Electronic device, method for controlling electronic device, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and program product

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an electronic device, a method for controlling the electronic device, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a program product. There is provided an electronic device that receives, from a first access point, a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from the access point, and a connection destination change request; measuring a quality of the signal from the access point based on the received wireless signal; and performing control to respond to the first access point using first content indicating a result of the measurement of the quality of the signal from the access point in a case where the electronic device is in a first operating state when the first request is received, and to respond to the second access point using second content indicating a result of the measurement of the quality of the signal from the access point in a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state. A response is made to the first access point using second content indicating that a quality of a signal from at least one of the access points is poorer than a quality of a signal measured by the measurement for the at least one of the access points.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device capable of establishing a wireless LAN connection, a method for controlling the electronic device, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a program product. Background Art

[0002] For an extended service set (ESS) composed of multiple access points (APs), there is a technology for dynamically switching between connection destination APs so as to efficiently exchange data between the APs and the station (STA). When it is determined that the connection destination AP is to be switched to another AP based on congestion of the AP to which the STA is connected, availability of other APs, radio wave conditions, etc., the currently connected AP sends a connection AP change request to the STA. When the STA receives the AP change request, the STA can connect to an appropriate AP by switching the connection destination AP according to the request.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2021-175068 discloses the following process as a process in which a router with an AP function requests a wireless adapter device connected thereto to change a connection destination. A mobile router (MR1) capable of connecting to multiple wireless adapter devices checks whether the wireless adapter terminal is compatible with IEEE 802.11v. Whether the wireless adapter terminal is compatible with the IEEE802.11v standard can be determined from an association request frame sent by the wireless adapter terminal when it is wirelessly connected to MR1. When the wireless adapter terminal is compatible with the IEEE 802.11v standard, a BSS transition management (BTM) request frame is sent to the wireless adapter terminal. The BSS transition candidate list entry field of the BTM request frame specifies the BSSID of the base station router RT2 as the connection destination. As a result, the wireless adapter terminal is prompted to switch the connection destination, and the wireless adapter terminal switches the connection destination from MR1 to RT2 according to the received BTM request frame. Summary of the invention

[0004] STA has two states, one of which is a state in which no problem occurs even when AP is switched, and the other is a state in which a problem occurs when AP is switched or when STA is disconnected from the AP to which STA is currently connected. When in the state in which a problem occurs, if STA receives an AP change request from AP and the connection destination AP is switched to another AP in response to the request, a problem will occur in STA.

[0005] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a technique for more appropriately changing a connection destination access point.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a communication module for receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request, the first request and the connection destination change request being sent from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; a measurement unit for measuring the quality of a signal received from the access point around the electronic device based on a wireless signal received from the access point around the electronic device; and a control unit for performing control to respond to the first access point using first content indicating a result of measurement of quality of a signal from one or more other access points different from the first access point by the measurement unit when the first request is received, and responding to the first access point using second content indicating that quality of a signal from at least one of the one or more other access points is worse than quality of a signal measured by the measurement unit for the at least one of the one or more other access points when the electronic device is in a second operation state different from the first operation state.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device comprising: a communication module for receiving, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a first request for requesting a measurement result of a quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request; at least one memory and at least one processor, the at least one processor serving as: a measurement unit configured to measure the quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access point around the electronic device; and a control unit configured to perform control to respond to the first access point using first content including a measurement result of a quality of a signal from one or more other access points different from the first access point when the first request is received, if the electronic device is in a first operating state, and to respond to the first access point using second content not including a measurement result of a quality of a signal from the one or more other access points measured by the measurement unit regardless of the quality of a signal that the measurement unit can measure for the one or more other access points, if the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device control method, which is executed in an electronic device, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request, the first request and the connection destination change request being sent from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring the quality of the signal from the access point around the electronic device based on the wireless signal received from the access point around the electronic device; and performing control to respond to the first access point using first content indicating a result of measurement of quality of a signal from one or more other access points different from the first access point when the first request is received, if the electronic device is in a first operating state, and respond to the first access point using second content indicating that quality of a signal from at least one of the one or more other access points is worse than quality of a signal measured by measurement for the at least one of the one or more other access points when the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device control method, which is executed in an electronic device, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring the quality of the signal from the access point around the electronic device based on the wireless signal received from the access point around the electronic device; and performing control to respond to the first access point using first content when the electronic device is in a first operating state when the first request is received, the first content including the measurement result of quality of the signal from one or more other access points different from the first access point, and responding to the first access point using second content when the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, the second content not including the measurement result of quality of the signal from the one or more other access points by measurement, regardless of the signal quality that can be measured for the one or more other access points by measurement.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for enabling a computer to execute an electronic device control method, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request, the first request and the connection destination change request being sent from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring the quality of the signal from the access point around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access point around the electronic device; and performing control to, when the first request is received, in a case where the electronic device is in a first operating state, respond to the first access point using first content indicating a result of measurement of quality of a signal from one or more other access points different from the first access point, and in a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, respond to the first access point using second content indicating that quality of a signal from at least one of the one or more other access points is worse than quality of a signal measured by measurement for the at least one of the one or more other access points.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for enabling a computer to execute an electronic device control method, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring the quality of the signal from the access point around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access point around the electronic device; and performing control to respond to the first access point using first content when the electronic device is in a first operating state when the first request is received, the first content including the measurement result of quality of the signal from one or more other access points different from the first access point, and responding to the first access point using second content when the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, the second content not including the measurement result of quality of the signal from the one or more other access points by measurement, regardless of the signal quality that can be measured for the one or more other access points by measurement.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program product, the program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for enabling a computer to execute an electronic device control method, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request, the first request and the connection destination change request being sent from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring the quality of the signal from the access point around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access point around the electronic device; and performing control to, when the first request is received, in a case where the electronic device is in a first operating state, respond to the first access point using first content indicating a result of measurement of quality of a signal from one or more other access points different from the first access point, and in a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, respond to the first access point using second content indicating that quality of a signal from at least one of the one or more other access points is worse than quality of a signal measured by measurement for the at least one of the one or more other access points.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program product, the program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for enabling a computer to execute an electronic device control method, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring the quality of the signal from the access point around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access point around the electronic device; and performing control to, when the first request is received, in a case where the electronic device is in a first operating state, respond to the first access point using first content, the first content including the measurement result of quality of the signal from one or more other access points different from the first access point, and in a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, respond to the first access point using second content, the second content not including the measurement result of quality of the signal from the one or more other access points by measurement, regardless of the signal quality that can be measured for the one or more other access points by measurement.

[0014] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a connection destination access point can be changed more appropriately.

[0015] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration.

[0017] Figure 2A is a diagram showing the configuration of the MFP.

[0018] Figure 2B is a diagram showing the configuration of the MFP.

[0019] Figure 3A : is a diagram showing an operation display unit of the MFP.

[0020] Figure 3B : is a diagram showing an operation display unit of the MFP.

[0021] Figure 3C : is a diagram showing an operation display unit of the MFP.

[0022] Figure 4A is a diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal device.

[0023] Figure 4B is a diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal device.

[0024] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of an access point.

[0025] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing performed in response to a connection destination change request from an AP.

[0026] Fig. 7A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a response transmission control process performed in response to a measurement request from an AP.

[0027] Figure 7B is a flowchart illustrating an example of a response transmission control process performed in response to a measurement request from an AP.

