Electronic device, control method thereof, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic device, a control method thereof, a storage medium, and a computer program product. An electronic device includes: a receiving unit configured to receive, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a change request to change an access point serving as a connection destination from the first access point to a second access point; a control unit configured to control, based on the change request received by the receiving unit, to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point; and a notification unit configured to make a notification that the connection destination has been changed when the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device that can be connected via a wireless LAN, a control method of the electronic device, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] In a wireless LAN environment connecting electronic devices, there is a technology for dynamically switching a connection destination AP in an extended service set (ESS) composed of multiple access points (APs) so that the AP and the station (STA) can efficiently exchange data. When it is determined that the connection destination AP should be switched based on congestion of the AP connected to the STA, 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, it can connect to an appropriate AP by switching the connection destination AP according to the request.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-175068 discloses the following processing: a router with AP function makes a request to change the connection destination to the currently connected wireless sub-device. A mobile router (MR1) that can be connected to multiple wireless sub-devices confirms whether the wireless sub-device terminal supports IEEE 802.11v. Whether the wireless sub-device terminal supports IEEE 802.11v can be determined based on the association request frame sent when the wireless sub-device terminal is wirelessly connected to MR1. If the wireless sub-device terminal supports IEEE 802.11v, a BSS transition management (BTM) request frame is sent to the corresponding wireless sub-device terminal. The BSS transition candidate list entry field of the BTM request frame specifies the BSSID of the parent router RT2 as the connection destination. This prompts the sub-device terminal to switch the connection destination, and the wireless sub-device terminal switches the connection destination from MR1 to RT2 based on the received BTM request frame. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides an electronic device that improves convenience when an STA switches a connection destination AP, a control method of the electronic device, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program, and a computer program product.

[0005] The present invention provides an electronic device in a first aspect, the electronic device comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a change request to change an access point serving as a connection destination from the first access point to a second access point from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected; a control unit configured to perform control based on the change request received by the receiving unit to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point; and a notification unit configured to make a notification that the connection destination has been changed when the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request.

[0006] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a control method for an electronic device, the control method comprising: receiving a change request to change a connection destination from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected to a second access point; performing control based on the received change request to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point; and making a changed connection destination notification when the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request.

[0007] The present invention provides, in a third aspect, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: receiving a change request to change a connection destination from a first access point to which an electronic device is currently connected to a second access point; performing control based on the received change request to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point; and making a notification that the connection destination has been changed when the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request.

[0008] The present invention provides, in a fourth aspect, a computer program product configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: receiving a change request to change a connection destination from a first access point to which an electronic device is currently connected to a second access point; performing control based on the received change request to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point; and making a notification that the connection destination has been changed when the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience when an STA switches a connection destination AP.

[0010] 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

[0011] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the system configuration.

[0012] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP).

[0013] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C is a diagram showing a console unit of the MFP.

[0014] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal device.

[0015] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the structure of an access point (AP).

[0016] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing processing based on a request to change a connection destination from an AP.

[0017] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the console unit of the MFP.

[0018] Figure 8 : is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the MFP in response to a request to change a connection destination.

[0019] Fig. 9 : is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the MFP in response to a request to change a connection destination. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Please note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but the invention requiring all of these features is not limited, and a plurality of these features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and their repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0021] In addition, when the STA receives an AP change request and switches the connection destination AP according to the request, the user may not recognize that the connection destination AP of the STA has been switched. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the convenience when the STA switches the connection destination AP.

[0022] According to the present disclosure, the convenience when a STA switches a connection destination AP can be improved.

[0023] System Configuration

[0024] Figure 1 An example of the configuration of a system according to the present embodiment is shown. In one example, the system is a wireless communication system in which a plurality of communication devices can wirelessly communicate with each other. Figure 1 In the example shown, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 100 and a mobile terminal device 104 used as a communication device, access points AP 101 and AP 102, a DHCP server 103, and a network 110 are provided. Note that AP 101 and AP 102 may be represented as "AP1" and "AP2", respectively. The mobile terminal device 104 is a device having a wireless communication function using a wireless LAN or the like. "Wireless LAN" may be referred to as "WLAN" hereinafter. The mobile terminal device 104 may be a personal information terminal such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone (smartphone), a digital camera, a personal computer, or the like.

[0025] The MFP 100 has a printing function, and may also have a reading function (scanner), a fax function, a telephone function, and the like. The MFP 100 according to the present embodiment also has a communication function capable of wirelessly communicating with a mobile terminal device 104. Although the present embodiment describes a case where the MFP 100 is used as an example, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, a printing device, a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, and the like having a communication function may be used instead of the MFP 100. Please note that "MFP" is an acronym for "Multi Function Peripheral".

[0026] AP 101 is separately (externally) provided from mobile terminal device 104 and MFP 100, and is used as a WLAN base station device. A communication device having a WLAN communication function can communicate in WLAN infrastructure mode via AP 101. Please note that an access point is sometimes referred to as "AP" hereinafter. Infrastructure mode is sometimes also referred to as "wireless infrastructure mode". AP 101 wirelessly communicates with a communication device that is allowed (authenticated) to be connected to itself, and relays wireless communication between the communication device and other communication devices. AP 101 can, for example, be connected to 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 AP 101.

[0027] AP 102 has the same function as AP 101, and MFP 100 switches its connection from AP 101 to AP 102 as needed. Server 103 includes a DHCP server and a DNS server. The DHCP server is connected to MFP 100 via AP 101 and network 110, and provides services to MFP 100 by responding to requests from MFP 100. Figure 1 A configuration is shown in which a DHCP server is connected as a device separate from AP 101 and AP 102, but the configuration may allow AP 101 and AP 102 to have a DHCP server function. Here, network 110 may be the Internet, or may be a private network within an enterprise, a mobile phone network, or the like.

[0028] External structure of MFP

[0029] 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 a console unit 205. The document table 201 is a platform for placing a document to be read. The document cover 202 is a cover for fastening a document placed on the document table 201 and for ensuring that light from a light source that illuminates the document does not escape to the outside when the document is read. The printing paper insertion port 203 is an insertion port where paper of various sizes can be set. The printing paper discharge port 204 is a discharge port for discharging printed paper. The paper set in the printing paper insertion port 203 is conveyed one sheet at a time to a printing unit that prints on the paper, and then discharged from the printing paper discharge port 204. The console unit 205 is configured to include keys such as character input keys, cursor keys, OK keys, cancel keys, etc., as well as LEDs, LCDs, etc., and is configured so that a user can start various functions of the MFP, manipulate various settings, etc. The console unit 205 may also be configured to include a touch panel display. The MFP 100 has a WLAN wireless communication function and is therefore also configured to include a wireless communication antenna 206 for this wireless communication, although the antenna 206 is not necessarily visible from the outside. The MFP 100, like the mobile terminal device 104, can perform wireless communication via WLAN on a frequency band such as the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, or the like.

[0030] MFP structure

[0031] Figure 2B An example of the configuration of the MFP 100 is shown. The MFP 100 is configured to include: a main unit 211 that performs main control of the device itself; and a wireless unit 226 that is a single communication module that performs WLAN communication using at least one common antenna. The main unit 211 indicates only a block including a functional block other than the modem 229 and the wireless unit 266. For example, the MFP 100 is also configured to include a modem 229 for wired communication. The main unit 211 is configured to include, for example, a CPU 212 (central processing unit), a ROM 213, a RAM 214, a nonvolatile memory 215, an image memory 216, a reading control unit 217, a data conversion unit 218, a reading unit 219, and an encoding / decoding processing unit 221. The main unit 211 also includes, for example, a printing unit 222, a sheet feeding unit 223, a printing control unit 224, a console unit 220, and a fax control unit 227. Functional units in the main unit 211 are connected to each other via a system bus 230 managed by the CPU 212. In addition, the main unit 211 and the wireless unit 226 are connected via a dedicated bus 225, for example, and the main unit 211 and the modem 229 are connected via a bus 228, for example.

