Communication device, control method thereof, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: recent years have seen an increase in cases of using wireless communication, and an increase in convenience in wireless communication has been demanded.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus receives a first trigger frame including information on OFDMA conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard from an external access point outside the image forming apparatus while a first mode is being made effective, executes communication processing in the first mode through the OFDMA conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard based on the information on the first trigger frame, and when a second mode is made effective, transmits a second trigger frame including the information on the OFDMA conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that enables an image forming apparatus to perform wireless communication in infrastructure mode and wireless communication in ad-hoc mode in parallel via an access point. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-19487 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, wireless communication has come to be used in a variety of cases, and there is a demand for more convenient wireless communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus is characterized in that it has: a receiving means for receiving information about an external access point from a terminal device via a direct connection established with the terminal device without going through an external access point outside the image forming apparatus when a wireless setting mode is enabled; a first setting means for enabling a first mode in which wireless communication is performed via an external access point outside the image forming apparatus; a second setting means for enabling a second mode in which wireless communication is performed without going through an external access point outside the image forming apparatus; a receiving means for receiving a first trigger frame including information about OFDMA compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard from the connected external access point based on the information about the external access point received by the receiving means; a communication means for performing communication processing in the first mode by OFDMA compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard based on the information about the first trigger frame; a transmitting means for transmitting a second trigger frame including information about OFDMA compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard when the second mode is enabled; and a print processing means for performing print processing on paper based on a print job received by wireless communication via the first mode or wireless communication via the second mode. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide highly convenient wireless communication. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of an access point. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication process according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sub-channel configuration. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a communication process. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the image forming apparatus; [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the image forming apparatus; [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process relating to wireless settings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment is merely an example, and specific examples of components, processing steps, display screens, etc. are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0009] (System Configuration) Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. In one example, this system is a wireless communication system in which a plurality of communication devices can wirelessly communicate with each other. In the example of Fig. 1, the system includes an access point 131, an MFP 151, and a mobile terminal 101. An example of the mobile terminal 101 is a notebook computer or a smartphone.

[0010] The MFP 151 has a printing function, a reading function (scanner), a FAX function, and the like. Moreover, the MFP 151 of this embodiment has a communication function capable of wireless communication with the mobile terminal 101. In this embodiment, a case where the MFP 151 is used will be described as an example, but is not limited to this. For example, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a projector, or a single-function printing device may be used instead of the MFP 151. MFP is an abbreviation for Multi Function Peripheral. Note that in this embodiment, a device having a printing function may also be called an image forming device.

[0011] The access point 131 is provided separately (externally) from the mobile terminal 101 and the MFP 151, and operates as a base station device of a wireless LAN (WLAN). The access point 131 may also be referred to as an external access point 131 or an external wireless base station (or an external parent station). The MFP 151 having a WLAN communication function can communicate in infrastructure mode of the WLAN via the access point 131. In the following, the access point may be referred to as an "AP." Furthermore, the infrastructure mode may be referred to as a "wireless infrastructure mode" or an "infrastructure mode."

[0012] The infrastructure mode is a mode in which the MFP 151 communicates with other devices via an external device (e.g., the AP 131) that forms a network. A connection with an external AP established by the MFP 151 operating in the infrastructure mode is called an infrastructure connection (hereinafter, infrastructure connection). In this embodiment, in the infrastructure connection, the MFP 151 operates as a child station, and the external AP 131 operates as a parent station. Note that in this embodiment, the parent station is a device that forms a network and determines a communication channel to be used in the network. Also, the child station is a device that does not determine a communication channel to be used in the network to which the child station belongs, but performs wireless communication on a communication channel determined by the parent station.

[0013] The AP 131 performs wireless communication with a communication device that has been authorized to connect to the AP 131 (has been authenticated), and relays wireless communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The AP 131 may also be connected to, for example, a wired communication network, and may relay communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and another communication device that is wirelessly connected to the access point 131.

[0014] The mobile terminal 101 and the MFP 151 can use their respective WLAN communication functions to perform wireless communication in a wireless infrastructure mode via an external AP 131 or in a peer-to-peer mode not via the external AP 131. In the following, peer-to-peer is referred to as "P2P." Alternatively, communication not via an external AP 131 may be referred to as direct wireless communication. The P2P mode includes Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) and soft AP mode. In the following, Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) may be referred to as WFD. The P2P mode can also be said to be communication compliant with the IEEE802.11 series.

[0015] The P2P mode is a mode in which the MFP 151 communicates directly with other devices such as the mobile terminal 101 without going through an external device that forms a network. In this embodiment, the P2P mode includes an AP mode in which the MFP 151 operates as an AP. The connection information (SSID and password) of the AP enabled in the MFP 151 in the AP mode can be arbitrarily set by the user. The P2P mode may include, for example, a WFD mode in which the MFP 151 communicates by Wi-Fi Direct (WFD). Which of a plurality of WFD-compatible devices operates as a parent station is determined, for example, according to a sequence called Group Owner Negotiation. The parent station may be determined without executing Group Owner Negotiation. A device that is a WFD-compatible device and plays the role of a parent station is particularly called a Group Owner. A direct connection with another device established by the MFP 151 operating in the P2P mode is called a direct connection. In this embodiment, in a direct connection, the MFP 151 operates as a parent station, and another device (such as the mobile terminal 101) operates as a child station.

