Electronic device, information terminal, method for controlling electronic device, method for controlling information terminal, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device, an information terminal, a method for controlling the electronic device, a method for controlling the information terminal, and a storage medium. The electronic device includes: a receiving unit that receives a change request from a currently connected AP to change a connection destination AP to which a connection is to be connected; a processing unit communicating with the information terminal via the currently connected AP and performing a specific process including transmission or reception of data; and a control unit that performs control in response to receiving the change request in a first state in which a portion of the data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the information terminal and the reception or transmission of a remaining portion of the data has not been completed, and a change request to transmit a notification to the information terminal to request execution of a detection process for detecting the electronic device before a connection with a currently connected AP is disconnected, and to execute a connection destination change based on the change request after the transmission of the notification.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device capable of changing a connection destination AP to which it is connected according to a connection destination change request from an access point (AP), an information terminal, a method for controlling the electronic device, a method for controlling the information terminal, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] A technology for an extended service set (ESS) including a plurality of APs involves dynamically switching a connection destination AP to which a station (STA) is to be connected in the ESS to efficiently exchange data between the AP and the STA. When it is determined that an AP as a connection destination is to be switched based on, for example, congestion of an AP to which the STA is currently connected, occupancy of other APs, or radio wave conditions, the currently connected AP transmits an AP change request to the STA. Upon receiving the AP change request, the STA switches the connection destination AP according to the AP change request to connect to an appropriate AP.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2021-175068 discloses the following process for transmitting a request from a router with an AP function to a currently connected wireless slave unit to change the connection destination. A mobile router (MR1) that can be connected to multiple wireless slave units checks whether the wireless slave terminal supports the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11v. It can be determined whether the wireless slave terminal supports IEEE 802.11v based on an association request frame transmitted from the wireless slave terminal to wirelessly connect to MR1. If the wireless slave terminal supports IEEE 802.11v, a basic service set (BSS) transition management (BTM) request frame is transmitted to the wireless slave terminal. In the BTM request frame, the BSS transition candidate list entry field specifies the basic service set identifier (BSSID) of the master router RT2 as the connection destination. Thus, the switching of the connection destination of the slave terminal is prompted. Based on the received BTM request frame, the wireless slave terminal switches the connection destination from MR1 to the master router RT2. Summary of the invention

[0004] In various embodiments, the electronic device of the present disclosure includes: a receiving unit, which is configured to receive a change request for changing the connection to a connection destination AP from a currently connected access point AP; a processing unit, which is configured to communicate with an information terminal via the currently connected AP and perform specific processing including transmission or reception of data; and a control unit, which is configured to, in response to receiving the change request in a first state in which a part of the data used for the specific processing has been received or transmitted through communication with the information terminal and the reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not yet been completed, perform control to transmit a notification to the information terminal before the connection with the currently connected AP is disconnected to request the execution of a detection process for detecting the electronic device, and perform a connection destination change based on the change request to change the connection destination AP after the transmission of the notification.

[0005] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a system according to one embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) according to one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C is a diagram of an example screen displayed on the operation display unit of the MFP according to one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal device according to one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 is a diagram of a configuration of an access point (AP) according to one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process performed in response to a connection destination change request from an AP according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a process performed by the MFP in response to a connection destination change request from an AP according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a connection destination changing process executed by the MFP according to one embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a print data transmission process performed by a mobile terminal device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the described embodiments are merely examples, and unless otherwise specified, specific examples of components, processing steps, display screens, etc. are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] The STA has a state in which switching of the connection destination AP does not cause a problem, and a state in which switching of the connection destination AP or disconnection from the currently connected AP causes a problem. That is, if a request to change the connection destination AP is received from the currently connected AP and the connection destination AP is switched in response to the request, the STA may have a problem. If the STA does not respond to the request to change the connection destination AP received from the currently connected AP, the STA may also have a problem when disconnecting from the currently connected AP.

[0017] For example, a problem may occur when the STA is printing print data received from another device such as a smartphone or a personal computer (PC) via the currently connected AP.

[0018] In this case, if a request to change the connection destination AP is received and the connection destination AP is switched in response to the request, the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the STA is changed. Then, the STA whose IP address has been changed is not recognizable to other devices, which prevents the other devices from transmitting the subsequent part of the print data being printed. Thus, the unreceived part of the print data being printed cannot be received by the STA, and the STA cannot complete the printing. Moreover, in the case of switching the connection destination AP during the transmission or reception of data other than the print data, the remaining part of the data is prevented from being transmitted or received to complete the processing.

[0019] Thus, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism that can avoid failure in transmission or reception of data when an AP serving as a connection destination is switched in response to a request to change a connection destination.

[0020] System Configuration

[0021] Figure 1 An example configuration of a system according to one embodiment is illustrated. In one example, the system is a wireless communication system in which multiple communication devices can communicate wirelessly with each other. Figure 1In the example shown in , the communication device includes a mobile terminal device 104, an MFP 100, access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102), a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server 103, a domain name system (DNS) server 105, and a network 110. The mobile terminal device 104 is a device having a wireless communication function using a wireless local area network (LAN) or the like. The wireless LAN may be referred to as a WLAN hereinafter. The mobile terminal device 104 may be, for example, a personal information terminal such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone (smart phone), a digital camera, or a personal computer (PC).

[0022] MFP 100 is a printer with a printing function. MFP 100 may also have a reading function (scanner), a fax transmission (fax) function, and a telephone function. In the present embodiment, MFP 100 also has a communication function for wirelessly communicating with a mobile terminal device 104. The present embodiment describes MFP 100 as an example but not a limitation. Instead of MFP 100, any other device with a communication function may be used, such as a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music player, a television, or a smart speaker. MFP is an acronym for Multi Function Peripheral.

[0023] The access point AP1 (101) is deployed separately from (or externally to) the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100, and operates as a WLAN base station device. A communication device having a WLAN communication function can perform communication in the infrastructure mode of the WLAN via the access point AP1 (101). In the following description, the access point may be referred to as an "AP". The infrastructure mode of the WLAN may be referred to as a "wireless infrastructure mode". The access point AP1 (101) performs wireless communication with a communication device (authenticated communication device) that is allowed to connect to the access point AP1 (101), and relays wireless communication between the communication device and another communication device. The access point AP1 (101) can be connected to, for example, a wired communication network, and can relay communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and another communication device wirelessly connected to the access point AP1 (101).

[0024] The access point AP2 (102) has a function equivalent to that of the access point AP1 (101). If necessary, the MFP 100 switches the connection from the access point AP1 (101) to the access point AP2 (102). The DHCP server 103 is connected to the MFP 100 via the access point AP1 (101) and the network 110, and responds to a request from the MFP 100 to provide a service to the MFP 100. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the DHCP server 103 is connected as a device different from the access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102). However, the access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) may have a DHCP server function. The DNS server 105 is connected to the MFP 100 and the mobile terminal device 104 via the access point AP1 (101) and the network 110, and responds to requests from the MFP 100 or the mobile terminal device 104 to provide a name resolution service. The network 110 may be the Internet, a closed network within a company, or a mobile phone network.

[0025] Appearance of MFP

[0026] Figure 2A An example appearance of the MFP 100 is illustrated. The MFP 100 includes, for example, a document table 201, a document cover 202, a print sheet insertion port 203, a print sheet discharge port 204, and an operation display unit 205. The document table 201 is a table on which a document to be read is placed. The document cover 202 is a cover to be closed to press the document placed on the document table 201 and prevent external leakage of light from a light source irradiating the document during reading of the document. The print sheet insertion port 203 is an insertion port in which sheets of various sizes can be set. The print sheet discharge port 204 is a discharge port through which printed sheets are discharged. The sheets set in the print sheet insertion port 203 are conveyed one by one to a printing unit 222 (described below), printed by the printing unit 222, and then discharged through the print sheet discharge port 204. The operation display unit 205 includes keys such as character input keys, cursor keys, an enter key, and a cancel key, a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and the like. The operation display unit 205 is configured to accept operations performed by a user, such as activation of various MFP functions and setting of various settings. The operation display unit 205 may also include a touch panel display. The MFP 100 has a wireless communication function using WLAN, and includes a wireless communication antenna 206 for wireless communication. The wireless communication antenna 206 may not be visible from the outside. Like the mobile terminal device 104, the MFP 100 may also perform wireless communication using WLAN in a frequency band such as the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.

