Communication device and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for communication device

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-003730, filed on Jan. 12, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

The disclosure herein discloses a communication device provided with a wireless interface capable of establishing a wireless link with an external device.

A system provided with a printer and a digital camera is known. The printer acquires a list of operation modes in which the digital camera is capable of operating. In a case where the digital camera is capable of operating in a P2P (abbreviation of Peer To Peer) mode in an NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication) scheme, the printer causes the digital camera to operate in the P2P mode and sends communication parameters to the digital camera. On the other hand, in a case where the digital camera is not capable of operating in the P2P mode, the printer causes the digital camera to operate in a CE (abbreviation of Card Emulation) mode of the NFC scheme and sends the communication parameters to the digital camera.

The disclosure herein provides a new technique for a wireless interface of a communication device to establish a suitable wireless link with an external device.

A communication device disclosed herein may comprise: a wireless interface configured to repeat operating sequentially in a plurality of states including a first state and a second state, the first state being a state where the wireless interface sends a first polling signal over a first predetermined time period, the first polling signal being for establishing a wireless link with an external device, the second state being a state where the wireless interface waits to receive a second polling signal over a second predetermined time period, the second polling signal being for establishing a wireless link with the communication device and being sent from an external device; a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, may cause the communication device to: acquire first information from the wireless interface in a case where the wireless interface operating in the first state sends the first polling signal to a first external device and receives a response signal to the first polling signal from the first external device; and supply a specific signal to the wireless interface in a case where the first information is acquired from the wireless interface, the specific signal being for causing the wireless interface to use, as a duration time period of the second state, a specific time period instead of the second predetermined time period, the specific time period being longer than the second predetermined time period.

A communication device disclosed herein may comprise: a wireless interface configured to execute a wireless communication according to a Near Field Communication (NFC) scheme; a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, may cause the communication device to: acquire first information from the wireless interface in a case where the wireless interface sends a first polling signal for establishing a wireless link with an external device to a first external device and receives a response signal to the first polling signal from the first external device under a state where at least a Peer to Peer (P2P) mode of the NFC scheme is enabled; and supply a specific signal to the wireless interface in a case where the first information is acquired from the wireless interface in which at least the P2P mode is enabled, the specific signal being for causing the wireless interface to achieve a state where the P2P mode is disabled and at least one mode of a Card Emulation (CE) mode and a Reader/Writer (R/W) mode of the NFC scheme is enabled.

A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the computer program for realizing each of the above communication devices are also new and useful. Further, a communication system provided with at least one of the above communication devices and the first external device is also new and useful.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system.

FIG. 2 shows a sequence diagram of Case A 1 in which a P2P link is established between a printer in an Initiator state and a mobile terminal.

FIG. 3 shows a sequence diagram of Case A 2 in which a P2P link is established between the printer in a Target state and the mobile terminal.

FIG. 4 shows a sequence diagram of Case B 1 in which a R/W-CE link is established between the printer in the Initiator state and the mobile terminal.

FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram of Case B 2 in which a P2P link is established between the printer in the Target state and the mobile terminal.

FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram of Case B 3 in which a Target time period is extended.

FIG. 7 shows a sequence diagram of Case B 4 , which is a continuation of Case B 3 .

FIG. 8 shows a diagram for explaining differences between a comparative embodiment and an embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a sequence diagram of Case C in which a R/W-Card link is established between the printer in the Initiator state and a card.

FIG. 10 shows a sequence diagram of Case D 1 in which a R/W-CE link is established between the printer in the Initiator state and the mobile terminal.

FIG. 11 shows a sequence diagram of Case D 2 in which an establishment of a P2P link fails between the printer in the Target state and the mobile terminal.

FIG. 12 shows a sequence diagram of Case D 3 in which the Target time period is extended.

FIG. 13 shows a sequence diagram of Case D 4 , which is a continuation of Case D 3 .

FIG. 14 shows a diagram for explaining differences between a comparative embodiment and the embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a sequence diagram of Case E 1 in a second embodiment, in which a Target time period extension and a P2P mode disablement are requested.

FIG. 16 shows a sequence diagram of Case E 2 , which is a continuation of Case E 1 .

FIG. 17 shows diagram for explaining differences between a comparative embodiment and the embodiment.

First Embodiment

(Configuration of Communication System 2 ; FIG. 1 )

As shown in FIG. 1 , a communication system 2 includes a printer 10 , a plurality of mobile terminals 100 A to 100 C, and a card 200 . Each of the devices 10 , 100 A to 100 C, 200 is capable of executing an NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication) communication being a wireless communication in an NFC scheme with each other.

(Configuration of Printer 10 )

The printer 10 is a peripheral device capable of executing a printing function (that is, a peripheral device for the mobile terminal 100 A, etc.), and includes an operation unit 12 , a display unit 14 , a print executing unit 16 , a Wi-Fi interface (hereinbelow, an interface will be denoted “I/F”) 20 , an NFC I/F 22 , and a controller 30 .

The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. A user can operate the operation unit 12 to input various instructions to the printer 10 . The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various types of information. The display unit 14 also functions as a so-called touch panel (that is, the operation unit). The print executing unit 16 is a printing mechanism of an inkjet scheme or a laser scheme.

The Wi-Fi I/F 20 is an I/F for executing a Wi-Fi communication being a wireless communication in a Wi-Fi scheme. The Wi-Fi scheme is, for example, a wireless communication scheme based on an 802.11 standard of IEEE (abbreviation of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.), and standards complying thereto (such as 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, etc.), for example. More specifically, the Wi-Fi I/F 20 supports a WFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) scheme established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD scheme is a wireless communication scheme described in the standard manual “Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1” drafted by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

The NFC I/F 22 includes a memory 24 . The NFC I/F 22 is an I/F for executing an NFC communication. The NFC scheme is a wireless communication scheme based on the international standard ISO/IEC14443, 15693, 18092, for example. As types of I/F for executing the NFC communication, an I/F called an NFC forum device and an I/F called an NFC tag are known. The NFC forum device is an I/F capable of selectively operating in one of a P2P (abbreviation of Peer To Peer) mode, an R/W (abbreviation of Reader/Writer) mode, and an HCE (abbreviation of Host Card Emulation) mode. The NFC tag is not an I/F capable of selectively operating in one of these modes, and it functions as an IC (abbreviation of Integrated Circuit) tag in the NFC scheme. The NFC I/F 22 is an NFC forum device.

The P2P mode is a mode for executing a bidirectional communication between one NFC device operating in the P2P mode and another NFC device operating in the P2P mode. The R/W mode and the HCE mode are modes for executing a unidirectional communication between one NFC device operating in the R/W mode and another NFC device operating in the HCE mode. The HCE mode is a CE mode which requires a secure element. A Reader mode included in the R/W mode is a mode for reading data from the NFC device operating in the HCE mode (that is, receiving data therefrom). A Writer mode included in the R/W mode is a mode for writing data in the NFC device operating in the HCE mode (that is, sending data thereto). The NFC device operating in the R/W mode can read data from the NFC tag and write data in the NFC tag. The NFC I/F 22 is capable of operating in the Reader mode included in the R/W mode (that is, it enables the Reader mode) but is not capable of operating in the Writer mode (that is, it disables the Writer mode). When information is written in the NFC device being a communication counterpart, there is a possibility that this NFC device may execute an unintended operation and a problem may arise, so the NFC I/F 22 has the Writer mode disabled from a viewpoint of security.