[0016] Next, the configuration of the mobile terminal of this embodiment and the communication device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In addition, the following configuration will be described as an example in this embodiment, but this embodiment is applicable to devices capable of communicating with the communication device, and the functions are not particularly limited to those shown in this figure.

[0017] The mobile terminal 101 includes an input interface 102, a CPU 103, a ROM 104, a RAM 105, an external storage device 106, an output interface 107, a display unit 108, a keyboard 109, a communication unit 110, a short-range wireless communication unit 111, a network interface 112, and a USB interface 113. The CPU 103, the ROM 104, the RAM 105, etc. form a computer of the mobile terminal 101.

[0018] The input interface 102 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from a user by operating an operation unit such as a keyboard 109. The operation unit may be a physical keyboard, physical buttons, etc., or may be a soft keyboard, soft buttons, etc. displayed on the display unit 108. In other words, the input interface 102 may receive an input (operation) from the user via the display unit 108.

[0019] The CPU 103 is a system control unit, and controls the entire mobile terminal 101. The ROM 104 stores fixed data such as control programs and data tables executed by the CPU 103, and an embedded operating system (hereinafter, referred to as OS) program. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 104 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 104.

[0020] The RAM 105 is composed of a static random access memory (SRAM) that requires a backup power source. Since the RAM 105 holds data using a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, it can store important data such as program control variables without volatilizing the data. The RAM 105 also has a memory area for storing setting information for the mobile terminal 101, management data for the mobile terminal 101, and the like. The RAM 105 is also used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 103.

[0021] The external storage device 106 stores, for example, a print information generation program for generating print information that can be interpreted by the printer 115. The output interface 107 is an interface that controls the display unit 108 to display data and notify the status of the mobile terminal 101.

[0022] Display unit 108 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) and an LCD (liquid crystal display), and displays data and notifies the state of mobile terminal 101. Communication unit 110 is configured to connect to devices such as MFP 151 and access point (AP) 131 to execute data communication. For example, communication unit 110 can connect to an AP (not shown) in MFP 151. By connecting communication unit 110 to the AP in MFP 151, P2P communication is possible between mobile terminal 101 and MFP 151. Note that communication unit 110 may directly communicate with MFP 151 by wireless communication, or may communicate via AP 131 device present outside mobile terminal 101 or MFP 151. Note that the external device includes an external AP (such as AP 131) present outside mobile terminal 101 and outside MFP 151, and a device other than an AP that can relay communication. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the communication unit 110 is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark), which is a communication standard conforming to the IEEE802.11 series. In addition, the AP 131 may be, for example, a device such as a wireless LAN router.

[0023] The short-range wireless communication unit 111 is configured to wirelessly connect to a device such as the MFP 151 at a short distance and execute data communication, and communicates by a communication method different from that of the communication unit 110. The short-range wireless communication unit 111 is connectable to, for example, a short-range wireless communication unit 157 in the MFP 151. Examples of the communication method include Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth (registered trademark) Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0024] The network interface 112 is a connection I / F that controls wireless communication and communication processing via a wired LAN cable.

[0025] The USB interface 113 is a connection I / F that controls a USB connection via a USB cable. Specifically, the USB interface 113 is an interface for connecting to devices such as the MFP 151 and the external AP 131 via USB and executing data communication.

[0026] Next, a description will be given of the MFP 151. The MFP 151 has a ROM 152, a RAM 153, a CPU 154, a print engine 155, a communication unit 156, a short-range wireless communication unit 157, an input interface 158, an operation unit 159, an output interface 160, a display unit 161, a network interface 162, a USB interface 163, etc. The ROM 152, the RAM 153, the CPU 154, etc. form a computer of the MFP 151.

[0027] The communication unit 156 controls communication processing using each interface. For example, the MFP 151 can operate in an infrastructure mode and a P2P (Peer to Peer) mode as modes for performing communication using the communication unit 156.

[0028] Specifically, the communication unit 156 can operate as an AP inside the MFP 151. For example, when a user instructs to enable the internal AP, the MFP 151 operates as an AP. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the communication unit 156 is a communication standard conforming to the IEEE802.11 series. In the following description, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) (Wi-Fi communication) is a communication standard conforming to the IEEE802.11 series. The communication unit 156 may have hardware that functions as an AP, or may operate as an AP (software AP mode) by software for functioning as an AP. When the communication unit 156 operates as a parent station, the communication unit 156 can maintain P2P wireless connections with a predetermined number or less (for example, 3 or less) of child station devices in parallel. The communication unit 156 can perform wireless communication using a frequency band selected from 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz.

[0029] The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is a component for wirelessly connecting to a device such as the mobile terminal 101 at a short distance, and can be connected to, for example, the short-range wireless communication unit 111 in the mobile terminal 101. Examples of communication methods include NFC, Bluetooth Classic, BLE, and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0030] The RAM 153 is composed of an SRAM or the like that requires a backup power source. Since the RAM 153 holds data using a primary battery for data backup (not shown), important data such as program control variables can be stored without volatilization. The RAM 153 also has a memory area for storing setting information for the MFP 151, management data for the MFP 151, and the like. The RAM 153 is also used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 154, and stores a reception buffer for temporarily storing print information received from the mobile terminal 101 or the like, and various other information.

