Program, communication device, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To reduce time and effort for a user when failing to establish a connection via an external access point between an information processing apparatus and a communication device.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer of an information processing apparatus communicating with a communication device to function as respective means below. First establishment means establishes, between the communication device and the information processing apparatus between which a radio connection setting mode is started, a temporary first connection between the communication device and the information processing apparatus not via an external access point. Provision means provides the communication device with identification information for identifying the external access point to which the information processing apparatus can be connected by using the first connection. Second establishment means tries to establish a second connection between the communication device and the information processing apparatus via the external access point identified according to the identification information provided to the communication device. Instruction means transmits, to the communication device, an instruction to start the setting mode when establishment of the second connection fails before the establishment means tries to establish the second connection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a communication device, and an information processing device.

Background Art

[0002] As a method of connecting between devices, a wireless infrastructure connection (hereinafter referred to as a wireless infra connection) that connects via an external access point is known, but the establishment of a wireless infra connection may fail due to various factors. In Patent Document 1, when it is determined that communication via an external device between a communication device and an information processing device is not possible, at least one of the communication error that causes the communication to be not possible and a method for resolving the communication error is disclosed to be notified to the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the establishment of a wireless infra connection fails, the user may need to manually operate the communication device or refer to a manual or the like. From the perspective of improving user convenience, it is desirable to reduce the user's effort in the reconnection process when the establishment of a wireless infra connection fails.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for reducing the user's effort when the establishment of a connection via an external access point between an information processing device and a communication device fails.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, The computer of the information processing device that communicates with the communication device, A first establishment means for establishing a temporary first connection between the communication device and the information processing device, which have entered a wireless connection setup mode, without going through an external access point of the communication device and the information processing device. Providing means for providing the communication device with identification information for identifying the external access point to which the information processing device can connect, using the first connection described above. A second establishment means for attempting to establish a second connection between the communication device and the information processing device via the external access point identified by the identification information provided to the communication device, Command means for transmitting a command to the communication device to start the setting mode if the establishment of the second connection fails, before the establishment means attempts to establish the second connection. A program is provided to enable each of these means to function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the user's effort can be reduced when establishing a connection between the information processing device and the communication device via an external access point fails. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating a system configuration according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication system including the hardware configuration of a PC and a printer according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating processing examples for the CPUs of a PC and a printer. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating an example of how a PC's CPU processes data. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an example of how a printer's CPU processes data. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of the screens that will be displayed. [Figure 7](a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of the screens that will be displayed. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of an automatic connection process failure list. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] The following describes the process between a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC), which is an example of an information processing device, and a printer, which is an example of a communication device. When establishing a wireless infrastructure connection between a PC and a printer, the following method can be considered. First, the PC establishes a temporary connection with the printer, which is in wireless setting mode (a setting mode for establishing a wireless infrastructure connection), without going through an external access point (hereinafter referred to as AP). Then, the PC sends information to the printer about the AP to which the printer should connect when the wireless infrastructure connection is established, via this temporary connection. The printer connects to the target AP based on the received information.

[0011] In detail, the PC obtains a list of access points (APs) that the printer can connect to from the printer, automatically determines if the AP that the PC was connected to is included in the list, and if so, sends information about that AP to the printer. The printer then uses the received information to connect to the target AP. Information about the AP includes the AP's identification information (such as the SSID (Service Set Identifier)) and authentication information used in the AP's authentication process (such as a password).

[0012] In this case, for example, if the printer fails to connect to the access point (AP), the PC could prompt the user to either switch back to wireless setup mode by directly operating the printer or to perform the connection operation to the AP.

[0013] However, such operations can be cumbersome for the user. Furthermore, directly operating the printer may prevent the user from switching back to wireless setup mode or connecting to an access point (AP). For example, with printers that start in a special mode for initial setup upon arrival when the user first powers them on, it may be difficult to configure the printer directly. Consider a scenario where a wireless infrastructure connection is established between the PC and the printer before the user completes the initial setup required upon purchase. The PC continuously retrieves status information from the connected printer and guides the user through the setup process based on the printer's status. In this case, since the printer is in an incomplete initial setup state, if the printer fails to connect to the AP, the user must complete all necessary initial setup by referring to the manual. However, manual guidance is not only cumbersome for the user, but some users may skip necessary steps or perform incorrect operations. Therefore, it is desirable that even if the printer fails to connect to the AP, the wireless setup of the printer can be attempted again without requiring user intervention. Thus, in this embodiment, when the PC establishes a temporary connection with the printer, it sends a command to the printer to switch back to wireless setup mode depending on certain conditions. If the printer fails to establish a wireless infrastructure connection with the PC, it will revert to wireless setup mode. This allows the user to continue the connection operation between the PC and the printer without needing to operate the printer, thus improving convenience. The specific configuration of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0014] <System Configuration> Figures 1(a) to 1(c) illustrate a system configuration according to one embodiment. Figure 1(a) shows a state where PC101 and AP102 are connected via wireless LAN. Printer 103 is also connected to AP102. In other words, PC101 is able to communicate with printer 103 via AP102, and a wireless infrastructure connection is established. With a wireless infrastructure connection, PC101 can build a network environment in which it can communicate with multiple devices.