The NFC I/F 22 operates in an Initiator state or in a Target state. The Initiator state is a state in which a polling signal for establishing an NFC link with an external device is sent repeatedly. The Target state is a state in which it waits to receive a polling signal sent from the external device.

In a case where the NFC I/F 22 operates in the Initiator state to send a polling signal and it receives a response signal to this polling signal from the external device operating in the Target state, an NFC link with this external device is established. The NFC link established at this occasion is a P2P link or a R/W-CE link. The P2P link is an NFC link in which both the NFC I/F 22 and the external device operate in the P2P mode. The R/W-CE link is an NFC link in which the NFC I/F 22 operates in the R/W mode and the external device operates in the HCE mode.

Further, in a case where the NFC I/F 22 receives a polling signal from the external device operating in the Initiator state while the NFC I/F 22 is operating in the Target state, it sends a response signal to this polling signal to the external device and establishes the NFC link with this external device. The NFC link established at this occasion is a P2P link or a CE-R/W link. The CE-R/W link is an NFC link in which the NFC I/F 22 operates in the HCE mode and the external device operates in the R/W mode.

The NFC I/F 22 shifts from the Initiator state to the Target state after having operated in the Initiator state over a predetermined Initiator time period (hereinbelow termed “IN time period”). Further, the NFC I/F 22 shifts from the Target state to the Initiator state after having operated in the Target state over a predetermined Target time period (hereinbelow termed “TA time period”). That is, the NFC I/F 22 repeats operating sequentially in the Target state and in the Initiator state. As the IN time period and the TA time period for the NFC I/F 22 , respectively, a time period t 1 and a time period t 2 are preset.

Next, a difference between the Wi-Fi I/F 20 and the NFC I/F 22 will be described. A communication speed of a Wi-Fi communication using the Wi-Fi I/F 20 (such as its maximum communication speed of 11 Mbps to 6.9 Gbps) is faster than a communication speed of the NFC communication using the NFC I/F 22 (such as its maximum communication speed of 100 to 424 Kbps). Further, a frequency of carrier waves in the Wi-Fi communication using the Wi-Fi I/F 20 (such as a 2.4 GHz range and a 5.0 GHz range) is different from a frequency of carrier waves in the NFC communication using the NFC I/F 22 (such as 13.56 MHz range). Further, a maximum distance by which the Wi-Fi communication using the Wi-Fi I/F 20 can be executed (such as about 100 m at maximum) is greater than a maximum distance by which the NFC communication using the NFC I/F 22 can be executed (such as about 10 cm at maximum).

The controller 30 is provided with a CPU 32 and a memory 34 . The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 36 stored in the memory 34 . The memory 34 is constituted of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory and the like. The memory 34 stores a counter 38 . The counter 38 is a counter for counting a number of times a R/W-CE link has been established between the NFC I/F 22 and its communication counterpart. As an initial value of the counter 38 , “0” is set.

(Configurations of Mobile Terminals 100 A to 100 C)

The mobile terminal 100 A is a portable terminal device such as a cell phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a portable music player, and a portable video player. The mobile terminal 100 A includes an operation unit 112 , a display unit 114 , a Wi-Fi I/F 120 , an NFC I/F 122 , and a controller 130 .

The operation unit 112 includes a plurality of keys. A user can operate the operation unit 112 to input various instructions to the mobile terminal 100 A. The display unit 114 is a display for displaying various types of information. The display unit 114 functions as a so-called touch panel (that is, the operation unit). The Wi-Fi I/F 120 is similar to the Wi-Fi I/F 20 of the printer 10 . The NFC I/F 122 is similar to the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 except that it is capable of operating in both the Reader mode and the Writer mode in the R/W mode.

The controller 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134 . The CPU 132 executes various processes according to OS (abbreviation of Operating System) software 136 a stored in the memory 134 . The OS software 136 a is software for controlling various basic operations of the mobile terminal 100 A. In the present embodiment, a situation is assumed in which the OS software 136 a is an Android (registered trademark) OS. Further, the memory 134 stores a print application 138 . The print application 138 is an application provided by a vendor of the printer 10 , and is installed in the mobile terminal 100 A, for example, from a server on the Internet. The print application 138 is an application for causing a Wi-Fi connection to be established between the mobile terminal 100 A and the printer 10 and sending print data representing a print target image to the printer 10 using this Wi-Fi connection.

The mobile terminal 100 B has a similar configuration to that of the mobile terminal 100 A. In the present embodiment, a situation is assumed in which OS software 136 b of the mobile terminal 100 B is an Android OS. However, a situation is assumed in which a vendor of the mobile terminal 100 B is different from a vendor of the mobile terminal 100 A.

The mobile terminal 100 C has a similar configuration to that of the mobile terminal 100 A except that its NFC I/F (not shown) is incapable of operating in the P2P mode (i.e., the P2P mode is disabled therein). In the present embodiment, a situation is assumed in which OS software 136 c of the mobile terminal 100 C is an iOS (registered trademark)

(Configuration of Card 200 )

The card 200 is a card owned, for example, by a user of the printer 10 . The card 200 includes an NFC I/F being an NFC tag. For example, the user causes, for example, a PC that is not shown to execute sending of print data to the printer 10 . In so doing, the print data is associated with a user ID which identifies this user. After this, when the user brings the card 200 close to the printer 10 , an NFC link is established between the printer 10 and the card 200 , and the user ID as aforementioned which is stored in advance in the card 200 is sent to the printer 10 . In this case, the printer 10 determines that authentication of the user ID has succeeded, and executes printing according to the aforementioned print data. That is, the card 200 is an authentication card for authenticating the user ID.

(Processes Executed by Respective Devices 10 , etc.; FIGS. 2 to 14 )

Processes executed by the respective devices 10 , etc. will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 14 . In each sequence diagram (such as FIG. 2 ), arrows with narrow lines indicate NFC communications via an NFC I/F (such as 22 ), and arrows with bold lines indicate Wi-Fi communications via a Wi-Fi I/F (such as 20 ). Further, in an initial state of each drawing, the printer 10 is operating in a Group Owner (hereinbelow termed “G/O”) state of the WFD scheme. When the printer 10 shifts to the G/O state, the controller 30 of the printer 10 generates wireless setting information that is to be used in a wireless network in which the printer 10 operates as a G/O and stores it in the memory 24 of the NFC I/F 22 . Due to this, the memory 24 already stores the wireless setting information. Further, in the initial state of each drawing, all of the P2P mode, the R/W mode, and the HCE mode in the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 are enabled (that is, set as ON). However, the Writer mode in the R/W mode is disabled (that is, set as OFF).

