JP2019097063A

JP2019097063A - Wireless communication system, information processing apparatus, portable terminal, wireless communication control method, and program

Info

Publication number: JP2019097063A
Application number: JP2017225870A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 好造戸田; Yoshizo Toda
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2017-11-24
Filing date: 2017-11-24
Publication date: 2019-06-20

Abstract

To provide a wireless communication system capable of reducing a time lag from reception of a user's communication start instruction to the start of wireless LAN communication.SOLUTION: A wireless communication system measures the received signal strength when a portable terminal 7 receives a BLE beacon packet transmitted from each of antennas 3 and 4 of an MFP 2 and determines an antenna used for wireless communication on the basis of the received signal strength of each of the antennas 3 and 4. The wireless communication system transmits a BLE connection request packet in which the determined antenna is set from the portable terminal 7 to the MFP 2 according to the communication start instruction by the user. The MFP 2 performs wireless communication with the portable terminal 7 by using the antenna set in the BLE connection request packet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

本発明は、無線通信システム、情報処理装置、携帯端末、無線通信制御方法、及びプログラムに関する。 The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, an information processing apparatus, a portable terminal, a wireless communication control method, and a program.

情報処理装置としてのＭＦＰが携帯端末とＷｉ−ｆｉ等による無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う無線通信システムが知られている。無線通信システムでは、ＭＦＰが携帯端末と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う際に近距離無線通信による通信設定処理が行われる。通信設定処理では、例えば、ＭＦＰがＢＬＥ（Bluetooth（登録商標） Low Energy）による近距離無線通信（以下、「ＢＬＥ通信」という。）を行うためのＢＬＥビーコンパケットを所定の間隔で送信する。携帯端末がＢＬＥビーコンパケットを受信し、さらに、上記携帯端末においてユーザによる上記ＭＦＰとの通信開始指示を受け付けると、携帯端末及びＭＦＰ間でＢＬＥ通信が開始される。ＢＬＥ通信では、無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う際に必要となるＭＦＰのＳＳＩＤやパスワードといった無線ＬＡＮ接続情報がＭＦＰから携帯端末に送信される。携帯端末は、ＭＦＰから受信した無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を設定すると、ＭＦＰと無線ＬＡＮ通信可能になる。 A wireless communication system is known in which an MFP as an information processing apparatus performs wireless LAN communication with a portable terminal by Wi-fi or the like. In the wireless communication system, when the MFP performs wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal, communication setting processing by short distance wireless communication is performed. In the communication setting process, for example, the MFP transmits a BLE beacon packet for performing short distance wireless communication (hereinafter, referred to as "BLE communication") by BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) at a predetermined interval. When the portable terminal receives the BLE beacon packet, and the portable terminal receives an instruction to start communication with the MFP by the user, BLE communication is started between the portable terminal and the MFP. In BLE communication, wireless LAN connection information such as the SSID and password of the MFP, which are required when performing wireless LAN communication, is transmitted from the MFP to the portable terminal. When setting the wireless LAN connection information received from the MFP, the portable terminal can perform wireless LAN communication with the MFP.

ところで、近年では、無線ＬＡＮ通信や近距離無線通信等の無線通信による電波信号を送受信可能な複数のアンテナが設けられるＭＦＰが開発されている。各アンテナはＭＦＰにおける異なる位置に配置される。このようなＭＦＰは、複数のアンテナのうち、通信先である携帯端末との通信状態が最も良いアンテナを用いて無線通信を行う（特許文献１参照）。このようなＭＦＰは、例えば、携帯端末からＢＬＥ通信によって送信された電波信号を各アンテナで受信した際の受信信号強度に基づいて携帯端末との無線通信に用いるアンテナを決定する。 By the way, in recent years, an MFP provided with a plurality of antennas capable of transmitting and receiving a radio wave signal by wireless communication such as wireless LAN communication and short distance wireless communication has been developed. Each antenna is disposed at a different position in the MFP. Such an MFP performs wireless communication using an antenna with the best communication state with a portable terminal as a communication destination among a plurality of antennas (see Patent Document 1). Such an MFP determines, for example, an antenna to be used for wireless communication with the portable terminal based on the received signal strength when the radio signal transmitted from the portable terminal by BLE communication is received by each antenna.

特開２０１２−４７８９号公報JP, 2012-4789, A

しかしながら、上述したように複数のアンテナが設けられるＭＦＰが無線ＬＡＮ通信に用いるアンテナを決定する場合、ＭＦＰ及び携帯端末の間でＢＬＥ通信が行われていることが前提である。各アンテナの受信信号強度の測定はユーザによる無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信開始指示を受け付けてから実行される。このため、ユーザが無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信開始指示を行ってからＭＦＰ及び携帯端末間で無線ＬＡＮ通信が開始されるまでに、少なくとも各アンテナの受信信号強度の測定処理の実行時間分のタイムラグが発生してしまうという問題が生じる。 However, as described above, when the MFP provided with a plurality of antennas determines the antenna to be used for wireless LAN communication, it is premised that BLE communication is performed between the MFP and the portable terminal. The measurement of the reception signal strength of each antenna is performed after receiving a communication start instruction of the wireless LAN communication from the user. Therefore, a time lag of at least the execution time of the measurement processing of the reception signal strength of each antenna occurs between the MFP and the portable terminal starting wireless LAN communication after the user gives a communication start instruction of the wireless LAN communication. There is a problem of

本発明の目的は、複数のアンテナを備える情報処理装置を備える無線通信システムにおいて、ユーザによる通信開始指示を受け付けてから無線ＬＡＮ通信を開始するまでのタイムラグを減らすことができる仕組みを提供することにある。 An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of reducing a time lag from the reception of a communication start instruction from a user to the start of wireless LAN communication in a wireless communication system including an information processing apparatus having a plurality of antennas. is there.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明の無線通信システムは、携帯端末と複数のアンテナを備える情報処理装置とを備える無線通信システムであって、各前記アンテナから送信された電波信号を前記携帯端末が受信した際の受信信号強度を測定する測定手段と、前記携帯端末で受け付けたユーザ指示に応じて無線通信の通信設定を行うための通信接続要求を前記携帯端末から前記情報処理装置に送信する送信手段と、前記通信設定が行われた携帯端末及び前記情報処理装置の間の前記無線通信の制御を行う無線通信制御手段とを備え、前記通信接続要求は、各前記アンテナの受信信号強度に基づいて前記複数のアンテナの中から決定された前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention is a wireless communication system including a portable terminal and an information processing apparatus having a plurality of antennas, wherein the radio terminal transmits the radio wave signal transmitted from each of the antennas Transmitting from the portable terminal to the information processing apparatus a measuring unit for measuring the received signal strength at the time of reception, and a communication connection request for performing communication setting of wireless communication according to a user instruction accepted by the portable terminal And a wireless communication control means for controlling the wireless communication between the portable terminal for which the communication setting has been performed and the information processing apparatus, wherein the communication connection request is based on the received signal strength of each of the antennas. It is characterized by including information indicating an antenna to be used for the wireless communication determined based on the plurality of antennas.

本発明によれば、複数のアンテナを備える情報処理装置を備える無線通信システムにおいて、ユーザによる通信開始指示を受け付けてから無線ＬＡＮ通信を開始するまでのタイムラグを減らすことができる。 According to the present invention, in a wireless communication system including an information processing apparatus provided with a plurality of antennas, it is possible to reduce a time lag from the reception of a communication start instruction from a user to the start of wireless LAN communication.

本発明の実施の形態に係る無線通信システムの構成を概略的に示すネットワーク図である。FIG. 1 is a network diagram schematically showing a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 複数のアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰの構成を概略的に示すブロック図である。FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the MFP of FIG. 1 provided with a plurality of antennas. 一つのアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰの構成を概略的に示すブロック図である。FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the MFP of FIG. 1 provided with one antenna. 図１の携帯端末の構成を概略的に示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the portable terminal of FIG. 従来の無線通信システムによって実行される無線ＬＡＮ通信設定処理の手順を示すシーケンス図である。It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the wireless LAN communication setting process performed by the conventional wireless communication system. 複数のアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰによって実行されるＢＬＥビーコンパケット送信処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of BLE beacon packet transmission processing executed by the MFP in FIG. 1 having a plurality of antennas. 複数のアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰから送信されるＢＬＥビーコンパケットの一例を示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a BLE beacon packet transmitted from the MFP of FIG. 1 having a plurality of antennas. 複数のアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰにおけるＢＬＥビーコンパケットの送信を説明するための図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining transmission of a BLE beacon packet in the MFP of FIG. 1 having a plurality of antennas. 一つのアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰによって実行されるＢＬＥビーコンパケット送信処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of BLE beacon packet transmission processing executed by the MFP in FIG. 1 having one antenna. 一つのアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰから送信されるＢＬＥビーコンパケットの一例を示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a BLE beacon packet transmitted from the MFP of FIG. 1 having one antenna. 図１の携帯端末によって実行されるＢＬＥビーコンパケット受信処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the BLE beacon packet reception process performed by the portable terminal of FIG. 図１の携帯端末によって管理されるビーコン受信情報の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows an example of the beacon reception information managed by the portable terminal of FIG. 図１の携帯端末によって実行されるＢＬＥ接続要求パケット送信処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the BLE connection request | requirement packet transmission process performed by the portable terminal of FIG. 図１の携帯端末に表示される接続先選択画面の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows an example of the connection destination selection screen displayed on the portable terminal of FIG. 図１の携帯端末から送信されるＢＬＥ接続要求パケットの一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows an example of the BLE connection request packet transmitted from the portable terminal of FIG. 複数のアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰによって実行される通信接続処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication connection processing executed by the MFP in FIG. 1 having a plurality of antennas. 図１の携帯端末及び複数のアンテナを備えるＭＦＰによって実行される無線ＬＡＮ通信設定処理の手順を示すシーケンス図である。FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of wireless LAN communication setting processing executed by the MFP provided with the portable terminal of FIG. 1 and a plurality of antennas. 一つのアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰによって実行される通信接続処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication connection processing executed by the MFP in FIG. 1 having one antenna. 図１の携帯端末及び一つのアンテナを備えるＭＦＰによって実行される無線ＬＡＮ通信設定処理の手順を示すシーケンス図である。FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of wireless LAN communication setting processing executed by the MFP having the mobile terminal of FIG. 1 and one antenna.

以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照しながら詳述する。本実施の形態では、情報処理装置としてのＭＦＰに本発明を適用した場合について説明するが、本発明はＭＦＰに限られず、例えば、無線通信機能を備える通信装置に本発明を適用してもよい。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, although the present invention is applied to an MFP as an information processing apparatus, the present invention is not limited to an MFP, and may be applied to, for example, a communication apparatus having a wireless communication function. .

