I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII 111111111111111111
`US009063689B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Suzuki et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,063,689 B2
`Jun.23,2015
`
`(54) COMMUNICATION APPARATUS
`COMPRISING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT TAG
`INTERFACE
`(71) Applicants:Takanobu Suzuki, Nagoya (JP);
`Yoshitsugu Tomomatsu, Nagoya (JP);
`Hajime Okochi, Inazawa (JP)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Takanobu Suzuki, Nagoya (JP);
`Yoshitsugu Tomomatsu, Nagoya (JP);
`Hajime Okochi, Inazawa (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,
`Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken (JP)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/191,623
`Feb. 27, 2014
`(22) Filed:
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2014/0240776 Al
`
`Aug. 28, 2014
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Feb. 28, 2013
`
`(JP) ................................. 2013-040088
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 3112
`G06F 21135
`H04L29/06
`H04W76/02
`H04N 1/00
`H04W 88/02
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. G06F 3/1296 (2013.01); G06F 21135
`(2013.01); G06F 3/1291 (2013.01); G06F
`2221/2141 (2013.01); H04N 1/00278 (2013.01);
`H04N 1/00307 (2013.01); H04N 1100342
`(2013.01); H04L 63/0492 (2013.01); H04W
`761025 (2013.01); H04W 88/02 (2013.01)
`Field of Classification Search
`None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2009/0034731 Al*
`2009/0036056 Al*
`2009/0103124 Al
`
`2/2009 Oshima ......................... 380/270
`2/2009 Oshima et al. ............... 455/41.3
`4/2009 Kimura et al.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`WO
`
`2012-134932 A
`2010/030415 Al
`
`7/2012
`3/2010
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Sep. 25, 2014----(EP) Search Report-App 14157084.6.
`Francesco Gallo: "NFC Tags: A technical introduction, applications
`and products", Dec. 1, 2011, pp. 1-21, XP05505851 l, Retrieved from
`the Internet: URL:http://www.nfctags.com/documents/White_pa(cid:173)
`per_NFCTags-NXP _ Technicalreport_December_2011.pdf
`[retrieved on Apr. 4, 2013].
`"Connection Handover Tehnical Specification", NFC Forum, Jul. 7,
`2010, pp. 1-23, XP055118241, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:
`http://www.cardsys.dk/download/NFC_Docs/NFC
`Connection
`Handover 1/2 Tehnical Specification.pdf [retrieved on May 15,
`2014].
`Texas Instruments Inc.: "Wifi Direct Overview", Feb.2011, pp. 1-26,
`XP055123307, Retrieved from the Internet URL: http://iotedu.com/
`portal/sites/default/files/techfront/jorjin/pdf/wifi_direct_overview.
`pdf [retrieved on Jun. 13, 2014].
`
`Primary Examiner - Miya J Cato
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A first communication apparatus may comprise a first type of
`interface configured to function as an IC tag, a second type of
`interface, and a controller. The controller may cause the first
`type of interface to execute a sending operation. The sending
`operation may be executed by using a first wireless connec(cid:173)
`tion established between the first and second communication
`apparatuses. The sending operation may include an operation
`of the first type of interface to send network identification
`information to the second communication apparatus. The
`network identification information may be information to be
`used in a first wireless network to which both the first and
`second communication apparatuses belong. The controller
`may execute, after the first type of interface has executed the
`sending operation, a wireless communication of target data
`with the second communication apparatus via the second type
`of interface by using the first wireless network.
`
`8,116,679 B2
`2004/0024884 Al
`
`2/2012 Dunko
`2/2004 Rekimoto et al.
`
`51 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`Comrt';i-aHonSystem2 de
`
`iComrmmication
`
`}P,J,~diment
`
`lc1ntEmbclmontlGT•tl/F'.NotC0mprichgRf\C
`
`:
`
`IJ@cond[mbM<mM\(Cfo,,;~c~C_"_m!'._h~r~
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0001
`
`

`

`US 9,063,689 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2010/0068997 Al
`2010/0069008 Al
`2010/0188695 Al
`2011/0117844 Al
`2012/0099566 Al
`
`3/2010 Dunko
`3/2010 Oshima et al.
