Patent Description:
An object of <CIT> is to provide a communication system that appropriately performs handover, and discloses a system in which a terminal apparatus and an information processing apparatus can communicate with each other through first wireless communication or second wireless communication whose communication range is wider than that of the first wireless communication. The information processing apparatus receives, from the terminal apparatus through the first wireless communication, a request for connection information used for connection to the information processing apparatus through the second wireless communication. The information processing apparatus transmits the connection information to the terminal apparatus through the first wireless communication when it is determined that a detection unit configured to detect presence of an object in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus has detected the presence of the object in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose methods and apparatus for establishing a connection between information processing apparatus and a terminal via exchange of signalling via a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol.

There may be a case where wireless communication is established between an information processing apparatus and a terminal apparatus B that is located farther from the information processing apparatus than a terminal apparatus A even though the wireless communication is desired to be performed between the information processing apparatus and the terminal apparatus A closest to the information processing apparatus or between the information processing apparatus and the terminal apparatus A that is carried by a user in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus so as to use the information processing apparatus. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program that can reduce the wireless communication performed between the information processing apparatus and the terminal apparatus B other than the terminal apparatus A that is closest to the information processing apparatus or the terminal apparatus A carried by the user in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus so as to use the information processing apparatus.

Reference is also made in the following to other embodiments corresponding to examples deemed useful to understand the invention, even if they do not fall within the scope of the claims.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a memory; and a processor, wherein the memory stores identification information of the information processing apparatus, and the processor is configured to perform control so as to transmit the identification information to a terminal apparatus via a first communication tool that is wireless proximity communication, detect communication from the terminal apparatus, and, in a case where the identification information of the information processing apparatus is included in the detected communication, request connection to the terminal apparatus that is a transmission source of the detected communication via a second communication tool, and establish the connection with the terminal apparatus (A first aspect of the present invention).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processor is configured to detect the communication from the terminal apparatus, and, in a case where the identification information of the information processing apparatus is not included in the detected communication, performs control such that the request for the connection with the terminal apparatus is not made.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processor is configured to, in a case where communication including the identification information of the information processing apparatus from another terminal apparatus is detected within a predetermined period after the connection is established, perform control such that a request for connection with the another terminal apparatus is not made.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the processor is configured to, in a case where communication with the terminal apparatus with which the connection has been established becomes disabled, perform control to permit the connection to the another terminal apparatus via the second communication tool.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the information processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus, and the processor is configured to, in a case where the terminal apparatus uses a reading function of the information processing apparatus, perform control such that the connection with the another terminal apparatus is not performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processor is configured to, in a case where communication including the identification information of the information processing apparatus from another terminal apparatus is detected within a predetermined period after the connection is established, perform connection also to the another terminal apparatus via the second communication tool.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the information processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus, and the processor is configured to, in a case where the terminal apparatus and the another terminal apparatus use a printing function of the information processing apparatus, enable connection also to the another terminal apparatus via the second communication tool.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processor is configured to, in a case where communication from another terminal apparatus is detected within a predetermined period after the connection is established, or in a case where the identification information is transmitted to the another terminal apparatus via the first communication tool while the another terminal apparatus is located closer to the information processing apparatus as compared with the terminal apparatus, perform control to enable connection to the another terminal apparatus via the second communication tool.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processor is configured to change the identification information of the information processing apparatus after the first communication tool transmits the identification information to the terminal apparatus.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, timing of changing the identification information of the information processing apparatus is any one or a combination of the following: a time when the information processing apparatus is activated; a time when the information processing apparatus enters a power saving state; a time when the information processing apparatus recovers from the power saving state; times at predetermined periods, a time when the connection with the terminal apparatus is established; a time when the connection with the terminal apparatus is ended; and a time when a change operation is performed by an operator.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processor is configured, in a case where the communication from the terminal apparatus is detected while information indicating a FIDO service is included in the detected communication, perform control such that connection to the terminal apparatus that is a transmission source of the detected communication is performed via the second communication tool.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processor is configured to, in a case where the communication from the terminal apparatus is detected while information indicating a FIDO service is not included in the detected communication, perform control such that connection with the terminal apparatus that is a transmission source of the detected communication is not performed.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system comprising: an information processing apparatus that includes a memory and a first processor, wherein the memory stores identification information of the information processing apparatus, the first processor is configured to perform control so as to transmit the identification information to a terminal apparatus via a first communication tool that is wireless proximity communication, detect communication from the terminal apparatus, and, in a case where the identification information of the information processing apparatus is included in the detected communication, request connection to the terminal apparatus that is a transmission source of the detected communication via a second communication tool, and establish the connection with the terminal apparatus, the information processing system further comprising: a terminal apparatus that includes a second processor, wherein the second processor is configured to perform control so as to receive the identification information via a third communication tool that is wireless proximity communication, perform communication including the identification information and receive the connection request from the information processing apparatus via a fourth communication tool, and establish the connection with the information processing apparatus.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is an information processing program causing a processor of an information processing apparatus that is a computer including the processor and a memory that stores identification information of the information processing apparatus to perform control so as to execute a process, the process including: transmitting the identification information to a terminal apparatus via a first communication tool that is wireless proximity communication, detecting communication from the terminal apparatus and, in a case where the identification information of the information processing apparatus is included in the communication, requesting connection to the terminal apparatus that is a transmission source of the communication via a second communication tool, and establishing the connection with the terminal apparatus.

According to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, the wireless communication performed between the information processing apparatus and the terminal apparatus other than the terminal apparatus that is closest to the information processing apparatus or the terminal apparatus carried by the user in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus so as to use the information processing apparatus can be reduced.

According to the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, when the identification information of the information processing apparatus is not included in the communication from the terminal apparatus, control can be performed such that the request for the connection with the terminal apparatus is not made.

According to the information processing apparatus of the third aspect, when the communication including the identification information of the information processing apparatus from the other terminal apparatus is detected within the predetermined period after the connection is established, control can be performed such that the request for the connection with the other terminal apparatus is not made.

According to the information processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, when the communication with the terminal apparatus with which the connection has been established becomes disabled, control can be performed to permit the connection to the other terminal apparatus.

According to the information processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, when the terminal apparatus uses the reading function, control can be performed such that the connection with the other terminal apparatus is not performed.

According to the information processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, when the communication including the identification information of the information processing apparatus from the other terminal apparatus is detected within the predetermined period after the connection is established, the connection to the other terminal apparatus can also be performed.

According to the information processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, when the terminal apparatus and the other terminal apparatus use the printing function, the connection to the other terminal apparatus can also be enabled.

According to the information processing apparatus of the eighth aspect, when the communication from the other terminal apparatus is detected within the predetermined period after the connection is established, or when the identification information is transmitted to the other terminal apparatus through using the first communication tool while the other terminal apparatus is located closer to the information processing apparatus as compared with the terminal apparatus, control can be performed to enable the connection to the other terminal apparatus.

