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

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-060026, filed on Mar. 27, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The disclosure herein discloses a technology related to a communication device capable of communicating with an external device.

A mobile communication terminal device capable of communicating with a multifunction peripheral (MFP) is known. The terminal device displays a screen that includes setting items such as a paper type and a paper width, and a message notifying a user that preparation for NFC communication has been done. In the screen, an area where the setting items are displayed is different from an area where the message is displayed.

The technology above does not assume a configuration in which, when a certain image is to be displayed while another image is displayed, for example, the certain image is to be displayed such that at least a part of the other image is not displayed (e.g., a configuration in which the certain image is to be displayed in front of the other image). In such a configuration, a user cannot recognize at least a part of the other image. The disclosure herein provides a technology capable of improving user's convenience when images different from each other are displayed.

The disclosure herein discloses a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for a communication device. The communication device may comprise a display unit; a wireless interface; a computer; and an Operating System (OS) program executed by the computer. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the computer, may cause the communication device to perform: displaying a specific screen on the display unit, the specific screen including a selection image and a plurality of item images, the selection image being for a user to select execution of a wireless communication via the wireless interface with an external device; in a first case where the selection image included in the specific screen is selected, supplying a trigger instruction for executing the wireless communication with the external device to the OS program, the trigger instruction including an instruction for causing the OS program to display a first image on the display unit, the first image being for notifying the user to perform a predetermined action which is necessary for executing the wireless communication with the external device, and the first image being displayed such that at least one item image among the plurality of item images included in the specific screen is not displayed; and in the first case after the specific screen has been displayed on the display unit, outputting target information related to the at least one item image.

The above communication device itself is also novel and useful. Moreover, a communication system that includes the above communication device and the above external device is also novel and useful.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system;

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a print scan application process;

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a print process;

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a scan process;

FIG. 5 shows screens related to the print process;

FIG. 6 shows a screen including an image indicating target information;

FIG. 7 shows screens related to the scan process;

FIG. 8 shows a screen including an image indicating target information;

FIG. 9 shows a sequence diagram of a case A1 where printing is executed;

FIG. 10 shows a sequence diagram continued from FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 shows a sequence diagram of a case A2 where printing is not executed; and

FIG. 12 shows a sequence diagram of a case B where scanning is executed.

(Configuration of Communication System 2 : FIG. 1 )

As shown in FIG. 1 , a communication system 2 includes a mobile terminal 10 and a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter termed “MFP”) 100 . The mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 are capable of mutually executing Wi-Fi communication which is wireless communication according to a Wi-Fi scheme and Near Field Communication (NFC) communication which is wireless communication according to an NFC scheme.

(Configuration of Mobile Terminal 10 )

The mobile terminal 10 is a portable communication device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a mobile music player, or a mobile video player. The mobile terminal 10 includes an operation unit 12 , a display unit 14 , a speaker 16 , a Wi-Fi interface (interface will hereinafter be described as “I/F”) 30 , an NFC I/F 32 , and a controller 40 .

The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions into the mobile terminal 10 by operating the operation unit 12 . 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 (i.e., as an operation unit). The speaker 16 outputs audio data.

The Wi-Fi I/F 30 is an I/F for executing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi scheme. The Wi-Fi scheme is a wireless communication scheme based on, for example, 802.11 standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) and standards complying thereto (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, and the like).

The NFC I/F 32 is an I/F for executing NFC communication according to the NFC scheme. The NFC scheme is a wireless communication scheme based on, for example, international standards such as ISO/IEC 14443, 15693, and 18092. As types of I/F for executing NFC communication, an I/F called an NFC forum device and an I/F called an NFC forum tag are known. The NFC I/F 32 is an NFC forum device and is configured to selectively operate in any one of a Peer To Peer (P2P) mode, a Reader/Writer (R/W) mode, and a Card Emulation (CE) mode.

Differences between the Wi-Fi I/F 30 and the NFC I/F 32 will be described. A communication speed of Wi-Fi communication via the Wi-Fi I/F 30 (e.g., a maximum communication speed of 600 Mbps) is faster than a communication speed of NFC communication via the NFC I/F 32 (e.g., a maximum communication speed of 424 Kbps). Moreover, a carrier wave frequency in Wi-Fi communication via the Wi-Fi I/F 30 (e.g., a 2.4 GHz band or a 5.0 GHz band) differs from a carrier wave frequency in NFC communication via the NFC I/F 32 (e.g., a 13.56 MHz band). Moreover, a maximum distance with which Wi-Fi communication can be executed via the Wi-Fi I/F 30 (e.g., a maximum distance of approximately 100 m) is longer than a maximum distance with which NFC communication can be executed via the NFC I/F 32 (e.g., a maximum distance of approximately 10 cm).