[0028] Fig. 8A is a diagram showing a portion of a beacon report.

[0029] Figure 8B is a diagram showing a portion of a beacon report. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the example embodiments, but the embodiments are not limited to requiring all such features, and a plurality of such features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0031] System Configuration

[0032] Figure 1 An example of the configuration of a system according to the present embodiment is shown. In one example, the present system is a wireless communication system in which a plurality of communication devices can wirelessly communicate with each other. Figure 1 In the example in FIG. 1 , the system includes a mobile terminal device 104, an MFP 100, APs 101 and 102 as access points, a server 103, and a network 110 as communication devices. Note that APs 101 and 102 may be illustrated as AP1 and AP2. The mobile terminal device 104 is a device having a wireless communication function using a wireless LAN or the like. Hereinafter, a wireless LAN may also be referred to as a WLAN. The mobile terminal device 104 may be a personal information terminal such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone (smart phone), a digital camera, a personal computer, or the like.

[0033] MFP 100 is a printing device having a printing function, and may also have a reading function (scanner), a FAX function, and a telephone function. In addition, MFP 100 according to the present embodiment has a communication function that enables MFP 100 to perform wireless communication with a mobile terminal device 104. Although the present embodiment describes an example using MFP 100, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, etc., each having a communication function, may be used instead of MFP 100. Note that MFP is an acronym for Multi Function Peripheral.

[0034] The AP 101 is provided separately (externally) from 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 a WLAN infrastructure mode via the AP 101. In the following, each access point may be referred to as an "AP". In addition, the infrastructure mode may be referred to as a "wireless infrastructure mode". The AP 101 performs wireless communication with a (certified) communication device that is allowed to connect to the AP 101, and relays wireless communication between the communication device and another communication device. In addition, the AP 101 is 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 AP 101.

[0035] AP 102 has the same function as AP 101, and MFP 100 switches the connection destination from AP 101 to AP 102 as needed. Server 103 is connected to MFP 100 via AP 101 and network 110, and provides services to MFP 100 in response to a request from MFP 100. Here, network 110 may be the so-called Internet, a closed network within a company, or a mobile phone network.

[0036] External configuration of MFP

[0037] Figure 2AAn example of the external configuration of the MFP 100 is shown. The MFP 100 includes, for example, a document table 201, a document cover 202, a printing paper insertion port 203, a printing paper 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 that holds the document placed on the document table 201 and prevents light from a light source irradiating the document from leaking outward during reading. The printing paper insertion port 203 is an insertion port in which various sizes of paper can be set. The printing paper discharge port 204 is a discharge port from which printed paper sheets are discharged. The paper sheets set in the printing paper insertion port 203 are conveyed to the printing unit one by one, and after printing is performed in the printing unit, they are discharged from the printing paper discharge port 204. The operation display unit 205 includes keys (such as character input keys, cursor keys, enter keys, and cancel keys), as well as LEDs, LCDs, etc., and is configured to be able to accept operations of activation of various functions of the MFP and various settings performed by a user. 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, which does not necessarily have to be visible from the outside. Like the mobile terminal device 104, the MFP 100 can also perform wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band using WLAN.

[0038] MFP Configuration

[0039] Figure 2B An example of the configuration of the MFP 100 is shown. The MFP 100 includes a main board 211 that performs main control of the MFP 100 itself and a wireless unit 226 that is one communication module that performs WLAN communication using at least one shared antenna. In addition, the MFP 100 includes, for example, a modem 229 for wired communication. The main board 211 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 212, a ROM 213, a 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. In addition, the main board 211 includes, for example, a printing unit 222, a paper feeding unit 223, a print control unit 224, and an operation display unit 220. These functional units within the 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, for example, via a dedicated bus 225, and the main board 211 and the modem 229 are connected, for example, via a bus 228.

[0040] The CPU 212 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire MFP 100. In one example, the processing performed by the MFP 100 described below is realized by the CPU 212 executing the program stored in the ROM 213. Note that dedicated hardware for each processing may be provided. The ROM 213 is an example of a computer-readable storage medium that stores a control program executed by the CPU 212, a built-in OS program, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 212 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching by executing each control program stored in the ROM 213 under the management of the built-in OS also stored in the ROM 213.

[0041] The RAM 214 is composed of an SRAM or the like. The RAM 214 stores data such as program control variables, setting values ​​registered by a user, and management data of the MFP 100. The RAM 214 can also be used as various work buffers. The nonvolatile memory 215 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the MFP 100 is turned off. The image memory 216 is composed of a memory such as a DRAM. The image memory 216 stores image data received via the wireless unit 226, image data processed by the encoding / decoding processing unit 221, and the like. Note that the memory configuration of the MFP 100 is not limited to the above configuration. The data conversion unit 218, for example, analyzes data in various formats and converts the image data into print data.

[0042] 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 image data. At this time, the reading control unit 217 can output the image data after performing various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing on the image data.

[0043] The operation display unit 220 is a reference Figure 2A The described operation display unit 205, and performs display on the display based on the display control performed by the CPU 212, generates a signal in response to acceptance of a user operation, and the like.

[0044] The encoding / decoding processing unit 221 performs encoding processing, decoding processing, and scaling processing on image data (JPEG, PNG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100 .

[0045] The paper feeding unit 223 stores paper sheets for printing. The paper feeding unit 223 can supply paper sheets that have been set under the control of the print control unit 224. The paper feeding unit 223 may include a plurality of paper feeding parts so as to store a plurality of types of paper in one device, and may perform control as to which paper feeding unit to supply paper from under the control of the print control unit 224.

[0046] The print control unit 224 performs various 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 be able to perform, for example, inkjet recording printing processing, and record an image on a recording medium such as paper by ejecting ink supplied from an ink cartridge from a print head. Note that the print unit 222 may be configured to be able to perform other kinds of printing processing, such as an electrophotographic printing process. The print control unit 224 may periodically read out information about the print unit 222, and update status information stored in the RAM 214, the status information including the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge, the status of the print head, and the like.

[0047] The wireless unit 226 is a unit that can provide a WLAN communication function, and can provide, for example, the same function as the combination of the WLAN unit 429 of the mobile terminal device 104. That is, the wireless unit 226 converts data into packets according to the WLAN standard and sends the packets to another device, and restores the packets from another external device to the original data and outputs the restored data to the CPU 212. The wireless unit 226 can perform communication as a station that complies with the IEEE 802.11 standard series. In particular, the wireless unit 226 can perform communication as a station that complies with IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. In the following, the station may also be referred to as STA. In addition, the wireless unit 226 can perform communication as a STA that complies with Wi-Fi AgileMultiband (trademark).

[0048] The wireless unit 226 is compatible with IEEE 802.11ax (ie, Wi-Fi 6 (trademark)), and the MFP 100 can also operate as a STA compatible with at least one of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) and target wake-up time (TWT). The wireless unit 226 is compatible with TWT, and therefore the timing of data communication from the base station device to the STA can be adjusted. The wireless unit 226 (MFP 100) acting as a STA puts its communication function into a sleep state when there is no need to wait for signal reception. In this way, power consumption can be reduced. The wireless unit 226 is also compatible with Wi-Fi 6E (trademark). In other words, the wireless unit 226 can also perform communication in the 6GHz band (5.925GHz to 7.125GHz). The target band for dynamic frequency selection (DFS) that exists in the 5GHz band does not exist in the 6GHz band. Therefore, communication using the 6GHz band will not be interrupted by the DFS standby time, and more comfortable communication can be expected.

