# US 10,120,629 B2 · Printing devices and terminal devices that switch communication modes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,120,629 B2 - Document ID: US10120629B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/271,747 - Filed: 2014-05-07 - Published: 2014-08-28 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2010-11-19 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Kunihito Terashita - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10120629B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/1292: {Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing} - G06F 3/1203: {Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management} - G06F 3/1236: {Connection management} - G06F 3/1285: {Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server} - G06F 3/122: {with regard to computing resources, e.g. memory, CPU} - G06F 3/1226: {Discovery of devices having required properties} - G06F 3/1284: {Local printer device} - H04W 76/23: Manipulation of direct-mode connections - H04W 84/18: Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A communication system includes a printing device, a terminal device, and another device. The printing device includes a communication interface that enables communication through at least two modes; an operating portion that accepts a mode-switch instruction; a printing portion that prints an image based on print data, and a processor. In a direct communication mode, the printing device communicates directly with the terminal device. In an indirect communication mode, the printing device communicates indirectly with the other device. The processor switches the communication mode from the indirect communication mode to the direct communication mode when the operating portion accepts the mode-switch instruction, and switches the communication mode from the direct communication mode to the indirect communication mode when the processor determines that the printing device has finished receiving print data. Communication between the printing and terminal devices includes transmitting the print data from the terminal device to the printing device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A printing device comprising: a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the printing device to perform: receiving a first instruction while a first wireless connection between the printing device and a relay device is established, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device such that the printing device communicates wirelessly with another device through the relay device; in response to receiving the first instruction, disconnecting the first wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device; after disconnecting the first wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device, establishing a second wireless connection between the printing device and a terminal device directly such that the printing device communicates wirelessly with the terminal device not through the relay device; receiving wirelessly print data from the terminal device while the second wireless connection is established between the printing device and the terminal device; in response to receiving the print data, controlling the printing device to print the images based on the print data; after controlling the printing device to print the images, disconnecting the second wireless connection between the printing device and the terminal device; and after disconnecting the second wireless connection, establishing the first wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device again. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving the first instruction from a user at an input device of the printing device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: an wireless interface; wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: controlling the wireless interface to receive wirelessly the print data from the terminal device while the second wireless connection is established; and controlling the wireless interface to communicate wirelessly with the relay device while the first wireless connection is established. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: storing a first Internet Protocol address and a second Internet Protocol address in the memory, the first Internet Protocol address is included in a settings of the printing device while the first wireless connection is established, the second Internet Protocol address is included in the settings of the printing device while the second wireless connection is established; and in response to receiving the first instruction, changing the setting of the printing device from the first Internet Protocol address to the second Internet Protocol address. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: receiving a second instruction while the second wireless connection is established; and in response to receiving the second instruction, establishing the first connection again. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The printing device according to claim 5, further comprising: an input device configured to be used to input the second instruction by a user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The printing device according to claim 5, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: storing a first Internet Protocol address and a second Internet Protocol address in the memory, the first Internet Protocol address is included in a settings of the printing device while the first wireless connection is established, the second Internet Protocol address is included in the settings of the printing device while the second wireless connection is established; in response to receiving the first instruction, changing the setting of the printing device from the first Internet Protocol address to the second Internet Protocol address; and in response to receiving the second instruction, changing the setting of the printing device from the second Internet Protocol address to the first Internet Protocol address. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: when a predetermined condition is satisfied after receiving the print data, establishing the first connection again. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The printing device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when a predetermined time passes after receiving the print data. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The printing device according to claim 9, wherein the print data includes first print data and second print data, the second print data is received by the printing device after receiving the first print data; the predetermined condition is satisfied when the predetermined time passes after receiving the first print data and before receiving the second print data; and the predetermined condition is satisfied when the predetermined time passes after receiving the second print data. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The printing device according to claim 8, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: storing a first Internet Protocol address and a second Internet Protocol address in the memory, the first Internet Protocol address is included in a settings of the printing device while the first wireless connection is established, the second Internet Protocol address is included in the settings of the printing device while the second wireless connection is established; in response to receiving the first instruction, changing the setting of the printing device from the first Internet Protocol address to the second Internet Protocol address; and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, changing the setting of the printing device from the second Internet Protocol address to the first Internet Protocol address. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: in response to receiving the first instruction, sending a beacon including at least one of a serviced set identifier and a Media Access Control address. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The printing device according to claim 12, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: in response to sending the beacon, receiving a connection request including at least one of an authentication method and an encryption key. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: when the printing device does not receive the print data within a predetermined time period, establishing the first connection again. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The printing device according to claim 14, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: receiving a second instruction while the wireless connection is established; and in response to receiving the second instruction when the printing device does not receive the print data within the predetermined time period, communicating wirelessly with the relay device again. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: while the second wireless connection is established and when the printing device does not receive the print data within a predetermined time period, transmitting display data to the terminal device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: in response to receiving the first instruction while the printing device currently is communicating the another device through the relay device, prohibiting the printing device from establishing the second wireless connection. ### Claim 18 A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium which stores computer-readable instructions, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by a processor of a printing device, causing the printing device to perform: receiving a first instruction while a first wireless connection between the printing device and a relay device is established, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device such that the printing device communicates wirelessly with another device through the relay device; in response to receiving the first instruction, disconnecting the first wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device; after disconnecting the first wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device, establishing a second wireless connection between the printing device and a terminal device directly such that the printing device communicates wirelessly with the terminal device not through the relay device; receiving wirelessly print data from the terminal device while the second wireless connection is established between the printing device and the terminal device; in response to receiving the print data, controlling the printing device to print images based on the print data; after controlling the printing device to print the images, disconnecting the second wireless connection between the printing device and the terminal device; and after disconnecting the second wireless connection, establishing the first wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device again. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: in response to receiving the first instruction, temporarily disconnecting the first wireless connection during at least a portion of a predetermined time period. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to further perform: when the printing device does not receive the print data within the predetermined time period, disconnecting the second wireless connection between the printing device and the terminal device; after disconnecting the second wireless connection, establishing the first connection again. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The printing device according to claim 20, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to establish the first wireless connection again after disconnecting the second wireless connection due to not receiving the print data within the predetermined time period, and without receiving a user instruction to establish the first wireless connection again. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the printing device to perform: after disconnecting the second wireless connection, establishing the first wireless connection between the printing device and the relay device again without receiving a user instruction to establish the first wireless connection again.