Electronic device, associated control method and computer-readable storage medium that stores a program

Abstract

An electronic device comprises a receiving device configured to receive from a first access point, to which the electronic device is currently connected, a change request from an access point, serving as a connection destination, to a second access point; a control device configured to perform a control action to change the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request received by the receiving device; and a notification device configured to send 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

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Area of ​​the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of making connections via a wireless LAN, a control method of the electronic device and a computer-readable storage medium on which a program is stored. Description of the related technique

[0002] In wireless LAN environments where electronic devices are connected, a technique exists within an Extended Service Set (ESS), comprised of multiple access points (APs), for dynamically switching the connection destination AP. This allows the APs and a station (STA) to efficiently exchange data. Based on the occupancy of the APs to which the STA is connected, the availability of other APs, radio wave conditions, and similar factors, it is determined that the connection destination AP needs to be switched. The currently connected AP sends a connected-AP change request to the STA. Upon receiving this request, the STA can connect to the appropriate AP by switching the connection destination AP according to the request.

[0003] JP 2021-175068 A discloses the following processing for a router with AP functionality to request a change of connection destination from a currently connected wireless child device. A mobile router (MR1), capable of connecting to multiple wireless child devices, verifies whether the wireless child device ports support IEEE 802.11v. Whether a wireless child device port supports IEEE 802.11v can be determined from an Association Request frame sent when the wireless child device port connects wirelessly to the MR1. If the wireless child device port supports IEEE 802.11v, a BSS Transition Management (BTM) Request frame is sent to the corresponding wireless child device port. A BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field of the BTM Request frame specifies a BSSID of a parent router RT2 as the connection target.This causes the child setup port to switch the connection destination, and the wireless child setup port switches the connection destination from MR1 to RT2 according to the received BTM Request frame. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides an electronic device that improves the convenience when an STA switches a connection target AP, a control method for the electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium on which a program is stored.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the present invention provides an electronic device comprising a receiving device configured to receive, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a change request from an access point serving as a connection target to a second access point, a control device configured to perform a control action to change the connection target from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request received by the receiving device, and a notification device configured to send a notification that the connection target has been changed when the connection target is switched from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request.

[0006] According to the invention, it is possible to improve the suitability when a STA switches a connection target AP.

[0007] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 shows a representation of a system structure. The Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B shows illustrations of the structure of a multifunction peripheral device (MFP). The Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 3C shows illustrations of a console unit of the MFP. The Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows illustrations of the setup of a mobile device setup. Fig. Figure 5 shows a representation of the structure of an access point (AP). Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a process based on a request from an AP to change a connection target. The Fig. 7A and Fig. Figure 7B shows examples of screens displayed on the console unit of the MFP. Fig. Figure 8 shows a flowchart of an example of processing performed by the MFP in response to a request to change a connection target. Fig. Figure 9 shows a flowchart of an example of processing performed by the MFP in response to a request to change a connection target. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0008] Exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claimed invention. Many features are described in the exemplary embodiments; however, there is no limitation to an invention requiring all of these features, and a multitude of these features can be combined as desired. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations in the accompanying drawings have the same reference numerals, and their redundant descriptions have been omitted.

[0009] Incidentally, if a STA receives an AP change request and switches the connection target AP according to the request, a user may not be able to detect that the STA's connection target AP has been switched. Therefore, what is needed is an improvement in usability and functionality when an STA switches a connection target AP.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve suitability if a STA switches a connection target AP. System structure

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an example of the setup of a system according to the present embodiment. According to this example, this system is a wireless communication system in which a large number of communication devices can communicate wirelessly with each other. In the example in Fig. In the illustrated example, a mobile terminal unit 104 and a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) 100, serving as communication devices, access points AP 101 and AP 102, a DHCP server 103, and a network 110 are provided. It is noted that AP 101 and AP 102 may be referred to as AP1 and AP2, respectively. The mobile terminal unit 104 is a device with a wireless communication capability that uses wireless LAN or the like. "Wireless LAN" may be referred to below as "WLAN." The mobile terminal unit 104 may be a personal information terminal, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone (a smartphone), a digital camera, a personal computer, or the like.

[0012] The MFP 100 has a printing function and may also have a reading function (a scanning device), a fax function, a telephone function, and the like. The MFP 100 according to the present embodiment also has a communication function that enables wireless communication with the mobile terminal device 104. Although the present embodiment describes a case in which the MFP 100 is used as an example, the setup is not limited to this. For example, instead of the MFP 100, a printing device, a scanning device, a projector, a mobile terminal device, a smartphone, a laptop PC, a tablet terminal device, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, or the like, which has a communication function, may be used. It should be noted that "MFP" is an acronym for "Multi Function Peripheral".

[0013] The AP 101 is located separately (outside) of the Mobile Device Unit 104 and the MFP 100 and operates as a WLAN base station. A communication device with WLAN communication capability can communicate via the AP 101 in WLAN infrastructure mode. It should be noted that access points may be referred to as "APs" below. Infrastructure mode may also be called "wireless infrastructure mode." The AP 101 can communicate wirelessly with a communication device that has authorized (authenticated) a connection to it and transmits wireless communication between that communication device and other communication devices.For example, the AP 101 can be connected to a wired communication network and can transmit communication between a communication device connected to that wired communication network and another communication device wirelessly connected to the AP 101.

[0014] The AP 102 has the same functions as the AP 101, and the MFP 100 switches its connection from the AP 101 to the AP 102 as needed. The server 103 includes a DHCP server and a DNS server. The DHCP server connects to the MFP 100 via the AP 101 and the network 110 and provides services to the MFP 100 by responding to requests from the MFP 100. Although Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a setup in which the DHCP server is connected as a separate device, distinct from AP 101 and AP 102. The setup can be configured such that AP 101 and AP 102 each have DHCP server functionality. Here, network 110 could be the internet, a private network within a company, a mobile phone network, or something similar. External structure of the MFP

[0015] Fig. Figure 2A illustrates an example of the external structure of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 includes, for example, a document tray 201, a document cover 202, a paper feed slot 203, a paper output slot 204, and a console unit 205. The document tray 201 is a tray for placing a document to be read. The document cover 202 is a cover for securing a document placed on the document tray 201 and ensuring that light from a light source illuminating the document does not escape while the document is being read. The paper feed slot 203 is a slot into which various sizes of paper can be inserted. The paper output slot 204 is a slot for ejecting printed paper.Paper inserted into the paper feed slot 203 is fed sheet by sheet to a print unit, where it is printed and then ejected from the paper output slot 204. The console unit 205 is configured to include buttons such as character input keys, a cursor key, an OK key, a Cancel key, and the like, as well as LEDs, an LCD, and the like. It is configured to allow a user to start the various functions of the MFP, manipulate various settings, and perform similar actions. The console unit 205 can also be configured to include an interactive control panel display. The MFP 100 has a wireless communication capability 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.Like the mobile terminal equipment 104, the MFP 100 can communicate wirelessly via WLAN in frequency bands such as the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, or similar. MFP setup

[0016] Fig. Figure 2B illustrates an example of the MFP 100's configuration. The MFP 100 is configured to contain a main unit 211, which performs primary control of the device itself, and a wireless unit 226, which is a single communication module that performs wireless communication using at least one shared antenna. The main unit 211 simply specifies a block containing functional blocks that are distinct from a modem 229 and the wireless unit 226. The MFP 100 is also configured, for example, to contain the modem 229 for wired communication. The main unit 211, for example, is configured to contain a CPU 212 (a central processing unit), a ROM 213, a RAM 214, a non-volatile memory 215, a picture 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 unit 211 also contains, for example, a print unit 222, a paper feed unit 223, a print control unit 224, a console unit 220, and a fax control unit 227. The functional units in the main unit 211 are interconnected by a system bus 130, which is controlled by the CPU 212. Furthermore, the main unit 211 and the wireless unit 226 are connected, for example, by a dedicated bus 225, and the main unit 211 and the modem 229 are connected, for example, by a bus 228.