図１は、本発明の実施の形態に係る無線通信システム１の構成を概略的に示すネットワーク図である。 FIG. 1 is a network diagram schematically showing a configuration of a wireless communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

図１において、無線通信システム１は、情報処理装置であるＭＦＰ２、ＭＦＰ５、及び携帯端末７を備える。 In FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes an MFP 2 that is an information processing apparatus, an MFP 5, and a portable terminal 7.

ＭＦＰ２及びＭＦＰ５はコピー機能、スキャン機能、及び印刷機能を備え、また、ＭＦＰ２及びＭＦＰ５は携帯端末７等と無線通信を行う。無線通信は、ＢＬＥ通信等の近距離無線通信や、当該近距離無線通信より通信範囲が広く且つ高速通信可能なＷｉ−ｆｉ等による無線ＬＡＮ通信である。なお、ＢＬＥは、Bluetooth Low Energyの略である。ＭＦＰ２は複数、例えば、２つのアンテナ３，４を備える。アンテナ３，４は互いに異なる位置、例えば、一方がＭＦＰ２の前方に設置され、他方がＭＦＰ２の後方に設置される。ＭＦＰ２はアンテナ３，４のうち通信先、例えば、携帯端末７と通信状態が最も良いアンテナを用いて携帯端末７と無線通信を行う。ＭＦＰ５はアンテナ６を備え、アンテナ６を用いて携帯端末７等と無線通信を行う。携帯端末７はＭＦＰ２やＭＦＰ５と無線通信を行う。例えば、携帯端末７は印刷処理に用いられる印刷データをＭＦＰ２に無線ＬＡＮ通信によって送信する。 The MFP 2 and the MFP 5 have a copy function, a scan function, and a print function, and the MFP 2 and the MFP 5 perform wireless communication with the portable terminal 7 and the like. The wireless communication is wireless LAN communication by near field wireless communication such as BLE communication, or Wi-fi or the like which has a wider communication range than the near field wireless communication and can perform high-speed communication. Note that BLE is an abbreviation of Bluetooth Low Energy. The MFP 2 includes a plurality of, for example, two antennas 3 and 4. The antennas 3 and 4 are installed at different positions, for example, one at the front of the MFP 2 and the other at the rear of the MFP 2. The MFP 2 performs wireless communication with the portable terminal 7 using the communication destination of the antennas 3 and 4, for example, the antenna in the best communication state with the portable terminal 7. The MFP 5 includes an antenna 6 and performs wireless communication with the portable terminal 7 or the like using the antenna 6. The portable terminal 7 wirelessly communicates with the MFP 2 and the MFP 5. For example, the portable terminal 7 transmits print data used for print processing to the MFP 2 by wireless LAN communication.

図２は、複数のアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰ２の構成を概略的に示すブロック図である。 FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of MFP 2 of FIG. 1 provided with a plurality of antennas.

図２において、ＭＦＰ２は、図１のアンテナ３，４の他に、ＣＰＵ８、メモリ９、記憶装置１０、操作部１２、読取部１５、印刷処理部１６、ＢＬＥ通信部１７、及び無線ＬＡＮ通信部１８（無線通信制御手段）を備える。ＭＦＰ２は、さらに、アンテナ整合部１９、アンテナ切替制御部２０、及びスイッチ２１を備える。操作部１２は表示部１３及び操作入力部１４を備える。ＣＰＵ８、メモリ９、記憶装置１０、操作部１２、読取部１５、印刷処理部１６、ＢＬＥ通信部１７、無線ＬＡＮ通信部１８、及びアンテナ切替制御部２０はシステムバス２３を介して互いに接続されている。ＢＬＥ通信部１７及び無線ＬＡＮ通信部１８はアンテナ整合部１９にも接続されている。アンテナ整合部１９及びアンテナ切替制御部２０はスイッチ２１にも接続されている。 2, in addition to the antennas 3 and 4, the MFP 2 includes a CPU 8, a memory 9, a storage device 10, an operation unit 12, a reading unit 15, a print processing unit 16, a BLE communication unit 17, and a wireless LAN communication unit. 18 (wireless communication control means). The MFP 2 further includes an antenna matching unit 19, an antenna switching control unit 20, and a switch 21. The operation unit 12 includes a display unit 13 and an operation input unit 14. The CPU 8, the memory 9, the storage unit 10, the operation unit 12, the reading unit 15, the print processing unit 16, the BLE communication unit 17, the wireless LAN communication unit 18 and the antenna switching control unit 20 are connected to one another via the system bus 23. There is. The BLE communication unit 17 and the wireless LAN communication unit 18 are also connected to the antenna matching unit 19. The antenna matching unit 19 and the antenna switching control unit 20 are also connected to the switch 21.

ＣＰＵ８は記憶装置１０に格納されたプログラム１１を実行してＭＦＰ２の各動作を制御する。メモリ９はＣＰＵ８が使用するプログラム１１やデータ等を一時的に格納する。記憶装置１０は、読み出し及び書き込み可能なＨＤＤやフラッシュメモリ等で構成され、プログラム１１やデータを格納する。例えば、記憶装置１０は、無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う際に必要となるＭＦＰ２の無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を格納する。無線ＬＡＮ接続情報はＭＦＰ２のＳＳＩＤ及びパスワード等である。操作部１２はＭＦＰ２のユーザインターフェースであり、表示部１３及び操作入力部１４が一体化されたタッチ入力式の表示パネルである。 The CPU 8 executes the program 11 stored in the storage device 10 to control each operation of the MFP 2. The memory 9 temporarily stores programs 11 used by the CPU 8 and data. The storage device 10 is configured by a readable and writable HDD, a flash memory or the like, and stores the program 11 and data. For example, the storage device 10 stores the wireless LAN connection information of the MFP 2 which is required when performing wireless LAN communication. The wireless LAN connection information is, for example, the SSID and password of the MFP 2. The operation unit 12 is a user interface of the MFP 2 and is a touch input type display panel in which the display unit 13 and the operation input unit 14 are integrated.

読取部１５は原稿台（不図示）に載置された原稿を読み取って画像データを生成する。印刷処理部１６は上記画像データ等に基づいて印刷処理を行う。ＢＬＥ通信部１７は携帯端末７とＢＬＥ通信を行う。無線ＬＡＮ通信部１８は携帯端末７と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う。アンテナ整合部１９はＢＬＥ通信部１７によるＢＬＥ通信と、無線ＬＡＮ通信部１８による無線ＬＡＮ通信との電波の混合処理や上記電波の分離処理を行う。アンテナ切替制御部２０はスイッチ２１に対してアンテナ３及びアンテナ４の接続の切替制御を行う。スイッチ２１は接点２２ａ及び接点２２ｂを備え、接点２２ａにはアンテナ３が接続され、接点２２ｂにはアンテナ４が接続されている。スイッチ２１において接点２２ａが設定されると、ＭＦＰ２ではアンテナ３を用いた無線通信が行われ、スイッチ２１において接点２２ｂが設定されると、ＭＦＰ２ではアンテナ４を用いた無線通信が行われる。 The reading unit 15 reads a document placed on a document table (not shown) to generate image data. The print processing unit 16 performs print processing based on the image data and the like. The BLE communication unit 17 performs BLE communication with the mobile terminal 7. The wireless LAN communication unit 18 performs wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7. The antenna matching unit 19 performs mixing processing of radio waves of BLE communication by the BLE communication unit 17 and radio LAN communication by the wireless LAN communication unit 18 and separation processing of the radio waves. The antenna switching control unit 20 performs switching control of connection of the antenna 3 and the antenna 4 to the switch 21. The switch 21 includes a contact 22a and a contact 22b. The antenna 3 is connected to the contact 22a, and the antenna 4 is connected to the contact 22b. When the contact 22 a is set in the switch 21, wireless communication using the antenna 3 is performed in the MFP 2. When the contact 22 b is set in the switch 21, wireless communication using the antenna 4 is performed in the MFP 2.

図３は、一つのアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰ５の構成を概略的に示すブロック図である。 FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of MFP 5 of FIG. 1 provided with one antenna.

図３において、ＭＦＰ５は、図１のアンテナ６の他に、ＣＰＵ２４、メモリ２５、記憶装置２６、操作部２８、読取部３１、印刷処理部３２、ＢＬＥ通信部３３、無線ＬＡＮ通信部３４、及びアンテナ整合部３５を備える。操作部２８は表示部２９及び操作入力部３０を備える。ＣＰＵ２４、メモリ２５、記憶装置２６、操作部２８、読取部３１、印刷処理部３２、ＢＬＥ通信部３３、及び無線ＬＡＮ通信部３４はシステムバス３６を介して互いに接続されている。ＢＬＥ通信部３３及び無線ＬＡＮ通信部３４はアンテナ整合部３５にも接続されている。 In FIG. 3, in addition to the antenna 6 of FIG. 1, the MFP 5 includes a CPU 24, a memory 25, a storage device 26, an operation unit 28, a reading unit 31, a print processing unit 32, a BLE communication unit 33, a wireless LAN communication unit 34, The antenna matching unit 35 is provided. The operation unit 28 includes a display unit 29 and an operation input unit 30. The CPU 24, the memory 25, the storage device 26, the operation unit 28, the reading unit 31, the print processing unit 32, the BLE communication unit 33, and the wireless LAN communication unit 34 are connected to one another via a system bus 36. The BLE communication unit 33 and the wireless LAN communication unit 34 are also connected to the antenna matching unit 35.

ＣＰＵ２４は記憶装置２６に格納されたプログラム２７を実行してＭＦＰ５の各動作を制御する。メモリ２５はＣＰＵ２４が使用するプログラム２７やデータ等を一時的に格納する。記憶装置２６は、読み出し及び書き込み可能なＨＤＤやフラッシュメモリ等で構成され、プログラム２７やデータを格納する。例えば、記憶装置２６は、無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う際に必要となるＭＦＰ５の無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を格納する。操作部２８はＭＦＰ５のユーザインターフェースであり、表示部２９及び操作入力部３０が一体化されたタッチ入力式の表示パネルである。 The CPU 24 executes the program 27 stored in the storage device 26 to control each operation of the MFP 5. The memory 25 temporarily stores programs 27 used by the CPU 24, data and the like. The storage device 26 is configured by a readable and writable HDD, a flash memory or the like, and stores the program 27 and data. For example, the storage device 26 stores wireless LAN connection information of the MFP 5 which is required when performing wireless LAN communication. The operation unit 28 is a user interface of the MFP 5 and is a touch input type display panel in which the display unit 29 and the operation input unit 30 are integrated.