According to the information processing apparatus of the ninth aspect, the identification information can be changed after the first communication tool transmits the identification information to the terminal apparatus.

According to the information processing apparatus of the tenth aspect, the timing of changing the identification information of the information processing apparatus can be any one or the combination of the following: the time when the information processing apparatus is activated; the time when the information processing apparatus enters the power saving state; the time when the information processing apparatus recovers from the power saving state; the times at predetermined periods; the time when the connection with the terminal apparatus is established; the time when the connection with the terminal apparatus is ended; and the time when the change operation is performed by the operator.

According to the information processing apparatus of the eleventh aspect, when the information indicating the FIDO service is included in the communication from the terminal apparatus, control can be performed such that the connection to the terminal apparatus is performed.

According to the information processing apparatus of the twelfth aspect, when the information indicating the FIDO service is not included in the communication from the terminal apparatus, control can be performed such that the connection with the terminal apparatus is not performed.

According to the information processing system of the thirteenth aspect, the wireless communication performed between the information processing apparatus and the terminal apparatus other than the terminal apparatus that is closest to the information processing apparatus or the terminal apparatus carried by the user in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus so as to use the information processing apparatus can be reduced.

According to the information processing program of the fourteenth aspect, the wireless communication performed between the information processing apparatus and the terminal apparatus other than the terminal apparatus that is closest to the information processing apparatus or the terminal apparatus carried by the user in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus so as to use the information processing apparatus can be reduced.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:.

Hereinafter, an example of a preferred exemplary embodiment for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate conceptual module configuration diagrams for a configuration example according to an exemplary embodiment.

The term "module" generally refers to a logically separable component such as software (including a computer program as an interpretation of "software"), hardware, or the like. Therefore, the module in the present exemplary embodiment refers to not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the exemplary embodiment also serves as a description of a computer program (for example, a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each unit, a program for causing a computer to realize each function), a system, and a method for functioning these modules. However, although terms "store" and "stored" and equivalents thereof are used for the sake of convenience of description, these terms mean that being stored in a storage device or controlled to be stored in a storage device when the exemplary embodiment is a computer program. In implementation, modules may have a one-to-one correspondence with functions, in the implementation, one module may be configured by one program, plural modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module may be configured by plural programs. Plural modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by plural computers in a distributed or parallel environment. One module may include another module. Hereinafter, the term "connection" is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connections (for example, transmission and reception of data, instruction, reference relationship between data, login, or the like). The term "predetermined" means determined prior to target processing, and includes a meaning of being determined according to a situation/state at that time or according to the situation/state up to that time even after the processing according to the present exemplary embodiment starts, as a matter of course, before the processing according to the exemplary embodiment starts. When there are plural "predetermined values", the values may be different from each other, or two or more values ("two or more values" may include, of course, all values) may be the same. In addition, a description of "when A, do B" is used in a meaning of "determine whether it is A, do B when it is determined to be A". However, a case where it is not necessary to determine whether it is A is excluded. In addition, when a thing is listed such as "A, B, and C", "A, B, and C" are only examples unless otherwise specified, and include a case where only one of them is selected (for example, only A).

In addition, the system or the apparatus may be configured such that plural computers, hardware, apparatuses, and the like are connected by a communication tool such as a network ("network" including a one-to-one communication connection), or may be realized by a single computer, hardware, an apparatus, or the like. The terms "apparatus" and "system" are used as terms having the same meaning. Of course, the "system" does not include anything that is nothing more than a social "mechanism" (that is, a social system) that is an artificial agreement.

In addition, target information is read from the storage device for each processing by each module or for each processing when plural processing is performed in the module, and after the processing is performed, a processing result is written to the storage device. Therefore, description of the reading from the storage device before the processing and the writing to the storage device after the processing may be omitted.

An information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the example of <FIG> has a function of performing a wireless communication process with a terminal apparatus <NUM> carried by a user <NUM>. As illustrated in the example of <FIG>, the information processing apparatus <NUM> includes at least a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM> and a communication device <NUM>, and is configured by a bus <NUM> for connecting the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM> and the communication device <NUM> so as to exchange data. In addition, the information processing apparatus <NUM> may include an output device <NUM>, and a reception device <NUM>. Data is exchanged between the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, the reception device <NUM>, and the communication device <NUM> via the bus <NUM>.

Note that the block diagram illustrated in the example of <FIG> also illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that implements the information processing apparatus <NUM> of the exemplary embodiment. The hardware configuration of the computer in which the program according to the exemplary embodiment is executed is a computer as illustrated in <FIG>, and is specifically a computer or the like that can serve as a personal computer or a server. As a specific example, a processor <NUM> is used as a processing unit, and a memory <NUM> is used as a storage device.

The number of the processor <NUM> may be one or more. The processor <NUM> includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or the like. When plural processors <NUM> are used, either a tightly coupled multiprocessor or a loosely coupled multiprocessor may be used. For example, plural processor cores may be mounted in one processor <NUM>. Further, it is also possible to use a system in which plural computers are virtually caused to behave as a single computer by connecting the plural computers through a communication path. As a specific example, a loosely coupled multiprocessor may be configured as a cluster system or a computer cluster. The processor <NUM> executes a program in a program memory <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may include, for example, a semiconductor memory in the processor <NUM> such as a register or a cache memory, may be a main memory that is a main storage device including a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM), or the like, an internal storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) having a function as a permanent storage device, an external storage device or an auxiliary storage device such as a CD, a DVD, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, a USB memory, or a memory card, or may include a storage device such as a server connected via a communication line.

The memory <NUM> mainly includes a data memory <NUM> for storing data and a program memory <NUM> for mainly storing programs. Incidentally, the data memory <NUM> and the program memory <NUM> may store a program such as an OS for starting the computer, data such as a parameter appropriately changed in execution of the module, or the like, in addition to the information shown and the module program.

The output device <NUM> includes, for example, a display device <NUM>, a printing device <NUM>, or the like. The display device <NUM> such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a three-dimensional display, or a projector displays a processing result by the processor <NUM>, data in the data memory <NUM>, or the like as text, image information, or the like. The printing device <NUM>, such as a printer or a multifunction device, prints the processing result by the processor <NUM>, the data in the data memory <NUM>, or the like. The output device <NUM> may include a speaker, an actuator for vibrating the device, or the like.

The reception device <NUM> includes, for example, an instruction reception device <NUM>, a document reading device <NUM>, or the like. The instruction reception device <NUM> such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or a camera (including a line-of-sight detection camera or the like) receives data based on an operation (including an operation, a voice, a line of sight, or the like) of a user with respect to the keyboard, the mouse, the microphone, the camera (including the line-of-sight detection camera or the like).

