Electronic device, method for controlling the electronic device and storage medium

Abstract

An electronic device (100) comprises a receiving device (226) configured to receive a change request from a currently connected access point (AP) in order to change a connection target AP to which a connection is to be established; a processing device (222) configured to communicate with another device via the currently connected AP and to perform a specific process including the transmission and reception of data;and a control device (212) configured to perform control in a case where a connection target change is performed based on the change request in an initial state in which part of the data for the specific process has been received or transmitted by communication with the other device and the reception or transmission of the remainder of the data has not been completed, in order to interrupt the specific process and cancel a standby state of waiting for the reception or transmission of the remainder of the data.

Description

BACKGROUND area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device capable of changing a connection destination access point (AP) to connect thereto according to a connection destination change request from the AP, a method of controlling the electronic device, and a storage medium. Description of the state of the art

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

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2021-175068 discloses the following process for transmitting a request from a router with an AP function to a currently connected wireless slave unit to change a connection destination. A mobile router (MR1) capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless slave units checks whether a wireless slave terminal supports IEEE 802.11v (IEEE, "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers"). Whether the wireless slave terminal supports IEEE 802.11v can be determined from an association request frame transmitted by the wireless slave terminal to wirelessly connect to the MR1. If the wireless slave terminal supports IEEE 802.11v, a basic service set (BSS) transition management (BTM) request frame is transmitted to the wireless slave terminal.In the BTM request frame, a BSS transition candidate list entry field specifies a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) of a master router RT2 as the connection destination. Accordingly, a switching of the slave terminal's connection destination is initiated. According to the received BTM request frame, the wireless slave terminal switches the connection destination from MR1 to the master router RT2. SUMMARY

[0004] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism for improving convenience for changing an AP serving as a connection destination according to a request to change the connection destination during a specific process involving communication.

[0005] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a receiving device configured to receive a change request from a currently connected access point (AP) to change a connection destination AP to connect thereto; a processing device configured to communicate with another device via the currently connected AP and perform a specific process including transmitting or receiving data; and a controlling device configured to, in a case where a connection destination change is performed based on the change request, in a first state in which a part of data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the other device and the reception or transmission of the rest of the data has not been completed.was completed, to perform a control to interrupt the specific process and cancel a standby state of waiting for the reception or transmission of the rest of the data.

[0006] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example system configuration. Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B are diagrams illustrating an example configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP). Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 3C are illustrations of sample screens displayed on an operation display unit of the MFP. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal device. Fig. Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of an access point (AP). Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process performed by the AP in response to a connection destination change request. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed by the MFP in response to a connection destination change request from the AP. Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart of a connection destination change process performed by the MFP. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present embodiments are merely examples, and specific examples of components, processing steps, display screens, etc. are not intended to limit the scope of the invention unless otherwise specified.

[0008] STAs have a state in which switching a connection target AP does not cause a problem, and a state in which switching the connection target AP or disconnecting from a currently connected AP causes a problem. That is, an STA may have a problem if a request to change a connection target AP is received from a currently connected AP and the connection target AP is switched in response to the request. The STA may also have a problem if it is disconnected from the currently connected AP if the STA does not respond to the request to change the connection target AP received from the currently connected AP.

[0009] A problem may occur, for example, when the STA prints print data received from another device, such as a smartphone or a personal computer (PC), via the currently connected AP. In this case, if a request to change the connection destination AP is received and the connection destination AP is switched in response to the request, the IP address (IP, "Internet Protocol") of the STA may change. Then, the STA whose IP address has changed will not be recognizable to the other device, which will prevent the other device from transmitting the subsequent part of the print data to be printed. Accordingly, the unreceived part of the print data to be printed will not be receivable by the STA, and the STA will not be able to complete printing. In this case, the STA is in the reception standby state, in which the STA waits to receive the remainder (i.e.,(the unreceived part) of the print data during printing. However, the remainder is not transmitted, and the reception standby state continues. During the period in which the reception standby mode continues, no other process can be performed, making it difficult to quickly perform any subsequent process while printing is in progress. Also, in a case where the connection destination AP is switched during transmission or reception of data other than print data, the remainder of the data may be prevented from being transmitted or received to complete the processing.

[0010] To address the problem described above, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism that prevents another process from being performed immediately after changing an AP serving as a connection destination according to a request to change the connection destination during a specific process involving communication.

[0011] Additionally, when print data is received from another device, such as a smartphone or PC, through the currently connected AP, the STA receives a request to change the connection destination AP and switches the connection destination AP according to the request, which may result in a change in the STA's IP address. Then, the unreceived portion of the print data being printed cannot be received by the STA, and the STA cannot complete printing. Similarly, if the connection destination AP is switched during transmission or reception of data other than print data, the remaining data may be prevented from being transmitted or received, thus completing processing.

[0012] To address the above problem, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism that can prevent an error in transmitting or receiving data when an AP serving as a connection destination is switched in response to a request to change the connection destination. System configuration

[0013] Fig. 1 illustrates an example configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. In one example, the system is a wireless communication system in which a plurality of communication devices can wirelessly communicate with each other. Fig. 1, the communication devices include a mobile terminal device 104, an MFP 100, access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102), a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server 103, a DNS (Domain Name System) server 105, and a network 110. The mobile terminal device 104 is a device having a wireless communication function using a wireless local area network (LAN) or the like. The wireless LAN may be referred to as a WLAN hereinafter. The mobile terminal device 104 may be, for example, a personal information terminal such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone (smartphone), a digital camera, or a personal computer (PC).

[0014] The MFP 100 is a printer with a printing function. The MFP 100 may also have a reading function (scanner), a facsimile transmission function (fax function), and a telephone function. In the present embodiment, the MFP 100 also includes a communication function for wirelessly communicating with the mobile terminal device 104. The present embodiment describes the MFP 100 as an example and not by way of limitation. Instead of the MFP 100, any other device with a communication function may be used, such as a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music player, a television, or a smart speaker. MFP is an abbreviation for multifunction peripheral device.

[0015] The access point AP1 (101) is arranged separately from (or outside) the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 and operates as a WLAN base station device. A communication device with a WLAN communication function can perform communication in an infrastructure mode for WLANs via the access point AP1 (101). In the following description, access points are referred to as "APs." The infrastructure mode for WLANs may be referred to as "wireless infrastructure mode." The access point AP1 (101) performs wireless communication with a communication device (authenticated communication device) permitted to connect to the access point AP1 (101), and relays wireless communication between the communication device and another communication device.The access point AP1 (101) may, for example, be connected to a wired communication network and may forward communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and another communication device wirelessly connected to the access point AP1 (101).

