately executed as compared with the configuration of the comparative example.

  Note that, not only in the situation where the communication partner of the MFP 10 is the portable terminal 50 but also in the situation where the communication terminal is the portable terminal 52, the same communication as in the case A of FIG. That is, in the portable terminal 52, when the MFP application is not activated, the P2P mode, the Reader mode, and the CE mode are activated, and the writer mode is not activated. Therefore, when the MFP 10 is in the initial state and the MFP application is not activated on the portable terminal 52, the P2P communication link is not established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 52. Therefore, the MFP 10 can establish the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link and transmit the URL data to the portable terminal 52 while in the initial state. The subsequent communication is the same as the communication between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 (Case A in FIG. 3).

(Correspondence)
The MFP 10 and the portable terminals 50 and 52 are examples of “communication device” and “external device”, respectively. The initial state of the MFP 10 (that is, the state where only the CE mode is activated and the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated) is an example of the “first state”. The CE mode and the Reader mode are examples of the “first mode” and the “second mode”, respectively. An MFP (CE) -communication (R) communication link, a P2P communication link, and an MFP (CE) -communication (W) communication link are respectively referred to as “first type communication link” and “second type communication link”. ”And“ third type communication link ”. The URL data and the P2P activation command are examples of “first data” and “second data”, respectively. The timing at which the P2P activation command is received is an example of “predetermined timing”.

  S20 and S30 in FIG. 2 are examples of the “monitoring step”. S22, S32, and S40 are examples of “transmission step”, “first reception step”, and “communication step”, respectively. S36 and S44 are examples of the “first change step” and the “second change step”, respectively.

(Second embodiment)
In this embodiment, the initial state of the MFP 10 is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the initial state of the MFP 10, the Reader mode and the CE mode are activated, and the P2P mode and the Writer mode are not activated. Since the MFP 10 activates the Reader mode, the MFP (R) -other party (CE) communication link can be established.

  Further, the portable terminal 50 is different from the first embodiment in that not only the P2P mode and the R / W mode but also the CE mode can be used. In the initial state of the portable terminal 50 (that is, the state where the MFP application is not activated), the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated, and the writer mode and the CE mode are not activated. When the MFP application is activated on the portable terminal 50, the portable terminal 50 shifts from the initial state to a state in which the P2P mode, the writer mode, and the CE mode are activated and the reader mode is not activated. To do.

  The MFP 10 belongs to a wireless network including the AP 4 and the PC 6. Therefore, the MFP 10 can receive print data from the PC 6 via the AP 4 and execute printing according to the print data. The authentication card 54 is a card given to the user of the PC 6. Even if the MFP 10 receives the print data from the PC 6, the MFP 10 does not start printing until the authentication using the authentication card 54 is successful. That is, the user of the PC 6 moves the authentication card 54 closer to the MFP 10 after transmitting print data from the PC 6 to the MFP 10. The MFP 10 receives an authentication command including authentication information (for example, a user ID and a password) from the authentication card 54 and executes authentication. When the authentication is successful, the MFP 10 starts printing. As a result, the user of the PC 6 can obtain a printed material when the user is near the MFP 10. That is, it is possible to suppress the printed matter from being taken away by a third party.

(MFP communication processing; FIG. 4)
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the contents of the communication process of the MFP 10 of this embodiment will be described. When the power of the MFP 10 is turned on, the CPU 32 shifts the state of the MFP 10 to an initial state in which the Reader mode and the CE mode are activated and the P2P mode and the Writer mode are not activated in S110.

  S120 to S124 are the same as S20 to S24 of FIG. However, in S124, the CPU 32 activates the Reader mode when the MFP 10 is in a state where the Reader mode is not activated (see S170 described later). Thereby, the CPU 32 can appropriately return the state of the MFP 10 from the state where the Reader mode is not activated to the initial state where the Reader mode is activated.

  S130 to S144 are the same as S30 to S44 of FIG. However, in S136, the CPU 32 stops the Reader mode and the CE mode according to the P2P activation command, and activates the P2P mode. As a result, the CPU 32 can change the state of the MFP 10 from the initial state to a state in which the P2P mode is activated and the R / W mode and the CE mode are not activated. In S144, the CPU 32 stops the P2P mode and activates the Reader mode and the CE mode. As a result, the CPU 32 can change the state of the MFP 10 from the state in which the P2P mode is activated and the R / W mode and the CE mode are not activated to the initial state described above.