(Case A 1 ; FIG. 2 )

In Case A 1 , a P2P link is established between the printer 10 that operates in the Initiator state and the mobile terminal 100 A provided with the Android OS 136 a . In the initial state of Case A 1 , all of the P2P mode, the R/W mode, and the HCE mode of the NFC I/F 122 of the mobile terminal 100 A are ON.

The NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 repeats operating sequentially in the Initiator state and in the Target state. Specifically, in T 10 , the NFC I/F 22 operates in the Initiator state and sends a polling signal. When the NFC I/F 22 operates in the Initiator state over the time period t 1 (i.e., the IN time period) without receiving any response signal to the polling signal from the external device, it shifts from the Initiator state to the Target state. Further, when the NFC I/F 22 operates in the Target state over the time period t 2 (i.e., the TA time period) without receiving any polling signal from the external device, it shifts from the Target state to the Initiator state, and restarts to send the polling signal in T 20 .

When a user activates the print application 138 in the mobile terminal 100 A and brings the mobile terminal 100 A close to the printer 10 in T 22 , the NFC I/F 122 of the mobile terminal 100 A receives a polling signal from the printer 10 , and sends a response signal to the printer 10 in T 24 . The response signal includes a SENS response and an SDD response, where the SDD response includes an ID of the mobile terminal 100 A, and the SENS response includes information indicating that a data size of the ID is 4 bytes. In a case where a source that had sent the response signal as above is the card 200 , the SENS response includes information indicating that the data size of the ID of the card 200 is 7 bytes.

When the response signal is received from the mobile terminal 100 A in T 24 , the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 sends a SEL request to the mobile terminal 100 A in T 26 .

When the SEL request is received from the printer 10 in T 26 , the NFC I/F 122 of the mobile terminal 100 A sends a SEL response including information “P2POK”, which indicates that the P2P mode is ON, to the printer 10 in T 28 .

When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives the SEL response from the mobile terminal 100 A in T 28 , it sends an ATR request for requesting to establish a P2P link to the mobile terminal 100 A in T 30 since the SEL response received in T 28 incudes the information “P2POK”, and then it receives an ATR response from the mobile terminal 100 A in T 32 . As a result, in T 40 , a P2P link is established between the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F 122 of the mobile terminal 100 A. Further, in T 42 , the NFC I/F 22 supplies the controller 30 with P2P establishment information indicating that the P2P link has been established.

In T 44 , the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 sends an NDEF (abbreviation of NFC Data Exchange Format) signal including the wireless setting information stored in the memory 24 to the mobile terminal 100 A by using the P2P link. Next, a communication using the wireless setting information is executed between the Wi-Fi I/F 20 of the printer 10 and the Wi-Fi I/F 120 of the mobile terminal 100 A, and a Wi-Fi connection is established between the Wi-Fi I/F 20 and the Wi-Fi I/F 120 in T 50 .

The controller 30 of the printer 10 uses the Wi-Fi connection, in T 52 , to receive print data representing a print target image from the mobile terminal 100 A via the Wi-Fi I/F 20 . Then, the controller 30 supplies the print data to the print executing unit 16 in T 54 and causes the print executing unit 16 to execute printing of the image represented by the print data.

As aforementioned, in the present embodiment, the Wi-Fi connection is established after the NFC link has been established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 A, and the print data is communicated by using the Wi-Fi connection. The communication speed of the Wi-Fi communication is faster than the communication speed of the NFC communication. Due to this, as compared to a case where the print data is communicated by using the NFC communication, the print data can be communicated at high speed. Further, the user simply needs to bring the mobile terminal 100 A close to the printer 10 to establish the Wi-Fi connection between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 A. Thus, the user can easily cause the Wi-Fi connection to be established.

(Case A 2 ; FIG. 3 )

Next, Case A 2 in which a P2P link is established between the printer 10 operating in the Target state and the mobile terminal 100 A will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . The initial state of Case A 2 is similar to the initial state of Case A 1 of FIG. 2 .

When the user brings the mobile terminal 100 A close to the printer 10 in T 112 , the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 operating in the Target state receives a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 A in T 113 .

When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives the polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 A in T 113 , it sends a response signal including a SENS response and an SDD response to the mobile terminal 100 A in T 114 , and receives a SEL request from the mobile terminal 100 A in T 116 . Since the P2P mode in the NFC I/F 22 is ON, the NFC I/F 22 sends a SEL response including the information “P2POK” to the mobile terminal 100 A in T 118 . Then, the NFC I/F 22 receives an ATR request from the mobile terminal 100 A in T 120 , and sends an ATR response to the mobile terminal 100 A in T 122 . T 130 to T 144 which take place thereafter are similar to T 40 to T 54 of FIG. 2 .

As shown in Case A 1 of FIG. 2 and Case A 2 of FIG. 3 , the printer 10 can establish the P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 A and establish the Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 A in either case where the NFC I/F 22 communicates the polling signal with the mobile terminal 100 A in the Initiator state or in the Target state.

(Case B 1 ; FIG. 4 )

Next, Case B 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . In Case B 1 , a R/W-CE link is established between the printer 10 operating in the Initiator state and the mobile terminal 100 B provided with the Android OS 136 b . In the initial state of FIG. 4 , all of the P2P mode, the R/W mode, and the HCE mode of the NFC I/F (not shown) of the mobile terminal 100 B are ON.

T 220 to T 226 are similar to T 20 to T 26 of FIG. 2 except that the mobile terminal 100 B is the communication counterpart. When receiving a SEL request from the printer 10 in T 226 , the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 B sends a SEL response including information “P2PNG” indicating that the P2P mode is OFF to the printer 10 in T 228 , although the P2P mode is actually ON therein. The NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 B sending the SEL response including the information “P2PNG” in T 228 is likely due to a malfunction of the mobile terminal 100 B.

When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives the SEL response from the mobile terminal 100 B in T 228 , since the SEL response includes the information “P2PNG”, it sends a RATS request for requesting to establish a R/W-CE link to the mobile terminal 100 B in T 230 , and receives an ATS response from the mobile terminal 100 B in T 232 . As a result, a R/W-CE link is established between the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 B in T 240 .

Since the response signal received in T 224 includes the information that the data size of the ID is 4 bytes, the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 determines that its communication counterpart is a mobile terminal, and supplies the controller 30 in T 242 with R/W-CE establishment information that includes information indicating that a R/W-CE link has been established with the communication counterpart being a mobile terminal. Then, when the R/W-CE establishment information is acquired from the NFC I/F 22 in T 242 , the controller 30 increments the value of the counter 38 by “1” in T 244 . A timing when the NFC I/F 22 supplies the R/W-CE establishment information to the controller 30 may be immediately after having received the ATS response from the mobile terminal 100 B in T 232 .

In the present embodiment, the NFC I/F 22 is configured to execute communication with a card using a R/W-Card link in a case where the R/W-Card link with the card is established, however, it is configured not to execute communication with a mobile terminal using a R/W-CE link in a case where the R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal is established. Due to this, the NFC I/F 22 disconnects the R/W-CE link when a time period that had elapsed since the R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 B was established exceeds a predetermined time period, without executing communication with the mobile terminal 100 B by using the R/W-CE link. As a result, the wireless setting information cannot be sent to the mobile terminal 100 B. Thus, in the present case, no Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 B.