`7/2010 Okigami
`5/2011 Fujita
`4/2012 Laine et al.
`
`2012/0278452 Al
`2013/0137373 Al
`2013/0229673 Al
`2013/0231051 Al
`2014/0004793 Al
`2014/0092421 Al*
`2014/0153017 Al*
`2014/0280667 Al *
`* cited by examiner
`
`11/2012
`5/2013
`9/2013
`9/2013
`1/2014
`4/2014
`6/2014
`9/2014
`
`Schmitz et al.
`Choi et al.
`Nakayama et al.
`Naruse
`Bandyopadhyay et al.
`Shibata ........................ 358/1.14
`Watanabe et al. ............ 358/1.13
`Hildebrand et al.
`.......... 709/213
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0002
`
`

`

`N
`~
`N
`?
`2'
`
`~
`
`0 ....
`
`Ul
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`~
`
`Terminal
`Porta_ble
`
`50
`
`Communication
`NFC
`_ ...... __ ...,,
`✓~ 20 I WFD
`
`_____
`
`-(cid:173)
`
`,
`
`.
`
`IWirele~s LAN r----+~~cn-~~~!~~~!~~
`
`\0 = N
`\0 = 0--, w
`d r.,;_
`
`00
`O'I
`
`0 ....
`....
`.....
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`QO
`
`Second Embodiment: IC Tag I/F (Comprising RAM 24)
`
`First Embodiment: IC Tag !IF (Not Comprising RAM)
`
`Embodiment
`Third
`
`I
`: Communication
`:wFD
`
`110 0 a
`
`FIG. 1 Communication System 2
`
`,_
`
`r34
`
`r30
`
`IC Tag VF
`
`IC Tag Memory
`
`·WFDWSl
`
`_f":::36
`
`Main Memory (RAM, ROM etcJ
`
`·Program
`
`I crf:~:J
`
`Controller 32
`
`Mechanism
`
`Print
`
`Mechanism
`
`I.1 F
`
`:
`I
`
`I =t=
`
`,/
`
`12-.Joperating
`
`Display
`Pane!
`
`14·
`
`Printer
`
`10
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.23,2015
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`FIG. 2
`(First Embodiment)
`
`NO
`
`Process of CPU of Printer
`
`810
`
`NO
`(Time Out)
`
`Supply WFDWSI to re Tag 1/F
`SHJ
`,,.....,.,,,
`
`Printer= G/0 State
`
`S18
`__,,,
`
`Receive Signal Including
`SSID via Wireless LAN VF ?
`S20
`~
`Wireless Connection Process
`
`Receive Print Data via
`Wke!ess LAN I/F
`
`Print Process
`
`S24
`,.......,.,
`
`S26
`,.,._.._.,
`
`Printer = Device State
`
`Return
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.23,2015
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`FIG, 3
`(First Embodiment)
`
`/-H)
`
`Printer
`
`g
`
`!
`
`r2.0
`I 30 Wireles· LAN
`1/~
`j C~nt0:~~:~~J
`'
`:u_ Turn ON
`I
`I )
`:
`! Mode Setting Instruction
`
`~ 22
`[:~?,:f ~~J?:~:::::i
`
`1
`
`'
`
`!
`
`Portable
`Terminal
`
`i
`
`1 d Read Only Mode
`
`I
`
`1 C!ose to
`!~ Printer
`Type Informatk.in ~
`:
`'
`: NFC Connection Established
`:<E
`~
`k: Read Command
`:
`:
`
`I
`
`I
`
`:
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`1
`I
`1
`
`I
`
`I , /
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`,
`
`'
`
`:
`r~ Time Out
`:
`
`:
`l
`'
`!
`: ~ Device (WFDNW Disappeared)
`
`Not Send Signa! l t/
`Induding ssm l
`
`Particular Notification
`i"' Create
`:~WFDWSI
`:
`(SSID=X1)
`:
`:
`
`1
`
`'
`l
`:
`:
`1 G/0
`: ~
`:
`
`I
`
`9
`
`I
`
`!