[0032] The CPU 212 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire MFP 100. The processing of the MFP 100 described below is realized, for example, by the CPU 212 executing a program stored in the ROM 213. Note that dedicated hardware for each process may be provided. The ROM 213 stores a control program executed by the CPU 212, an embedded OS program, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 212 performs software control such as scheduling, task switching, and the like by executing each control program stored in the ROM 213 under the management of the embedded OS (also stored in the ROM 213).

[0033] The RAM 214 is composed of an SRAM or the like. The RAM 214 stores data such as program control variables, data such as setting values ​​registered by a user, and management data of the MFP 100, etc. In addition, the RAM 214 can be used as various types of work buffers. For example, 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 through the wireless unit 226, image data processed by the encoding / decoding processing unit 221, etc. Please note that the memory configuration of the MFP 100 is not limited to the above configuration. The data conversion unit 218 analyzes data in various formats, converts the image data into print data, etc.

[0034] 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 may perform various types of image processing such as binarization processing, halftone processing, etc. before outputting the image data.

[0035] The console unit 220 is a reference Figure 2A The described console unit 205 displays items in the display under the display control of the CPU 212, generates signals and the like in response to accepting user operations.

[0036] The encoding / decoding processing unit 221 performs encoding processing, decoding processing, scaling processing, and the like on image data (JPEG, PNG, and the like) processed by the MFP 100 .

[0037] The sheet feeding unit 223 accommodates sheets for printing. The sheet feeding unit 223 can supply sheets placed in the sheet feeding unit under the control of the print control unit 224. The sheet feeding unit 223 may include a plurality of sheet feeding units to accommodate a plurality of types of sheets in a single device, and may control from which sheet feeding unit a sheet is fed under the control of the print control unit 224.

[0038] The print control unit 224 applies various types of image processing such as smoothing processing, print darkness correction processing, color correction, etc. to 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 inkjet printing processing, for example, so that the ink supplied from the ink cartridge is ejected from the print head and the image is recorded on a recording medium such as paper. Note that the print unit 222 may be configured to be able to perform other types of printing processing such as electrophotographic printing. The print control unit 224 may also periodically read out information on the print unit 222 and update status information including the remaining amount of the ink cartridge, the status of the print head, etc. stored in the RAM 214.

[0039] The wireless unit 226 is a unit capable of providing a WLAN communication function, and, for example, is capable of providing a function equivalent to that of the WLAN unit 401 combination of the mobile terminal device 104. In other words, according to the WLAN standard, the wireless unit 226 converts data into data packets and sends the data packets to other devices, and also restores data packets from other external devices to their original data and outputs the data to the CPU 212. The wireless unit 226 is capable of communicating as a station compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard series. The wireless unit 226 is particularly capable of communicating as a station compliant with IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. "Station" may be referred to as "STA" hereinafter. The wireless unit 226 is also capable of communicating as a STA supporting Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (registered trademark).

[0040] The wireless unit 226 supports IEEE 802.11ax, i.e., Wi-Fi 6 (registered trademark), and is capable of processing in accordance with IEEE802.11ax. In other words, the MFP 100 is capable of processing as a STA supporting (compliant with) OFDMA, and is capable of operating (processing) as a STA supporting (compliant with) TWT, or one of the two. "OFDMA" is an acronym for "Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access". "TWT" is an acronym for "Target Wake Time". Supporting TWT means adjusting the timing of data communication from the parent device to the STA. When there is no need to wait for signal reception, the wireless unit 226 (MFP 100) used as a STA switches the communication function to a sleep state. This makes it possible to suppress power consumption. The wireless unit 226 also supports Wi-Fi 6E (registered trademark). In other words, the wireless unit 226 is also capable of communicating in the 6GHz band (5.925GHz to 7.125GHz). Unlike the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band does not have a frequency band for dynamic frequency selection (DFS). Therefore, in communications in the 6 GHz band, communications will not be disconnected due to DFS standby time, which is expected to improve communications.

[0041] 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 (software AP) function or a group owner function. In other words, the wireless unit 226 can build a P2P communication network, set a channel used in P2P communication, etc.

[0042] MFP console unit

[0043] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C An example of a screen displayed in the display (touch screen) included in the console unit 220 of the MFP 100 is schematically shown. Figure 3A An example of a home screen displayed when the MFP 100 is powered on and an operation such as printing, scanning, etc. is not in progress ("idle state" or "standby state") is shown. Figure 3A In the MFP 100, display items indicating "copy", "scan", and "cloud" (menu items) are displayed. "Cloud" is a menu item related to a cloud function using Internet communication. By operating a key, a touch panel, or the like, one of the menu items can be selected to make settings in the MFP 100, to start execution of a function, and the like. The MFP 100 can be operated by Figure 3A The main screen shown in the figure accepts operations such as keys and touch panel, and can display the Figure 3A The screen shown in the figure is different from the screen shown in the figure.

[0044] Figure 3B is an example of display of another part of the main screen, and is in response to Figure 3A The screen to which the user switches by performing an operation (swiping left or right) to display another page of the home screen in the state shown. Figure 3B In the display, display items (menu items) indicating "communication setting", "printing" and "photographing" are displayed. When one of these menu items is selected, a function corresponding to the selected menu item, ie, one of the printing function, the photo function and the communication setting, is executed.

[0045] Figure 3C is when Figure 3B An example of the display of the menu screen of communication settings that is displayed when "Communication Settings" has been selected in the screen shown. In the communication settings menu screen, "Wireless LAN", "Wired LAN", "Wireless Direct", "Bluetooth" and "Public Settings" are displayed as menu items (options). "Wireless LAN", "Wired LAN" and "Wireless Direct" are menu items for LAN settings, and these items can be used to set settings such as wired connection settings, settings for enabling and disabling wireless infrastructure mode, settings for enabling and disabling P2P mode (such as WFD and software AP mode), etc. When the "Wireless LAN" item is selected and the wireless LAN is enabled by user operation, the wireless infrastructure mode will be enabled. When the "Wireless Direct" item is selected and the wireless direct connection is enabled by user operation, the P2P (WLAN) mode will be enabled. A public settings menu for various connection formats is also displayed in this screen. In addition, the user can set the frequency band, channel, etc. of the wireless LAN from this screen.

[0046] External structure of mobile terminal equipment

[0047] Figure 4A4 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the mobile terminal device 104. The present embodiment will describe a case where the mobile terminal device 104 is, for example, a typical smart phone. Note that the mobile terminal device 104 is configured to include, for example, a display unit 402, an operation unit 403, and a power key 404. The display unit 402 is, for example, a display having a display mechanism based on a liquid crystal display (LCD). Note that the display unit 402 can display information using, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) or the like. In addition to the display unit 402, the mobile terminal device 104 may also have a function of outputting information by audio, or the mobile terminal device 104 may have a function of outputting information by audio instead of the display unit 402. The operation unit 403 is configured to include a physical key (such as a key, a button, etc.), a touch panel, etc. for detecting a user operation. Note that in this example, a common touch panel display is used for information display in the display unit 402 and acceptance of a user operation through the operation unit 403, so the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 are implemented as a single device. In this case, for example, a button icon or a software keyboard is displayed using the display function of the display unit 402, and a user touching these positions is detected using the operation receiving function of the operation unit 403. Note that the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 may be separate, and hardware for display and hardware for receiving operations may be provided separately. The power key 404 is a physical key for receiving a user operation to power on or off the mobile terminal device 104.

[0048] The mobile terminal device 104 includes a WLAN unit 401 that provides a WLAN communication function, but it is not necessarily visible from the outside. For example, the WLAN unit 401 is constructed to be able to perform data (data packet) communication in a WLAN system that complies with the IEEE 802.11 standard series (IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, etc.). The wireless unit 226 is also capable of communicating as an AP that supports Wi-Fi AgileMultiband (registered trademark). However, the construction is not limited to this, and the WLAN unit 401 may be able to communicate in a WLAN system that complies with another standard. This example assumes that the WLAN unit 401 is capable of communicating in both the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. The WLAN unit 401 is also assumed to be able to communicate based on WFD, communicate using software AP mode, communicate using wireless infrastructure mode, etc. The operations performed in these modes will be described later.