In a variant, the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 may be configured to execute communication with a mobile terminal by using a R/W-CE link even in the event where the communication counterpart is a mobile terminal. In this variant, the NFC I/F 22 sends a Read signal for reading data from the mobile terminal 100 B to the mobile terminal 100 B and receives SMP information from the mobile terminal 100 B by using the R/W-CE link established in T 240 . Here, the SMP information includes a terminal ID used for authenticating the mobile terminal 100 B, for example. Since the NFC I/F 22 can operate only in the Reader mode, it can receive the SMP information from the mobile terminal 100 B, however, it cannot send the wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 B. Thus, in this variant as well, no Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 B.

(Case B 2 ; FIG. 5 )

Next, Case B 2 in which a P2P link is established between the printer 10 operating in the Target state and the mobile terminal 100 B will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . All of processes T 312 to T 344 shown in Case B 2 are similar to T 112 to T 144 of FIG. 3 except that the mobile terminal 100 B is the communication counterpart.

As shown in Case B 1 of FIG. 4 , in the case where the NFC I/F 22 in the Initiator state executes the communication of the polling signal with the mobile terminal 100 B, the printer 10 establishes the R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 B, however, it cannot send the wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 B by using the R/W-CE link. Due to this, the printer 10 cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 B. On the other hand, as shown in Case B 2 of FIG. 5 , in the case where the NFC I/F 22 in the Target state executes the communication of the polling signal with the mobile terminal 100 B, the printer 10 can establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 B and send the wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 B by using the P2P link. Due to this, the printer 10 can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 B. That is, the P2P link established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 B can be said as being a suitable NFC link for establishing the Wi-Fi connection between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 B.

(Case B 3 ; FIG. 6 )

Next, Case B 3 which is a continuation of Case B 1 of FIG. 4 , that is, Case B 3 where “1” is stored in the counter 38 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

T 420 to T 442 are similar to T 220 to T 242 of FIG. 4 . When the controller 30 of the printer 10 acquires the R/W-CE establishment information from the NFC I/F 22 in T 442 , it increments the value of the counter 38 by “1” in T 444 . In this case, the controller 30 determines that the value of the counter 38 has reached a preset threshold value “2”, and supplies the NFC I/F 22 with an IN request signal including a R/W-CE link disconnection command and a Target time period extension command in T 446 . The R/W-CE link disconnection command is a command requesting the NFC I/F 22 to disconnect the R/W-CE link that was established in T 440 . Further, the Target time period extension command is a command requesting the NFC I/F 22 to change the TA time period immediately after the acquisition of the IN request signal to a time period t 3 which is longer than the time period t 2 . The controller 30 does not supply the IN request signal to the NFC I/F 22 in a state where the value of the counter 38 is less than “2” as shown in T 244 of Case B 1 of FIG. 4 . In a variant, “1” may be set as the above threshold, or a value that is “3” or more may be set.

When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives the IN request signal from the controller 30 in T 446 , it sends a disconnection signal to the mobile terminal 100 B in T 448 in accordance with the R/W-CE link disconnection command included in the IN request signal. As a result, the R/W-CE link that was established in T 440 is disconnected. Further, the NFC I/F 22 changes the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 in T 450 in accordance with the Target time period extension command included in the IN request signal. After this, when the time period t 1 elapses, the NFC I/F 22 shifts to the Target state that uses the time period t 3 as the TA time period.

(Case B 4 ; FIG. 7 )

Next, Case B 4 which is a continuation of Case B 3 of FIG. 6 , that is, Case B 4 after the TA time period has been changed to the time period t 3 , will be described with reference to FIG. 7 .

T 512 to T 544 are similar to T 312 to T 344 of FIG. 5 except that the TA time period is the time period t 3 . That is, the P2P link, which is a suitable NFC link, is established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 B (T 530 ), the communication of the wireless setting information is executed (T 534 ), the Wi-Fi connection is established (T 540 ), and the communication of the print data is executed (T 542 ).

When printing of the image is completed in T 544 , the controller 30 of the printer 10 changes the value of the counter 38 to the initial value (that is, “0”) in T 546 . A timing when the controller 30 changes the value of the counter 38 to the initial value may be a timing immediately after the acquisition of the P2P establishment information from the NFC I/F 22 in T 532 , or may be a timing when the Wi-Fi connection is established in T 540 .

The controller 30 of the printer 10 supplies the NFC I/F 22 with a return request signal including a Target time period return command in T 548 . The Target time period return command is a command requesting the NFC I/F 22 to return the TA time period from the time period t 3 to the time period t 2 . When the return request signal is acquired from the controller 30 in T 548 , the NFC I/F 22 changes the TA time period from the time period t 3 to the time period t 2 in T 550 in accordance with the Target time period return command included in the return request signal.

(Effects of Cases B 1 to B 4 )

Effects of Cases B 1 to B 4 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 . Firstly, an operation of a printer of a comparative embodiment will be described. The printer of the comparative embodiment is provided with a similar configuration to that of the printer 10 except that it does not change the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 . That is, in a case of sending a polling signal to the mobile terminal 100 B while operating in the Initiator state, the printer cannot establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 B, and thus establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 B. As such, the printer cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 B. The printer cannot establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 B even when a polling signal is sent again to the mobile terminal 100 B, and establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 B. In this case as well, the printer cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 B. Then, the printer shifts to the Target state when the time period t 1 elapses.

When the time period t 2 elapses without receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 B, the printer shifts to the Initiator state. The printer cannot establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 B even sending a polling signal to the mobile terminal 100 B while operating in the Initiator state, and thus it cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 B. After this, the printer shifts to the Target state when the time period t 1 elapses, and establishes a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 B in a case of receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 B while operating in the Target state. As a result, the printer can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 B.

As above, since the printer of the comparative embodiments uses only the time period t 2 as the TA time period, a duration during which it is operating in the Target state is short, and thus likelihood of receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 B is low. As a result, a long time period might be required to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the mobile terminal 100 B and the printer after the user has brought the mobile terminal 100 B close to the printer.

Next, an operation of the printer 10 of the embodiment will be described. When the printer 10 sends a polling signal to the mobile terminal 100 B while operating in the Initiator state, it establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 B (T 240 of FIG. 4 ), and changes the value of the counter 38 from “0” to “1” (T 244 ). In this case, the printer 10 does not establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 B. Then, when the printer 10 sends a polling signal to the mobile terminal 100 B again while operating in the Initiator state, it establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 B (T 440 of FIG. 6 ), changes the value of the counter 38 from “1” to “2” (T 444 ), and changes the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 (T 450 ).