[0017] The CPU 212 is a system control unit containing at least one processor and controls the MFP 100 as a whole. The processing by the MFP 100 described below is implemented by the CPU 212, which, for example, executes programs stored in ROM 213. It should be noted that dedicated hardware may be provided for each process. ROM 213 stores control programs, embedded OS programs, and the like executed by the CPU 212. 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 ROM 213 under the control of an embedded OS, which is also stored in ROM 213.

[0018] RAM 214 is formed by SRAM or similar. RAM 214 stores data such as program control variables, user-registered settings and MFP 100 management data, and the like. RAM 214 can also be used as various types of working buffers. Non-volatile memory 215 is formed by a memory such as flash memory and continues to store data even when the MFP 100 is switched off. Image memory 216 is formed by a memory such as DRAM. Image memory 216 stores image data received via the wireless unit 226, image data processed by the encoding / decoding unit 221, and the like. It should be noted that the memory architecture of the MFP 100 is not limited to the architecture described above.The data conversion unit 218 analyzes data in various formats, converts image data into print data, and the like.

[0019] The reading control unit 217 controls the reading unit 219 (for example, a contact-type image sensor (CIS)) for optically reading a document placed on the document support 201. The reading control unit 217 converts an image obtained by optically reading the document into electrical image data (an image signal) and outputs the image data. At this point, the reading control unit 217 can perform various types of image processing, such as binarization, halftone processing, and the like, before outputting the image data.

[0020] The console unit 220 is the one with reference to Fig. 2A describes console unit 205 and displays elements on a display under the display control by the CPU 212, generates signals in response to the receipt of user operations, and the like.

[0021] The encoding / decoding processing unit 221 performs encoding, decoding, scaling, and similar operations on image data handled by the MFP 100 (JPEG, PNG, and the like).

[0022] The sheet feeder unit 223 holds sheets for printing. The sheet feeder unit 223 can feed sheets inserted into it under the control of the print control unit 224. The sheet feeder unit 223 can contain a plurality of sheet feeders for holding a plurality of sheet types in a single device, whereby the print control unit 224 can control which sheet feeder unit feeds sheets.

[0023] The print control unit 224 applies various types of image processing to the image data to be printed, such as smoothing, darkening, color correction, and the like, and outputs the processed image data to the print unit 222. The print unit 222 is configured to perform, for example, inkjet printing, so that ink supplied from an ink tank is ejected from a printhead and an image is recorded on a recording medium, such as paper. It is noted that the print unit 222 can be configured to perform other types of print processing, such as electrophotographic printing.The print control unit 224 can also periodically read information about the print unit 222 and update status information and the like stored in the RAM 214, including the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank, the condition of the printhead, and the like.

[0024] The Wireless Unit 226 is a unit capable of providing WLAN communication functionality, for example, providing functions equivalent to a combination with a WLAN Unit 401 of the Mobile Device Unit 104. That is, the Wireless Unit 226 converts data into packets according to the WLAN standard and sends the packets to other units, and also restores packets from other external units to their original data and outputs the data to the CPU 212. The Wireless Unit 226 is capable of communicating as a station that complies with the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. Specifically, the Wireless Unit 226 is capable of communicating as a station that complies with IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. "Stations" may be referred to below as "STAs." The Wireless Unit 226 is also capable of communicating as an STA that supports Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (registered trademark).

[0025] The Wireless Unit 226 supports IEEE 802.11ax, i.e., Wi-Fi 6 (registered trademark), and is capable of processing that complies with IEEE 802.11ax. This means the MFP 100 is capable of processing as a STA that supports (and complies with) OFDMA and / or of operating as an STA that supports (and complies with) TWT. "OFDMA" is an acronym for "Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access." "TWT" is an acronym for "Target Wake Time." Support for TWT means that the timing of data communication from a parent device to the STA is adjusted. The Wireless Unit 226 (the MFP 100), acting as an STA, puts its communication function into a sleep state when there is no need to be ready to receive a signal. This reduces power consumption. The Wireless Unit 226 also supports Wi-Fi 6E (registered trademark).This means the Wireless Unit 226 is also capable of communicating in the 6 GHz band (5925 GHz to 7125 GHz). Unlike the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band does not have a dedicated area for Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS). Therefore, communication in the 6 GHz band is not interrupted due to a DFS standby time, which should result in improved communication.

[0026] It is noted that the Mobile Device Unit 104 and the MFP 100 are capable of P2P (WLAN) communication based on WFD, and the Wireless Unit 226 has a Software Access Point (Software AP) function or a group owner function. That is, the Wireless Unit 226 is capable of establishing P2P communication networks, setting channels to be used in P2P communication, and the like. MFP console unit

[0027] The Fig. Figures 3A to 3C schematically illustrate examples of screens displayed on a display (a touchscreen) included in the console unit 220 of the MFP 100. Fig. Figure 3A illustrates an example of a startup screen that appears when the MFP 100 is turned on and no operations, such as printing, scanning, or the like, are in progress (an "idle" or "standby" state). Fig. 3A displays menu items indicating "Copy," "Scan," and "Cloud." "Cloud" is a menu item that refers to a cloud function using internet communication. Settings on the MFP 100 can be adjusted, functions can be started, and so on, by using buttons, the interactive control panel, or similar means to select one of the menu items. The MFP 100 can seamlessly display a screen that is linked to the one in Fig. 3A illustrated the difference by pointing to the in Fig. 3A illustrates the start screen as assuming operation of a button, the interactive control panel, or the like.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3B shows an example of displaying another part of the home screen, and represents a screen in which, in response to an operation to display another page of the home screen (a swipe left or right condition), the following is shown in the Fig. The illustrated state in 3A is transitioned to. Fig. 3B displays menu items indicating "Communication Settings", "Print", and "Photo". Selecting one of these menu items executes the corresponding function, i.e., the print function, the photo function, or the communication settings.

[0029] Fig. 3C shows an example of the display of a menu screen for communication settings, which is displayed when in the Fig. The "Communication Settings" screen is illustrated in Figure 3B. The Communication Settings menu screen displays "Wireless LAN," "Wired LAN," "Wireless Direct," "Bluetooth," and "General Settings" as menu items (options). "Wireless LAN," "Wired LAN," and "Wireless Direct" are LAN settings menu items, and settings such as wired connection settings, settings to enable and disable a wireless infrastructure mode, settings to enable and disable a P2P mode (such as WFD and Software AP mode), and the like can be configured using these items. When a user selects the "Wireless LAN" item and enables Wireless LAN, a wireless infrastructure mode is activated.When the user selects and activates the "Wireless Direct" option, P2P (WLAN) mode is enabled. This screen also displays a general settings menu for each connection format. From this screen, the user can configure the wireless LAN frequency band, wireless LAN frequency channel, and other settings. External structure of the mobile device setup

[0030] Fig. Figure 4A shows an example of the external structure of the mobile device 104. The present embodiment describes a case in which the mobile device 104 is, for example, a typical smartphone. It is noted that the mobile device 104 is configured to include, for example, a display unit 402, an operating unit 403, and an on / off button 404. The display unit 402 is, for example, a display with a liquid crystal display (LCD)-based display device. It is noted that the display unit 402 can display information, for example, using a light-emitting diode (LED) or the like. The mobile device 104 can also have a function for outputting information via audio, in addition to or instead of the display unit 402.The control unit 403 is configured to include system buttons, such as keys, knobs, and the like, an interactive control panel, and the like, for capturing user input. It is noted that in this example, the information display on the display unit 402 and the acceptance of user input by the control unit 403 are performed using a common interactive control panel display, and the display unit 402 and the control unit 403 are thus implemented as a single unit. In this case, for example, button or key icons or a software keyboard are displayed using a display function of the display unit 402, and the user touching these locations is captured using an input reception function of the control unit 403.It is noted that the display unit 402 and the control unit 403 may be provided separately, and the hardware for displaying and the hardware for receiving commands may be provided individually. The on / off button 404 is a physical button or system button for receiving user commands to turn the mobile device unit 104 on or off.