[0049] The structure of mobile terminal equipment

[0050] Figure 4BAn example of the configuration of the mobile terminal device 104 is shown. For example, the mobile terminal device 104 includes: a main unit 411 that performs main control of the device itself, and a WLAN unit 429 that performs WLAN communication. The main unit 411 indicates only a block including functional blocks other than the WLAN unit 429. The main unit 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. Here, CPU is an acronym for "Central Processing Unit", ROM is an acronym for "Read Only Memory", RAM is an acronym for "Random Access Memory", and GPS is an acronym for "Global Positioning System". The mobile terminal device 104 also includes a display unit 420 and an operation unit 418. Functional units in the main unit 411 are connected to each other via a system bus 628 managed by the CPU 412. In addition, the main unit 411 and the WLAN unit 429 (the aforementioned WLAN unit 401) are connected via a dedicated bus 426, for example.

[0051] The CPU 412 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the mobile terminal device 104 as a whole. The processing of the mobile terminal device 104 described below is realized, for example, by the CPU 412 executing the program stored in the ROM 413. Note that dedicated hardware for each process may be provided. The ROM 413 stores a control program executed by the CPU 412, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 412 performs software control such as scheduling, task switching, and the like by executing each control program stored in the ROM 413 under the management of the embedded OS (also stored in the ROM 413).

[0052] The RAM 414 is composed of a static RAM (SRAM) or the like. The RAM 414 stores: data such as program control variables, data such as setting values ​​registered by the user and management data of the mobile terminal device 104, etc. In addition, the RAM 414 can be used as various types of work buffers. The image memory 415 is composed of a memory such as a dynamic RAM (DRAM) or the like. The image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received through the WLAN unit 429, image data read out from the data storage unit 423, etc., for processing by the CPU 412. For example, the nonvolatile memory 422 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even if the mobile terminal device 104 is powered off. Please note that the memory configuration of the mobile terminal device 104 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the image memory 415 and the RAM 414 can be implemented by the same memory, data can be backed up like using the data storage unit 423, etc. In addition, although the present embodiment describes DRAM as an example of the image memory 415, another storage medium such as a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, etc. can also be used instead.

[0053] The data conversion unit 416 analyzes data in various formats, and performs data conversion such as color conversion and image conversion, etc. The telephone unit 417 controls a telephone line, and realizes telephone communication by processing audio data input and output through the speaker unit 424. The GPS 419 receives radio waves transmitted from a satellite, and obtains position information of the mobile terminal device 104 such as the current latitude, longitude, etc.

[0054] The camera unit 421 has a function of electronically recording and encoding an image input through a lens. The image data captured by the camera unit 421 is stored in the data storage unit 423. The speaker unit 424 controls to realize a function for inputting or outputting audio of a telephone function, other functions such as an alarm notification, and the like. The power supply unit 425 is, for example, a portable battery, and controls the supply of power to the inside of the device. The power supply state includes, for example, a "battery exhaustion state" in which there is no remaining power in the battery, a "power off state" in which the power key 404 is not pressed, an "operation state" in which the battery is operating normally, and a "power saving state" in which the battery is operating but in a power saving state.

[0055] The display unit 420 is a reference Figure 4A The display unit 402 described above displays various types of input operations, the operating state and status of the MFP 100, etc. under the control of the CPU 412. The operation unit 418 is a reference Figure 4A The operating unit 403 described above performs control such as generating an electric signal corresponding to the operation, outputting the electric signal to the CPU 412, etc. when accepting a user operation.

[0056] The mobile terminal device 104 uses the WLAN unit 429 to perform wireless communication and data communication with other devices such as the MFP 100. The WLAN unit 429 converts data into data packets and sends the data packets to other devices. The WLAN unit 429 also restores data packets from other external devices to original data and outputs the data to the CPU 412. The WLAN unit 429 is a unit for implementing communications that comply with various WLAN standards. The WLAN unit 429 can operate in at least two communication modes including a wireless infrastructure mode and a P2P (WLAN) mode at the same time. Please note that the frequency bands used in these communication modes are limited by the functions and performance of the hardware.

[0057] Access point configuration

[0058] Figure 5 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the AP 101 having a wireless LAN access point function. The main unit 510 controlling the AP 101 is configured to include a wireless LAN unit 516, a wired LAN unit 518, and an operation button 520. The main unit 510 indicates only a block including a functional block other than the wireless LAN unit 516, the wired LAN unit 518, and the operation button 520.

[0059] A microprocessor type CPU 511 arranged on the main unit 510 operates according to a control program stored in a ROM type program memory 513 and data in a RAM type data memory 514, which are connected to the CPU 511 via an internal bus 512. The CPU 511 communicates with other communication terminal devices using a wireless LAN by controlling a wireless LAN unit 516 by means of a wireless LAN communication control unit 515. The CPU 511 also communicates with other communication terminal devices using a wired LAN by controlling a wired LAN unit 518 by means of a wired LAN communication control unit 517. The CPU 511 can accept an operation made by a user manipulating an operation button 520 by controlling an operation unit control circuit 519. The CPU 511 includes at least one processor.

[0060] The AP 101 further includes an interference wave detection unit 521 and a channel change unit 522. The interference wave detection unit 521 performs interference wave detection processing when wireless communication is performed in a frequency band implementing dynamic frequency selection (DFS). The channel change unit 522 performs processing for changing a channel used when an interference wave is detected, when an immediate change to an idle channel is required, etc., when wireless communication is performed in a frequency band implementing DFS.

[0061] Note that AP 102 has the same construction as AP 101 .

[0062] P2P communication method

[0063] Next, a P2P (WLAN) communication method will be outlined, which is used for wireless communication between devices directly without passing through an external access point in WLAN communication. P2P (WLAN) communication can be implemented by various methods, for example, a communication device can support multiple P2P (WLAN) communication modes and selectively use one of the multiple modes to perform P2P communication (WLAN).

[0064] The following two modes are assumed to be P2P modes.

[0065] Software AP mode

[0066] Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode

[0067] A communication device capable of P2P communication may be configured to support at least one of these modes. However, even a communication device capable of P2P communication does not necessarily support all of these modes, but may be configured to support only some of them.

[0068] In a communication device having a WFD communication function (e.g., mobile terminal device 104), in response to a user operation accepted through an operation unit of the device, an application (in some cases, a dedicated application) for implementing the communication function is called. The communication device can then display a screen of a user interface (UI) provided by the application to prompt the user to perform an operation, and then perform WFD communication based on the user operation accepted in response thereto.

[0069] Software AP mode

[0070] In software AP mode, a communication device (e.g., mobile terminal device 104) operates in the role of a client requesting various types of services. Other communication devices (e.g., MFP 100) can operate as a software AP that performs WLAN AP functions through software settings. Please note that the commands, parameters, etc. sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between a client and a software AP can be any commands, parameters, etc. specified by the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, and therefore will not be described. The MFP 100 operating in software AP mode also determines the frequency band and channel as a master station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can choose which frequency band to use from 5GHz and 2.4GHz, and which channel to use in the frequency band.

[0071] WFD mode

[0072] The MFP 100 can be started so that it is fixed as the master station of the WFD mode (autonomous group owner). In this case, the GO negotiation process for determining the role is not required. In addition, in this case, the MFP 100 also determines the frequency band and channel to be used as the master station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use from 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, and which channel to use in the frequency band.

[0073] Wireless Infrastructure Mode

[0074] In the wireless infrastructure mode, the communication devices (e.g., mobile terminal device 104 and MFP100) that communicate with each other are connected to an external AP (e.g., AP 101) that manages the network, and the communication devices communicate with each other through the AP. In other words, communication between the communication devices is performed through a network constructed by an external AP. The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 each discover the AP 101, and by sending a connection request and connecting to the AP 101, these communication devices can communicate via the AP 101 in the wireless infrastructure mode. Please note that multiple communication devices can be connected to individual APs. In this case, the communication devices can communicate by transmitting data between APs. The commands, parameters, etc. sent and received during communication between the communication devices via the access point can be any commands, parameters, etc. specified by the Wi-Fi standard, so they will not be described. In this case, the AP 101 also determines the frequency band and channel. Therefore, the AP 101 can select which frequency band to use from 5GHz or 2.4GHz and 6GHz, and which channel to use in the frequency band.