[0016] Access point AP2 (102) includes a function equivalent to that of access point AP1 (101). MFP 100 switches the connection from access point AP1 (101) to access point AP2 (102) as needed. DHCP server 103 is connected to MFP 100 via access point AP1 (101) and network 110 and responds to a request from MFP 100 to provide a service to MFP 100. Fig. 1, the DHCP server 103 is connected as a device separate from the access point AP1 (101) and AP2 (102). However, the access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) may have a DHCP server function. The DNS server 105 is connected to the MFP 100 and the mobile terminal device 104 via the access point AP1 (101) and the network 110, and responds to a request from the MFP 100 or the mobile terminal device 104 to provide a name resolution service. The network 110 may be the Internet, a closed network within a company, or a mobile phone network. Appearance of the MFP

[0017] Fig. 2A illustrates an exemplary appearance of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 includes, for example, a document table 201, a document cover 202, a print sheet insertion opening 203, a print sheet discharge opening 204, and an operation display unit 205. The document table 201 is a table on which a document to be read is placed. The document cover 202 is a cover that is closed to press a placed document on the document table 201 and prevent light from a light source irradiated on the document during document reading from leaking out. The print sheet insertion opening 203 is an insertion opening into which sheets of various sizes can be loaded. The print sheet discharge opening 204 is an discharge opening through which a printed sheet is discharged.The sheets loaded into the print sheet insertion port 203 are fed one by one to a print unit 222 (described below), printed by the print unit 222, and then discharged through the print sheet discharge port 204. The operation display unit 205 includes buttons such as a character input key, a cursor key, an Enter key, a Cancel key, a light-emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc. The operation display unit 205 is configured to accept operations performed by a user, such as activating various MFP functions and setting various settings. The operation display unit 205 may further include a touch panel display. The MFP 100 includes a wireless communication function using WLAN and includes a wireless communication antenna 206 for wireless communication.The wireless communication antenna 206 may be invisible from the outside. Like the mobile terminal device 104, the MFP 100 may also perform wireless communication using WLAN in a frequency band, such as the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band. Configuring the MFP

[0018] Fig. 2B illustrates an example configuration of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 includes a mainboard 211 for performing main control of the MFP 100 and a wireless unit 226. The wireless unit 226 is a communication module for performing WLAN communication using at least one common antenna. The MFP 100 further includes a modem 229 for performing wired communication, for example. The mainboard 211 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 212, a read-only memory (ROM) 213, a random access memory (RAM) 214, a non-volatile memory 215, an image memory 216, a read control unit 217, a data conversion unit 218, a read unit 219, and an encoding / decoding processing unit 221.The main board 211 further includes, for example, the printing unit 222, a sheet feeding unit 223, a printing control unit 224, an operation display unit 220, and a fax control unit 227.

[0019] The functional units in the above-described motherboard 211 are connected to each other via a system bus 230, which is managed by the CPU 212. The motherboard 211 and the wireless unit 226 are connected, for example, via a dedicated bus 225. The motherboard 211 and the modem 229 are connected, for example, via a bus 228.

[0020] The CPU 212 is a system control unit having at least one processor and controls the overall operation of the MFP 100. In one example, the processes of the MFP 100, which will be described later, are implemented by the CPU 212 executing a program stored in the ROM 213. Hardware dedicated to each of the processes may be provided. The ROM 213 stores a control program executed by the CPU 212, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and so on. In the present embodiment, the CPU 212 executes each control program stored in the ROM 213 under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 213 to control software such as scheduling and switching tasks.

[0021] The RAM 214 includes a static random access memory (SRAM), for example. The RAM 214 stores data such as program control variable data, setting values ​​registered by the user, and data for managing the MFP 100. The RAM 214 can also be used as a buffer memory for various operations. The non-volatile memory 215 includes a memory such as a flash memory, for example, and continuously stores data even after the power of the MFP 100 is turned off. The image memory 216 includes a memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The image memory 216 stores image data received via the wireless unit 226, image data processed by the encoding / decoding processing unit 221, and so on.The memory configuration of the MFP 100 is not limited to the configuration described above. The data conversion unit 218 performs processing such as analyzing data in various formats and converting image data into print data.

[0022] The reading control unit 217 controls the reading unit 219 (e.g., a contact image sensor (CIS)) to optically read a document placed on the document table 201. The reading control unit 217 converts an image obtained by optically reading the document into electrical image data (image signal) and outputs the electrical image data. At the same time, the reading control unit 217 can perform various types of image processing, such as binarization and rasterization, before outputting the image data.

[0023] The operation display unit 220 corresponds to the operation display unit 205 described with reference to Fig. 2A, and performs processing such as displaying on the display according to the display control by the CPU 212 and generating a signal in response to acceptance of a user operation.

[0024] The encoding / decoding processing unit 221 performs encoding processing, decoding processing, and enlargement / reduction processing of image data handled by the MFP 100 (such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) data or PNG (Portable Network Graphics) data).

[0025] The sheet feeding unit 223 holds sheets for printing. The sheet feeding unit 223 can feed a loaded sheet according to the control of the print control unit 224. The sheet feeding unit 223 can include a plurality of sheet feeding units to hold a variety of types of sheets in a single device, and control can be performed according to the control of the print control unit 224 to determine from which of the sheet feeding units a sheet is to be fed.

[0026] The print control unit 224 performs various types of image processing, such as smoothing processing, print density correction processing, and color correction, on image data to be printed, and outputs the processed image data to the print unit 222. The print unit 222 is configured to perform, for example, an inkjet printing process. The print unit 222 ejects ink supplied from an ink tank through a print head and records an image on a recording medium, such as a sheet of paper. The print unit 222 may be configured to perform another printing process, such as an electrophotographic printing process. Furthermore, the print control unit 224 may periodically read information about the print unit 222 and, for example, update status information stored in the RAM 214.The status information includes, for example, the remaining amount of ink in the tank and the condition of the print head.

[0027] The wireless unit 226 is a unit capable of providing a WLAN communication function. For example, the wireless unit 226 can provide a function similar to that of a combination with a WLAN unit 401 of the mobile terminal device 104. That is, according to the WLAN standard, the wireless unit 226 converts data into packets and transmits the packets to another device, or recovers original data from packets from another external device and outputs the original data to the CPU 212. The wireless unit 226 can perform communication as a station according to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. Specifically, the wireless unit 226 can perform communication as a station according to IEEE 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax. In the following description, a station may be referred to as an STA.In addition, the wireless unit 226 can perform communication as a STA according to Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (registered trademark).

[0028] The wireless unit 226 supports IEEE 802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6 (registered trademark) and can perform a process compliant with IEEE 802.11ax. This means that the MFP 100 can perform one or both of processing an STA that supports (or is compatible with) OFDMA and an operation (processing) an STA that supports (or is compatible with) TWT. OFDMA stands for "Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access." TWT stands for "Target Wake Time." Because the wireless unit 226 supports TWT, the timing for data communication is adjusted by the master device to the STA. The wireless unit 226 (i.e., the MFP 100), which serves as an STA, puts the communication function into a sleep state when there is no need to wait for signal reception. This configuration can reduce power consumption. The wireless unit 226 also supports Wi-Fi 6E (registered trademark).That is, the wireless unit 226 can also perform communication over the 6 GHz band (5.92 GHz to 7.125 GHz). The 6 GHz band does not include a target band in which dynamic frequency selection (DFS) is implemented, which is included in the 5 GHz band. Accordingly, communication disconnection caused by the DFS wait time does not occur in communication over the 6 GHz band. As a result, more convenient communication can be expected.

[0029] The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 can perform peer-to-peer (P2P) (WLAN) communication based on Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), and the wireless unit 226 includes a software access point (soft AP) function or a group owner function. That is, the wireless unit 226 can create a P2P communication network and determine a channel to be used for the P2P communication. MFP operation display unit

[0030] Fig. 3A to 3C schematically illustrate example screens displayed on the display (touch panel display) included in the operation display unit 220 of the MFP 100. Fig. 3A illustrates an example of a home screen displayed when an operation such as printing or scanning does not take place after the power supply of the MFP 100 is turned on (when the MFP 100 is in the idle state or standby state). In Fig. 3A, display items (menu items) labeled "Copy," "Scan," and "Cloud" are displayed. The "Cloud" item is a menu item related to a cloud function using Internet communication. When one of the menu items is selected by a key operation or a touch panel operation, the MFP 100 can start implementing a corresponding setting or function. The MFP 100 accepts a key operation or a touch panel operation on the home screen shown in Fig. 3A to seamlessly display a screen different from the one shown in Fig. 3A is different.