The controller 40 includes a CPU 42 and a memory 44 . The memory 44 is constituted of a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The CPU 42 is configured to execute various processes in accordance with programs 46 , 48 stored in the memory 44 . An Operating System (OS) program 46 is a program for controlling various basic operations of the mobile terminal 10 , and the present embodiment assumes that the OS program 46 is an iOS (registered trademark). A print scan application 48 is an application provided by a vendor of the MFP 100 , and is installed in the mobile terminal 10 , for example, from a server on the Internet. The print scan application 48 is an application for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 , communicating target data (e.g., print data, scan data) by using the Wi-Fi connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 , and the like.

(Configuration of MFP 100 )

The MFP 100 is a peripheral device (e.g., a peripheral device of the mobile terminal 10 ) capable of executing multiple functions including a print function and a scan function. The MFP 100 is assigned with a device name “DDD1” which is information for identifying the MFP 100 . The MFP 100 includes an operation unit 112 , a display unit 114 , a print executing unit 116 , a scan executing unit 118 , a Wi-Fi I/F 130 , an NFC I/F 132 , and a controller 140 .

The operation unit 112 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions into the MFP 100 by operating the operation unit 112 . The display unit 114 is a display for displaying various types of information. The display unit 114 also functions as a so-called touch panel (i.e., as an operation unit). The print executing unit 116 is a print mechanism of an inkjet type, a laser type, or the like. The scan executing unit 118 is a scan mechanism such as a CCD or a CIS.

The Wi-Fi I/F 130 and the NFC I/F 132 are respectively similar to the Wi-Fi I/F 30 and the NFC I/F 32 in the mobile terminal 10 . It should be noted that the Wi-Fi I/F 130 supports, especially, a Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark, WFD) scheme established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD scheme is a wireless communication scheme described in the specification “Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.5” formulated by the Wi-Fi Alliance. In a variant, the NFC I/F 132 may be an NFC forum tag.

The controller 140 includes a CPU 142 and a memory 144 . The CPU 142 is configured to execute various processes in accordance with a program 146 stored in the memory 144 . The memory 144 is constituted of a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and the like.

(Print Scan Application Process: FIG. 2 )

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 , a process executed by the CPU 42 of the mobile terminal 10 in accordance with the print scan application 48 will be described. When a user performs an operation to activate the print scan application 48 , the process in FIG. 2 is started. At the time when the process in FIG. 2 is started, all of the modes (i.e., the P2P mode, the R/W mode, and the CE mode) of the NFC I/F 32 of the mobile terminal 10 are in a disabled state. The disabled state is a state in which NFC communication cannot be executed, and is a state in which power is not supplied to the NFC I/F 32 , for example. For convenience of explanation, processes executed by the CPU 42 in accordance with the print scan application 48 will hereinafter be described with “application 48 ” as the subject of action, and processes executed by the CPU 42 in accordance with the OS program 46 will hereinafter be described with “OS 46 ” as the subject of action, instead of describing with the CPU 42 as the subject of action.

In S 10 , the application 48 displays a device selection screen D 1 on the display unit 14 . As shown in FIG. 5(A) , the device selection screen D 1 includes a message that instructs the user to select a device in which printing or scanning is to be executed, and a device selection field. When the user operates a pull-down button in the device selection field, the application 48 displays a pull-down menu Pd 1 on the display unit 14 . The pull-down menu Pd 1 indicates a device name of a device capable of establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the mobile terminal 10 (such as the device name “DDD1”), and a character string “NFC” meaning NFC communication. The user can operate a device selection of selecting one piece of information from a plurality of information displayed in the pull-down menu Pd 1 .

In S 12 , the application 48 monitors whether the device selection is operated. When the device selection is operated (YES in S 12 ), the application 48 proceeds to S 14 . A case where the character string “NFC” is selected by the device selection will be described hereinafter as an example.

In S 14 , the application 48 displays a function selection screen D 2 on the display unit 14 . As shown in FIG. 5(B) , the function selection screen D 2 includes two buttons respectively corresponding to the print function and the scan function, and the character string “NFC” selected in S 12 .

In S 20 and S 30 , the application 48 monitors whether either one of the print button and the scan button on the function selection screen D 2 is selected. When the user selects the print button, the application 48 determines YES in S 20 , and executes a print process (see FIG. 3 ) in S 22 . On the other hand, when the user selects the scan button, the application 48 determines YES in S 30 , and executes a scan process (see FIG. 4 ) in S 32 . When S 22 or S 32 terminates, the process in FIG. 2 terminates. FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) show the screens displayed by a time when the scan button has been selected.

(Print Process: FIG. 3 )

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 , details of the print process executed in S 22 of FIG. 2 will be described. In S 50 , the application 48 displays a file selection screen D 3 on the display unit 14 . As shown in FIG. 5(C) , the file selection screen D 3 includes a plurality of file selection buttons F 1 to F 4 indicating a plurality of file names of a plurality of files stored in the memory 44 .