[0027] MFP Configuration

[0028] Figure 2BAn example configuration of the MFP 100 is illustrated. The MFP 100 includes a main board 211 for performing main control of the MFP 100, and a wireless unit 226. The wireless unit 226 is a communication module for performing WLAN communication by using at least one common antenna. The MFP 100 also includes, for example, a modem 229 for performing wired communication. The main board 211 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 212, a read-only memory (ROM) 213, a random access memory (RAM) 214, a nonvolatile memory 215, an image memory 216, a read control unit 217, a data conversion unit 218, a read unit 219, and an encoding / decoding processing unit 221. The main board 211 also includes, for example, a printing unit 222, a sheet feeding unit 223, a printing control unit 224, an operation display unit 220, and a fax control unit 227.

[0029] The functional units in the above-mentioned main board 211 are connected to each other via a system bus 230 managed by the CPU 212. The main board 211 and the wireless unit 226 are connected via, for example, a dedicated bus 225. The main board 211 and the modem 229 are connected via, for example, a bus 228.

[0030] The CPU 212 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the overall operation of the MFP 100. In one example, the processing of the MFP 100 described below is realized by the CPU 212 executing a program stored in the ROM 213. Hardware dedicated to each of the processing may be provided. The ROM 213 stores a control program executed by the CPU 212, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 212 executes each control program stored in the ROM 213 under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 213 to control software such as for scheduling and for switching tasks.

[0031] RAM 214 includes, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM). RAM 214 stores data such as data of program control variables, setting values ​​registered by a user, and data for managing MFP 100. RAM 214 can also be used as a buffer for various jobs. Nonvolatile memory 215 includes, for example, a memory such as a flash memory, and continuously stores data even after the power of MFP 100 is turned off. Image memory 216 includes a memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Image memory 216 stores image data received via wireless unit 226, image data processed by encoding / decoding processing unit 221, and the like. The memory configuration of MFP 100 is not limited to the above configuration. Data conversion unit 218 performs processing such as analysis of data in various formats and conversion from image data to print data.

[0032] The reading control unit 217 controls the reading unit 219 (e.g., a contact image sensor (CIS)) to optically read the document placed on the document table 201. The reading control unit 217 converts the image obtained by optically reading the document into electrical image data (image signal) and outputs the electrical image data. At this time, the reading control unit 217 may perform various types of image processing such as binarization and halftone processing before outputting the image data.

[0033] The operation display unit 220 and the reference Figure 2A The described operation display unit 205 corresponds to and executes processing such as displaying on a display under display control of the CPU 212 and generating a signal in response to acceptance of a user operation.

[0034] The encoding / decoding processing unit 221 performs encoding processing, decoding processing, and enlargement / reduction processing of image data handled by the MFP 100 , such as Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) data or Portable Network Graphics (PNG) data.

[0035] The sheet feeding unit 223 holds sheets for printing. The sheet feeding unit 223 can feed the set sheets under the control of the print control unit 224. The sheet feeding unit 223 may include a plurality of sheet feeding units to hold a plurality of types of sheets in a single device, and may perform control to determine from which of the sheet feeding units to feed the sheets under the control of the print control unit 224.

[0036] The print control unit 224 performs various types of image processing such as smoothing processing, print density correction processing, and color correction on the image data to be printed, and outputs the processed image data to the print unit 222. The print unit 222 is configured to perform, for example, an inkjet printing process. The print unit 222 ejects ink supplied from an ink cartridge through a print head, and records an image on a recording medium such as a sheet of paper. The print unit 222 may be configured to perform another printing process such as an electrophotographic printing process. In addition, the print control unit 224 may periodically read information about the print unit 222, and update, for example, status information stored in the RAM 214. The status information includes, for example, the remaining amount of the ink cartridge and the state of the print head.

[0037] The wireless unit 226 is a unit capable of providing a WLAN communication function. For example, the wireless unit 226 can provide a function similar to the function of the combination with the WLAN unit 401 of the mobile terminal device 104. That is, according to the WLAN standard, the wireless unit 226 converts data into packets and transmits the packets to another device, or restores the packets from another external device to the original data and outputs the original data to the CPU 212. The wireless unit 226 can perform communication as a station that complies with the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. In particular, the wireless unit 226 can perform communication as an IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax station. In the following description, the station may be referred to as STA. In addition, the wireless unit 226 can perform communication as a Wi-Fi AgileMultiband (trademark) STA.

[0038] The wireless unit 226 supports IEEE 802.11ax, i.e., Wi-Fi 6 (trademark), and can perform processing in accordance with IEEE802.11ax. That is, the MFP 100 can perform one or both of the processing of a STA supporting OFDMA (or compatible therewith) and the operation (processing) of a STA supporting TWT (or compatible therewith). OFDMA is the abbreviation of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access. TWT is the abbreviation of Target Wake Time. Since the wireless unit 226 supports TWT, the timing of data communication from the host device to the STA is adjusted. The wireless unit 226 (i.e., MFP 100) used as a STA puts the communication function into a sleep state when there is no need to wait for signal reception. This configuration can reduce power consumption. The wireless unit 226 also supports Wi-Fi 6E (trademark). That is, the wireless unit 226 can also perform communication on the 6GHz band (5.925GHz to 7.125GHz). The 6 GHz band does not include a target band for implementing dynamic frequency selection (DFS) included in the 5 GHz band. Therefore, in communication on the 6 GHz band, communication disconnection caused by DFS waiting time does not occur. As a result, more comfortable communication can be expected.

[0039] The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 can perform point-to-point (P2P) (WLAN) communication based on Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), and the wireless unit 226 has a software access point (Soft-AP) function or a group owner function. That is, the wireless unit 226 can establish a P2P communication network and determine a channel to be used for P2P communication.

[0040] Operation display unit of MFP

[0041] Figures 3A to 3C An example screen displayed on the display (touch panel display) included in the operation display unit 220 of the MFP 100 is schematically illustrated. Figure 3A An example of a home screen displayed when no operation such as printing or scanning occurs after the power of the MFP 100 is turned on (when the MFP 100 is in an idle state or a standby state) is illustrated. Figure 3A , display items (menu items) labeled "Copy", "Scan", and "Cloud" are displayed. The item "Cloud" is a menu item related to a cloud function using Internet communication. When one of the menu items is selected by key operation or touch panel operation, the MFP 100 can start implementing the corresponding setting or function. The MFP 100 accepts Figure 3A key operation or touch panel operation on the main screen shown in Figure 3A The screen shown in the figure is different from the screen shown in the figure.

[0042] Figure 3B The diagram shows an example of displaying another part of the home screen. In response to an operation of displaying another page of the home screen (such as sliding from left to right or vice versa), a switch from Figure 3A The status shown in Figure 3B The transition of the screen shown in . Figure 3B In the display, display items (menu items) labeled "communication settings", "printing" and "photos" are displayed. When one of these menu items is selected, the function corresponding to the selected menu item, that is, one of the printing function, the photo function and the communication settings is implemented.

[0043] Figure 3C The diagram shows that when Figure 3B An example of a display of a menu screen for communication settings that is displayed when communication settings are selected on the screen shown in . The menu screen for communication settings displays menu items (options) "Wireless LAN", "Wired LAN", "Wireless Direct", "Bluetooth", and "Common Settings". The items "Wireless LAN", "Wired LAN", and "Wireless Direct" are menu items for performing LAN settings, and one of these items is used to perform settings, such as setting a wired connection, enabling or disabling a wireless infrastructure mode, or enabling or disabling a P2P mode (such as a WFD or Soft-AP mode). When the item "Wireless LAN" is selected and the wireless LAN is set to enable by a user operation, the wireless infrastructure mode is enabled. When the item "Wireless Direct" is selected and the wireless direct connection is set to enable by a user operation, the P2P (WLAN) mode is enabled. This screen also displays a "Common Settings" menu associated with each connection mode. On this screen, the user can also set the frequency band and frequency channel of the wireless LAN.