読取部３１は原稿台（不図示）に載置された原稿を読み取って画像データを生成する。印刷処理部３２は上記画像データ等に基づいて印刷処理を行う。ＢＬＥ通信部３３は携帯端末７とＢＬＥ通信を行う。無線ＬＡＮ通信部３４は携帯端末７と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う。アンテナ整合部３５はＢＬＥ通信部３３によるＢＬＥ通信と、無線ＬＡＮ通信部３４による無線ＬＡＮ通信との電波の混合処理や上記電波の分離処理を行う。 The reading unit 31 reads a document placed on a document table (not shown) to generate image data. The print processing unit 32 performs print processing based on the image data and the like. The BLE communication unit 33 performs BLE communication with the mobile terminal 7. The wireless LAN communication unit 34 performs wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7. The antenna matching unit 35 performs mixing processing of radio waves of BLE communication by the BLE communication unit 33 and radio LAN communication by the wireless LAN communication unit 34 and separation processing of the radio waves.

図４は、図１の携帯端末７の構成を概略的に示すブロック図である。 FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the portable terminal 7 of FIG.

図４において、携帯端末７は、ＣＰＵ３７、メモリ３８、記憶装置３９、操作部４１、ＢＬＥ通信部４４、無線ＬＡＮ通信部４５（無線通信制御手段）、アンテナ整合部４６、及びアンテナ４７を備える。操作部４１は表示部４２及び操作入力部４３を備える。ＣＰＵ３７、メモリ３８、記憶装置３９、操作部４１、ＢＬＥ通信部４４、及び無線ＬＡＮ通信部４５はシステムバス４８を介して互いに接続されている。ＢＬＥ通信部４４及び無線ＬＡＮ通信部４５はアンテナ整合部４６にも接続されている。アンテナ整合部４６はアンテナ４７にも接続されている。 In FIG. 4, the portable terminal 7 includes a CPU 37, a memory 38, a storage device 39, an operation unit 41, a BLE communication unit 44, a wireless LAN communication unit 45 (wireless communication control means), an antenna matching unit 46, and an antenna 47. The operation unit 41 includes a display unit 42 and an operation input unit 43. The CPU 37, the memory 38, the storage device 39, the operation unit 41, the BLE communication unit 44, and the wireless LAN communication unit 45 are connected to one another via the system bus 48. The BLE communication unit 44 and the wireless LAN communication unit 45 are also connected to the antenna matching unit 46. The antenna matching unit 46 is also connected to the antenna 47.

ＣＰＵ３７は記憶装置３９に格納されたプログラム４０を実行して携帯端末７の各動作を制御する。メモリ３８はＣＰＵ３７が使用するプログラムやデータ等を一時的に格納する。記憶装置３９は、読み出し及び書き込み可能なＨＤＤやフラッシュメモリ等で構成され、プログラム４０やデータを格納する。操作部４１は携帯端末７のユーザインターフェースであり、表示部４２及び操作入力部４３が一体化されたタッチ入力式の表示パネルである。 The CPU 37 executes the program 40 stored in the storage device 39 to control each operation of the mobile terminal 7. The memory 38 temporarily stores programs and data used by the CPU 37. The storage device 39 is configured by a readable and writable HDD, a flash memory or the like, and stores the program 40 and data. The operation unit 41 is a user interface of the portable terminal 7 and is a touch input type display panel in which the display unit 42 and the operation input unit 43 are integrated.

ＢＬＥ通信部４４はＭＦＰ２やＭＦＰ５とＢＬＥ通信を行う。無線ＬＡＮ通信部４５はＭＦＰ２やＭＦＰ５と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う。アンテナ整合部４６はＢＬＥ通信部４４によるＢＬＥ通信と、無線ＬＡＮ通信部４５による無線ＬＡＮ通信との電波の混合処理や上記電波の分離処理を行う。アンテナ４７は無線通信の電波信号の送受信を行う。なお、本実施の形態では、ＢＬＥ通信及び無線ＬＡＮ通信の何れの無線通信においても２．４ＧＨｚ帯の周波数帯が使用され、アンテナ３，４，６，４７は２．４ＧＨｚ帯の無線通信に対応していることとする。 The BLE communication unit 44 performs BLE communication with the MFP 2 and the MFP 5. The wireless LAN communication unit 45 performs wireless LAN communication with the MFP 2 and the MFP 5. The antenna matching unit 46 performs mixing processing of radio waves of BLE communication by the BLE communication unit 44 and radio LAN communication by the wireless LAN communication unit 45 and separation processing of the radio waves. The antenna 47 transmits and receives radio wave signals for wireless communication. In this embodiment, the frequency band of 2.4 GHz band is used in any wireless communication of BLE communication and wireless LAN communication, and antennas 3, 4, 6, and 47 correspond to wireless communication of 2.4 GHz band. Do what you are doing.

図５は、従来の無線通信システムにおける無線ＬＡＮ通信設定処理の手順を示すシーケンス図である。 FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of wireless LAN communication setting processing in the conventional wireless communication system.

図５の処理は、携帯端末がＭＦＰと無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う際に実行される。以下では、ＭＦＰがペリフェラルとして動作してＢＬＥ通信を行うためのＢＬＥビーコンパケット（電波信号）を送信し、携帯端末７がセントラルとして動作してビーコン信号を受信することとする。 The processing in FIG. 5 is executed when the portable terminal performs wireless LAN communication with the MFP. In the following, it is assumed that the MFP operates as a peripheral to transmit a BLE beacon packet (radio wave signal) for performing BLE communication, and the portable terminal 7 operates as a central to receive a beacon signal.

図５において、まず、ＭＦＰはＢＬＥビーコンパケットを所定の間隔で送信する（ステップＳ１０１）。ＢＬＥビーコンパケットはＭＦＰの属性情報や機種情報といったＭＦＰ関連情報を含む。ＢＬＥビーコンパケットを受信した携帯端末は、ＢＬＥビーコンパケットに含まれるＭＦＰ関連情報を取得し、ＢＬＥビーコンパケットを送信したＭＦＰ（以下、「ビーコン送信ＭＦＰ」という。）を特定する。その後、携帯端末においてユーザによるビーコン送信ＭＦＰとの通信開始指示を受け付けると、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰに対してＢＬＥ接続要求パケットを送信する（ステップＳ１０２）。 In FIG. 5, first, the MFP transmits BLE beacon packets at predetermined intervals (step S101). The BLE beacon packet includes MFP related information such as attribute information and model information of the MFP. The portable terminal that has received the BLE beacon packet acquires MFP related information included in the BLE beacon packet, and identifies the MFP that has transmitted the BLE beacon packet (hereinafter, referred to as “beacon transmission MFP”). Thereafter, when the portable terminal receives an instruction to start communication with the beacon transmission MFP from the user, the portable terminal transmits a BLE connection request packet to the beacon transmission MFP (step S102).

ＢＬＥ接続要求パケットを受信したビーコン送信ＭＦＰは、携帯端末とＢＬＥ通信によってデータを送受信する方法や形式等の通信仕様を決定するＢＬＥＧＡＴＴ通信を行う（ステップＳ１０３）。その後、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰは、ＢＬＥＧＡＴＴ通信において決定された通信仕様に従って携帯端末とＢＬＥ通信を開始し、ＢＬＥ通信により、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰの無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を携帯端末７に送信する。また、例えば、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰがＭＦＰ２のように複数のアンテナを備える場合、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰは、複数のアンテナの中から上記携帯端末との無線ＬＡＮ通信に用いるアンテナを決定するアンテナ決定処理を行う。アンテナ決定処理では、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰが、携帯端末から送信されたＢＬＥ接続要求パケット等を各アンテナで受信した際の受信信号強度を測定する。ビーコン送信ＭＦＰは各アンテナの受信信号強度に基づいて上記携帯端末との通信状態が最も良いアンテナを上記携帯端末との無線ＬＡＮ通信に用いるアンテナに決定する。 The beacon transmission MFP that has received the BLE connection request packet performs BLE GATT communication for determining a communication specification such as a method and format for transmitting and receiving data by BLE communication with the portable terminal (step S103). Thereafter, the beacon transmission MFP starts BLE communication with the portable terminal according to the communication specification determined in the BLE GATT communication, and transmits the wireless LAN connection information of the beacon transmission MFP to the portable terminal 7 by BLE communication. Also, for example, when the beacon transmission MFP includes a plurality of antennas as in the MFP 2, the beacon transmission MFP performs an antenna determination process of determining an antenna to be used for wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal among the plurality of antennas. In the antenna determination process, the beacon transmission MFP measures the received signal strength when the BLE connection request packet or the like transmitted from the portable terminal is received by each antenna. Based on the received signal strength of each antenna, the beacon transmission MFP determines the antenna with the best communication state with the portable terminal as the antenna used for the wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal.

次いで、携帯端末は、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰから受信した無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を設定すると、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰと無線ＬＡＮ通信可能となる。 Next, when the mobile terminal sets the wireless LAN connection information received from the beacon transmission MFP, the wireless terminal can communicate with the beacon transmission MFP.

ここで、上述したようにビーコン送信ＭＦＰが無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定する場合、ビーコン送信ＭＦＰ及び携帯端末の間でＢＬＥ通信が行われていることが前提である。各アンテナの受信信号強度の測定はユーザによる無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信開始指示を受け付けてから実行される。このため、ユーザが無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信開始指示を行ってからビーコン送信ＭＦＰ及び携帯端末間で無線ＬＡＮ通信が開始されるまでに、少なくとも各アンテナの受信信号強度の測定処理の実行時間分のタイムラグが発生してしまう。 Here, in the case where the beacon transmission MFP determines an antenna to be used for wireless communication as described above, it is premised that BLE communication is performed between the beacon transmission MFP and the portable terminal. The measurement of the reception signal strength of each antenna is performed after receiving a communication start instruction of the wireless LAN communication from the user. Therefore, a time lag at least for the execution time of the measurement processing of the reception signal strength of each antenna between the beacon transmission MFP and the portable terminal starting wireless LAN communication after the user gives a communication start instruction of the wireless LAN communication Will occur.

これに対応して、本実施の形態では、携帯端末７が、各アンテナ３，４から送信されたＢＬＥビーコンパケットを受信した際の受信信号強度を測定し、各アンテナ３，４の受信信号強度に基づいて無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定する。さらに、携帯端末７は、決定したアンテナを設定したＢＬＥ接続要求パケットをユーザによる通信開始指示に応じてＭＦＰ２に送信する。 Corresponding to this, in the present embodiment, the received signal strength at the time when the portable terminal 7 receives the BLE beacon packet transmitted from each antenna 3, 4 is measured, and the received signal strength of each antenna 3, 4 The antenna to be used for wireless communication is determined based on Furthermore, the portable terminal 7 transmits the BLE connection request packet in which the determined antenna is set to the MFP 2 in response to a communication start instruction from the user.