Further, a touch screen may be provided with both functions of the display device <NUM> and the instruction reception device <NUM>. In this case, with respect to realization of a function of the keyboard, even when there is no physical key, a keyboard (also called a software keyboard, a screen keyboard, or the like) may be drawn on the touch screen by software so as to realize the function of the keyboard.

The display device <NUM> and the instruction reception device <NUM> are mainly used as a user interface.

The document reading device <NUM> such as a scanner or a camera reads or photographs a document and receives the generated image data.

The communication device <NUM> is a communication line interface such as a network card for connecting to another device via a communication line.

A wireless communication (A) module 195A (an example of a "first communication tool") performs wireless proximity communication with the terminal apparatus <NUM>. A distance (so-called communication distance) from the wireless communication (A) module 195A to a communicable partner is shorter than that of a wireless communication (B) module 195B. For example, NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication), RF-ID (abbreviation of Radio Frequency IDentifier), DSRC (abbreviation of Dedicated Short Range Communications), and the like are applicable. In the following examples, NFC is used.

The wireless communication (B) module 195B (an example of a "second communication tool") performs wireless communication with the terminal apparatus <NUM>. For example, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and Wi-Fi are applicable. In the following examples, BLE is used.

Depending on a distance between the information processing apparatus <NUM> and the terminal apparatus <NUM>, there is (<NUM>) a case where wireless communication using the wireless communication (A) module 195A and wireless communication using the wireless communication (B) module 195B are both possible, (<NUM>) a case where the wireless communication using the wireless communication (B) module 195B is possible while the wireless communication using the wireless communication (A) module 195A is not possible, or (<NUM>) a case where the wireless communication using the wireless communication (A) module 195A and the wireless communication using the wireless communication (B) module 195B are both not possible.

When there is a communication tool capable of adjusting intensity of radio waves, the wireless communication (A) module 195A may have lower radio wave intensity than the wireless communication (B) module 195B, and the wireless communication (B) module 195B may have higher radio wave intensity than the wireless communication (A) module 195A. For example, the wireless communication (A) module 195A and the wireless communication (B) module 195B may both be BLE among which the wireless communication (A) module 195A sets radio waves to be weak while the wireless communication (B) module 195B sets radio waves to be strong, or functions of the wireless communication (A) module 195A and the wireless communication (B) module 195B may be provided by changing intensity of radio waves with a single BLE in a time-division manner.

A wired communication module 195C performs wired communication with another apparatus (for example, a service providing apparatus <NUM> which will be described later with reference to <FIG>). For example, communication via the Internet is possible.

For a portion based on a computer program in the exemplary embodiment, the computer program as software is read into the program memory <NUM> of the hardware configuration, and the software and the hardware resources cooperate with each other to realize the exemplary embodiment. That is, the present exemplary embodiment is specifically realized by using hardware resources (including at least the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and in some cases the output device <NUM>, the reception device <NUM>, and the communication device <NUM>) by the information processing by software, and the law of nature is used as a whole.

Note that the hardware configuration illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> illustrates one configuration example, and the exemplary embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, but may be any configuration as long as the module described in the exemplary embodiment can be executed. For example, as the processor <NUM> and a processor <NUM>, a GPU (abbreviation of Graphics Processing Unit, including GPGPU (abbreviation of General-Purpose computing on Graphics Processing Units)) may be used, some of the modules may be executed by dedicated hardware (for example, an integrated circuit for a specific application (as a specific example, an ASIC (abbreviation of Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like) or a reconfigurable integrated circuit (as a specific example, an FPGA (abbreviation of Field-Programmable Gate Array) or the like), some modules may be in an external system and connected by a communication line, further, plural systems illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> may be connected to each other by a communication line so as to cooperate with each other. In particular, in addition to a server and a personal computer, for example, the hardware may be incorporated into an information appliance, a robot, a copier, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, a multifunction device (an image processing device having two or more functions of a scanner, a printer, a copier, a fax machine, or the like), or the like as the information processing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in the example of <FIG>. The hardware may be incorporated into, for example, a portable information communication device (including a portable phone, a smartphone, a mobile device, a wearable computer, or the like) as the terminal apparatus <NUM> illustrated in the example of <FIG>.

The processor <NUM> is connected to the memory <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, the reception device <NUM>, and the communication device <NUM> via the bus <NUM>. The processor <NUM> executes processing according to a computer program describing an execution sequence of each module, which is a program in the program memory <NUM>. For example, when the wireless communication (B) module 195B receives communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM>, or when an operation of the user is received by the instruction reception device <NUM>, processing by a module corresponding to the operation in the program memory <NUM> is executed, the processing result is stored in the data memory <NUM>, output to the display device <NUM>, or transmitted to another device by controlling the communication device <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> includes the data memory <NUM> and the program memory <NUM>, and is connected to the processor <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, the reception device <NUM>, and the communication device <NUM> via the bus <NUM>.

The data memory <NUM> includes an identification information storage module <NUM>.

The identification information storage module <NUM> stores identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The identification information is information for uniquely identifying the information processing apparatus <NUM> in the exemplary embodiment (including a system configuration of the information processing apparatus <NUM> alone and a system configuration of the information processing apparatus <NUM> and the terminal apparatus <NUM>), and may be, for example, a media access control (MAC) address, a hash value, a production number (serial number), a name, or the like that is assigned to the information processing apparatus <NUM>.

Note that an identification number in the identification information storage module <NUM> may be unique information or may be changed as described later.

The program memory <NUM> stores a communication control module <NUM>.

The communication control module <NUM> includes a wireless communication control (A) module <NUM> and a wireless communication control (B) module <NUM>. The communication control module <NUM> controls wireless communication with the terminal apparatus <NUM>.

The wireless communication control (A) module <NUM> transmits the identification information in the identification information storage module <NUM> to the terminal apparatus <NUM> through using the wireless communication (A) module 195A that is wireless proximity communication. That is, since the terminal apparatus <NUM> that is capable of receiving the identification information (or the user <NUM> carrying the terminal apparatus <NUM>) can perform wireless communication with the information processing apparatus <NUM> by the wireless communication (A) module 195A, the terminal apparatus <NUM> is in close proximity to the information processing apparatus <NUM>. To be in close proximity as used herein means that at least wireless communication by the wireless communication (B) module 195B can be performed while a distance therefrom to the information processing apparatus <NUM> is shorter than a distance at which the terminal apparatus <NUM> cannot perform wireless communication by the wireless communication (A) module 195A. When NFC is used as the wireless proximity communication, a method of setting an NFC peer-to-peer mode function in the wireless communication (A) module 195A and transmitting the identification information in the identification information storage module <NUM> to the terminal apparatus <NUM>, or a method of setting a card emulation mode function in the wireless communication (A) module 195A and causing the terminal apparatus <NUM> to read the identification information in the identification information storage module <NUM> as a tag may be employed.

The wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> detects communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM>. When the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> (identification information transmitted by the wireless communication control (A) module <NUM>) is included in the communication, the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> requests connection to the terminal apparatus <NUM> that is a transmission source of the communication via the wireless communication (B) module 195B. In other words, this is a case where the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM>, which is capable of receiving the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> through wireless communication by the wireless communication (A) module 195A, is detected. Such a case corresponds to "(<NUM>) a case where wireless communication using the wireless communication (A) module 195A and wireless communication using the wireless communication (B) module 195B are both possible" described above.

Here, the "communication" in the "detection of the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM>" corresponds to, for example, a beacon from the terminal apparatus <NUM>.

Then the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> performs control to establish connection with the terminal apparatus <NUM>.

When the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> detects the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM> while the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> is not included in the communication, the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may perform control such that the request for the connection with the terminal apparatus <NUM> is not made. In other words, this is a case where the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM>, which has not received the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> through the wireless communication by the wireless communication (A) module 195A, is detected. This corresponds to "(<NUM>) a case where the wireless communication using the wireless communication (B) module 195B is possible while the wireless communication using the wireless communication (A) module 195A is not possible".

Within a predetermined period after the connection is established, when (A1) communication including the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> from another terminal apparatus <NUM> is detected or (A2) the identification information is transmitted to the other terminal apparatus <NUM> through using the wireless communication (A) module 195A, the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may perform control such that the request for connection with the other terminal apparatus <NUM> is not made. That is, the information processing apparatus <NUM> performs wireless communication only with the terminal apparatus <NUM> with which the wireless communication connection by the wireless communication (B) module 195B has been established first.

Here, the "other terminal apparatus <NUM>" refers to a terminal apparatus <NUM> other than the terminal apparatus <NUM> that has already established the wireless communication connection.

When the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> cannot communicate with the terminal apparatus <NUM> that has already established the connection, the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may perform control to permit the connection to the other terminal apparatus <NUM> via the wireless communication (B) module 195B.

The information processing apparatus <NUM> may be an image processing apparatus.

In this case, when the terminal apparatus <NUM> uses a reading function of the information processing apparatus <NUM> (a function of the terminal apparatus <NUM> to acquire an image scanned through using the document reading device <NUM>), the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may perform control such that the connection with the other terminal apparatus <NUM> is not performed. This is because the reading function is not used by plural persons, while the information processing apparatus <NUM> should be used by one person. A specific description will be given. In the case where the reading function is used by the terminal apparatus <NUM> acquiring an image of a document read by the document reading apparatus <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM>, it may be adopted that a person who operates in front of the information processing apparatus <NUM> places the document on the document reading device <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> and instructs execution of the reading. In the case of the wireless communication, since a terminal apparatus <NUM> of a person who is slightly far away can also be connected, if the terminal apparatus <NUM> that is a transmission destination is mistaken, the image of the read document may be transmitted not to the terminal apparatus <NUM> of the operating person but to the terminal apparatus <NUM> of another person. Therefore, it may not be adopted to perform connection with plural terminal apparatuses <NUM> at the same time.

For example, if information indicating which function of the information processing apparatus <NUM> is to be used is included in the information transmitted by the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM>, it can be determined whether the terminal apparatus <NUM> and the other terminal apparatus <NUM> use the reading function of the information processing apparatus <NUM>.

Further, within the predetermined period after the connection is established, when the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> detects the communication including the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> from the other terminal apparatus <NUM> or the identification information is transmitted to the other terminal apparatus <NUM> through using the wireless communication (A) module 195A, the connection to the other terminal apparatus <NUM> may also be performed via the wireless communication (B) module 195B. That is, when the communication from the second and subsequent terminal apparatuses <NUM> is detected in addition to the communication with the terminal apparatus <NUM> with which the wireless communication connection by the wireless communication (B) module 195B has been established first while the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> (the identification information transmitted by the wireless communication control (A) module <NUM>) is included in the communication, the information processing apparatus <NUM> may connect to the second and subsequent terminal apparatuses <NUM> via the wireless communication (B) module 195B. Thereafter, wireless communication connection may be established.

In this case, when the terminal apparatus <NUM> and the other terminal apparatus <NUM> use a printing function (a printing function using the printing device <NUM>) of the information processing apparatus <NUM>, the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may enable the connection to the other terminal apparatus <NUM> via the wireless communication (B) module 195B. Since the printing function only needs to sequentially process received print instructions and thus may be used in a state where plural persons are connected, the information processing device <NUM> is set to be capable of being used by plural persons. A specific description will be given. In the case where the printing function of the information processing apparatus <NUM> is used from the terminal apparatus <NUM>, since only a print job is transmitted, even if print jobs are received from plural terminal apparatuses <NUM> connected at the same time, printing may be performed according to an order of the reception, and thus there is no problem even if the plural of terminal apparatuses <NUM> are connected at the same time.

For example, if the information indicating which function of the information processing apparatus <NUM> is to be used is included in the communication from each terminal apparatus <NUM>, it can be determined whether the terminal apparatus <NUM> and the other terminal apparatus <NUM> use the printing function of the information processing apparatus <NUM>.

Further, within the predetermined period after the connection is established, when the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> detects the communication from the other terminal apparatus <NUM>, or when the identification information is transmitted to the other terminal apparatus <NUM> through using the wireless communication (A) module 195A while the other terminal apparatus <NUM> is closer to the information processing apparatus <NUM> than the terminal apparatus <NUM> that has already established the connection, the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may perform control to enable the connection to the other terminal apparatus <NUM> via the wireless communication (B) module 195B. For example, whether the terminal apparatus <NUM> is close to the information processing apparatus <NUM> may be determined based on intensity of a radio wave received from the terminal apparatus <NUM>. Specifically, when the intensity of the radio wave received from the terminal apparatus <NUM> that has already established the connection (terminal apparatus 250A) is higher than the intensity of the radio wave received from the other terminal apparatus <NUM> (terminal apparatus 250B), it is indicated that the terminal apparatus 250A is closer to the information processing apparatus <NUM> than the terminal apparatus 250B. Of course, on the contrary, when the intensity of the radio wave received from the terminal apparatus 250B is higher than the intensity of the radio wave received from the terminal apparatus 250A, it is indicated that the terminal apparatus 250B is closer to the information processing apparatus <NUM> than the terminal apparatus 250A.

When the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM> is detected while information indicating a FIDO service is included in the communication, the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may perform control such that connection to the terminal apparatus <NUM> that is a transmission source of the communication is performed via the wireless communication (B) module 195B. That is, in the case where the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> and the information indicating the FIDO service are included in the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM>, control is performed such that the connection to the terminal apparatus <NUM> that is the transmission source of the communication is performed via the wireless communication (B) module 195B.