[0044] Appearance of mobile terminal equipment

[0045] Figure 4A 4 is a diagram illustrating an example appearance of a mobile terminal device 104. In the present embodiment, as an example, the mobile terminal device 104 is a typical smart phone. The mobile terminal device 104 includes, for example, a display unit 402, an operation unit 403, and a power key 404. The display unit 402 is, for example, a display including an LCD display mechanism. The display unit 402 can display information by using, for example, an LED. In addition to the display unit 402 or instead of the display unit 402, the mobile terminal device 104 can have a function of outputting information by voice. The operation unit 403 includes hard keys such as keys and buttons, a touch panel, etc. to detect user operations.

[0046] In the illustrated example, a common touch panel display is used to display information on the display unit 402 and to accept user operations through the operation unit 403. Therefore, the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 are implemented by a single device. In this case, for example, a button icon or a software keyboard is displayed using the display function of the display unit 402, and a user's touch on the button icon or the software keyboard is detected by the operation acceptance function of the operation unit 403. The display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 can be separated from each other, and the hardware for display and the hardware for operation acceptance can be provided separately. The power key 404 is a hard key for accepting a user operation for turning on or off the power of the mobile terminal device 104.

[0047] The mobile terminal device 104 includes a WLAN unit 401 that provides a WLAN communication function. The WLAN unit 401 may not be visible from the outside. The WLAN unit 401 is configured to perform data (packet) communication in a WLAN system that complies with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series of standards (such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax).

[0048] In addition, the WLAN unit 401 can perform communication as a Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark) AP. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the WLAN unit 401 can be configured to perform communication in a WLAN system that complies with any other standard. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the WLAN unit 401 can perform communication on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. It is also assumed that the WLAN unit 401 can perform communication based on WFD, communication in Soft-AP mode, communication in wireless infrastructure mode, etc. The operations in these modes will be described below.

[0049] Configuration of mobile terminal equipment

[0050] Figure 4BAn example configuration of a mobile terminal device 104 is illustrated. In one example, the mobile terminal device 104 includes a main board 411 for performing main control of the mobile terminal device 104, and a WLAN unit 429 for performing WLAN communication. The main board 411 includes, for example, a CPU 412, a ROM 413, a RAM 414, an image memory 415, a data conversion unit 416, a telephone unit 417, a GPS 419, a camera unit 421, a nonvolatile memory 422, a data storage unit 423, a speaker unit 424, and a power supply unit 425. CPU is an acronym for Central Processing Unit, ROM is an acronym for Read Only Memory, RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory, and GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. The mobile terminal device 104 also includes a display unit 420 and an operation unit 418. The functional units in the above-mentioned main board 411 are connected to each other via the system bus 628 managed by the CPU 412. The main board 411 and the WLAN unit 429 (the above-mentioned WLAN unit 401) are connected to each other via the dedicated bus 426, for example.

[0051] The CPU 412 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal device 104. In one example, the processing of the mobile terminal device 104 described below is implemented by the CPU 412 executing a program stored in the ROM 413. Hardware dedicated to each of the processing may be provided. The ROM 413 stores a control program executed by the CPU 412, an embedded OS program, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 412 executes each control program stored in the ROM 413 under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 413 to control software such as for scheduling and for switching tasks.

[0052] RAM 414 includes, for example, SRAM. RAM 414 stores data such as data of program control variables, setting values ​​registered by the user, and data for managing mobile terminal device 104. RAM 414 can also be used as a buffer for various jobs. Image memory 415 includes a memory such as DRAM. Image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received via WLAN unit 429 and image data read from data storage unit 423 so that CPU 412 processes image data. Non-volatile memory 422 includes, for example, a memory such as flash memory, and continuously stores data even after the power supply of mobile terminal device 104 is turned off. The memory configuration of mobile terminal device 104 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, image memory 415 and RAM 414 can be shared, or, for example, data storage unit 423 can be used to back up data. In the present embodiment, an example of image memory 415 is DRAM. However, any other storage medium such as a hard disk or non-volatile memory can be used as image memory 415.

[0053] The data conversion unit 416 performs analysis of data in various formats, and data conversion such as color conversion and image conversion. The telephone unit 417 controls the telephone line and processes audio data input or output via the speaker unit 424 to achieve telephone communication. The GPS 419 receives radio waves transmitted from a satellite and acquires position information such as the longitude and latitude of the current position of the mobile terminal device 104.

[0054] The camera unit 421 has a function of electronically recording and encoding an image input via a lens. The image data of the image captured by the camera unit 421 is stored in the data storage unit 423. The speaker unit 424 performs a function of realizing input or output of a voice for a telephone function or realizes control of other functions such as alarm notification. The power supply unit 425 is, for example, a portable battery and controls the power supply to the mobile terminal device 104. The state of the power supply includes, for example, a depleted battery state in which the battery does not have a remaining capacity, a power off state in which the power key 404 remains unpressed, an activation state in which the mobile terminal device 104 is normally activated, and a power saving state in which the mobile terminal device 104 is activated and is in a power saving mode.

[0055] The display unit 420 and the reference Figure 4A The display unit 402 described above corresponds to the display unit 402, and accepts various input operations under the control of the CPU 412, for example, and displays the operation status and conditions of the MFP 100. The operation unit 418 corresponds to the display unit 402 described above. Figure 4A The operation unit 418 corresponds to the operation unit 403 described above. In response to a user operation, the operation unit 418 performs control to, for example, generate an electric signal corresponding to the operation and output the electric signal to the CPU 412.

[0056] In the mobile terminal device 104, the WLAN unit 429 is used to perform wireless communication and perform data communication with other devices such as MFP 100. The WLAN unit 429 converts data into packets and transmits the packets to another device. In addition, the WLAN unit 429 restores the packets from another external device to original data and outputs the original data to the CPU 412. The WLAN unit 429 is a unit for implementing communication that meets each WLAN standard. The WLAN unit 429 can operate concurrently in at least two communication modes including a wireless infrastructure mode and a P2P (WLAN) mode. The frequency bands used in these communication modes are limited by hardware functions and capabilities.

[0057] Access point configuration

[0058] Figure 5 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the access point AP1 (101) having a wireless LAN access point function. The access point AP1 (101) includes a main board 510 for controlling the access point AP1 (101), a wireless LAN unit 516, a wired LAN unit 518, and an operation button 520.

[0059] The CPU 511 is in the form of a microprocessor disposed on the main board 510, and operates according to the control program stored in the program memory 513 in the form of ROM and the contents of the data memory 514 in the form of RAM. The program memory 513 and the data memory 514 are connected to the CPU 511 via the internal bus 512. The CPU 511 controls the wireless LAN unit 516 through the wireless LAN communication control unit 515 to perform wireless LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. In addition, the CPU 511 controls the wired LAN unit 518 through the wired LAN communication control unit 517 to perform wired LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. The CPU 511 can control the operation unit control circuit 519 to accept the operation from the user using the operation button 520. The CPU 511 includes at least one processor.

[0060] The access point AP1 ( 101 ) further includes an interference wave detection unit 521 and a channel change unit 522 .

[0061] The interference wave detection unit 521 performs a process of detecting an interference wave during wireless communication performed on a frequency band implementing DFS. In response to detecting an interference wave during wireless communication performed on a frequency band implementing DFS, the channel change unit 522 performs a process of changing a channel to be used when, for example, a channel needs to be immediately changed to an available channel.

[0062] The access point AP2 (102) has a configuration similar to that of the access point AP1 (101).