図６は、複数のアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰ２によって実行されるＢＬＥビーコンパケット送信処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。 FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of BLE beacon packet transmission processing executed by the MFP 2 of FIG. 1 having a plurality of antennas.

図６の処理は、ＭＦＰ２のＣＰＵ８が記憶装置１０に格納されたプログラム１１を実行することによって行われる。 The process of FIG. 6 is performed by the CPU 8 of the MFP 2 executing the program 11 stored in the storage device 10.

図６において、まず、ＣＰＵ８はアンテナ切替制御部２０を制御してスイッチ２１を接点２２ａに設定する（ステップＳ２０１）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８は図７（ａ）のＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１を生成する。ＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１には、ＭＦＰ２のベンダーＩＤ、ＭＡＣアドレス、ＭＦＰ２の名称、アンテナ切替機能を搭載している旨を示す情報、及び使用アンテナ番号が含まれる。使用アンテナ番号にはＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１を送信するアンテナを示す設定値が設定される。ＣＰＵ８は使用アンテナ番号にアンテナ３を設定する（ステップＳ２０２）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８はＢＬＥ通信部１７を制御してアンテナ３からＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１を送信する（ステップＳ２０３）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８はアンテナ切替制御部２０によりスイッチ２１の切り替え制御を行う。スイッチ２１の切り替えは、所定の周期で状態変化する図８の制御信号８０１に基づいて制御される。制御信号８０１がＨｉｇｈレベルからＬｏｗレベルに切り替わると、ＣＰＵ８はスイッチ２１を接点２２ｂに設定する（ステップＳ２０４）。また、ＣＰＵ８はＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１と同じ構成の図７（ｂ）のＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０２を生成し、ＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０２の使用アンテナ番号にアンテナ４を設定する（ステップＳ２０５）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８はＢＬＥ通信部１７を制御してアンテナ４からＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０２を送信する（ステップＳ２０６）。すなわち、本実施の形態では、アンテナ３，４から異なるタイミングでＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２が送信される。その後、制御信号８０１がＬｏｗレベルからＨｉｇｈレベルに切り替わると、ＣＰＵ８はステップＳ２０１の処理に戻る。ＣＰＵ８は携帯端末７等からＢＬＥ接続要求パケットを受信するまで図６の処理を繰り返し実行する。このようにして、本実施の形態では、ＭＦＰ２は、異なる使用アンテナ番号が設定されたＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２を、図８に示すように、所定の間隔で交互に送信する。 In FIG. 6, first, the CPU 8 controls the antenna switching control unit 20 to set the switch 21 to the contact 22a (step S201). Next, the CPU 8 generates the BLE beacon packet 701 shown in FIG. 7 (a). The BLE beacon packet 701 includes the vendor ID of the MFP 2, the MAC address, the name of the MFP 2, information indicating that the antenna switching function is installed, and the used antenna number. The setting value which shows the antenna which transmits the BLE beacon packet 701 is set to a use antenna number. The CPU 8 sets the antenna 3 to the used antenna number (step S202). Next, the CPU 8 controls the BLE communication unit 17 to transmit the BLE beacon packet 701 from the antenna 3 (step S203). Next, the CPU 8 performs switching control of the switch 21 by the antenna switching control unit 20. The switching of the switch 21 is controlled based on the control signal 801 of FIG. 8 which changes its state at a predetermined cycle. When the control signal 801 is switched from the high level to the low level, the CPU 8 sets the switch 21 to the contact 22b (step S204). Further, the CPU 8 generates the BLE beacon packet 702 of FIG. 7B having the same configuration as the BLE beacon packet 701, and sets the antenna 4 to the use antenna number of the BLE beacon packet 702 (step S205). Next, the CPU 8 controls the BLE communication unit 17 to transmit the BLE beacon packet 702 from the antenna 4 (step S206). That is, in the present embodiment, BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 are transmitted from antennas 3 and 4 at different timings. Thereafter, when the control signal 801 is switched from the low level to the high level, the CPU 8 returns to the process of step S201. The CPU 8 repeatedly executes the processing of FIG. 6 until receiving the BLE connection request packet from the portable terminal 7 or the like. Thus, in the present embodiment, MFP 2 alternately transmits BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 in which different use antenna numbers are set, as shown in FIG. 8, at predetermined intervals.

図９は、一つのアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰ５によって実行されるＢＬＥビーコンパケット送信処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。 FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of BLE beacon packet transmission processing executed by the MFP 5 of FIG. 1 having one antenna.

図９の処理は、ＭＦＰ５のＣＰＵ２４が記憶装置２６に格納されたプログラム２７を実行することによって行われる。 The process of FIG. 9 is performed by the CPU 24 of the MFP 5 executing the program 27 stored in the storage device 26.

図９において、まず、ＣＰＵ２４はＢＬＥ通信部３３を制御してアンテナ６から図１０のＢＬＥビーコンパケット１００１を送信する（ステップＳ３０１）。ＢＬＥビーコンパケット１００１には、ＭＦＰ５のベンダーＩＤ、ＭＡＣアドレス、ＭＦＰ５の名称、及びアンテナ切替機能を搭載していない旨を示す情報が含まれる。ＣＰＵ２４は携帯端末７等からＢＬＥ接続要求パケットを受信するまでＢＬＥビーコンパケット１００１を送信し続ける。 In FIG. 9, first, the CPU 24 controls the BLE communication unit 33 to transmit the BLE beacon packet 1001 of FIG. 10 from the antenna 6 (step S301). The BLE beacon packet 1001 includes the vendor ID of the MFP 5, the MAC address, the name of the MFP 5, and information indicating that the antenna switching function is not installed. The CPU 24 keeps transmitting the BLE beacon packet 1001 until receiving the BLE connection request packet from the portable terminal 7 or the like.

図１１は、図１の携帯端末７によって実行されるＢＬＥビーコンパケット受信処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。 FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the BLE beacon packet reception process executed by the mobile terminal 7 of FIG.

図１１の処理は、携帯端末７のＣＰＵ３７が記憶装置３９に格納されたプログラム４０を実行することによって行われる。 The process of FIG. 11 is performed by the CPU 37 of the portable terminal 7 executing the program 40 stored in the storage device 39.

図１１において、ＣＰＵ３７はＭＦＰ２やＭＦＰ５からＢＬＥビーコンパケットを受信すると（ステップＳ４０１でＹＥＳ）、ＢＬＥ通信部４４を制御して、受信したＢＬＥビーコンパケットの受信信号強度を測定する（ステップＳ４０２）。本実施形態では、受信信号強度としてReceived Signal Strength Indication（ＲＳＳＩ）が用いられ、その強度はｄＢｍ値で表される。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７は受信したＢＬＥビーコンパケットから装置名称を取得し（ステップＳ４０３）、上記ＢＬＥビーコンパケットの送信元を特定する。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７は上記送信元がアンテナ切替機能を搭載しているか否かを判別する（ステップＳ４０４）。 In FIG. 11, when receiving a BLE beacon packet from MFP 2 or MFP 5 (YES in step S401), CPU 37 controls BLE communication unit 44 to measure the received signal strength of the received BLE beacon packet (step S402). In the present embodiment, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) is used as the received signal strength, and the strength is represented by a dBm value. Next, the CPU 37 acquires the device name from the received BLE beacon packet (step S403), and specifies the transmission source of the BLE beacon packet. Next, the CPU 37 determines whether the transmission source has the antenna switching function (step S404).

ステップＳ４０４の判別の結果、上記送信元がアンテナ切替機能を搭載しているとき、ＣＰＵ３７は受信したＢＬＥビーコンパケットから使用アンテナ番号を取得し（ステップＳ４０５）、図１２（ａ）のビーコン受信情報１２０１を生成する。ビーコン受信情報１２０１は、ＩＤ１２０２、アンテナ切替機能１２０３、及び受信信号強度１２０４を含む。ＩＤ１２０２には上記送信元の名称が設定される。アンテナ切替機能１２０３には上記送信元がアンテナ切替機能を搭載しているか否かを示す情報が設定される。受信信号強度１２０４にはＢＬＥビーコンパケットを受信した際の受信信号強度が設定される。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７は、ビーコン受信情報１２０１を記憶装置３９に格納し（ステップＳ４０６）、ステップＳ４０１の処理に戻る。本実施の形態では、例えば、上記送信元がＭＦＰ２である場合、ＭＦＰ２に設けられる全てのアンテナ３，４から送信されたＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２を受信した際の各受信信号強度が受信信号強度１２０４に設定される。 As a result of the determination in step S404, when the transmission source has the antenna switching function, the CPU 37 acquires the use antenna number from the received BLE beacon packet (step S405), and beacon reception information 1201 of FIG. Generate Beacon reception information 1201 includes an ID 1202, an antenna switching function 1203, and a received signal strength 1204. The name of the transmission source is set in the ID 1202. In the antenna switching function 1203, information indicating whether the transmission source has the antenna switching function is set. The received signal strength at the time of receiving the BLE beacon packet is set in the received signal strength 1204. Next, the CPU 37 stores the beacon reception information 1201 in the storage device 39 (step S406), and returns to the process of step S401. In the present embodiment, for example, when the transmission source is the MFP 2, the received signal strength at the time of receiving the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 transmitted from all the antennas 3 and 4 provided in the MFP 2 is the received signal strength. It is set to 1204.

ステップＳ４０４の判別の結果、上記送信元がアンテナ切替機能を搭載していないとき、ＣＰＵ３７は図１２（ｂ）のビーコン受信情報１２０５を生成する。ビーコン受信情報１２０５はＩＤ１２０２及びアンテナ切替機能１２０３のみを含む。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７はビーコン受信情報１２０５を記憶装置３９に格納し（ステップＳ４０７）、ステップＳ４０１の処理に戻る。 As a result of the determination in step S404, when the transmission source does not have the antenna switching function, the CPU 37 generates the beacon reception information 1205 of FIG. 12 (b). The beacon reception information 1205 includes only the ID 1202 and the antenna switching function 1203. Next, the CPU 37 stores the beacon reception information 1205 in the storage device 39 (step S407), and returns to the process of step S401.

図１３は、図１の携帯端末７によって実行されるＢＬＥ接続要求パケット送信処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。 FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the BLE connection request packet transmission process executed by the mobile terminal 7 of FIG.

図１３の処理は、携帯端末７のＣＰＵ３７が記憶装置３９に格納されたプログラム４０を実行することによって行われ、図１１の処理によってビーコン受信情報１２０１，１２０５が携帯端末７の記憶装置３９に格納された際に実行される。ここでは、ＭＦＰ２から受信したＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２に対応するビーコン受信情報１２０１、及びＭＦＰ５から受信したＢＬＥビーコンパケット１００１に対応するビーコン受信情報１２０５が記憶装置３９に格納されたことを前提とする。 The processing of FIG. 13 is performed by the CPU 37 of the portable terminal 7 executing the program 40 stored in the storage device 39, and the beacon reception information 1201 and 1205 is stored in the storage device 39 of the portable terminal 7 by the processing of FIG. Will be executed when it is done. Here, it is assumed that the beacon reception information 1201 corresponding to the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 received from the MFP 2 and the beacon reception information 1205 corresponding to the BLE beacon packet 1001 received from the MFP 5 are stored in the storage device 39. .