When the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM> is detected while the information indicating the FIDO service is not included in the communication, the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may perform control such that the connection with the terminal apparatus <NUM> that is the transmission source of the communication is not performed. That is, even if the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> is included in the communication from the terminal apparatus <NUM>, if there is no information indicating the FIDO service, control is performed such that the connection with the terminal apparatus <NUM> that is the transmission source of the communication is not performed.

The wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> may change the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> after the wireless communication (A) module 195A transmits the identification information to the terminal apparatus <NUM>. This is to prevent the wireless communication by the wireless communication (B) module 195B from being performed even if the terminal apparatus <NUM> is far such that the communication by the wireless communication (A) module 195A cannot be performed (that is, even if the terminal apparatus <NUM> is far from the information processing apparatus <NUM>), for example, after the terminal apparatus <NUM> performs the wireless communication by the wireless communication (B) module 195B of the information processing apparatus <NUM>. Note that "after the wireless communication (A) module 195A transmits the identification information to the terminal apparatus <NUM>" may also be "after the wireless communication (B) module 195B establishes the wireless communication connection".

Timing of changing the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> may be any one or a combination of the following: a time when the information processing apparatus <NUM> is activated; a time when the information processing apparatus <NUM> enters a power saving state; a time when the information processing apparatus <NUM> recovers from the power saving state; times at predetermined periods; a time when the connection with the terminal apparatus <NUM> is established; a time when the connection with the terminal apparatus <NUM> is ended; and a time when a change operation is performed by an operator.

The terminal apparatus <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the example of <FIG> has a function of performing a wireless communication process with the information processing apparatus <NUM> that the user <NUM> intends to use. As illustrated in the example of <FIG>, the terminal apparatus <NUM> includes at least a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a communication device <NUM>, and is configured by a bus <NUM> for connecting the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM> and the communication device <NUM> so as to exchange data. In addition, the terminal apparatus <NUM> may include an output device <NUM>, and a reception device <NUM>. Data is exchanged between the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, the reception device <NUM>, and the communication device <NUM> via the bus <NUM>.

Note that the block diagram illustrated in the example of <FIG> also illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that implements the terminal apparatus <NUM> of the exemplary embodiment. The hardware configuration of the computer in which the program according to the exemplary embodiment is executed is a computer as illustrated in <FIG>, and is specifically a computer or the like that can serve as a portable information communication device. As a specific example, the processor <NUM> is used as a processing unit, and the memory <NUM> is used as a storage device.

Functions of the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, the reception device <NUM>, the communication device <NUM>, and the bus <NUM> in the terminal apparatus <NUM> are equivalent functions correspond to the functions of the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, the reception device <NUM>, the communication device <NUM>, and the bus <NUM> in the information processing apparatus <NUM>, respectively. Similarly, a data memory <NUM> corresponds to the data memory <NUM>, a program memory <NUM> corresponds to the program memory <NUM>, a display device <NUM> corresponds to the display device <NUM>, an instruction reception device <NUM> corresponds to the instruction reception device <NUM>, a wireless communication (C) module 290A corresponds to the wireless communication (A) module 195A, and a wireless communication (D) module 290B corresponds to the wireless communication (B) module 195B, all of which have functions equivalent to such corresponding components. A camera <NUM> captures a scene or the like as a digital image in response to an operation by the user <NUM> of the instruction reception device <NUM> that also serves as a shutter. Of course, since the terminal apparatus <NUM> is a portable information communication device as described above, the terminal apparatus <NUM> has a size that can be carried by a person.

An identification information storage module <NUM> stores the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> received by the wireless communication (C) module 290A.

A wireless communication control (C) module <NUM> receives the identification information of the information processing apparatus <NUM> through using the wireless communication (C) module 290A (an example of a third communication tool) that is capable of performing wireless proximity communication. The wireless communication control (C) module <NUM> mainly performs wireless communication with the wireless communication control (A) module <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM>. As described above, NFC or the like is applicable.

A wireless communication control (D) module <NUM> performs communication including the identification information, receives a connection request from the information processing apparatus <NUM> via the wireless communication (D) module 290B (an example of a fourth communication tool), and performs control to establish connection with the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The wireless communication control (D) module <NUM> mainly performs wireless communication with the wireless communication control (B) module <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM>. As described above, BLE or the like is applicable.

Note that the communication device <NUM> may also be capable of performing communication via a wireless telephone, the Internet of a wireless line, or the like.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration example using the present exemplary embodiment.

The information processing apparatus <NUM> is incorporated in an image processing apparatus <NUM>. An example in which the information processing apparatus <NUM> is an image processing apparatus is illustrated.

The user <NUM> carries the terminal apparatus <NUM>. The terminal apparatus <NUM> is a portable information communication device that can be carried by the user <NUM>.

An image processing apparatus 200A, an image processing apparatus 200B, and a service providing apparatus <NUM> are connected to each other via a communication line <NUM>. The communication line <NUM> may be wireless, wired, or a combination thereof, and may be, for example, the Internet, an intranet, or the like as a communication infrastructure.

The service providing apparatus <NUM> provides a service to the terminal apparatus <NUM> (or the user <NUM>) via the image processing apparatus <NUM>. As the service, for example, a document to be printed by the image processing apparatus <NUM> is stored, or a document to be read by the image processing apparatus <NUM> is stored. A function of the service providing apparatus <NUM> may be implemented as a cloud service.

When the image processing apparatus <NUM> and the terminal apparatus <NUM> are connected to each other by BLE through wireless communication, the closest image processing apparatus <NUM> and the terminal apparatus <NUM> are not necessarily connected to each other. For example, even if an user 210A carrying the terminal apparatus 250A approaches the image processing apparatus 200A so as to use the image processing apparatus 200A, the terminal apparatus 250B carried by a user 210B may be connected to the image processing apparatus 200A while the terminal apparatus 250A and the image processing apparatus 200A are not connected.

Therefore, the image processing apparatus 200A first transmits identification information of the image processing apparatus 200A (the information processing apparatus 100A) by NFC that has a short communication distance. In this case, only the terminal apparatus 250A that is carried by the user 210A near the image processing apparatus 200A receives the identification information. The terminal apparatus 250A and the terminal apparatus 250B perform beacon communication so as to connect to the image processing apparatus <NUM> (not limited to the image processing apparatus 200A). When the identification information of the image processing apparatus 200A is included in the beacon communication, BLE connection is established. In the example of <FIG>, the BLE connection is established between the image processing apparatus 200A and the terminal apparatus 250A, and is not established between the image processing apparatus 200A and the terminal apparatus 250B. This is because a beacon of the terminal apparatus 250B does not include the identification information of the image processing apparatus 200A, and this is also because the terminal apparatus 250B is located at such a distance that the terminal apparatus 250B cannot perform wireless communication with the image processing apparatus 200A through NFC.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in a case where a connection process between an image processing apparatus <NUM> and the terminal apparatus <NUM> is performed without using the exemplary embodiment. That is, the image processing apparatus <NUM> illustrates an example of a case where identification information is not transmitted by NFC.