After this, when the time period t 1 elapses, the printer 10 shifts to the Target state using the time period t 3 as the TA time period. Since the TA time period is extended to the time period t 3 , the printer 10 does not shift to the Initiator state even when the time period t 2 elapses and maintains in the Target state. Due to this, the printer 10 can receive a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 B (T 513 of FIG. 7 ) while operating in the Target state, and can establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 B (T 530 ). Due to this, the printer 10 can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 B (T 540 ).

As above, the printer 10 of the present embodiment uses the time period t 3 instead of the time period t 2 as the TA time period when the number of times the R/W-CE link has been established with the mobile terminal 100 B becomes two. Due to this, a time period during which the printer 10 is operating in the Target state is extended, so the likelihood of receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 B can be increased as compared to the printer of the comparative embodiment. As a result, the printer 10 can establish a P2P link that is a suitable NFC link (that is, an NFC link by which the wireless setting information can be sent) with the mobile terminal 100 B, and especially, the time period since the user brings the mobile terminal 100 B close to the printer 10 until a Wi-Fi connection is established via the establishment of the P2P link can be short.

(Case C; FIG. 9 )

Next, Case C in which a R/W-Card link is established between the printer 10 operating in the Initiator state and the card 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . Here, since the card 200 is provided with the NFC I/F being the NFC tag, it cannot operate in any of the P2P mode, the R/W mode, or the HCE mode. Due to this, a R/W-Card link for the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 to operate in the R/W mode is established between the printer 10 and the card 200 .

T 622 to T 640 are similar to T 222 to T 240 of FIG. 4 except that the communication counterpart is the card 200 . However, the SENS response included in the response signal of T 624 includes the information indicating that the data size of the ID of the card 200 is 7 bytes.

Since the response signal received in T 624 includes the information indicating that the data size of the ID is 7 bytes, the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 determines that its communication counterpart is a card, and supplies the controller 30 in T 642 with R/W-Card establishment information that includes information indicating that a R/W-Card link with the communication counterpart being a card has been established. The controller 30 does not change the value of the counter 38 even when the R/W-Card establishment information is acquired. As above, the controller 30 changes the value of the counter 38 (T 244 of FIG. 4 , T 444 of FIG. 6 ) for the case where the mobile terminal 100 B, for which the TA time period needs to be extended, is the communication counterpart, and does not change the value of the counter 38 for the case where the card 200 , for which the TA time period does not need to be extended, is the communication counterpart. Due to this, the controller 30 does not supply an IN request signal to the NFC I/F 22 in the case where the communication counterpart is a card. Thus, the controller 30 can suitably switch whether or not to supply an IN request signal depending on its communication counterpart.

The NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 uses the R/W-Card link established in T 640 to send the Read signal for reading data from the card 200 to the card 200 in T 644 , receives the user ID from the card 200 in T 646 , and supplies ID information including the user ID in T 648 to the controller 30 . The controller 30 authenticates the user ID in T 650 , and executes a process such as printing in the event where the authentication succeeds.

In a variant, a login ID for logging into the printer 10 and the user ID may be associated and stored in the memory 34 of the printer 10 . In this case, when the ID information is acquired from the NFC I/F 22 in T 648 , the controller 30 determines whether or not the user ID in this ID information is stored in the memory 34 , and allows login to the printer 10 in a case where this user ID is stored in the memory 34 . Further, in another variant, the user ID and shortcut information may be associated and stored in the memory 34 of the printer 10 . The shortcut information is, for example, information indicating a destination of FAX data in a case where the printer 10 is a multi-function peripheral having a FAX function. In this case, when the ID information is acquired from the NFC I/F 22 , the controller 30 determines whether or not the user ID in this ID information is stored in the memory 34 , and sends the FAX data to the destination included in the shortcut information associated with the user ID in a case where this user ID is stored in the memory 34 .

(Case D 1 ; FIG. 10 )

Next, Case D 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . In Case D 1 , a R/W-CE link is established between the printer 10 operating in the Initiator state and the mobile terminal 100 C provided with the iOS 136 c . In the initial state of FIG. 10 , the P2P mode of the mobile terminal 100 C is OFF, and the R/W mode and the HCE mode thereof are ON. All of processes T 720 to T 744 shown in Case D 1 are similar to T 220 to T 244 of FIG. 4 except that the mobile terminal 100 C is the communication counterpart.

(Case D 2 ; FIG. 11 )

Next, Case D 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . In Case D 2 , a P2P link is not established between the printer 10 operating in the Target state and the mobile terminal 100 C. The initial state of FIG. 11 is similar to the initial state of Case D 1 of FIG. 10 .

T 812 to T 818 are similar to T 112 to T 118 of FIG. 3 except that the mobile terminal 100 C is the communication counterpart. In the case of receiving the SEL response including the information “P2POK” from the printer 10 (T 818 ), the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 C sends the ATR request for requesting to establish a P2P link to the printer 10 in T 820 despite its P2P mode being OFF. In T 820 , the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 C sending the ATR request is likely due to a malfunction of the mobile terminal 100 C.

When the ATR request from the mobile terminal 100 C is received in T 820 , the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 sends the ATR response to the mobile terminal 100 C in T 822 . However, since the P2P mode of the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 C is OFF, a P2P link is not established between the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 C. Thus, the wireless setting information is not sent from the printer 10 to the mobile terminal 100 C, and a Wi-Fi connection is not established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 C.

In T 830 , the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 supplies failure information indicating that the P2P link was not established with the mobile terminal 100 C to the controller 30 .

(Case D 3 ; FIG. 12 )

Next, Case D 3 , which is a continuation of Case D 1 , that is, Case D 3 in which “1” is stored in the counter 38 will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . All of processes T 920 to T 950 shown in Case D 3 are similar to T 420 to T 450 of FIG. 6 except that the mobile terminal 100 C is the communication counterpart. That is, when the R/W-CE establishment information is received from the NFC I/F 22 (T 942 ), the controller 30 of the printer 10 increments the value of the counter 38 by “1” (T 944 ). Then, when determining that the value of the counter 38 has reached “2”, the controller 30 supplies the NFC I/F 22 with the IN request signal including the R/W-CE link disconnection command and the Target time period extension command (T 946 ). As a result, the NFC I/F 22 disconnects the R/W-CE link (T 948 ) and changes the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 (T 950 ).

(Case D 4 ; FIG. 13 )

Next, Case D 4 in which a CE-R/W link is established between the printer 10 operating in the Target state and the mobile terminal 100 C will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . Case D 4 is a state after Case D 3 of FIG. 12 , that is, a state after the TA time period has been changed from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 .

When the user brings the mobile terminal 100 C close to the printer 10 in T 1012 , the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 operating in the Target state receives a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C in T 1013 . After this, processes similar to T 814 to T 822 of FIG. 11 are executed between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 C. Then, the NFC I/F 22 supplies the failure information to the controller 30 in T 1020 .

When acquiring the failure information from the NFC I/F 22 in T 1020 , the controller 30 of the printer 10 determines that a predetermined condition of acquiring the failure information in a state where the value of the counter 38 is “2” is satisfied. In this case, the controller 30 supplies a TA request signal including a P2POFF command to the NFC I/F 22 in T 1022 . The P2POFF command is a command that requests the NFC I/F 22 to change the P2P mode in the Target state upon acquiring the TA request signal from ON to OFF. The controller 30 does not supply the TA request signal to the NFC I/F 22 even if the failure information is acquired in a state where the value of the counter 38 is less than “2”.