In S 52 , the application 48 monitors whether a file selection is operated. The file selection is an operation of selecting one of the plurality of file selection buttons F 1 to F 4 on the file selection screen D 3 . When the file selection is operated, the application 48 determines YES in S 52 , and proceeds to SM. A case where the file selection button F 1 is selected will be described hereinafter as an example.

In SM, the application 48 displays a print preview screen D 4 on the display unit 14 . As shown in FIG. 5(D) , the print preview screen D 4 includes a print preview image Pv 1 represented by the file selected in S 52 , an NFC button, and a setting button.

The print preview image Pv 1 is an image corresponding to default print settings preset in the application 48 . By viewing the print preview image Pv 1 , the user can know how the image will be printed. The NFC button is a button for changing the R/W mode of the NFC I/F 32 from the disabled state to an enabled state. The enabled state is a state in which NFC communication in accordance with the R/W mode can be executed, and is a state in which power is supplied to the NFC I/F 32 , for example. The setting button is a button for performing print setting.

In S 60 , the application 48 monitors whether the setting button in the print preview screen D 4 is operated. When the setting button is selected, the application 48 determines YES in S 60 , and proceeds to S 62 .

In S 62 , the application 48 displays a print setting screen D 5 on the display unit 14 . As shown in FIG. 5(E) , the print setting screen D 5 includes a size setting field for setting a size of printing paper, a double-sided printing setting field for setting whether or not double-sided printing is to be executed, a paper setting field for setting a paper type of the printing paper, a mode setting field for setting a mode for a print image quality, and an OK button. The user can change the print settings on the print setting screen D 5 .

In S 64 , the application 48 monitors whether the OK button in the print setting screen D 5 is operated. When the OK button is selected, the application 48 determines YES in S 64 , and displays the print preview screen D 4 again on the display unit 14 in S 54 . Here, the application 48 displays the print preview screen D 4 that includes the print preview image Pv 1 corresponding to the print settings displayed on the print setting screen D 5 when the OK button was selected (i.e., the print settings designated by the user).

Moreover, concurrently with the monitoring of S 60 , the application 48 monitors, in S 78 , whether the NFC button in the print preview screen D 4 is operated. When the NFC button is selected, the application 48 determines YES in S 78 , and proceeds to S 80 .

In S 80 , the application 48 displays a target information image P 2 (see FIG. 6 ) in front of the print preview screen D 4 . As shown in FIG. 6 , the target information image P 2 includes a reduced image that is obtained by reducing the print preview image Pv 1 displayed on the print preview screen D 4 when the NFC button was selected, and a print setting image that indicates the print settings when the NFC button was selected.

In S 82 , the application 48 supplies a trigger instruction to the OS 46 . The trigger instruction is an instruction for requesting the OS 46 to do the following (1) and (2): (1) to display an NFC image P 1 (see FIG. 6 ) on the display unit 14 ; and (2) to supply, to the NFC I/F 32 , an R/W mode ON instruction for changing the R/W mode from the disabled state to the enabled state.

In response to obtaining the trigger instruction, the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 on the display unit 14 . As shown in FIG. 6 , the NFC image P 1 includes a message for notifying the user that NFC communication can be executed, a message for notifying the user to bring the mobile terminal 10 close to the MFP, and a cancel button. The NFC image P 1 has a rectangular shape with a predetermined width and a predetermined height. Further, the NFC image P 1 is displayed at a predetermined reference position in the display unit 14 . In particular, the NFC image P 1 is displayed in front of the print preview screen D 4 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the NFC image P 1 is displayed such that the NFC button, the setting button, and a part of the print preview image Pv 1 in the print preview screen D 4 are not displayed. Thus, the user cannot recognize the NFC button, the setting button, and the part of the print preview image Pv 1 .

As mentioned above, the application 48 displays the target information image P 2 including the reduced image and the print setting image in S 80 . Thus, the target information image P 2 is an image that represents information (i.e., the reduced image) related to the print preview image Pv 1 that is not displayed due to the NFC image P 1 being displayed by the OS 46 , and information (i.e., the print settings) related to the setting button that is not displayed due to the NFC image P 1 being displayed by the OS 46 . Therefore, by viewing the target information image P 2 , the user can know the information related to the images that are not displayed due to the NFC image P 1 being displayed by the OS 46 .