[0015] On the one hand, the PC 101 and the printer 103 can also establish a Peer to Peer connection (hereinafter referred to as P2P connection) through a wireless direct connection. However, while the wireless direct connection is established, since both the PC 101 and the printer 103 are using the wireless LAN interfaces 211 and 256 (see FIG. 2) for the wireless direct connection, they cannot communicate with devices other than each other's devices. Therefore, the wireless direct connection is often used as a temporary connection. Here, as an example of the connection between the PC 101 and the printer 103 without passing through these external APs (direct connection), a connection mode is illustrated in which the printer 103 operates as an access point (parent device) and the PC 101 operates as a station (child device). However, a direct connection may be established between the PC 101 and the printer 103 by other known methods or forms. For example, a direct connection may be established between the PC 101 and the printer 103 by the Ad-hoc method. In this embodiment, the wireless setting mode is a mode in which the printer 103 operates as an access point for establishing a wireless direct connection or communicating through the established connection, and the SSID of the access point is a unique SSID described later. Also, in the wireless setting mode, it is assumed that the printer 103 cannot execute some functions such as printing and scanning. Also, the printer 103 may operate in a mode different from the wireless setting mode and in another direct connection mode for direct connection. Even in the other direct connection mode, the printer 103 operates as an access point, but the SSID and password of the access point may be arbitrarily set by the user. Also, in the other direct connection mode, functions such as printing and scanning may also be executable. Also, a print job or the like may be received by the printer 103 through the connection between the printer 103 operating in the other mode and the PC 101.

[0016] As will be described in detail later, the PC 101 performs a process of starting the wireless setting mode and connecting the printer 103 operating in the wireless setting mode to the AP 102 via a wireless LAN connection. To this end, the PC 101 transmits wireless network connection setting information to the printer 103 operating in the wireless setting mode using a temporary wireless direct connection, thereby connecting the printer 103 to the AP 102. Note that FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c) will be described later. The PC 101 may execute processes other than the process of connecting the printer 103 to the AP 102 through communication with the printer 103 operating in the wireless setting mode. For example, the PC 101 may use a temporary wireless direct connection to obtain connection information (such as an SSID and a password) for connecting to the printer 103 operating in another direct connection mode from the printer 103 operating in the wireless setting mode. Further, a command for starting operation in another direct connection mode may be transmitted to the printer 103 operating in the wireless setting mode. Thereby, a direct connection between the printer 103 operating in another direct connection mode and the PC 101 may be established.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication system including the hardware configurations of the PC 101 and the printer 103 according to an embodiment.

[0018] <Configuration of PC101> The PC 101 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 206, an external storage device 207, a display device 208, an input interface 209, a USB interface 205, a wired LAN interface 210, and a wireless LAN interface 211. Note that the PC 101 may not include some components such as the USB interface 205 and the wired LAN interface 210.

[0019] The CPU 201 reads out and executes the program 203 stored in the ROM 202 to realize various processes. The RAM 206 functions as a working memory for the CPU 201.

[0020] ROM202 stores programs executed by CPU201 and various other information. For example, ROM202 stores programs 203 and wireless profiles 204, which correspond to various processes, including a program for wireless network setup processing (details will be described later) for instructing printer 103 to configure the wireless network.

[0021] The wireless profile 204 contains information such as specific information (SSID, etc.) of the AP102 connected via the wireless LAN interface 211, and authentication information (password, etc.) used in the authentication process. The wireless profile 204 is stored and managed by the CPU 201 when it executes the OS contained in the external storage device 207. In other words, the external storage device 207 functions as a storage unit in the PC 101 that stores various information such as the wireless profile 204.

[0022] Furthermore, when a program (such as an application) for wireless network configuration processing is installed on PC101, the unique SSID that is uniquely set for printer 103 is also stored in ROM202. Here, the unique SSID for printer 103 is the SSID that printer 103 transmits along with the beacon information it emits for temporary connection. It is also assumed that the unique SSID cannot be arbitrarily changed by the user.

[0023] Furthermore, the external storage device 207 stores the Operating System (hereinafter referred to as the OS), printer drivers, and various other data.