[0031] The ROM 152 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU 154. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 152 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 152.

[0032] The CPU 154 is a system control unit, and controls the entire MFP 151 .

[0033] The print engine 155 executes a print process for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper by applying a recording agent such as ink to the recording medium based on information stored in the RAM 153 or a print job received from the mobile terminal 101 or the like, and outputs the print result. In general, the amount of data of a print job transmitted from the mobile terminal 101 or the like is large, so that a communication method capable of high-speed communication is required for communication of the print job. Therefore, the MFP 151 receives the print job via the communication unit 156 capable of communication at a higher speed than the short-distance wireless communication unit 157. Note that printing using ink is an example, and printing may be performed by an electrophotographic method using toner. In addition, as for the ink, the MFP may be a cartridge-type MFP in which a cartridge is attached, or may be a type in which ink is refilled from an ink bottle into the ink tank of the MFP. The MFP 151 executes a print process on paper based on a print job received by wireless communication via infrastructure mode or wireless communication via P2P mode.

[0034] Note that MFP 151 may be equipped with a memory such as an external HDD or SD card as an optional device, and information stored in MFP 151 may be stored in the memory.

[0035] The input interface 158 is an interface for accepting data input and operation instructions from a user by operating an operation unit 159 such as a physical button. The operation unit may be a soft keyboard, soft buttons, or the like displayed on the display unit 161. That is, the input interface 158 may accept an input from the user via the display unit 161.

[0036] The output interface 160 is an interface that controls the display unit 161 to display data and to notify the status of the MFP 151 .

[0037] Display unit 161 is configured with an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and displays data and notifies the status of MFP 151.

[0038] The USB interface 163 is an interface that controls a USB connection via a USB cable. Specifically, the USB interface 163 is an interface that connects to the MFP 151, an external AP, or other device via USB to perform data communication.

[0039] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the AP 131. The AP 131 has, as its functional configuration, a wireless LAN control unit 301, a trigger frame control unit 302, a received frame analysis unit 303, a UI control unit 304, a storage unit 305, and a bandwidth allocation unit 306, for example.

[0040] The wireless LAN control unit 301 executes control for transmitting and receiving wireless signals with other wireless LAN communication devices. The wireless LAN control unit 301 can be realized by, for example, a program for controlling a baseband circuit, an RF circuit, and an antenna for the wireless LAN. The wireless LAN control unit 301 executes communication control of the wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE802.11 series of standards, and executes wireless communication with an STA (corresponding to a child station) that complies with the IEEE802.11 series of standards.

[0041] The Trigger frame control unit 302 performs control for transmitting a Trigger frame to a STA that has been successfully authenticated via the wireless LAN control unit 301. When the STA receives the Trigger frame, it transmits an uplink (UL) frame in response to the frame. When the AP 131 receives a UL frame via the wireless LAN control unit 301, the received frame analysis unit 303 interprets the contents of the received UL frame. For example, when the received UL frame includes AC information, the received frame analysis unit 303 acquires the AC information by analysis and determines which AC's transmission target data the STA that transmitted the UL frame has. Note that "AC" is an acronym for access category.

[0042] The bandwidth allocating unit 306 determines the width of the frequency band to be allocated for data transmission of each STA, the center frequency of the frequency band, and the time to allocate the frequency band based on the information acquired by the received frame analyzing unit 303. That is, the bandwidth allocating unit 306 determines the timing and frequency range of radio resources to be allocated to each STA. The trigger frame control unit 302 notifies each STA of information indicating the allocation determined by the bandwidth allocating unit 306 via a trigger frame, and causes each STA to transmit a UL frame according to the allocation.

[0043] The UI control unit 304 is realized by a program or the like that controls hardware related to a user interface, such as a touch panel or buttons for accepting an operation on the AP 131 by a user (not shown) of the AP 131. The UI control unit 304 may also have a function for presenting information to the user, such as displaying an image or outputting sound. The storage unit 305 is a storage function that may be configured by a ROM, a RAM, or the like that stores a program and data operated by the AP 131.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of subcarriers. Here, in IEEE801.11ax, by allowing a frequency band to be allocated to a STA in a size smaller than 20 MHz, a large number of STAs can use radio resources simultaneously. Such radio resource allocation is performed using OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access). In IEEE802.11ax, for example, a 20 MHz bandwidth is divided into nine blocks each having 26 subcarriers (tones) that do not overlap with each other on the frequency axis, and radio resources are allocated to terminals in block units. This allocation unit block is called a Resource Unit (RU), and the size of the RU is determined according to the frequency bandwidth and the number of terminals to which the radio resources are allocated. The size of the RU is expressed in units of the number of tones, and for example, 26, 52, 106, 242, 484, 996, and 2×996 are available, but in a 20 MHz bandwidth, values ​​of 242 or less of these can be used. When allocating the entire 20 MHz bandwidth to one terminal, a maximum of 242 tones can be allocated.