[0031] The mobile device unit 104 contains the WLAN unit 401, which provides WLAN communication functionality that is not necessarily externally visible. The WLAN unit 401 is configured to be capable of data (packet) communication in a WLAN system that complies with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series of standards (IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax and the like). The wireless unit 226 can also communicate as an access point (AP) that supports Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (registered trademark). However, the setup is not limited to this, and the WLAN unit 401 can be capable of communication in a WLAN system that complies with a different standard. In this example, it is assumed that the WLAN unit 401 can communicate in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.The WLAN unit 401 is also assumed to be capable of WFD-based communication, communication using software AP mode, communication using wireless infrastructure mode, and the like. Operations performed in these modes are described later. Mobile device setup

[0032] Fig. Figure 4B illustrates an example of the structure of the mobile device equipment 104. The mobile device equipment 104 includes, for example, a main unit 411, which performs the main control of the equipment itself, and a WLAN unit 429, which performs WLAN communication. The main unit 411 simply specifies a block containing functional blocks that are different from those of the WLAN unit 429. The main unit 411, for example, contains 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. 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 device unit 104 also includes a display unit 420 and an operating unit 418. The functional units in the main unit 411 are interconnected by a system bus 628, which is controlled by the CPU 412. Furthermore, the main unit 411 and the WLAN unit 429 (the WLAN unit 401 mentioned above) are connected, for example, by a dedicated bus 426.

[0033] The CPU 412 is a system control unit containing at least one processor and controls the mobile device 104 as a whole. The processing by the mobile device 104 described below is implemented, for example, by the CPU 412 executing programs stored in the ROM 413. It is noted that dedicated hardware may be provided for each process. The ROM 413 stores control programs executed by the CPU 412, embedded operating system (OS) programs, 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 control of an embedded OS, which is also stored in the ROM 413.

[0034] RAM 414 is formed by static RAM (SRAM) or the like. RAM 414 stores data such as program control variables, user-registered settings, and management data of the mobile device unit 104, and the like. RAM 414 can also be used as various types of work buffers. Image memory 415 is formed by memory such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) or the like. Image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received via the WLAN unit 429, image data read from the data storage unit 423, and the like for processing by the CPU 412. Non-volatile memory 422 is formed by memory such as flash memory and continues to store data even when the mobile device unit 104 is switched off.It is noted that the memory configuration of the mobile device unit 104 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the image memory 415 and the RAM 414 can be implemented using the same memory, data can be backed up as with the data storage unit 423, or the like. Although the present embodiment describes a DRAM as an example of the image memory 415, another storage medium, such as a hard disk, non-volatile memory, or the like, can also be used instead.

[0035] The data conversion unit 416 analyzes data in various formats, performs data conversion such as color and image conversion, and similar operations. The telephone unit 417 controls a telephone line and implements telephone communication by processing audio data that is input and output via the speaker unit 424. The GPS 419 receives radio waves transmitted by a satellite and obtains location information, such as the current latitude and longitude of the mobile device 104, and the like.

[0036] The camera unit 421 has a function for 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 performs a control function for inputting or outputting audio for the telephone function, other functions such as alarm notifications, and the like. The power supply unit 425, for example, is a portable battery and controls the supply of power to the interior of the device. Power states include, for example, a "battery empty state," in which no power remains in the battery; a "power off state," in which the on / off switch 404 has not been pressed; a "working state," in which the battery is operating normally; and a "power saving state," in which the battery is operating but in a power-saving mode.

[0037] The display unit 420 is the one with reference to Fig. The display unit 402 described in section 4A shows various types of input operations, the operating state and status of the MFP 100, and the like, under the control of the CPU 412. The operator unit 418 is the one described in section 4A. Fig. 4A described operating unit 403, and when user operation is assumed, it performs a control such as generating an electrical signal corresponding to the operation, outputting the electrical signal to the CPU 412 and the like.

[0038] The mobile device 104 establishes wireless communication using the WLAN unit 429 and performs data communication with other devices, such as the MFP 100. The WLAN unit 429 converts data into packets and sends the packets to other devices. The WLAN unit 429 also restores packets from other external devices to their original data and outputs the data to the CPU 412. The WLAN unit 429 is a unit for implementing communication that complies with any WLAN standard. The WLAN unit 429 can operate in at least two communication modes simultaneously, including a wireless infrastructure mode and a P2P (WLAN) mode. It should be noted that the frequency bands used in these communication modes may be limited by the hardware's capabilities and performance. Construction of the access point

[0039] Fig. Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the AP101, which has a wireless LAN access point function. A main unit 510, which controls the AP101, is configured to contain a wireless LAN unit 516, a wired LAN unit 518, and an operating button 520. The main unit 510 specifies only one block containing functional blocks that are different from the wireless LAN unit 516, the wired LAN unit 518, and the operating button 520.

[0040] A microprocessor-type CPU 511, located on the main unit 510, operates according to a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 513 and data stored in a RAM-type data memory 514, which are connected to the CPU 511 by an internal bus 512. The CPU 511 communicates with other communication terminal equipment via a wireless LAN by controlling the wireless LAN unit 516 via a wireless LAN communication control unit 515. The CPU 511 also communicates with other communication terminal equipment via a wired LAN by controlling the wired LAN unit 518 via a wired LAN communication control unit 517. The CPU 511 is capable of accepting operations made by a user by manipulating the control button 520, thereby controlling a control unit control circuit 519. The CPU 511 contains at least one processor.

[0041] The AP101 also 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 communicating wirelessly in a band where dynamic frequency selection (DFS) is implemented. When communicating wirelessly in a band where DFS is implemented, the channel change unit 522 then performs processing to change the channel being used when interference waves are detected, when it is necessary to immediately switch to a free channel, and so on.

[0042] It is noted that the AP102 has the same design as the AP101. P2P communication methods

[0043] Next, an overview of a peer-to-peer (P2P) (WLAN) communication method for devices to communicate directly wirelessly without going through an external access point is described. P2P (WLAN) communication can be implemented using a variety of methods; for example, the communication device can support a variety of modes for P2P (WLAN) communication and selectively execute P2P (WLAN) communication using one of these modes.

[0044] The following two modes are assumed to be P2P modes. • Software AP mode • Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode

[0045] A communication device capable of peer-to-peer communication can be configured to support at least one of these modes. However, even a communication device capable of peer-to-peer communication need not support all of these modes and may be configured to support only some.

[0046] In a communication device with a WFD communication function (for example, the mobile terminal device 104), an application for implementing the communication function (in some cases a dedicated application) is called in response to the device's control unit being used. 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 conduct WFD communication based on the user operation being accepted in response. • Software AP mode

[0047] In Software AP mode, the communication device (for example, the mobile terminal device 104) acts as a client, requesting various types of services. The other communication device (for example, the MFP 100) operates as a Software AP capable of performing WLAN AP functions via software settings. It should be noted that commands, parameters, and the like, sent and received when a wireless connection is established between the client and the Software AP, can be any specified by the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard and are therefore not described here. The MFP 100, operating in Software AP mode, also determines a frequency band and channel as the primary station. Accordingly, the MFP 100 can select which of the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands to use, as well as which channel within that frequency band to use. • WFD mode

[0048] The MFP 100 can be started in such a way that it is permanently set as the primary station for WFD (Autonomous Group Owner) mode. In this case, GO negotiation processing to determine the role is not required. Furthermore, as the primary station, the MFP 100 also determines the frequency band and channel to be used. Accordingly, the MFP 100 can select which of the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands to use, as well as which frequency channel within that band to use. Wireless infrastructure mode

[0049] In wireless infrastructure mode, communication devices that communicate with each other (for example, mobile device 104 and MFP 100) are connected to an external access point (AP) that manages the network (for example, AP101), and the communication devices communicate with each other via the AP. That is, communication between the communication devices takes place over a network formed by the external AP. Mobile device 104 and MFP 100 each discover AP101, and these communication devices can communicate via AP101 in wireless infrastructure mode by sending a connection request and connecting to AP101. It should be noted that multiple communication devices can be connected to individual, separate APs. In this case, the communication devices can communicate through data transmitted between the APs.The commands, parameters, and other information sent and received between communication devices via the access points during communication can be arbitrary, as specified by the Wi-Fi standard, and are therefore not described here. In this case, the AP101 also determines the frequency band and channel. Accordingly, the AP101 can select which frequency band (5 GHz or 2.4 GHz and 6 GHz) to use, as well as which channel within that frequency band to use. Processing in response to a request to change a connection target from the AP to the STA

[0050] The Mobile Device Equipment 104 and the MFP 100 support features disclosed as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (registered trademark). Wi-Fi Agile Multiband is a feature that enables the selection of an optimal environment in response to changing conditions on a Wi-Fi network. More specifically, a STA, such as the Mobile Device Equipment 104 and the MFP 100, and an AP, such as the AP101, exchange information about the network environment using a communication standard from the IEEE 802.11 series. By exchanging information in this way, if the network becomes congested, the AP can redirect the STA to a different AP, frequency band, channel, or even a different cellular service (change the connection destination).