[0075] Processing in response to a request to change the connection destination from an AP to a STA

[0076] The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 support functions disclosed as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (registered trademark) correspondingly. Wi-Fi Agile Multiband is a function that can select the best environment in response to the changing conditions of the Wi-Fi network. More 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 IEEE802.11 series of communication standards. By exchanging information in this way, when the network is congested, the AP can guide the STA (change the connection destination) to another AP, frequency band, channel, or even another cellular service.

[0077] Figure 61 is a sequence diagram showing a case where the MFP 100 switches the connection destination AP from the AP 101 to the AP 102 in response to a connection destination change request (a change request of the access point serving as the connection destination) from the AP 101. The processing performed by each device in accordance with the sequence is realized by the CPU of each device reading out various programs stored in a memory (such as a ROM, etc.) provided in the device into a RAM and executing the programs.

[0078] exist Figure 6 In the initial state of the illustrated process, it is assumed that the MFP 100 has established a connection with the AP 101 in the wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the AP 101 are connected in the wireless infrastructure mode, the AP 101 obtains information on whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. Assuming that when the AP 101 successfully obtains the information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v, the following process is then performed.

[0079] In step S601, AP 101 sends an inquiry (measurement request) to MFP 100 about the radio wave strength of APs around MFP 100. This inquiry is sent as, for example, a beacon frame request or a beacon report request. In other words, a mechanism defined in the IEEE 802.11k standard can be used for this request.

[0080] In step S602, the MFP 100 receives frames transmitted by the surrounding APs and measures the radio wave strength thereof in response to the request received in step S601. As a result, the radio wave strength of each of the plurality of APs including the AP 101 and the AP 102 is measured.

[0081] In step S603, the MFP 100 transmits a list of radio wave strengths of the APs around the MFP 100 measured in step S602 as a response to the request received in step S601. The radio wave strengths provided in the response may be information stored in the RAM 214, the nonvolatile memory 215, etc. of the MFP 100 in addition to the information measured in step S602, or may be information stored in the RAM 214, the nonvolatile memory 215, etc. of the MFP 100 instead of the information measured in step S602. The response is transmitted as, for example, a beacon report or a measurement report.

[0082] In step S604, the AP 101 determines whether it is necessary to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100 based on the network congestion state determined by the AP 101 and the radio wave strength received from the MFP 100 in step S603. The AP 101 determines whether it is necessary to switch the connection based on factors such as the presence of a large number of connected STAs, high traffic, other APs being less congested, the presence or absence of mixed radio waves, the AP function being suspended, etc. When it is determined that it is necessary to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100, and the service set identifier (hereinafter referred to as "SSID"), channel, and frequency band of the other AP to be switched to are determined to be specified by the MFP 100, the sequence proceeds to step S605.

[0083] In step S605, AP 101 sends an AP change request (connection destination switching request) to MFP 100. The connection destination change request includes the SSID, channel, and band information of the other AP to which MFP 100 specifies to switch, as determined in step S604. Note that multiple SSIDs may be specified. The connection destination change request is sent, for example, as a BTM request. In other words, a BSS transition management (BTM) request frame defined in the IEEE 802.11v standard is sent. Figure 6 The example shown in assuming that the AP 102 is specified as the switching destination included in the connection destination change request.

[0084] In step S606, if the connection destination change request received in step S605 is to be followed, the MFP 100 sends a response indicating approval of the switching to the AP 101. If the connection destination change request is not to be followed, a switching rejection may be sent as a response. This response is sent as a BTM response. Figure 6 The examples in assume that a response indicating consent is sent.

[0085] In step S607, the AP 101 and the MFP 100 terminate the connection in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0086] In step S608 , the MFP 100 transmits a connection request to the AP 102 to connect to the AP 102 specified in the connection destination change request received in step S605 .

[0087] As a result, in step S609, the connection between the MFP 100 and the AP 102 is established in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0088] Using this 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 originally connected. The AP 101 and the AP 102 may be APs installed at different locations. Figure 6 By the process shown in the figure, the MFP 100 can switch to another AP installed at a different location from the AP to which the MFP 100 was originally connected. There is also a case where the AP handles mutually different frequency bands (two or three of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band) among a plurality of frequency bands provided by the same device. In other words, by Figure 6 By the process shown, 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 connection destination can be changed to an AP in the 6 GHz frequency band based on the connection destination change request.

[0089] Although the present embodiment describes an example in which a measurement request and a connection destination change request from an AP are sent using a mechanism compliant with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband and the STA responds to this, the configuration is not limited thereto. Even if the STA responds to a measurement request or a connection destination change request sent from an AP, changes the connection destination AP (switches, deletes, or adds an AP as a connection destination), etc. using a mechanism different from the above example, the present embodiment can be applied.

[0090] There are cases where changing the connection destination AP based on a change request for changing the connection destination AP sent from the currently connected AP does not cause a problem, and there are cases where it is not desirable to do so. In the case where it is not desirable to change the connection destination AP based on the change request, one or more of the following types of processing may be combined as processing for suppressing the change of the connection destination in response to the change request. The following processing is processing that prevents or makes it difficult to change the connection destination AP based on the change request.

[0091] (Suppression Processing 1) Even if the change request described in step S605 is received, the connection destination AP is not changed based on the received connection request, and no response is made to the change request, or a response indicating that the change request has been rejected (the connection destination AP will not be changed) is sent to the currently connected AP. When a rejection response is sent, the priority of the connection destination change of another STA connected to the AP currently connected to the MFP 100 is raised, and the priority of the connection destination change of the MFP 100 that returns the rejection response is lowered. As a result, the connection with the connected AP can be maintained. If no response is returned (that is, the request is ignored), it is considered that the currently connected AP will maintain the connection with the MFP 100 to wait for a response until the timeout after the response standby time. Therefore, in the case where the connection is terminated immediately according to a certain response to the change request from the MFP 100, the connection with the currently connected AP will be longer by not responding instead of returning a certain response. Therefore, for example, based on the information indicating the change reason contained in the change request, the processing can be changed according to the reason, such as rejecting the request if the reason is not sufficient, or ignoring the request if the reason is sufficient. The change reason may be determined based on information included in the request pattern in the BTM request, for example, which indicates which of several reasons applies. For example, if the Disassociation Imminent bit or the BSS Termination Included bit of the request pattern is 1, then the change request may be determined to be a request with a sufficient change reason. Otherwise, the change request may be determined to be a request with an insufficient change reason.

[0092] (Suppression Processing 2) In response to the measurement request described in step S601, information indicating that the radio wave reception condition (signal reception condition) of the unconnected AP other than the currently connected AP is worse than the actually measured condition (poor signal quality) is provided as a response (error response). In this case, the response may be made after the actual measurement is performed in response to the reception of the measurement request, or the response may be made without performing the actual measurement. Specifically, in the response (beacon report, etc.) described with reference to step S603, a value indicating a lower received signal strength and / or a value indicating a higher noise (signal-to-noise ratio) is provided as a response to the signal quality measured for the signal received from the unconnected AP. Alternatively, the response may be a response that does not include at least one piece of information about the unconnected AP. The following processing may also be performed, in which, based on the information measured in the past for the unconnected AP, a response is provided that sets the received signal strength to an extremely low value or sets the noise to an extremely high value. Even if a measurement request is received, a response indicating a good received signal strength or noise condition only for the currently connected AP may be provided without performing the actual measurement (AP search) and without including information about the unconnected AP. Responding to the measurement request without including information about the unconnected AP in the response corresponds to content indicating that no other unconnected APs were found even after performing an AP search. In other words, not including information about the unconnected AP in the response indicates that the signal quality from the unconnected AP is at least partially worse than when the AP search was actually performed.