[0063] P2P communication method

[0064] Next, a brief description of a P2P (WLAN) communication method for allowing devices to directly communicate with each other wirelessly without using an external access point in WLAN communication will be given. P2P (WLAN) communication can be implemented by using multiple methods. For example, a communication device supports multiple modes for P2P (WLAN) communication and selectively uses one of the multiple modes to perform P2P (WLAN) communication.

[0065] The following two P2P modes are provided:

[0066] Soft-AP mode; and

[0067] WFD mode.

[0068] A communication device capable of performing P2P communication may be configured to support at least one of these modes. However, even a communication device capable of performing P2P communication does not need to support all of these modes, and may be configured to support only some of these modes.

[0069] A communication device having a WFD communication function (e.g., mobile terminal device 104) calls an application (or a dedicated application, if any) for implementing the communication function in response to a user operation accepted via an operation unit of the communication device. The communication device then displays a screen of a user interface (UI) provided by the application to prompt the user to perform an operation, and can perform WFD communication in response to acceptance of the operation performed by the user.

[0070] Soft-AP mode

[0071] In Soft-AP mode, a communication device (e.g., mobile terminal device 104) operates in the role of a client requesting various services. Then, another communication device (e.g., MFP 100) operates as a Soft-AP set by software to implement the function of an AP in a WLAN. Since the commands and parameters transmitted and received in the wireless connection established between the client and the Soft-AP are commands and parameters defined by the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, their description will be omitted. The MFP 100 operating in Soft-AP mode operates as a master station and determines the frequency band and frequency channel. Thus, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use and which frequency channel to use in that frequency band from the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands.

[0072] WFD Mode

[0073] The MFP 100 can be activated as a fixed master station (i.e., autonomous group owner) in WFD mode. In this case, the group owner (GO) negotiation process for determining the role is not performed. In addition, in this case, the MFP 100 operates as a master station and determines the frequency band and frequency channel. Thus, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use from the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands and which frequency channel to use in that frequency band.

[0074] Wireless Infrastructure Mode

[0075] In the wireless infrastructure mode, communication devices (e.g., mobile terminal device 104 and MFP100) that communicate with each other are connected to an external AP (e.g., access point AP1 (101)) that controls a network, and communication between the communication devices is performed via the external AP. In other words, communication is performed between the communication devices via a network established via the external AP. The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 each discover the access point AP1 (101), transmit a connection request to the access point AP1 (101), and connect to the access point AP1 (101). As a result, these communication devices can communicate with each other via the access point AP1 (101) in the wireless infrastructure mode. Multiple communication devices can be connected to different APs. In this case, data transmission is performed between APs to allow communication between the communication devices. Since the commands and parameters transmitted and received during communication between the communication devices via one or more access points are commands and parameters defined by the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, their description will be omitted. In this case, the access point AP1 (101) determines the frequency band and frequency channel. Thus, the access point AP1 (101) can select which frequency band to use and which frequency channel to use in that frequency band from among the 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands.

[0076] Processing in response to a connection destination change request from an AP to a STA

[0077] The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 support a feature publicly available as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark). The Wi-Fi Agile Multiband feature enables selection of an optimal environment according to the changing conditions of the Wi-Fi network. Specifically, STAs (such as the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100) and APs (such as the access point AP1 (101)) exchange information about the network environment by using the IEEE802.11 series of communication standards. Such exchange of information allows the AP to direct the STA to another AP, frequency band or channel when the network is congested, and in some cases even to another cellular service (change the connection destination).

[0078] Figure 6 100 is a sequence diagram of a process in which the MFP 100 switches a connection destination AP to be connected from the access point AP1 (101) to the access point AP2 (102) according to a connection destination change request from the access point AP1 (101).

[0079] The processing performed by each device in the illustrated sequence is realized by a CPU included in the device reading various programs stored in a memory such as a ROM included in the device into a RAM included in the device and executing the programs.

[0080] exist Figure 6 In the process shown in , in the initial state, the MFP 100 has established a connection with the access point AP1 (101) in the wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the access point AP1 (101) are connected to each other in the wireless infrastructure mode, the access point AP1 (101) has acquired information indicating whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. If the access point AP1 (101) has acquired information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v, the following process is performed.

[0081] In S601, the access point AP1 (101) transmits an inquiry (measurement request) about the radio field strength of an AP located near the MFP 100 to the MFP 100. The inquiry is transmitted as, for example, a beacon frame request or a beacon report request. That is, a request defined by the IEEE 802.11k standard may be used.

[0082] In S602, in response to the request received in S601, MFP 100 receives frames transmitted from APs located near MFP 100 and measures the respective radio field strengths of these APs. As a result, the radio field strength of each of a plurality of APs including access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) is measured.

[0083] In S603, the MFP 100 transmits a list of radio field strengths of APs located near the MFP 100 measured in S602 as a response to the request received in S601. In addition to or instead of the information measured in S602, the radio field strengths to be transmitted as a response may be, for example, information stored in the RAM 214 and the nonvolatile memory 215 of the MFP 100. The response is transmitted, for example, as a beacon report or a measurement report.

[0084] In S604, the access point AP1 (101) determines whether to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100 based on the network congestion recognized by the access point AP1 (101) and the radio field strength received from the MFP 100 in S603. Examples of factors for which the access point AP1 (101) determines to change the connection destination include a large number of STAs connected, a large amount of communication, reduced congestion in the network for another AP, the presence or absence of interfering radio waves, and stoppage of AP functions. If the access point AP1 (101) determines to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100 and determines the service set identifier (SSID), channel, and frequency band of another AP to be designated as the destination to which the MFP 100 is to connect, the process proceeds to S605.

[0085] In S605, the access point AP1 (101) transmits an AP change request (connection destination change request) to the MFP 100. The connection destination change request includes information on the SSID, channel, and frequency band of another AP specified as a destination to which the MFP 100 is to connect determined in S604.

[0086] A plurality of SSIDs may be specified. The connection destination change request is transmitted, for example, as a basic service set (BSS) transition management (BTM) request. That is, a BTM request frame defined by the IEEE 802.11v standard is transmitted. Figure 6 In the example shown in , the access point AP2 ( 102 ) is specified as the destination included in the connection destination change request.

[0087] In S606, if the MFP 100 complies with the connection destination change request received in S605, the MFP 100 transmits a response indicating acceptance of the switching of the connection destination to the access point AP1 (101). If the MFP 100 does not comply with the connection destination change request, the MFP 100 may transmit a response indicating rejection of the switching of the connection destination. The response is transmitted as a BTM response. Figure 6 In the example shown in , it is assumed that a response indicating acceptance of switching of the connection destination is transmitted.

[0088] In S607, the access point AP1 (101) and the MFP 100 disconnect in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0089] In S608, the MFP 100 transmits a connection request to the access point AP2 (102) in order to connect to the access point AP2 (102) designated by the connection destination change request received in S605.

[0090] As a result, in S609, the connection between the MFP 100 in the wireless infrastructure mode and the access point AP2 (102) is established.

[0091] This mechanism allows the MFP 100 serving as a STA to change the connection destination from the access point AP1 (101) to the access point AP2 (102) according to a connection destination change request from the access point AP1 (101) to which the MFP 100 was originally connected. The access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) may be located at different locations. That is, by Figure 6 , the MFP 100 can switch the connection destination from the AP to which the MFP 100 is initially connected to another AP installed at a different location. The access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) can support different frequency bands among a plurality of frequency bands (two or three of the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands) provided by the same device. That is, by Figure 6 , the MFP 100 can switch the frequency band to another frequency band provided by the same device as the AP to which the MFP 100 was originally connected. For example, the MFP 100 can change the connection destination to an AP in the 6 GHz band in response to the connection destination change request.

[0092] This embodiment describes an example in which a measurement request and a connection destination change request are transmitted from an AP by using a mechanism compliant with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark) and an STA responds to these requests. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. This embodiment is also applicable when the STA responds to and changes the connection destination AP (switches, deletes, or adds an AP used as a connection destination) in response to a measurement request and a connection destination change request transmitted from an AP by using a mechanism different from the mechanism in the above example.