[0051] Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a case in which the MFP 100 switches the connection target AP from AP101 to AP102 in response to a connection target change request (a change request from an access point serving as the connection target). The processing performed by the respective device in this sequence is implemented by the device's CPU, which reads various programs stored in memory provided in that device, such as a ROM or the like, into RAM and executes these programs.

[0052] In the initial state of the Fig. In the illustrated processing step 6, it is assumed that the MFP 100 has established a connection with the AP101 in wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the AP101 are connected in wireless infrastructure mode, the AP101 receives information about whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. The following processing is then assumed to occur if the AP101 successfully receives information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v.

[0053] In step S601, the AP101 sends a query (a measurement request) to the MFP 100 regarding the radio wave strength of the APs around the MFP 100. This query is sent, for example, as a beacon frame request or beacon report request. That is, a procedure defined in the IEEE 802.11k standard can be used for this request.

[0054] In step S602, the MFP 100 receives frames transmitted by the surrounding APs in response to the request received in step S601 and measures their radio wave strengths. As a result, the radio wave strength of each of the multiple APs, including AP101 and AP102, is measured.

[0055] In step S603, the MFP 100 sends a list of the radio wave strengths of the access points (APs) around the MFP 100, measured in step S602, in response to the request received in step S601. The radio wave strengths provided in the response may be additional to, or instead of, the information measured in step S602 stored in RAM 214, non-volatile memory 215, and similar storage devices of the MFP 100. This response is sent, for example, as a beacon report or measurement report.

[0056] In step S604, AP101 determines, based on the network congestion state it has detected and the radio wave strengths received by MFP100 in step S603, whether a connection switch for MFP100 is necessary. AP101 determines that a connection switch is required based on factors such as a large number of connected STAs, high communication volume, other APs experiencing less congestion, the presence or absence of mixed radio waves, suspended AP functions, and the like. If it is determined that a connection switch for MFP100 is necessary, and the Service Set Identifier (hereinafter "SSID"), channel, and frequency band of the other AP designated for MFP100 to switch to have been determined, the process proceeds to step S605.

[0057] In step S605, AP101 sends an AP change request (a connection destination switch request) to MFP100. The connection destination change request contains the SSID, channel, and frequency band information of the other AP that MFP100 is specified to switch to, as determined in step S604. It is noted that a variety of SSIDs can be specified. The connection destination change request is sent, for example, as a BTM request. That is, a BSS Transition Management (BTM) request frame, as defined in the IEEE 802.11v standard, is sent. Fig. In the illustrated example 6, it is assumed that AP102 is set as the switchover target included in the connection target change request.

[0058] If the connection destination change request received in step S605 is to be complied with, the MFP 100 sends a response to the AP101 in step S606 indicating approval of the switch. If the connection destination change request is not to be complied with, a switch rejection can be sent as a response. The response is sent as a BTM response. In the example in Fig. 6. It is assumed that a response indicating agreement will be sent.

[0059] In step S607, the AP101 and the MFP 100 terminate the connection in wireless infrastructure mode.

[0060] In step S608, the MFP 100 sends a connection request to the AP102 to connect to the AP102 specified in the connection target change request received in step S605.

[0061] As a result, in step S609 a connection is established between the MFP 100 and the AP102 in wireless infrastructure mode.

[0062] Using this method, the MFP 100, which represents the STA, can change the connection target from AP101 to AP102 based on the connection target change request from AP101, to which the MFP 100 was originally connected. AP101 and AP102 can be access points installed in different locations. That is, via the in Fig. The processing described in section 6 can switch the MFP 100 to a different access point (AP) installed in a different location than the AP to which the MFP 100 was originally connected. There are also situations where the AP handles different frequency bands among a variety of frequency bands provided by the same facility (two or three of the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band). That is, via the... Fig. As illustrated in step 6, the MFP 100 can switch to a different frequency band provided by the same facility as the access point (AP) to which the MFP 100 was originally connected. Based on the connection destination change request, the connection destination can be changed, for example, to an AP in the 6 GHz band.

[0063] Although the present embodiment describes an example where the measurement request and a link target change request are sent by the AP using a method that complies with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband, and the STA responds, the configuration is not limited to this. The present embodiment can also be used if, in responding to a measurement request or a link target change request sent by the AP using a method other than the one described above, the STA changes the link target AP (switches, deletes, or adds an AP serving as a link target), or performs similar actions.

[0064] There are situations where changing the connection target AP based on a change request sent by the currently connected AP does not cause problems, and situations where such action is undesirable. In situations where changing the connection target AP based on a change request is undesirable, one or more of the following processing types can be combined to suppress a change to the connection target in response to the change request. The following processing prevents or hinders a change to the connection target AP based on a change request.

[0065] (Suppression Processing 1) Even if the change request described in step S605 is received, the connection target AP is not changed based on the received connection request, and the change request is either not answered or a response indicating that the change request was rejected (that the connection target AP will not be changed) is sent to the currently connected AP. If a rejection response is sent, the connection target change priority for another STA connected to the AP currently connected to MFP 100 is raised, and the connection target change priority for MFP 100 that returned the rejection response is lowered. As a result, the connection to the connected AP can be maintained. If no response is returned (i.e.,(The request is ignored), it is assumed that the currently connected AP will maintain the connection with MFP 100 to wait for a response until a timeout period following a response readiness time. Therefore, in a situation where the connection is terminated immediately after any response from MFP 100 to a change request, the connection with the currently connected AP can be maintained longer by not responding instead of returning any kind of response. Based on information indicating the reason for the change contained in the change request, the processing can thus be varied according to the reason, such as rejecting the request if the reason is weak or ignoring the request if the reason is strong.The reason for the change can be determined, for example, based on information contained in the Request Mode of the BTM Request, which indicates which of several reasons is applicable. For instance, if the Bit Disassociation Imminent or the Bit BSS Termination Included of the Request Mode is 1, it can be determined that the change request is one where the reason for the change is strong. Conversely, it can also be determined that the change request is one where the reason for the change is weak.

[0066] (Suppression Processing 2) In response to the measurement request described in step S601, information indicating that the radio wave reception conditions (signal reception conditions) of a different, unconnected AP than the currently connected AP are worse than the actually measured conditions (poor signal quality) is provided as a response (false response). In this case, the response may be given after actually performing a measurement in response to receiving the measurement request, or the response may be given without actually performing a measurement.In particular, the response described with reference to step S603 (beacon report or similar) provides a value indicating a lower received signal strength and / or a value indicating higher noise (signal-to-noise ratio) as a response to the signal quality measured for the signal received from the disconnected AP. Alternatively, the response may contain no information about the disconnected AP at all. Processing may also be performed that, based on information measured for the disconnected AP in the past, provides a response with the received signal strength set to an extremely low value or the noise set to an extremely high value.Even when a measurement request is received, a response may be provided that indicates good received signal strength or noise conditions only for the currently connected access point (AP), without actually performing a measurement (AP search) and without including information about the unconnected AP. Responding to the measurement request without including information about the unconnected AP is equivalent to stating that even after performing an AP search, no other unconnected AP was found. That is, omitting information about the unconnected AP from the response indicates that the signal quality from the unconnected AP is at least partially worse than it would be if the AP search were actually performed.