[0031] Fig. 3B illustrates a display example of another section of the home screen. In response to an operation of displaying another page of the home screen (such as a swipe from left to right or vice versa), a transition occurs from the Fig. 3A shown state to a Fig. 3B. In Fig. 3B, display items (menu items) labeled "Communication Setting," "Print," and "Photo" are displayed. When one of these menu items is selected, a function corresponding to the selected menu item is implemented, that is, a print function, a photo function, and a communication setting.

[0032] Fig. 3C shows a display example of a menu screen for a communication setting that is displayed when the communication setting is on the Fig. 3B is selected. The menu screen for a communication setting displays menu items (options) such as "Wireless LAN," "Wired LAN," "Wireless Direct," "Bluetooth," and "Common Settings." The "Wireless LAN," "Wired LAN," and "Wireless Direct" items are menu items for performing a LAN setting, and one of these items is used to perform a setting such as a wired connection setting, enabling or disabling the wireless infrastructure mode, or enabling or disabling the P2P mode such as WFD or Soft AP mode. When the "Wireless LAN" item is selected and the wireless LAN is enabled by a user operation, the wireless infrastructure mode is enabled.If the "Wireless Direct" item is selected and Wireless Direct is enabled by a user operation, the P2P (WLAN) mode is enabled. This screen also displays a "common settings" menu for each connection mode. On this screen, the user can also set the frequency band and frequency channel for the wireless LAN. Appearance of the mobile device device

[0033] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary appearance of the mobile terminal device 104. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal device 104 is a typical smartphone as an example. The mobile terminal device 104 includes, for example, a display unit 402, an operation unit 403, and a power button 404. The display unit 402 is, for example, a display with an LCD display mechanism. The display unit 402 can display information using, for example, an LED. The mobile terminal device 104 can have a function of outputting information by voice in addition to or instead of the display unit 402. The operation unit 403 includes physical buttons, such as keys and buttons, a touch panel, and so on, for detecting a user operation.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, a common touch panel display is used to display information on the display unit 402 and accept a user operation by the operation unit 403. Thus, the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 are implemented as a single device. In this case, for example, a key icon or a software keyboard is displayed using a display function of the display unit 402, and a user touch on the key icon or the software keyboard is detected by an operation acceptance function of the operation unit 403. The display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 may be separated from each other, and hardware for display and hardware for operation acceptance may be provided separately.The power button 404 is a physical button for accepting a user operation to turn on or off the power supply of the mobile terminal device 104.

[0035] The mobile terminal device 104 includes a WLAN unit 401 that provides a WLAN communication function. The WLAN unit 401 may be invisible from the outside. The WLAN unit 401 is configured to perform data (packet) communication in a WLAN system that conforms, for example, to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards (such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax).

[0036] Additionally, the WLAN unit 401 can perform communication as an AP according to Wi-Fi Agile Multi-Band (registered trademark). However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this configuration, and the WLAN unit 401 can be configured to perform communication in a WLAN system conforming to another standard. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the WLAN unit 401 can perform communication over both the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. It is also assumed that the WLAN unit 401 can perform communication based on WFD, communication in the Soft AP mode, communication in the Wireless Infrastructure mode, and so on. Operations in these modes are described below. Configuring the mobile device setup

[0037] Fig. 4B illustrates an example configuration of the mobile terminal device 104. In one example, the mobile terminal device 104 includes a mainboard 411 for performing main control of the mobile terminal device 104 and a WLAN unit 429 that performs WLAN communication. The mainboard 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 non-volatile memory 422, a data storage unit 423, a speaker unit 424, and a power supply unit 425. CPU is an abbreviation for central processing unit, ROM is an abbreviation for read-only memory, RAM is an abbreviation for random access memory, and GPS is an abbreviation for global positioning system. The mobile terminal device 104 further comprises a display unit 420 and an operation unit 418.The functional units in the mainboard 411, as described above, are connected to each other via a system bus 628 managed by the CPU 412. The mainboard 411 and the WLAN unit 429 (the WLAN unit 401 described above) are connected to each other, for example, via a dedicated bus 426.

[0038] The CPU 412 is a system control unit that includes at least one processor and controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal device 104. In one example, the processes of the mobile terminal device 104 described below are implemented by the CPU 412 executing a program stored in the ROM 413. Hardware dedicated to each of the processes may be provided. The ROM 413 stores a control program executed by the CPU 412, an embedded OS program, and so on. In the present embodiment, the CPU 412 executes each control program stored in the ROM 413 under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 413 to control software such as scheduling and switching tasks.

[0039] The RAM 414 includes, for example, an SRAM. The RAM 414 stores data such as program control variable data, setting values ​​registered by the user, and data for managing the mobile terminal device 104. The RAM 414 can also be used as a buffer memory for various operations. The image memory 415 includes a memory such as a DRAM. The image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received via the WLAN unit 429 and image data read from the data storage unit 423 so that the CPU 412 processes the image data. The non-volatile memory 422 includes a memory such as a flash memory, for example, and continuously stores data even after the power of the mobile terminal device 104 is turned off. The memory configuration of the mobile terminal device 104 is not limited to the configuration described above.For example, the image memory 415 and the RAM 414 could be shared, or the data storage units 423 could be used for data backup, for example. In the present embodiment, an example of the image memory 415 is a DRAM. However, any other storage medium, such as a hard disk or non-volatile memory, could be used as the image memory 415.

[0040] The data conversion unit 416 performs analysis of data in various formats and data conversion, such as color conversion and image conversion. The telephone unit 417 controls a telephone line and processes audio data input or output via the speaker unit 424 to implement telephone communication. The GPS 419 receives radio waves transmitted from satellites and acquires position information, such as the latitude and longitude of the current position of the mobile terminal device 104.

[0041] The camera unit 421 includes a function of electronically recording and encoding an image input via a lens. The image data of an image captured by the camera unit 421 is stored in the data storage unit 423. The speaker unit 424 performs control to perform a function of inputting or outputting a voice for the telephone function or for implementing other functions such as alarm notification. The power supply unit 425 is, for example, a portable battery and controls a power supply to the mobile terminal device 104.The power supply states include, for example, a dead battery state in which the battery has no remaining capacity, a power-off state in which the power button 404 remains unpressed, an enabled state in which the mobile terminal device 104 is normally enabled, and a power-saving state in which the mobile terminal device 104 is enabled and in a power-saving mode.

[0042] The display unit 420 corresponds to the display unit 402 described with reference to Fig. 4A, and accepts various input operations and displays the operation state and status of the MFP 100, for example, under the control of the CPU 412. The operation unit 418 corresponds to the operation unit 403 described with reference to Fig. 4A. In response to a user operation, the operation unit 418 performs, for example, control to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the operation and output the electrical signal to the CPU 412.

[0043] In the mobile terminal device 104, the WLAN unit 429 is used to perform wireless communication and data communication with other devices, such as the MPF 100. The WLAN unit 429 converts data into packets and transmits the packets to another device. Furthermore, the WLAN unit 429 recovers original data from packets from another external device and outputs the original data to the CPU 412. The WLAN unit 429 is a unit for implementing communication that conforms to any WLAN standard. The WLAN unit 429 can operate simultaneously in at least two communication modes, including the wireless infrastructure mode and the P2P (WLAN) mode. The frequency bands used in these communication modes may be limited by hardware functions and characteristics. Access point configuration

[0044] Fig. Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the access point AP1 (101) having a wireless LAN access point function. The access point AP1 (101) includes a main board 510 for controlling the access point AP1 (101), a wireless LAN unit 516, a wired LAN unit 518, and an operation button 520.