When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 acquires the TA request signal from the controller 30 in T 1022 , it changes the P2P mode from ON to OFF in T 1024 . When the user brings the mobile terminal 100 C close to the printer 10 in T 1032 , the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 operating in the Target state receives a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C in T 1033 .

T 1034 and T 1036 are similar to T 814 and T 816 of FIG. 11 . When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives a SEL request from the mobile terminal 100 C in T 1036 , it sends a SEL response including the information “P2PNG” to the mobile terminal 100 C in T 1038 , since its P2P mode is OFF (see T 1024 ).

Since the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 C receives the information “P2PNG” from the printer 10 in T 1038 , it can acknowledge that the P2P mode of the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 is OFF. Due to this, the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 C sends a RATS request for requesting to establish a CE-R/W link instead of a P2P link to the printer 10 in T 1040 .

When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives the RATS request in T 1040 from the mobile terminal 100 C, it sends an ATS response to the mobile terminal 100 C in T 1042 . As a result, a CE-R/W link is established between the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the mobile terminal 100 C in T 1050 . Then, the NFC I/F 22 supplies the controller 30 in T 1052 with CE-R/W establishment information that includes information indicating that the CE-R/W link has been established with the communication counterpart being the mobile terminal.

When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives a Read signal from the mobile terminal 100 C in T 1054 , it sends an NDEF signal including the wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 C in T 1056 . This wireless setting information is described in an NDEF area of the NDEF signal. T 1060 to T 1066 which follow thereafter are similar to T 540 to T 546 of FIG. 7 .

The controller 30 of the printer 10 supplies the NFC I/F 22 in T 1068 with a return request signal including the Target time period return command and a P2PON command The Target time period return command is a command that requests the NFC I/F 22 to return the TA time period from the time period t 3 to the time period t 2 . The P2PON command is a command that requests the NFC I/F 22 to change the P2P mode from OFF to ON. When the return request signal is acquired from the controller 30 in T 1068 , the NFC I/F 22 changes the TA time period from the time period t 3 to the time period t 2 and further changes the P2P mode from OFF to ON in T 1070 .

As shown in Case D 1 of FIG. 10 and Case D 3 of FIG. 12 , the printer 10 establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 C in the case where the NFC I/F 22 in the Initiator state executes communication of a polling signal with the mobile terminal 100 C, however, it cannot send the wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 C by using the R/W-CE link. Due to this, the printer 10 cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 C. Further, as shown in Case D 2 of FIG. 11 , the printer 10 cannot establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 C in the case where the NFC I/F 22 in the Target state executes communication of a polling signal with the mobile terminal 100 C. In this case as well, the printer 10 cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 C. That is, it can be said that the CE-R/W link established by communication of polling signals between the printer 10 operating in the Target state and the mobile terminal 100 C is an NFC link suitable for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 C.

(Effects of Cases D 1 to D 4 )

Effects of Cases D 1 to D 4 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14 . Firstly, an operation of a printer of a comparative embodiment will be described. The printer of the comparative embodiment is provided with a similar configuration to that of the printer 10 except that it does not change the P2P mode from ON to OFF. That is, in a case of sending a polling signal to the mobile terminal 100 C while operating in the Initiator state, the printer cannot establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 C, and thus establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 C and changes a value of a counter from “0” to “1”. After this, the printer cannot establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 C even if a polling signal is sent again to the mobile terminal 100 C, thus establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 C and changes the value of the counter from “1” to “2”. In this case, the printer changes the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 . Then, when the time period t 1 elapses, the printer shifts to the Target state that uses the time period t 3 as the TA time period. After this, in a case where the printer receives a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C while operating in the Target state, the printer cannot establish a P2P link nor a CE-R/W link with the mobile terminal 100 C due to the mobile terminal 100 C sending an ATR request to the printer despite having its P2P mode set to OFF. Further, even when a polling signal is received again from the mobile terminal 100 C before the time period t 3 elapses, the printer cannot establish a P2P link nor a CE-R/W link with the mobile terminal 100 C due to the mobile terminal 100 C sending the ATR request to the printer despite having its P2P mode set to OFF.

As above, the printer of the comparative embodiment can increase the likelihood of receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C since it uses the time period t 3 as the TA time period. However, the printer cannot establish a P2P link nor a CE-R/W link with the mobile terminal 100 C due to the mobile terminal 100 C sending the ATR request to the printer despite having its P2P mode set to OFF. Due to this, the printer cannot send wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 C, and thus cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 C.

Next, an operation of the printer 10 of the embodiment will be described. In the case where the printer 10 sends a polling signal to the mobile terminal 100 C while operating in the Initiator state (T 720 of FIG. 10 ), it cannot establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 C, thus establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 C (T 740 ), and changes the value of the counter 38 from “0” to “1” (T 744 ). Then, when the printer 10 sends a polling signal again to the mobile terminal 100 C while operating in the Initiator state (T 920 of FIG. 12 ), it establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 C (T 940 ), changes the value of the counter 38 from “1” to “2” (T 944 ), and changes the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 (T 950 ).

After this, when the time period t 1 elapses, the printer 10 shifts to the Target state that uses the time period t 3 as the TA time period. In the case of receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C while operating in the Target state (T 1013 of FIG. 13 ), the printer 10 cannot establish a P2P link nor a CE-R/W link with the mobile terminal 100 C due to the mobile terminal 100 C sending an ATR request to the printer 10 despite having its P2P mode set to OFF. In this case, the printer 10 changes its P2P mode from ON to OFF (T 1024 ). After this, when the printer 10 receives a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C again (T 1033 ), it sends a SEL response including the information “P2PNG” to the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1038 ) since its P2P mode is OFF (see T 1024 ). Due to this, the printer 10 receives a RATS request from the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1040 ) and thus can establish a CE-R/W link with the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1050 ). As a result, the printer 10 sends the wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1056 ) and thus can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1060 ).

As above, the printer 10 of the present embodiment changes the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 when the value of the counter 38 reaches the threshold “2” while the printer 10 is operating in the Initiator state. Further, the printer 10 sets the P2P mode to OFF in the case where a polling signal is received from the mobile terminal 100 C in the state where the value of the counter 38 is “2”, and establishment of a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 C fails. Due to this, the likelihood of receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C can be increased due to the extended time period of operating in the Target state. Further, by setting the P2P mode to OFF, a CE-R/W link being the suitable NFC link (that is, an NFC link through which the wireless setting information can be sent) can be established with the mobile terminal 100 C. As a result, the printer 10 can suitably establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 C.