  As shown in S <b> 160, the CPU 32 further monitors that the MFP (R) -partner (CE) communication link is established while the MFP 10 is in the initial state. The MFP 10 executes the poll operation, and the information delivered from the NFC I / F 22 (that is, the information indicated by the activation mode signal received from the communication partner that is the listen device) indicates that the communication partner activates the CE mode. The CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the Reader mode. In this case, the CPU 32 transmits an activation command corresponding to the R / W mode to the communication partner and receives an OK command from the communication partner. When receiving an OK command from the communication partner, the CPU 32 determines that the communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) has been established. In this case, the CPU 32 determines YES in S160, and proceeds to S162.

  In S162 and S164, the CPU 32 monitors the reception of the P2P activation command or the authentication command from the communication partner via the NFC I / F 22 using the MFP (R) -party (CE) communication link. When receiving the P2P activation command from the communication partner (that is, the mobile terminals 50 and 52), the CPU 32 determines YES in S162, and proceeds to S134.

  If the communication partner is the authentication card 54, the CPU 32 receives an authentication command from the communication partner (that is, the authentication card 54). In this case, the CPU 32 determines YES in S164, and proceeds to S166. On the other hand, if neither the P2P activation command nor the authentication command is received from the communication partner, the CPU 32 determines NO in S164 and proceeds to S168.

  In S166, the CPU 32 transmits a Deactivation command to the communication partner and receives an OK command from the communication partner. As a result, the MFP (R) -party (CE) communication link is disconnected. If the communication partner leaves the MFP 10 before the Deactivation command and OK command communication are executed, the link may be forcibly disconnected in S166 without executing the command communication. . Although not shown in the flowchart, the CPU 32 executes authentication of authentication information included in the authentication command when the authentication command is received, and starts printing according to the print data when the authentication is successful. To do. When S166 ends, the process returns to S120. Note that when the CPU 32 determines YES in S164, that is, when an authentication command is received from the communication partner, the Reader mode is not stopped as in S170 described later. Therefore, the CPU 32 can appropriately maintain the state in which the Reader mode is activated.

  In S168, the CPU 32 disconnects the communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) as in S166. Next, in S170, the CPU 32 stops the Reader mode. As a result, the CPU 32 can change the state of the MFP 10 from the initial state to the state where the CE mode is activated and the P2P mode and the R / W mode are not activated. Thereby, in S172, which will be described later, it is possible to suppress establishment of a communication link for the MFP 10 to operate in the Reader mode, and a communication link for the MFP 10 to operate in the CE mode is appropriately established. When S170 ends, the process proceeds to S172.

  In S172, as in S120, the CPU 32 monitors whether the communication link between MFP (CE) and partner (R) is established. If the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link is established, the CPU 32 determines YES in S172, and proceeds to S122. As described above, when S124 is executed through S170, S172, and S122, in S124, the CPU 32 restarts the Reader mode stopped in S170, and sets the MFP 10 to the initial state. return.

(Case B1; FIG. 5)
Next, specific cases B1 to B4 realized by the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Cases B1 to B4 are realized by the MFP 10 executing the processes shown in FIG.

  Case B1 shows communication executed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 including the first OS program. In the initial state of the MFP 10, the Reader mode and the CE mode are activated, and the P2P mode and the Writer mode are not activated (that is, P2P = OFF, Reader = ON, Writer = OFF, CE = ON). In the initial state of the portable terminal 50 (that is, the MFP application is not activated), the P2P mode and the Reader mode are activated, and the writer mode and the CE mode are not activated (that is, P2P = ON). Reader = ON, Writer = OFF, CE mode = OFF). In such a situation, only the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 (S120 in FIG. 4). Thereafter, each process until the portable terminal 50 activates the MFP application is the same as in the case A of FIG.

  When the mobile terminal 50 activates the MFP application, it stops the Reader mode and activates the Writer mode and the CE mode. In such a situation, a communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) or a communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 (FIG. 4). S130 or S160). In case B1, a communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) is established (YES in S130). The subsequent processes are shown in FIG. 3 except that the MFP 10 stops not only the CE mode but also the Reader mode in S136 and the MFP 10 starts not only the CE mode but also the Reader mode in S144. This is the same as Case 3 in FIG.