[0045] On the other hand, for example, if nine terminals use a 20 MHz bandwidth at the same time, 26 tones are assigned to each terminal. In this way, by dividing the frequency band by 26 tones, which is the smallest allocation unit, nine terminals can communicate at the same time using the 20 MHz bandwidth. Similarly, when frequency bands of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz are used, a maximum of 18, 37, and 74 terminals can communicate at the same time, respectively.

[0046] Next, a basic flow of multi-user (MU) communication in UL will be described with reference to FIG. 4. First, the AP 131 transmits a Buffer Status Report Request (BSR Request) by the Trigger frame control unit 302 (S401). In this embodiment, the AP 131, the MFP 151, and the mobile terminal 101 can perform communication based on IEEE801.11ax. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 101 does not belong to a network formed by the AP 131.

[0047] Returning to FIG. 4, each STA transmits a Buffer Status Report (BSR) (S402). The BSR is used when each STA notifies the AP of its own transmission buffer amount. An example of the configuration of a BSR frame is shown in FIG. 5. The transmission buffer amount of each STA is indicated in a Queue size subfield 503 included in a QoS Control field 501. Alternatively, the transmission buffer amount of each STA can be indicated by a Scaling Factor subfield 505, a Queue Size High subfield 506, and a Queue Size All subfield 507 in a Control Information subfield 504 of an HT Control field 502.

[0048] When the AP 131 receives the BSR from each STA, it transmits a Trigger frame to prompt the transmission of UL data based on that information (S403). At this time, the AP 131 determines the allocation of RUs in UL-OFDMA and the communication time common to all STAs based on the information on the transmission buffer amount included in the BSR frame. After that, the AP 131 transmits a Trigger frame including information on the data communication time common to the RU and all STAs (hereinafter, RU / communication time information). In other words, it transmits a Trigger frame including information related to OFDMA. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the Trigger frame.

[0049] The Common Info field 601 includes information common to all STAs. The Length subfield 604 in the Common Info field 601 is set to a data communication time common to all STAs. If the Trigger Type subfield 603 is 0, the User Info field 602 is added. The Common Info field also includes other information. For example, the Common Info field includes CS (Carrier Sense) Required, which stores information indicating whether or not carrier sense needs to be performed. If the information indicating the necessity of carrier sense is included, the STA that received the Trigger frame performs carrier sense. On the other hand, if the information indicating whether or not carrier sense is to be performed is included, the STA that received the Trigger frame does not perform carrier sense. The AID subfield 605 in the User Info field 602 identifies the STA. Also, the index value indicated by the RU Allocation subfield 606 identifies the RU (a unit that groups together multiple subcarriers) and tone size that are allocated to the STA. The tone size is a value indicating the width of the frequency band that can be allocated to each STA. The MCS subfield 607 specifies the MCS.

[0050] The AP reserves a communication channel to transmit a trigger frame, then divides the reserved communication channel into multiple resource units and assigns each resource unit to a terminal.

[0051] When each STA receives a Trigger frame including information related to OFDMA, it transmits a UL Data frame within a data amount range determined by the Length subfield 604 of the Trigger frame (S404). At this time, if information indicating the need to perform carrier sense is included, the STA performs carrier sense and then executes S404. For example, the MFP 151 may transmit scan data in S404. In addition, information related to consumables (for example, at least one of the remaining amount of ink, the remaining amount of toner, and the remaining amount of paper) may be transmitted in S404. Alternatively, information indicating the status of the MFP 151 (such as a paper jam error occurring, the cover being open, etc.) may be transmitted.

[0052] When the AP 131 receives the PPDU from each STA, it transmits a Multi Block Ack (Multi BA) as a reception confirmation (S405). Next, the operation of the MFP 151 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. It is assumed that both the infrastructure mode and the P2P mode are enabled in the MFP 151 by a user instruction. For example, the user enables the infrastructure mode using the operation panel of the MFP 151 and also enables the WFD mode, thereby enabling both modes. The MFP 151 also operates as a parent station (for example, a WFD group owner) in the P2P communication. It is noted that P2P communication other than the WFD mode may be performed. For example, the soft AP mode may be executed.

[0053] Here, it is assumed that the MFP 151 receives a trigger frame from the AP 131 in S403. When both the infrastructure communication and the P2P communication are enabled, the MFP 151 may refer to the communication channel used in the infrastructure communication and build a network as a parent station so as to execute the P2P communication on the same communication channel. When both the infrastructure communication and the P2P communication are enabled, the MFP 151 may refer to the communication channel used in the infrastructure communication. Then, the MFP 151 may build a network as a parent station so as to execute the P2P communication on a communication channel different from the communication channel used in the infrastructure communication. That is, in FIG. 8, the MFP 151 receives a trigger frame from the external access point 131 in S403 while both the infrastructure mode and the P2P mode are enabled.