(Corresponding Relationships)

The printer 10 , the NFC I/F 22 , and the memory 24 are respectively examples of a “communication device”, a “wireless interface”, and an “interface memory”. The Initiator state and the Target state are respectively examples of a “first state” and a “second state”. The time period t 1 of the IN time period, the time period t 2 of the TA time period, and the time period t 3 of the TA time period are respectively examples of a “first predetermined time period”, a “second predetermined time period”, and a “specific time period”. The polling signals sent from the printer 10 and the polling signals sent from the mobile terminals 100 A to 100 C are respectively examples of a “first polling signal” and a “second polling signal”. The IN request signal is an example of a “specific signal”. The R/W-CE establishment information, the P2P establishment information, and the R/W-Card establishment information are respectively examples of “first information”, “second information”, and “third information”. The wireless setting information is an example of “target data”.

In one aspect, the mobile terminal 100 B and the mobile terminal 100 A are respectively examples of a “first external device” and a “second external device”. The R/W-CE link and the R/W-Card link are respectively examples of a “first wireless link” and a “fifth wireless link”. The P2P link is an example of a “third wireless link” and a “fourth wireless link”. The return request signal is an example of a “return signal”. The user ID is an example of “specific data”. T 442 of FIG. 6 and T 446 of FIG. 6 are respectively examples of a process to “acquire first information from the wireless interface” and a process to “supply a specific signal to the wireless interface”.

In another aspect, the mobile terminal 100 C and the mobile terminal 100 A are respectively examples of the “first external device” and the “second external device”. The R/W-CE link, the CE-R/W link, and the R/W-Card link are respectively examples of the “first wireless link”, a “second wireless link”, and the “fifth wireless link”. The P2P link is an example of the “third wireless link” and the “fourth wireless link”. The return request signal and the TA request signal are respectively examples of the “return signal” and a “disablement signal”. The user ID is an example of the “specific data”. T 942 of FIG. 12 and T 946 of FIG. 12 are respectively examples of the process to “acquire first information from the wireless interface” and the process to “supply a specific signal to the wireless interface”.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, commands included in the IN request signal is different from those of the first embodiment (see T 446 of FIG. 6 ).

(Case E 1 ; FIG. 15 )

Case E 1 in which a R/W-CE link is established between the printer 10 operating in the Initiator state and the mobile terminal 100 C provided with the iOS 136 c will be described with reference to FIG. 15 . An initial state of Case E 1 is a state in which there is a history of a R/W-CE link having been established between the printer 10 and the terminal device 100 C before, that is, a state where “1” is stored in the counter 38 .

T 1120 to T 1144 are similar to T 920 to T 944 of FIG. 12 . When the value of the counter 38 reaches “2”, the controller 30 of the printer 10 supplies the NFC I/F 22 with an IN request signal including the R/W-CE link disconnection command, the Target time period extension command, and P2POFF command in T 1146 . The P2POFF command in the second embodiment is a command that requests the NFC I/F 22 to change the P2P mode from ON to OFF in the Target state immediately after the acquisition of the IN request signal. T 1148 and T 1150 are respectively similar to T 948 and T 950 .

(Case E 2 ; FIG. 16 )

Next, Case E 2 in which a CE-R/W link is established between the printer 10 operating in the Target state and the mobile terminal 100 C will be described with reference to FIG. 16 . An initial state of Case E 2 is similar to the initial state of Case D 3 of FIG. 12 .

When the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 shifts from the Initiator state to the Target state, it changes the P2P mode from ON to OFF in T 1211 since it acquired the P2POFF command in T 1146 of FIG. 15 . T 1212 to T 1250 taking place thereafter are similar to T 932 to T 970 of FIG. 12 . That is, a CE-R/W link is established between the NFC I/F 22 and the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1230 ), and the NFC I/F 22 sends an NDEF signal including the wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 C by using the CE-R/W link (T 1236 ). As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1240 ).

In FIGS. 15 and 16 , the cases where the communication counterpart of the printer 10 is the mobile terminal 100 C were exemplified, however, similar processes are executed in cases where the communication counterpart is the mobile terminal 100 B. That is, when the value of the counter 38 reaches “2”, the controller 30 of the printer 10 supplies the NFC I/F 22 with an IN request signal including the R/W-CE link disconnection command, the Target time period extension command, and the P2POFF command (see T 1146 of FIG. 15 ). In this case, when receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 B while operating in the Target state, the printer 10 establishes a CE-R/W link with the mobile terminal 100 B. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 B.

(Effects of Cases E 1 , E 2 )

Effects of Cases E 1 and E 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17 . A printer of a comparative embodiment is similar to the printer of the comparative embodiment of FIG. 14 . Thus, since the printer of the comparative embodiment uses the time period t 3 as the TA time period, the likelihood of receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C can be increased. However, the printer cannot establish a P2P link nor a CE-R/W link with the mobile terminal 100 C due to the mobile terminal 100 C sending the ATR request to the printer despite having its P2P mode set to OFF. Due to this, the printer cannot send wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 C, and thus cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 C.

Next, an operation of the printer 10 of the present embodiment will be described. When the printer 10 sends a polling signal to the mobile terminal 100 C while operating in the Initiator state, it cannot establish a P2P link with the mobile terminal 100 C, thus establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 C, and changes the value of the counter 38 from “0” to “1”. Then, when the printer 10 sends a polling signal again to the mobile terminal 100 C while operating in the Initiator state, it establishes a R/W-CE link with the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1140 of FIG. 15 ), changes the value of the counter 38 from “1” to “2” (T 1144 ), and changes the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 (T 1150 ).

After this, when the time period t 1 elapses, the printer 10 shifts to the Target state that uses the time period t 3 as the TA time period and changes the P2P mode from ON to OFF (T 1211 of FIG. 16 ). When the printer 10 receives a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C while operating in the Target state (T 1213 ), it sends a SEL response including the information “P2PNG” to the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1218 ) since its P2P mode is OFF (see T 1211 ). Due to this, the printer 10 receives a RATS request from the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1220 ) and thus can establish a CE-R/W link with the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1230 ). As a result, the printer 10 sends the wireless setting information to the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1236 ) and thus can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 C (T 1240 ).

As above, the printer 10 of the present embodiment changes the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 when it determines that the value of the counter 38 has reached the threshold “2” while operating in the Initiator state. Further, the printer 10 sets the P2P mode to OFF upon shifting to the Target state. Due to this, the time period of operating in the Target state is extended, so the likelihood of receiving a polling signal from the mobile terminal 100 C can be increased. Further, since the P2P mode is set to OFF, a CE-R/W link, which is a suitable NFC link (that is, an NFC link through which the wireless setting information can be sent) can be established with the mobile terminal 100 C at an early stage. As a result, the printer 10 can suitably establish a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 100 C.

(Corresponding Relationships)

The mobile terminal 100 C and the mobile terminal 100 A are respectively examples of the “first external device” and the “second external device”. The IN request signal in T 1146 of FIG. 15 is an example of the “specific signal”. T 1142 of FIG. 15 and T 1146 of FIG. 15 are respectively examples of the process to “acquire first information from the wireless interface” and the process to “supply a specific signal to the wireless interface”.

(Variant 1) The “wireless interface” may be an interface configured to execute a wireless communication using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) scheme. In this case, the “first polling signal” and the “second polling signal” are signals for establishing a wireless link under the Bluetooth scheme.