[0024] PC101 can communicate with printer 103 via P2P communication through USB cable 221 via USB interface 205, or via wireless direct connection 224 via wireless LAN interface 211. PC101 can also connect to LAN 222 via Ethernet cable 225, and if printer 103 can also connect to LAN 222, PC101 and printer 103 can communicate with each other on the same LAN 222 environment. Furthermore, PC101 can connect to AP102 via wireless infrastructure connection, and AP102 can connect to LAN 222 via Ethernet cable 226, allowing PC101 to connect to LAN 222.

[0025] <Configuration of Printer 103> The printer 103 includes a USB interface 251, a CPU 252, a ROM 253, a wireless LAN interface 256, RAM 257, a display device 258, an input interface 259, and a printing unit 260.

[0026] The CPU 252 performs various processes by reading programs stored in the ROM 253 into the RAM 257 and executing them. The RAM 257 functions as the working memory for the CPU 252.

[0027] ROM253 stores the program 254 executed by CPU252 and various other information. The information stored in ROM253 includes the wireless profile 255. Here, the wireless profile 255 is information that includes settings such as specific information (SSID, etc.) and authentication information (password, etc.) of AP102 connected via the wireless LAN interface 256. The wireless profile 255 is stored and managed by CPU252 executing program 254 contained in ROM253.

[0028] Furthermore, ROM253 also stores the SSID unique to the printer 103 mentioned above. This unique SSID is uniquely determined for each printer manufacturer and model of printer 103, and the printer 103's wireless LAN interface 256 can operate as an AP identified by this unique SSID. Therefore, PC101 can connect directly to printer 103 operating as an AP, just as it can connect to printer 103 via AP102.

[0029] Printer 103 can communicate with PC 101 via P2P communication through a USB cable 221 using a USB interface 251, or via a wireless direct connection 224 using a wireless LAN interface 256. Furthermore, printer 103 can connect to AP 102 via a wireless infrastructure connection, and when AP 102 connects to LAN 222 via an Ethernet cable 226, printer 103 can connect to LAN 222. Note that printer 103 may not include some components such as the USB interface 251.

[0030] In the explanation of Figure 2, the processing responsibilities of PC101 and printer103 were described above as an example, but other processing responsibilities may also be used.

[0031] <Example of processing> Figures 3 to 5 illustrate examples of processing performed by CPU 201 and CPU 252. Specifically, the process for configuring the wireless settings of printer 103 (settings for establishing a wireless infrastructure connection) and the process for continuing the wireless settings if the wireless settings fail are described. More specifically, the process for continuing the wireless infrastructure connection establishment process according to the cause of the wireless settings failure is described.

[0032] In the following, the connection method in which PC101 and printer 103 establish a temporary direct connection (S305) and PC101 instructs printer 103 to configure wireless settings (S311) will be referred to as the automatic connection process.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the printer executes the wireless settings instructed by the PC 101 according to an embodiment. The processing by the PC 101 is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program 203 stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 206 and executing it. The processing by the printer 103 is realized by the CPU 252 reading the program 254 stored in the ROM 253 into the RAM 257 and executing it. Here, it is assumed that the PC 101 is already connected to the external AP 102, and the SSID and password of the AP 102 are stored in the wireless profile 204. FIG. 1(b) shows the system configuration at this time.

[0034] <Example of PC101's Processing> First, the processing of the CPU 201 of the PC 101 will be described. In S301, the CPU 201 causes the display device 208 to display a predetermined screen by a program (such as an application) of network setting processing included in the program 203. When the user gives a predetermined instruction for connecting the PC 101 to the printer on that screen, the CPU 201 starts the subsequent processing (wireless setting instruction processing) for the wireless setting instruction.

[0035] In S302, the CPU 201 disconnects the wireless connection with the AP 102. This is to establish a wireless direct connection between the PC 101 and the printer 103.

[0036] In S303, the CPU 201 searches for the printer 103 that is in the wireless setting mode. This is to detect the printer 103 capable of establishing a temporary wireless direct connection. In S304, if the CPU 201 can detect the printer 103 by the processing of S303, it proceeds to S305; otherwise, it proceeds to S319. Specifically, the CPU 201 executes a detection process for an AP corresponding to the SSID unique to the printer 103 and determines whether the detection is successful.

[0037] In S305, the CPU 201 causes the wireless LAN interface 211 to establish a direct wireless connection (P2P connection) with the printer 103. Specifically, the CPU 201 connects the wireless LAN interface 211 to the AP with an SSID unique to the printer 103. In other words, the CPU 201 connects the wireless LAN interface 211 to the wireless LAN interface 256, which functions as an AP inside the printer 103.

[0038] In S306, CPU201 requests information from printer103 and receives the SSID list upon receiving a response from printer103. This SSID list is a list of SSIDs of nearby APs that printer103 has searched for and obtained beacon information from. More details will be described later. Also in S306, CPU201 receives identification information of printer103 (such as its MAC address) from printer103.