Moreover, when the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 , there is a possibility that the application 48 may not be able to display the target information image P 2 due to the CPU 42 being controlled by the OS 46 . In view of such a possibility, in the case where the NFC button is operated (YES in S 78 ), the application 48 displays the target information image P 2 (S 80 ) before the NFC image P 1 is displayed (i.e., before supplying the trigger instruction to the OS 46 ), in the present embodiment. Due to this, the application 48 can appropriately display the target information image P 2 before the NFC image P 1 is displayed by the OS 46 . In a variant, the application 48 may execute the process of S 80 after the execution of the process of S 82 .

Moreover, the application 48 stores in advance an area where the NFC image P 1 is displayed (i.e., the above-mentioned reference position, width, and height). The application 48 displays the target information image P 2 such that the target information image P 2 does not overlap with the area where the NFC image P 1 is displayed. Due to this, the user can appropriately recognize both of the NFC image P 1 and the target information image P 2 . In the present embodiment, the application 48 displays the target information image P 2 in front of the print preview screen D 4 , without closing the print preview screen D 4 from the display unit 14 . In a variant, however, the application 48 may display the target information image P 2 in place of the print preview screen D 4 (i.e., by closing the print preview screen D 4 ).

Moreover, when obtaining the trigger instruction from the application 48 , the OS 46 supplies, to the NFC I/F 32 , the R/W mode ON instruction for changing the R/W mode of the NFC I/F 32 to the enabled state. Consequently, the R/W mode of the NFC I/F 32 is changed from the disabled state to the enabled state.

In S 84 , the application 48 monitors whether cancel information is obtained from the OS 46 . The cancel information is information indicating that the cancel button in the NFC image P 1 has been operated. When obtaining the cancel information from the OS 46 (YES in S 84 ), the application 48 skips S 86 and S 88 , and proceeds to S 90 .

Moreover, concurrently with the monitoring of S 84 , the application 48 monitors, in S 86 , whether establishment information is obtained from the OS 46 . The establishment information is information indicating that a Wi-Fi connection with an MFP (e.g., the MFP 100 ) has been established. When a distance between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 becomes shorter than the maximum distance (e.g., 10 cm) with which NFC communication can be executed after the trigger instruction has been supplied to the OS 46 , an NFC connection is established between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 . In this case, the NFC I/F 32 operates in a Reader mode of the R/W mode, and reads out (i.e., receives) wireless setting information from the MFP 100 . The OS 46 then obtains the wireless setting information from the NFC I/F 32 . The wireless setting information is information for establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the MFP 100 operating as a Group Owner (G/O) of the WFD scheme, and includes a Service Set Identifier (SSID) of a wireless network formed by the MFP 100 , a password, and the like. The OS 46 then supplies, to the Wi-Fi I/F 30 , a connection instruction including the wireless setting information. The Wi-Fi I/F 30 thereby establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the MFP 100 by using the wireless setting information, and participates, as a child station, in the wireless network in which the MFP 100 operates as a G/O. In this case, the OS 46 obtains, from the Wi-Fi I/F 30 , the establishment information indicating that the Wi-Fi connection has been established, and supplies the establishment information to the application 48 . When obtaining the establishment information from the OS 46 (YES in S 86 ), the application 48 proceeds to S 88 .

In S 88 , the application 48 converts the file selected in S 52 to generate print data having a data format that can be interpreted by the MFP 100 , and sends a print execution request including the print data and the print settings to the MFP 100 via the Wi-Fi I/F 30 (i.e., by using the Wi-Fi connection). As such, the application 48 sends the print execution request to the MFP 100 by using the Wi-Fi communication, which has the faster communication speed than NFC communication, and thus can send the print execution request to the MFP 100 promptly.

In S 90 , the application 48 supplies a termination instruction to the OS 46 . The termination instruction is an instruction for requesting the OS 46 to do the following (1) and (2): (1) to delete the NFC image P 1 ; and (2) to supply, to the NFC I/F 32 , an R/W mode OFF instruction for changing the R/W mode from the enabled state to the disabled state. When obtaining the termination instruction from the application 48 , the OS 46 deletes the NFC image P 1 , and supplies, to the NFC I/F 32 , the R/W mode OFF instruction for changing the R/W mode from the enabled state to the disabled state.

In S 92 , the application 48 monitors whether termination information is obtained from the OS 46 . The termination information is information obtained from the OS 46 in response to the supply of the termination instruction to the OS 46 , and is information indicating that the OS 46 has deleted the NFC image P 1 .

When obtaining the termination information from the OS 46 (YES in S 92 ), the application 48 deletes the target information image P 2 in S 94 . Moreover, the application 48 also closes the print preview screen D 4 .

(Scan Process: FIG. 4 )

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 , details of the scan process executed in S 32 of FIG. 2 will be described. In S 100 , the application 48 displays a scan setting screen D 15 on the display unit 14 . As shown in FIG. 7(C) , the scan setting screen D 15 includes a size setting field for selecting a size of a document to be scanned by the MFP 100 , a double-sided scanning setting field for setting whether or not double-sided scanning of the document is to be executed, a resolution setting field for setting a scan resolution for the document, and an NFC button. The user can change the scan settings on the scan setting screen D 15 .