[0049] Note that the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 can perform P2P (WLAN) communication based on WFD, and the wireless unit 226 has a software access point (soft AP) function or a group owner function. In other words, the wireless unit 226 can establish a network for P2P communication and determine a channel to be used for P2P communication.

[0050] Operation display unit of MFP

[0051] FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a screen display on a display (touch panel display) included in the operation display unit 220 of the MFP 100 . Figure 3A is an example of a home screen displayed when the MFP 100 is turned on and an operation such as printing or scanning is not performed (idle state, standby state). Figure 3A , display items (menu items) corresponding to copy, scan, and cloud are displayed. Cloud is a menu item related to a cloud function using Internet communication. When any one of the menu items is selected by key operation or touch panel operation, the MFP 100 can start executing the setting or function corresponding thereto. The MFP 100 can receive Figure 3A The key operation or touch panel operation on the main screen shown in the figure can be seamlessly displayed with Figure 3A The screen shown in the figure is different from the screen.

[0052] Figure 3B An example of displaying another part of the home screen is shown, and in response to an operation (such as a left or right sliding operation) being performed to display another page of the home screen, the home screen is displayed. Figure 3A The screen transitions from the state shown in FIG. Figure 3BIn the display, display items (menu items) corresponding to communication settings, print and photo are displayed. When any one of these menu items is selected, the function corresponding to the selected menu item, that is, the print function, the photo function or the communication settings is executed.

[0053] Figure 3C Shows that when Figure 3B is an example of the display of the communication setting menu screen displayed when the communication setting is selected on the screen shown in . On the communication setting menu screen, "Wireless LAN", "Wired LAN", "Wireless Direct", "Bluetooth" and "Shared" are displayed as menu items (options). "Wireless LAN", "Wired LAN" and "Wireless Direct" are menu items for LAN settings. For example, these items can be used to perform wired connection settings, settings for enabling / disabling wireless infrastructure mode, and settings for enabling / disabling P2P mode (such as WFD or soft AP mode), etc. When the item "Wireless LAN" is selected and the wireless LAN is enabled by user operation, the wireless infrastructure mode is enabled. When the item "Wireless Direct" is selected and the wireless direct connection is enabled by user operation, the P2P (WLAN) mode is enabled. This screen also displays a common setting menu item for displaying a common setting menu for each form of connection. In addition, the user can set the wireless LAN frequency band, frequency channel, etc. from this screen.

[0054] External configuration of mobile terminal equipment

[0055] Figure 4A4 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the mobile terminal device 104. The present embodiment shows an example in which the mobile terminal device 104 is a typical smart phone. Note that 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 a liquid crystal display (LCD) type display mechanism. Note that the display unit 402 can display information using, for example, a light emitting diode (LED). In addition to or in place of the display unit 402, the mobile terminal device 104 may have a function of outputting information by voice. The operation unit 403 includes physical keys such as keys and buttons, a touch panel, and the like for detecting user operations. Note that in this example, a shared touch panel display is used to display information on the display unit 402 and to accept user operations performed on the operation unit 403, and thus the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 are implemented using a single device. In this case, for example, the display function of the display unit 402 is used to display a button icon or a software keyboard, and the operation acceptance function of the operation unit 403 detects that the user has touched these parts. Note that the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 may be separated, and the hardware for display and the hardware for operation acceptance may be provided separately. The power key 404 is a physical key for accepting a user operation to turn the mobile terminal device 104 on or off.

[0056] The mobile terminal device 104 includes a WLAN unit 401 that provides a WLAN communication function, and the WLAN unit 401 does not necessarily have to be visible from the outside. The WLAN unit 401 is configured to be able to perform data (packet) communication in a WLAN system that complies with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard series (IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, etc.). In addition, the WLAN unit 401 can perform communication as an AP compatible with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark). However, the WLAN unit 401 is not limited to having such a configuration, and may be able to perform communication in a WLAN system that complies with other standards. In this example, it is assumed that the WLAN unit 401 is able to perform communication in both the 2.4GHz frequency band and the 5GHz frequency band. It is also assumed that the WLAN unit 401 is able to perform communication based on WFD, soft AP mode communication, wireless infrastructure mode communication, etc. The operations in these modes will be described later.

[0057] Configuration of mobile terminal equipment

[0058] Figure 4BAn example of the configuration of the mobile terminal device 104 is shown. In one example, the mobile terminal device 104 includes a main board 411 that performs main control on the mobile terminal device 104 itself and a WLAN unit 429 that performs 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 includes a display unit 420 and an operation unit 418. These functional units within the main board 411 are connected to each other via a system bus 628 managed by the CPU 412. In addition, the main board 411 and the WLAN unit 429 are connected via a dedicated bus 426, for example.

[0059] The CPU 412 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire mobile terminal device 104. In one example, the processing performed by the mobile terminal device 104 described below is implemented by the CPU 412 executing the program stored in the ROM 413. Note that dedicated hardware for each processing may be provided. The ROM 413 stores a control program executed by the CPU 412, a built-in operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 412 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching by executing each control program stored in the ROM 413 under the management of the built-in OS also stored in the ROM 413.

[0060] RAM 414 is composed of static RAM (SRAM) and the like. RAM 414 stores data such as program control variables, setting values ​​registered by the user, and management data of mobile terminal device 104. RAM 414 can also be used as various work buffers. Image memory 415 is composed of a memory such as dynamic RAM (DRAM). Image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received via WLAN unit 429 and image data read out from data storage unit 423 so that CPU 412 can process such data. Non-volatile memory 422 is composed of a memory such as flash memory, and continues to store data even when mobile terminal device 104 is turned off. Note that 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 data storage unit 423 can be used to back up data. In addition, although DRAM is used as an example of image memory 415 in the present embodiment, another storage medium such as a hard disk or non-volatile memory can be used.

[0061] The data conversion unit 416 analyzes data of various formats and performs data conversion such as color conversion and image conversion. The telephone unit 417 controls the telephone line and processes voice data input and output via the speaker unit 424, thereby realizing communication by telephone. The GPS 419 receives radio waves transmitted from a satellite and acquires current position information such as the latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal device 104.

[0062] The camera unit 421 has a function of electronically recording and encoding an image input through the lens. Image data acquired by image capture performed by the camera unit 421 is stored in the data storage unit 423. The speaker unit 424 performs control to realize a function of inputting or outputting a voice for a telephone function, and other functions such as an alarm notification. The power supply unit 425 is, for example, a portable battery, and controls the supply of power to the inside of the device. Examples of power supply states include an empty battery state in which there is no battery power remaining, a power off state in which the power key 404 has not been pressed, an active state in which the device is normally active, and a power saving state in which the device is active but power consumption is reduced. The display unit 420 is a reference Figure 4A The display unit 402 described above displays various input operations, the operation state of the MFP 100, and the status under the control of the CPU 412, for example. The operation unit 418 is a reference Figure 4A The operation unit 403 described above. Upon receiving a user operation, the operation unit 418 performs control to, for example, generate an electric signal corresponding to the operation and output the signal to the CPU 412.