[0045] A CPU 511 is arranged in the form of a microprocessor on the mainboard 510 and operates according to a control program stored in the program memory 513 in the form of a ROM and the contents of a data memory 514 stored in the form of a RAM. The program memory 513 and the data memory 514 are connected to the CPU 511 via an internal bus 512. The CPU 511 controls the wireless LAN unit 516 through a wireless LAN communication control unit 515 to perform wireless LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. Furthermore, the CPU 511 controls the wired LAN unit 518 through a wired LAN communication control unit 517 to perform wired LAN communication with other communication terminal devices.The CPU 511 can control an operation unit control circuit 519 to accept an operation from the user using the operation key 520. The CPU 511 includes at least one processor.

[0046] The access point AP1 (101) further comprises an interference wave detection unit 521 and a channel changing unit 522.

[0047] The interference wave detection unit 521 performs a process of detecting an interference wave during wireless communication performed over a band in which DFS is implemented. In response to detection of an interference wave during wireless communication performed over a band in which DFS is implemented, the channel change unit 522 performs a process of changing a channel to be used, for example, when the channel needs to be changed immediately to an available channel.

[0048] The access point AP2 (102) has a similar configuration to that of the access point AP1 (101). P2P communication methods

[0049] Next, a brief description will be given of a P2P (WLAN) communication method for allowing devices to wirelessly communicate directly with each other without using an external access point in WLAN communication. P2P (WLAN) communication can be implemented using a variety of methods. For example, a communication device supports a variety of modes for P2P (WLAN) communication and selectively uses one of the variety of modes to perform P2P (WLAN) communication.

[0050] The following two P2P modes are provided: a soft AP mode; and a WFD operating mode.

[0051] A communication device capable of performing P2P communication could be configured to support at least one of these methods. However, a communication device capable of performing P2P communication need not support all of these modes of operation and could be configured to support only parts of these modes of operation.

[0052] A communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104) having a WFD communication function calls an application (or a dedicated application, if available) for implementing the communication function in response to a user operation accepted via an operation unit of the communication device. Then, the communication device displays a user interface (UI) screen provided by the application to prompt the user to perform an operation, and may execute WFD communication in response to the acceptance of the operation performed by the user. Soft AP mode

[0053] In the Soft AP mode, one communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104) operates in the role of a client requesting various services. Then, the other communication device (e.g., the MFP 100) operates as a Soft AP configured by software to implement the functions of an AP in the WLAN. Since commands and parameters transmitted and received in wireless communication established between the client and the Soft AP are commands and parameters defined by the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, a description thereof will be omitted. The MFP 100 operating in the Soft AP mode functions as a master station and determines a frequency band and a frequency channel. Accordingly, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use among the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band, and which frequency channel to use within the frequency band. WFD operating mode

[0054] The MFP 100 can be activated as a fixed master station in WFD mode (i.e., an autonomous group owner). In this case, a group owner (GO) negotiation process for determining roles is not performed. Furthermore, the MFP 100 operates as a master station and determines a frequency band and a frequency channel. Accordingly, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use among the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band. Wireless infrastructure mode

[0055] In the wireless infrastructure mode, communication devices (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100) that communicate with each other are connected to an external AP (e.g., the access point AP1 (101)) that controls the network, and communication between the communication devices is performed via the external AP. In other words, communication between the communication devices is performed via a network created by the external AP. The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 individually discover the access point AP1 (101), transmit a connection request to the access point AP1 (101), and connect to the access point AP1 (101). As a result, these communication devices can communicate with each other in the wireless infrastructure mode via the access point AP1 (101). A plurality of communication devices can connect to different APs.In this case, data transfer is performed between the APs to enable communication between the communication devices. Since commands and parameters transmitted and received during communication between the communication devices via an access point or access points are commands and parameters defined by the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, a description thereof will be omitted. In this case, the access point AP1 (101) determines a frequency band and a frequency channel. Accordingly, the access point AP1 (101) can select which frequency band to use among the 5 GHz band, the 2.4 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band. Process in response to a connection destination change request from an AP to the STA

[0056] The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 support a feature publicly available as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (registered trademark). The Wi-Fi Agile Multiband feature enables selection of an optimal environment according to a changing situation of a Wi-Fi network. Specifically, an STA, such as the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100, and an AP, such as the access point AP1 (101), exchange information about the network environment using the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards. The exchange of such information allows the AP to reroute the STA to a different AP, frequency band, or channel, or even to a different cellular service in some cases (changing the connection destination) when the network is congested.

[0057] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of a process in which the MFP 100 switches a connection destination AP to be connected from the access point AP1 (101) to the access point AP2 (102) according to a connection destination change request from the access point AP1 (101).

[0058] The processing performed by each device in the illustrated sequence is implemented by a CPU included in the device, which reads various programs stored in a memory, such as a ROM included in the device, into a RAM included in the device and executes the programs.

[0059] In the Fig. In the process illustrated in Figure 6, in the initial state, the MFP 100 has established a connection with the access point AP1 (101) in the wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the access point AP1 (101) are connected to each other in the wireless infrastructure mode, the access point AP1 (101) has acquired information indicating whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. The following process is performed when the information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v is acquired by the access point AP1 (101).

[0060] In S601, the access point AP1 (101) transmits a request (measurement request) to the MFP 100 regarding the radio field intensities of APs located near the MFP 100. The request is transmitted, for example, as a beacon frame request or a beacon report request. That is, a request defined by the IEEE 802.11k standard can be used.

[0061] In S602, in response to the request received in S601, the MFP 100 receives frames transmitted from the APs located near the MFP 100 and measures the corresponding radio field intensities of the APs. As a result, the radio wave intensity of each of a plurality of APs, including the access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102), is measured.

[0062] In S603, the MFP 100 transmits a list of radio field intensities of the APs located near the MFP 100, measured in S602, as a response to the request received in S601. The radio field intensities to be transmitted as the response may, in addition to or instead of the information measured in S602, be information stored, for example, in the RAM 214 and the non-volatile memory 215 of the MFP 100. The response is transmitted, for example, as a beacon report or measurement report.

[0063] In S604, the access point AP1 (101) determines whether to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100 based on the network load detected by the access point AP1 (101) and the radio wave intensities received by the MFP 100 in S603. Examples of factors for the access point AP1 (101) to determine to switch the connection destination include a large number of connected STAs, a large amount of communication, reduced congestion in a network for another AP, the presence or absence of interfering radio waves, and stopping an AP function. If the access point AP1 (101) determines to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100 and the service set identifier (SSID) of another AP used as a destination to which the MFP 100 is to be connected, a channel, and a frequency band are determined, the process proceeds to S605.

[0064] In S605, the access point AP1 (101) transmits an AP change request (connection destination change request) to the MFP 100. The connection destination change request includes information about the SSID of the other AP designated as the destination to which the MFP 100 should connect, the channel, and the frequency band determined in S604.

[0065] A plurality of SSIDs can be designated. The connection destination change request is transmitted, for example, as a Basic Service Set (BSS) Transition Management (BTM) request. That is, a BTM request frame defined by the IEEE 802.11v standard is transmitted. Fig. In the example shown in Figure 6, the access point AP2 (102) is designated as the destination included in the connection destination change request.