図１３において、ＣＰＵ３７は図１４の接続先選択画面１４００を操作部４１に表示する（ステップＳ５０１）。接続先選択画面１４００は通信開始指示を行うための操作画面である。接続先選択画面１４００には携帯端末７が受信したＢＬＥビーコンパケットの送信元であるＭＦＰ２，５を示す選択ボタン１４０１，１４０２が表示される。ユーザは、ＭＦＰ２との通信開始指示を行う際に選択ボタン１４０１を選択し、また、ＭＦＰ５との通信開始指示を行う際に選択ボタン１４０２を選択する。接続先選択画面１４００においてユーザ操作が検知されると、ＣＰＵ３７は接続先選択画面１４００において選択ボタン１４０１、つまり、無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信相手にＭＦＰ２が選択されたか否かを判別する（ステップＳ５０２）。 In FIG. 13, the CPU 37 displays the connection destination selection screen 1400 of FIG. 14 on the operation unit 41 (step S501). The connection destination selection screen 1400 is an operation screen for instructing communication start. On the connection destination selection screen 1400, selection buttons 1401 and 1402 indicating the MFPs 2 and 5 which are transmission sources of the BLE beacon packet received by the portable terminal 7 are displayed. The user selects the selection button 1401 when instructing the start of communication with the MFP 2, and selects the selection button 1402 when instructing the start of communication with the MFP 5. When a user operation is detected on the connection destination selection screen 1400, the CPU 37 determines whether or not the MFP 2 is selected as the communication partner of the wireless LAN communication, ie, the selection button 1401 on the connection destination selection screen 1400 (step S502).

ステップＳ５０２の判別の結果、無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信相手にＭＦＰ２が選択されたとき、ＣＰＵ３７はＭＦＰ２のビーコン受信情報１２０１を読み出す（ステップＳ５０３）。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７はビーコン受信情報１２０１に基づいてＭＦＰ２に設けられるアンテナのうち受信信号強度が最大であるアンテナがアンテナ３であるかを判別する（ステップＳ５０４）。 As a result of the determination in the step S502, when the MFP 2 is selected as the communication counterpart of the wireless LAN communication, the CPU 37 reads the beacon reception information 1201 of the MFP 2 (step S503). Next, based on the beacon reception information 1201, the CPU 37 determines whether the antenna with the highest received signal strength among the antennas provided in the MFP 2 is the antenna 3 (step S504).

ステップＳ５０４の判別の結果、受信信号強度が最大であるアンテナがアンテナ３であるとき、ＣＰＵ３７は図１５（ａ）のＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１（通信接続要求）を生成する。ＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１には、携帯端末７のベンダーＩＤ、ＭＡＣアドレス、接続先選択画面１４００において選択されたＭＦＰ２の名称、ＭＦＰ２がアンテナ切替機能を搭載することを示す情報、及びアンテナ指定番号が含まれる。ＣＰＵ３７はＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１のアンテナ指定番号にアンテナ３を設定する（ステップＳ５０５）。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７は後述するステップＳ５０８の処理を行う。 As a result of the determination in step S504, when the antenna with the largest received signal strength is the antenna 3, the CPU 37 generates the BLE connection request packet 1501 (communication connection request) of FIG. The BLE connection request packet 1501 includes the vendor ID of the portable terminal 7, the MAC address, the name of the MFP 2 selected on the connection destination selection screen 1400, information indicating that the MFP 2 is equipped with the antenna switching function, and the antenna designation number. Be The CPU 37 sets the antenna 3 to the antenna designation number of the BLE connection request packet 1501 (step S505). Next, the CPU 37 performs the process of step S508 described later.

ステップＳ５０４の判別の結果、受信信号強度が最大であるアンテナがアンテナ３でないとき、ＣＰＵ３７は受信信号強度が最大であるアンテナがアンテナ４であるか否かを判別する（ステップＳ５０６）。 If it is determined in step S504 that the antenna with the highest received signal strength is not the antenna 3, the CPU 37 determines whether the antenna with the highest received signal strength is the antenna 4 (step S506).

ステップＳ５０６の判別の結果、受信信号強度が最大であるアンテナがアンテナ４であるとき、ＣＰＵ３７はＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１を生成する。そして、ＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１のアンテナ指定番号にアンテナ４を設定する（ステップＳ５０７）。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７はＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１を通信相手であるＭＦＰ２に送信する（ステップＳ５０８）。ＭＦＰ２は、ＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１を受信すると、携帯端末７とＢＬＥＧＡＴＴ通信を行い、ＢＬＥＧＡＴＴ通信によって決定された通信仕様に基づいてＢＬＥ通信を開始する。ＭＦＰ２はＢＬＥ通信により、携帯端末７に無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を送信する。 As a result of the determination in step S506, when the antenna with the largest received signal strength is the antenna 4, the CPU 37 generates a BLE connection request packet 1501. Then, the antenna 4 is set to the antenna designation number of the BLE connection request packet 1501 (step S507). Next, the CPU 37 transmits the BLE connection request packet 1501 to the MFP 2 as the communication partner (step S508). When receiving the BLE connection request packet 1501, the MFP 2 performs BLE GATT communication with the portable terminal 7, and starts BLE communication based on the communication specification determined by the BLE GATT communication. The MFP 2 transmits the wireless LAN connection information to the portable terminal 7 by BLE communication.

次いで、ＣＰＵ３７は、ＢＬＥ通信により、通信相手から無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を受信する（ステップＳ５０９）。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７は無線ＬＡＮ通信部４５を制御して、通信相手に対して無線ＬＡＮ通信要求を送信し、通信相手との通信をＢＬＥ通信から無線ＬＡＮ通信に切り替えるハンドオーバーを行う（ステップＳ５１０）。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７は通信相手と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う（ステップＳ５１１）。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７は通信相手との無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了する否かを判別する（ステップＳ５１２）。 Next, the CPU 37 receives wireless LAN connection information from the communication partner by BLE communication (step S509). Next, the CPU 37 controls the wireless LAN communication unit 45 to transmit a wireless LAN communication request to the communication partner, and performs handover for switching communication with the communication partner from BLE communication to wireless LAN communication (step S510). Next, the CPU 37 performs wireless LAN communication with the communication partner (step S511). Next, the CPU 37 determines whether to end the wireless LAN communication with the communication partner (step S512).

ステップＳ５１２の判別の結果、通信相手との無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了しないとき、ＣＰＵ３７はステップＳ５１１の処理に戻る。 If it is determined in step S512 that the wireless LAN communication with the communication partner is not ended, the CPU 37 returns to the process of step S511.

ステップＳ５０２の判別の結果、無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信相手にＭＦＰ２が選択されないとき、ＣＰＵ３７は接続先選択画面１４００において選択ボタン１４０２、つまり無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信相手にＭＦＰ５が選択されたか否かを判別する（ステップＳ５１３）。 When MFP 2 is not selected as the communication partner of wireless LAN communication as a result of the determination in step S502, CPU 37 determines whether or not MFP 5 is selected as the communication partner of selection button 1402 on the connection destination selection screen 1400, that is, wireless LAN communication. (Step S513).

ステップＳ５１３の判別の結果、無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信相手にＭＦＰ５が選択されたとき、ＣＰＵ３７は図１５（ｂ）のＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０２（通信接続要求）を生成する。ＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０２には、携帯端末７のベンダーＩＤ、ＭＡＣアドレス、接続先選択画面１４００において選択されたＭＦＰ５の名称、及びＭＦＰ５がアンテナ切替機能を搭載しないことを示す情報が含まれる。次いで、ＣＰＵ３７はＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０２を通信相手であるＭＦＰ５に送信し（ステップＳ５１４）、ステップＳ５０９以降の処理を行う。 As a result of the determination in step S513, when the MFP 5 is selected as the communication counterpart of the wireless LAN communication, the CPU 37 generates a BLE connection request packet 1502 (communication connection request) of FIG. The BLE connection request packet 1502 includes the vendor ID of the portable terminal 7, the MAC address, the name of the MFP 5 selected on the connection destination selection screen 1400, and information indicating that the MFP 5 does not have the antenna switching function. Next, the CPU 37 transmits the BLE connection request packet 1502 to the MFP 5 which is the communication partner (step S514), and performs the processing of step S509 and thereafter.

ステップＳ５０６の判別の結果、受信信号強度が最大であるアンテナがアンテナ４でないとき、又はステップＳ５１２の判別の結果、無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了するとき、ＣＰＵ３７は本処理を終了する。また、ステップＳ５１３の判別の結果、無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信相手にＭＦＰ５が選択されないとき、ＣＰＵ３７は本処理を終了する。 As a result of the determination in step S506, when the antenna with the largest received signal strength is not the antenna 4 or as a result of the determination in step S512, when the wireless LAN communication is ended, the CPU 37 ends the present process. Further, as a result of the determination in the step S513, when the MFP 5 is not selected as the communication counterpart of the wireless LAN communication, the CPU 37 ends this processing.

次に、携帯端末７からＢＬＥ接続要求パケットを受信した際にＭＦＰ２，５によって実行される通信接続処理について説明する。 Next, communication connection processing executed by the MFPs 2 and 5 when the BLE connection request packet is received from the portable terminal 7 will be described.

先に、ＭＦＰ２による通信接続処理について説明する。 First, communication connection processing by the MFP 2 will be described.

図１６は、複数のアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰ２によって実行される通信接続処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。 FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication connection processing executed by the MFP 2 of FIG. 1 having a plurality of antennas.

図１６の処理は、ＭＦＰ２のＣＰＵ８が記憶装置１０に格納されたプログラム１１を実行することによって行われ、携帯端末７からＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１，１５０２等を受信した際に実行される。図１６の処理では、図６の処理におけるＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２が交互に送信されていることを前提とする。 The process of FIG. 16 is performed by the CPU 8 of the MFP 2 executing the program 11 stored in the storage device 10, and is executed when the BLE connection request packets 1501, 1502, etc. are received from the portable terminal 7. In the process of FIG. 16, it is assumed that the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 in the process of FIG. 6 are alternately transmitted.