[0063] The mobile terminal device 104 performs wireless communication using the WLAN unit 429 to perform data communication with another device such as the MFP 100. The WLAN unit 429 converts data into packets and sends the packets to another device. In addition, the WLAN unit 429 restores the packets sent 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 complies with each WLAN standard. The WLAN unit 429 can operate in parallel in at least two communication modes including a wireless infrastructure mode and a P2P (WLAN) mode. Note that the frequency bands used in these communication modes are limited by the functions and performance of the hardware.

[0064] Access point configuration

[0065] Figure 5 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the AP 101 having a wireless LAN access point function. The AP 101 includes a main board 510 that controls the AP 101 , a wireless LAN unit 516 , a wired LAN unit 518 , and an operation button 520 .

[0066] The CPU 511 in the form of a microprocessor disposed on the main board 510 operates according to the control program stored in the program memory 513 in the form of a ROM connected via the internal bus 512 and the contents of the data memory 514 in the form of a RAM. The CPU 511 performs wireless LAN communication with another communication terminal device by controlling the wireless LAN unit 516 via the wireless LAN communication control unit 515. The CPU 511 performs wired LAN communication with another communication terminal device by controlling the wired LAN unit 518 via the wired LAN communication control unit 517. The CPU 511 can accept an operation from a user who operates the operation button 520 by controlling the operation unit control circuit 519. The CPU 511 includes at least one processor.

[0067] The AP 101 includes an interference wave detection unit 521 and a channel change unit 522. When wireless communication is performed using a frequency band in which dynamic frequency selection (DFS) is performed, the interference wave detection unit 521 performs interference wave detection processing. When an interference wave is detected while wireless communication is performed using a frequency band in which DFS is performed, the channel change unit 522 performs processing of changing the frequency band to be used when it must be immediately changed to an idle channel.

[0068] Note that AP 102 has the same configuration as AP 101 .

[0069] P2P communication method

[0070] The following describes a P2P (WLAN) communication method in which devices directly communicate with each other wirelessly without using an external access point in WLAN communication. P2P (WLAN) communication can be implemented using any of a plurality of schemes. For example, a communication device supports a plurality of modes for P2P (WLAN) communication, and can selectively use any of a plurality of modes to perform P2P communication (WLAN).

[0071] As P2P modes, consider the following two modes:

[0072] -Soft AP mode

[0073] -Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode

[0074] A communication device capable of performing P2P communication may be configured to support at least one of these modes. On the other hand, even a communication device capable of performing P2P communication does not necessarily support all of these modes, and may be configured to support only some of them.

[0075] A communication device with a WFD communication function (e.g., mobile terminal device 104) accepts a user operation through its operation unit to call an application (which may be a dedicated application) for implementing the communication function. Thereafter, this communication device may display a user interface (UI) screen provided by the application to prompt the user to input an operation, and perform WFD communication based on the user operation accepted in response.

[0076] -Soft AP mode

[0077] In soft AP mode, a communication device (e.g., mobile terminal device 104) operates as a client requesting various services. Another communication device (e.g., MFP 100) operates as a soft AP that can use software settings to perform the functions of a WLAN AP. Note that the commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between a client and a soft AP only need to be those specified in the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, and therefore their description is omitted here. The MFP 100 operating in soft AP mode determines the frequency band and frequency channel as a base station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band (5GHz or 2.4GHz) to use and which frequency channel to use with this frequency band.

[0078] -WFD mode

[0079] The MFP 100 can be permanently activated as a base station (Autonomous Group Owner) in WFD mode. In this case, there is no need to perform a GO negotiation process to determine the role. In addition, in this case, the MFP 100 determines the frequency band and the frequency channel as a base station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band (5 GHz or 2.4 GHz) to use and which frequency channel to use with this frequency band.

[0080] -Wireless Infrastructure Mode

[0081] In the wireless infrastructure mode, the communication devices (e.g., mobile terminal device 104 and MFP100) communicating with each other are connected to an external AP (e.g., AP 101) that controls the entire network, and the communication between the communication devices is performed through the AP. In other words, the communication between the communication devices is performed through the network established by the external AP. The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP100 each discover the AP 101 and connect to the AP 101 by sending a connection request thereto, and as a result, these communication devices can communicate through the AP 101 in the wireless infrastructure mode. Note that each of the multiple communication devices can be connected to a different AP. In this case, data transmission between the APs enables communication between the communication devices. Note that the commands and parameters sent and received when the communication devices communicate with each other through the access point only need to be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and therefore their description is omitted here. In addition, in this case, the AP 101 determines the frequency band and the frequency channel. Therefore, the AP 101 can select which frequency band (5GHz or 2.4GHz or 6GHz) to use and which frequency channel to use with this frequency band.

[0082] Processing performed in response to a change request to change the connection target from the AP to the STA

[0083] The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 are compatible with a function released as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark). Wi-Fi Agile Multiband is a function that enables selection of an optimal environment based on a changing Wi-Fi network condition. Specifically, STAs such as the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 and APs such as the AP 101 exchange information about the network environment using the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards. Through such information exchange, the AP can redirect (change the connection destination) the STA to another AP, frequency band, channel, or even to another cellular service if the network is congested.

[0084] Figure 61 is a sequence diagram in the case where the MFP 100 switches the connection destination AP from the AP 101 to the AP 102 in response to the connection destination change request from the AP 101. The processing performed by each device in this sequence is realized by the CPU included in the device reading out various programs stored in a memory (such as a ROM) included in the device to the RAM included in the device and executing the programs.

[0085] Assume that Figure 6 In the initial state of the processing in , MFP 100 has established a connection with AP 101 in the wireless infrastructure mode. It is also assumed that, when MFP 100 and AP 101 are connected to each other in the wireless infrastructure mode, AP 101 has acquired information about whether MFP 100 is compatible with IEEE 802.11v, and when AP 101 has acquired information indicating that MFP 100 is compatible with IEEE802.11v, AP 101 performs the following processing.

[0086] In step S601, AP 101 sends an inquiry (measurement request) about the signal quality (radio field strength, etc.) of the signal from the AP around MFP 100 to MFP 100. For example, a beacon frame request or a beacon report request may be included in the measurement request to be sent. That is, this request may be made using a mechanism specified in the IEEE 802.11k standard. In one example, the measurement request may be a measurement instruction instructing MFP 100 to measure the received signal strength or signal-to-noise ratio of a predetermined wireless signal (such as a beacon signal sent from an AP around MFP 100). In other words, the wireless unit 226 of MFP 100 serves as a receiving unit that can receive the measurement request.

[0087] In step S602 , in response to the request received in step S601 , the MFP 100 receives a frame transmitted from an AP around the MFP 100 and measures the reception signal strength.

[0088] As a result, the respective received signal strengths of the plurality of APs including the AP 101 and the AP 102 are measured. In one example, the MFP 100 may store the measurement results on the frames transmitted by the APs around the MFP 100 in a storage device such as the RAM 214 or the nonvolatile memory 215. Thus, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 functions as a measurement unit that controls the wireless unit 226 and measures the signal quality of the signals from the access points around the MFP 100.

[0089] In step S603, the MFP 100 transmits a list of received signal strengths of signals from APs around the MFP 100 measured in step S602 as a response to the request received in step S601. Note that the received signal strengths to be transmitted as a response may be information stored in the RAM 214 and the nonvolatile memory 215 of the MFP 100 in addition to or instead of the information measured in step S602. This response to be transmitted includes, for example, a beacon report or a measurement report.