[0054] Since the MFP 151 itself operates as a parent station, it transmits a trigger frame (S801). Note that the MFP 151 divides one communication channel (for example, 20 MHz) into multiple resource units using the trigger frame as described above in FIG. 5, and allocates each resource unit to the STA including the mobile terminal 101. That is, the RU Allocation 606 of the trigger frame transmitted by the MFP 151 includes information on the allocation of resource units. Here, the number of child station devices to which the resource units are allocated by the MFP 151 is the maximum number of devices that can maintain a direct connection in parallel. For example, if the communication unit 156 can maintain a P2P wireless connection with a maximum of three child station devices in parallel, the maximum number of child station devices to which the resource units are allocated is three. That is, the maximum number of devices to which the resource units specified in the trigger frame in S801 are allocated is the same as the maximum number of child stations that can be maintained in parallel in a direct connection. The mobile terminal 101 transmits data to the MFP 151 in S802 (S802). Here, the mobile terminal 101 transmits data using the resource unit allocated in the Trigger frame. For example, the mobile terminal 101 transmits a print job in S802. The mobile terminal 101 may also transmit a request to obtain the status of the MFP 151 or a request to obtain the remaining amount of consumables (ink, toner, or paper) in S802.

[0055] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation screen 900 for setting various modes of the infrastructure mode or direct wireless communication. First, the user selects network setting 901 in Fig. 9(A), which causes Fig. 9(A) to change to the screen in Fig. 9(B). Figs. 9(A) to (D) are displayed on the display unit 161.

[0056] Fig. 9(B) is a screen for configuring network settings. If the user selects the infrastructure mode setting 904, Fig. 9(C) is displayed. If the user selects the direct print setting 903, Fig. 9(D) is displayed.

[0057] FIG. 9C shows a screen for performing setting processing in infrastructure mode.

[0058] When the user selects check box 905, infrastructure mode is enabled. As a result, MFP 151 searches for surrounding access points and displays a list of SSIDs in area 909. For example, the SSID of AP 131 is displayed in area 909, and a wireless connection in infrastructure mode between MFP 151 and AP 131 is established when the user selects the SSID of AP 131 from area 909. Note that when the user wishes to end communication in infrastructure mode, the user unchecks check box 905, thereby disabling operation of MFP 151 in infrastructure mode. For example, the wireless connection in infrastructure mode between MFP 151 and AP 131 is disconnected.

[0059] In communication in the infrastructure mode, whether the OFDMA mode is enabled or disabled depends on the setting of the AP 131. That is, if the OFDMA mode is enabled in the AP 131, the MFP 151 performs communication in the infrastructure mode according to the setting.

[0060] On the other hand, if the OFDMA mode is not enabled in the AP 131, the MFP 151 performs communication in the infrastructure mode in the OFDM mode according to the setting.

[0061] Here, in order to keep the frequency band used for data transmission within a narrow range, OFDMA requires the use of a complex method in the primary modulation process. In addition, a complex method must also be used to demodulate communication data using OFDMA. This tends to increase the power consumption of terminal devices.

[0062] On the other hand, when wireless communication is performed using OFDM, a method different from the method described in Fig. 8 is used. That is, communication processing is performed by a specific terminal occupying the entire bandwidth of the channel.

[0063] In OFDM, a specific terminal occupies the channel bandwidth, so wireless communication with multiple STAs cannot be performed simultaneously.

[0064] However, since OFDM does not require the division of subchannels, the primary modulation process can be performed using a simple method. Therefore, unlike OFDMA, when a terminal receiving a signal via OFDM communication demodulates the signal, complex and large-scale calculations are not required, which reduces the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0065] As mentioned above, OFDMA and OFDM each have their own advantages and disadvantages. In order to make the most of the advantages of each, it is necessary to decide which communication method to use based on the usage environment.

[0066] When multiple terminals require simultaneous communication, it is more beneficial to enable simultaneous communication with multiple STAs using OFDMA even if this increases power consumption in the terminal device.

[0067] On the other hand, when the number of terminals that require communication is not multiple, there is no need to use subchannels based on OFDMA, and it is beneficial to provide a communication environment that reduces power consumption in terminal devices by using OFDM communication.

[0068] FIG. 9D is displayed when the user selects the direct print setting 903 in FIG. 9B.

[0069] When the user checks the direct print mode checkbox 911, the MFP 151 enables the direct mode. By enabling the direct mode, the MFP 151 operates as a parent station in P2P communication. In other words, if the P2P communication is WFD communication, the MFP 151 operates as a GO. Also, if the P2P communication is direct communication using a software AP, the MFP 151 operates as an AP.

[0070] The OFDMA mode setting 912 is used to set whether or not the communication unit 156 enables the OFDMA mode in the direct mode. When the check box 913 is checked, the direct communication is performed with OFDMA disabled. When the check box 914 is checked, the direct communication is performed with OFDMA enabled.

[0071] If check box 915 is selected, MFP 151 checks whether OFDMA is enabled or disabled in infrastructure mode of MFP 151, and operates in the same state as infrastructure mode. That is, if OFDMA is enabled in infrastructure mode, MFP 151 executes direct communication with OFDMA enabled. On the other hand, if OFDMA is disabled in infrastructure mode, MFP 151 executes direct communication with OFDMA disabled. Note that check boxes 913 to 915 in FIG. 9D are mutually exclusive, and only one of them can be selected.

[0072] By checking the setting of the OFDMA mode in the infrastructure mode, it is possible to set a setting suitable for the environment in which the AP 131 and the MFP 151 are installed.

[0073] That is, the settings of the AP 131 are likely to have been set by a network administrator based on the environment in which the AP 131 and the MFP 151 are installed. By following those settings, direct communication of the MFP 151 can also be made suitable for that environment.