図１６において、ＣＰＵ８は、携帯端末７からＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１，１５０２の何れかを受信すると、受信したＢＬＥ接続要求パケットの内容を確認する（ステップＳ６０１）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８は受信したＢＬＥ接続要求パケットがＭＦＰ２に対するＢＬＥ接続要求であるか否かを判別する（ステップＳ６０２）。 In FIG. 16, upon receiving any of the BLE connection request packets 1501 and 1502 from the portable terminal 7, the CPU 8 confirms the content of the received BLE connection request packet (step S601). Next, the CPU 8 determines whether the received BLE connection request packet is a BLE connection request for the MFP 2 (step S602).

ステップＳ６０２の判別の結果、ＭＦＰ２に対するＢＬＥ接続要求であるとき、ＣＰＵ８はＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２の送信を停止する（ステップＳ６０３）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８は受信したＢＬＥ接続要求パケットのアンテナ指定番号の設定値を確認し（ステップＳ６０４）、上記アンテナ指定番号の設定値がアンテナ３であるか否かを判別する（ステップＳ６０５）。 If it is determined in step S602 that the request is a BLE connection request to the MFP 2, the CPU 8 stops the transmission of the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 (step S603). Next, the CPU 8 confirms the set value of the antenna designation number of the received BLE connection request packet (step S604), and determines whether the set value of the antenna designation number is the antenna 3 (step S605).

ステップＳ６０５の判別の結果、上記アンテナ指定番号の設定値がアンテナ３であるとき、ＣＰＵ８はスイッチ２１を接点２２ａに設定して、アンテナ３に接続する（ステップＳ６０６）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８は後述するステップＳ６０９の処理を行う。 As a result of the determination in step S605, when the setting value of the antenna designation number is the antenna 3, the CPU 8 sets the switch 21 to the contact point 22a and connects it to the antenna 3 (step S606). Next, the CPU 8 performs the process of step S609 described later.

ステップＳ６０５の判別の結果、上記アンテナ指定番号の設定値がアンテナ３でないとき、ＣＰＵ８は上記アンテナ指定番号の設定値がアンテナ４であるか否かを判別する（ステップＳ６０７）。 If it is determined in step S605 that the set value of the antenna designation number is not the antenna 3, the CPU 8 determines whether the set value of the antenna designation number is the antenna 4 (step S607).

ステップＳ６０７の判別の結果、上記アンテナ指定番号の設定値がアンテナ４であるとき、ＣＰＵ８はスイッチ２１を接点２２ｂに設定して、アンテナ４に接続する（ステップＳ６０８）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８は無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を記憶装置１０から読み出し、携帯端末７とＢＬＥＧＡＴＴ通信を開始し、上記無線ＬＡＮ接続情報をＢＬＥ通信によって携帯端末７に送信する（ステップＳ６０９）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８はＢＬＥ通信によって携帯端末７から無線ＬＡＮ通信要求を受信すると、携帯端末７との通信をＢＬＥ通信から無線ＬＡＮ通信に切り替えるハンドオーバーを行い（ステップＳ６１０）、携帯端末７と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う（ステップＳ６１１）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８は携帯端末７との無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了する否かを判別する（ステップＳ６１２）。 As a result of the determination in step S607, when the set value of the antenna designation number is the antenna 4, the CPU 8 sets the switch 21 to the contact 22b and connects it to the antenna 4 (step S608). Next, the CPU 8 reads wireless LAN connection information from the storage device 10, starts BLE GATT communication with the portable terminal 7, and transmits the wireless LAN connection information to the portable terminal 7 by BLE communication (step S609). Next, when the CPU 8 receives a wireless LAN communication request from the portable terminal 7 by BLE communication, the CPU 8 performs a handover to switch communication with the portable terminal 7 from BLE communication to wireless LAN communication (step S610), and wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 (Step S611). Next, the CPU 8 determines whether the wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 is ended (step S612).

ステップＳ６１２の判別の結果、携帯端末７との無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了しないとき、ＣＰＵ８はステップＳ６１１の処理に戻る。 If it is determined in step S612 that the wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 is not ended, the CPU 8 returns to the process of step S611.

ステップＳ６０２の判別の結果、ＭＦＰ２に対するＢＬＥ接続要求でないとき、又は、ステップＳ６０７の判別の結果、上記アンテナ指定番号の設定値がアンテナ４でないとき、ＣＰＵ８は本処理を終了する。また、ステップＳ６１２の判別の結果、携帯端末７との無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了するとき、ＣＰＵ８は本処理を終了する。 As a result of the determination in step S602, when it is not a BLE connection request for the MFP 2, or as a result of the determination in step S607, when the set value of the antenna designation number is not the antenna 4, the CPU 8 ends this processing. Further, as a result of the determination in step S612, when the wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 is ended, the CPU 8 ends the present processing.

図１７は、図１の携帯端末７及び複数のアンテナを備えるＭＦＰ２によって実行される無線ＬＡＮ通信設定処理の手順を示すシーケンス図である。 FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of wireless LAN communication setting processing executed by the mobile terminal 7 of FIG. 1 and the MFP 2 provided with a plurality of antennas.

図１７において、ＭＦＰ２はＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２の送信を交互に行う（ステップＳ７０１）（例えば、図６のステップＳ２０３、Ｓ２０６参照）。ＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１はアンテナ３から送信され、ＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０２はアンテナ４から送信される。 In FIG. 17, the MFP 2 alternately transmits the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 (step S701) (see, for example, steps S203 and S206 in FIG. 6). The BLE beacon packet 701 is transmitted from the antenna 3, and the BLE beacon packet 702 is transmitted from the antenna 4.

携帯端末７はＭＦＰ２の各アンテナ３，４からＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２を受信した際の受信信号強度を測定する。すなわち、本実施の形態では、接続先選択画面１４００においてユーザが無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信相手にＭＦＰ２を選択する前に各アンテナ３，４の受信信号強度が測定される。携帯端末７は、接続先選択画面１４００においてＭＦＰ２がユーザに選択されると、各アンテナ３，４の受信信号強度に基づいて無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定し、決定したアンテナをＢＬＥ接続要求パケットに設定する。具体的に、携帯端末７は、ＭＦＰ２に設けられる全てのアンテナ３，４の中から上記受信信号強度が最大であるアンテナ３をＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１のアンテナ指定番号に設定する。次いで、携帯端末７はＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１をＭＦＰ２に送信する（ステップＳ７０２）（例えば、図１３のステップＳ５０８参照）。 The portable terminal 7 measures the received signal strength at the time of receiving the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 from the respective antennas 3 and 4 of the MFP 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the received signal strength of each of the antennas 3 and 4 is measured before the user selects the MFP 2 as the communication partner of the wireless LAN communication on the connection destination selection screen 1400. When the MFP 2 is selected by the user on the connection destination selection screen 1400, the portable terminal 7 determines an antenna to be used for wireless communication based on the received signal strength of each of the antennas 3 and 4, and determines the determined antenna as a BLE connection request packet Set to Specifically, the portable terminal 7 sets the antenna 3 having the largest received signal strength among all the antennas 3 and 4 provided in the MFP 2 as the antenna designation number of the BLE connection request packet 1501. Next, the portable terminal 7 transmits a BLE connection request packet 1501 to the MFP 2 (step S702) (for example, refer to step S508 in FIG. 13).

ＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１を受信したＭＦＰ２は、アンテナ３を用いて携帯端末７とＢＬＥＧＡＴＴ通信を開始し、携帯端末７とＢＬＥ通信を行う。その後、ＭＦＰ２はハンドオーバーを行い、携帯端末７と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う（ステップＳ７０３）（例えば、図１６のステップＳ６１０，Ｓ６１１参照）。 The MFP 2 having received the BLE connection request packet 1501 starts BLE GATT communication with the portable terminal 7 using the antenna 3 and performs BLE communication with the portable terminal 7. Thereafter, the MFP 2 performs handover and performs wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 (step S703) (see, for example, steps S610 and S611 in FIG. 16).

上述した実施の形態によれば、携帯端末７が、各アンテナ３，４から送信されたＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２を受信した際の受信信号強度を測定し、各アンテナ３，４の受信信号強度に基づいて無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定する。さらに、携帯端末７は、接続先選択画面１４００においてＭＦＰ２を選択するといったユーザによる通信開始指示を受け付けると、決定したアンテナを設定したＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１をＭＦＰ２に送信する。すなわち、従来のように、ユーザによる通信開始指示を受け付けてから各アンテナ３，４の受信信号強度の測定が行われることはない。これにより、ユーザ指示を受け付けてから無線ＬＡＮ通信を開始するまでのタイムラグを減らすことができる。 According to the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 measures the received signal strength when the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 transmitted from the respective antennas 3 and 4 are received, and the received signal strengths of the respective antennas 3 and 4 The antenna to be used for wireless communication is determined based on Furthermore, when the portable terminal 7 receives a communication start instruction by the user to select the MFP 2 on the connection destination selection screen 1400, the portable terminal 7 transmits the BLE connection request packet 1501 in which the determined antenna is set to the MFP 2. That is, as in the conventional case, the reception signal strength of each of the antennas 3 and 4 is not measured after receiving a communication start instruction from the user. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time lag from the reception of the user instruction to the start of the wireless LAN communication.

また、上述した実施の形態では、接続先選択画面１４００においてユーザが無線ＬＡＮ通信の通信相手にＭＦＰ２を選択する前に各アンテナ３，４の受信信号強度が測定される。これにより、ユーザによる通信開始指示を受け付けてから各アンテナ３，４の受信信号強度の測定を行う場合より、ユーザ指示を受け付けてから無線ＬＡＮ通信を開始するまでのタイムラグを確実に減らすことができる。 Further, in the embodiment described above, the received signal strength of each of the antennas 3 and 4 is measured before the user selects the MFP 2 as the communication partner of the wireless LAN communication on the connection destination selection screen 1400. As a result, the time lag from the reception of the user instruction to the start of the wireless LAN communication can be reliably reduced compared to the case where the reception signal strength of each antenna 3 and 4 is measured after the reception of the communication start instruction by the user. .

さらに、上述した実施の形態では、電波信号はＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２であるので、ＭＦＰ２及び携帯端末７の間でＢＬＥ通信が開始される前に各アンテナ３，４の受信信号強度を測定することができる。 Further, in the embodiment described above, since the radio signal is the BLE beacon packet 701, 702, the received signal strength of each antenna 3, 4 is measured before the BLE communication is started between the MFP 2 and the portable terminal 7. be able to.

上述した実施の形態では、ＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２は該ＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２を送信したアンテナを示す情報を含む。これにより、携帯端末７が受信した各ＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２の受信信号強度を測定する際に、携帯端末７が受信した各ＢＬＥビーコンパケット７０１，７０２を送信したアンテナを容易に把握することができる。 In the embodiment described above, the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702 include information indicating the antenna that has transmitted the BLE beacon packets 701 and 702. Thereby, when measuring the received signal strength of each BLE beacon packet 701, 702 which the portable terminal 7 received, it is possible to easily grasp the antenna which transmitted each BLE beacon packet 701, 702 which the portable terminal 7 received. it can.