[0090] In step S604, AP 101 determines whether it is necessary to switch the connection destination of MFP 100 based on the congestion on the network known to AP 101 and the received signal strength of the frame received from MFP 100 in step S603. Factors that make AP 101 determine that connection switching is necessary include a large number of connected STAs, a large amount of communication, other APs with less congestion, the presence / absence of radio interference, and AP function suspension. If AP 101 determines that it is necessary to switch the connection destination of MFP 100 and determines the SSID, channel, and frequency band of another AP to be designated as the switching target of MFP 100, the process proceeds to step S605.

[0091] In step S605, AP 101 sends an AP change request (connection destination switching request) to MFP 100. The connection destination change request includes information on the SSID, channel, and frequency band of another AP to be designated as a switching target of MFP 100 determined in step S604. Note that multiple SSIDs can be designated. The connection destination change request is sent as, for example, a BTM request. That is, a BSS transition management (BTM) request frame specified in the IEEE 802.11v standard is sent. Figure 6 In the example in , it is assumed that the AP 102 is specified as the switching target included in the connection destination change request. Therefore, the wireless unit 226 of the MFP 100 functions as a receiving unit that can receive the connection destination change request.

[0092] In step S606, if the MFP 100 complies with the connection destination change request received in step S605, the MFP 100 sends a response indicating acceptance of the switch to the AP 101. If the MFP 100 does not comply with the connection destination change request, the MFP 100 may send a switch rejection as a response. The response is sent as a BTM response. Figure 6 In the example in , assume that a response indicating acceptance of the handover is sent.

[0093] In step S607, the AP 101 and the MFP 100 terminate the connection in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0094] In step S608 , the MFP 100 transmits a connection request to the AP 102 to connect to the AP 102 specified by the connection destination change request received in step S605 .

[0095] As a result, in step S609, the connection between the MFP 100 and the AP 102 is established in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0096] With such a mechanism, the MFP 100 as the STA can change the connection destination from the AP 101 to the AP 102 based on the connection destination change request from the AP 101 to which the MFP 100 is initially connected. The AP 101 and the AP 102 may be APs installed at different locations. Figure 6 By the process in , the MFP 100 can switch to another AP installed at a different location from the AP to which the MFP 100 was originally connected. In addition, each AP can be compatible with different frequency bands among a plurality of frequency bands (any two or three of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band) provided by the same device. That is, by Figure 6 , the MFP 100 can switch 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 a 6 GHz band AP based on the connection destination change request.

[0097] Although the present embodiment describes an example in which a measurement request and a connection destination change request are sent from an AP using a mechanism compliant with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband and the STA responds to these requests, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The present embodiment can also be applied to a case in which the STA responds to a measurement request and a connection destination change request sent from an AP using a mechanism different from the above example or changes the connection destination AP (switches, deletes, or adds a connection destination AP).

[0098] Beacon Report

[0099] The beacon report (mentioned above for step S603) will be described in detail. The MFP 100 searches for APs around the MFP 100 or uses information obtained by the performed search to create a beacon report and send it to the AP 101. If no AP is found, the MFP 100 can create a beacon report that does not include information about the AP, and if multiple APs are found, the MFP 100 can create a beacon report that includes information about multiple APs. The beacon report may include a received signal strength and a signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio) of a predetermined wireless signal as signal quality, and the predetermined wireless signal includes a beacon signal sent from each AP. In one example, the signal quality included in the beacon report may be associated with other parameters such as the time of measurement. In addition to the received signal strength and the S / N ratio, the beacon report may also include parameters indicating a given signal quality, such as a delay profile. In addition, the beacon report may also include additional information such as a flag indicating that the AP is connected, as information about the currently connected AP.

[0100] Fig. 8A 8 shows an example of measurement results for each AP included in a beacon report. The beacon report includes a channel number 801, a received signal strength 802, an S / N ratio 803, and a basic service set identifier (BSSID) 804 for each AP. Therefore, when there are multiple APs around the MFP 100, the beacon report may include Fig. 8A A plurality of measurement results 800 are shown in FIG.

[0101] Channel number 801 indicates a frequency band in which the AP has been detected, received signal strength 802 indicates received signal strength of a beacon signal that the MFP 100 has received from the AP 101, and S / N ratio 803 indicates a signal-to-noise ratio of the beacon signal that the MFP 100 has received from the AP 101. The BSSID is an identifier of the AP 101 encoded in the beacon signal that the MFP 100 has received from the AP 101.

[0102] Measurement status transmission control performed in response to a measurement request from an AP

[0103] Next, we will refer to Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The flowchart in describes control of the MFP 100 performed in response to a connection destination change request from the AP 101. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Each step shown in the flowchart in is performed by the CPU 212 loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executing the program.

[0104] In step S701, the CPU 212 wirelessly connects to the AP 101 in the infrastructure mode. The wireless connection here is not a change based on a connection destination change request, but a connection using previously stored connection information (SSID and password) of the AP 101.

[0105] In step S702, the CPU 212 determines whether the operation status is a status in which switching to another AP has an influence.

[0106] If it is determined that the operation state is a state in which switching to another AP has an impact ("Yes" in step S702), the processing proceeds to step S703, and if it is determined that the operation state is a state other than the state in which switching to another AP has an impact (the first operation state) ("No" in step S702), the processing proceeds to step S719. The first operation state is an operation state in which switching of the connection destination AP based on the connection destination change request is allowed. The operation state in which switching to another AP has an impact is an operation state in which switching of the connection destination AP based on the connection destination change request is not desired. Examples of operation states in which switching AP has an impact include an operation state in which firmware update processing is being performed by downloading firmware from the server 103. In addition, examples of operation states in which switching AP has an impact include an operation state in which print processing is being performed when a print job is received from the mobile terminal device 104.

[0107] In step S703, the CPU 212 checks whether a measurement request (corresponding to the above-mentioned Figure 6 If a measurement request has been received from the AP 101 (YES in step S703), the MFP 100 advances the process to step S704, and if a measurement request has not been received (NO in step S703), the MFP 100 advances the process to step S708.

[0108] In step S704, the CPU 212 determines whether the reason for not wanting to switch the connection destination (switching disable reason) which is a factor leading to "yes" in step S702 is strong. If the reason that the connection destination cannot be switched is strong ("yes" in step S704), the process proceeds to step S705, and if the reason that the connection destination cannot be switched is weak ("no" in step S704), the process proceeds to step S706. The reason why the connection destination cannot be switched is that the MFP 100 is in a specific operating state. For example, when the MFP 100 is in an operating state in which the MFP 100 is performing a printing process, the communication is temporarily interrupted when the AP is switched, and the printing on the paper medium continues in a state in which data cannot be received, which causes problems such as uneven printing. The weak reason for not being able to switch the connection destination is that, for example, even if the communication is temporarily interrupted, the processing can be completed normally when the communication is restored after the AP is switched, such as a firmware update process. In other words, examples of the operation state of the MFP 100 on which the AP switching has an influence may include an operation state in which the reason why the connection destination cannot be switched is strong and an operation state in which the reason why the connection destination cannot be switched is weak.