During BLE, a terminal can be specified by receiving a broadcast packet that is called an advertising packet and analyzing contents thereof.

However, assuming that the image processing apparatus <NUM> is installed in an office, when there are plural terminal apparatuses <NUM> around the image processing apparatus <NUM>, it is difficult to determine whether the terminal apparatus <NUM> detected by the image processing apparatus <NUM> belongs to the user 210A who is actually in front of the image processing apparatus <NUM>. That is, there is a concern about erroneous connection. Accuracy of position detection based on intensity of a received radio wave of Bluetooth is low, and it is difficult to determine the nearest terminal apparatus <NUM> only based on the intensity of the received radio wave. That is, the terminal apparatus 250B may be detected when the user 210B that is near the image processing apparatus <NUM> has launched the same application as that of the terminal apparatus 250A.

Description will be given with reference to the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG>. The user 210A carrying the terminal apparatus 250A (the user 210A in front of the image processing apparatus <NUM>) is attempting to use the image processing apparatus <NUM>, and the user 210B carrying the terminal apparatus 250B is a person who happens to pass the vicinity of the image processing apparatus <NUM>. However, both the terminal apparatus 250A and the terminal apparatus 250B launch the application for using the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

According to a CTAP <NUM> specification used in FIDO <NUM>, a procedure in which an authenticator (terminal apparatus <NUM>) transmits an advertising packet including a UUID of the FIDO, and a browser (image processing apparatus <NUM>) searches for and connects to the terminal apparatus <NUM> (FIDO UUID) is defined. Processing is performed in accordance with such a CTAP <NUM> specification of the FIDO <NUM>.

In step S302, a beacon (A) is transmitted from the terminal apparatus 250A. This corresponds to the transmission of the advertising packet described above. However, it is assumed that the beacon (A) cannot be received by the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

In step S304, a beacon (B) is transmitted from the terminal apparatus 250B. This corresponds to the transmission of the advertising packet described above. It is assumed that the beacon (B) is received by the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

In step S306, the image processing apparatus <NUM> determines that a transmission source of the detected beacon is the terminal apparatus 250B.

In step S308, the image processing apparatus <NUM> makes a connection request to the terminal apparatus 250B.

In step S310, the terminal apparatus 250B responds to the connection request.

In step S312, connection between the image processing apparatus <NUM> and the terminal apparatus 250B is established.

As described above, there is a possibility that the advertising packet of the beacon transmitted by the terminal apparatus 250B is acquired. In this case, the image processing apparatus <NUM> is not always connected to a nearest terminal apparatus <NUM> (originally, the terminal apparatus 250A).

Therefore, the image processing apparatus <NUM> should establish a wireless communication connection with the nearest terminal apparatus <NUM> (the terminal apparatus <NUM> of the user <NUM> that stands in front of the image processing apparatus <NUM> so as to use the image processing apparatus <NUM>). In the following description, a process for reducing wireless communication performed between the image processing apparatus <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment and a terminal apparatus other than a terminal apparatus carried by a user in the vicinity of the image processing apparatus <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a system configuration using the exemplary embodiment.

The image processing apparatus <NUM> includes a printer control module <NUM>, a scanner control module <NUM>, an operation panel control module <NUM>, an NFC control module <NUM>, a BLE control module <NUM>, a BLE interface module <NUM>, an NFC interface module <NUM>, and a communication interface module <NUM>. The image processing apparatus <NUM> is a specific example of the information processing apparatus <NUM> (or the image processing apparatus <NUM>) described above.

The printer control module <NUM>, the scanner control module <NUM>, the operation panel control module <NUM>, the NFC control module <NUM>, the BLE control module <NUM>, the BLE interface module <NUM>, the NFC interface module <NUM>, and the communication interface module <NUM> are connected to each other via a bus <NUM>.

A printer <NUM> and a scanner <NUM> are connected to the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> is connected to the printer control module <NUM>. The printer control module <NUM> controls a printing process performed by the printer <NUM>.

The scanner <NUM> is connected to the scanner control module <NUM>. The scanner control module <NUM> controls a reading process performed by the scanner <NUM>.

The operation panel control module <NUM> displays an operation performed by the user <NUM> on the image processing apparatus <NUM>, a processing result of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, and the like.

The NFC control module <NUM> is an example of the above-described wireless communication control (A) module <NUM>.

The BLE control module <NUM> is an example of the above-described wireless communication control (B) module <NUM>. Specifically, control of BLE communication and CTAP communication of FIDO server authentication is performed.

The communication interface module <NUM> is connected to the communication line <NUM>. The communication interface module <NUM> is an example of the above-described wired communication module 195C. Specifically, the communication interface module <NUM> is connected to the Internet via the communication line <NUM> (which may further include a FIDO server).

The BLE interface module <NUM> is connected to a BLE antenna <NUM> and is controlled by the BLE control module <NUM>. The BLE interface module <NUM> and the BLE antenna <NUM> are examples of the above-described wireless communication (A) module 195B.

The NFC interface module <NUM> is connected to a tag antenna <NUM> and is controlled by the NFC control module <NUM>. The NFC interface module <NUM> and the tag antenna <NUM> are examples of the above-described wireless communication (B) module 195A.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a process example according to the exemplary embodiment (the image processing apparatus <NUM>).

In step S502, a local name to be passed to the terminal apparatus <NUM> is generated. The local name herein is an example of the identification information of the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

In step S504, the local name is written in an NFC tag.

That is, in step S502 and step S504, the image processing apparatus <NUM> generates the local name to be passed to the terminal apparatus <NUM>, registers the local name in the NFC interface module <NUM> (NFC-tag) of the image processing apparatus <NUM>, and thus allows the terminal apparatus <NUM> to read the local name.

The local name may be updated at predetermined timing. For example, the local name may be changed when the terminal apparatus <NUM> performs NFC reading (that is, when the local name is read by the terminal apparatus <NUM>). That is, the local name is a one-time value.

In addition, the update timing of the local name may be any one of the following, or a combination thereof.

Note that the same value may be used without updating the local name. The predetermined period of "(<NUM>) at predetermined periods" may be set by the user <NUM>. That is, the user <NUM> may set the update timing of the local name.

In step S506, the terminal apparatus <NUM> in which the local name is set by BLE scanning is searched. Specifically, the image processing apparatus <NUM> starts the BLE scanning of and searches for an advertising packet through using the local name generated in step S502. Here, when the terminal apparatus <NUM> cannot be found within a predetermined period, the local name may be updated.

In step S508, it is determined whether the terminal apparatus <NUM> is found. When the terminal apparatus <NUM> is found, the process proceeds to step S510. When time is out while the terminal apparatus <NUM> is not found, the process returns to step S502. Specifically, when the image processing apparatus <NUM> detects an advertising packet that is broadcasted from the terminal apparatus <NUM> and includes the local name set in step S502, the image processing apparatus <NUM> determines that the terminal apparatus <NUM> transmitting the advertising packet is a connection partner.