`
`,
`
`..J,, WFDWS!(X1 ~:
`WFDWSI(X1) ~
`'
`:
`NFC' Connection Disconnected
`?1 ( Case A)
`:
`~
`:
`:
`'
`..
`,
`' Compns1ng
`·
`(Form WFDNW to Which Only Printer Belon~s) App!icatkm
`k
`,,k Signal Including X 1 ! v,
`'
`'
`l
`lWFD Connection Established
`:(Form WFONW to Which Both Printer:
`:and Portable Termlna! Belong)
`:
`,'-~----~~::
`'
`~---P=r-in_t_D_a_t_a_............,.{
`!-E
`.
`1
`l u., Print
`' ,
`:
`:
`:
`l ~ Device (WFDNW Disappeared)
`'
`!(Case B)
`!
`,
`;
`!
`:Not Comprising
`,
`,
`I
`I
`:Application
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.23,2015
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`Process of GPU of Printer
`
`NO
`
`Obtain Particular Notification frnrn IC Tag I/F ?
`
`S16
`
`Printer = G/0 State
`
`Receive Signal Including SSID
`via Wireless LAN [/F ?
`YES
`S20
`r---''
`Wireless Connection Pn)cess
`
`S22
`
`,.,..,J
`
`Receive Pdnt Data via
`Wireless LAN I/F
`
`Print Process
`
`S24
`
`S26
`
`Printer = Devk;e State
`812
`
`("""'-~us,l
`
`Create WFDWSI
`
`Supply WFDWSI to IC Tag I/F
`
`Return
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.23,2015
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`FlG. 5
`( Second Embodiment)
`
`Printer
`
`30
`Contrn!!er
`
`10
`
`Wire!ess
`LAN 1/F
`
`50
`Portable
`Terminal
`
`'
`
`!
`
`!
`
`~
`
`~
`
`'
`I
`
`i
`
`'
`
`I
`
`l
`
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`
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`
`e
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`
`'
`
`>
`
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`
`l
`
`'
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`
`l
`
`'
`l " \ p "
`s Jl nnt
`~
`! i Device (WF~NW Disappeare~)
`!
`cb
`cb
`cb
`
`~
`~
`~
`
`~
`l
`=
`
`s
`S
`~
`
`i
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`:
`l"'\TumON
`~ ~
`:
`: Mode Setting Instruction
`'
`- - - - - -.... tt--------...;>,a,,;!
`l ~ Read Only Mode
`l
`:
`J Create
`:
`l
`:
`: d.WFDWSI
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`(SSID=X1)
`l
`:
`i WFDWSI(X1):
`,
`:
`;-' -------'!"-, -~---~·
`Id, Store in RAM24
`I
`)
`:d Close to
`:
`l
`Type Information ~ ~ Printer
`'
`'
`, NFC Connection Established
`i
`:
`>I
`!<
`l
`:
`:
`l
`:
`:
`:
`~
`Particular Notification
`:
`:
`<;!~ ... , - - - - - - - t i " ' - - - - - - -
`l
`:
`'
`~
`~
`: NFC Cormectkm Dis9(mnect.ed
`:
`:
`~
`~
`i "'\ G/0 (Form WFDNW to Which Only Printer Belongs)
`~
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`!
`J,_ Signal Indudlng X1
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`:
`l
`_,_
`<
`'
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`8
`8
`:
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`! (Form WFDNW to Which Both Printer !
`\
`: and Portable T f_jrmina! Belong)
`k
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`
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`
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`
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`
`'
`
`Read Command
`
`WFDWSI(X 1)
`
`Prlnt Data
`
`:
`
`t
`t
`~
`
`0
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.23,2015
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`( Second Embodiment)
`
`Printer
`
`10
`,...-20
`I Controller
`c:30 Wireless LAN
`I/F
`0
`
`0 ' !
`
`!
`
`Portable
`Terminal
`
`0
`
`,.-22
`IC Tag 1/F
`
`0
`
`'
`i Create
`,
`:
`l~ WFDWSI
`:
`:
`(SSID=X2)
`.,,,.' ____ ,,,,,,h WFDWSI(X2)~
`!