[0066] In S606, if the MFP 100 follows the connection destination change request received in S605, the MFP 100 transmits to the access point AP1 (101) a response indicating acceptance of the connection destination switch. If the MFP 100 does not follow the connection destination change request, the MFP 100 may transmit a response indicating rejection of the connection destination switch. The response is transmitted as a BTM response. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 6, it is assumed that a response indicating acceptance of switching the connection destination is transmitted.

[0067] In S607, the access point AP1 (101) and the MFP 100 disconnect in wireless infrastructure mode.

[0068] In S608, the MFP 100 transmits a connection request to the access point AP2 (102) to connect to the access point AP2 (102) designated by the connection destination change request received in S605.

[0069] As a result, in S609, a connection is established between the MFP 100 and the access point AP2 (102) in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0070] This mechanism allows the MFP 100, which serves as an STA, to change the connection destination from the access point AP1 (101) to the access point AP2 (102) according to a connection destination change request from the access point AP1 (101) to which the MFP 100 is originally connected. The access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) may be located at different locations. That is, through the process described in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the MFP 100 can switch the connection destination from an AP to which the MFP 100 is originally connected to another AP installed at a different location. The access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) can support different frequency bands among a plurality of frequency bands (two or three of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band) provided by the same device. That is, through the Fig. 6, the MFP 100 may switch the frequency band to another frequency band provided by the same device as the AP to which the MFP 100 was originally connected. For example, the MFP 100 may change the connection destination to an AP in the 6 GHz band in response to a connection destination change request.

[0071] The present embodiment describes an example in which a measurement request and a connection target change request are transmitted from an AP using a mechanism compliant with Wi-Fi Agile Multi-Band (registered trademark), and an STA responds to these requests. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The present embodiment is also applicable when an STA responds and changes a connection target AP (switching, deleting, or adding an AP serving as a connection target) in response to a measurement request and a connection target change request transmitted from an AP using a mechanism different from that in the above-described example.

[0072] Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart of a process performed by the MFP 100 in response to a connection destination change request. The illustrated process is implemented by the CPU 212 loading a program stored in the ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executing the program. When the power of the MFP is turned on or the wireless communication function is turned on, the Fig. The process shown in Figure 7 is started.

[0073] In S701, the CPU 212 starts connecting to a prescribed AP (registered AP). The SSID and password of the prescribed AP are recorded in the non-volatile memory 215, and the CPU 212 uses the recorded information to connect to the registered AP. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the access point AP1 (101) has been registered as the registered AP. In some cases, the connection to the registered AP fails for reasons such as a malfunction in receiving radio waves from the registered AP. However, a description of such cases is omitted. When a wireless connection (Wi-Fi connection) with the registered AP is established, the process proceeds to S702.

[0074] In S702, the CPU 212 determines whether the IP address setting of the MFP 100 is a static IP address setting. If dynamic IP address setting is off and it is determined that the static IP address setting is enabled, the process proceeds to S704. If it is determined that the static IP address setting is not enabled, the process proceeds to S703. If the dynamic IP address setting is enabled by DHCP (DHCP is enabled), it is determined that the static IP address setting is off and the process proceeds to S703. That is, the processing of S702 is also a determination as to whether the DHCP setting is enabled in the MFP 100. The dynamic IP address setting is configured, for example, as a setting item name such as "automatic acquisition," and a state in which automatic acquisition is enabled is the state in which the dynamic IP address setting is enabled.If dynamic IP address setting is disabled (or off, i.e., DHCP is disabled) and the IP address used as the static IP address is set, it is determined that static IP address setting is on and the process proceeds to S704. In the present embodiment, the protocol used for dynamic IP addresses is DHCP, as an example and not as a limitation.

[0075] As used herein, the term "dynamic IP address" refers to an IP address assigned by the DHCP server 103. If the DHCP setting is enabled, the MFP 100 acquires an IP address using DHCP. The term "static IP address" refers to an IP address manually set by the user of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 confirms that the static IP address is manually set and determines whether the static IP address setting is enabled.

[0076] In S703, the CPU 212 executes control to request the DHCP server 103 to assign a dynamic IP address. That is, the CPU 212 issues a DHCP discovery command and requests assignment of an IP address. The DHCP server 103 transmits a DHCP offer as a response to inform the MFP 100 that an available IP address can be assigned. The MFP 100 issues a DHCP request command to the DHCP server 103 with a designation of an IP address notified as available for assignment according to the DHCP offer and requests the DHCP server 103 to assign the IP address. If the IP address designated by the MFP 100 can be assigned, the DHCP server 103 transmits a DHCP ACK in response to confirm the IP address (the dynamic IP address) of the MFP 100.

[0077] In S704, the CPU 212 confirms the IP address with the static IP address. That is, the IP address set by the user and stored in the ROM 213 is confirmed as the IP address of the MFP 100.

[0078] In S705, the CPU 212 stores the dynamic IP address assigned by the DHCP server 103 or the static IP address in the RAM 214.

[0079] Accordingly, the connection between the access point AP1 (101) is established in the wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the access point AP1 (101) are connected to each other in the wireless infrastructure mode, the access point AP1 (101) acquires information indicating whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. In the present embodiment, a description is given assuming that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v.

[0080] In S706, the CPU 212 determines whether a measurement request (the measurement requests specified in S601 above) Fig. 6) is received from the access point AP1 (101). If a measurement request is received, the process proceeds to S707; otherwise, the process proceeds to S708.

[0081] In S707, as in S602 and S603 in Fig. 6, the CPU 212 uses the wireless unit 226 to measure radio field intensities of APs located near the MFP 100 and transmits a list of the APs' radio field intensities to the access point AP1 (101) as a beacon report.

[0082] In S708, the CPU 212 determines whether a connection destination change request (described above in S605) is received from the access point AP1 (101). If a connection destination change request is received, the process proceeds to S709; otherwise, the process proceeds to S716.

[0083] In S709, the CPU 212 determines whether the MFP 100 is performing application-layer communication, that is, communication for executing a printing process, with the mobile terminal device 104 to which the MFP 100 is connected via the currently connected access point AP1 (101). If the MFP 100 is performing communication for executing printing, the process proceeds to S712; otherwise, the process proceeds to S710. The communication for executing the printing process is in progress in a state where part of the print data of an image to be printed has been received from the mobile terminal device 104, which is the partner device, and the reception of the rest of the print data has not been completed. In the MFP 100, not all of the print data to be printed on one sheet of paper is stored. After receiving part of the print data, the MFP 100 prints the received part of the print data (e.g.receives data of one line and prints the line). After receiving a subsequent piece of print data, the MFP 100 prints the subsequent piece of print data. The above-described operations are repeated to perform printing. Also, during printing, "No" is determined in S709 during maintenance printing that does not involve communication with the partner device due to the use of print data stored in the MFP 100. Maintenance printing includes, for example, the following types of printing: an automatic registration adjustment print for printing and reading an adjustment pattern for adjusting a distortion of a vertical line and a color shift and for performing head position adjustment; printing a nozzle check pattern to check for nozzle clogging; printing an adjustment pattern (color calibration printing) for setting a calibration adjustment value to correct a variation in color tone due to an individual difference characteristic of the MFP 100 or a change over time; and printing an adjustment pattern (ribbon adjustment printing) to finely adjust the paper feed amount.

