Wireless communication device capable of operating as master station of wireless network

• US 9,888,500 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2015
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Nguyenvan, Thanh
• Primary Examiner(s): Orgad, Edan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Latorre, Ivan O
• Application Number:
  US14/606,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20150215973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1044 Group management mechanisms management of multicast group membership H04L12/185; reconfiguring of node membership in a computing system to eliminate errors G06F11/1425
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1048 Departure or maintenance mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/36 for reassigning the resources associated with the released connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements

Abstract

A wireless communication device may form a wireless network in which the wireless communication device operates as a master station, terminate a wireless connection with a target apparatus in a case where a wireless connection request is received from a specific external apparatus under a state of a number of slave apparatuses being equal to an upper limit number K, establish a wireless connection with the specific external apparatus, and perform a wireless communication of first target data with the specific external apparatus by using the wireless network. The wireless communication device may terminate the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus, and establish a wireless connection with the target apparatus via the first wireless communication interface, so as to cause the target apparatus to participate as the slave station in the wireless network again.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device comprising:

a first wireless communication interface;

a processor; and

a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the wireless communication device to execute;

forming a wireless network in which the wireless communication device operates as a master station, the wireless network being for performing a wireless communication of target data with an external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface;

establishing one or more wireless connections with one or more slave apparatuses via the first wireless communication interface, each of the one or more slave apparatuses being an external apparatus operating as a slave station in the wireless network;

receiving a wireless connection request from a specific external apparatus under a state of establishing the one or more wireless connections with the one or more slave apparatuses via the first wireless communication interface;

determining, in a case where the wireless connection request is received from the specific external apparatus, whether a number of the one or more slave apparatuses is equal to an upper limit number K, the upper limit K being an integer equal to or more than 1;

in a case where the number of the one or more slave apparatuses is equal to the upper limit number K;

selecting a target apparatus included in the K slave apparatuses;

disconnecting a wireless connection with the selected target apparatus included in K slave apparatuses by sending a disconnection notification to the target apparatus, so as to cause the target apparatus to secede from the wireless network;

automatically establishing a wireless connection with the specific external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface, so as to cause the specific external apparatus to participate as the slave station in the wireless network, as the target apparatus has seceded from the wireless network;

performing a wireless communication of first target data with the specific external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface by using the wireless network, while the specific external apparatus participates in the wireless network;

automatically disconnecting the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus, so as to cause the specific external apparatus to secede from the wireless network, as the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed; and

automatically establishing, via the first wireless communication interface, a wireless connection with the target apparatus which has received the disconnection notification and has seceded from the wireless network, so as to cause the target apparatus to participate as the slave station in the wireless network again instead of the specific external apparatus, as the specific external apparatus has seceded from the wireless network.

2. The wireless communication device as in claim 1, wherein

in a case where it is determined that the number of the one or more slave apparatuses is not equal to the upper limit number K, the wireless connection with the target apparatus is maintained,

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless communication device to further execute:

in the case where it is determined that the number of the one or more slave apparatuses is not equal to the upper limit number K,

establishing the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface, so as to cause the specific external apparatus to participate as the slave station in the wireless network; and

performing the wireless communication of the first target data with the specific external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface by using the wireless network, after the specific external apparatus has participated in the wireless network,

wherein in the case where it is determined that the number of the one or more slave apparatuses is not equal to the upper limit number K, the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is maintained, after the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed.

3. The wireless communication device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a second wireless communication interface which is different from the first wireless communication interface,

wherein a communicable range via the second wireless communication interface is less than a communicable distance via the first wireless communication interface, and

the receiving of the wireless connection request from the specific external apparatus is executed via the second wireless communication interface.

4. The wireless communication device as in claim 3, wherein

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless communication device to further execute:

notifying the target apparatus of information via the first wireless communication interface, in a case where the wireless connection with the target apparatus is to be disconnected under a state of performing a wireless communication of second target data with the target apparatus via the first wireless communication interface, the information indicating that a wireless communication of uncommunicated data among the second target data is to be performed via the second wireless communication interface, the uncommunicated data being data which has not been communicated with the target apparatus among the second target data,

wherein the disconnecting of the wireless connection with the target apparatus is executed after the notification of the information and the disconnection notification has been sent to the target apparatus,

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless communication device to further execute;

performing the wireless communication of the uncommunicated data with the target apparatus via the second wireless communication interface, after the target apparatus has seceded from the wireless network.

5. The wireless communication device as in claim 3, wherein

the disconnecting of the wireless connection with the target apparatus among at least one slave apparatus is executed, in a case where there is the at least one slave apparatus which satisfies a predetermined disconnection condition in the K slave apparatuses, and

a wireless connection with any of the K slave apparatuses is not disconnected, in a case where there is no slave apparatus which satisfies the predetermined disconnection condition in the K slave apparatuses,

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless communication device to further execute:

notifying the specific external apparatus of information via the second wireless communication interface, in the case where there is no slave apparatus which satisfies the predetermined condition in the K slave apparatuses, the information indicating that a wireless communication of the first target data is to be performed via the second wireless communication interface; and

performing the wireless communication of the first target data with the specific external apparatus via the second wireless communication interface after the notification of the information.