S 102 is similar to S 78 in FIG. 3 . In S 104 , the application 48 displays a target information image P 3 (see FIG. 8 ) in front of the scan setting screen D 15 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the target information image P 3 includes a scan setting image that indicates the scan settings (i.e., the size setting, the double-sided scanning setting, and the resolution setting) when the NFC button was selected.

S 106 is similar to S 82 in FIG. 3 . In response to obtaining the trigger instruction from the application 48 , the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 on the display unit 14 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the NFC image P 1 is displayed in front of the scan setting screen D 15 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the NFC image P 1 is displayed such that the NFC button and a part of the resolution setting field in the scan setting screen D 15 are not displayed. Thus, the user cannot recognize the NFC button and the part of the resolution setting field.

As mentioned above, the application 48 displays the target information image P 3 including the scan setting image in S 104 . The target information image P 3 is thus an image that represents information (i.e., the resolution setting) related to the resolution setting field that is not displayed due to the NFC image P 1 being displayed by the OS 46 . Therefore, by viewing the target information image P 3 , the user can know the information related to the image that is not displayed due to the NFC image P 1 being displayed by the OS 46 . Moreover, as in the print process described above, in the case where the NFC button is operated (YES in S 102 ), the application 48 displays the target information image P 3 (S 104 ) before the NFC image P 1 is displayed (i.e., before supplying the trigger instruction to the OS 46 ). Due to this, the application 48 can appropriately display the target information image P 3 before the NFC image P 1 is displayed by the OS 46 . Moreover, the application 48 displays the target information image P 3 such that the target information image P 3 does not overlap with the area where the NFC image P 1 is displayed. Due to this, the user can appropriately recognize both of the NFC image P 1 and the target information image P 3 .

Moreover, when obtaining the trigger instruction from the application 48 , the OS 46 supplies, to the NFC I/F 32 , the R/W mode ON instruction for changing the R/W mode of the NFC I/F 32 to the enabled state. Consequently, the R/W mode of the NFC I/F 32 is changed from the disabled state to the enabled state.

S 108 and S 110 are similar to S 84 and S 86 in FIG. 3 . When obtaining the establishment information from the OS 46 (YES in S 110 ), the application 48 sends, to the MFP 100 , a scan execution request including the scan settings via the Wi-Fi I/F 30 in S 112 . Consequently, in the MFP 100 , the document is scanned in accordance with the scan settings, and scan data is thereby generated. The application 48 then receives the scan data from the MFP 100 via the Wi-Fi I/F 30 . S 114 to S 118 are similar to S 90 to S 94 in FIG. 3 . When S 118 terminates, the process in FIG. 4 terminates.

(Specific Cases)

Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 , specific cases realized by the processes in FIGS. 2 to 4 . In an initial state of each case, the MFP 100 is operating as a G/O of the WFD scheme and stores wireless setting information. Moreover, all of the P2P mode, the R/W mode, and the CE mode of the NFC I/F 32 of the mobile terminal 10 are in the disabled state.

(Case A1: FIGS. 9 and 10 )

Firstly, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 , a case A1 will be described. The present case is a case where the MFP 100 is caused to execute printing. In T 10 of FIG. 9 , the user performs the operation to activate the application 48 . In this case, in T 12 , the application 48 displays the device selection screen D 1 (see FIG. 5(A) ) (S 10 in FIG. 2 ).

When accepting the device selection of selecting the character string “NFC” in T 14 (YES in S 12 ), the application 48 displays the function selection screen D 2 (see FIG. 5(B) ) in T 16 (S 14 ). Next, when accepting selection of the print button in T 18 (YES in S 20 ), the application 48 displays the file selection screen D 3 (see FIG. 5(C) ) in T 20 (S 50 in FIG. 3 ). Next, when accepting selection of the file selection button F 1 in T 22 (YES in S 52 ), the application 48 displays the print preview screen D 4 (see FIG. 5(D) ) in T 24 (S 54 ).

Subsequently, when accepting selection of the setting button in T 40 (YES in S 60 ), the application 48 displays the print setting screen D 5 (see FIG. 5(E) ) in T 42 (S 62 ). When accepting the print setting operation in T 44 and accepting operation of the OK button in T 46 (YES in S 64 ), the application 48 displays the print preview screen D 4 (see FIG. 5(D) ) again in T 48 (S 54 ).

When accepting selection of the NFC button in T 50 (YES in S 78 ), the application 48 displays the target information image P 2 (see FIG. 6 ) on the display unit 14 in T 62 (S 80 ). The application 48 then supplies the trigger instruction to the OS 46 in T 64 (S 82 ).