[0109] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the state in which the MFP 100 is executing the print processing is an operation state in which the reason why the connection destination cannot be switched is strong, and the state in which the MFP 100 is executing the firmware update is an operation state in which the reason why the connection destination cannot be switched is weak. However, which operation state is classified as the operation state in which the reason why the connection destination cannot be switched is strong, and which operation state is classified as the operation state in which the reason why the connection destination cannot be switched is weak is not limited to this example.

[0110] In step S705, the CPU 212 sends a beacon report to the AP 101 as a response to the measurement request, indicating that no APs other than the currently connected AP 101 are seen. Specifically, the CPU 212 sends a beacon report that does not include the signal quality measurement results from the APs other than the currently connected AP 101 to the AP 101. Alternatively, the CPU 212 creates a beacon report that does not include information on the measurement results of the signal qualities of the signals from the currently connected AP 101 and other APs, and sends the beacon report to the AP 101. That is, regardless of the signal quality that can be measured when the AP search is actually performed for the other access points, the response sent in step S705 does not include information on the other access points. Such a response corresponds to the fact that no other APs are found even after the AP search is performed, and therefore indicates that at least some values ​​of the signal quality of the signals from the other access points are worse than when the AP search is actually performed.

[0111] By sending a beacon report that does not include the signal quality measurement result of the signal from the AP other than the currently connected AP 101 to the AP 101 as in step S705, the AP 101 can be made to recognize that there is no other AP to which the MFP 100 can be connected when the MFP 100 is disconnected from the AP 101. Therefore, it can be expected that the connection destination change request is strongly prevented from being sent from the AP 101, and the MFP 100 is prevented from being forcibly disconnected from the AP 101.

[0112] Note that in step S705, the beacon report may be sent after detecting a beacon signal transmitted from an AP around the MFP 100 (AP search processing), or may be sent without performing the AP search processing. For example, if the MFP 100 transmits a beacon report including only the measurement result of the currently connected AP 101, it is unlikely that the MFP 100 accepts the AP switching request. In addition, since the BSSID 804 of the currently connected AP 101 is necessary for connecting to the AP 101, the BSSID 804 is stored in a memory such as the RAM 214. Therefore, parameters other than the BSSID 804 may be set to predetermined specific values, and the beacon report may be sent. Alternatively, if the MFP 100 stores the measurement result of the previous AP search processing in a storage device, the measurement result stored in the storage device before receiving the measurement request may be used as the measurement result about the currently connected AP 101 to send the beacon report.

[0113] In step S706, the CPU 212 sends a beacon report indicating that at least some values ​​of the signal quality of the signal from the AP other than the currently connected AP 101 are worse than the measurement result of the AP search process, as a response to the measurement request. For example, in response to the measurement request, the MFP 100 sends a beacon report in which at least one of the received signal strength (radio field strength) and the signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio) of the beacon signal received from the AP found by the AP search is changed to a lower value. That is, the response sent in step S706 includes information indicating the signal quality of the signal from another AP, which is information indicating a signal quality that is worse than the measurement result obtained by actually performing the AP search. This information indicates that another AP has been found (measurement has been performed) by the AP search, but the signal quality is bad.

[0114] As in step S706, even when the MFP 100 is disconnected from the AP 101, the AP 101 can be made aware that there is another AP to which the MFP 100 can be connected, although the connection condition will not be excellent, by sending a beacon report indicating that another AP has been found (measurement has been performed) but the signal quality is poor to the AP 101. Therefore, it can be expected that the connection destination change request will be suppressed from being sent by the AP to a certain extent (if the connection condition between the AP 101 and the MFP 100 is better than the condition between another AP to which the pseudo response has been sent and the MFP 100). Therefore, unless the connection between the AP 101 and the MFP 100 is lost or in a very bad condition, the connection between the AP 101 and the MFP 100 can be maintained. In addition, if the connection between the AP 101 and the MFP 100 is lost or in a very bad condition, it can be expected that the connection destination change request will be sent. Therefore, if the connection between the AP 101 and the MFP 100 is lost or in very bad condition, the connection destination can be switched to a recommended AP that can provide a more stable connection.

[0115] Figure 8B shows the result of the AP search. Fig. 8A The measurement result shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a measurement result of another AP (unconnected AP) included in the beacon report transmitted in step S706. As described above, in step S706, the received signal strength 802 and the S / N ratio 803 of the wireless signal transmitted from the AP other than AP 101 are set as the ratio. Fig. 8A Those in the low. Figure 8B , the received signal strength 805 is set to "1", and the S / N ratio 806 is set to "1". In this way, by sending a beacon report assuming that the quality of the signal from an AP other than the currently connected AP 101 is poor, switching the connection from the currently connected AP 101 can be prevented.

[0116] Notice, Figure 8B The value set in can be based on Fig. 8A For example, by Fig. 8A The received signal strength 802 in minus a predetermined number (e.g., 150), Figure 8B The received signal strength 805 in can be changed from "200" to "50". Fig. 8A The S / N ratio 803 in is subtracted by a predetermined number (e.g., 50), Figure 8B The S / N ratio 806 in can be changed from "65" to "15". In addition, for example, Figure 8B At least one of the received signal strength and the S / N ratio set in can be set to 0 or a negative value.

[0117] Note that a beacon report may be created using information measured for some of the plurality of APs discovered by the AP search, thereby changing the priority order of the connection destination AP from the AP 101. For example, the MFP 100 may store the BSSID of the AP to which the MFP 100 has connected in the past and the IP address assigned at that time in the RAM 214 or the nonvolatile memory 215. In such a case, if the MFP 100 discovers an AP that matches the current IP address, the MFP 100 may create a beacon report using the measured information, and perform control so that the connection destination is preferentially switched to that AP.

[0118] In addition, there may be a case where the received radio field strength and the S / N ratio are not set lower for an AP whose signal quality is better than the currently connected AP 101 by a predetermined value or more among the multiple APs found by the AP search. For example, when the MFP 100 is downloading firmware through the firmware download process, if the connection with the currently connected AP 101 is terminated, it is necessary to restart the download of the firmware, which increases the time required for the download. However, if the signal quality of the signal from the currently connected AP 101 is poor and the packet loss rate is high, and there is another AP whose signal quality is better than the currently connected AP 101, it may be possible to reduce the download time by switching the connection and downloading again. Therefore, among the multiple APs found by the AP search, for the measurement result of the AP whose signal quality is better than the currently connected AP 101 by a predetermined value or more, a response can be sent to the AP 101 without degrading the signal quality value. As a result, if there is an AP having a signal quality better than the currently connected AP 101 by a predetermined value or more and there is a possibility that the firmware download will be completed earlier even if the connection is switched, the measurement result can be changed so that only the request to switch connection to that AP will be accepted.

[0119] Furthermore, in step S706, for example, when responding by setting the received signal strength and the S / N ratio of the measurement results for APs other than the currently connected AP 101 to predetermined values ​​in step S706, the AP search may not be performed. For example, the MFP 100 may store the measurement results acquired before receiving the measurement request in a storage device such as the RAM 214 or the nonvolatile memory 215. In such a case, the MFP 100 may identify the BSSID of the AP other than the currently connected AP 101 based on the stored measurement results, set the received signal strength and the S / N ratio to predetermined values ​​for that AP, and send a response.

[0120] In step S707, the CPU 212 sets 1 to the pseudo response flag stored in the RAM 214 in order to remember that the measurement status is changed and sent (send a response with contents different from the actual measurement result) in step S705 or S706.