[0067] These procedures are expected to suppress connection target change requests sent from the currently connected AP to other APs. Therefore, a change of connection target in response to the connection target change request will be suppressed.

[0068] (Suppression Processing 3) The currently connected AP is temporarily disconnected, information indicating that the change request is not supported is provided, and the same AP is then reconnected. Specifically, the wireless connection to the currently connected AP is temporarily terminated, and Association Request frame data containing information indicating that IEEE 802.11v is not supported is generated in preparation for re-establishing the wireless connection. Processing to connect to the AP is then performed using the generated Association Request frame data. If an Association Request frame is generated containing information indicating that IEEE 802.11v is not supported, the AP is consequently connected as an electronic device that does not support Agile Multiband features. As a result, the currently connected AP detects that the MFP 100 does not support IEEE 802.11v.The MFP 100 does not support IEEE 802.11v and therefore does not send a wireless connection destination change request to the MFP 100. As a result, the MFP 100 no longer requests to change its wireless connection, making it easier to maintain the wireless connection between the MFP 100 and the currently connected access point (AP). Furthermore, if the currently connected AP detects that the MFP 100 does not support IEEE 802.11v, the transmission of the measurement request (the request described in step S601) from the currently connected AP to the MFP 100 is also stopped. Consequently, the measurement response to the measurement request (the AP search) and the response to the measurement request (the processing of step S603) on the MFP 100 can also be suppressed. This reduces the processing load and power consumption, allowing resources to be allocated to other processing.

[0069] For example, receiving print data corresponds to a state in which a change to the connection target AP based on a change request is undesirable. The MFP 100 receiving print data corresponds to a state in which some of the print data for an image to be printed has already been received by the mobile device 104, which represents the partner device, but the rest of the print data has not yet 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 prints by repeating an operation in which some of the print data is received and then printed (for example, print data for one line is received and printed), after which the next data is received and then printed.If the connection target AP is changed based on a connection target change request while print data is being received, the connection target switching process will introduce a delay, which can lead to a decrease in print quality, such as uneven printing. Additionally, the connection quality with the mobile device facility 104, which represents the partner facility, may degrade after the connection target is switched, making it impossible to receive subsequent data and resulting in printing failure.Therefore, it is preferred to perform at least one of the above-described processing operations (suppression processing 1 and suppression processing 2) as a processing operation to suppress a change to the connection target when responding to a change request while print data is being received, or to perform the above-described processing operation (suppression processing 3) before the start of receiving print data. Screen display when connection target AP was switched

[0070] The Fig. 7A and Fig. Figure 7B schematically illustrates examples of screens displayed on the MFP 100 console unit 220 when the MFP 100 connection target AP has been switched. Fig. 7A shows a diagram illustrating an example of a status message that appears on the screen in Fig. 3A illustrates the start screen in response to the fact that the connection target AP of the MFP 100 has been switched.

[0071] On the in Fig. In Figure 7A, the illustrated home screen displays a status message indicator section 700 in response to the MFP 100's connection target AP being switched. The status message indicator section 700 displays a status message 701, an OK button 702, a details button 703, and the like. Although this embodiment describes an example where the status message indicator section 700 is displayed at the bottom of the home screen, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the status message indicator section 700 can be displayed at the top of the home screen, in the middle, or in a similar position.

[0072] Status message 701 indicates that the MFP 100's connection target access point has been switched. This message allows the user to recognize that the MFP 100's connection target access point has changed.

[0073] Furthermore, status message 701 displays a message indicating that the connection target has been switched to an access point (AP) with a better communication environment than the originally connected AP. In this example, status message 701 displays a message indicating that the connection has switched to an optimal AP; however, the message communicated by status message 701 is not limited to this. For example, status message 701 could display a message indicating that the connection has switched to an AP with better radio wave conditions, a message indicating that the connection has switched to an AP with a more stable connection to the MFP 100, or something similar. Displaying status message 701 in this way allows the user to recognize that the connection has been changed to a more advantageous AP.

[0074] The OK button 702 is an interface for accepting an instruction to stop the display of the status message display section 700. For example, if the user acknowledges the status message 701 and presses the OK button 702, the MFP 100 accepts the instruction to stop the display of the status message display section 700 and controls the display on the console unit 220, to which the information in the Fig. Figure 3A illustrates how to return to the initial screen. That is, when the user presses the OK button 702, the MFP 100 performs a display control to hide the status message display section 700.

[0075] The Details button 703 is an interface for accepting an instruction to switch to a more detailed message screen. For example, when the Details button 703 is pressed by the user, the MFP 100 accepts an instruction to switch to the more detailed message screen and executes a display control to show the information contained therein. Fig. 7B illustrated and later described the detailed message screen on console unit 220.

[0076] In this way, the MFP 100 accepts touch-based or button-based operations such as the OK button 702, the Details button 703, and the like, as described in the Fig. The status message illustrated in section 7A is displayed, and the display is controlled according to the user's actions. After a predetermined time interval following the display of status message section 700, the MFP 100 stops displaying it. For example, the MFP 100 stops displaying status message section 700 if the OK button 702, the Details button 703, or similar buttons are not pressed by the user within a predetermined time after status message section 700 is displayed. The MFP 100 can also update and display status message section 700 if the connection is switched to another access point.If a connection destination change request is received by the currently connected AP while status message section 700 is displayed on the home screen, the MFP 100 can alternatively perform a control action so that the connection destination is not changed based on the connection change request. For example, if a connection destination change request is received from the currently connected AP while status message section 700 is displayed on the home screen, the MFP 100 can perform a control action so that no affirmative response is issued. That is, if a connection destination change request is received from the currently connected AP while status message section 700 is displayed on the home screen, the MFP 100 can issue a response to the currently connected AP indicating that the connection destination change request was rejected.Alternatively, the MFP 100 can perform a control to ignore the connection target change request.

[0077] Fig. Figure 7B shows a diagram illustrating an example of the detailed message screen displayed on console unit 220. The detailed message screen is displayed on console unit 220, for example, when the Details button 703 is pressed by the user on the screen shown in the diagram. Fig. The initial screen illustrated in Figure 7A is pressed. As described later, the detailed message screen is a screen for displaying information such as the communication environment, identification information, and the like, the AP before and after the switchover, for making switchover-related settings, and the like. A switchover confirmation section 704, an Agile Multiband setting section 710, a switchover message setting section 711, an OK button 712, and the like are displayed on the detailed message screen.

[0078] The switch confirmation section 704 is an element for displaying detailed information, settings, and the like relating to the access points before and after the switch, AP switch candidates, and the like. Pre-switch AP information 705, post-switch AP information 706, switch candidate AP information 707, switch settings 708, a Confirmed button 709a, a Connect button 709b for connecting to the pre-switch AP, and the like are displayed in the switch confirmation section 704.

[0079] AP information 705 to 707 displays information relating to pre- and post-switch APs, switch candidate APs, and similar items. This information includes, for example, identification information such as an SSID or Media Access Control address (hereinafter referred to as MAC address), information relating to the communication environment, and the like. Switch candidate APs are APs that can be switched to using Agile Multiband. For example, a connection destination change request received by the MFP 100 from the AP101 might contain a variety of switch destination APs. The MFP 100 can determine the AP to switch to from this variety based on information such as radio wave strength, frequency band, radio wave congestion conditions, and similar factors.The MFP 100 can use APs other than the AP to which the switch is to be made as switch candidate APs.

[0080] The communication environment information includes details such as the radio wave strength as seen from the MFP 100, the corresponding frequency band of the access point (AP), or similar information. It may also include information about a communication band, radio wave congestion conditions on the communication channel (not shown), or similar information. This information is displayed as the pre-switch AP information (705) and the post-switch AP information (706), allowing the user to verify in detail whether the MFP 100 has switched to a more advantageous AP.

[0081] The information indicating the radio wave strength can be displayed, for example, after the MFP 100 has measured the radio wave strength of the pre-switch AP, the post-switch AP, and the switch candidate APs. The MFP 100 can measure the radio wave strength of each AP, for example, through processing similar to that described with reference to step S601, when the MFP 100 has switched the connection target AP, when the user presses the Details button 703, or the like. The corresponding frequency band of the AP can be obtained by the MFP 100 measuring the radio wave strength of each AP.