[0084] In S710, the CPU 212 transmits to the access point AP1 (101) a response indicating that the connection destination is to be changed according to the received connection destination change request (the request is accepted). This processing corresponds to the processing of S606 in Fig. 6.

[0085] In S711, the CPU 212 disconnects the access point AP1 (101) and performs a process of connecting to an AP recommended for connection included in the connection destination change request. That is, the CPU 212 changes the connection destination AP according to the connection destination change request. More specifically, the CPU 212 executes the steps in S606 to S609. Fig. 6. When the dynamic IP address setting is on (when No is determined in step S702), the CPU 212 further performs processing similar to the processing of S703 to acquire a dynamic IP address again, and stores the dynamic IP address in the RAM 214 as the IP address of the MFP 100. That is, in a situation where No is determined in S709, a dynamic IP address is acquired again according to the change of the connection destination based on the connection destination change request, and the IP address is allowed to be changed.

[0086] In S712, the CPU 212 stores information about the recommended AP for change included in the received connection destination change request (information for identifying the recommended AP for change included in the BSSID) in the RAM 214 of the MFP 100.

[0087] In S713, the CPU 212 refers to a reason for the change included in the received connection target change request and determines whether the reason for the change is strong. If the reason is strong, the process proceeds to S715; otherwise, the process proceeds to S714. For example, if a "Disassociation Imminent" bit or the "BSS Termination Included" bit in the request mode field of the BTM request is set to 1, it is determined that the request is strong.

[0088] In S714, the CPU 212 transmits to the access point AP1 (101) a response indicating that the change of the connection destination is rejected based on the connection destination change request. This processing corresponds to a transmission of a rejection response in S606 in Fig. 6. In S714, since the reason for the change is not strong, even if a change rejection response is transmitted, it is less likely that the communication with the MFP 100 will be forcibly disconnected from the access point AP1 (101) after receiving the response. That is, the access point AP1 (101) can be expected to increase the priority of maintaining the connection with the MFP 100 by, for example, transmitting a connection destination change request to another STA other than the MFP 100 that is connected to the access point AP1 (101). As described above, if there is no strong reason for the change, the CPU 212 transmits a change rejection response in anticipation that the connection with the access point AP1 (101) can be maintained.

[0089] Alternatively, the MFP 100 may not respond (ie, ignore) the connection destination change request without transmitting a rejection response to the access point AP1 (101). In S714, the CPU 212 performs control not to change the connection destination according to the connection destination change request in any case.

[0090] In S715, the CPU 212 performs a connection destination change process to change the connection destination according to the connection destination change request. The connection destination change process is described below with reference to Fig. 8 described.

[0091] In the present embodiment, the determination of S713 is performed, and the connection destination is changed according to the connection destination change request only when the connection destination change request for which the reason for the change is strong is received during a process (printing process) that includes communication, as an example and not as a limitation. After S712, the process of S713 may be omitted and proceed to S715 regardless of whether the reason for the change is strong, to change the change destination according to the connection destination change request.

[0092] In S716, CPU 212 determines whether any other event has occurred. If any other event has occurred, the process proceeds to S717; otherwise, the process proceeds to S718.

[0093] In S717, the CPU 212 performs processing according to the event that has occurred. For example, the CPU 212 performs processing including copying or cloud communication in response to a key operation or a touch panel operation from the operation display unit 205. When an event has occurred, such as a user operation to enable a dynamic IP address setting as described above or a user operation to manually enter a static IP address, the content of the setting corresponding to the operation is recorded in the ROM 213. In another example, when an operation event for registering an AP to be registered has occurred (registering the SSID and password of an AP to be registered), a registration process is performed according to the operation.

[0094] If an operation event issuing an instruction to perform copying has occurred in S716, the CPU 212 controls the reading unit 219 to read a document in S717 and causes the printing unit 222 to print an image of the read document to perform copying. This processing (new printing process) is executable unless the processing of S812 in Fig. 8 (described below). The processing of S812 is a process of canceling the printing process of a print job that cannot be printed to the end as a result of the remaining print data to be printed being rendered unreceivable due to the change of the IP address.

[0095] In S718, the CPU 212 determines whether the wireless connection with the currently connected AP has been terminated (disconnected). The termination of the wireless connection determined here occurs in response to, for example, an event of turning off the power of the MFP 100, setting or disabling the wireless connection, or a malfunction of receiving a radio wave from the currently connected AP. In S718, a disconnection from the original connection destination cannot be determined due to the processing of changing the connection destination according to the connection destination change request. If the wireless connection with the currently connected AP has not been terminated, the process returns to S706. If the wireless connection with the currently connected AP has been terminated, the process in Fig. The process shown in Figure 7.

[0096] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the connection destination change process in the above-described S715 in Fig. 7. The illustrated process is implemented by the CPU 212 loading a program stored in the ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executing the program.

[0097] In S801, the CPU 212 transmits a response indicating acceptance of the change based on the connection destination change request to the AP connected before the change of the connection destination (eg, the access point AP1 (101)), and then disconnects the wireless connection with the currently connected AP (ie, the access point AP1 (101)).

[0098] In S802, the CPU 212 wirelessly connects to the recommended AP for change (e.g., access point AP2 (102)) using information about the recommended AP for change. The information about the recommended AP for change is included in the connection destination change request received from the AP connected before the connection destination change (e.g., access point AP1 (101)) and is recorded in S712.

[0099] In S803, the CPU 212 determines whether the IP address setting of the MFP 100 is a static IP address setting. This determination is similar to the determination of S702 in Fig. 7. If static IP address setting is enabled, the process proceeds to S804. If static IP address setting is not enabled (that is, dynamic IP address setting is enabled), the process proceeds to S806.

[0100] In S804, CPU 212 confirms the IP address through the static IP address. Then, the process proceeds to S810. This processing is similar to the processing of S704 in Fig. 7.

[0101] In S806, the CPU 212 issues a DHCP request command to the DHCP server 103 from which the dynamic IP address is obtained, specifying the previously used IP address, and requests the DHCP server 103 to assign the IP address. The previously used IP address is the IP address stored in S705 for processing S703, and is the IP address used at the time of connection to the access point AP1 (101) to which the MFP 100 was connected before the connection destination was changed.

[0102] In S807, the CPU 212 determines whether the same IP address as the previously used IP address has been successfully acquired from the DHCP server 103. If the previously used IP address has been successfully acquired, the process proceeds to S810; otherwise, the process proceeds to S808.

[0103] In S808, the CPU 212 requests the DHCP server 103 to assign a dynamic IP address. This processing is similar to the processing of S703 in Fig. 7.

[0104] In S809, the CPU 212 receives the DHCP ACK transmitted from the DHCP server 103 to the MFP 100 as a response, and acquires the IP address of the MFP 100 from the information included in the DHCP ACK.

[0105] In S810, the CPU 212 stores in the RAM 214 any one of the static IP address confirmed in S804, the previous IP address successfully acquired from the DHCP server 103, and the dynamic IP address newly assigned by the DHCP server 103 in S809.

[0106] In S811, the CPU 212 determines whether the IP address confirmed at the time of connection to the AP (ie, access point AP2 (102)) after the change of the connection destination, namely the IP address stored in S810, has changed from the previous IP address used at the time of connection to the AP (ie, access point AP1 (101)) before the change of the connection destination. If the IP address has changed (ie, if the IP address stored in S810 is different from the previous IP address), the process proceeds to S812. If the IP address has not changed (ie, if the IP address stored in S810 and the previous IP address are the same), the process proceeds to S813.