(Case B2; FIG. 6)
On the other hand, in case B2, after the portable terminal 50 activates the MFP application, a communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) is established (YES in S160 of FIG. 4). In this case, the portable terminal 50 transmits a P2P activation command to the MFP 10 using the MFP (R) -partner (CE) communication link in accordance with the MFP application. As a result, the MFP 10 receives the P2P activation command from the portable terminal 50 using the MFP (R) -partner (CE) communication link (YES in S162). Each subsequent process is the same as in case B1 of FIG.

  As shown in cases B1 and B2, the MFP 10 can appropriately establish a communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (R) while in the initial state (YES in S120 in FIG. 4), and the URL Data can be transmitted to the portable terminal 50 (S122). Thereby, the MFP 10 can cause the portable terminal 50 to start the MFP application. Thereafter, the MFP 10 changes the state of the MFP 10 from the initial state to a state in which the P2P mode is activated (S136). Thereby, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute bidirectional communication of the target data with the portable terminal 50 using the P2P communication link.

  In addition, after causing the portable terminal 50 to start the MFP application, a communication link of MFP (CE) -partner (W) or a communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) can be established (FIG. YES in S130 of 4 or YES in S160). Regardless of which communication link is established, the MFP 10 can receive the P2P activation command from the portable terminal 50 (YES in S132 or YES in S162), and the MFP application can be executed at an appropriate timing (that is, the portable terminal 50 can execute the MFP application The timing of the MFP 10 can be changed from the initial state to the state in which the P2P mode is activated (S136). As a result, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute bidirectional communication of the target data with the portable terminal 50 using the P2P communication link.

(Case B3; FIG. 7)
Case B3 shows communication performed between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 52 including the second OS program. The initial state of the MFP 10 is the same as the cases B1 and B2 in FIGS. In the initial state of the portable terminal 52 (that is, the state where the MFP application is not activated), the P2P mode, the Reader mode, and the CE mode are activated, and the writer mode is not activated (that is, P2P). = ON, Reader = ON, Writer = OFF, CE mode = ON). In such a situation, an MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link or an MFP (R) -partner (CE) communication link can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 52 (FIG. 4). S120 or S160). When the communication link between MFP (CE) and the other party (R) is established (YES in S120 of FIG. 4), the subsequent processing indicates that the CE mode is activated in the portable terminal 52. Except for the fact that it is maintained, it is the same as Cases B1 and B2 of FIGS.

  On the other hand, when the communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) is established (YES in S160 of FIG. 4), the portable terminal 52 does not operate according to the MFP application, and therefore the MFP 10 is connected to the P2P. Do not send a start command. Therefore, the MFP 10 does not receive the P2P activation command from the portable terminal 52 (NO in S162). Further, the MFP 10 does not receive an authentication command (NO in S164). In this case, the MFP 10 disconnects the communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) (S168).

  Next, the MFP 10 stops the Reader mode (S170). In such a situation, only the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link can be established (S172). When the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link is established (YES in S172), each subsequent process is performed when the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link is disconnected. In addition, the MFP 10 is the same as the cases B1 and B2 of FIGS. 5 and 6 except that the Reader mode is activated and the CE terminal is activated in the portable terminal 52. is there.

  As shown in case B3, unlike the first OS program of the portable terminal 50, the second OS program of the portable terminal 52 activates the CE mode even when the MFP application is not activated. For this reason, even if the MFP application is not activated on the portable terminal 52, a communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 52 (YES in S160). . In this case, since the MFP 10 does not receive the P2P activation command from the portable terminal 52 (NO in S162 and S164), the MFP 10 stops the Reader mode (S170). Since the Reader mode is stopped in S170, the MFP (CE) -partner (R) communication link is appropriately established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 52 (YES in S172). As a result, the MFP 10 can cause the portable terminal 50 to appropriately start the MFP application (S122).

(Case B4; FIG. 8)
Case B4 shows communication executed between the MFP 10 and the authentication card 54. The initial state of the MFP 10 is the same as the cases B1 to B3 in FIGS. In the authentication card 54, only the CE mode is activated. In such a situation, only the MFP (R) -partner (CE) communication link can be established between the MFP 10 and the authentication card 54 (S160 in FIG. 4). When the communication link between MFP (R) and partner (CE) is established (YES in S160), MFP 10 receives an authentication command from authentication card 54 (YES in S164). Next, the MFP 10 disconnects the communication link of MFP (R) -partner (CE) (S166).

  Note that the MFP 10 has received print data from the PC 6 via the AP 4 before receiving the authentication command. When the MFP 10 receives the authentication command, the MFP 10 performs authentication using the authentication information included in the authentication command. When the authentication is successful, the MFP 10 starts printing according to the received print data.