[0074] 9C, the MFP 151 ends the setting in the infrastructure mode. Also, when the OK button 909 in FIG. 9D is pressed, the MFP 151 ends the setting in the direct mode.

[0075] Note that a method for enabling the infrastructure mode of MFP 151 has been described with reference to FIG. 9C, but another method will be described with reference to FIG.

[0076] The MFP 151 enables the setup mode (wireless setting mode) of the MFP 151 based on a user instruction on the operation panel (S1201). This S1201 causes the MFP 151 to start its own internal AP (S1202). It is possible to enable the setup mode in S1201 even if an infrastructure connection with the AP has been established before S1201. In that case, the infrastructure connection is disconnected. Also, if the MFP 151 was operating as a parent station of P2P communication (for example, a group owner of WFD) before S901, the MFP 151 may stop operating as a parent station of P2P communication (for example, a group owner of WFD) based on the instruction of S901.

[0077] In response to an instruction from the user, the setup application is started (S1203). Note that, although the wireless setting process of the MFP 151 is performed from a PC in this embodiment, it may be performed from a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

[0078] When a user operates the setup application and instructs to execute wireless setting processing, the setup application executes direct connection processing with the internal AP. For example, the setup application holds the SSID and password of the internal AP since the application was installed. Therefore, when instructed to execute wireless setting processing, the setup application reads out the SSID and password of the internal AP, and issues an instruction to establish a direct connection between the PC and MFP 151 using this information. This instruction establishes a direct connection between the PC and the internal AP of MFP 151 (S1204).

[0079] Next, the setup application instructs the MFP 151 to perform an AP search via the direct connection established in S1204 (S1205).

[0080] Upon receiving the instruction in S1205, the MFP 151 searches for access points with which the MFP 151 can communicate, and transmits a list of SSIDs as the search results (S1207).

[0081] The setup application transmits the SSID and password selected from the list of SSIDs received in S1207 as AP information (S1208). For example, the setup application displays the list of SSIDs received in S1207 and accepts a selection from the user. The setup application then displays a password input screen corresponding to the selected SSID and transmits the input password and the selected SSID as AP information.

[0082] Alternatively, if the PC is connected to the AP 131 immediately before S1204 and the list of SSIDs transmitted in S1207 includes the SSID of the AP 131, the setup application automatically transmits the SSID and password of the AP 131 in S1205. That is, the PC transmits AP information without displaying the list of SSIDs and accepting a selection from the user. On the other hand, if the PC is connected to the AP 131 immediately before S1204 and the list of SSIDs transmitted in S1207 does not include the SSID of the AP 131, the setup application may display the list of SSIDs received in S1207 and accept a selection from the user.

[0083] When the MFP 151 receives the AP information transmitted in S1208, it stops the internal AP and establishes an infrastructure connection using the AP information transmitted in S1208.

[0084] Then, after the processing in Fig. 12 is completed, the user may enable the WFD mode using the operation panel of the MFP 151, thereby enabling both the infrastructure mode and the WFD mode, and the processing in Fig. 8 described above may be executed. Note that, as described above, if the MFP 151 stops operating as a parent station of P2P communication (e.g., a WFD group owner) based on S901, the MFP 151 resumes operating as a parent station of P2P communication (e.g., a WFD group owner) based on the processing in S910. In this case, the MFP 151 may resume operating as a parent station of P2P communication on the same channel as the infrastructure connection established in S910, or may resume operating as a parent station of P2P communication on a different channel.

[0085] 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation flow when enabling or disabling OFDMA in the direct mode of the MFP 151. The flow shown in the figure is realized by the CPU 154 reading and executing each control program stored in the ROM 152.

[0086] When the direct print setting operation is started, the CPU 154 accepts various setting operations related to the direct print setting in S1001. Specifically, the CPU 154 accepts various setting operations performed on the setting screen shown in FIG. 9(D). In S1002, the CPU 154 judges whether or not the OK button 910 has been selected. If the result of the judgment in S1002 is true, the process in FIG. 9 proceeds to step S1004 and thereafter. If the result of the judgment in step S1001 is false, the process proceeds to step S1003, where the CPU 154 judges whether or not the operation performed in S1001 was the selection of the cancel button. If the result of the judgment in S1003 is false, the process returns to step S1001, and the setting operation continues. If the result of the judgment in step S1003 is true, the setting operation according to the same flow ends.

[0087] In S1004, the CPU 154 judges whether or not the check box 915 is selected. If the result of the judgment in S1004 is true, the CPU 154 acquires the state of the OFDMA mode in the infrastructure mode (S1006). The CPU 154 can realize S1006 by referring to the RU Allocation in the Trigger frame in FIG. 6 transmitted from the AP.

[0088] When it is determined in step S1007 that OFDMA is enabled in infrastructure mode, CPU 154 operates in an OFDMA enabled state also in direct mode (S1008). When CPU 154 operates MFP 151 as a master station in direct mode, CPU 154 controls communication unit 156 so that MFP 151 operates as a master station in a state in which OFDMA is executed. Through this process, MFP 151 transmits in S801 a trigger frame including information regarding execution of OFDMA compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard.