[0093] Figure 7 2 is a flowchart of a process executed by the MFP 100 in response to a connection destination change request. The illustrated process is implemented by the CPU 212 loading a program stored in the ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executing the program. When the power of the MFP 100 is turned on or the wireless communication function is turned on, the connection destination change request is started. Figure 7 The processing shown in .

[0094] In S701, the CPU 212 starts connecting to a preset AP (registered AP). The SSID and password of the preset AP are recorded in the non-volatile memory 215, and the CPU 212 connects to the registered AP using the recorded information. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the access point AP1 (101) has been registered as a registered AP. In some cases, the connection with the registered AP fails due to reasons such as inability to receive radio waves from the registered AP. However, the description of such a case will be omitted. When a wireless connection (Wi-Fi connection) is established with the registered AP, the process proceeds to S702.

[0095] In S702, the CPU 212 determines whether the IP address setting of the MFP 100 is a static IP address setting. If the dynamic IP address setting is off and it is determined that the static IP address setting is enabled, the process proceeds to S704. If it is determined that the static IP address setting is not enabled, the process proceeds to S703. When the dynamic IP address setting of DHCP is turned on (DHCP is set to enabled), it is determined that the static IP address setting is turned off, and the process proceeds to S703. That is, the process of S702 is also a determination about whether the DHCP setting is enabled in the MFP 100. The dynamic IP address setting is configured as a setting item name such as "automatically obtain", for example, and the state in which the automatic acquisition is enabled is the state in which the dynamic IP address setting is turned on. When the dynamic IP address setting is disabled (or turned off, that is, DHCP is set to disabled) and an IP address used as a static IP address is set, it is determined that the static IP address setting is turned on, and the process proceeds to S704. In the present embodiment, by way of example but not limitation, the protocol used for the dynamic IP address is DHCP.

[0096] As used herein, the term "dynamic IP address" refers to an IP address assigned by the DHCP server 103. When the DHCP setting is turned on, the MFP 100 acquires an IP address by using DHCP. The term "static IP address" refers to an IP address manually set by a user of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 confirms that the static IP address is manually set, and determines whether the static IP address setting is turned on.

[0097] In S703, the CPU 212 performs control to request the DHCP server 103 to allocate a dynamic IP address. That is, the CPU 212 issues a DHCP Discover command and requests allocation of an IP address. The DHCP server 103 transmits a DHCP Offer as a response to notify the MFP 100 that an available IP address can be allocated. The MFP 100 issues a DHCP Request command in which an IP address notified as available for allocation according to the DHCP Offer is specified to the DHCP server 103, and requests the DHCP server 103 to allocate the IP address. If the IP address specified by the MFP 100 can be allocated, the DHCP server 103 transmits a DHCPACK as a response to confirm the IP address (dynamic IP address) of the MFP 100.

[0098] In S704, the CPU 212 confirms the IP address by the static IP address. That is, the IP address set by the user and stored in the ROM 213 is confirmed as the IP address of the MFP 100.

[0099] In S705 , the CPU 212 stores the dynamic IP address or the static IP address assigned by the DHCP server 103 in the RAM 214 .

[0100] Thus, a connection is established with the access point AP1 (101) in the wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the access point AP1 (101) are connected to each other in the wireless infrastructure mode, the access point AP1 (101) acquires information indicating whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. In the present embodiment, a description will be given assuming that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v.

[0101] In S706, the CPU 212 determines whether a measurement request ( Figure 6 If a measurement request is received, the process proceeds to S707; otherwise, the process proceeds to S708.

[0102] In S707, if Figure 6 As described in S602 and S603 in FIG. 1 , the CPU 212 measures the radio field strengths of APs located near the MFP 100 using the wireless unit 226, and transmits a list of the radio field strengths of the APs as a beacon report to the access point AP1 (101).

[0103] In S708, the CPU 212 determines whether a connection destination change request (described above in S605) is received from the access point AP1 (101). If a connection destination change request is received, the process proceeds to S709; otherwise, the process proceeds to S716.

[0104] In S709, the CPU 212 determines whether the MFP 100 is performing application layer communication, that is, communication for performing printing processing, with the mobile terminal device 104 to which the MFP 100 is connected via the currently connected access point AP1 (101). If the MFP 100 is performing communication for performing printing, the process proceeds to S712; otherwise, the process proceeds to S710. In a state where a part of the print data of the image to be printed has been received from the mobile terminal device 104 as a partner device and the reception of the remaining part of the print data has not yet been completed, the communication for performing printing processing is in progress. In the MFP 100, all the print data to be printed on one sheet of paper is not stored. That is, when a part of the print data is received, the MFP 100 prints the received part of the print data (for example, data for one line is received and the line is printed). When the subsequent part of the print data is received, the MFP 100 prints the subsequent part of the print data. The above operation is repeated to perform printing. Even during printing, during printing for maintenance purposes that does not involve communication with a partner device (because print data stored in the MFP 100 is used), "NO" is determined in S709. Printing for maintenance purposes includes, for example, the following types of printing:

[0105] Automatic alignment adjustment printing for printing and reading an adjustment pattern for adjusting vertical line distortion and color shift and performing head position adjustment;

[0106] Nozzle check pattern printing for checking nozzle clogging;

[0107] Setting printing of an adjustment pattern of calibration adjustment values ​​for correcting a change in color tone due to individual difference characteristics of the MFP 100 or a change over time (printing for color calibration); and

[0108] Printing of adjustment patterns for finely adjusting the paper feed amount (printing for band adjustment).

[0109] In S710, the CPU 212 transmits a response indicating that the connection destination will be changed according to the received connection destination change request (the request is accepted) to the access point AP1 (101). Figure 6 The processing of S606 in .

[0110] In S711, the CPU 212 disconnects the access point AP1 (101) and executes a process of connecting to the AP recommended for connection included in the connection destination change request. That is, the CPU 212 changes the connection destination AP according to the connection destination change request. More specifically, the CPU 212 executes Figure 6 When the dynamic IP address setting is turned on (if it is determined as "No" in S702), the CPU 212 further performs processing similar to the processing of S703 to newly acquire a dynamic IP address, and stores the dynamic IP address in the RAM 214 as the IP address of the MFP 100. That is, in the case where it is determined as "No" in S709, the dynamic IP address is newly acquired according to the change of the connection destination based on the connection destination change request, and the IP address is allowed to be changed.

[0111] In S712 , the CPU 212 stores the information on the AP recommended for change (information including the BSSID for identifying the AP recommended for change) included in the received connection destination change request in the RAM 214 of the MFP 100 .

[0112] In S713, the CPU 212 refers to the reason for change included in the received connection destination change request, and determines whether the reason for change is strong. If the reason is strong, the process proceeds to S715; otherwise, the process proceeds to S714. For example, when the Disassociation Imminent bit or the BBS Termination Included bit in the Request Mode field of the BTM request is set to 1, it is determined that the request is strong.

[0113] In S714, the CPU 212 transmits a response indicating rejection of the change of the connection destination based on the connection destination change request to the access point AP1 (101). Figure 6 In S714, since the reason for change is not strong, even if the change rejection response is transmitted, upon receiving the response, it is unlikely that the communication with the MFP 100 will be forcibly disconnected from the access point AP1 (101). That is, it can be expected that the access point AP1 (101) will increase the priority of maintaining the connection with the MFP 100 by, for example, transmitting a connection destination change request to another STA different from the MFP 100 connected to the access point AP1 (101). As described above, if there is no strong reason for change, the CPU 212 transmits the change rejection response in the expectation that the connection with the access point AP1 (101) can be maintained.

[0114] Alternatively, the MFP 100 may not respond to (ie, ignore) the connection destination change request without transmitting a rejection response to the access point AP1 (101). In S714, in any case, the CPU 212 performs control not to change the connection destination according to the connection destination change request.