  As shown in case B4, in the initial state of the MFP 10, not only the CE mode but also the Reader mode is activated. Therefore, between the MFP 10 and the authentication card 54, MFP (R) -partner (CE) A communication link is established (S160). In this case, the MFP 10 can receive the authentication command from the authentication card 54 (YES in S164) and execute the authentication. According to the present embodiment, the MFP 10 appropriately executes bidirectional communication of target data with the portable terminals 50 and 52 as in the cases B1 to B3 while realizing a configuration for executing authentication using the authentication card 54. be able to.

(Correspondence)
The correspondence relationship of the second embodiment is basically the same as the correspondence relationship of the first embodiment. The differences are listed below. The portable terminals 50 and 52 and the authentication card 54 are examples of “external device”. The initial state of the MFP 10 (that is, the state where the CE mode and the Reader mode are activated and the P2P mode and the writer mode are not activated) is an example of the “first state”. The state in which only the CE mode is activated (that is, the state after S170 in FIG. 4 is executed) is an example of the “third state”. The authentication command is an example of “third data”.

  S120, S130, and S160 in FIG. 4 are examples of the “monitoring step”. S122, S132, S162, S164, and S140 are examples of “transmission step”, “first reception step”, “second reception step”, “third reception step”, and “communication step”, respectively. . S136, S144, S170, and S124 are examples of the “first change step”, the “second change step”, the “third change step”, and the “fourth change step”, respectively.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification 1) In the initial state of the MFP 10, the writer mode is activated, and the P2P mode, reader mode, and CE mode may not be activated. Moreover, the initial state of the portable terminal 52 may be the same as the state shown in case B3 of FIG. In this case, only the MFP (W) -partner (CE) communication link can be established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 52. When the MFP (W) -partner (CE) communication link is established, the CPU 32 of the MFP 10 transmits the URL data to the portable terminal 50 using the MFP (W) -partner (CE) communication link. Also good. Thereby, the MFP 10 can cause the portable terminal 52 to start the MFP application. Thereafter, the CPU 32 may change the state of the MFP 10 from the initial state to a state in which the P2P mode is activated. Also in this modification, the MFP 10 can cause the portable terminal 52 to appropriately start the MFP application, and as a result, can perform two-way communication of the target data with the portable terminal 52 appropriately. In the present modification, the state in which only the writer mode is activated is an example of the “first state”. The writer mode and the CE mode are examples of the “first mode” and the “second mode”, respectively. The “first state” may be, for example, a state where the P2P mode is not activated and a first mode different from the P2P mode is activated. The MFP (W) -communication (CE) communication link is an example of the “first type communication link”. The “first type communication link” may be a communication link capable of executing unidirectional communication of the first data from the communication device to the external device, for example.

(Modification 2) In each of the above embodiments, the URL data including the smart poster command is an example of “first data”. Instead, for example, when the first OS program of the portable terminal 50 is Android (registered trademark) (for example, a program having a version of 4.0 or later), the “first The “data” may be data including an Android (registered trademark) application record. That is, in S22 of FIG. 2 or S122 of FIG. 4, the CPU 32 may transmit an application record instead of the URL data. The application record does not include the URL of the MFP application, but includes the package name (that is, text information) of the MFP application. The portable terminal 50 can install or start up an MFP application using the package name included in the application record. In the present modification, the data including the application record is an example of “first data”.

(Modification 3) If it is assumed that the application for MFP is already installed in the portable terminals 50 and 52, the command for starting the application for MFP (instead of URL data) is used as “first data”. However, data including a URL) may be employed. That is, generally speaking, the “first data” only needs to include a command for causing an external device to start a specific application for executing bidirectional communication of target data.

(Modification 4) In each of the above embodiments, the timing at which the P2P activation command is received is an example of “predetermined timing”. Instead, the CPU 32 sends the URL data to the portable terminals 50 and 52 at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, the estimated time required for starting the MFP application on the portable terminals 50 and 52). The P2P mode may be activated at the elapsed timing). According to this configuration, the timing when the predetermined time elapses is an example of “predetermined timing”. The “first changing step” may be a step for changing the state of the communication device from the first state to the second state at a predetermined timing after the transmission of the first data. In this modification, S30 to S34 are not executed in FIG. 2, and S36 to S44 may be executed after S24 is executed. Generally speaking, the processor only needs to execute at least a monitoring step (eg, S20), a transmission step (eg, S22), a first changing step (eg, S36), and a communication step (eg, S40). .