また、上述した実施の形態では、ＢＬＥビーコンパケットは各アンテナ３，４から異なるタイミングで送信される。これにより、各アンテナ３，４から送信される各ＢＬＥビーコンパケットが互いを妨害して各ＢＬＥビーコンパケットの受信信号強度が正確に測定できなくなる事態を回避することができる。 Further, in the above-described embodiment, the BLE beacon packet is transmitted from each of the antennas 3 and 4 at different timings. As a result, it is possible to avoid the situation where the BLE beacon packets transmitted from the antennas 3 and 4 interfere with each other and the received signal strengths of the BLE beacon packets can not be accurately measured.

さらに、上述した実施の形態では、ＭＦＰ２に設けられる全てのアンテナ３，４から送信されたＢＬＥビーコンパケットの受信信号強度に基づいて無線通信に使用するアンテナが決定される。これにより、ＭＦＰ２に設けられる全てのアンテナ３，４の中から最も通信状態の良いアンテナを選択することができる。 Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the antenna to be used for wireless communication is determined based on the received signal strength of the BLE beacon packet transmitted from all the antennas 3 and 4 provided in the MFP 2. As a result, it is possible to select an antenna with the best communication state from all the antennas 3 and 4 provided in the MFP 2.

次に、ＭＦＰ５による通信接続処理について説明する。 Next, communication connection processing by the MFP 5 will be described.

図１８は、一つのアンテナを備える図１のＭＦＰ５によって実行される通信接続処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。 FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the communication connection process executed by the MFP 5 of FIG. 1 having one antenna.

図１８の処理は、ＭＦＰ５のＣＰＵ２４が記憶装置２６に格納されたプログラム２７を実行することによって行われ、携帯端末７からＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１，１５０２等を受信した際に実行される。図１８の処理では、図９の処理におけるＢＬＥビーコンパケット１００１が送信されていることを前提とする。 The process of FIG. 18 is performed by the CPU 24 of the MFP 5 executing the program 27 stored in the storage device 26 and executed when the BLE connection request packets 1501 and 1502 and the like are received from the portable terminal 7. In the process of FIG. 18, it is assumed that the BLE beacon packet 1001 in the process of FIG. 9 is transmitted.

図１８において、ＣＰＵ２４は、携帯端末７からＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０１，１５０２の何れかを受信すると、受信したＢＬＥ接続要求パケットの内容を確認する（ステップＳ８０１）。次いで、ＣＰＵ２４は受信したＢＬＥ接続要求パケットがＭＦＰ５に対するＢＬＥ接続要求であるか否かを判別する（ステップＳ８０２）。 In FIG. 18, when receiving any of the BLE connection request packets 1501 and 1502 from the portable terminal 7, the CPU 24 confirms the content of the received BLE connection request packet (step S801). Next, the CPU 24 determines whether the received BLE connection request packet is a BLE connection request for the MFP 5 (step S802).

ステップＳ８０２の判別の結果、ＭＦＰ５に対するＢＬＥ接続要求であるとき、ＣＰＵ２４はＢＬＥビーコンパケット１００１の送信を停止する（ステップＳ８０３）。次いで、ＣＰＵ２４は無線ＬＡＮ接続情報を記憶装置２６から読み出し、上記無線ＬＡＮ接続情報をＢＬＥ通信によって携帯端末７に送信する（ステップＳ８０４）。次いで、ＣＰＵ２４は携帯端末７から無線ＬＡＮ通信要求を受信すると、携帯端末７との通信をＢＬＥ通信から無線ＬＡＮ通信に切り替えるハンドオーバーを行い（ステップＳ８０５）、携帯端末７と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う（ステップＳ８０６）。次いで、ＣＰＵ８は携帯端末７との無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了する否かを判別する（ステップＳ８０７）。 If it is determined in step S802 that the request is a BLE connection request to the MFP 5, the CPU 24 stops transmission of the BLE beacon packet 1001 (step S803). Next, the CPU 24 reads wireless LAN connection information from the storage device 26, and transmits the wireless LAN connection information to the portable terminal 7 by BLE communication (step S804). Next, when the CPU 24 receives a wireless LAN communication request from the portable terminal 7, the CPU 24 performs a handover to switch communication with the portable terminal 7 from BLE communication to wireless LAN communication (step S805) and performs wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 Step S806). Next, the CPU 8 determines whether to end the wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 (step S807).

ステップＳ８０７の判別の結果、携帯端末７との無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了しないとき、ＣＰＵ８はステップＳ８０６の処理に戻る。 If it is determined in step S807 that the wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 is not ended, the CPU 8 returns to the process of step S806.

ステップＳ８０２の判別の結果、ＭＦＰ５に対するＢＬＥ接続要求でないとき、又はステップＳ８０７の判別の結果、携帯端末７との無線ＬＡＮ通信を終了するとき、ＣＰＵ２４は本処理を終了する。 As a result of the determination in step S802, when it is not a BLE connection request to the MFP 5, or as a result of the determination in step S807, when the wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 is ended, the CPU 24 ends this processing.

図１９は、図１の携帯端末７及び一つのアンテナを備えるＭＦＰ５によって実行される無線ＬＡＮ通信設定処理の手順を示すシーケンス図である。 FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of wireless LAN communication setting processing executed by the portable terminal 7 of FIG. 1 and the MFP 5 provided with one antenna.

図１９において、ＭＦＰ２はアンテナ６からＢＬＥビーコンパケット１００１を送信する（ステップＳ９０１）（例えば、図９のステップＳ３０１参照）。携帯端末７は、接続先選択画面１４００においてＭＦＰ５がユーザによって選択されると、ＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０２をＭＦＰ５に送信する（ステップＳ９０２）（例えば、図１３のステップＳ５１４参照）。ＢＬＥ接続要求パケット１５０２を受信したＭＦＰ５は、アンテナ６を用いて携帯端末７とＢＬＥ通信によるハンドオーバーを行い、携帯端末７と無線ＬＡＮ通信を行う（ステップＳ９０３）（例えば、図１６のステップＳ８０５，Ｓ８０６参照）。 In FIG. 19, the MFP 2 transmits the BLE beacon packet 1001 from the antenna 6 (step S901) (for example, refer to step S301 in FIG. 9). When the MFP 5 is selected by the user on the connection destination selection screen 1400, the portable terminal 7 transmits a BLE connection request packet 1502 to the MFP 5 (step S902) (see, for example, step S514 in FIG. 13). The MFP 5 having received the BLE connection request packet 1502 performs handover by BLE communication with the portable terminal 7 using the antenna 6 and performs wireless LAN communication with the portable terminal 7 (step S903) (for example, step S805 in FIG. 16) See S806).

以上、本発明について、上述した実施の形態を用いて説明したが、本発明は上述した実施の形態に限定されるものではない。例えば、ＭＦＰ２の全てのアンテナ３，４から送信されたＢＬＥビーコンパケットの受信信号強度で且つ携帯端末７におけるユーザ指示が行われる直前に受信したＢＬＥビーコンパケットの受信信号強度に基づき無線通信に使用するアンテナが決定されても良い。これにより、ＭＦＰ２において、アンテナ３，４のうち、ユーザ指示が行われる直前のＭＦＰ２及び携帯端末７の位置関係に適したアンテナを無線通信に使用するアンテナに決定することができる。その結果、ＭＦＰ２及び携帯端末７の間で通信状態が安定した無線通信を確実に行うことができる。 As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment mentioned above, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, it is used for wireless communication based on the received signal strength of the BLE beacon packet transmitted from all the antennas 3 and 4 of the MFP 2 and the received signal strength of the BLE beacon packet received immediately before the user instruction in the portable terminal 7 is performed. An antenna may be determined. As a result, in the MFP 2, among the antennas 3 and 4, an antenna suitable for the positional relationship between the MFP 2 and the portable terminal 7 immediately before the user instruction is given can be determined as an antenna used for wireless communication. As a result, wireless communication in which the communication state is stable can be reliably performed between the MFP 2 and the portable terminal 7.

また、上述した実施の形態では、無線通信に使用するアンテナを通知しても良い。具体的に、携帯端末７が無線通信に使用するアンテナを操作部４１に表示する。これにより、現在のＭＦＰ２及び携帯端末７の位置関係に適したアンテナをユーザが容易に把握することができる。 In the above-described embodiment, an antenna used for wireless communication may be notified. Specifically, the antenna used by the mobile terminal 7 for wireless communication is displayed on the operation unit 41. Thereby, the user can easily grasp an antenna suitable for the positional relationship between the current MFP 2 and the portable terminal 7.

本発明は、上述の実施の形態の１以上の機能を実現するプログラムをネットワーク又は記憶媒体を介してシステム又は装置に供給し、該システム又は装置のコンピュータにおける１つ以上のプロセッサがプログラムを読み出して実行する処理でも実現可能である。また、本発明は、１以上の機能を実現する回路（例えば、ＡＳＩＣ）によっても実現可能である。 The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read the program. It can also be realized by the process to be executed. The present invention can also be implemented by a circuit (eg, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

１無線通信システム
２ＭＦＰ
３，４アンテナ
７携帯端末
８，３７ＣＰＵ
４１操作部 1 Wireless communication system 2 MFP
3, 4 Antenna 7 Mobile terminal 8, 37 CPU
41 Operation unit

Claims

携帯端末と複数のアンテナを備える情報処理装置とを備える無線通信システムであって、
各前記アンテナから送信された電波信号を前記携帯端末が受信した際の受信信号強度を測定する測定手段と、
前記携帯端末で受け付けたユーザ指示に応じて無線通信の通信設定を行うための通信接続要求を前記携帯端末から前記情報処理装置に送信する送信手段と、
前記通信設定が行われた携帯端末及び前記情報処理装置の間の前記無線通信の制御を行う無線通信制御手段とを備え、
前記通信接続要求は、各前記アンテナの受信信号強度に基づいて前記複数のアンテナの中から決定された前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とする無線通信システム。 A wireless communication system comprising a portable terminal and an information processing apparatus having a plurality of antennas, comprising:
Measurement means for measuring the received signal strength when the portable terminal receives a radio signal transmitted from each of the antennas;
Transmitting means for transmitting a communication connection request for performing communication setting for wireless communication from the portable terminal to the information processing apparatus in accordance with a user instruction accepted by the portable terminal;
And a wireless communication control unit configured to control the wireless communication between the portable terminal for which the communication setting has been performed and the information processing apparatus.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication connection request includes information indicating an antenna used for the wireless communication determined from among the plurality of antennas based on the received signal strength of each of the antennas.