[0107] In S812, the CPU 212 performs a process of canceling the standby mode waiting for communication with the mobile terminal device 104 and canceling (interrupting) the printing process that was being performed by the communication with the mobile terminal device 104. In S812, since the IP address has changed due to the change in the connection destination, it is difficult to continue the application-layer communication with the mobile terminal device 104 with which the MFP 100 was communicating before the change in the connection destination. That is, it is difficult for the mobile terminal device 104 to find the MFP 100 by the previously used IP address.

[0108] Thus, communication cannot take place, making it difficult to continue the printing process that was being executed through the communication. Accordingly, the CPU 212 performs a process of terminating the communication with the mobile terminal device 104 and canceling the printing process that was being executed through the communication with the mobile terminal device 104. This processing includes a process of discharging a sheet that has been printed. At the same time, the display of the operation display unit 202 of the MFP 100 may display a screen indicating that the process associated with the communication has been canceled.

[0109] In S813, the CPU 212 resumes the connection with the partner device, namely the mobile terminal device 104, and continuously executes the printing process. In this case, the connection destination AP has been changed according to the connection destination change request, but the IP address has not been changed. Thus, the CPU 212 can resume application-layer communication with the mobile terminal device 104. That is, it is possible for the mobile terminal device 104 to communicate with the MFP 100 by designating the previously used IP address. As a result, the printing process including the communication can be continuously executed, and the print data included in the print job can be printed to completion.

[0110] In S814, the CPU 212 determines whether a connection destination change request transmitted from the currently connected AP (in this case, the access point AP2 (102)) is received. That is, it is determined whether a request to further change the connection destination has been made from the access point AP2 (102). If a connection destination change request is received, the process proceeds to S709 in Fig. 7; otherwise the process goes to S815.

[0111] In S815, the CPU 212 determines whether the printing process, which includes communication with the mobile terminal device 104, which continues in S813, is finished (e.g., whether the print job has been printed to the end). If it is determined that printing is finished, the process continued in S813 ends. Fig. 8 and then the process goes to S716 in Fig. 7; otherwise the process returns to S813.

[0112] In response to a detection of an IP address duplication due to the use of a static IP address of the MFP 100 in S804 in Fig. 8, after the connection destination to the access point AP2 (102) is changed, any of the following processes can be performed. Duplication of an IP address is detected when, for example, devices having the same IP address and different media access control (MAC) addresses exist in the address resolution protocol (ARP) table.

[0113] One process is reconnecting to the AP before a switchover (before the connection target change) (ie, the process goes to S701).

[0114] Another process is displaying a message indicating duplication of an IP address on the display of the operation display unit 220 and disconnecting the network.

[0115] Another process is dynamically obtaining an IP address from the DHCP server 103 (ie, the process goes to S808).

[0116] The present embodiment has described the acquisition of an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address through DHCP. Features of the present disclosure can also be applied to the acquisition of an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address. In acquiring an IPv6 address, the MFP 100 transmits a DHCPv6 Request message to the DHCP server 103 to request the same IPv6 address. If the request fails, the MFP 100 transmits a DHCPv6 Solicit message and acquires the IPv6 address again.

[0117] The processing of S806 described above requests the IP address used before the connection destination AP was switched to the DHCP server 103, thereby making it possible to avoid the IP address change due to the connection destination change. Accordingly, it is possible to continue a process (e.g., a printing process) that involves communication with the mobile terminal device 104 with which the MFP 100 communicated using the IP address before the connection destination change. That is, even if the connection destination was switched based on the connection destination change request during the process, the process can be performed continuously.In the present embodiment, in response to receiving a connection destination change request in a situation where it is determined in step S709 that a specific process involving communication is in progress, control is performed in S806 so that the IP address remains unchanged before and after the connection destination is changed, by way of example and not by way of limitation. If the connection destination AP is changed based on the connection destination change request, control may be performed so that in S806 the IP address remains unchanged before and after the connection destination is changed, regardless of whether a specific process involving communication is in progress.

[0118] In addition, the processing of S806, as described above, makes a request to the DHCP server 103 for the IP address used before switching the connection destination AP, thereby avoiding the change of the IP address due to the change of the connection destination, as an example and not as a limitation. In S806, the static IP address setting may be automatically enabled (ie, the dynamic IP address setting is disabled), and the previous IP address acquired as a dynamic IP address before the change of the connection destination may be used as the static IP address to confirm the IP address. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the IP address from being changed before and after the change of the connection destination based on the connection destination change request.

[0119] Furthermore, through the processing of S812 as described above, when the IP address of the MFP 100 is changed due to the change of the connection destination AP based on the connection destination change request, the specific process (e.g., a printing process) that is in progress and includes communication is aborted. Aborting the process that is in progress and includes communication makes it possible to accept another subsequent process that would otherwise be unacceptable due to a long wait for reception of the unreceived remaining data for the process. That is, it is possible to avoid waiting for reception of the remaining data to quickly start acceptance of a next process. Accordingly, the next process can be started immediately after acceptance.

[0120] While the processing performed during receiving print data has been described above, similar processing may be applied during receiving other data other than print data or during transmission of the other data. For example, similar processing may be applied when the reading unit 219 scans a document and transmits an image (image data) of the scanned document to the mobile terminal device 104 via the AP. In this case, if in S708 in Fig. 7, as described above, is determined to be Yes, instead of or in addition to the determination of S709, it is determined whether a scanning and sending process is in progress. If the scanning and sending process is not in progress, the process proceeds to S710. If the scanning and sending process is in progress, the processing from S712 to S715 and the Fig.8, in which the “print” described above is replaced with “scan and send”, is carried out.

[0121] In the present embodiment, although control is performed in S806 so that the IP address does not change before and after the connection destination is changed, the IP address may change. In this case, the specific process (e.g., a printing process) that is in progress and involves communication is aborted in step S812, as an example but not as a limitation. The control to keep the IP address unchanged before and after the connection destination ends (i.e., the control in S806) may be omitted. That is, when the connection destination AP is changed based on the connection destination change request, a dynamic IP address may be newly acquired, and the change of the IP address may be permitted regardless of whether a specific process involving communication is in progress. In this case, the IP address is likely to change before and after the connection destination is changed.Accordingly, the determination as to whether the IP address has changed before and after changing the connection destination (ie, the determination of S811) may be omitted, and the specific process in progress involving the communication could always be aborted, as in S812, in response to the connection destination being changed based on the connection destination change request.

[0122] The various types of control described above as being performed by the CPU 212 may be performed by one element of hardware or a plurality of elements of hardware (e.g., a plurality of processors or circuits) that share processing to control the overall operation of the MFP 100.

[0123] While exemplary embodiments have been described, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and may be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiments are examples of the present invention, and any combination thereof may be used.