(Modification 5) In each of the above embodiments, the P2P mode is activated and the CE mode and the R / W mode are not activated (that is, after S36 or S136 in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4 is executed). ) Is an example of a “second state”. Instead, the “second state” may be a state in which at least one of the CE mode, the Reader mode, and the Writer mode is activated as well as the P2P mode. That is, the “second state” may be at least a state in which the P2P mode is activated.

(Modification 6) In the second embodiment, the authentication command is an example of “third data”. Instead, the “third data” may be other types of data (for example, data related to electronic money) communicated by the NFC method.

(Modification 7) In each of the above embodiments, the print request data and the response data are examples of “target data” that is the target of bidirectional communication. Instead of this, for example, the following modifications may be employed.

(Modification 7-1) As “target data”, scan request data including a scan instruction command for causing the MFP 10 to execute a scan function and response data including wireless settings may be employed.

(Modification 7-2) For example, a situation is assumed in which the mobile terminal 50 should transmit setting information to be used by the MFP 10 to the MFP 10. As the setting information, for example, print setting information (for example, print resolution, paper size, etc.) for the MFP 10 to execute the print function, scan setting information (for example, scan resolution, etc.) for the MFP 10 to execute the scan function, etc. Communication setting information (for example, IP address, subnet mask, gateway address, etc.) for the MFP 10 to execute a communication function can be listed. Thereby, the MFP 10 can execute various functions using the setting information received from the portable terminal 50. When the MFP 10 receives the setting information from the portable terminal 50, the MFP 10 transmits a response command indicating that the setting information has been received to the portable terminal 50. As the “target data”, the setting information and the response command may be employed.

(Modification 7-3) For example, a situation is assumed in which the mobile terminal 50 should transmit the address information included in the address book in the mobile terminal 50 to the MFP 10. The MFP 10 can execute a communication function by using address information received from the portable terminal 50. When the MFP 10 receives the address information from the portable terminal 50, the MFP 10 transmits a response command indicating that the address information has been received to the portable terminal. As the “target data”, the above address information and the above response command may be adopted.

(Modification 7-4) In the above embodiment, the MFP 10 employs a configuration in which print data is received from the portable terminal 50 using network wireless communication. Instead, for example, the MFP 10 may receive print data from the portable terminal 50 using NFC communication. In this case, the MFP 10 may transmit a response command indicating that the print data has been received to the portable terminal 50. As the “target data”, the print data and the response command may be employed.

(Modification 7-5) Further, in the above embodiment and the above modifications 7-1 to 7-4, transmission of target data from the mobile terminal 50 to the MFP 10 is executed, and then the MFP 10 to the mobile terminal 50. The target data is transmitted. Instead, transmission of target data from the MFP 10 to the portable terminal 50 may be executed, and then transmission of target data from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 may be executed. That is, the “communication step” may be a step for executing bidirectional communication of target data.

(Modification 8) The “communication device” is not limited to the multi-function device (that is, the MFP 10) that can execute the print function and the scan function, and is a printer that can execute only the print function of the print function and the scan function. Alternatively, it may be a scanner that can execute only the scan function of the print function and the scan function. The “communication device” is a device (for example, a PC, a server, a mobile terminal (a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA) that executes a function (for example, an image display function, a data calculation function) different from the print function and the scan function. Etc.)). That is, the “communication apparatus” includes any device that can execute NFC communication. The “external device” is not limited to the portable terminals 50 and 52 and the authentication card 54, and includes any device that can execute NFC communication.

(Modification 9) In each of the above embodiments, each process in FIG. 2 or 4 is realized by software (that is, program 36), but at least one of the processes in FIG. 2 or 4 is a logic circuit or the like. It may be realized by hardware.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

  2: communication system, 4: AP, 6: PC, 10: multi-function device (MFP), 30: control unit, 32: CPU, 34: memory, 36: program, 50, 52: portable terminal, 54: authentication card

Claims (9)