`!, Store in RAM24
`8 k(
`:
`:
`I)_ Close to
`~ Type Information ,J
`Printer
`:
`[NFC Connection Established
`k
`~
`!
`:
`I
`!
`:<
`' ' '
`
`'
`
`'
`
`'
`
`I
`
`:
`l
`l
`Particu!ar Ncibfication
`
`l
`
`I
`
`~
`
`I
`
`~
`
`Read Command
`
`WFDWSI(X2)
`
`NFC Connection
`Disconnected
`
`WFDNW to Whi~h On!y Printer Belongs)
`s
`'
`:
`/h. Signal Including X2
`s
`'
`:
`i
`! WFD Connectidn Established
`,
`: (Form WFDNW to Which Both Printer:
`: and Portable Terminal Belong)
`:
`t
`k
`'i'
`(cid:157):
`'
`'
`'
`Print Data
`,
`'
`·'!....----------:' '
`' '
`' !
`; ~ Print
`,
`:
`;
`~
`'
`'
`'
`i ~ Device (WF~NW Disappeare?)
`' l
`
`0
`
`(Form
`
`'
`'
`~
`'
`
`!
`
`!
`
`-
`
`I -
`I
`
`I
`
`l
`
`l
`
`!
`
`!
`!
`
`' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.23,2015
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`FIG. 7
`(Third Embodiment)
`
`NO
`(Time Out)
`
`Process of CPU of Printer
`
`Obtain Particular Notification
`from IC Tai:r 1/F?
`YES
`Printer= Device State?
`YES
`
`Create WFDWSI
`
`Supply WFDWSI to IC Tag l/F
`§Hl
`---...3&..----<-s,--
`f"'Printer = G/0 State
`l. ....... - - -~ - - - - '
`
`Receive Signal Induding
`SS[D via Wlrn!ess LAN I/F ?
`YES
`
`Wireless Connect.ion Process
`822
`....... ~ ... ~
`Receive Print Data via
`Wireless LAN I/F
`
`Print Process
`
`Printer = Device State
`(Case Whern S16 Has
`Been Performed)
`
`Retum
`
`~--.."
`
`,.,J
`
`S52
`Printer = CL State ? YES
`S54 NO (G/0 State)
`Number of Cl = YES
`tvlaximum Value?
`856 NO
`
`,,.-::;:7
`
`r Supply Current
`I WFDWSI to re Tag VF
`
`Supply InformaUon !ndicatk1g
`Unavailability for WFD
`Communication to IC Tag !/F
`S60
`
`/""-H✓•
`
`Change Mode of IC Tag
`I/F to Writable Mode
`
`.....---_.;,_...._ __ .......,
`
`~.52
`
`Receive Print Data
`
`~56
`i·-c-,h-a-ng--e-M_o.,...de~of_!_C_, T~a--'g=
`I VF to Read On!y Mode
`'----~-.a....---'
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.23,2015
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`(Third Embodiment)
`
`Printer
`
`30
`Controller
`
`rn
`20
`Wireless LAN
`I/F
`
`50
`Portable
`Terminal
`
`IC Tag I/F
`
`!
`
`i
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`110
`
`l& I
`
`I
`I
`
`:iLTum ON
`l Mode Setting Instruction
`:
`th
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`(Case C)
`'
`'
`> K'
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`
`I
`!
`!
`
`I
`I
`
`I
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`
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`
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`)l
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`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`~ (Then, Number of!
`: CL Increases tq :
`: Maximum Value) :
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`'
`(Case D)
`> K'
`:~CL
`
`i
`i
`i
`i
`
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`I ' ' ' !~ Close to
`
`Printer
`
`Type Information
`
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`
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`'
`: NFC Connection Established
`K
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`(cid:141):
`I + Mode Chal)Re Instruction
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`ii Read Only Mode
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0010
`
`

`

`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`1
`COMMUNICATION APPARATUS
`COMPRISING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT TAG
`INTERFACE
`
`2
`novel and useful. Moreover, a communication system com(cid:173)
`prising the first and second communication apparatuses
`described above is also novel and useful.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a structure of a communication system.
`FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for processing performed by a
`CPU of a printer of a first embodiment.
`FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the
`printer and of a portable terminal of the first embodiment.
`FIG. 4 shows a flow chart for processing performed by a
`CPU of a printer of a second embodiment.
`FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the
`printer and of a portable terminal of the second embodiment.
`FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram continuing from FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 shows a flow chart for processing performed by a
`CPU of a printer of a third embodiment.
`FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the
`printer and of a portable terminal of the third embodiment.
`
`EMBODIMENT
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Appli(cid:173)
`cation No. 2013-040088, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, the contents
`of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present 10
`application.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`In this specification, a communication apparatus that 15
`executes a wireless communication of target data is disclosed.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
`
`A system is known that comprises a gate that is installed in 20
`a museum or the like, a portable communication terminal, an
`access point, and a contents server. The gate includes a reader(cid:173)
`writer that performs a communication with a non-contact
`type IC chip in the portable communication terminal, and that
`sends the SSID of the access point and the URL of the con- 25
`tents server to the portable communication terminal. The
`portable communication terminal establishes communication
`with the access point and accesses the URL of the contents
`server. By doing this, the portable communication terminal is
`able to acquire contents data from the contents server via the 30
`access point.
`
`(First Embodiment)
`(Structure of a Communication System 2)
`As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 2 comprises
`a printer 10 and a portable terminal 50. While a PC (an
`abbreviation of"Personal Computer") 110 is shown in FIG.1,
`this PC 110 is also employed in the third embodiment
`described below.
`(Structure of the Printer 10)
`The printer 10 is a peripheral apparatus (in other words, it
`is a peripheral apparatus of the PC 110 or the like) that is
`35 capable of performing a printing function. The printer 10
`comprises an operating panel 12, a display mechanism 14, a
`print mechanism 16, a wireless LAN (an abbreviation of
`"Local Area Network") interface 20, an IC (an abbreviation of
`"Integrated Circuit") tag interface 22, and a controller 30.
`40 These various sections 12 through 30 are interconnected by
`bus lines (no reference symbol is shown for these). In the
`following, an interface will be referred to as an "I/F".
`The operating panel 12 comprises a plurality of keys. The
`user is able to input various kinds of commands to the printer
`45 10 by operating the operating panel 12. The display mecha(cid:173)
`nism 14 is a display for displaying information of various
`kinds. The print mechanism 16 is a print mechanism of the ink
`jet type or the laser type or the like.
`The wireless LAN I/F 20 is an I/F for performing a wireless
`communication according to the WFD (an abbreviation of
`"Wi-Fi Direct") standard (hereinafter, this will be termed
`"WFD communication"). The WFD standard is a wireless
`communication standard described in a standard document
`"Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version
`55 1.1" issued by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD standard is a
`wireless communication standard for performing a wireless
`communication according to, for example, the IEEE (an
`abbreviation of "The Institute of Electrical and Electronics
`Engineers, Inc.") 802.11 standard and standards conforming
`60 thereto (for example, 802.1 la, 1 lb, llg, 1 ln and so on).
`In the following, an apparatus (for example, the printer 10)
`that is capable of performing the WFD communication
`according to the WFD standard will be termed a "WFD com(cid:173)
`patible apparatus". In the WFD standard document described
`65 above, three states are defined for a WFD compatible appa(cid:173)
`ratus: a Group Owner state (hereinafter termed the "G/O
`state"), a client state (hereinafter termed the "CL state"), and
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In this specification, a technique is disclosed according to
`which a first communication apparatus and a second commu(cid:173)
`nication apparatus may appropriately execute a wireless com(cid:173)
`munication of target data.