[0089] If it is determined in S1007 that OFDMA is not enabled in infrastructure mode, CPU 154 also operates in direct mode with OFDMA disabled (S1009). Since MFP 151 operates in OFDMA disabled state due to S1009, a trigger frame including information regarding execution of OFDMA compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard is not transmitted in S801. When operating MFP 151 as a master station in direct mode, CPU 154 controls communication unit 156 so that it operates as a master station in a state in which OFDM is executed.

[0090] If the result of the determination in S1004 is false, the CPU 154 determines whether the check box 914 is enabled (S1005). If it is determined in S1005 that the check box 914 is selected, the CPU 154 executes the above-mentioned S1008.

[0091] Moreover, if it is determined in S1005 that the check box 914 is not selected, the CPU 154 executes S10009 described above.

[0092] Through the above processing, MFP 151 can execute communication processing in direct mode based on the settings in FIG.

[0093] [Second embodiment] In this embodiment, a process of setting OFDMA to be enabled or disabled in direct mode at a timing different from that in the first embodiment will be described.

[0094] Fig. 11 is a flow diagram relating to the process of setting OFDMA enablement or disablement in direct mode in this embodiment. The flow shown in the figure is realized by the CPU 154 reading and executing each control program stored in the ROM 152. The flowchart in Fig. 11 is started when a direct connection request is made from a terminal to the MFP 151.

[0095] In S1101, the CPU 154 checks the setting contents of the OFDMA mode in the infrastructure mode, and determines whether OFDMA is enabled or disabled (S1102). The CPU 154 can realize S1102 by referring to the RU Allocation in the Trigger frame in FIG. 6 transmitted from the AP.

[0096] When it is determined in S1102 that OFDMA is enabled in the infrastructure mode, the CPU 154 starts communication in the direct mode with OFDMA enabled (S1103).

[0097] If it is determined in S1102 that OFDMA is not enabled in infrastructure mode, the CPU 154 starts communication in direct mode with OFDMA disabled (S1104).

[0098] According to this embodiment, when a direct connection request is made to the MFP 151, the state of infrastructure mode is confirmed, so that communication reflecting the latest state in infrastructure mode is possible.

[0099] [Third embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, when the check box 915 is selected, the enable or disable of OFDMA in the direct mode is determined by referring to the setting of OFDMA in the infrastructure mode. However, a configuration is also conceivable in which only the direct mode is operated in the MFP 151 with the infrastructure mode disabled.

[0100] In this embodiment, a method for automatically determining the OFDMA mode for direct wireless communication without relying on the infrastructure mode will be described.

[0101] When the OK button 910 in FIG. 9D is pressed, the MFP 151 performs carrier sense for each channel for a certain period of time and estimates the number of terminals from the number of channels occupied by communication. If it is determined that a threshold number or more of channels are occupied, the MFP 151 determines that there are a threshold number or more of terminals in the vicinity. Therefore, in this case, the MFP 151 enables OFDMA in direct mode and starts communication in direct mode. On the other hand, if the number of channels occupied by communication is less than the threshold, the MFP 151 determines that the number of terminals in the vicinity is less than the threshold. Therefore, in this case, the MFP 151 disables OFDMA in direct mode and starts communication in direct mode.

[0102] Alternatively, the enable or disable of OFDMA in the direct mode may be determined by other methods. For example, MFP 151 may estimate the number of terminals based on the number of probe responses from terminals in response to a beacon transmitted in the environment in which the MFP 151 is used, and determine whether to enable or disable OFDMA in the direct mode based on the estimation result.

[0103] Through the above processing, MFP 151 can automatically determine whether to enable or disable OFDMA in direct mode, even when only direct mode is enabled and check box 915 is selected.

[0104] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the case where the direct mode is enabled after the MFP 151 establishes a wireless connection in the infrastructure mode has been described, but this is not the only possible case. That is, the direct mode may be enabled before the MFP 151 establishes a wireless connection in the infrastructure mode. In this case, the MFP 151 determines whether to enable or disable OFDMA in the direct mode according to the setting of the check box 913 or 914 in FIG. 9D.

[0105] In the above-described embodiment, the enable / disable of OFDMA in infrastructure mode is determined using a Trigger frame transmitted from the AP 131, but this is not limiting. For example, the MFP 151 may receive information regarding the enable / disable of OFDMA of the AP 131 via a wired connection with the AP 131.

[0106] In the above embodiment, when the MFP 151 is instructed to enter the setup mode, the internal AP is started and AP information is received, but other configurations are also possible. For example, when the MFP 151 is instructed to enter the setup mode, the MFP 151 establishes a connection with a surrounding PC or smartphone via Bluetooth. After that, the above-mentioned steps S1204 to S1208 may be executed via the Bluetooth connection. Alternatively, other communication methods may be used, not limited to Bluetooth.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the processing of the MFP 151 has been described, but the processing may be executed by a digital camera instead of the MFP 151. The digital camera may transmit captured image data to another device using infrastructure communication or P2P communication.

[0108] This embodiment can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more of the functions.

[0109] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program.