A communication device for performing bidirectional communication of target data with an external device in the NFC method, which is a communication method in accordance with the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard,
An NFC interface for executing the NFC communication;
A processor;
And a memory storing a program,
The processor performs the following steps according to the program stored in the memory:
A specific application for executing bidirectional communication of the target data using the communication link when a communication link via the NFC interface is established between the communication device and the external device Transmitting to the external device first data for causing the external device to execute
While the state of the communication device is the first state in which the P2P (Peer to Peer) mode of the NFC standard is not activated and the first mode of the NFC standard is activated, the communication device When the first type communication link through the NFC interface is established between the external device and the external device, the P2P mode is activated from the external device using the first type communication link. Receiving a second data to be executed by the communication device;
A first changing step of changing the state of the communication device from the first state to a second state in which the P2P mode is activated when the second data is received ;
After the first changing step, a second type communication link is established between the communication device and the external device via the NFC interface while the state of the communication device is the second state. A communication step of performing bidirectional communication of the target data with the external device running the specific application via the NFC interface using the second type communication link. The communication step of the second type is a communication link in which the communication device and the external device operate in the P2P mode and data communication is to be executed; and
A communication device for executing. The processor further includes:
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the communication step is executed, a second change step of changing the state of the communication apparatus from the second state to the first state is executed. The first state is a state in which the Reader mode of the NFC standard is activated,
The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first type communication link is a communication link for the communication device to operate in the Reader mode. The second state according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second state is a state in which at least one of a CE mode, a Reader mode, and a Writer mode of the NFC standard is activated. The communication device described. In the receiving step,
In the first case where the first type of communication link is established between the communication device and the external device that is a portable terminal while the state of the communication device is the first state, Receiving the second data from the external device, which is the mobile terminal, using one type of communication link;
In the second case where the first type of communication link is established between the communication device and the external device that is an authentication card while the state of the communication device is the first state, the authentication The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second data is not received from the external apparatus that is a card. In the receiving step, in the second case, the third data to be used for authentication of the external device is received from the external device which is the authentication card using the first type communication link. The communication device according to claim 5. The processor further includes:
In the first case, when the second data is received from the external device that is the mobile terminal, a first disconnecting step of disconnecting the first type of communication link is performed,
In the second case, when the third data is received from the external device that is the authentication card, a second disconnection step of disconnecting the first type of communication link is performed,
In the first change step,
When the first disconnection step is executed, the state of the communication device is changed from the first state to the second state;
The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the state of the communication device is maintained in the first state when the second disconnection step is executed. A communication device for performing bidirectional communication of target data with an external device in the NFC method, which is a communication method in accordance with the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard,
An NFC interface for executing the NFC communication;
A specific application for executing bidirectional communication of the target data using the communication link when a communication link via the NFC interface is established between the communication device and the external device Transmitting means for transmitting, to the external device, first data for causing the external device to start
While the state of the communication device is the first state in which the P2P (Peer to Peer) mode of the NFC standard is not activated and the first mode of the NFC standard is activated, the communication device When the first type communication link through the NFC interface is established between the external device and the external device, the P2P mode is activated from the external device using the first type communication link. Receiving means for receiving second data to be executed by the communication device;
First changing means for changing the state of the communication device from the first state to a second state in which the P2P mode is activated when the second data is received ;
When the second type of communication link is established between the communication device and the external device via the NFC interface while the state of the communication device is the second state, the second type Communication means for executing bidirectional communication of the target data with the external device that is activating the specific application using the communication link, wherein the second type of communication link includes the communication device and The communication means being a communication link in which the external device operates in the P2P mode and data communication is to be performed;
A communication device comprising: A computer program for a communication device for executing bidirectional communication of target data with an external device in the NFC method, which is a communication method in accordance with the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard,
In the computer mounted on the communication device, the following steps, that is,
When a communication link via the NFC interface of the communication device is established between the communication device and the external device, the communication link is used to execute bidirectional communication of the target data. A transmission step of transmitting to the external device first data for causing the external device to start a specific application;
While the state of the communication device is the first state in which the P2P (Peer to Peer) mode of the NFC standard is not activated and the first mode of the NFC standard is activated, the communication device When the first type communication link through the NFC interface is established between the external device and the external device, the P2P mode is activated from the external device using the first type communication link. Receiving a second data to be executed by the communication device;
A first changing step of changing the state of the communication device from the first state to a second state in which the P2P mode is activated when the second data is received ;
After the first changing step, a second type communication link is established between the communication device and the external device via the NFC interface while the state of the communication device is the second state. A communication step for performing bi-directional communication between the external device running the specific application and the target data using the second type communication link, the second type communication link; The communication step is a communication link in which the communication device and the external device operate in the P2P mode and data communication is to be executed.
A computer program that executes

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