`In this specification, a first communication apparatus is
`disclosed. The first communication apparatus may comprise:
`a first type of interface configured to function as an IC (an
`abbreviation oflntegrated Circuit) tag; a second type of inter(cid:173)
`face; and a controller comprising: a processor; and a memory
`storing computer-readable instructions therein. The com(cid:173)
`puter-readable instructions, when executed by the processor,
`may cause the first communication apparatus to perform:
`causing the first type of interface to execute a sending opera(cid:173)
`tion, the sending operation being executed by using a first
`wireless connection established between the first communi-
`cation apparatus and a second communication apparatus, the 50
`sending operation including an operation of the first type of
`interface to send network identification information to the
`second communication apparatus, the network identification
`information being information to be used in a first wireless
`network to which both the first communication apparatus and
`the second communication apparatus belong; and executing,
`after the first type of interface has executed the sending opera(cid:173)
`tion, a wireless communication of target data with the second
`communication apparatus via the second type of interface by
`using the first wireless network to which the both the first
`communication apparatus and the second communication
`apparatus belong.
`A control method and computer-readable instructions for
`implementation of the first communication apparatus and/or
`the second communication apparatus described above, and a
`non-transitory computer-readable recording medium in
`which the computer-readable instructions are stored, are also
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0011
`
`

`

`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`3
`a device state. Normally, the WFD compatible apparatus can
`selectively operate in any one of the three states described
`above.
`When a pair ofWFD compatible apparatuses in the device
`state are to form a new wireless network, normally this pair of 5
`WFD compatible apparatuses perform a wireless communi(cid:173)
`cation for so-called G/O negotiation. In the G/O negotiation,
`one of this pair ofWFD compatible apparatuses decides to go
`into the G/O state (in other words, to become a G/O appara(cid:173)
`tus), while the other one decides to go into the CL state (in 10
`other words, to become a CL apparatus). Thereafter this pair
`of WFD) compatible apparatuses establishes a mutual con(cid:173)
`nection and forms a wireless network (in other words, a WFD
`network). It should be understood that, in FIG. 3 etc. that will
`be described hereinafter, the WFD network is denoted by 15
`"WFDNW".
`In this stage of newly forming the WFD network by G/O
`negotiation, only one G/O apparatus and one CL apparatus
`belong to the WFD network. However, the G/O apparatus is
`capable of establishing a connection with another apparatus, 20
`and of newly adding that other apparatus to the WFD network
`as another CL apparatus. In this case, a state will be estab(cid:173)
`lished in which two or more CL apparatuses belong to the
`WFD network. In other words, one G/O apparatus and one or
`more CL apparatuses may be present upon the WFD network. 25
`The G/O apparatus manages one or more CL apparatuses.
`To speak in concrete terms, the G/O apparatus registers the
`MAC addresses of one or more CL apparatuses in a manage(cid:173)
`ment list in a memory of the G/O apparatus. Moreover, when
`a CL apparatus leaves the WFD network, the G/O apparatus 30
`deletes the MAC address of that CL apparatus from the man(cid:173)
`agement list. It should be understood that the maximum value
`for the number of CL apparatuses that can be managed by the
`G/O apparatus (in other words, the maximum value for the
`number of MAC addresses of CL apparatuses that can be 35
`registered in the management list) is determined in advance
`by the G/O apparatus. To speak generally, the maximum value
`described above may be an integer which is one or more.
`The G/O apparatus is capable of performing a wireless
`communication of target data with the CL apparatus regis- 40
`tered in the management list, not via any other apparatus. The
`target data is data that includes information on the network
`layer of the OSI reference model, and information on a higher
`ranking layer than the network layer (for example on the
`application layer), and may for example include print data, 45
`scan data, or the like. Moreover, the G/O apparatus is capable
`ofrelaying a wireless communication of target data between
`a plurality of CL apparatuses. That is, a pair of CL appara(cid:173)
`tuses can perform the wireless communication of target data
`via the G/O apparatus.
`As described above, with the WFD network, between a
`WFD compatible apparatus that is a source for sending of
`target data and a WFD compatible apparatus that is a desti(cid:173)
`nation for sending of target data, these WFD compatible
`apparatuses are capable of performing the wireless commu- 55
`nication of the target data, not via any access point that is built
`differently from these WFD compatible apparatuses. In other
`words, the WFD communication, the WFD standard may
`respectively be termed a wireless communication not via an
`access point, a wireless communication standard in which no 60
`access point is employed.