[0115] In S715, the CPU 212 executes a connection destination change process to change the connection destination according to the connection destination change request. Figure 8 The connection destination change process is described.

[0116] In the present embodiment, the determination of S713 is performed, and as an example but not limitation, the connection destination is changed according to the connection destination change request only when a connection destination change request with a strong reason for change is received during the process (print process) involving communication. After S712, regardless of whether the reason for change is strong, the process may skip S713 and proceed to S715 to change the connection destination according to the connection destination change request.

[0117] In S716, the CPU 212 determines whether any other event has occurred. If any other event has occurred, the process proceeds to S717; otherwise, the process proceeds to S718.

[0118] In S717, the CPU 212 executes processing corresponding to the event that has occurred. For example, the CPU 212 executes processing involving copying or cloud communication in response to a key operation or a touch panel operation from the operation display unit 205. If an event such as a user operation for enabling the above-mentioned dynamic IP address setting or a user operation for manually inputting a static IP address has occurred, the content of the setting corresponding to the operation is recorded in the ROM 213. In another example, if an operation event for registering an AP to be registered (registering the SSID and password of the AP to be registered) has occurred, registration processing is performed according to the operation.

[0119] If an operation event giving an instruction to execute copying has occurred in S716, then in S717 the CPU 212 drives the reading unit 219 to read a document and causes the printing unit 222 to print an image of the read document to execute copying.

[0120] In S718, the CPU 212 determines whether the wireless connection with the currently connected AP has been terminated (disconnected). The termination of the wireless connection determined here occurs in response to an event such as turning off the power of the MFP 100, disabling the setting of the wireless connection, or failing to receive radio waves from the currently connected AP. In S718, a disconnection from the original connection destination caused by the process of changing the connection destination according to the connection destination change request will not be determined. If the wireless connection with the currently connected AP has not been terminated, the process returns to S706. If the wireless connection with the currently connected AP has been terminated, then Figure 7 The processing shown in is completed.

[0121] Figure 8 is the above Figure 7 Flowchart of the connection destination change process in S715 in . The illustrated process is implemented by the CPU 212 loading the program stored in the ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executing the program.

[0122] In S801, the CPU 212 determines whether the IP address setting of the MFP 100 is a static IP address setting. This determination is consistent with Figure 7 The determination of S702 in is similar. If the static IP address setting is enabled, the process proceeds to S802. If the static IP address setting is not enabled (ie, the dynamic IP address setting is enabled), the process proceeds to S806.

[0123] In S802, the CPU 212 transmits a response indicating acceptance of the change based on the connection destination change request to the AP connected before the change of the connection destination (e.g., access point AP1 (101)), and then disconnects the wireless connection with the currently connected AP (i.e., access point AP1 (101)). If the static IP address setting is enabled, the processing of S806 described below is not performed until disconnection with the currently connected AP.

[0124] In S803, the CPU 212 wirelessly connects to the AP recommended for the change (e.g., access point AP2 (102)) by using the information about the AP recommended for the change. The information about the AP recommended for the change is included in the connection destination change request received from the AP connected before the change of the connection destination (i.e., access point AP1 (101)), and is recorded in S712.

[0125] In S804, the CPU 212 confirms the IP address by the static IP address. Then, the process proceeds to S811. This process is similar to Figure 7 The processing of S704 is similar.

[0126] In S806, the CPU 212 transmits (notifies) a name resolution request as a request to perform name resolution processing to the mobile terminal device 104 via the currently connected AP before disconnecting from the currently connected AP. The name resolution request is a request to newly perform a detection process for detecting the MFP 100 from the mobile terminal device 104. The reason for the notification is that the IP address of the MFP 100 may be changed by switching the AP that is the connection destination of the MFP 100 from the access point AP1 (101) to the access point AP2 (102). The mobile terminal device 104 is not allowed to perform communication for the remaining part of the print job unless the mobile terminal device 104 knows the new IP address of the MFP 100. The mobile terminal device 104 newly requests the DNS server 105 to perform name resolution while specifying the domain of the MFP 100. If the name resolution is successful, the new IP address of the MFP 100 is known. The mobile terminal device 104 can communicate with the MFP 100 by using the new IP address. As a result, the subsequent part of the print data of the print job being printed can be transferred from the mobile terminal device 104 to the MFP 100, and the MFP 100 can continue the print process. However, normally, the mobile terminal device 104 does not request name resolution during the transfer of a print job.

[0127] Thus, at this time, the MFP 100 notifies the mobile terminal device 104 that it is necessary to request name resolution, and prompts the mobile terminal device 104 to request name resolution. This makes it possible to perform communication between the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 even after the AP as the connection destination of the MFP 100 is changed. In other words, it is possible to avoid failure of communication between the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 after the AP as the connection destination of the MFP 100 is changed, and avoid failure of transmission or reception of data. The notification is performed using a method such as a protocol, specific examples of which include a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), a management information base (MIB), an Internet printing protocol (IPP), and a device web service (WSD). The notification can be performed using any other communication protocol (i.e., a transmission control protocol (TCP) or a user datagram protocol (UDP)).

[0128] The processing of S807 and S808 is similar to the processing of S802 and S803 described above, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0129] In S809, the CPU 212 requests the DHCP server 103 to assign a dynamic IP address. Figure 7 The processing of S703 in is similar.

[0130] In S810 , the CPU 212 receives DHCP ACK transmitted from the DHCP server 103 to the MFP 100 as a response, and acquires the IP address of the MFP 100 from the information included in the DHCP ACK.

[0131] In S811, the CPU 212 stores the static IP address confirmed in S804 or the dynamic IP address newly assigned by the DHCP server 103 in S810 in the RAM 214. Here, the dynamic IP address has been assigned before the switching of the connection destination AP.

[0132] In S812, the CPU 212 communicates with the partner device (i.e., the mobile terminal device 104), and continues the print process. In this case, although the connection destination AP is changed according to the connection destination change request, the IP address of the MFP 100 is not changed or the mobile terminal device 104 knows the new IP address of the MFP 100 (the IP address acquired in S810) through the name resolution. Thus, the communication between the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 can be performed. As a result, the print process involving the communication is continued, and the print data included in the print job can be printed to the end.

[0133] In S813, the CPU 212 determines whether a connection destination change request transmitted from the currently connected AP (in this case, the access point AP2 (102)) is received. That is, it is determined whether a request to further change the connection destination has been made from the access point AP2 (102). If a connection destination change request is received, the process proceeds to Figure 7 S709 in ; otherwise, the process proceeds to S814.

[0134] In S814, the CPU 212 determines whether the print processing involving the communication with the mobile terminal device 104 that was continued (printing the remaining part) in S812 is completed (for example, whether the print job has been printed to the end). If it is determined that the printing is completed, then Figure 8 The processing shown in ends, and then the processing proceeds to Figure 7 S716 in; otherwise, the process returns to S812.

[0135] In response to the connection destination being changed to the access point AP2 (102), Figure 8 If duplication of IP addresses due to use of the static IP address of MFP 100 is detected in S804, any of the following processes may be performed. Duplication of IP addresses is detected when, for example, devices having the same IP address and different media access control (MAC) addresses exist in an address resolution protocol (ARP) table.

[0136] One process is to reconnect to the AP before switching (before the connection destination is changed) (ie, the process proceeds to S701).

[0137] Another process is to display a message indicating duplication of IP addresses on the display of the operation display unit 220 and disconnect the network.

[0138] Another process is to dynamically acquire an IP address from the DHCP server 103 (ie, execute the processes of S806 to S810 ).

[0139] The present embodiment has described the acquisition of an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address through DHCP. The present disclosure can also be applied to the acquisition of an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address. When acquiring an IPv6 address, the MFP 100 transmits a DHCPv6 request message to the DHCP server 103 to request the same IPv6 address. If the request fails, the MFP 100 transmits a DHCPv6 solicit message and reacquires the IPv6 address.