[0093] By doing so, it can be expected that a connection destination change request is suppressed from being sent from an AP currently connected to other APs. Thus, a connection destination is suppressed from being changed in response to a connection destination change request.

[0094] (Suppression Process 3) Temporarily disconnect the currently connected AP, provide information indicating that the change request is not supported, and then reconnect to the same AP. Specifically, temporarily terminate the wireless connection with the currently connected AP, and generate data of an association request frame including information indicating that IEEE802.11v is not supported as a preparation for re-establishing the wireless connection. Then use the generated association request frame data to perform a process of connecting to the AP. As a result, if an association request frame including information indicating that IEEE 802.11v is not supported is generated, the AP is connected as an electronic device that does not support the Agile Multiband function. As a result, the currently connected AP recognizes that the MFP 100 does not support IEEE 802.11v, and does not send a wireless connection destination change request to the MFP 100. As a result, a request to change the wireless connection is no longer made to the MFP 100, so that the wireless connection between the MFP 100 and the currently connected AP is easier to maintain. In addition, if the currently connected AP recognizes that the MFP 100 does not support IEEE 802.11v, the measurement request (refer to the request described in step S601) sent from the AP currently connected to the MFP 100 is also stopped. Therefore, measurement (AP search) in response to the measurement request and response to the measurement request (processing of step S603) can also be suppressed in the MFP 100. The processing load and power consumption can be reduced by that amount, and resources can be allocated to other processing.

[0095] For example, receiving print data corresponds to a state in which the connection destination AP is not desired to be changed based on a change request. The receiving of print data by the MFP 100 corresponds to a state in which some print data of the image to be printed has been received by the mobile terminal device 104 as a partner device, but the remaining print data has not been received. The MFP 100 does not store all the print data to be printed on a single sheet of paper. Therefore, the MFP 100 performs printing by repeating an operation of receiving some print data and then printing (for example, receiving a line of print data and printing), and then receiving the next data and then printing. If the connection destination AP is changed based on a connection destination change request while print data is being received, a time lag will be generated in the process of switching the connection destination, which may cause a decrease in print quality such as uneven printing. In addition, after switching the connection destination, the communication quality with the mobile terminal device 104 as a partner device may be degraded, so that subsequent data cannot be received and printing fails. Therefore, it is preferable to perform at least one of the above-mentioned processes (suppression process 1 and suppression process 2) as a process for suppressing the change of the connection destination in response to the change request when receiving print data, or to perform the above-mentioned process (suppression process 3) before starting to receive print data.

[0096] Screen display when the connection destination AP has been switched

[0097] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B An example of a screen displayed in the console unit 220 of the MFP 100 when the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 has been switched is schematically shown. Fig. 7A is a diagram showing a state displayed on the MFP 100 in response to the connection destination AP being switched. Figure 3A Figure 2 shows an example of a status notification in the home screen.

[0098] In response to the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 being switched, Fig. 7A The status notification display section 700 is displayed in the main screen shown. The status notification display section 700 displays a status notification 701, an OK button 702, a detail button 703, etc. Although the present embodiment describes an example in which the status notification display section 700 is displayed at the bottom of the main screen, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the status notification display section 700 may be displayed at the top, center, etc. of the main screen.

[0099] The status notification 701 is a notification indicating the connection destination AP of the switched MFP 100. The status notification 701 enables the user to recognize the connection destination AP of the switched MFP 100.

[0100] In addition, a message indicating that the connection destination has been changed to an AP having a better communication environment than the originally connected AP is displayed in the status notification 701. In this example, the status notification 701 displays a message indicating that the connection has been switched to the best AP, but the message conveyed by the status notification 701 is not limited thereto. For example, the status notification 701 may display a message indicating that the connection has been switched to an AP having a better radio wave condition, a message indicating that the connection has been switched to an AP having a more stable connection with the MFP 100, and the like. Displaying the status notification 701 in this manner allows the user to recognize that the connection has been changed to a more favorable AP.

[0101] The OK button 702 is an interface for accepting an instruction to stop displaying the status notification display section 700. For example, when the user confirms the status notification 701 and presses the OK button 702, the MFP 100 accepts the stop displaying of the status notification display section 700 and controls the display in the console unit 220 to return to the Figure 3A In other words, when the user presses the OK button 702, the MFP 100 performs display control so as to hide the status notification display section 700.

[0102] The details button 703 is an interface for accepting an instruction to switch to the details notification screen. For example, when the user presses the details button 703, the MFP 100 accepts an instruction to switch to the details notification screen and performs display control so that the console unit 220 displays the details notification screen. Figure 7B The detailed notification screen shown in and described later.

[0103] In this way, the MFP 100 accepts Fig. 7A The MFP 100 controls the display of the status notification display portion 700 according to the touch-based or key-based operation of the OK button 702, the detail button 703, etc. displayed in the status notification shown in the main screen, and controls the display according to the operation. If a predetermined amount of time has passed after the status notification display portion 700 is displayed, the MFP 100 stops displaying the status notification display portion 700. For example, if the user does not operate the OK button 702, the detail button 703, etc. within a predetermined time after the status notification display portion 700 is displayed, the MFP 100 stops displaying the status notification display portion 700. The MFP 100 can also update and display the status notification display portion 700 when the connection is switched to another AP. Alternatively, if a connection destination change request is received from the currently connected AP while the status notification display portion 700 is displayed in the main screen, the MFP 100 can control not to change the connection destination based on the connection change request. For example, if a connection destination change request is received from the currently connected AP while the status notification display portion 700 is displayed in the main screen, the MFP 100 can control not to issue a response approving the switch. In other words, if a connection destination change request is received from the currently connected AP while the status notification display portion 700 is displayed in the main screen, the MFP 100 may issue a response indicating that the connection destination change request has been rejected to the currently connected AP. Alternatively, the MFP 100 may control to ignore the connection destination change request.

[0104] Figure 7B 2 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed notification screen displayed in the console unit 220. For example, when the user Fig. 7A When the detail button 703 is pressed in the main screen shown in , the detail notification screen is displayed in the console unit 220. As described later, the detail notification screen is a screen for displaying information such as the communication environment and identification information of the AP before and after the switching, making settings related to the switching, etc. The detail notification screen displays a switching confirmation section 704, an Agile Multiband setting section 710, a switching notification setting section 711, an OK button 712, and the like.

[0105] The switching confirmation part 704 is an item that displays detailed information, settings, etc. about the AP before switching, the AP after switching, the AP switching candidates, etc. In the switching confirmation part 704, the AP information before switching 705, the AP information after switching 706, the switching candidate AP information 707, the switching settings 708, the confirmation button 709a, the connection button 709b for connecting to the AP before switching, etc. are displayed.

[0106] Information corresponding to the AP before switching, the AP after switching, the candidate AP for switching, etc. is displayed in AP information 705 to 707. The information corresponding to the AP before switching, the AP after switching, and the candidate AP for switching is, for example, identification information such as SSID or media access control address (hereinafter referred to as "MAC address"), information related to the communication environment, etc. The candidate AP for switching is an AP that can be switched to via AgileMultiband. For example, the connection destination change request received by the MFP 100 from the AP 101 may include multiple switching destination APs. The MFP 100 can determine the AP to be switched to from the multiple switching destination APs based on information such as radio wave strength, frequency band, radio wave congestion conditions, etc. The MFP 100 can use APs other than the AP to be switched to as candidate APs for switching.

[0107] The information related to the communication environment is information indicating the radio wave strength seen from the MFP 100, information indicating the corresponding frequency band of the AP, etc. The information related to the communication environment may also be information indicating the communication frequency band, information indicating the radio wave congestion condition in the communication channel (not shown), etc. In this way, the information related to the communication environment of each AP is displayed as the pre-switching AP information 705 and the post-switching AP information 706, which allows the user to confirm in detail whether the MFP 100 has switched to a more favorable AP.