Further, a distance to the terminal apparatus <NUM> (intensity of a received radio wave) may be added as a condition of the connection. That is, when two or more terminal apparatuses <NUM> are found, the terminal apparatus <NUM> whose received radio wave intensity is high is set as a target of BLE connection.

In step S510, BLE connection to the terminal apparatus <NUM> is performed. The image processing apparatus <NUM> requests BLE connection to the terminal apparatus <NUM> determined as "Yes" in step S508.

In step S512, it is determined whether the connection is successful. When the connection is successful, the process proceeds to step S514. Otherwise, the process returns to step S502.

In step S514, a service (authentication or the like) is performed through using BLE. Specifically, when the BLE connection between the image processing apparatus <NUM> and the terminal apparatus <NUM> is established, BLE pairing and service processing are performed.

More specifically, there is (<NUM>) a BLE pairing process, (<NUM>) an authentication process using a BLE GATT (generic attribute profile) service, that is, a process of reading account information from the terminal apparatus <NUM>, and the like.

If the image processing apparatus <NUM> does not receive any connection response from the terminal apparatus <NUM> within a predetermined period, the connection process is suspended.

When a new terminal apparatus <NUM> is found after the connection, the terminal apparatuses <NUM> may be switched or simultaneously connected. Such processes will be described later.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a process example according to the exemplary embodiment (the terminal apparatus <NUM>).

In step S602, the local name is acquired by NFC. Specifically, the terminal apparatus <NUM> reads the local name from the NFC tag of the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

In step S604, a broadcast in which the local name is set is started. Specifically, the local name is embedded in the advertising packet of the terminal apparatus <NUM>, and advertising (broadcast, beacon) is started.

Note that the advertising may also include service type information. Then, when the service type information in the advertising is "FIDO service", the image processing apparatus <NUM> may check the local name (the processes of step S506 and step S508). When the service type information is not the "FIDO service", the image processing apparatus <NUM> performs nothing (determines "No" in step S508). Alternatively, a process corresponding to the service type information may be performed.

In step S606, the BLE connection from the image processing apparatus <NUM> is accepted. Specifically, when the terminal apparatus <NUM> receives the BLE connection request from the image processing apparatus <NUM>, the terminal apparatus <NUM> accepts the connection from the image processing apparatus <NUM> and establishes the BLE connection.

Note that the terminal apparatus <NUM> may stop the advertising when the BLE connection request from the image processing apparatus <NUM> cannot be received within a predetermined period.

A combination with a FIDO process will be described in more detail.

As for description of a BLE connection method between devices of the FIDO specification, a sequence is described in "<NUM>. Bluetooth Smart / Bluetooth Low Energy Technology" and "<NUM>. Protocol Overview" on website https://fidoalliance. org/specs/fido-v2. <NUM>-ps-<NUM>/fido-client-to-authenticator-protocol-v2. <NUM>-ps-<NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment, an "authenticator" corresponds to the terminal apparatus <NUM>, and a "client" corresponds to the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment, before entering the sequence of FIDO, the image processing apparatus <NUM> (client) passes the local name to the terminal apparatus <NUM> (authenticator) by NFC.

In step <NUM>, the terminal apparatus <NUM> (authenticator) transmits an advertising packet with a beacon. Such information includes information of "FIDO service" that is a packet indicating FIDO, and is transmitted. In the exemplary embodiment, the local name is additionally included and transmitted.

In step <NUM>, the image processing apparatus <NUM> (client) scans a packet including the information of "FIDO service".

In the subsequent steps, after the packet of the "FIDO service" is detected, BLE authentication and connection of the apparatus are performed.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process example according to the exemplary embodiment (the image processing apparatus <NUM> and the terminal apparatus <NUM>).

In step S702, the image processing apparatus 300A generates a one-time local name (for example, hoge). Note that an image processing apparatus 300B also generates a one-time local name (for example, fuga) that is different from the local name generated by the image processing apparatus 300A.

In step S704, the terminal apparatus <NUM> touches NFC of the image processing apparatus 300A and reads the local name.

In step S706, the terminal apparatus <NUM> starts broadcasting using the read local name ('hoge').

In step S708, the image processing apparatus 300A executes BLE scanning and searches for ('hoge').

In step S710, the image processing apparatus 300A is connected to the terminal apparatus 250A that broadcasts hoge.

That is, the image processing apparatus 300A determines "Yes" in step S512 in the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG>, while the image processing apparatus 300B determines "No" in step S512.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the present exemplary embodiment. This flowchart indicates a process in a case where, when communication from the other terminal apparatus 250B is detected within a predetermined period after connection with the terminal apparatus 250A is established, control is performed such that the request for connection with the terminal apparatus 250B is not made. Examples of "when communication from the other terminal apparatus 250B is detected" include a case where the communication from the terminal apparatus 250B is detected immediately after the communication (for example, the beacon) from the terminal apparatus 250A is detected, and a case where NFC tapping is continuously performed from another terminal.

Processes from step S802 to step S812 are the same as the processes from step S502 to step S512 in the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG>.

In step S814, the terminal apparatus <NUM> in which the local name is set by BLE scanning is searched. This is the same process as step S506.

In step S816, it is determined whether the terminal apparatus <NUM> is found. When the terminal apparatus <NUM> is found, the process proceeds to step S818. When time is out while the terminal apparatus <NUM> is not found, the process proceeds to step S822. This is the same process as step S508.

In step S818, BLE connection with the terminal apparatus <NUM> found in step S816 is not performed.

In step S820, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed from a time when the connection is successful (when it is determined as "Yes" in step S812). If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S822. Otherwise, the process returns to step S814.

In step S822, a service (authentication or the like) is performed through using BLE. This is the same process as step S514.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the present exemplary embodiment. This flowchart illustrates a process example in a case where, when the local name is transmitted to the other terminal apparatus 250B through using NFC within the predetermined period after the connection with the terminal apparatus 250A is established, control is performed such that the request for connection with the terminal apparatus 250B is not made.

Processes from step S902 to step S912 are the same as the processes from step S502 to step S512 in the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG>.

In step S914, the local name is written in the NFC tag. This is the same process as step S504.

In step S916, the terminal apparatus <NUM> in which the local name is set by BLE scanning is searched. This is the same process as step S506.

In step S918, it is determined whether the terminal apparatus <NUM> is found. When the terminal apparatus <NUM> is found, the process proceeds to step S920. When time is out while the terminal apparatus <NUM> is not found, the process proceeds to step S924. This is the same process as step S508.

In step S920, the BLE connection with the terminal apparatus <NUM> is not performed.

In step S922, it is determined whether the predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S924. Otherwise, the process returns to step S914.