[0039] In S307, CPU201 refers to the wireless profile 204 stored in PC101 (ROM202). Here, CPU201 obtains the wireless profile that includes the SSID of AP102, to which PC101 was connected at the start of the process shown in Figure 3, and which was disconnected wirelessly in S302.

[0040] In S308, CPU201 checks whether the SSID of AP102 obtained in S307 is included in the SSID list obtained in S306. In S309, if the CPU201 confirms in S308 that the SSID of AP102 obtained in S307 is included in the SSID list, it proceeds to S310; otherwise, it proceeds to S319. Steps S308 to S309 can be said to be the process of detecting AP102, which the printer 103 disconnected from PC101 in S302, and determining whether the printer 103 and AP102 are in a state where they can connect. In this embodiment, AP102, which disconnected from PC101 in S302, is sometimes referred to as the AP102 that the printer 103 is connected to.

[0041] In S310, CPU201 checks if there is a history of failures in the automatic connection process. If there is a history of failures, it proceeds to S319; otherwise, it proceeds to S311. CPU201 refers to the automatic connection process failure list (see Figure 8) and determines whether there is a history of failures in wireless setup between printer 103 and target AP102.

[0042] In S311, the CPU201 sends a wireless setup command, a command to revert to wireless setup mode if wireless setup fails, and identification information for PC101 (such as MAC address) to the printer103. The wireless setup command includes the wireless profile information (including SSID and password) of the AP102 to be connected to. In other words, here the CPU201 provides the printer103 with identification information to identify the external AP that PC101 can connect to. Furthermore, the command to revert to wireless setup mode if wireless setup fails will be referred to as the remode-in command below. Note that although these commands and information are sent to the printer103 in a single step here, they may be divided into multiple steps. Also, for example, the identification information for PC101 may be sent when a wireless direct connection is established between PC101 and printer103.

[0043] In S312, CPU201 disconnects the wireless direct connection with printer 103 and reconnects with AP102. Then, in S313, CPU201 deletes any wireless profiles that were temporarily left behind by the wireless direct connection. This step is performed to prevent unintended wireless profiles from remaining.

[0044] In S314, CPU201 searches for printer 103 via infrastructure connection through AP102. Specifically, CPU201 receives identification information (such as MAC address) from devices connected to AP102. Then, CPU201 determines whether the received identification information contains identification information that matches the identification information obtained from printer 103 in S306. This allows confirmation that printer 103 is connected to AP102.

[0045] In S315, if CPU201 determines that printer 103 has been detected through the search in S314, it proceeds to S316; otherwise, it proceeds to S318.

[0046] In S316, the CPU 201 displays a setup success screen 601 on the display device 208, as shown in Figure 6(a). When the user selects the "Next" button 602 on the setup success screen 601, the CPU 201 terminates the wireless setup instruction process (S317). Alternatively, the CPU 201 may connect the PC 101 and the printer 103 via the AP 102 when it determines in S315 that the printer 103 has been detected. Or, the CPU 201 may connect the PC 101 and the printer 103 via the AP 102 when it detects that the "Next" button 602 has been pressed.

[0047] In S318, CPU201 determines whether the connection process between PC101 and printer103 failed during the automatic connection process. If CPU201 determines in S318 that the connection process between PC101 and printer103 failed during the automatic connection process, it proceeds to S319; otherwise, it proceeds to S320. Examples of cases where CPU201 determines that the connection process between PC101 and printer103 did not fail during the automatic connection process include failures in the connection process using the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) PBC (Push Button Configuration) method.

[0048] Here, WPS is a wireless setup standard established in January 2007 by the Wi-Fi Alliance, an industry group related to wireless LANs. In the WPS PBC method, when the user presses a button on the device and AP, the device and AP automatically switch to WPS mode. Once the device and AP recognize each other in WPS mode, they communicate the information necessary for connection. This enables the device and AP to connect.

[0049] In S320, the CPU 201 displays a setting failure screen 611, as shown in Figure 6(b), on the display device 208 as an error message. That is, the CPU 201 controls the display on the display device 208. Then, based on the user's selection via the "Next" button 612 on the setting failure screen 611, the CPU 201 terminates the wireless setting instruction process (S317). For example, if the connection process using the WPS PBC method fails (S318: No), it is determined that the connection process cannot be continued, and the setting failure screen 611 is displayed.

[0050] On the other hand, if the process proceeds from S304, S309, S310, or S318 to S319, the CPU 201 performs a connection process that can be continued depending on the cause of the failure of the automatic connection process. In this embodiment, this process will be referred to as the connection continuation process.

[0051] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by CPU 201, illustrating a specific example of the connection continuation process (S319) shown in Figure 3.