[0082] The Switch Settings 708 are configuration elements that allow enabling or disabling Agile Multiband Switch Settings for pre- and post-switch APs, switch candidate APs, and the like. Switch Settings 708 includes an interface capable of accepting an instruction to enable switch settings for each AP (an Enable button 708a) and an interface capable of accepting an instruction to disable switch settings for each AP (a Disable button 708b). This allows the user to configure switch settings individually for pre- and post-switch APs, switch candidate APs, and the like.

[0083] The Confirm button 709a is an interface capable of accepting an instruction indicating that the AP information 705 to 707 has been confirmed by the user. The Connect button 709b, for connecting to the pre-switch AP, is an interface capable of accepting an instruction to change the MFP 100's connection target AP from a connection to the post-switch AP to the pre-switch AP. That is, the Connect button 709b, for connecting to the pre-switch AP, is also an interface capable of accepting an instruction to reset the MFP 100's connection target AP to the pre-switch AP. The MFP 100 can store identification information, such as an SSID, a MAC address, or the like, of the AP with which a connection has been established in the past, in a memory such as the ROM 213 or the non-volatile memory 215.When the MFP 100 accepts the user's press of the Connect button 709b to connect to the pre-switch AP, the MFP 100 terminates the connection to the post-switch AP through a process described later. The MFP 100 reads the pre-switch AP's identification information stored in memory and executes a control to connect to the pre-switch AP. This makes interface 709b, capable of accepting a reconnect instruction to the pre-switch AP, available. This allows, for example, the MFP 100's connection target to be changed back to the original AP, even if the MFP 100's connection target AP has been switched to an AP not intended by the user.

[0084] Agile Multiband setting section 710 is a setting element for enabling or disabling Agile Multiband. Within Agile Multiband setting section 710, an interface capable of accepting an instruction to enable Agile Multiband (an Enable button 710) and an interface capable of accepting an instruction to disable Agile Multiband (a Disable button 710b) are displayed. That is, these interfaces 710a and 710b are interfaces capable of accepting instructions regarding whether a function to switch from a currently connected access point to another access point should be performed. For example, the MFP 100 disables Agile Multiband when the user presses the Disable button 710b. This means that even if a connection destination change request is received from the currently connected AP, the MFP 100 does not issue a response confirming the switch.For example, disabling Agile Multiband can keep the energy consumption of the MFP 100 low.

[0085] The Switch Message Setting Section 711 is a setting element for configuring whether a status message is sent when the MFP 100 switches the connection target AP. An interface capable of accepting an instruction to send a status message when the AP switches (a "Message" button 711a) and an interface capable of accepting an instruction not to send a message (a "Do Not Message" button 711b) are displayed in Switch Message Setting Section 711. For example, if the user presses the "Do Not Message" button 711b, the MFP 100 will execute a control to not send a status message, even if the connection target AP switches. The settings for setting elements 708 to 711, which were subsequently assumed to be the user's interface elements in Fig. Pressing button 7B will apply the settings when the OK button 712 is pressed. As a result, the MFP 100 can operate according to the settings. The processing performed by the MFP 100 when the OK button 712 is pressed by the user is described with reference to Fig. 9 described.

[0086] Although the present embodiment describes an example in which the interfaces for setting elements 704 to 711 are displayed on the detailed message screen in button format, the configuration is not limited to this. The display can, for example, be in a selection-based format, such as using option boxes, or can be implemented using another format, such as displaying via direct input.

[0087] Although the in Fig. 7A illustrated the initial screen and the one in Fig. 7B illustrated detailed message screens that have been described so far, as indicated on the console unit 220 of the MFP 100; however, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the MFP 100 can use Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication or the like via a remote UI function or the like to display the messages in the Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B illustrates screens on a display unit of an external device, such as the mobile device device 104. Even if the MFP 100 does not contain the console unit 220, the user can, for example, determine that the MFP 100's connection target AP has been switched by the screens shown in the Fig. 7A and Fig. The screens illustrated in section 7B are displayed on the external device's display unit in this manner. This also allows the user to make the switching settings described above.

[0088] Although the present embodiment describes an example where status message 701 is displayed on the console unit 220 of the MFP 100, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, status message 701 can be communicated via audio using a speaker unit (not shown) of the MFP 100, the speaker unit 424 of the mobile device unit 104, or the like. This allows the user to recognize that the connection target AP of the MFP 100 has switched, even if the user is not looking at the MFP 100. Status message 701 can also be communicated, for example, by printing a report using the print unit 222 of the MFP 100. Furthermore, the pre- and post-switch AP information and the like of the access points can be displayed on the [unclear text]. Fig. Figure 7B illustrates a detailed message screen as a report printed using the MFP 100's print unit 222. Even using such formats, the user can see that the MFP 100's connection target AP has been switched. AP switching processing by MFP 100

[0089] Next, an example of processing performed by the MFP 100 will be given with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 8 described. In this flowchart, the processing carried out by the MFP 100 is implemented by the CPU 212 reading various programs stored in a memory, such as the ROM 213, into the RAM 214 and executing these programs.

[0090] In the initial state of the Fig. In the illustrated process 8, it is assumed that the MFP 100 has established a connection with the AP101 in wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the AP101 are connected in wireless infrastructure mode, the AP101 receives information about whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. Here, it is assumed that the AP101 receives information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v, queries the MFP 100 for the radio wave strength, and issues a connection destination AP change request.

[0091] In step S801, CPU 212 determines whether a query (a measurement request) for the radio wave strength of the APs around MFP 100 has been received by AP101. This query is sent as a beacon frame request, a beacon report request, or similar. The radio wave strength query received and acknowledged in this step corresponds to the one sent by AP101 in step S601. Fig. 6 is sent. If the CPU 212 determines that the radio wave strength query was received (YES in step S801), the sequence proceeds to step S802. However, if the CPU 212 determines that a radio wave strength query was not received (NO in step S801), the sequence proceeds to step S806.

[0092] In step S802, the CPU 212 generates an AP search results list. As described in step S602 of Fig. As described in section 6, the CPU 212 searches specifically for the access points (APs) around the MFP 100 by measuring the radio wave strengths of the APs around the MFP 100 and generates a list of these radio wave strengths. That is, the AP search results list is a list of the radio wave strengths of the APs.

[0093] In step S803, the CPU 212 determines whether an access point (AP) with toggling disabled is present in the AP search results list. If the CPU 212 determines that an AP with toggling disabled is present in the AP search results list (YES in step S803), the sequence proceeds to step S804. However, if the CPU 212 determines that an AP with toggling disabled is not present in the AP search results list (NO in step S803), the sequence proceeds to step S805. Specifically, the CPU 212 refers to the AP radio wave strength list generated in step S802 and determines whether there is an AP with toggling settings disabled. Based on the user's disabling button 708b on the [unclear text] in [unclear text] Fig. When the detailed message screen illustrated in 7B is pressed, for example, the AP corresponding to the Disable button 708b can be stored in a memory such as ROM 213 or non-volatile memory 215 as an AP for which switching is disabled. The CPU 212 can read the information about the APs for which the switching settings stored in memory are disabled and then perform the determination described above.

[0094] In step S804, the CPU 212 deletes the AP for which switching is disabled from the AP search results list. Specifically, the CPU 212 deletes the AP for which the switching settings determined in step S803 are disabled from the list of radio wave strengths generated in step S802.

[0095] In step S805, the CPU 212 sends the AP search result list generated in step S802, or the AP search result list from which the AP for which switching is disabled was deleted in step S804, to AP101 as a beacon report.

[0096] In step S806, CPU 212 determines whether a connection target AP change request sent by AP101 has been received. This change request corresponds to the one sent by AP101 in step S605. Fig. 6. If CPU 212 determines that the change request was received (YES in step S806), the sequence proceeds to step S807. However, if CPU 212 determines that the change request was not received (NO in step S806), the sequence ends. Fig. 8.