When obtaining the trigger instruction from the application 48 in T 64 , the OS 46 supplies the R/W mode ON instruction to the NFC I/F 32 in T 66 . Moreover, the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 (see FIG. 6 ) in T 68 .

When obtaining the R/W mode ON instruction from the OS 46 in T 66 , the NFC I/F 32 changes the R/W mode from the disabled state to the enabled state in T 70 , and starts transmitting a polling signal in T 72 . Subsequently, when the user brings the mobile terminal 10 close to the MFP 100 , the MFP 100 receives the polling signal, as a result of which an NFC connection is established between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 in T 80 . In this case, the NFC I/F 32 receives the wireless setting information from the MFP 100 in T 82 by using the NFC connection, and supplies the wireless setting information to the OS 46 in T 84 .

When obtaining the wireless setting information from the NFC I/F 32 in T 84 , the OS 46 supplies the connection instruction including the wireless setting information to the Wi-Fi I/F 30 in T 86 . In this case, the Wi-Fi I/F 30 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the Wi-Fi I/F 130 of the MFP 100 in T 88 , and supplies the establishment information to the OS 46 in T 90 .

When obtaining the establishment information from the OS 46 in T 92 of FIG. 10 (YES in S 86 ), the application 48 generates print data in T 100 , and supplies the print execution request including the print data and the print settings to the Wi-Fi I/F 30 in T 102 (S 88 ). Consequently, the Wi-Fi I/F 30 sends the print execution request to the MFP 100 in T 104 .

When receiving the print execution request from the mobile terminal 10 in T 104 , the MFP 100 supplies, to the print executing unit 116 , the print data and the print settings in the print execution request, and causes the print executing unit 116 to print an image represented by the print data in T 106 .

The application 48 supplies the termination instruction to the OS 46 in T 110 (S 90 ). In this case, the OS 46 supplies the R/W mode OFF instruction to the NFC I/F 32 in T 112 . Moreover, the OS 46 deletes the NFC image P 1 in T 114 . When obtaining the R/W mode OFF instruction from the OS 46 in T 112 , the NFC I/F 32 changes the R/W mode from the enabled state to the disabled state in T 116 , and stops transmitting a polling signal.

When deleting the NFC image P 1 in T 114 , the OS 46 supplies the termination information to the application 48 in T 118 . In this case, the application 48 deletes the target information image P 2 in T 120 (S 94 ).

(Effects of Case A1)

In the case where the NFC button in the print preview screen D 4 is selected, the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 in front of the print preview screen D 4 . Since the OS 46 controls the display of the NFC image P 1 , the application 48 cannot control a display position and the like of the NFC image P 1 . In such a circumstance, the NFC button, the setting button, and a part of the print preview image Pv 1 in the print preview screen D 4 displayed by the application 48 overlap with the NFC image P 1 (see FIG. 6 ), and hence the user cannot recognize these information. In view of this, the application 48 displays the target information image P 2 in front of the print preview screen D 4 (T 62 ) in the present embodiment. As above, the application 48 newly displays, in front of the print preview screen D 4 , the information (i.e., the reduced image, the print setting image) related to the images (i.e., the setting button, the print preview image Pv 1 ) that are not displayed due to the NFC image P 1 being displayed. Therefore, even when the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 , the user can recognize these information. Due to this, user's convenience can be improved.

Moreover, in response to the execution of the NFC communication (T 80 ), the OS 46 deletes the NFC image P 1 (T 114 ) and the application 48 deletes the target information image P 2 (T 120 ). As such, when the user brings the mobile terminal 10 close to the MFP 100 (i.e., when the NFC communication between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 is executed), the images P 1 , P 2 is automatically deleted from the display unit 14 . Therefore, the user does not have to perform an operation for deleting the images P 1 , P 2 . Due to this, user's convenience can be improved.

(Case A2: FIG. 11 )

Next, with reference to FIG. 11 , a case A2 will be described. The present case is a case where the MFP 100 is not caused to execute printing. In other words, in the present case, execution of NFC communication between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 is cancelled by the user. Firstly, as shown in FIG. 11 , the application 48 executes processes similar to T 10 to T 48 in FIG. 9 .

T 150 to T 164 are similar to T 50 to T 64 in FIG. 9 . In other words, when displaying the target information image P 2 (see FIG. 6 ) on the display unit 14 in T 162 (S 80 in FIG. 3 ), the application 48 supplies the trigger instruction to the OS 46 in T 164 (S 82 ). T 166 to T 172 are similar to T 66 to T 72 in FIG. 9 . In other words, when obtaining the trigger instruction from the application 48 in T 164 , the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 (see FIG. 6 ) in T 168 .