[0052] In S402, if the CPU 201 determines that it has failed to detect the printer 103 which is in wireless setting mode (S304: No → S319), it determines that it is impossible to establish a temporary connection between the PC 101 and the printer 103, and that it is difficult to establish a wireless infrastructure connection through the automatic connection process. Therefore, the CPU 201 proceeds to S412 to reconnect to the target AP 102 and terminates the connection continuation process (S413). In this case, the CPU 201 proceeds to S320 in Figure 3, displays the setting failure screen 611 on the display device 208, and terminates the flowchart in Figure 3. On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that it has not failed to detect the printer 103 which is in wireless setting mode, it proceeds to S403.

[0053] In S403, if CPU201 determines that the SSID of the target AP102 is not included in the SSID list obtained from printer103 in S306 (S309: No → S319), it proceeds to S410 to switch the AP to which PC101 is connected and attempts to perform the automatic connection process again. On the other hand, if CPU201 determines that the SSID of the target AP102 is included in the SSID list obtained from printer103 in S306, it proceeds to S404.

[0054] Figure 1(c) shows a system configuration where there is another AP104, different from the target AP (in this case, AP102), which may be visible from both PC101 and printer103. In this case, it may be possible to establish a wireless infrastructure connection between PC101 and printer103 by switching PC101's connection destination to AP104 and performing the automatic connection process again.

[0055] Specifically, the CPU 201 displays a PC connection destination change screen 701 in S410, as shown in Figure 7(a), to accept the user's selection of whether to change the AP to which they are connected. The PC connection destination change screen 701 includes an SSID list 702, a password setting section 703, a WEP key selection section 704, a "Next" button 705, and a "Cancel" button 706. The SSID list 702 displays a list of SSIDs found by the OS stored in the PC's external storage device 207. The user selects the desired SSID from the SSID list 702 and enters the password (letters or numbers) set for the selected SSID into the password setting section 703. If the communication conducted via the SSID selected in the SSID list 702 is encrypted with WEP, the PC 101 activates the WEP key selection section 704 and prompts the user to select a WEP key. After that, when the user presses the "Next" button 705, the CPU 201 closes the PC connection destination change screen 701 displayed on the display device 208 and proceeds to S411.

[0056] In S411, if the CPU201 changes the AP to which the PC101 is connected (S411:Yes), it changes the AP to which the PC101 is connected to the AP identified by the SSID selected in S410, and stores that SSID and password as a wireless profile in the ROM202. After that, the CPU201 returns to the process in S302 and performs the automatic connection process again (S406, S321).

[0057] On the other hand, if the user presses the "Cancel" button 706 and the CPU 201 determines that the PC 101 will not change its connection destination (S411: No), the CPU 201 determines that automatic connection to the target AP is impossible, reconnects to the target AP (S412), and terminates the connection continuation process (S413). In this case, the CPU 201 returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 and performs display control in S320 to display the setting failure screen 611 on the display device 208.

[0058] In this embodiment, the SSID list 702 in Figure 7(a) displays the SSID list searched by the OS, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, only SSIDs that exist in both the SSID list searched by the OS and the SSID list obtained by S306 may be displayed. Also, in this embodiment, the user is prompted to operate the password setting unit 703 and the WEP key selection unit 704, but if the wireless profile information of the SSID selected from the SSID list 702 is stored in the ROM 202, that information may be used instead. Furthermore, the PC connection destination change screen 701 is presented as a list of SSIDs for the user to select from, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the user may only be guided to switch the connection destination AP of PC 101 from the OS settings.

[0059] In S404, if the CPU 201 determines that there is no history of failures in the automatic connection process of printer 103 to the target AP 102 (S315: No → S318: Yes → S319), it proceeds to S405 to create or add to the automatic connection process failure list. Figure 8 shows an example of the automatic connection process failure list, where the unique SSID of printer 103 that performed the automatic connection process and the SSID of AP 102 are associated and stored in the external storage device 207. The CPU 201 associates the SSIDs of the printer 103 and AP 102 that are currently the target and stores them in the list. In other words, the CPU 201 performs storage control to store the failure information, which is an association between the identification information of printer 103 and the identification information of AP 102, in the external storage device 207. After that, the CPU 201 returns to the process in S302 and performs the automatic connection process again (S406, S321).

[0060] On the other hand, if CPU201 determines in S404 that there is a history of failure in the automatic connection process (S310: Yes → S319), it considers that the automatic connection process to the target AP is unlikely to succeed and proceeds to S407.

[0061] In S407, the CPU 201 displays a guide for an alternative connection method. For example, as shown in Figure 7(b), the CPU 201 displays the WPS guidance screen 711 on the display device 208. Even if the automatic connection process has already failed once, it may still be possible to establish a wireless infrastructure connection between the PC 101 and the printer 103 using a connection method other than the automatic connection process. Therefore, the CPU 201 prompts the user to connect using an alternative method.