[0110] (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus, a receiving means for receiving information about an external access point from a terminal device via a direct connection established with the terminal device without going through an external access point outside the image forming apparatus when a wireless setting mode is enabled; a first setting unit for enabling a first mode in which wireless communication is performed via an external access point outside the image forming apparatus; a second setting unit for enabling a second mode in which wireless communication is performed without going through an external access point outside the image forming apparatus; a receiving means for receiving a first trigger frame including information regarding OFDMA conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard from a connected external access point based on information regarding the external access point received by the receiving means; a communication means for executing communication processing in the first mode by OFDMA conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard based on information about the first trigger frame; a transmitting means for transmitting a second trigger frame including information regarding execution of OFDMA according to the IEEE 802.11 standard when the second mode is enabled; and a print processing unit that executes a print process on a sheet based on a print job received by wireless communication via the first mode or wireless communication via the second mode.

[0111] (Configuration 2) 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third setting unit that accepts a setting as to whether or not OFDMA is to be performed in the wireless communication in the second mode via an operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

[0112] (Configuration 3) 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits information indicating a remaining amount of a consumable of the image forming apparatus or a state of the image forming apparatus based on OFDMA conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0113] (Configuration 4) the remaining amount of the consumable is at least one of a remaining amount of ink, a remaining amount of toner, and a remaining amount of paper; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus is at least one of a paper jam error and a cover open.

[0114] (Configuration 5) 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an enabling means for enabling OFDMA in the second mode of wireless communication based on the fact that OFDMA is enabled in the first mode of wireless communication.

[0115] (Configuration 6) 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the enabling unit enables OFDMA in the second mode of wireless communication based on information about OFDMA included in a trigger frame transmitted from the external access point.

[0116] (Configuration 7) The method further includes a determination means for determining whether or not OFDMA is enabled in the wireless communication in the first mode based on the second mode being enabled, 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when it is determined that OFDMA is enabled in the wireless communication in the first mode, the enabling means enables OFDMA in the wireless communication in the second mode.

[0117] (Configuration 8) a determination unit that determines whether or not OFDMA is enabled in the wireless communication in the first mode based on a reception of a connection request to the image forming apparatus in the wireless connection in the second mode; The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when it is determined that OFDMA is enabled in the first mode of wireless communication, the enabling means enables OFDMA in the second mode of wireless communication. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 151 MFP

Claims

1. A communication device, a first receiving means for receiving information about an external access point from a terminal device via a direct connection established with the terminal device without going through an external access point outside the communication device when the wireless setting mode is enabled; a first setting means for enabling a first mode in which wireless communication is performed via an external access point outside the communication device; a second setting means for enabling a second mode in which wireless communication is performed without going through an external access point outside the communication device; a second receiving means for receiving a first trigger frame including information about OFDMA conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard from a connected external access point based on the information about the external access point received by the first receiving means; a communication means for executing communication processing in the first mode by OFDMA conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard based on information about the first trigger frame; transmitting means for transmitting a second trigger frame including information corresponding to the implementation of OFDMA in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard when the second mode is enabled; A communication device comprising:

2. The communication device described in Claim 1, further characterized in that it is provided with a print processing means for performing printing processing on paper based on a print job received by wireless communication via the first mode or wireless communication via the second mode.

3. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a third setting unit that accepts a setting as to whether or not OFDMA is to be performed in the second mode of wireless communication via an operation panel of the communication device.

4. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication means transmits information indicating the remaining amount of a consumable item of the communication device or the state of the communication device based on OFDMA conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

5. the remaining amount of the consumables is at least one of the remaining amount of ink, the remaining amount of toner, and the remaining amount of paper; 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the information indicating the state of the communication device is at least one of a paper jam error and a cover open.

6. The communication device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an enabling unit that enables OFDMA in the second mode of wireless communication based on the fact that OFDMA is enabled in the first mode of wireless communication.

7. 7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the enabling means enables OFDMA in the second mode of wireless communication based on information about OFDMA included in a trigger frame transmitted from the external access point.

8. The wireless communication device further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not OFDMA is enabled in the wireless communication in the first mode based on the second mode being enabled, If it is determined that OFDMA is enabled in the first mode of wireless communication, The communication device according to claim 6 , wherein the enabling means enables OFDMA in the second mode of wireless communication.

9. The method further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not OFDMA is enabled in the first mode of wireless communication based on reception of a connection request to the communication device in the second mode of wireless connection, The communication device according to claim 5 , wherein when it is determined that OFDMA is enabled in the wireless communication in the first mode, the enabling unit enables OFDMA in the wireless communication in the second mode.

10. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the first mode is an infrastructure mode and the second mode is a software AP mode.

11. A control method for a communication device, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving information about an external access point from a terminal device via a direct connection established with the terminal device without going through an external access point outside the communication device when the wireless setting mode is enabled; a first setting step of enabling a first mode in which wireless communication is performed via an external access point external to the communication device; a second setting step of enabling a second mode in which wireless communication is performed without going through an external access point outside the communication device; a second receiving step of receiving a first trigger frame including information about OFDMA conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard from the connected external access point based on the information about the external access point received in the first receiving step; a communication step of performing communication processing in the first mode by OFDMA conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard based on information about the first trigger frame; a transmitting step of transmitting a second trigger frame including information corresponding to performing OFDMA in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard if the second mode is enabled; A method for controlling a communication device, comprising:

12. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of a communication device described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means of a communication device described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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