[0097] In step S807, CPU 212 determines whether the switchover target AP included in the received connection target AP change request is an AP for which switchover settings are enabled. If CPU 212 determines that the AP is an AP for which switchover settings are enabled (YES in step S807), the sequence proceeds to step S809. However, if CPU 212 determines that the AP is not an AP for which switchover is enabled (NO in step S806), the sequence proceeds to step S808. For example, if the Enable button 708a is pressed by the user on the Fig. When the detailed message screen illustrated in Figure 7B is pressed, the CPU 212 can store the AP corresponding to the Enable button 208a in memory, such as the ROM 213 or the non-volatile memory 215, as an AP for which switching is enabled. For example, the CPU 212 can read the information of the AP for which switching settings are enabled from memory and determine whether the switching target AP included in the connection target AP change request is an AP for which switching settings are enabled.

[0098] In step S808, CPU 212 performs a control action such that the connection is not modified in response to the change request. Specifically, CPU 212 sends a response indicating that the change was rejected to AP101 responding to the change request, after which the sequence moves to step S911. This process is equivalent to sending the rejection response in step S606 of Fig. 6, and corresponds to the suppression processing described above in step 1. It is noted that in step S808, CPU 212 can perform a control such that it does not respond to the change request. That is, CPU 212 can perform a control to ignore the change request.

[0099] In step S809, CPU 212 sends a response to AP101 indicating that the connection target change request received from AP101 should be followed. Step S809 corresponds to the one in step S606 of Fig. 6 processing operations carried out.

[0100] In step S810, CPU 212 terminates the connection with AP101 and performs processing to connect to the connection target AP specified in the connection target change request. Step S810 is equivalent to the processing performed in steps S607, S608, and S609.

[0101] In step S811, CPU 212 determines whether a switchover message setting is enabled. If CPU 212 determines that the switchover message setting is enabled (YES in step S811), the sequence proceeds to step S812. However, if CPU 212 determines that the switchover message setting is not enabled (NO in step S811), the sequence ends. Fig. 8. The CPU 212 can, for example, store information regarding the toggle message setting. The CPU 212 can, for instance, store a setting indicating that the toggle message is enabled in a memory such as the ROM 213, the non-volatile memory 215, or the like, upon response to the user pressing the Notify button 211a on the [unclear text]. Fig. The detailed message screen illustrated in 7B is pressed. The CPU 212 can read the information stored in memory about the toggle message setting and then perform the determination described above. Meanwhile, if the user presses the Do Not Notify button 211b on the screen shown in Fig. When button 7B, which illustrated the detailed message screen, was pressed, the CPU 212 determines that the toggle message setting is not enabled.

[0102] In step S812, the CPU 212 performs processing to display the switching message. This processing to display the switching message will be described later with reference to... Fig. 9 described. After processing to display the switching message, the CPU 212 terminates the sequence of Fig. 8. AP switchover notification

[0103] The flowchart in Fig. Figure 9 illustrates an example of the switching message processing performed by the MFP 100 (step S812). In this flowchart, the processing performed by the MFP 100 is implemented by the CPU 212 reading various programs stored in a memory, such as the ROM 213, into the RAM 214 and executing these programs.

[0104] In step S901, the CPU 212 displays a status message on the console unit 220. Specifically, the CPU 212 controls the status message display section that appears on the MFP 100's home screen on the console unit 220. That is, the CPU 212 displays status message 701, which indicates that the connection target AP has been switched, as well as the OK button 702 and the Details button 703.

[0105] Although the present embodiment describes an example where the status message request section 700 is displayed on the initial screen, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 212 can display the message indicating that the connection target AP has been switched on the main screen of the console unit 220 as a pop-up screen or similar.

[0106] If the MFP 100 has entered a power-saving state and the startup screen is not displayed on console unit 220, CPU 212 in step S901 can also control the MFP 100 to enter a power state in which the startup screen can be displayed on console unit 220. This makes it easier for the user to recognize that the MFP 100's connection target AP has been switched.

[0107] In step S902, CPU 212 determines whether a predetermined time period has elapsed since the status message display section appeared on console unit 220 in step S901. CPU 212 measures the time since the status message display section appeared on console unit 220 while processing step S901. If CPU 212 determines that the predetermined time period has expired (YES in step S902), the sequence proceeds to step S912. However, if CPU 212 determines that the predetermined time period has not expired (NO in step S902), the sequence proceeds to step S903.

[0108] In step S903, the CPU 212 determines a user operation on the console unit 220, which is performed in the status message display section 700 shown in step S901. The CPU 212 monitors user operations on the console unit 220, and if the CPU 212 determines that the OK button 702 was pressed ("OK button" in step S903), the sequence proceeds to step S912. Or if the CPU 212 determines that the Details button 703 was pressed ("Details button" in step S903), the sequence proceeds to step S904. Or if the CPU 212 determines that no operation was performed ("no operation" in step S903), the sequence proceeds to step S902.

[0109] In step S904, the CPU 212 displays the detailed message screen on the console unit 220. The CPU 212 displays the in Fig. 7B illustrated the detailed message screen on the console unit 220, for example, by responding to the user pressing the Details button 703. That is, the CPU 212 can perform a display control to switch the display screen from the home screen to the detailed message screen, a display control to display the detailed message screen as a pop-up, or a display control to display the detailed message screen on the home screen.

[0110] In step S905, the CPU 212 determines a user operation on the console unit 220, which is performed on the detailed message screen displayed in step S904. The CPU 212 specifically monitors user operations on the console unit 220 while processing step S904. If the CPU 212 determines that the OK button 212 has been pressed (YES in step S905), the sequence proceeds to step S906. Alternatively, if the CPU 212 determines that the OK button 712 has not been pressed (NO in step S905), step S905 is repeated.

[0111] In step S906, the CPU 212 executes a display control to stop the display of the detailed message screen ( Fig. 7B). That is, the CPU 212 performs a display control to hide the detailed message screen. Furthermore, when processing step S906, the CPU 212 stores all user operations on the detailed message screen in response to the OK button 712 being operated on the detailed message screen. For example, the CPU 212 stores the instruction accepted via the operations of each button on the detailed message screen.

[0112] In step S907, the CPU 212 updates the toggle notification settings. Specifically, if, for example, the user presses the Notify button 711a on the detailed notification screen displayed in step S904, the CPU 212 saves the toggle notification setting as enabled in memory such as non-volatile memory 215, RAM 214, or the like. However, if the Do Not Notify button 711b is pressed, the CPU 212 saves the toggle notification as disabled in memory such as non-volatile memory 215, RAM 214, or the like.

[0113] In step S908, the CPU 212 updates the toggling settings for each AP. For example, if the Enable button 708a was pressed by the user on the detailed message screen displayed in step S904, the CPU 212 specifically stores the APs (706 to 708) corresponding to the Enable button 708a, indicating that toggling is enabled for them, in a memory such as non-volatile memory 215, RAM 214, or the like. However, if the Disable button 708b was pressed by the user, the CPU 212 stores the APs (705 to 707) corresponding to the Disable button 708b, indicating that toggling is disabled for them, in a memory such as non-volatile memory 215, RAM 214, or the like.

[0114] In step S909, the CPU 212 updates the Agile Multiband Switching settings. For example, if the Enable button 710a was pressed by the user on the detailed message screen displayed in step S904, the CPU 212 saves Agile Multiband Switching as set to enabled in a memory location such as non-volatile memory 215, RAM 214, or the like. However, if the Disable button 710b was pressed by the user, the CPU 212 saves Agile Multiband Switching as set to disabled in a memory location such as non-volatile memory 215, RAM 214, or the like.

[0115] In step S910, the CPU 212 determines whether to connect to the pre-switch AP or whether the post-switch AP is configured as having switching disabled. Specifically, if the user pressed the Connect button 709b to connect to the pre-switch AP on the detailed message screen displayed on console unit 220 in step S904, the CPU 212 moves the sequence to step S911. The CPU 212 also considers the switching settings updated in step S907, and if the switching settings for the post-switch AP are disabled, the sequence proceeds to step S911. Conversely, if the user pressed the Confirm button 709a and the switching settings for the post-switch AP are enabled, the CPU 212 moves the sequence to step S912.