[0062] In S408, CPU201 accepts user input on the WPS guidance screen 711. If it attempts to connect PC101 and printer103 by another means, it proceeds to S409; otherwise, it proceeds to S410.

[0063] Returning to Figure 7(b), the WPS guidance screen 711 has a "Next" button 712, a "Cancel" button 713, and a connection target AP information display unit 714. The user follows the instructions on the WPS guidance screen 711 and performs a predetermined operation on the connection target AP to switch to WPS mode. Next, it is necessary to switch the printer 103 to WPS mode, but there are cases where the printer 103 cannot be switched to WPS mode by manual operation. Therefore, when the user presses the "Next" button 712 (Yes in S408), the CPU 201 sends a WPS mode transition instruction to the printer 103. Then, the CPU 201 executes the processes from S312 onwards in Figure 3 (S409, S322). After that, in S315, if the PC 101 determines that it has been able to detect the printer 103 connected to the connection target AP by the WPS PBC method processing, the PC 101 performs the process in S316 and terminates the wireless setting instruction process (S317).

[0064] On the other hand, if the user selects the "Cancel" button 713 on the WPS guidance screen 711, the CPU 201 determines that it will not perform the connection process using the WPS PBC method (S408: No) and proceeds to S410.

[0065] In this embodiment, if it is determined that the combination of the target AP and the unique SSID of the printer with which a P2P connection has been established by S305 is included in the automatic connection processing failure list, the next connection method guided to connection using the WPS PBC method. However, the guided connection method is not limited to this. For example, PC101 may communicate with printer103 using a P2P connection, display the wireless connection settings screen of printer103 on the display device 208 of PC101, and prompt the user for input. Also, even when using the PBC method, it is not limited to WPS, and technologies such as AOSS (Airstation One-touch Secure System) or Rakuraku Wireless Start may be used. Furthermore, although the target AP information display unit 714 displays the SSID as AP information, the AP information to be displayed is not limited to this. For example, other information indicating the target AP (such as MAC address) may be included. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the answer is Yes in S310 and No in S404, the guidance display in S407 is shown first, and if the answer is No in S408, the guidance display in S410 is shown. However, this order is not limited. In this case, the guidance display in S410 may be shown first, and if the answer is No in S411, the guidance display in S407 may be shown.

[0066] <Example of processing for printer 103> Referring again to Figure 3, the wireless setup process for printer 103 will be explained in detail. This flowchart starts based on the CPU 252 deciding to switch printer 103 to wireless setup mode. For example, if a user powers on printer 103 using the input interface 259, CPU 252 will decide to automatically switch to wireless setup mode if the necessary initial setup is not yet complete. In wireless setup mode, printer 103 operates the wireless LAN interface 256 as an AP identified by a unique SSID for printer 103. The wireless LAN interface 256, operating as an AP, is used temporarily when setting up the connection. The wireless LAN interface 256 operates as a low-security AP to allow connection between PC 101 and printer 103 without requiring user authentication information (such as a password). Therefore, the transition to wireless setup mode may be limited to specific conditions, such as the timing of power-on when the necessary initial setup is not yet complete, as described above. Note that other methods may also be used as conditions for transitioning to wireless setup mode. For example, the display device 258 or input interface 259 of the printer 103 may be configured such that the user can initiate a wireless setting mode by giving a predetermined instruction.

[0067] In S352, the CPU 252 of the printer 103 searches for nearby access points (APs) after power-on but before entering wireless setup mode, and creates an SSID list that includes the SSIDs of the detected APs.

[0068] In S353, CPU252 switches to wireless configuration mode. In S354, CPU252 checks whether there is an information retrieval request from PC101. In S355, if there is an information retrieval request, CPU252 proceeds to S356; otherwise, it proceeds to S357.

[0069] In S356, CPU252 transmits information to PC101 and returns to S354. Here, CPU252 transmits information via wireless LAN interface 256 using a wireless direct connection. Examples of information transmitted to PC101 include the SSID list created in S352 and the identification information of printer 103 (such as MAC address).

[0070] In S357, CPU252 checks whether it has received a wireless configuration instruction, a remode-in instruction, and identification information for PC101 (such as its MAC address) from PC101. In S358, if CPU252 determines that a wireless configuration instruction was received, it proceeds to S359; otherwise, it returns to S354. The wireless configuration instruction may include a wireless profile containing information such as the SSID of the target AP102.

[0071] In S359, CPU252 executes the connection process with the AP (AP102) specified by PC101. Specifically, CPU252 uses the SSID and password included in the wireless profile received from PC101 to execute the connection process to AP102.

[0072] In S360, CPU252 executes the connection and remode-in process. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the connection and remode-in process (S360).

[0073] In S502, CPU252 proceeds to S503 if it determines that it has successfully connected with the target AP, otherwise it proceeds to S506.