[0121] In step S708, the CPU 212 checks whether a connection destination change request (BTM request) has been received. Figure 6 If such a request has been received ("Yes" in step S708), the process proceeds to step S709, and if such a request has not been received ("No" in step S708), the process proceeds to step S716.

[0122] In step S709, the CPU 212 checks whether 1 is set to the false response flag, and if not set (NO in step S709), the CPU 212 advances the processing to step S710, and if 1 is set (YES in step S709), the CPU 212 advances the processing to step S711.

[0123] In step S710, the CPU 212 ignores the connection destination change request (does not return a response to the connection destination change request), and returns the processing to step S703. That is, in an operation state in which switching the AP has an influence (a state corresponding to the determination result "Yes" in step S702), before a pseudo response is sent in response to a measurement request to suppress a connection destination change based on the connection destination change request (before the processing in step S705 or S706 is performed), the connection target AP is not changed even if a change request has been received. As a result, it is possible to prevent the connection destination from being changed unintentionally even in a state where there is no strong reason to change the connection destination (a state in which the connection with the AP 101 is to be forcibly disconnected). Note that if a change rejection response is sent in response to the connection destination change request in step S710, then thereafter the AP 101 may not send another measurement request or connection destination change request to the MFP 100 that has sent a response indicating rejection once. However, as described for step S706, in a very bad situation in which a measurement request is transmitted from the AP 101 after that and the connection with the AP 101 is lost as a result of the MFP 100 responding to the request as in step S706, it is preferable to transmit a connection destination change request. Therefore, in order to ensure that a measurement request is transmitted even in an operation state in which switching to another AP has an influence (a state corresponding to the determination result "Yes" in step S702), control is performed not to respond to the request in step S710, instead of transmitting a response indicating rejection.

[0124] In step S711, as in step S704, CPU 212 checks the AP switching disable reason, and if the AP switching disable reason is strong ("Yes" in step S711), CPU 212 advances the processing to step S712, and if the AP is weak ("No" in step S711), CPU 212 advances the processing to step S713.

[0125] In step S712 , the CPU 212 rejects the connection destination change request and returns the process to step S703 .

[0126] When the handover disable reason is strong, even in a very bad situation where the connection with AP 101 may be lost, it is preferable to maintain the connection with AP 101 as much as possible without changing the connection destination. Therefore, there is no problem even if AP 101 does not send a measurement request or a change request in the future in this situation. Therefore, a response indicating rejection is sent in step S712.

[0127] In step S713, the CPU 212 sends a response indicating that the connection destination change request has been accepted. In step S714, the CPU 212 switches the connection destination to the AP specified in the connection destination change request. The processing in steps S713 and S714 corresponds to the above-mentioned Figure 6 . It is assumed that the situation in which a change request is sent from AP 101 despite the pseudo response being sent in step S705 or S706 is a very bad situation in which the connection with AP 101 may be lost. In such a case, MFP 100 changes the connection destination to the recommended AP by the processing in steps S713 and S714 unless there is a strong reason to reject the connection destination change. In this way, in an extreme situation, the connection destination is preferentially switched to the recommended AP rather than maintaining the connection destination at AP 101, so that communication can be performed in a stable connection state.

[0128] In step S715 , the CPU 212 sets the false response flag to 0 and returns the process to step S703 .

[0129] In step S716, the CPU 212 checks whether there is any change in the operating state checked in S702 (in which a process that is affected by switching to another AP is performed). If there is no change ("No" in step S716), the MFP 100 returns the process to step S703, and if there is a change ("Yes" in step S716, that is, if the operating state has changed to the first operating state), the MFP 100 advances the process to step S717. In step S717, the CPU 212 sets the false response flag to 0 and advances the process to step S718.

[0130] In step S718, the CPU 212 checks whether a termination condition is satisfied (such as wireless communication being turned off or power being turned off). If the termination condition is not satisfied ("No" in step S718), the MFP 100 returns the process to step S702, and if the termination condition is satisfied ("Yes" in step S718), the MFP 100 returns the process to step S702. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The flowchart shown in terminates.

[0131] In step S719, as in step S703, the CPU 212 determines whether a measurement request has been received from the currently connected AP. If a measurement request has been received, the process proceeds to step S720, and if a measurement request has not been received, the process proceeds to step S721.

[0132] In step S720, the CPU 212 searches for APs around the CPU 212 or uses information acquired by the performed search to create measurement results and transmit them to the AP 101. This process corresponds to Figure 6 In this way, in the first state (the state corresponding to the determination result "No" in step S702) in which there is no problem even if the connection destination is changed based on the connection destination change request, the content (measurement result) obtained by actual measurement is sent in response to the measurement request (positive response).

[0133] In step S721, as in step S708, the CPU 212 determines whether a connection destination change request has been received. If a connection destination change request has been received, the process proceeds to step S722, and if a connection destination change request has not been received, the process proceeds to step S718. In step S722, the CPU 212 sends a response indicating that the connection destination change request has been accepted. In step S723, the CPU 212 switches the connection destination to the AP specified in the connection destination change request. The processes in steps S722 and S723 correspond to the above-described Figure 6The processing in steps S606 to S608 in .

[0134] exist Fig. 7A and Figure 7B In the description of the example in , it is assumed that if it is determined that the operation state is a state in which switching from the currently connected AP 101 to another AP has an influence ("Yes" in step S702), whether the processing in step S705 or the processing in step S706 is to be performed in response to the measurement request is switched depending on the strength of the switching disabling reason. However, the processing in step S704 may be omitted, and if this is the case, when the measurement request is received in S703, the processing in step S705 or S706 may be performed without determining the connection destination switching disabling reason.

[0135] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a situation where it is not desired to change the connection destination based on the connection destination change request, the MFP 100 sends a false response indicating a condition worse than the actually measured condition to other APs around the MFP 100 in response to a measurement request received from the currently connected AP. As a result, it is possible to prevent the currently connected AP from sending a connection destination change request requesting to change the connection destination to another AP. In this way, in a situation where it is not desired to change the connection destination based on the connection destination change request, it is possible to prevent the connection destination from being changed based on the connection destination change request. That is, it is possible to prevent inappropriate changes in the connection destination access point, and the connection destination access point can be changed more appropriately. The various types of control described above, such as those performed by the CPU 212, can be performed by a single piece of hardware, or multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) can share processing to control the entire device.

[0136] In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and the present invention also includes various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, each of the above-mentioned embodiments is only an embodiment of the present invention, and the embodiments may also be appropriately combined.

[0137] Although the above embodiment describes an example in which the present invention is applied to the MFP 100, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the present invention can be applied to any wireless device used as a STA capable of performing processing in response to a connection destination change request from an AP. It can be applied to any functional wireless device. That is, the present invention can be applied to personal computers, PDAs, tablet terminals, mobile phone terminals such as smart phones, music players, game consoles, e-book readers, smart watches, and various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as thermometers and hygrometers. In addition, the present invention can be applied to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, web cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones. In addition, the present invention can be applied to video output devices, audio output devices (e.g., smart speakers), media streaming players, wireless LAN adapter devices (adapters) that can be connected to USB terminals or LAN cable terminals, etc. Examples of video output devices include devices that realize streaming playback or mirror display (displaying the content displayed on the electronic device on the display device) on the display device by acquiring (downloading) a video on the Internet indicated by a URL specified by the electronic device and outputting the video to a display device connected via a video output terminal such as HDMI (registered trademark). Examples of video output devices also include televisions, media players (such as hard disk recorders, Blu-ray recorders, DVD recorders), head-mounted displays, projectors, televisions, display devices (monitors), signage devices, etc. The present invention can also be applied to Wi-Fi-connectable devices known as smart home appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, lighting equipment, heating equipment, cooling equipment, etc.