`While the G/O apparatus is not capable of performing a
`wireless communication of target data with a WFD compat(cid:173)
`ible apparatus that is in the device state (in other words, with
`a device apparatus), it is capable of performing a wireless 65
`communication of connection data of the WFD) standard
`with a device apparatus. In other words, the G/O apparatus is
`
`4
`capable of establishing a connection with the device appara(cid:173)
`tus by performing the wireless communication of connection
`data of the WD standard with the device apparatus, so as to
`cause the device apparatus to participate to the WFD network.
`That is, the device apparatus is capable of establishing the
`connection with the G/O apparatus by performing the wire(cid:173)
`less communication of connection data of the WFD standard
`with the G/O apparatus, so as to participate to the WFD
`network. In this case, the device apparatus transitions from
`the device state to the CL state. The connection data of the
`WFD standard is data that includes information for layers of
`the OSI reference model having lower ranking than the net(cid:173)
`work layer (for example, the physical layer and the data link
`layer) (in other words, data that does not include information
`for the network layer), and may include, for example, a Probe
`Request signal, a Probe Response signal, a Provision Discov(cid:173)
`ery Request signal, a Provision Discovery Response signal,
`an Association Request signal, an Association Response sig(cid:173)
`nal, an Authentication Request signal, an Authentication
`Response signal, a 4-Way Handshake signal, and so on.
`It should be understood that the G/O apparatus can also
`establish a connection with apparatus that is not capable of
`performing the WFD communication according to the WFD
`standard (hereinafter termed "legacy apparatus"), and can
`also cause the legacy apparatus to participate to the WFD
`network. When the connection with the legacy apparatus is
`established, the G/O apparatus registers the MAC address of
`the legacy apparatus in the management list. Due to this, the
`legacy apparatus is capable of participating to the WFD net(cid:173)
`work. Although such legacy apparatus is not capable of selec(cid:173)
`tively operating in any of the three states described above (i.e.
`the G/O state, the CL state, and the device state), while it is
`belonging to the WFD network, it operates in a similar state to
`that of the CL apparatus.
`While the printer 10 is the WFD compatible apparatus, in
`this embodiment, it carmot operate in the CL state. Moreover,
`the printer 10 is not provided with any program for perform(cid:173)
`ing the G/O negotiation with another WFD compatible appa(cid:173)
`ratus. In other words, the printer 10 is capable of selectively
`operating in either of two states: the G/O state and the device
`state.
`The IC tag I/F 22 is an I/F for performing a wireless
`communication according to the so-called NFC (an abbrevia(cid:173)
`tion of"Near Field Communication") standard for a wireless
`communication over short distances (hereinafter termed
`"NFC communication"). The NFC standard is a wireless
`communication standard based upon, for example, the inter(cid:173)
`national standards ISO/IEC 21481 or 18092.A so-called NFC
`foruni device I/F and a so-called NFC forum tag I/F are per se
`50 known as types of IF for performing NFC communication.
`The IC tag IF 22 is the NFC foruni tag, and functions as an IC
`tag according to the NFC standard (in other words, according
`to ISO/IEC 21481 or 18092).
`The NFC forum device is an I/F that is capable of selec(cid:173)
`tively operating in any of a P2P (an abbreviation of"Peer To
`Peer") mode, an R/W (an abbreviation of "Reader/Writer")
`mode, and a CE ( an abbreviation of"Card Emulation") mode.
`For example, if both an NFC I/F of a first apparatus and an
`NFC I/F of a second apparatus are operating in the P2P mode,
`then the first and second apparatuses are capable of perform(cid:173)
`ing a bidirectional communication of information. Moreover
`if, for example, the NFC I/F of the first apparatus is operating
`in the Reader mode of the R/F mode while the NFC I/F of the
`second apparatus is operating in the CE mode, then the first
`apparatus is capable of reading out information from the
`second apparatus, in other words is capable of receiving the
`information from the second apparatus. Furthermore if, for
`
`Petitioner Samsung and Google
`Ex-1021, 0012
`
`

`

`US 9,063,689 B2
`
`5
`
`5
`example, the NFC I/F of the first apparatus is operating in the
`Writer mode of the R/W mode while the NFC I/F of the
`second apparatus is operating in the CE mode, then the first
`apparatus is capable of writing the information to the second
`apparatus, in other words is capable of sending the informa-
`tion to the second apparatus.