[0074] In S503, CPU252 performs a communication check with PC101. Specifically, when PC101 receives identification information from a device connected to the target AP in S314, it communicates with printer103. At this time, if the identification information of the communication partner matches the identification information of PC101 received in S357, CPU252 determines that a connection has been established with PC101.

[0075] In S504, if CPU252 determines, based on the results of the check in S503, that a connection has been established with PC101, it terminates the connection / remode-in execution process (S508) and terminates the wireless configuration process (S361). If CPU252 determines that a connection with PC101 could not be established, it proceeds to S505.

[0076] In S505, CPU252 determines whether the time elapsed since the initial execution of S503 is greater than a predetermined threshold time, thereby determining a timeout. If CPU252 determines that a timeout has occurred, it proceeds to S506; otherwise, it returns to S503. Here, the predetermined threshold time is set to, for example, a time statistically calculated to avoid causing stress to the user.

[0077] In S506, if CPU252 determines that it has not received a remode-in instruction in S357, it proceeds to S507; otherwise, it proceeds to S509.

[0078] In S507, CPU252 performs display control to display a connection failure error. CPU252 displays the error details on the printer 103's display device 258. Then, CPU252 finishes the connection / remode-in execution process (S508) and finishes the wireless setup process (S361).

[0079] On the other hand, if CPU 252 determines that it has received a remode-in instruction (Yes in S506), it starts executing the remode-in process (S509). Specifically, it returns to the process in S352 in Figure 3 to create the SSID list, and then restarts the wireless configuration mode in S353. This allows CPU 252 to execute the processing in wireless configuration mode again.

[0080] As described above, according to this embodiment, before attempting to establish a wireless infrastructure connection (S312-S316), the CPU 201 instructs the printer 103 to restart the wireless setting mode if the establishment fails (S311). Therefore, even if the connection settings for establishing a wireless infrastructure connection fail, it is possible to easily re-establish the connection between the PC 101 and the printer 103. Thus, the need for the user to manually configure the printer 103 when the establishment of a wireless infrastructure connection fails is reduced, thereby reducing the effort required of the user when establishing a wireless infrastructure connection. In addition, if the initial setup of the printer 103 is not yet complete, it may be difficult to configure the printer 103 by directly operating it, but even if the establishment of a wireless infrastructure connection fails, the process for establishing a wireless infrastructure connection can continue.

[0081] For example, in comparison to this embodiment, consider a scenario where PC101 does not send a command to printer103 to restart the wireless setup mode if it fails to establish a wireless infrastructure connection. In this case, if the wireless infrastructure connection fails to be established, at least one of PC101 or printer103 may display an error message indicating that the wireless infrastructure connection has failed to be established, or a message indicating how to resolve the issue. As a result, the user may have to go through the trouble of trying other connection methods based on such a message. On the other hand, in this embodiment, even if the wireless infrastructure connection is established once as described above, the wireless connection process of PC101 and printer103 continues. As a result, the user's effort until the wireless infrastructure connection is finally established between PC101 and printer103 can be reduced.

[0082] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if the CPU 201 fails to establish a wireless infrastructure connection, it continues processing to establish the wireless infrastructure connection according to the cause of the failure (S319, S401~S413). Therefore, when retrying after failing to establish a wireless infrastructure connection, more appropriate processing can be performed according to the situation, thus suppressing further failures in establishing the connection.

[0083] Specifically, an example of a cause of failure to establish a wireless infrastructure connection is that the PC 101 cannot detect the printer 103 in wireless setting mode (S304: No → S402: Yes). In such cases, a temporary connection between the PC 101 and the printer 103 cannot be established, making it difficult to establish a wireless infrastructure connection through the automatic connection process. Therefore, the user can be informed of the situation by displaying a message indicating that the wireless infrastructure connection failed on the display device 208 of the PC 101.

[0084] Another example of a reason for failure to establish a wireless infrastructure connection is that the SSID of the target AP 102 is not included in the SSID list obtained by PC 101 from printer 103 in S306 (S309: No, S403: Yes). In such cases, it may be possible to establish a wireless infrastructure connection by selecting an AP that has its SSID included in the SSID list as the target AP. Therefore, by instructing PC 101 to change the AP it is connecting to (S410, S411), the system can attempt to establish a wireless infrastructure connection again using the automatic connection process with a different AP.

[0085] Furthermore, if there is a history of connection setup failures targeting AP102 and printer 103, attempting to establish a wireless infrastructure connection using the same method is highly likely to fail again. Therefore, if there is a history of failure, guiding the user to perform a different connection setup method targeting AP102, or to perform a connection setup targeting a different AP than AP102, can improve the likelihood of establishing a wireless infrastructure connection.