Subsequently, when accepting selection of the cancel button in T 174 , the OS 46 supplies the cancel information to the application 48 in T 176 . When obtaining the cancel information from the OS 46 in T 176 (YES in S 84 ), the application 48 supplies the termination instruction to the OS 46 in T 178 (S 90 ). T 180 to T 188 are similar to T 112 to T 120 in FIG. 10 .

(Effects of Case A2)

In the present case, in the case where the NFC button in the print preview screen D 4 is selected (T 150 ), the application 48 displays the target information image P 2 (T 162 ). While checking the print settings and the like included in the target information image P 2 , the user can determine whether or not the MFP 100 is to be caused to execute the print process. In response to the selection of the cancel button by the user (T 174 ), the OS 46 deletes the NFC image P 1 (T 182 ) and the application 48 deletes the target information image P 2 (T 188 ). As such, when the user operates the cancel button for deleting the NFC image P 1 , the target information image P 2 is automatically deleted. The user does not have to perform an operation for deleting the target information image P 2 , in addition to the operation of the cancel button. Due to this, user's convenience can be improved.

(Case B: FIG. 12 )

Next, with reference to FIG. 12 , a case B will be described. The present case is a case where the MFP 100 is caused to execute scanning T 210 to T 216 are similar to T 10 to T 16 in FIG. 9 . When accepting the operation of the scan button in T 218 (YES in S 30 in FIG. 2 ), the application 48 displays the scan setting screen D 15 (see FIG. 7(C) ) in T 220 (S 100 in FIG. 4 ). Subsequently, the application 48 accepts the scan setting operation in T 240 . When accepting selection of the NFC button in T 250 (YES in S 102 ), the application 48 displays the target information image P 3 (see FIG. 8 ) in T 264 (S 104 ), and supplies the trigger instruction to the OS 46 in T 265 (S 106 ). T 266 to T 290 are similar to T 66 to T 90 in FIG. 9 .

When obtaining the establishment information from the OS 46 in T 292 (YES in S 110 ), the application 48 supplies, to the Wi-Fi I/F 30 , the scan execution request that includes the scan settings in T 300 . Consequently, the Wi-Fi I/F 30 sends the scan execution request to the MFP 100 in T 302 (S 112 ).

When receiving the scan execution request from the mobile terminal 10 in T 302 , the MFP 100 causes the scan executing unit 118 to scan a document set in the MFP 100 in accordance with the scan settings in the scan execution request in T 304 , and sends scan data to the mobile terminal 10 in T 306 .

The application 48 receives the scan data from the MFP 100 via the Wi-Fi I/F 30 in T 308 . T 310 to T 318 are similar to T 110 to T 118 in FIG. 10 . When obtaining the termination information from the OS 46 in T 318 (YES in S 116 ), the application 48 deletes the target information image P 3 in T 320 (S 118 ).

(Effects of Case B)

In the case where the NFC button in the scan setting screen D 15 is selected, the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 in front of the scan setting screen D 15 . As described above, since the OS 46 controls the display of the NFC image P 1 , the application 48 cannot control a display position and the like of the NFC image P 1 . In such a circumstance, a part of the resolution setting field in the scan setting screen D 15 displayed by the application 48 overlaps with the NFC image P 1 (see FIG. 8 ), and thus the user cannot view the resolution setting. In view of this, the application 48 displays the target information image P 3 in front of the scan setting screen D 15 (T 264 ) in the present embodiment. As such, the application 48 newly displays, in front of the scan setting screen D 15 , the information (i.e., the scan setting image) related to the image (i.e., the resolution setting field) that is not displayed due to the NFC image P 1 being displayed. Therefore, even when the OS 46 displays the NFC image P 1 , the user can recognize the information. Due to this, user's convenience can be improved.

(Correspondence Relationships)

The mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 are examples of “communication device” and “external device”, respectively. The display unit 14 and the NFC I/F 32 are examples of “display unit” and “wireless interface”, respectively. The print preview screen D 4 in FIG. 5(D) and the scan setting screen D 15 in FIG. 7(C) are examples of “specific screen”. The NFC button in the print preview screen D 4 and the NFC button in the scan setting screen D 15 are examples of “selection image”. The print preview image Pv 1 and the setting button in the print preview screen D 4 and the resolution setting field in the scan setting screen D 15 are examples of “at least one item image”. The processes of T 50 in FIG. 9 , T 150 in FIG. 11 , and T 250 in FIG. 12 are examples of “first case”. Bringing the mobile terminal 10 close to the MFP 100 is an example of “predetermined action”. The NFC image P 1 in FIGS. 6 and 8 is an example of “first image”. The target information image P 2 in FIG. 6 and the target information image P 3 in FIG. 8 are examples of “second image”. The reduced image of the print preview image Pv 1 and the print setting image in the target information image P 2 in FIG. 6 , and the scan setting image in the target information image P 3 in FIG. 8 are examples of “target information”. The R/W mode is an example of “mode related to the wireless communication”. The R/W mode ON instruction is an example of “change instruction”. The print process and the scan process are examples of “specific image process”. The print setting image and the scan setting image are examples of “setting information”. The processes of T 80 in FIG. 9 and T 280 in FIG. 12 are examples of “second case”. The process of T 174 in FIG. 11 is an example of “third case”.