6. The wireless communication device as in claim 1, wherein

in a case where the K slave apparatuses include an active communication apparatus and an inactive communication apparatus, the inactive communication apparatus is selected in priority basis as the target apparatus among the K slave apparatuses,

wherein the active communication apparatus is an apparatus which is communicating target data with the wireless communication device, and

the inactive communication apparatus is an apparatus which is not communicating target data with the wireless communication device.

7. The wireless communication device as in claim 6, wherein

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless communication device to further execute:

registering identification information in a registration list within the memory, the identification information being for identifying an external apparatus with which the wireless communication device is to maintain a wireless connection,

wherein in a case where the K slave apparatuses include two or more inactive communication apparatuses and the two or more inactive communication apparatuses include a registered apparatus and an unregistered apparatus, an unregistered apparatus is selected in priority basis as the target apparatus among the two or more inactive communication apparatuses,

wherein the registered apparatus is an apparatus being identified by the identification information which is being registered in the registration list, and

the unregistered apparatus is an apparatus being identified by identification information which is not being registered in the registration list.

8. The wireless communication device as in claim 6, wherein

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless communication device to further execute:

registering identification information in a registration list within the memory, the identification information being for identifying an external apparatus with which the wireless communication device is to maintain a wireless connection,

wherein the wireless connection request includes specific identification information for identifying the specific external apparatus,

in a case where the K slave apparatuses do not include the inactive communication apparatus, the K slave apparatuses include an unregistered apparatus, and the specific identification information is being registered in the registration list, the unregistered apparatus is selected in priority basis as the target apparatus among the K slave apparatuses,

the unregistered apparatus is an apparatus being identified by identification information which is not being registered in the registration list, and

in a case where the K slave apparatuses do not include the inactive communication apparatus, the K slave apparatuses include the unregistered apparatus, and the specific identification information is not being registered in the registration list, a wireless connection with any of the K slave apparatuses is not disconnected.

9. The wireless communication device as in claim 1, wherein

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless communication device to further execute:

registering identification information in a registration list within the memory, the identification information being for identifying an external apparatus with which the wireless communication device is to maintain a wireless connection,

wherein in a case where the K slave apparatuses include a registered apparatus and an unregistered apparatus, the unregistered apparatus is selected in priority basis as the target apparatus among the K slave apparatuses,

the registered apparatus is an apparatus being identified by the identification information which is being registered in the registration list, and

the unregistered apparatus is an apparatus being identified by identification information which is not being registered in the registration list.

10. The wireless communication device as in claim 9, wherein

the wireless connection request includes specific identification information for identifying the specific external apparatus,

the unregistered apparatus is selected as the target apparatus, in a case where the K slave apparatuses include the unregistered apparatus and the specific identification information is being registered in the registration list, and

a wireless connection with any of the K slave apparatuses is not disconnected, in a case where the K slave apparatuses include the unregistered apparatus and the specific identification information is not being registered in the registration list.

11. The wireless communication device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a print performing unit,

wherein the wireless communication of the first target data with the specific external apparatus is performed by receiving the first target data from the specific external apparatus,

the print performing unit is configured to perform a print based on the first target data, and

the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is automatically disconnected, as the print based on the first target data has been completed.

12. A wireless communication device comprising:

a first wireless communication interface;

a processor; and

a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the wireless communication device to execute;

forming a wireless network in which the wireless communication device operates as a master station, the wireless network being for performing a wireless communication of target data with an external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface;

establishing one or more wireless connections with one or more slave apparatuses via the first wireless communication interface, each of the one or more slave apparatuses being an external apparatus operating as a slave station in the wireless network;

receiving a wireless connection request from a specific external apparatus under a state of establishing the one or more wireless connections with the one or more slave apparatuses via the first wireless communication interface;

determining, in a case where the wireless connection request is received from the specific external apparatus, whether a number of the one or more slave apparatuses is equal to an upper limit number K, the upper limit K being an integer equal to or more than 1;

in a case where the number of the one or more slave apparatuses is equal to the upper limit number K;

selecting a target apparatus included in the K slave apparatuses;

disconnecting a wireless connection with the selected target apparatus included in K slave apparatuses by sending a disconnection notification to the target apparatus, so as to cause the target apparatus to secede from the wireless network, in a case where it is determined that the number of the one or more slave apparatuses is equal to the upper limit number K;

automatically establishing a wireless connection with the specific external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface, so as to cause the specific external apparatus to participate as the slave station in the wireless network, as the target apparatus has seceded from the wireless network, wherein the number of the one or more slave apparatuses becomes again equal to the upper limit number K in a case where the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is automatically established;

performing a wireless communication of first target data with the specific external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface by using the wireless network, while the specific external apparatus participates in the wireless network;

automatically disconnecting the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus, so as to cause the specific external apparatus to secede from the wireless network, as the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed under a state of the number of the one or more slave apparatuses being equal to the upper limit number K, in a case where the target apparatus is a predetermined apparatus, wherein the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is maintained after the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed under the state of the number of the one or more slave apparatuses being equal to the upper limit number K, in a case where the target apparatus is not the predetermined apparatus; and

automatically establishing, via the first wireless communication interface, a wireless connection with the target apparatus which has received the disconnection notification and has seceded from the wireless network, so as to cause the target apparatus to participate as the slave station in the wireless network again instead of the specific external apparatus, as the specific external apparatus has seceded from the wireless network.