[0086] Furthermore, although the information processing device was a PC in this embodiment, it is not limited to a PC, and various other devices such as smartphones and printers may be used. Similarly, although the communication device was a printer in this embodiment, it is not limited to a PC, and various other devices such as PCs and smartphones may be used.

[0087] <Other Embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0088] For storing program code, storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs can be used.

[0089] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the functions of the aforementioned embodiments are realized not only by the execution of program code read by the computer, but also in cases where the operating system (OS) running on the computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the aforementioned embodiments are realized through that processing.

[0090] Furthermore, it goes without saying that this also includes cases where, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory of a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to a computer, the CPU or other components of the function expansion board or function expansion unit perform some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the aforementioned embodiments are realized through that processing.

[0091] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A computer of an information processing device that communicates with the communication device, a first establishing means for establishing a temporary first connection between the communication device and the information processing device in which a setting mode for a wireless connection has been started, the temporary first connection not passing through an external access point between the communication device and the information processing device; a providing means for providing, to the communication device, identification information for identifying the external access point, using the first connection; a second establishing means for attempting to establish a second connection between the communication device and the information processing device via the external access point identified by the identification information provided to the communication device; command means for transmitting, to the communication device before the second establishing means attempts to establish the second connection, a command for controlling the communication device to enter the configuration mode if the establishment of the second connection fails; A program that functions as a

2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising: a continuation means for continuing a process for establishing the second connection depending on a cause of the failure of the second connection when the establishment of the second connection by the second establishment means fails; A program that further functions as.

3. The program according to claim 1, further comprising: a searching means for searching for a device with which the first connection can be established; a first display control means for causing a display unit of the information processing device to display information indicating that establishment of the second connection with the communication device has failed when the search means has failed to detect the communication device; A program that further functions as a means to

4. The program according to claim 3, the first establishment means, when the communication device is detected by the search means, establishes the first connection with the communication device; The program causes the computer to an acquisition means for acquiring, from the communication device, a list including identification information of access points to which the communication device can be connected, using the first connection; a change means for changing the external access point to which the information processing device is connected to a second access point different from the first access point when the list acquired by the acquisition means does not include identification information of a first access point as the external access point. program.

5. The program according to claim 4, further comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a selection of whether or not to change the external access point to which the information processing device is connected by the change means; A program that further functions as.

6. The program according to claim 5, further comprising: a second display control means for causing a display unit of the information processing device to display information indicating that establishment of the second connection has failed, when the first receiving means has received a request not to change the external access point to which the information processing device is connected; A program that further functions as.

7. The program according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage control means for storing failure information in a storage unit of the information processing device, the failure information being associated with identification information of the external access point and identification information of the communication device, when the second establishment means fails to establish the second connection; A program that further functions as.

8. The program according to claim 7, when the establishment of the second connection fails and the failure information has already been stored in the storage unit, the second establishment means attempts to establish the second connection using a method different from that used when the failure occurred. program.

9. The program according to claim 8, further comprising: a second receiving means for receiving a selection of whether or not to attempt to establish the second connection in the different method by the second establishing means; A program that further functions as.

10. The program according to claim 9, when the second establishment means receives from the second reception means that the establishment of the second connection in the different method will not be attempted, the second establishment means changes the external access point to which the information processing device is connected, and then establishes the second connection in the same method as when the establishment of the second connection failed. program.

11. The program according to claim 9, further comprising: a third display control means for causing a display unit of the information processing device to display information indicating that establishment of the second connection has failed when the second establishment means has failed to establish the second connection in the different method in the case where the second acceptance means has accepted an attempt to establish the second connection in the different method; A program that further functions as.

12. A communication device that communicates with an information processing device that executes the program according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a confirmation means for confirming whether or not the command has been received from the information processing device when the establishment of the second connection with the information processing device has failed; and a transition means for transitioning to the setting mode when the confirmation means confirms that the command has been received. A communication device comprising:

13. 13. The communication device according to claim 12, and a fourth display control means for causing a display unit of the communication device to display information indicating that the establishment of the second connection with the information processing device has failed when the confirmation means has not confirmed that the command has been received in the case where the establishment of the second connection with the information processing device has failed. A communication device comprising:

14. An information processing device that communicates with a communication device, a first establishing means for establishing a temporary first connection between the communication device and the information processing device in which a wireless connection setting mode has been started, the temporary first connection not passing through an external access point between the communication device and the information processing device; a providing means for providing identification information for identifying the external access point to the communication device using the first connection; a second establishing means for attempting to establish a second connection between the communication device and the information processing device via the external access point identified by the identification information provided to the communication device; command means for transmitting, to the communication device before the second connection establishment means attempts to establish the second connection, a command for controlling the communication device to enter the configuration mode if establishment of the second connection fails; An information processing device comprising:

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