In step S924, a service (authentication or the like) is performed through using BLE. This is the same process as step S514.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the present exemplary embodiment. The processing according to the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG> or <FIG> can also cope with a case where the communication with the terminal apparatus 250A with which the connection has been established is already disabled. In this case, a process in a case where control is performed such that the BLE connection request is made to the terminal apparatus 250B that requests the connection is illustrated. Here, the "terminal apparatus 250B that requests the connection" is a terminal apparatus <NUM> for which the BLE connection has not been performed in the flowchart (steps S818, step S920) illustrated in the example of <FIG> or <FIG>.

Note that the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG> illustrates a process example after the BLE connection with the terminal apparatus 250A is established.

In step S1002, it is determined whether communication with the terminal apparatus 250A is disabled. If disabled, the process proceeds to step S1004. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1014.

In step S1004, the terminal apparatus 250A determines whether to use a scanning function of the image processing apparatus <NUM>. If use, the process proceeds to step S1016. Otherwise (for example, use a printing function of the image processing apparatus <NUM>), the process proceeds to step S1006.

In step S1006, it is determined whether the other terminal apparatus 250B in which the local name is set is found after the connection with the terminal apparatus 250A. If found, the process proceeds to step S1008. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1020.

In step S1008, BLE connection to the other terminal apparatus 250B is performed. This is the same process as step S510.

In step S1010, it is determined whether the connection is successful. When the connection is successful, the process proceeds to step S1012. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1020. This is the same process as step S512.

In step S1012, a service (authentication or the like) is performed through using BLE. This is the same process as step S514.

In step S1014, communication with the terminal apparatus 250Ais performed, and the process is continued.

In step S1016, the connection with the terminal apparatus 250Ais attempted.

In step S1018, it is determined whether the connection with the terminal apparatus 250A is possible as a result of the process according to step S1016. If the connection is possible, the process proceeds to step S1014. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1020.

In step S1020, the process returns to the flowchart (step S502) illustrated in the example of <FIG>.

The process of step S818 of the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG> or the process of step S920 of the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG> may be replaced with a process according to a flowchart illustrated in an example of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the present exemplary embodiment. This flowchart illustrates a process example in which the BLE connection request is also made to the terminal apparatus 250B when the communication from the terminal apparatus 250B is detected within a predetermined period after the connection is established, or when the identification information is transmitted to the terminal apparatus 250B through using NFC. More specifically, this flowchart illustrates a process example in a case where the BLE connection request is also made to the terminal apparatus 250B when the terminal apparatus 250A and the terminal apparatus 250B use the printing function of the image processing apparatus <NUM>.

In step S1102, the first connected terminal apparatus 250A and the next connectable terminal apparatus 250B determine whether to use the printing function of the image processing apparatus <NUM>. If use, the process proceeds to step S1104. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1106.

In step S1104, BLE connection to the terminal apparatus 250B is performed.

In step S1106, the BLE connection with the terminal apparatus 250B is not performed.

Note that the process of step S822 of the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG> or the process of step S924 of the flowchart illustrated in the example of <FIG> may be "a printing process of the terminal apparatus 250A and the terminal apparatus 250B performed through using BLE".

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the present exemplary embodiment. This flowchart illustrates a process example in a case where, when the communication from the terminal apparatus 250B is detected within a predetermined period after the connection with the terminal apparatus 250A is established, or in a case where the local name is transmitted to the terminal apparatus 250B through using NFC while the terminal apparatus 250B is closer to the image processing apparatus <NUM> than the terminal apparatus 250A, control is performed such that the BLE connection request is made to the terminal apparatus 250B.

In step S1202, it is determined whether a distance between the next connectable terminal apparatus 250B and the image processing apparatus <NUM> is shorter than a distance between the first connected terminal apparatus 250A and the image processing apparatus <NUM>. If shorter, the process proceeds to step S <NUM>. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1208. As described above, the intensity of the radio wave received from the terminal apparatus <NUM> may be used for "determining whether the distance is short". When intensity of a radio wave from the terminal apparatus 250B is higher than intensity of a radio wave from the terminal apparatus 250A, the process proceeds to step S1204. When the intensity of the radio wave from the terminal apparatus 250A is higher than the intensity of the radio wave from the terminal apparatus 250B, the process proceeds to step S1208.

In step S1204, BLE connection to the terminal apparatus 250B is performed.

In step S <NUM>, BLE connection with the terminal apparatus 250A is cut off.

In step S1208, the BLE connection with the terminal apparatus 250B is not performed.

If three or more terminal apparatuses <NUM> are connected or connectable, the process of step S1202 may be set to be "whether the terminal device <NUM> that is closest to the image processing apparatus <NUM> is not the terminal device 250A that has already been connected?". Then, the process of step S <NUM> may be set to be "perform BLE connection to the closest terminal apparatus <NUM>".

In the exemplary embodiments above, the term "processor" refers to hardware in a broad sense. Examples of the processor include general processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit), dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, and programmable logic device).

In the exemplary embodiments above, the term "processor" is broad enough to encompass one processor or plural processors in collaboration that are located physically apart from each other but may work cooperatively. The order of operations of the processor is not limited to one described in the exemplary embodiments above, and may be changed as appropriate.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or may be provided by a communication tool. In this case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a "computer-readable recording medium storing a program ".

The "computer-readable recording medium storing a program" refers to a computer-readable recording medium in which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, or the like.

The recording medium includes, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD) such as a "DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, or the like" that is a standard established by the DVD Forum, "DVD+R, DVD+RW, or the like" that is a standard established by DVD+RW, a compact disk (CD) including read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), or the like, and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a flexible disk (FD), a magnetic tape, a hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)), a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), a secure digital (SD) memory card, or the like.

The whole or a part of the program may be recorded in the recording medium and stored, distributed, or the like. In addition, the program may be transmitted by communication, for example, by using a transmission medium such as a wired network or a wireless communication network used for a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, an intranet, extranet, or the like, or a combination thereof, or may be carried on a carrier wave.

Further, the program may be a part or the whole of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. In addition, the program may be divided and recorded on plural recording media. In addition, the program may be recorded in any mode as long as the program can be restored by compression, encryption, or the like.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a memory (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>), wherein
the memory (<NUM>) stores identification information of the information processing apparatus (<NUM>), and
the processor (<NUM>) is configured to perform control so as to transmit the identification information to a terminal apparatus (<NUM>) via a first
communication module (195A) that is wireless proximity communication,
detect communication from the terminal apparatus (<NUM>), check the identification
information included in the detected communication only in a case where the
detected communication further includes information indicating a Fast Identity Online, FIDO service, and, in
a case where the identification information of the information processing apparatus (<NUM>) is included in the detected communication, request connection to the terminal apparatus (<NUM>) that is a transmission source of the detected communication via a second communication module (195B), and
establish the connection with the terminal apparatus.