`The NFC forum tag (in other words the IC tag I/F 22) is not
`an I/F that is capable of selectively operating in any one of the
`three modes described above, but rather is an I/F that only
`functions as an IC tag. For example, when an NFC I/F of the 10
`portable terminal 50 is operating in the Reader mode of the
`R/W mode, then the portable terminal 50 is capable of reading
`out information from the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10, in
`other words is capable of receiving the information from the
`printer 10. Moreover, for example, when the NFC I/F of the 15
`portable terminal 50 is operating in the Writer mode of the
`R/W mode, then the portable terminal 50 is capable of writing
`information to the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10, in other
`words is capable of sending the information to the printer 10.
`Since the NFC forum tag (in other words the IC tag I/F 22) 20
`is not an I/F that is capable of selectively operating in any one
`of the three modes described above, accordingly it has a
`simpler structure than that of the NFC forum device (in other
`words, its IC chip structure is simpler). Speaking generally,
`an IC chip that functions as the NFC forum tag is cheaper than 25
`an IC chip that functions as the NFC forum device.
`It should be understood that the method for supplying an
`electrical power to the IC tag I/F 22 may be either a so-called
`passive type or a so-called active type. The passive type is
`built so that the electrical power is generated by receiving 30
`radio waves from the NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50, and
`this starts the circuitry of the IC chip within the IC tag IT 22.
`Since an IC tag IF of the passive type has a simpler construc(cid:173)
`tion as compared to an IC tag I/F of the active type, accord(cid:173)
`ingly it is comparatively cheap in price, and moreover it is 35
`possible to implement the I/F itself in a more compact man(cid:173)
`ner. However, as compared to an IC tag I/F of the active type,
`an IC tag I/F of the passive type has the characteristic that it is
`only capable of operating over a shorter communication dis(cid:173)
`tance. On the other hand, the active type is built to receive 40
`supply of the electrical power from a power supply within the
`IC tag I/F or from a power supply within the printer 10, and
`this starts the circuitry of the IC chip within the IC tag I/F 22.
`Thus, as compared to an IC tag I/F of the passive type, an IC
`tag I/F of the active type has the characteristics that it is higher 45
`in price, and that it is capable of operating over a longer
`communication distance.
`In this embodiment, in order to send information supplied
`from the controller 30 to an external apparatus (for example,
`to the portable terminal 50), the IC tag I/F 22 comprises a 50
`buffer memory (not show in the drawings) for temporarily
`storing that information. However, the IC tag I/F 22 does not
`include any RAM for long term storage of information sup(cid:173)
`plied from the controller 30 (for example, during the interval
`until other information is supplied from the controller 30). It 55
`should be understood that, in the second embodiment to be
`described hereinafter, the IC tag I/F 22 does include a RAM
`24 (refer to FIG. 5).
`There are two operating modes for the IC tag I/F 22: a Read
`Only mode and a Writable mode. The Read Only mode is a 60
`mode in which, if the IC tag I/F 22 receives a read command
`according to the NFC standard from an external apparatus
`(for example the portable terminal 50), then an operation for
`sending information to the external apparatus is performed in
`response to this read command (hereinafter this will be 65
`termed "read response operation"). However, the Read Only
`mode is a mode in which, even if the IC tag I/F 22 receives a
`
`6
`write command according to the NFC standard from an exter(cid:173)
`nal apparatus, no operation is performed in response to this
`write command (hereinafter this will be termed "write
`response operation"). On the other hand, the Writable mode is
`a mode in which both read response operation and write
`response operation are performed.
`The write operation described above is an operation of, if
`for example information is received from the external appa(cid:173)
`ratus along with the rite command, supplying the information
`to the controller 30. Since no write response operation is
`performed in the Read Only mode, the information received
`from the external apparatus is not supplied to the controller
`30, so that, as a result, it is possible to avoid information
`within the IC tag memory 36 of the controller 30 being over(c