[0108] The information indicating the radio wave strength may be displayed after, for example, the MFP 100 measures the radio wave strength of the AP before switching, the AP after switching, and the switching candidate AP. For example, when the MFP 100 switches the connection destination AP, when the user has pressed the detail button 703, etc., the MFP 100 may measure the radio wave strength of each AP by a process similar to that described with reference to step S601. The corresponding frequency band of the AP may be obtained by the MFP 100 measuring the radio wave strength of each AP.

[0109] The switching setting 708 is a setting item that can enable or disable the AgileMultiband switching setting for the AP before switching, the AP after switching, the candidate AP for switching, etc. In the switching setting 708, an interface (enable button 708a) that can accept an instruction to enable the switching setting for each AP and an interface (disable button 708b) that can accept an instruction to disable the switching setting for each AP are displayed. This allows the user to perform switching settings for the AP before switching, the AP after switching, the candidate AP for switching, etc. separately. For example, the user can set the AP not to be switched to as disabled in the AP before switching, the AP after switching, the candidate AP for switching, etc.

[0110] The confirmation button 709a is an interface capable of accepting an instruction indicating that the user has confirmed the AP information 705 to 707. The connection button 709b for connecting to the AP before switching is an interface capable of accepting an instruction to change the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 from connecting to the AP after switching to connecting to the AP before switching. In other words, the connection button 709b for connecting to the AP before switching is an interface capable of accepting an instruction to return the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 to the AP before switching. For example, the MFP 100 may store identification information such as SSID, MAC address, etc. of the AP to which it has been connected in the past in a memory such as the ROM 213 or the non-volatile memory 215. If the MFP 100 accepts the user pressing the connection button 709b for connecting to the AP before switching, the MFP 100 terminates the connection with the AP after switching through the processing to be described later. The MFP 100 reads out the identification information of the AP before switching stored in the memory, and controls to connect to the AP before switching. In this way, displaying the interface 709b capable of accepting an instruction to reconnect to the pre-switching AP makes it possible to change the connection destination of the MFP 100 to the original AP even if the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 has switched to an AP not intended by the user, for example.

[0111] The Agile Multiband setting section 710 is a setting item for enabling or disabling Agile Multiband. An interface (enable button 710a) capable of accepting an instruction to enable Agile Multiband and an interface (disable button 710b) capable of accepting an instruction to disable Agile Multiband are displayed in the Agile Multiband setting section 710. In other words, these interfaces 710a and 710b are interfaces capable of accepting an instruction on whether to perform a function of switching from a currently connected access point to another access point. For example, when the user presses the disable button 710b, the MFP 100 disables Agile Multiband. In other words, even if a connection destination change request is received from the currently connected AP, the MFP 100 will not issue a response agreeing to the switch. For example, the power consumption of the MFP 100 can be suppressed by disabling Agile Multiband.

[0112] The switching notification setting section 711 is a setting item for setting whether to perform status notification in response to the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 being switched. An interface (notification button 711a) capable of accepting an instruction to perform status notification when the AP is switched and an interface (non-notification button 711b) capable of accepting an instruction not to notify are displayed in the switching notification setting section 711. For example, if the user presses the non-notification button 711b, the MFP 100 controls not to perform status notification even if the connection destination AP is switched.

[0113] When the OK button 712 is pressed, the application Figure 7B The settings of the setting items 708 to 711 are accepted by the interface items in the MFP 100. Therefore, the MFP 100 can operate according to the settings. Fig. 9 The process performed by the MFP 100 when the user presses the OK button 712 is described.

[0114] Although the present embodiment describes an example of an interface that displays setting items 704 to 711 in the detailed notification screen in the form of buttons, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, it may be displayed in a selection-based format such as a radio button, or it may be displayed in another format such as display by direct input.

[0115] In addition, although the Fig. 7A The main screen shown in Figure 7B The detail notification screen shown in has been indicated to be displayed in the console unit 220 of the MFP 100, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the MFP 100 may use hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) communication or the like through a remote UI function or the like to display the detail notification screen in the display unit of an external device such as the mobile terminal device 104. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B For example, even if the MFP 100 does not include the console unit 220, the user can display the screen shown in the display unit of the external device in this way. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B , to recognize that the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 has been switched. This also enables the user to make the above-mentioned switching setting.

[0116] Furthermore, although the present embodiment describes an example in which the status notification 701 is displayed in the console unit 220 of the MFP 100, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the status notification 701 may be communicated by audio using a speaker unit (not shown) of the MFP 100, a speaker unit 424 of the mobile terminal device 104, or the like. This enables the user to recognize that the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 has been switched even if the user does not look at the MFP 100. In addition, for example, the status notification 701 may be communicated by printing a report using the printing unit 222 of the MFP 100. In addition, the status notification 701 may be communicated by printing a report using the printing unit 222 of the MFP 100. Figure 7B The AP information before and after the switching of the access point in the detail notification screen shown in FIG. 1 and the like are printed as a report. Even with such a format, the user can recognize that the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 has been switched.

[0117] AP switching process of the MFP 100

[0118] Next, we will refer to Figure 8 The flowchart in 210 describes an example of processing performed by the MFP 100. In the flowchart, the processing performed by the MFP 100 is realized by the CPU 212 reading out various programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executing the programs.

[0119] exist Figure 8 In the initial state of the illustrated process, it is assumed that the MFP 100 has established a connection with the AP 101 in the wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the AP 101 are connected in the wireless infrastructure mode, the AP 101 obtains information on whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. It is assumed here that the AP 101 has obtained information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v, inquires the MFP 100 about the radio wave strength, and issues a connection destination AP change request.

[0120] In step S801, the CPU 212 determines whether an inquiry (measurement request) for the radio wave strength of the APs around the MFP 100 has been received from the AP 101. The inquiry is sent as a beacon frame request, a beacon report request, or the like. The inquiry for the radio wave strength received and confirmed in this step corresponds to the AP 101 sending a measurement request to the AP 101 in the surrounding area of ​​the MFP 100. Figure 6 If the CPU 212 determines that the radio wave strength inquiry has been received ("Yes" in step S801), the sequence proceeds to step S802. However, if the CPU 212 determines that the radio wave strength inquiry has not been received ("No" in step S801), the sequence proceeds to step S806.

[0121] In step S802, the CPU 212 generates an AP search result list. Figure 6 As described in step S602 of FIG. 1 , the CPU 212 searches for APs around the MFP 100 by measuring the radio wave strengths of the APs around the MFP 100, and generates a list of the radio wave strengths of the APs. In other words, the AP search result list is a list of the radio wave strengths of the APs.

[0122] In step S803, the CPU 212 determines whether there is an AP with disabled switching in the AP search result list. If the CPU 212 determines that there is an AP with disabled switching in the AP search result list ("Yes" in step S803), the sequence proceeds to step S804. However, if the CPU 212 determines that there is no AP with disabled switching in the AP search result list ("No" in step S803), the sequence proceeds to step S805. Specifically, the CPU 212 refers to the radio wave strength list of the AP generated in step S802 and determines whether there is an AP with disabled switching settings. For example, based on Figure 7B In the detailed notification screen shown, the user has pressed the disable button 708b, and the AP corresponding to the disable button 708b may be stored as an AP for which switching is disabled in a memory such as the ROM 213 or the nonvolatile memory 215. The CPU 212 may read out information about the AP for which switching setting is disabled stored in the memory, and then make the above determination.

[0123] In step S804, the CPU 212 deletes the AP for which the switching is disabled from the AP search result list. Specifically, the CPU 212 deletes the AP for which the switching setting determined in step S803 is disabled from the radio wave strength list generated in step S802.

[0124] In step S805 , the CPU 212 transmits the AP search result list generated in step S802 or the AP search result list from which the handover-disabled APs are deleted in step S804 to the AP 101 as a beacon report.

[0125] In step S806, the CPU 212 determines whether a connection destination AP change request transmitted from the AP 101 has been received. The change request corresponds to Figure 6 The change request sent by the AP 101 in step S605 is received. If the CPU 212 determines that the change request has been received ("Yes" in step S806), the sequence proceeds to step S807. However, if the CPU 212 determines that the change request has not been received ("No" in step S806), then Figure 8 The sequence ends.