[0138] Other embodiments

[0139] Embodiments of the present invention 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 the 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, 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 communication module for receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request, the first request and the connection destination change request being sent from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; a measuring unit configured to measure quality of signals received from access points around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from access points around the electronic device; as well as a control unit, configured to execute control so that when the first request is received, In a case where the electronic device is in a first operating state, responding to the first access point with first content indicating a result of the measurement unit measuring the quality of signals from one or more other access points different from the first access point, and In a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, responding to the first access point with second content indicating that quality of a signal from at least one of the one or more other access points is worse than quality of a signal measured by the measurement unit for the at least one of the one or more other access points.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, The second content indicates that the received signal strength of the wireless signal received from the one or more other access points is weaker than the received signal strength indicated by the result of the measurement by the measurement unit.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, The second content indicates that a signal-to-noise ratio of wireless signals received from the one or more other access points is lower than a signal-to-noise ratio indicated by a result of measurement by the measurement unit.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, Regardless of the signal qualities that the measurement unit can measure for the one or more other access points, the second content does not include measurement results of the qualities of the signals from the one or more other access points.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more other access points include a second access point and a third access point different from the first access point, When the electronic device is in the second operating state, the second content indicates The quality of the signal from the second access point is worse than the result of measurement by the measurement unit, and The quality of the signal from the third access point is indicative of a result of the measurement by the measurement unit.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, in, When the change request is received after the electronic device enters the second operation state and before the first request is received, the control unit performs control not to change the connection destination in response to the change request and not to respond to the change request.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, in, When the change request is received after responding to the first request using the second content, the control unit performs control to change the connection destination in response to the change request.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory, for storing the measurement result of the measurement unit, Wherein, when the first request is received while the electronic device is in the second operation state, the control unit performs control to respond using the result of the measurement stored in the storage unit, while the measurement unit does not perform measurement.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: A printing module, used to perform printing processing, The second operation state includes a state in which the printing module is executing a printing process.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, The second operation state includes a state in which a firmware update process for the electronic device is being executed.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, When the first request is received while the electronic device is in the first operation state, the control unit responds to the first access point after the measurement unit measures qualities of signals from access points around the electronic device.

12. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second content includes information indicating quality of signals from the one or more other access points and indicating signal quality that is worse than a result of measurement by the measurement unit, and When the electronic device is in a third operating state different from the first operating state and the second operating state, the control unit performs control to respond to the first request using third content, and the third content does not include measurement results of wireless signals transmitted from the one or more other access points regardless of signal qualities that the measurement unit can measure for the one or more other access points.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, further comprising: A printing module, for performing printing processing, wherein the second operating state includes a state in which a firmware update process for the electronic device is being executed, and The third operation state includes a state in which the printing module is executing a printing process.

14. The electronic device according to claim 1, The electronic device is configured to perform operations compatible with at least one of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Target Wake Time (TWT).

15. The electronic device according to claim 1, The electronic device is configured to operate in compliance with IEEE 802.11ax.

16. The electronic device according to claim 1, in, When the control unit is to perform control to change the connection target in response to the change request, the control unit performs control to change the connection destination to an access point using a 6 GHz frequency band.

17. An electronic device comprising: a communication module for receiving, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of signals from access points around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request; a measuring unit configured to measure the quality of signals from access points around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access points around the electronic device; as well as a control unit, configured to execute control so that when the first request is received, responding to the first access point with first content, the first content including measurements of quality of signals from one or more other access points different from the first access point, with the electronic device being in a first operational state, and In a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, responding to the first access point using second content, the second content not including a measurement result of the quality of the signal from the one or more other access points by the measurement unit regardless of the signal quality that the measurement unit can measure for the one or more other access points.

18. The electronic device according to claim 17, in, When the first request is received while the electronic device is in the second operation state, the control unit performs control to respond to the first access point, while the measurement unit does not perform measurement.

19. An electronic device control method, the electronic device control method being executed in an electronic device, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request, the first request and the connection destination change request being sent from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring quality of signals from access points around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access points around the electronic device; as well as executing control so that when the first request is received, responding to the first access point with first content indicating results of measurements of quality of signals from one or more other access points different from the first access point, with the electronic device being in a first operating state, and In a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, responding to the first access point with second content indicating that quality of a signal from at least one of the one or more other access points is worse than quality of a signal measured for the at least one of the one or more other access points.

20. An electronic device control method, the electronic device control method being executed in an electronic device, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of signals from access points around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request; measuring quality of signals from access points around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access points around the electronic device; as well as executing control so that when the first request is received, responding to the first access point with first content, the first content including measurements of quality of signals from one or more other access points different from the first access point, with the electronic device being in a first operational state, and In a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, responding to the first access point using second content, the second content not including a measurement result of a quality of a signal from the one or more other access points by measuring, regardless of signal quality that can be measured for the one or more other access points by measuring.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for enabling a computer to execute an electronic device control method, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request, the first request and the connection destination change request being sent from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring quality of signals from access points around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access points around the electronic device; as well as executing control so that when the first request is received, responding to the first access point with first content indicating results of measurements of quality of signals from one or more other access points different from the first access point, with the electronic device being in a first operating state, and In a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, responding to the first access point with second content indicating that quality of a signal from at least one of the one or more other access points is worse than quality of a signal measured for the at least one of the one or more other access points.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for enabling a computer to execute an electronic device control method, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of signals from access points around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request; measuring quality of signals from access points around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access points around the electronic device; as well as executing control so that when the first request is received, responding to the first access point with first content, the first content including measurements of quality of signals from one or more other access points different from the first access point, with the electronic device being in a first operational state, and In a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, responding to the first access point using second content, the second content not including a measurement result of a quality of a signal from the one or more other access points by measuring, regardless of signal quality that can be measured for the one or more other access points by measuring.

23. A program product, the program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for enabling a computer to execute an electronic device control method, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of a signal from an access point around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request, the first request and the connection destination change request being sent from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; measuring quality of signals from access points around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access points around the electronic device; as well as executing control so that when the first request is received, responding to the first access point with first content indicating results of measurements of quality of signals from one or more other access points different from the first access point, with the electronic device being in a first operating state, and In a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, responding to the first access point with second content indicating that quality of a signal from at least one of the one or more other access points is worse than quality of a signal measured for the at least one of the one or more other access points.

24. A program product, the program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for enabling a computer to execute an electronic device control method, the electronic device control method comprising: receiving, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a first request for requesting a measurement result of quality of signals from access points around the electronic device, and a connection destination change request; measuring quality of signals from access points around the electronic device based on wireless signals received from the access points around the electronic device; as well as executing control so that when the first request is received, responding to the first access point with first content, the first content including measurements of quality of signals from one or more other access points different from the first access point, with the electronic device being in a first operational state, and In a case where the electronic device is in a second operating state different from the first operating state, responding to the first access point using second content, the second content not including a measurement result of a quality of a signal from the one or more other access points by measuring, regardless of signal quality that can be measured for the one or more other access points by measuring.

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