# US 10,372,391 B2 · Communication apparatus, terminal apparatus, control methods thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,372,391 B2 - Document ID: US10372391B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/787,058 - Filed: 2017-10-18 - Published: 2018-03-01 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-04 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Nobuyuki Iwauchi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10372391B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/1236: {Connection management} - G06F 3/1203: {Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management} - G06F 3/1292: {Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing} - H04N 1/00204: {with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server (programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561)} - H04N 1/00244: {with a server, e.g. an internet server (fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324)} - H04N 1/00251: {with an apparatus for taking photographic images, e.g. a camera} - H04N 1/00307: {with a mobile telephone apparatus (constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00)} - H04N 1/00973: {from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal} - H04N 2201/0039: Connection via a network - H04N 2201/0041: Point to point (H04N2201/0039 takes precedence) - H04N 2201/0046: Software interface details, e.g. interaction of operating systems - H04N 2201/0055: By radio - H04N 2201/006: Using near field communication, e.g. an inductive loop - H04N 2201/0075: by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset - H04N 2201/0082: Image hardcopy reproducer (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence) - H04N 2201/0094: Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract According to the present invention, when a terminal apparatus is brought close to a printing apparatus serving as a processing apparatus, the terminal apparatus uses its own NFC unit to acquire, from the printing apparatus, information for communicating with each of one or more network connection units provided in the printing apparatus. Then, using a communication unit, the terminal apparatus then searches for the printing apparatus on a network in accordance with the acquired information. In the case where the terminal apparatus has successfully identified the printing apparatus as being present on the network, the terminal apparatus transmits a processing request to the printing apparatus successfully identified on the network via the communication unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A printing apparatus having a wired communication unit and a wireless communication unit, the printing apparatus comprising: a short distance wireless communication unit different from the wireless communication unit; an input unit configured to input a user's instruction to activate at least one of the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit via an operation screen of the printing apparatus, wherein the operation screen has a selection option for the wired communication unit and a selection option for the wireless communication unit; a receiving unit that, in a case where a short distance wireless communication between the short distance wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus and a communication partner apparatus is executed and the printing apparatus is connected to a network to which the communication partner apparatus is connected, receives print data, via the network, from the communication partner apparatus which is a communication partner of the short distance wireless communication, and in a case where the short distance wireless communication between the short distance wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus is executed, the wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus is not activated, and the printing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus are not connected to a same network, receives the print data from the communication partner apparatus via a direct connection established between the communication partner apparatus and the wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus, wherein a wireless communication control processing for establishing the direct connection is performed by the printing apparatus; and a print control unit that executes a print processing based on the print data, wherein, the communication speed of the wireless communication unit is faster than that of the short distance wireless communication unit, and wherein the short distance wireless communication unit, the input unit, the receiving unit, and the print control unit are executed by at least one processor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a wireless communication method of the short distance wireless communication unit is a Near Field Communication (NFC). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a wireless communication method of the short distance wireless communication unit is a Bluetooth. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit executes the print processing based on the print data using an inkjet printing method. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus sets a mode for the direct connection as the wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a wireless communication method of the direct connection is WiFi direct. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation screen receives the user's instruction to activate one of the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit. ### Claim 8 A control method for an image processing apparatus having a wired communication unit, a first wireless communication unit, and a second wireless communication unit, wherein a communication speed of the first wireless communication unit is faster than the communication speed of the second wireless communication unit, the method comprising: inputting a user's instruction to activate one of the wired communication unit and the first wireless communication unit via an operation screen of the image processing apparatus, wherein the first wireless communication unit is not activated in a case where the wired communication unit is activated by the user's instruction and the wired communication unit is not activated in a case where the first wireless communication unit is activated by the user's instruction; in a case where a short distance wireless communication between the second wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus and a communication partner apparatus is executed, the first wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus is activated by the user's instruction, the wired communication unit is not activated and the image processing apparatus is connected to a network to which the communication partner apparatus is connected, communicating data, via the network, with the communication partner apparatus which is a communication partner of the second wireless communication, and in a case where the short distance wireless communication between the second wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus is executed, the wired communication unit is activated by the user's instruction, the first wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus is not activated, and the image processing apparatus is not connected to the network to which the communication partner apparatus is connected, communicating the data with the communication partner apparatus via a direct connection established between the communication partner apparatus and the first wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus, wherein the direct connection is established by the image processing apparatus performing a wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein a wireless communication method of the second wireless communication unit is a Near Field Communication (NFC). ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein a wireless communication method of the second wireless communication unit is a Bluetooth. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the image processing apparatus executes the print processing based on the data using an inkjet printing method. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the image processing apparatus sets a mode for the direct connection as the wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein a wireless communication method of the direct connection is WiFi direct. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the operation screen receives the user's instruction to activate one of the wired communication unit and the first wireless communication unit. ### Claim 15 A control method of an image processing apparatus having a wired communication unit, a first wireless communication unit, and a second wireless communication unit, wherein a communication speed of the first wireless communication unit is faster than the communication speed of the second wireless communication unit, the method comprising: inputting a user's instruction to activate one of the wired communication unit and the first wireless communication unit via an operation screen of the image processing apparatus, wherein the first wireless communication unit is not activated in a case where the wired communication unit is activated by the user's instruction and the wired communication unit is not activated in a case where the first wireless communication unit is activated by the user's instruction; and in a case where a short distance wireless communication between the second wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus and a communication partner apparatus is executed, the first wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus is activated by the user's instruction, the wired communication unit is not activated and the image processing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus are connected to a same network, communicating data, via the network, with the communication partner apparatus which is a communication partner of the short distance wireless communication; in a case where the short distance wireless communication between the second wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus is executed, the wired communication unit is activated by the user's instruction, the first wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus is not activated, and the image processing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus are not connected to a same network, communicating data with the communication partner apparatus via a direct connection established between the communication partner apparatus and the first wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus, wherein the direct connection is established by the image processing apparatus performing a wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein a wireless communication method of the second wireless communication unit is a Near Field Communication (NFC). ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein a wireless communication method of the second wireless communication unit is a Bluetooth. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein a wireless communication method of the direct connection is WiFi direct. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the image processing apparatus sets a mode for the direct connection as the wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the image processing apparatus executes the print processing based on the data using an inkjet printing method. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the operation screen receives the user's instruction to activate one of the wired communication unit and the first wireless communication unit. ### Claim 22 A printing apparatus having a wireless communication unit, the printing apparatus comprising: a short distance wireless communication unit different from the wireless communication unit; an input unit configured to input a user's instruction to activate a wireless LAN function via an operation screen of the printing apparatus; a receiving unit that, in a case where a short distance wireless communication between the short distance wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus and a communication partner apparatus is executed, the wireless LAN function is activated and the printing apparatus is connected to a network to which the communication partner apparatus is connected, receives print data, via the network, from the communication partner apparatus which is a communication partner of the short distance wireless communication, and in a case where the short distance wireless communication between the short distance wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus is executed, the wireless LAN function is not activated, and the printing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus are not connected to a same network, receives the print data from the communication partner apparatus via a direct connection established between the communication partner apparatus and the wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus, wherein a wireless communication control processing for establishing the direct connection is performed by the printing apparatus; and a print control unit that executes a print processing based on the print data, wherein, the communication speed of the wireless communication unit is faster than that of the short distance wireless communication unit, and wherein the short distance wireless communication unit, the input unit, the receiving unit, and the print control unit are executed by at least one processor. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The printing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a wireless communication method of the short distance wireless communication unit is a Near Field Communication (NFC). ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The printing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a wireless communication method of the short distance wireless communication unit is a Bluetooth. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The printing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the print control unit executes the print processing based on the print data using an inkjet printing method. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the image processing apparatus sets a mode for the direct connection as the wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a wireless communication method of the direct connection is WiFi direct. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising, a wired communication unit; wherein the operation screen receives the user's instruction to activate one of the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the operation screen is a touch panel. ### Claim 30 A control method for a printing apparatus having a first wireless communication unit and a second wireless communication unit, wherein a communication speed of the first wireless communication unit is faster than the communication speed of the second wireless communication unit, the method comprising: inputting a user's instruction to activate a wireless LAN function via an operation screen of the printing apparatus; in a case where a short distance wireless communication between the second wireless communication unit of the image processing apparatus and a communication partner apparatus is executed, the wireless LAN function is activated and the printing apparatus is connected to a network to which the communication partner apparatus is connected, communicating data, via the network, with the communication partner apparatus which is a communication partner of the second wireless communication, and in a case where the short distance wireless communication between the second wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus is executed, the wireless LAN function is not activated, and the printing apparatus is not connected to the network to which the communication partner apparatus is connected, communicating the data with the communication partner apparatus via a direct connection established between the communication partner apparatus and the first wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus, wherein the direct connection is established by the printing apparatus performing a wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method according to claim 30, wherein a wireless communication method of the short distance wireless communication unit is a Near Field Communication (NFC). ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The method according to claim 30, wherein a wireless communication method of the short distance wireless communication unit is a Bluetooth. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The method according to claim 30, further comprising, executing print processing based on the data. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The method according to claim 30, wherein the printing apparatus sets a mode for the direct connection as the wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein a wireless communication method of the direct connection is WiFi direct. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The method according to claim 30, wherein the printing apparatus has a wired communication unit, wherein the operation screen receives the user's instruction to activate one of the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The method according to claim 30, wherein the operation screen is a touch panel. ### Claim 38 A control method of a printing apparatus having a first wireless communication unit and a second wireless communication unit, wherein communication speed of the first wireless communication unit is faster than the communication speed of the second wireless communication unit, the method comprising: inputting a user's instruction to activate a wireless LAN function via an operation screen of the printing apparatus; and in a case where a short distance wireless communication between the second wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus and a communication partner apparatus is executed, the wireless LAN function is activated and the printing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus are connected to a same network, communicating data, via the network, with the communication partner apparatus which is a communication partner of the short distance wireless communication; in a case where the short distance wireless communication between the second wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus is executed, the wireless LAN function is not activated, and the printing apparatus and the communication partner apparatus are not connected to a same network, communicating data with the communication partner apparatus via a direct connection established between the communication partner apparatus and the first wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus, wherein the direct connection is established by the printing apparatus performing a wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein a wireless communication method of the short distance wireless communication unit is a Near Field Communication (NFC). ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein a wireless communication method of the short distance wireless communication unit is a Bluetooth. ### Claim 41 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, further comprising, executing print processing based on the data. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein the printing apparatus sets a mode for the direct connection as the wireless communication control processing for the direct connection. ### Claim 43 (depends on 38) The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein a wireless communication method of the direct connection is WiFi direct. ### Claim 44 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein the printing apparatus has a wired communication unit, wherein the operation screen receives the user's instruction to activate one of the wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit. ### Claim 45 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein the operation screen is a touch panel.