[0116] In step S911, CPU 212 connects to the pre-switch AP. Specifically, CPU 212 terminates the connection with the post-switch AP and reconnects to the pre-switch AP.

[0117] In step S912, the CPU 212 stops displaying the status message display section shown on the initial screen. That is, the CPU 212 executes a display control to switch the display on console unit 220 from the one shown in Fig. 7A illustrated screen in the in Fig. 3A illustrated screen through.

[0118] According to the present embodiment, as described so far, when the MFP 100's connection target AP is switched by the Agile Multiband function, a message is sent indicating that the connection target AP has been switched. The user can therefore see that the MFP 100's connection target AP has been switched. This improves usability when the STA switches the connection target AP.

[0119] Although the present invention describes an example in which the CPU 212 proceeds to step S807 when the connection target change request was received in step S806, the configuration is not limited thereto.

[0120] Below is another example of the case in which the CPU 212 determined that a link target change request was received in step S806.

[0121] If a connection target change request was received in step S806, CPU 212 can, for example, determine whether the Agile Multiband setting is enabled before proceeding to process step S807. If it is determined that the Agile Multiband setting is enabled, CPU 212 can move the sequence to step S807, whereas if it is determined that the Agile Multiband setting is not enabled, CPU 212 can move the sequence to step S808. Specifically, if the Enable button 710a is pressed by the user on the [unclear text] Fig. If the detailed message screen illustrated in 7B is pressed, the CPU 212 can determine that the Agile Multiband setting is enabled. Conversely, if the user presses the Disable button 710b on the screen shown in Fig. When button 7B, which illustrated the detailed message screen, was pressed, the CPU 212 can determine that the Agile Multiband setting is not enabled.

[0122] If step S806 determines that a connection target change request has been received, CPU 212 can, for example, also determine whether a setting was made on the verbose message screen before moving to the processing of step S807. If it determines that no setting was made on the verbose message screen, CPU 212 can move the sequence to step S807, whereas if it determines that a setting was made on the verbose message screen, CPU 212 can move the sequence to step S808. This is particularly relevant if the Fig. When the processing described in step 9 (for example, steps S904 to S911) is executed, CPU 212 can determine that a setting has been changed on the detailed message screen. However, if the processing described in Fig. If the processing described in step 9 (for example, steps S904 to S910) is not executed, CPU 212 can determine that no setting has been made on the verbose message screen. This means that if a new connection target change request is received from the currently connected AP while the process is in progress, the CPU 212 will not be able to determine that no setting has been made on the verbose message screen. Fig. When the detailed message screen illustrated in section 7B is displayed, the CPU 212 can perform a response with a rejection. This makes it possible to reliably execute the Agile Multiband settings made by the user.

[0123] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to these specific embodiments, and all modifications that do not deviate from the basic concept of the invention are to be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are merely examples of the present invention, and different embodiments may be combined as desired.

[0124] Although the preceding embodiments describe a case in which the present invention is applied to an MFP as an example, the invention is not limited to this example and can be applied to any wireless device that (i) is connected to an AP and operates as a STA, and (ii) is an electronic device in which security settings can be performed. That is to say, the present invention can be applied to personal computers, PDAs, tablet devices, mobile devices such as smartphones, music players, game consoles, e-book readers, smartwatches, various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as thermometers and hygrometers, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, network cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones.The present invention can also be applied to video output devices, audio output devices (for example, smart speakers), streaming media playback devices, wireless LAN client devices (adapters) to which USB ports, LAN cable connections, or the like can be connected, and the like. Video output devices include, for example, a device that implements streaming playback, implements a mirrored display (a display in which content shown on the electronic device is also shown on the display device), or the like, by receiving 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 via a video output port, such as HDMI (registered trademark).The video output device also includes a media playback device, such as a television, hard disk recorder, Blu-ray recorder, DVD recorder, or the like, as well as a head-mounted display, projector, television, display device (monitor), signage device, or the like. The present invention can also be applied to a device that can connect via Wi-Fi, or what is known as "smart home technology," such as an air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, stove, microwave oven, light fixture, heater, cooling device, or the like. Further examples of implementation

[0125] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer of a system or device which reads and executes computer-executable instructions (for example, one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-volatile computer-readable storage medium") for performing the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above, and / or which contains one or more circuits (for example, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above.and are implemented by a method carried out by the computer of the system or device, for example, by reading and executing the computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above and / or by controlling one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above. The computer may comprise one or more processors (for example, a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessing unit (MPU)),and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors for reading and executing the computer's executable instructions. The computer's 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 the following: a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), distributed computing system memory, an optical disc (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

[0126] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is evident that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The scope of protection of the following claims is to be interpreted in the broadest possible way to include such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 2021-175068 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Electronic device with a receiving device configured to receive, from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, a change request of an access point serving as a connection destination from the first access point to a second access point, a control device configured to perform control for changing the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request received by the receiving device, and a notification device configured to notify 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 display control means arranged to perform control for displaying the notification made by said notification means on a predetermined screen. [3] The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification indicates that the connection destination has been changed to the second access point having a better communication environment than the first access point. [4] The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the display control means is arranged to perform control to display (i) identification information of the first access point and the second access point and / or (ii) information about the communication environment as information about the notification. [5] The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the information about the communication environment is information indicating a radio wave strength, information indicating a communication band, and / or information indicating a congestion state. [6] The electronic device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the identification information is information indicating a Service Set Identifier, SSID, and / or information indicating a Media Access Control, MAC, address. [7] Electronic device according to one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a setting device configured to set whether the display control device should display the message, wherein, in a case where the setting means sets that the notification is not to be displayed, the display control means is arranged to perform control such that the notification is not displayed even if the connection destination is changed based on the change request. [8] The electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the display control means is arranged to perform control for not displaying the message based on the lapse of a predetermined period of time or a predetermined operation performed by a user. [9] The electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein, when the notification is displayed, the control means is arranged to perform control such that the connection is not changed based on the change request even if the change request is received. [10] Electronic device according to one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the display control means is configured to perform, based on the message displayed, control for displaying a first interface capable of accepting an instruction to reset the connection destination from the second access point to which the connection was changed to the first access point before the connection was changed, and in a case where the instruction is accepted via the first interface, the control device is arranged to perform a control for changing the connection destination from the second access point to the first access point. [11] Electronic device according to one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the display control means is configured to perform a control for displaying a second interface capable of accepting an instruction as to whether a change is to be made from the currently connected access point to another access point, and in a case where an instruction not to make a change from the currently connected access point to the other access point is accepted via the second interface, the control device is arranged to perform a control such that the connection is not changed based on the change request. [12] The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein, in a case where an instruction not to make a change from the currently connected access point to the other access point is accepted via the second interface, even if the change request is received, the control means is arranged to perform control to send to the currently connected access point a response to the change request indicating that the change is rejected, and is arranged to perform control such that the connection is not changed based on the change request. [13] The electronic device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the instruction as to whether to perform a change from the currently connected access point to the other access point is an instruction as to whether to perform a function for switching from the currently connected access point to the other access point based on the change request. [14] The electronic device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the second interface is an interface capable of accepting an instruction as to whether the function is to be performed for each of access points capable of connecting to the electronic device. [15] The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the electronic device is connected to access points and performs processing according to an IEEE 802.11ax standard. [16] The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the electronic device is capable of performing Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) processing and / or Target Wake Time (TWT) processing. [17] The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the electronic device can change the connection destination to an access point using a 6 GHz band by changing the connection destination based on the change request. [18] The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising printing means for printing an image on a printing medium. [19] A method for controlling an electronic device, the method comprising receiving a change request from a first access point to which the electronic device is currently connected, for changing a connection destination from the first access point to a second access point, Performing control for changing the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request received, 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. [20] Computer-readable storage medium storing a program configured to cause a computer: to receive from a first access point to which an electronic device is currently connected a change request to change a connection destination from the first access point to a second access point, perform control for changing the connection destination from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request that is received, and 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.

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