13. The wireless communication device as in claim 12, wherein

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the wireless communication device to further execute:

registering identification information in a registration list within the memory, the identification information being for identifying an external apparatus with which the wireless communication device is to maintain a wireless connection,

wherein in a case where the K slave apparatuses include a registered apparatus and an unregistered apparatus, the unregistered apparatus is selected in priority basis as the target apparatus,

the registered apparatus is an apparatus being identified by the identification information which is being registered in the registration list,

the unregistered apparatus is an apparatus being identified by identification information which is not being registered in the registration list,

the disconnecting of the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is executed after the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed, in a case where the target apparatus is the registered apparatus which is the predetermined apparatus, and

the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is maintained after the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed, in a case where the target apparatus is the unregistered apparatus which is not the predetermined apparatus.

14. The wireless communication device as in claim 13, wherein

in a case where the K slave apparatuses include an unregistered active communication apparatus and an unregistered inactive communication apparatus, the unregistered inactive communication apparatus is selected in priority basis as the target apparatus among the K slave apparatuses,

wherein the unregistered active communication apparatus is the unregistered apparatus which is communicating target data with the wireless communication device,

the unregistered inactive communication apparatus is the unregistered apparatus which is not communicating target data with the wireless communication device, and

the disconnecting of the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is executed after the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed, in a case where the target apparatus is the unregistered active communication apparatus which is the predetermined apparatus, and

the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is maintained after the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed, in a case where the target apparatus is the unregistered inactive communication apparatus which is not the predetermined apparatus.

15. The wireless communication device as in claim 12, wherein

in a case where the K slave apparatuses include an active communication apparatus and an inactive communication apparatus, the inactive communication apparatus is selected in priority basis as the target apparatus among the K slave apparatuses,

the active communication apparatus is an apparatus which is communicating target data with the wireless communication device,

the inactive communication apparatus is an apparatus which is not communicating target data with the wireless communication device,

the disconnecting of the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is executed after the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed, in a case where the target apparatus is the active communication apparatus which is the predetermined apparatus, and

the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is maintained after the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed, in a case where the target apparatus is the inactive communication apparatus which is not the predetermined apparatus.

16. The wireless communication device as in claim 12, further comprising:

a print performing unit,

wherein the wireless communication of the first target data with the specific external apparatus is performed by receiving the first target data from the specific external apparatus,

the print performing unit is configured to perform a print based on the first target data, and

the disconnecting of the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus is executed, after the print based on the first target data has been completed, in the case where the target apparatus is the predetermined apparatus.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for a wireless communication device,

the computer-readable instructions, when executed by a processor of the wireless communication device, causing the wireless communication device to execute:

forming a wireless network in which the wireless communication device operates as a master station, the wireless network being for performing a wireless communication of target data with an external apparatus via a first wireless communication interface

establishing one or more wireless connections with one or more slave apparatuses via the first wireless communication interface, each of the one or more slave apparatuses being an external apparatus operation as a slave station in the wireless network;

receiving a wireless connection request from a specific external apparatus under a state of establishing the one or more wireless connections with the one or more slave apparatuses via the first wireless communication interface;

determining, in a case where the wireless connection request is received from the specific external apparatus, whether a number of the one or more slave apparatuses is equal to an upper limit number K, the upper limit K being an integer equal to or more than 1;

in a case where the number of the one or more slave apparatuses is equal to the upper limit number K;

selecting a target apparatus included in the K slave apparatuses;

disconnecting a wireless connection with the selected target apparatus included in K slave apparatuses by sending a disconnection notification to the target apparatus, so as to cause the target apparatus to secede from the wireless network, in a case where it is determined that the number of slave apparatuses is equal to the upper limit number K;

automatically establishing a wireless connection with the specific external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface, so as to cause the specific external apparatus to participate as the slave station in the wireless network, as the target apparatus has seceded from the wireless network;

performing a wireless communication of first target data with the specific external apparatus via the first wireless communication interface by using the wireless network, while the specific external apparatus participates in the wireless network;

automatically disconnecting the wireless connection with the specific external apparatus, so as to cause the specific external apparatus to secede from the wireless network, as the wireless communication of the first target data has been completed; and

automatically establishing, via the first wireless communication interface, a wireless connection with the target apparatus which has received the disconnection notification and has seceded from the wireless network, so as to cause the target apparatus to participate as the slave station in the wireless network again instead of the specific external apparatus, as the specific external apparatus has seceded from the wireless network.