[0126] In step S807, the CPU 212 determines whether the switching destination AP included in the received connection destination AP change request is an AP with switching settings enabled. If the CPU 212 determines that the AP is an AP with switching settings enabled ("Yes" in step S807), the sequence proceeds to step S809. However, if the CPU 212 determines that the AP is not an AP with switching enabled ("No" in step S806), the sequence proceeds to step S808. For example, if the user Figure 7B 214. If the enable button 708a is pressed in the detail notification screen shown in FIG. 214, the CPU 212 may store the AP corresponding to the enable button 708a as a switching-enabled AP in a memory such as the ROM 213 or the nonvolatile memory 215. For example, the CPU 212 may read out information of the AP for which the switching setting is enabled from the memory, and determine whether the switching destination AP included in the connection destination AP change request is an AP for which the switching setting is enabled.

[0127] In step S808, the CPU 212 controls so that the connection is not changed in response to the change request. Specifically, the CPU 212 sends a response indicating that the change has been rejected to the AP 101 in response to the change request, after which the sequence proceeds to step S911. This process corresponds to Figure 6 A rejection response is sent in step S606 of , and corresponds to the above-mentioned suppression process 1. Note that in step S808, the CPU 212 may control so that no response is made to the change request. In other words, the CPU 212 may control so that the change request is ignored.

[0128] In step S809, the CPU 212 sends a response to the AP 101 indicating that the connection destination change request received from the AP 101 is to be followed. Step S809 corresponds to Figure 6 The processing is performed in step S606.

[0129] In step S810, the CPU 212 terminates the connection with the AP 101, and performs processing for connecting to the connection destination AP included in the connection destination change request. Step S810 corresponds to the processing performed in steps S607, S608, and S609.

[0130] In step S811, the CPU 212 determines whether the switch notification setting is enabled. If the CPU 212 determines that the switch notification setting is enabled ("Yes" in step S811), the sequence proceeds to step S812. However, if the CPU 212 determines that the switch notification setting is not enabled ("No" in step S811), then Figure 8For example, CPU 212 may store information related to the switch notification setting. For example, CPU 212 may respond to the user in Figure 7B By pressing the notification button 711a in the detailed notification screen shown in FIG. 21 , the setting indicating the activation of the switching notification is stored in a memory such as the ROM 213, the nonvolatile memory 215, etc. The CPU 212 can read out the information about the switching notification setting stored in the memory and then make the above determination. Figure 7B If the non-notification button 711b has been pressed in the detailed notification screen shown, the CPU 212 determines that the switching notification setting is not enabled.

[0131] In step S812, the CPU 212 performs processing for displaying a switching notification. Fig. 9 The processing for displaying the switching notification is described in detail. After the CPU 212 performs the processing for displaying the switching notification, it ends. Figure 8 sequence in .

[0132] AP switching notification

[0133] Fig. 9 The flowchart in shows an example of the switching notification process (step S812) executed by the MFP 100. In the flowchart, the process performed by the MFP 100 is realized by the CPU 212 reading out various programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executing the programs.

[0134] In step S901, the CPU 212 displays the status notification in the console unit 220. Specifically, the CPU 212 controls the status notification display section to be displayed in the main screen of the console unit 220 of the MFP 100. In other words, the CPU 212 displays: a status notification 701 as a notification indicating that the connection destination AP has been switched, and an OK button 702 and a detail button 703.

[0135] Although the present embodiment describes an example in which the status notification display section 700 is displayed in the main screen, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the CPU 212 may display a notification indicating that the connection destination AP has been switched in the entire screen of the console unit 220 as a popup screen or the like.

[0136] In addition, if the MFP 100 has shifted to the power saving state and the home screen is not displayed in the console unit 220, the CPU 212 may control the MFP 100 to shift to a power state in which the home screen can be displayed in the console unit 220 in step S901. This makes it easier for the user to recognize that the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 has been switched.

[0137] In step S902, the CPU 212 determines whether a predetermined length of time has passed after the status notification display section was displayed in the console unit 220 in step S901. The CPU 212 measures the time from when the status notification display section was displayed in the console unit 220 in the process of step S901. If the CPU 212 determines that the predetermined length of time has passed ("Yes" in step S902), the sequence proceeds to step S912. However, if the CPU 212 determines that the predetermined length of time has not passed ("No" in step S902), the sequence proceeds to step S903.

[0138] In step S903, the CPU 212 determines the user operation performed on the console unit 220 in the status notification display section 700 displayed in step S901. The CPU 212 monitors the user operation on the console unit 220, and if the CPU 212 determines that the OK button 702 has been operated ("OK button" in step S903), the sequence proceeds to step S912. Alternatively, if the CPU 212 determines that the details button 703 has been operated ("details button" in step S903), the sequence proceeds to step S904. Alternatively, if the CPU 212 determines that no operation has been performed ("no operation" in step S903), the sequence proceeds to step S902.

[0139] In step S904, the CPU 212 displays the detail notification screen in the console unit 220. For example, the CPU 212 displays the detail notification screen in the console unit 220 in response to the user pressing the detail button 703. Figure 7B In other words, the CPU 212 can perform display control to switch the display screen from the main screen to the detail notification screen, display control to display the detail notification screen as a pop-up window, or display control to display the detail notification screen in the main screen.

[0140] In step S905, the CPU 212 determines the user operation performed on the console unit 220 in the detail notification screen displayed in step S904. Specifically, the CPU 212 monitors the user operation in the console unit 220 in the process of step S904. If the CPU 212 determines that the OK button 712 has been operated ("Yes" in step S905), the sequence proceeds to step S906. Alternatively, if the CPU 212 determines that the OK button 712 has not been operated ("No" in step S905), step S905 is repeated.

[0141] In step S906, the CPU 212 performs display control to stop displaying the detail notification screen ( Figure 7B). In other words, the CPU 212 performs display control to hide the detail notification screen. In addition, in the process of step S906, in response to operating the OK button 712 in the detail notification screen, the CPU 212 stores all user operations in the detail notification screen. For example, the CPU 212 stores instructions accepted by operating each button in the detail notification screen.

[0142] In step S907, the CPU 212 updates the switching notification setting. Specifically, for example, if the user has pressed the notification button 711a in the detailed notification screen displayed in step S904, the CPU 212 stores the enabled switching notification setting in a memory such as the non-volatile memory 215, the RAM 214, etc. However, if the non-notification button 711b has been pressed, the CPU 212 stores the disabled switching notification setting in a memory such as the non-volatile memory 215, the RAM 214, etc.

[0143] In step S908, the CPU 212 updates the switching settings of each AP. Specifically, for example, if the user has pressed the enable button 708a in the detail notification screen displayed in step S904, the CPU 212 stores the APs (706 to 708) corresponding to the enable button 708a for which switching has been enabled in a memory such as the nonvolatile memory 215, the RAM 214, or the like. However, if the user has pressed the disable button 708b, the CPU 212 stores the APs (705 to 707) corresponding to the disable button 708b for which switching has been disabled in a memory such as the nonvolatile memory 215, the RAM 214, or the like.

[0144] In step S909, the CPU 212 updates the Agile Multiband switching setting. Specifically, for example, if the user has pressed the enable button 710a in the detail notification screen displayed in step S904, the CPU 212 stores the Agile Multiband switching set to enable in a memory such as the nonvolatile memory 215, the RAM 214, etc. However, if the user has pressed the disable button 710b, the CPU 212 stores the Agile Multiband switching set to disable in a memory such as the nonvolatile memory 215, the RAM 214, etc.

[0145] In step S910, the CPU 212 determines whether to connect to the AP before switching, or whether to set the AP after switching to an AP that disables switching. Specifically, if the user has pressed the connection button 709b for connecting to the AP before switching in the detail notification screen displayed in the console unit 220 in step S904, the CPU 212 advances the sequence to step S911. The CPU 212 also refers to the switching setting updated in step S907, and if the switching setting of the AP after switching is set to disable, the sequence advances to step S911. On the other hand, if the user has pressed the confirmation button 709a and the switching setting of the AP after switching is set to enable, the CPU 212 advances the sequence to step S912.