前記測定手段は、前記ユーザ指示を受け付ける前に前記受信信号強度を測定することを特徴とする請求項１記載の無線通信システム。 The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement means measures the received signal strength before receiving the user instruction.

前記電波信号は、当該電波信号を送信したアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とする請求項１又は２記載の無線通信システム。 The radio communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio signal includes information indicating an antenna that has transmitted the radio signal.

前記電波信号は、ＢＬＥ（Bluetooth Low Energy）による近距離無線通信を行うためのビーコンパケットであることを特徴とする請求項１乃至３のいずれか１項に記載の無線通信システム。 The radio communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radio wave signal is a beacon packet for performing near field communication by BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

前記無線通信は、前記ＢＬＥによる近距離無線通信より高速に通信を行う無線ＬＡＮ通信であることを特徴とする請求項４記載の無線通信システム。 5. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication is a wireless LAN communication that performs communication at a higher speed than the short distance wireless communication based on the BLE.

前記電波信号を送信するアンテナを切り替える切替手段を更に備え、
前記電波信号は各前記アンテナから異なるタイミングで送信されることを特徴とする請求項１乃至５のいずれか１項に記載の無線通信システム。 It further comprises switching means for switching an antenna for transmitting the radio wave signal,
The radio communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the radio signal is transmitted from each of the antennas at different timings.

前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定する決定手段を更に備え、
前記決定手段は、前記情報処理装置に設けられる全てのアンテナから送信された電波信号の受信信号強度に基づいて前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定することを特徴とする請求項１乃至６のいずれか１項に記載の無線通信システム。 The apparatus further comprises determination means for determining an antenna used for the wireless communication,
The said determination means determines the antenna used for the said radio | wireless communication based on the received signal strength of the radio signal transmitted from all the antennas provided in the said information processing apparatus, The wireless communication system according to claim 1.

前記決定手段は、前記情報処理装置に設けられる全てのアンテナから送信された電波信号の受信信号強度であって且つ前記携帯端末におけるユーザ指示が行われる直前に受信した電波信号の受信信号強度に基づいて前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定することを特徴とする請求項７記載の無線通信システム。 The determination means is based on received signal strengths of radio wave signals transmitted from all the antennas provided in the information processing apparatus and received signal strengths of the radio wave signal received immediately before the user instruction on the portable terminal is performed. The wireless communication system according to claim 7, wherein the antenna used for the wireless communication is determined.

前記決定したアンテナを通知する通知手段を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項７又は８記載の無線通信システム。 9. The wireless communication system according to claim 7, further comprising notification means for notifying the determined antenna.

電波信号を送信する複数のアンテナを備え、前記電波信号を受信した携帯端末と無線通信を行う情報処理装置であって、
前記電波信号を送信するアンテナを切り替える切替手段と、
前記携帯端末におけるユーザ指示に応じて前記携帯端末から送信された無線通信の通信設定を行うための通信接続要求を受信する受信手段と、
前記通信設定が行われた携帯端末との前記無線通信の制御を行う無線通信制御手段とを備え、
前記通信接続要求は、各前記アンテナから送信された電波信号を前記携帯端末が受信した際の受信信号強度に基づいて前記複数のアンテナの中から決定された前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とする情報処理装置。 An information processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of antennas for transmitting a radio wave signal, and performing wireless communication with a portable terminal that has received the radio wave signal,
Switching means for switching an antenna for transmitting the radio wave signal;
A receiving unit configured to receive a communication connection request for performing communication setting of wireless communication transmitted from the portable terminal in accordance with a user instruction on the portable terminal;
Wireless communication control means for controlling the wireless communication with the portable terminal for which the communication setting has been performed;
The communication connection request is information indicating an antenna to be used for the wireless communication determined from among the plurality of antennas based on the received signal strength when the mobile terminal receives the radio wave signal transmitted from each of the antennas. An information processing apparatus comprising:

前記電波信号は、当該電波信号を送信したアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とする請求項１０記載の情報処理装置。 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the radio wave signal includes information indicating an antenna that has transmitted the radio wave signal.

前記電波信号は、ＢＬＥによる近距離無線通信を行うためのビーコンパケットであることを特徴とする請求項１０又は１１記載の情報処理装置。 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the radio wave signal is a beacon packet for performing near field communication by BLE.

前記無線通信は、前記ＢＬＥによる近距離無線通信より高速に通信を行う無線ＬＡＮ通信であることを特徴とする請求項１２記載の情報処理装置。 The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the wireless communication is a wireless LAN communication that performs communication at a higher speed than the near field wireless communication based on the BLE.

前記電波信号は各前記アンテナから異なるタイミングで送信されることを特徴とする請求項１０乃至１３のいずれか１項に記載の情報処理装置。 The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the radio wave signal is transmitted from each of the antennas at different timings.

複数のアンテナを備える情報処理装置と無線通信を行う携帯端末であって、
各前記アンテナから送信された電波信号を受信した際の受信信号強度を測定する測定手段と、
前記無線通信の通信設定を行うための通信接続要求をユーザ指示に応じて前記情報処理装置に送信する送信手段と、
前記情報処理装置との前記無線通信の制御を行う無線通信制御手段とを備え、
前記通信接続要求は、各前記アンテナの受信信号強度に基づいて前記複数のアンテナの中から決定された前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とする携帯端末。 A portable terminal that wirelessly communicates with an information processing apparatus having a plurality of antennas, comprising:
Measuring means for measuring the received signal strength when receiving the radio signal transmitted from each of the antennas;
Transmitting means for transmitting a communication connection request for performing communication setting of the wireless communication to the information processing apparatus in accordance with a user instruction;
Wireless communication control means for controlling the wireless communication with the information processing apparatus;
The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the communication connection request includes information indicating an antenna used for the wireless communication determined from among the plurality of antennas based on the received signal strength of each of the antennas.

前記測定手段は、前記ユーザ指示を受け付ける前に前記受信信号強度を測定することを特徴とする請求項１５記載の携帯端末。 The mobile terminal according to claim 15, wherein the measurement unit measures the received signal strength before receiving the user instruction.

前記電波信号は、当該電波信号を送信したアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とする請求項１５又は１６記載の携帯端末。 17. The mobile terminal according to claim 15, wherein the radio wave signal includes information indicating an antenna that has transmitted the radio wave signal.

前記電波信号は、ＢＬＥによる近距離無線通信を行うためのビーコンパケットであることを特徴とする請求項１５乃至１７のいずれか１項に記載の携帯端末。 The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the radio wave signal is a beacon packet for performing near field communication by BLE.

前記無線通信は、前記ＢＬＥによる近距離無線通信より高速に通信を行う無線ＬＡＮ通信であることを特徴とする請求項１８記載の携帯端末。 The mobile terminal according to claim 18, wherein the wireless communication is a wireless LAN communication that performs communication at a higher speed than the near field wireless communication based on the BLE.

前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定する決定手段を更に備え、
前記決定手段は、前記情報処理装置に設けられる全てのアンテナから送信された電波信号の受信信号強度に基づいて前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定することを特徴とする請求項１５乃至１９のいずれか１項に記載の携帯端末。 The apparatus further comprises determination means for determining an antenna used for the wireless communication,
20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the determination means determines an antenna used for the wireless communication based on received signal strengths of radio wave signals transmitted from all the antennas provided in the information processing apparatus. The portable terminal described in item 1 below.

前記決定手段は、前記情報処理装置に設けられる全てのアンテナから送信された電波信号の受信信号強度であって且つ前記携帯端末におけるユーザ指示が行われる直前に受信した電波信号の受信信号強度に基づいて前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを決定することを特徴とする請求項２０記載の携帯端末。 The determination means is based on received signal strengths of radio wave signals transmitted from all the antennas provided in the information processing apparatus and received signal strengths of the radio wave signal received immediately before the user instruction on the portable terminal is performed. The mobile terminal according to claim 20, wherein the antenna to be used for the wireless communication is determined.

前記決定したアンテナを通知する通知手段を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項２０又は２１記載の携帯端末。 22. The mobile terminal according to claim 20, further comprising notification means for notifying the determined antenna.

携帯端末と複数のアンテナを備える情報処理装置との無線通信制御方法であって、
各前記アンテナから送信された電波信号を前記携帯端末が受信した際の受信信号強度を測定する測定ステップと、
前記携帯端末で受け付けたユーザ指示に応じて無線通信の通信設定を行うための通信接続要求を前記携帯端末から前記情報処理装置に送信する送信ステップと、
前記通信設定が行われた携帯端末及び前記情報処理装置の間の前記無線通信の制御を行う無線通信制御ステップとを有し、
前記通信接続要求は、各前記アンテナの受信信号強度に基づいて前記複数のアンテナの中から決定された前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とする無線通信制御方法。 A wireless communication control method between a portable terminal and an information processing apparatus including a plurality of antennas, comprising:
Measuring the received signal strength when the portable terminal receives a radio signal transmitted from each of the antennas;
A transmitting step of transmitting a communication connection request for performing communication setting of wireless communication from the portable terminal to the information processing apparatus in accordance with a user instruction accepted by the portable terminal;
And a wireless communication control step of controlling the wireless communication between the portable terminal for which the communication setting has been performed and the information processing apparatus,
The wireless communication control method, wherein the communication connection request includes information indicating an antenna used for the wireless communication determined from among the plurality of antennas based on the received signal strength of each of the antennas.

携帯端末と複数のアンテナを備える情報処理装置との無線通信制御方法をコンピュータに実行させるプログラムであって、
前記無線通信制御方法は、
各前記アンテナから送信された電波信号を前記携帯端末が受信した際の受信信号強度を測定する測定ステップと、
前記携帯端末で受け付けたユーザ指示に応じて無線通信の通信設定を行うための通信接続要求を前記携帯端末から前記情報処理装置に送信する送信ステップと、
前記通信設定が行われた携帯端末及び前記情報処理装置の間の前記無線通信の制御を行う無線通信制御ステップとを有し、
前記通信接続要求は、各前記アンテナの受信信号強度に基づいて前記複数のアンテナの中から決定された前記無線通信に使用するアンテナを示す情報を含むことを特徴とするプログラム。 A program that causes a computer to execute a wireless communication control method between a portable terminal and an information processing apparatus including a plurality of antennas,
The wireless communication control method
Measuring the received signal strength when the portable terminal receives a radio signal transmitted from each of the antennas;
A transmitting step of transmitting a communication connection request for performing communication setting of wireless communication from the portable terminal to the information processing apparatus in accordance with a user instruction accepted by the portable terminal;
And a wireless communication control step of controlling the wireless communication between the portable terminal for which the communication setting has been performed and the information processing apparatus,
The program, the communication connection request includes information indicating an antenna to be used for the wireless communication determined from among the plurality of antennas based on the received signal strength of each of the antennas.