[0140] Although the above has described the processing performed during the reception of print data, similar processing can be applied during the reception of other data different from the print data or during the transmission of other data. For example, when the reading unit 219 scans a document and transmits an image (image data) of the scanned document to the mobile terminal device 104 via the AP, similar processing can be applied. In this case, if in the above Figure 7 If the determination in S708 is "yes", then instead of or in addition to the determination in S709, it is determined whether the scanning and sending process is in progress. If the scanning and sending process is not in progress, the process proceeds to S710. If the scanning and sending process is in progress, the processes of S712 to S715 are executed and Figure 8 The process shown in , in which the above-mentioned "Print" is replaced with "Scan and Send".

[0141] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the print data transmission process executed by the mobile terminal device 104 .

[0142] The illustrated process is executed by the mobile terminal device 104 in conjunction with the MFP 100. Figure 8 The illustrated process is implemented by the CPU 412 loading a program stored in the ROM 413 into the RAM 414 and executing the program.

[0143] In S901, the CPU 412 connects to the AP in the infrastructure mode. It is assumed here that the CPU 412 is connected to the access point AP1 (101).

[0144] In S902, the CPU 412 determines whether a print instruction is received to transmit a print job to the MFP 100. For example, if the printer driver installed in the mobile terminal device 104 receives a print instruction from the user, the process proceeds to S903. Otherwise, the process returns to S902, and its redundant description will be omitted.

[0145] In S903, the CPU 412 performs a detection process of detecting the MFP 100 from the network by using the pre-stored host name or device name of the MFP 100, and identifies the IP address of the MFP 100. Specifically, the name resolution is requested to identify the IP address of the MFP 100 by using a protocol for resolving an IP address from a host name or a device name (such as a multicast DNS or a link-local multicast name resolution (LLMNR) protocol) or by using the DNS server 105. At least one of the above-mentioned multiple methods can be selected according to the network configuration. The CPU 412 can perform the process of S903 by using the function of the OS incorporated in the mobile terminal device 104. The process of S903 can be performed to identify the IP address of the MFP 100 before receiving the print instruction in S902.

[0146] Multicast DNS (mDNS) is a communication protocol that can be operated even in the absence of the DNS server 105. In mDNS, a query is broadcast in the network to query all hosts on the same network at the same time. Hosts matching the query host name claim to have the query host name and respond with their IP addresses.

[0147] LLMNR is one of the mechanisms for searching for the correspondence between a host name and an IP address, and performs name resolution without using a server only in a local network. Name resolution can be performed even in an environment where the DNS server 105 is unavailable. In LLMNR, when it is desired to know the IP address of a computer (in this case, MFP 100) having a certain host name, queries are distributed simultaneously on the local network through broadcast communication. The device having a certain host name returns its IP address to the transmission source.

[0148] In S904, CPU 412 starts to transmit print data (print data included in the print job) to the IP address of MFP 100 identified in S903 as the transmission target, so that mobile terminal device 104 performs printing by using MFP 100. As described above, when a part of the print data is received, MFP 100 prints the received part of the print data (for example, receives data of one line and prints the line). When the subsequent part of the print data is received, MFP 100 prints the subsequent part of the print data. Repeat the above operation to perform printing. Thus, mobile terminal device 104 does not transmit all the print data to MFP 100 at one time, but transmits the divided parts of the print data in sequence according to the progress of printing.

[0149] In S905, the CPU 412 determines whether a name resolution request transmitted from the MFP 100 is received. The name resolution request is received in the above Figure 8 It is transmitted in S806.

[0150] If a name resolution request is received, the process proceeds to S906; otherwise, the process proceeds to S911.

[0151] In S906, the CPU 412 suspends the transmission of the print data. The reason for doing so is as follows. Since the name resolution request is received, it is expected that the IP address will no longer be available for communication.

[0152] In S907, the CPU 412 again executes processing similar to that of S903 to detect the MFP 100 again and recognize the new IP address of the MFP 100. That is, name resolution is requested, and name resolution is executed.

[0153] In S908, the CPU 412 determines whether the new IP address of the MFP 100 is successfully identified. If the name resolution is successful and the new IP address of the MFP 100 is successfully identified, the process proceeds to S910; otherwise, the process proceeds to S909. Even if the name resolution is successful, if the identified IP address is the same as the IP address of the MFP 100 that was previously used before the change in the connection destination, it is possible that the MFP 100 has not yet been disconnected from the previous AP. Therefore, if the identified IP address is the same as the IP address of the MFP 100 that was previously used before the change in the connection destination, it can be determined as "No" in S908, and the process can proceed to S909. Alternatively, the process of S907 can be executed after waiting for a certain amount of time (approximately several seconds to tens of seconds) to pass after it is determined in S905 that the name resolution request is received, to ensure that the process of S907 can be executed after the MFP 100 has disconnected from the previous AP.

[0154] In S909, the CPU 412 determines whether a predetermined time (approximately several seconds to several tens of seconds) has passed since it was determined in S905 that the name resolution request was received. If the predetermined time has not passed (if it has not exceeded the predetermined time), the processing returns to S907, and the detection processing of the MFP 100 is performed again. This is because the incomplete re-acquisition of the IP address of the MFP 100 caused by the change of the connection destination will cause the recognition failure of the new IP address of the MFP 100. After a period of time has passed, the re-acquisition of the IP address of the MFP 100 caused by the change of the connection destination is completed, and the mobile terminal device 104 is likely to successfully detect the MFP 100. Therefore, the detection of the MFP 100 is retried. If the predetermined time has passed, the detection of the MFP 100 is no longer attempted, and the transmission of the print data is forcibly terminated without resuming the transmission of the print data to terminate the print job. Then, the processing returns to S902 and waits for another print instruction.

[0155] In S910, the CPU 412 resumes the transmission of the print data suspended in S906 to the MFP 100. More specifically, the CPU 412 transmits the remaining part of the print data to the MFP 100 by using the new IP address of the MFP 100 identified in S907 (the IP address obtained after the connection destination AP is changed) as the transmission target. Thus, the remaining part of the print data is received by the MFP 100, and the MFP 100 performs subsequent printing, and the print job can be printed to the end.

[0156] In S911, the CPU 412 determines whether the transfer of the print data started in S904 has been completed (ie, whether the transfer of the entire print data has been completed). If the transfer has not been completed, the process returns to S905. If the transfer has been completed, the process proceeds to S902.

[0157] As described above, immediately before switching the connection destination AP, the MFP 100 notifies the mobile terminal device 104 that it is necessary to perform the process of detecting the MFP 100 again (name resolution and recognition of the new IP address), thereby continuing and completing printing. That is, it is possible to avoid failure in transmission or reception of data when the AP serving as the connection destination is switched in response to a request to change the connection destination.

[0158] Although the above has described the processing performed during the reception of print data, similar processing can be applied during the reception of other data different from the print data or during the transmission of other data. For example, when the reading unit 219 scans a document and transmits an image (image data) of the scanned document to the mobile terminal device 104 via the AP, similar processing can be applied. In this case, if in the above Figure 7 If the determination in S708 of the embodiment is "yes", then instead of or in addition to the determination in S709, it is determined whether the scanning and sending process is in progress. If the scanning and sending process is not in progress, the process proceeds to S710. If the scanning and sending process is in progress, the processes of S712 to S715 are performed and Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The process shown in , in which the above-mentioned "Print" is replaced with "Scan and Send".

[0159] The various types of control performed by the CPU 212 or 412 described above may be performed by one piece of hardware, or multiple pieces of hardware (eg, multiple processors or circuits) may share the processing to control the overall operation of the MFP 100 or the mobile terminal device 104 .

[0160] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to its exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications also fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The above embodiments are examples of the present disclosure, and any combination thereof can be used.