[0146] In step S911, the CPU 212 connects to the AP before switching. Specifically, the CPU 212 terminates the connection with the AP after switching, and reconnects to the AP before switching.

[0147] In step S912, the CPU 212 stops displaying the status notification display portion displayed in the main screen. In other words, the CPU 212 performs display control so as to change the display in the console unit 220 from Fig. 7A The screen shown in the Figure 3A The screen shown in .

[0148] According to the present embodiment described so far, when the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 has been switched by the Agile Multiband function, a notification indicating that the connection destination AP has been switched is sent. Therefore, the user can recognize that the connection destination AP of the MFP 100 has been switched. This makes it possible to improve the convenience when the STA switches the connection destination AP.

[0149] Although the present embodiment describes an example in which the CPU 212 proceeds to step S807 when a connection destination change request has been received in step S806, the configuration is not limited thereto. Another example of a case in which the CPU 212 has determined in step S806 that a connection destination change request has been received will be described below.

[0150] For example, if it is determined in step S806 that a connection destination change request has been received, the CPU 212 may determine whether the Agile Multiband setting is enabled before proceeding to the process of step S807. If it is determined that the Agile Multiband setting is enabled, the CPU 212 may proceed the sequence to step S807, and if it is determined that the Agile Multiband setting is not enabled, the CPU 212 may proceed the sequence to step S808. Specifically, if the user Figure 7B, the CPU 212 may determine that the Agile Multiband setting is enabled. On the other hand, if the user Figure 7B If the disable button 710b has been pressed in the detailed notification screen shown, the CPU 212 can determine that the AgileMultiband setting is not enabled.

[0151] In addition, for example, if it is determined in step S806 that a connection destination change request has been received, the CPU 212 may determine whether settings have been made in the details notification screen before proceeding to the process of step S807. If it is determined that settings have not been made in the details notification screen, the CPU 212 may proceed to step S807, and if it is determined that settings have been made in the details notification screen, the CPU 212 may proceed to step S808. Specifically, if the connection destination change request is being executed, the CPU 212 may proceed to step S809. Fig. 9 , the CPU 212 can determine that the setting has been made in the detailed notification screen. However, if the processing shown in FIG. 1 is not performed (e.g., steps S904 to S911), the CPU 212 can determine that the setting has been made in the detailed notification screen. Fig. 9 , the CPU 212 can determine that the setting is not made in the detailed notification screen. In other words, if the detailed notification screen is displayed, Figure 7B If a new connection destination change request is received from the currently connected AP while the detailed notification screen shown is displayed, the CPU 212 can control to respond with rejection. This makes it possible to reliably perform the settings related to Agile Multiband made by the user.

[0152] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to this specific embodiment, and all changes that do not depart from the essential spirit of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the above embodiments are only embodiments of the present invention, and different embodiments can be appropriately combined.

[0153] Although the above embodiment is described by taking the case where the present invention is applied to an MFP as an example, the present invention is not limited to this example, but can be applied to any wireless device as follows: (i) the wireless device is connected to an AP and used as an STA, and (ii) the wireless device is an electronic device that can perform security settings. In other words, the present invention can be applied to personal computers, PDAs, tablet terminals, mobile phone terminals such as smartphones, music players, game consoles, e-book readers, smart watches, various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as thermometers and hygrometers, etc. The present invention can also be applied to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, web cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones. The present invention can also be applied to video output devices, audio output devices (e.g., smart speakers), streaming media players, wireless LAN client devices (adapters) that can be connected to USB terminals, LAN cable terminals, etc. The video output device includes, for example, a device that realizes streaming playback by obtaining (downloading) a moving image from the Internet specified by a URL provided by an electronic device and outputting the moving image to a display device connected through a video output terminal such as HDMI (registered trademark), a device that realizes mirror display (display in which the content displayed in the electronic device is also displayed in the display device), etc. Video output devices also include media players such as televisions, hard disk recorders, Blu-ray recorders, DVD recorders, etc., as well as head-mounted displays, projectors, televisions, display devices (monitors), signage devices, etc. The present invention can also be applied to devices that can be connected via Wi-Fi, or so-called "smart appliances" such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, lighting appliances, heating appliances, cooling appliances, etc.

[0154] Other embodiments

[0155] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by reading 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 the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by, for example, reading and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium by the computer of the system or device to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or controlling the 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 and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), flash memory devices, memory cards, and the like.

[0156] 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.

[0157] 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 receiving unit configured to receive, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a change request to change an access point serving as a connection destination from the first access point to a second access point; a control unit configured to perform control based on the change request received by the receiving unit to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point; as well as A notification unit is configured to make a notification that the connection destination has been changed when the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: A display control unit is configured to perform control to display the notification made by the notification unit in a predetermined screen.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, in, The notification indicates that the connection destination has been changed to a second access point having a better communication environment than the first access point.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, in, The display control unit controls to display at least one of (i) identification information of the first access point and the second access point and (ii) information on a communication environment as information on the notification.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, in, The information about the communication environment is at least one of information indicating radio wave intensity, information indicating a communication frequency band, and information indicating a congestion state.

6. The electronic device according to claim 4, in, The identification information is at least one of information indicating a service set identifier (SSID) and information indicating a media access control (MAC) address.

7. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising: a setting unit configured to set whether the display control unit displays the notification, Here, in a case where the setting unit sets the notification not to be displayed, the display control unit performs control so that the notification is not displayed even if the connection destination is changed based on the change request.

8. The electronic device according to claim 2, in, The display control unit controls not to display the notification based on the elapse of a predetermined length of time or a predetermined operation performed by a user.

9. The electronic device according to claim 2, in, When the notification is displayed, the control unit controls so that even if a change request is received, the connection is not changed based on the change request.

10. The electronic device according to claim 2, in, The display control unit controls to display a first interface capable of accepting an instruction to return the connection destination from the second access point after the connection change to the first access point before the connection change based on the displayed notification, and When an instruction is accepted through the first interface, the control unit controls to change the connection destination from the second access point to the first access point.

11. The electronic device according to claim 2, in, The display control unit controls to display a second interface, wherein the second interface can accept an instruction on whether to change from the currently connected access point to another access point, and When receiving an instruction not to change from the currently connected access point to another access point through the second interface, the control unit controls so that the connection is not changed based on the change request.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, in, In a case where an instruction not to change from the currently connected access point to another access point is accepted through the second interface, the control unit controls to send a response to the change request indicating rejection of the change to the currently connected access point even if a change request is received, and controls so that the connection is not changed based on the change request.

13. The electronic device according to claim 11, in, The instruction on whether to change from the currently connected access point to other access points is an instruction on whether to perform a function of switching from the currently connected access point to other access points based on the change request.

14. The electronic device according to claim 11, in, The second interface is an interface capable of accepting an instruction as to whether to execute the function for each access point capable of connecting to the electronic device.

15. The electronic device according to claim 1, in, Electronic devices connect to the access point and process according to the IEEE 802.11ax standard.

16. The electronic device according to claim 1, in, The electronic device is capable of at least one of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) compatible process and a Target Wake Time (TWT) compatible process.

17. The electronic device according to claim 1, in, The electronic device can change the connection destination to an AP using the 6 GHz band by changing the connection destination based on the change request.

18. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: A printing unit that prints an image on a printing medium.

19. A control method for an electronic device, the control method comprising: receiving, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a change request to change a connection destination from a first access point to a second access point; performing control based on the received change request to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point; as well as When the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request, a notification is made that the connection destination has been changed.

20. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: receiving, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a change request to change a connection destination from a first access point to a second access point; performing control to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point based on the received change request; and When the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request, a notification is made that the connection destination has been changed.

21. A computer program product configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: receiving, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a change request to change a connection destination from a first access point to a second access point; performing control to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point based on the received change request; and When the connection destination is changed from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request, a notification is made that the connection destination has been changed.

Images