S 54 in FIG. 3 and S 100 in FIG. 4 are examples of “displaying a specific screen on the display unit”. S 82 in FIGS. 3 and S 106 in FIG. 4 are examples of “supplying a trigger instruction”. S 80 in FIGS. 3 and S 104 in FIG. 4 are examples of “outputting target information”.

(Variant 1)

In the embodiment above, in the case where the NFC button is selected (YES in S 78 in FIG. 3 , and YES in S 102 in FIG. 4 ), the application 48 displays the target information images P 2 , P 3 on the display unit 14 . However, instead of displaying the target information images P 2 , P 3 , the application 48 may convert the print settings and the scan settings into audio data, and may output the audio data from the speaker 16 as a message (e.g., “Size of printing paper is A4”). In other words, “outputting target information” may not display the second image on the display unit.

(Variant 2)

Instead of displaying the target information image P 2 , the application 48 may obtain a screen-shot image, which is an image in a bitmap format obtained by capturing the print preview screen D 4 , and may display an image obtained by reducing the screen-shot image such that the reduced screen-shot image does not overlap with the NFC image P 1 . In the present variant, the reduced screen-shot image is an example of “second image”.

(Variant 3)

In the embodiment above, when the NFC image P 1 is displayed in front of the print preview screen D 4 (T 68 in FIG. 9 , T 168 in FIG. 11 ), approximately a half of the area of the print preview image Pv 1 in the print preview screen D 4 is not displayed. In view of this, instead of displaying the target information image P 2 , the application 48 may adopt the following configuration: the application 48 specifies a center position of a partial area positioned upper relative to the NFC image P 1 , out of an entire area of the display unit 14 , and furthermore, specifies a center position of the print preview image Pv 1 in the print preview screen D 4 ; and then the application 48 slides the print preview screen D 4 upward such that the center position of the partial area and the center position of the printing preview image Pv 1 coincide with each other. According to this configuration, even when the NFC image P 1 is displayed, approximately entirety of the print preview image Pv 1 can be displayed. In the present variant, sliding the print preview screen D 4 is an example of “outputting target information”.

(Variant 4)

The R/W mode of the NFC I/F 32 may always be in the enabled state. In this case, there is no need to cause the OS 46 to supply, to the NFC I/F 32 , the R/W mode ON instruction for changing the R/W mode from the disabled state to the enabled state. In other words, “trigger instruction” may not include an instruction for supplying the change instruction to the wireless interface.

(Variant 5)

The target information image P 2 may be displayed to overlap with the area where the NFC image P 1 is displayed (i.e., may be displayed in front of the NFC image P 1 ). In other words, the second image may be displayed to overlap with the area where the first image is displayed.

(Variant 6)

In the case where the NFC communication between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 100 is executed (T 80 in FIG. 9 ), the application 48 may not delete the target information image P 2 . In this case, if accepting an operation for deleting the target information image P 2 from the user, the application 48 may delete the target information image P 2 . Moreover, in the case where the user operates the cancel button in the NFC image P 1 (T 174 in FIG. 11 ), the application 48 may not delete the target information image P 2 . In this case, if accepting the operation for delete the target information image P 2 from the user, the application 48 may delete the target information image P 2 . In other words, the second image may not be deleted in the second case or the third case.

(Variant 7)

The target information image P 2 may not include the print setting image, and may include only the reduced image of the print preview image Pv 1 . In other words, “target information” may not include the setting information. Generally speaking, “target information” may be information of any type, as long as it is information related to an item image that is not displayed due to the first image being displayed. Such an “item image” includes, for example, an image indicating information related to the communication device (e.g., an IP address of the communication device, user information of the communication device, and the like), an image indicating information on the external device, and the like.

(Variant 8)

“External device” is not limited to the MFP 100 , and may be a scanner, a printer, a FAX machine, a PC, a server, or the like. If “external device” is a FAX machine, information that indicates a preview image of a target image to be faxed, a destination to which the fax is sent and the like may be regarded as an example of “target information”.

(Variant 9)

“Wireless interface” is not limited to the NFC I/F 32 , and may be an interface for executing Bluetooth (registered trademark, BT) communication, infrared communication, and the like.

(Variant 10)

In the embodiment above, the respective processes executed by the control unit 40 are implemented by software (i.e., by the OS program 46 , the print scan application 48 ). However, at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.