(Variant 2) The Target time period extension command in T 446 of FIG. 6 may be a command that requests to change the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 and to change the IN time period from the time period t 1 to a time period t 4 which is different from the time period t 1 . Further, in another variant, the Target time period extension command may not be a command that requests to change the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 in the Target state immediately after the acquisition of the IN request signal, and may be a command that requests to change the TA time period from the time period t 2 to the time period t 3 in the Target state which takes place after the aforementioned Target state.

(Variant 3) The P2POFF command in T 1022 of FIG. 13 may not be a command that requests to change the P2P mode from ON to OFF in the Target state upon acquiring the TA request signal, and may be a command which requests to change the P2P mode from ON to OFF in the Target state which takes place after the aforementioned Target state. Further, in another variant, the P2POFF command may not be a command which requests to change the P2P mode from ON to OFF only in the Target state, and may be a command which requests to change the P2P mode from ON to OFF in both the Target state and the Initiator state.

(Variant 4) The IN request signal in T 1146 of FIG. 15 may be a signal that does not include the Target time period extension command but includes the P2POFF command In this case, the NFC I/F 22 may change the P2P mode from ON to OFF without changing the TA time period.

(Variant 5) The NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 may set the HCE mode to OFF in the Target state. Further, the NFC I/F 22 may change the P2P mode from ON to OFF and further change the HCE mode from OFF to ON in the case of acquiring the TA request signal from the controller 30 in T 1022 of FIG. 13 . To describe in general terms, the “wireless interface” may not enable the HCE mode in the second state before acquiring the specific signal from the controller.

(Variant 6-1) The NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 may set the P2P mode to ON in the Initiator state and the P2P mode to OFF in the Target state. In this variant, a CE-R/W link is established instead of the P2P link between the printer 10 and the mobile terminal 100 B in FIGS. 5 and 7 . Further, in this variant, a case will be described in which the P2POFF command in FIG. 13 is the command which requests to change the P2P mode from ON to OFF in both the Target state and the Initiator state. In this case, the NFC I/F 22 may operate in the Initiator state in which the P2P mode is OFF and the R/W mode is ON after having acquired the TA request signal from the controller 30 .

(Variant 6-2) The NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 may set the P2P mode to OFF in the Initiator state and the P2P mode to ON in the Target state. In this variant, similarly to Case D 4 of FIG. 13 , the NFC I/F 22 changes the P2P mode from ON to OFF in the case of acquiring the TA request signal including the P2P OFF command from the mobile terminal 100 C. Due to this, the NFC I/F 22 operates in the Target state in which the P2P mode is OFF and the HCE mode is ON.

(Variant 7) The controller 30 of the printer 10 may not supply the Target time period return command to the NFC I/F 22 in T 548 of FIG. 7 , in T 1068 of FIG. 13 , and in T 1248 of FIG. 16 . In this variant, the NFC I/F 22 may change the TA time period from the time period t 3 to the time period t 2 in a case where a power of the printer 10 is turned ON after having been turned OFF, in a case where an operation for changing the TA time period from the time period t 3 to the time period t 2 is performed on the operation unit 12 by the user, and the like.

(Variant 8) The controller 30 of the printer 10 may not supply the P2PON command to the NFC I/F 22 in T 1068 of FIG. 13 and T 1248 of FIG. 16 . In this variant, the NFC I/F 22 may change the P2P mode from OFF to ON in a case where the power of the printer 10 is turned ON after having been turned OFF by the user, in a case where an operation to set the P2P mode to ON is performed on the operation unit 12 by the user, and the like.

(Variant 9) When the P2P link is established in T 530 of FIG. 7 , the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 may shift from the Target state to the Initiator state even before the TA time period exceeds the time period t 3 . Further, in another variant, the NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 may continue to operate in the Target state until a P2P link is established with its communication counterpart in the case of shifting to the Target state after having acquired the IN request signal including the Target time period extension command from the controller 30 in T 446 of FIG. 6 . That is, the NFC I/F 22 stops the shifting from the Target state to the Initiator state until the P2P link is established with its communication counterpart. In this variant, in a case where a time period of the Target state, which is to continue until the P2P link is established, becomes longer than the time period t 2 , this time period is an example of the “specific time period”.

(Variant 10) The data which the printer 10 sends to its communication counterpart by using the P2P link and the like established in T 530 of FIG. 7 may not be limited to the wireless setting information, and may be a URL (abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator) of a webpage indicating a content of an error occurring in the printer 10 , or may be a URL of a webpage indicating the content of the error and how to resolve it.

(Variant 11) The NFC I/F 22 may be capable of operating in the CE mode, which does not require a secure element, instead of in the HCE mode which requires a secure element.

(Variant 12) The NFC I/F 22 of the printer 10 may not supply the controller 30 with the establishment information indicating that an NFC link has been established with its communication counterpart after establishment of the NFC link. In this variant, the controller 30 determines whether the communication counterpart is a mobile terminal or not, and whether a P2P link with the communication counterpart is established or not. In this variant, when receiving a response signal to a polling signal from the communication counterpart while operating in the Initiator state (T 24 of FIG. 2 ), the NFC I/F 22 supplies the controller 30 with a signal including data size information related to a data size of the ID of the communication counterpart included in the response signal. Further, when receiving a SEL response from the communication counterpart (T 28 ), the NFC I/F 22 supplies the controller 30 with a signal including P2P information related to the P2P mode of the communication counterpart included in the SEL response. Specifically, in a case where the SEL response includes the information “P2POK”, the NFC I/F 22 supplies the controller 30 with P2P information that includes ON information indicating that the P2P mode of the communication counterpart is ON, and in a case where the SEL response includes the information “P2PNG”, it supplies the controller 30 with P2P information that includes OFF information indicating that the P2P mode of the communication counterpart is OFF. Further, the controller 30 determines that the communication counterpart is a mobile terminal in a case where the data size information is 4 bytes, and determines that the communication counterpart is a card in a case where the data size information is 7 bytes. The controller 30 determines that a R/W-CE link with the communication counterpart is established in a case where the communication counterpart is a mobile terminal (such as the mobile terminals 100 B, 100 C) and the P2P information includes the OFF information. Further, the controller 30 determines that a P2P link with the communication counterpart is established in a case where the communication counterpart is a mobile terminal (such as the mobile terminal 100 A) and the P2P information includes the ON information. Further, the controller 30 determines that a R/W-Card link with the communication counterpart is established in a case where the communication counterpart is a card. In this variant, the data size information indicating 4 bytes and the OFF information are examples of the “first information”. Further, the data size information indicating 4 bytes and the ON information are examples of the “second information”. Further, the data size information indicating 7 bytes is an example of the “third information”.

(Variant 13) The “communication device” is not limited to the printer 10 , and may be a scanner, a multi-function peripheral, a PC, a server, a smartphone, and the like.

(Variant 14) In the above embodiments, the respective processes executed by the controller 30 are implemented by software (that is, the program 36 ), however, at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.