[0161] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as an example, the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to MFP. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the example shown, and can be applied to any wireless device used as a STA capable of performing processing according to a connection destination change request from an AP. That is, the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, PCs, PDAs, tablet terminals, mobile phone terminals such as smart phones, music players, game devices, e-book readers, smart watches, and various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as thermometers and hygrometers. The present disclosure can also be applied to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, web cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones. In addition, the present disclosure can also be applied to video output devices, audio output devices (e.g., smart speakers), media streaming players, and wireless LAN slave devices (adapters) that can be connected to a universal serial bus (USB) terminal or a LAN cable terminal. The video output device includes, for example, a device such as a set-top box, and is configured to obtain (download) a moving image or still image from the Internet identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) specified by the electronic device, and output the moving image or still image to a display device connected via a video output terminal (such as a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI (registered trademark)) video output terminal). This configuration implements streaming playback on the display device and implements mirror display (allowing content displayed on the electronic device to also be displayed on the display device). In addition, the video output device includes, for example, a media player such as a hard disk recorder, a blue-ray recorder, and a DVD recorder, a head-mounted display, a projector, a television, a display device (monitor), and a marking device. The present disclosure can also be applied to Wi-Fi-enabled devices known as smart home appliances, such as smart air conditioners, smart refrigerators, smart washing machines, smart vacuum cleaners, smart ovens, smart microwave ovens, smart lighting systems, smart heaters, and smart coolers.

[0162] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to avoid failure in transmission or reception of data when an AP serving as a connection destination is switched in response to a request to change a connection destination.

[0163] Other embodiments

[0164] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by reading out and executing computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more completely referred to as a 'non-transitory computer-readable storage medium') to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments and / or a computer of a system or device including one or more circuits (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and by a computer of a system or device, for example, reading out and executing computer executable instructions from a storage medium to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute computer executable instructions. Computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a storage device of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or a Blu-ray disk (BD)) TM ), one or more of a flash memory device, a memory card, etc.

[0165] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0166] Although exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a change request for changing a connection destination AP to be connected to from a currently connected access point AP; a processing unit configured to communicate with the information terminal via the currently connected AP and perform a specific process including transmission or reception of data; as well as A control unit configured to In response to receiving the change request in a first state which is a state in which a part of the data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the information terminal and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed, Control is performed to transmit a notification to the information terminal to request execution of a detection process for detecting the electronic device before disconnection with the currently connected AP, and to perform a connection destination change based on the change request to change the connection destination AP after transmission of the notification.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The detection process is a process for identifying an Internet Protocol IP address of the electronic device obtained after the AP to which the electronic device is connected is switched according to the change request.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The detection process is a process including name resolution for the electronic device.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The detection process includes at least one of a process using a multicast domain name system DNS, a process using a link local multicast name resolution LLMNR, and a process for requesting a DNS server to perform name resolution.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The specific process is at least one of printing, scanning, and faxing.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a dynamic IP address as the IP address of the electronic device, and The control unit is configured to, in response to performing a connection destination change based on the change request in the first state, perform control to transmit the notification when the acquisition unit is set to newly acquire the dynamic IP address.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein The control unit is configured to, in response to executing a connection destination change based on the change request in the first state, perform control not to transmit the notification in the first state when the acquisition unit is not set to newly acquire the dynamic IP address.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein In response to receipt of the notification, the information terminal performs the detection processing in a state where a portion of the data used for the specific processing has been received or transmitted from or to the electronic device and reception or transmission of the remaining portion of the data has not yet been completed.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein In response to successfully identifying the new IP address of the electronic device in the detection process, the information terminal receives or transmits the remaining portion of the data by using the new IP address as a transmission target.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The processing unit is configured to continue the specific process in response to receiving or transmitting a remaining portion of the data for the specific process through communication with the information terminal after the connection destination change based on the change request is performed.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The electronic device performs an IEEE 802.11ax connection with an AP and performs a process compliant with the IEEE 802.11ax standard.

12. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The electronic device performs at least one of a process compliant with orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) and a process compliant with a target wake time (TWT).

13. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The connection destination change based on the change request is performed to change the connection destination AP to an AP in the 6 GHz band.

14. An information terminal for communicating with an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a change request for changing a connection destination AP to be connected to from a currently connected access point AP; a processing unit configured to communicate with the information terminal via the currently connected AP and perform a specific process including transmission or reception of data; as well as A control unit configured to In response to receiving the change request in a first state which is a state in which a part of the data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the information terminal and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed, performing control to transmit a notification to the information terminal to request execution of a detection process for detecting the electronic device before disconnection of a connection with a currently connected AP, and to perform a connection destination change based on the change request to change a connection destination AP after transmission of the notification, The information terminal comprises: A second control unit, wherein the second control unit is configured to: in response to reception of the notification, performing control to execute the detection processing in a state in which a part of the data for the specific processing has been received from or transmitted to the electronic device and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed; as well as In response to successfully identifying the new IP address of the electronic device in the detection process, control is performed to receive or transmit the remaining part of the data by using the new IP address as a transmission target.

15. The information terminal according to claim 14, wherein The second control unit is configured to, in response to failure in recognition of the new IP address of the electronic device in the detection process, perform control to perform the detection process again within a predetermined time after the notification is received.

16. A method for controlling an electronic device, the method comprising: A receiving step of receiving a change request for changing a connection destination AP to be connected to from a currently connected access point AP; A processing step of communicating with the information terminal via the currently connected AP and performing a specific process including transmission or reception of data; as well as Control steps, In response to receiving the change request in a first state which is a state in which a part of the data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the information terminal and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed, Control is performed to transmit a notification to the information terminal to request execution of a detection process for detecting the electronic device before disconnection with the currently connected AP, and to perform a connection destination change based on the change request to change the connection destination AP after transmission of the notification.

17. A method for controlling an information terminal for communicating with an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a change request for changing a connection destination AP to be connected to from a currently connected access point AP; a processing unit configured to communicate with the information terminal via the currently connected AP and perform a specific process including transmission or reception of data; as well as A control unit configured to In response to receiving the change request in a first state which is a state in which a part of the data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the information terminal and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed, performing control to transmit a notification to the information terminal to request execution of a detection process for detecting the electronic device before disconnection of a connection with a currently connected AP, and to perform a connection destination change based on the change request to change a connection destination AP after transmission of the notification, The method comprises: in response to reception of the notification, performing control to execute the detection processing in a state where a part of the data for the specific processing has been received from or transmitted to the electronic device and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed, and In response to successfully identifying the new IP address of the electronic device in the detection process, control is performed to receive or transmit the remaining part of the data by using the new IP address as a transmission target.

18. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs being configured to cause one or more computers to function as: a receiving unit configured to receive a change request for changing a connection destination AP to be connected to from a currently connected access point AP; a processing unit configured to communicate with the information terminal via the currently connected AP and perform a specific process including transmission or reception of data; as well as A control unit configured to In response to receiving the change request in a first state which is a state in which a part of the data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the information terminal and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed, Control is performed to transmit a notification to the information terminal to request execution of a detection process for detecting the electronic device before disconnection with the currently connected AP, and to perform a connection destination change based on the change request to change the connection destination AP after transmission of the notification.

19. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs being configured to cause one or more computers to function as: a receiving unit configured to receive a change request for changing a connection destination AP to be connected to from a currently connected access point AP; a processing unit configured to communicate with the information terminal via the currently connected AP and perform a specific process including transmission or reception of data; A control unit configured to In response to receiving the change request in a first state which is a state in which a part of the data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the information terminal and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed, performing control to transmit a notification to the information terminal to request execution of a detection process for detecting the electronic device before disconnection of a connection with a currently connected AP, and to perform a connection destination change based on the change request to change a connection destination AP after transmission of the notification; as well as A second control unit, wherein the second control unit is configured to: in response to reception of the notification, performing control to execute the detection processing in a state in which a part of the data for the specific processing has been received from or transmitted to the electronic device and reception or transmission of the remaining part of the data has not been completed; as well as In response to successfully identifying the new IP address of the electronic device in the detection process, control is performed to receive or transmit the remaining part of the data by using the new IP address as a transmission target.

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