[0124] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, features of the present disclosure are applied to an MFP as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example and is also applicable to any wireless device functioning as an STA capable of performing a process according to a connection destination change request from an AP. That is, the present invention is applicable to a PC, a PDA, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone terminal such as a smartphone, a music player, a game device, an electronic book reader, a smart watch, and various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as a thermometer or a hygrometer, for example. The present invention is also applicable to digital cameras (including a still camera).A still camera, a video camera, a network camera, and a security camera), a printer, a scanner, and a drone, for example. Embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to a video output device, an audio output device (e.g., a smart speaker), a media streaming player, and a wireless LAN slave device (adapter) that can be connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or a LAN cable port.The video output device includes, for example, a device such as a set-top box and is configured to retrieve (download) a moving image or a still image from the Internet identified by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) specified by an electronic device, and output the moving image or the still image to a display device connected to the video output port, such as an HDMI (registered trademark) video output port (HDMI, "High Definition Multimedia Interface"). This configuration implements streaming playback on the display device and implements mirroring display (display that allows content displayed on the electronic device to be displayed on the display device as well).Additionally, the video output device includes media players such as a hard disk recorder, a Blu-ray recorder, and a DVD recorder, a head-mounted display, a projector, a television, a display device (monitor), and a signage device, for example. Embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to Wi-Fi-enabled devices called smart home applications, such as a smart air conditioner, a smart refrigerator, a smart washing machine, a smart vacuum cleaner, a smart oven, a smart microwave oven, a smart lighting system, a smart heater, and a smart refrigerator.

[0125] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent an error in performing another process immediately after a change of an AP serving as a connection destination according to a request to change the connection destination during a specific process involving communication.

[0126] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is further possible to prevent an error in transmitting or receiving data when an AP serving as a connection destination is switched in response to a request to change the connection destination.

[0127] That is, it is possible to improve convenience for changing an AP serving as a connection destination according to a request for changing the connection destination during a specific process involving communication. Other embodiments

[0128] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by a computer of a system or apparatus that retrieves and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above, and / or that includes one or more circuits (e.g.,application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for performing the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or device, for example, by retrieving and executing the computer-executable instruction from the storage medium to perform the function of the one or more embodiments described above and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of the one or more embodiments described above. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), 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, one or more of a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), distributed computing system memory, an optical disk such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray Disc (BD™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

[0129] While exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be interpreted as broadly as possible to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2021-175068

[0003]

Claims

[1] Electronic device (100) comprising: a receiving device (226) configured to receive a change request from a currently connected access point (AP) for changing a connection destination AP to which a connection is to be established; a processing device (222) configured to communicate with another device via the currently connected AP and to perform a specific process including transmitting and receiving data; and a controller (212) configured to, in a case where a connection destination change is performed based on the change request in a first state in which a part of data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the other device and reception or transmission of the rest of the data has not been completed, perform control to interrupt the specific process and cancel a standby state of waiting for reception or transmission of the rest of the data. [2] The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the specific process is at least one of printing, scanning, and facsimile transmission. [3] The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing means does not start execution of another process other than the specific process in a state where the standby mode is not canceled. [4] The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the processing means performs control to execute the other process in response to an instruction issued to execute the other process in a state where the standby mode is canceled. [5] The electronic device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the specific process is a printing process for printing print data received from the other device and includes outputting a printed sheet based on the standby mode being canceled by the control means. [6] Electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an acquiring device (212) configured to acquire a dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address as an IP address of the electronic device, wherein in a case where the procurement facility re-procures a dynamic IP address, when the connection destination change is performed based on the change request in the first state, the control device performs a control to cancel the standby mode. [7] Electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the control device performs control, when the connection destination change is performed based on the change request in the first state, to make a request for a first IP address to a source from which the acquiring device acquires the dynamic IP address, so that an IP address of the electronic device after the connection destination change is performed is identical to the first IP address, wherein the first IP address is acquired by the acquiring device before the connection destination change is performed, and in a case where the procurement entity cannot procure the first IP address for which the request is made, the control entity performs control of the procurement entity to re-procure the dynamic IP address. [8] Electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising a setting device (212) configured to perform a setting for using a prescribed static IP address as an IP address of the electronic device without the acquiring device acquiring the dynamic IP address, wherein In a case where the setting is made to use the static IP address, the control device performs control to continue the specific process without canceling the standby mode even if the connection destination change is performed based on the change request in the first state. [9] Electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein if the connection target change is performed based on the change request in the first state, the control device performs control to continue the specific process without canceling the standby mode in a case where an IP address of the electronic device remains unchanged before and after the connection destination change is performed. [10] A method for controlling an electronic device (100), the method comprising: a receiving step of receiving a change request from a currently connected access point (AP) for changing a connection destination AP to which a connection is to be established; a processing step of communicating with another device via the currently connected AP and performing a specific process including transmission and reception of data; and a control step of, in a case where a connection destination change is performed based on the change request in a first state in which a part of data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through the communication with the other device and reception or transmission of the rest of the data has not been completed, performing control to interrupt the specific process and cancel a standby state of waiting for reception or transmission of the rest of the data. [11] Electronic device (100), comprising: an acquiring device (212) configured to acquire a dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address as an IP address of the electronic device; a receiving device (226) configured to receive a change request from a currently connected access point (AP) to change a connection destination (AP) to which a connection is to be established; a processing device (222) configured to communicate with another device via the currently connected AP and to perform a specific process including transmission and reception of data; and a control device (212) configured to perform a connection destination change based on the change request for changing the connection destination AP, and to perform control such that an IP address of the electronic device after the connection destination change is performed is identical to a first IP address, wherein the first IP address is acquired by the acquisition device before the connection destination change is performed. [12] The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the control means, when the connection destination change based on the change request is performed in a first state in which a part of data for the specific process has been received or transmitted through communication with the other device and reception or transmission of a remainder of the data has not been completed, performs control such that the IP address of the electronic device after the connection destination change is performed is identical to the first IP address. [13] The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the control means, in a second state in which no transmission or reception of the data for the specific process is performed, performs control of the acquiring means to re-acquire a dynamic IP address when the connection destination change is performed based on the change request. [14] The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the control device is configured to allow, in the second state, the IP address of the electronic device to be changed before and after the connection destination change is performed based on the change request. [15] Electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the procurement entity obtains the dynamic IP address from a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server, and the control device performs control to make a request to the DHCP server for the first IP address when the connection destination change is performed based on the change request to perform control so that the IP address of the electronic device after the connection destination change is performed is identical to the first IP address. [16] The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein, in a case where the acquiring means cannot acquire the first IP address for which the request is made to the DHCP server when the connection destination change is performed based on the change request, the control means performs control of the acquiring means to re-acquire a dynamic IP address. [17] The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein, in a case where the acquiring means cannot acquire the first IP address for which the request is made to the DHCP server when the connection destination change is performed based on the change request, the control means performs control to reconnect to an AP to which it was connected before the change destination request is performed. [18] The electronic device according to any one of claims 6 and 11 to 17, wherein the acquiring means acquires an IP address according to Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol version 6 (DHCPv6). [19] The electronic device according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein in a case where the control means cannot perform control such that the IP address of the electronic device after the connection destination change is performed is identical to the first IP address, the control means performs control to cancel the specific process in progress when the change request is received. [20] The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11 to 19, wherein the electronic device is configured to perform at least one of the following processes: a process of connecting to and communicating with an AP according to an IEEE 802.11ax standard; a process compliant with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA); a process that conforms to Target Wake Time (TWT); and a process of changing the connection target AP according to the change request to change the connection target AP to an AP using a 6 GHz frequency band. [21] A method for controlling an electronic device (100), the method comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring a dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address as an IP address of the electronic device; a receiving step of receiving a change request from a currently connected access point (AP) to change a connection destination AP to which a connection is to be established; a processing step of communicating with another device via the currently connected AP and performing a specific process including transmitting or receiving data; and a control step of performing a connection destination change based on the change request for changing the connection destination AP and performing control such that an IP address of the electronic device after the connection destination change is performed is identical to a first IP address, wherein the first IP address is acquired in the acquiring step before the connection destination change is performed. [22] A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11 to 20.

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