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

Abstract

To improve convenience when STA connects to AP.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes change means for controlling to change connection from a currently connected access point (AP) to another AP based on a change request for AP of a connection destination received from the currently connected AP, recording control means for controlling to record, into storage means, first connection information corresponding to information for connecting to a preset first AP without being based on a change request, and second connection information corresponding to information for connecting to a second AP based on the change request, and control means for controlling to connect to the first AP using the first connection information when the connection to the connection destination AP based on the change request fails without controlling to connect to the second AP in the case where the connection to the first AP fails as a result of controlling to connect to the first AP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of being connected via a wireless LAN, a control method thereof, a program, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In a wireless LAN environment where electronic devices are connected, there is a technology that dynamically switches the AP to which the STA (Station) connects in an Extended Service Set (ESS) consisting of multiple Access Points (APs) in order to efficiently exchange data between the AP and the STA. When it is determined that the AP to which the STA connects should be switched based on the congestion of the AP to which the STA is connected, the availability of other APs, radio wave conditions, etc., the currently connected AP sends a connection AP change request to the STA. When the STA receives an AP change request, it can connect to the appropriate AP by switching the AP to which it connects in accordance with the request.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses the following process of requesting a connected wireless slave device to change its connection destination from a router having an AP function. A mobile router (MR1) that can connect to multiple wireless slave devices checks whether the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v. It is possible to determine whether the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v from an Association Request frame that the wireless slave device terminal transmits when wirelessly connecting to MR1. If the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v, a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame is transmitted to the corresponding wireless slave device terminal. The BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field of the BTM Request frame specifies the BSSID of the parent router RT2 as the connection destination. This prompts the slave device terminal to switch its connection destination, and the wireless slave device terminal switches its connection destination from MR1 to RT2 in accordance with the received BTM Request frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-175068 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if a STA fails to connect to an AP, it may be in an unconnected state and unable to communicate. Therefore, there is a demand for improving the convenience of a STA when connecting to an AP. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention has a change means for controlling a change of connection from a currently connected access point to another access point based on a change request for a destination access point received from the currently connected access point, a recording control means for controlling the recording in a storage means of first connection information, which is information for connecting to a predetermined first access point not based on the change request, and second connection information, which is information for connecting to a second access point based on the change request, and a control means for controlling the connection to the first access point using the first connection information if connection to the first access point fails as a result of control for connecting to the first access point, without controlling connection to the second access point, and if connection to the destination access point based on the change request fails, controlling to connect to the first access point using the first connection information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience when a STA connects to an AP. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP). [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation display unit of the MFP. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an access point (AP). [Figure 6] 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process based on a connection destination change request from an AP. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the MFP when connecting to an AP. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on an operation display unit of an MFP. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on an operation display unit of an MFP. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on an operation display unit of an MFP. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] (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 communication devices include a mobile terminal device 104, a multi-function peripheral (MFP) 100, access points AP1 (101) and AP2 (102), a DHCP server 103, and a network 110. The mobile terminal device 104 is a device having a wireless communication function using a wireless LAN or the like. Note that, hereinafter, a wireless LAN may be referred to as a WLAN. The mobile terminal device 104 may be a personal information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone (smartphone), a digital camera, a personal computer, or the like.

[0011] The MFP 100 has a printing function, and may further have a reading function (scanner), a FAX function, and a telephone function. The MFP 100 of this embodiment has a communication function capable of wirelessly communicating with a mobile terminal device 104. Although the MFP 100 is used as an example in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printing device, a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, and the like, each having a communication function, may be used instead of the MFP 100. Note that MFP is an acronym for Multi Function Peripheral.

[0012] The AP1 (101) is provided separately (externally) from the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100, and operates as a base station device of the WLAN. A communication device having a communication function of the WLAN can communicate in infrastructure mode of the WLAN via the AP1 (101). In the following, an access point may be called an "AP." Also, infrastructure mode may be called a "wireless infrastructure mode." The AP1 (101) performs wireless communication with a communication device that has been authorized to connect to the own device (has been authenticated), and relays wireless communication between the communication device and other communication devices. Also, the AP1 (101) is connected to, for example, a wired communication network, and can relay communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and another communication device wirelessly connected to the AP1 (101).

[0013] AP2 (102) has the same function as AP1 (101), and MFP 100 switches the connection from AP1 (101) to AP2 (102) as necessary. DHCP server 103 connects to MFP 100 via AP1 (101) and network 110, and provides services to MFP 100 by responding to requests from MFP 100. Note that, in FIG. 1, DHCP server 103 is described as being connected as a device separate from AP1 (101) and AP2 (102), but AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) may have a DHCP server function. DNS server 105 is connected to MFP 100 and mobile terminal device 104 via AP1 (101) and network 110, and provides services for name resolution by responding to requests from MFP 100 and mobile terminal device 104. Here, network 110 may be the so-called Internet, or may be a closed network within a company or a mobile phone network.

[0014] (External configuration of MFP) FIG. 2A shows an example of the external configuration of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 has, for example, a document table 201, a document cover 202, a print paper insertion port 203, a print paper discharge port 204, and an operation display unit 205. The document table 201 is a table on which a document to be read is placed. The document cover 202 is a cover for holding the document placed on the document table 201 and preventing light from a light source that irradiates the document during reading from leaking to the outside. The print paper insertion port 203 is an insertion port that allows various sizes of paper to be set. The print paper discharge port 204 is a discharge port that discharges paper that has been printed. The paper set in the print paper insertion port 203 is transported one sheet at a time to the printing unit, and after printing is performed in the printing unit, it is discharged from the print paper discharge port 204. The operation display unit 205 includes keys such as character input keys, cursor keys, a decision key, and a cancel key, as well as an LED and an LCD, and is configured to be able to accept operations by the user to activate various functions as an MFP and to operate various settings. The operation display unit 205 may also be configured to include a touch panel display. The MFP 100 has a wireless communication function using WLAN, and includes a wireless communication antenna 206 for the wireless communication, although this does not necessarily need to be visible from the outside. Like the mobile terminal device 104, the MFP 100 can also perform wireless communication using WLAN in frequency bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

[0015] (MFP configuration) 2B shows an example of the configuration of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 includes a main board 211 that performs main control of the device itself, and a wireless unit 226 that is one communication module that performs WLAN communication using at least one common antenna. The MFP 100 also includes, for example, a modem 229 for performing wired communication. The main board 211 includes, for example, a CPU 212 (central processing unit), a ROM 213, a RAM 214, a non-volatile memory 215, an image memory 216, a read control unit 217, a data conversion unit 218, a reading unit 219, and an encoding / decoding processing unit 221. The main board 211 also includes, for example, a printing unit 222, a paper feed unit 223, a printing control unit 224, an operation display unit 220, and a FAX control unit 227. These functional units in the main board 211 are connected to each other via a system bus 230 managed by the CPU 212. Furthermore, the main board 211 and the wireless unit 226 are connected via, for example, a dedicated bus 225 , and the main board 211 and the modem 229 are connected via, for example, a bus 228 .

[0016] The CPU 212 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire MFP 100. In one example, the processing of the MFP 100 described below is realized by the CPU 212 executing a program stored in the ROM 213. Dedicated hardware for each process may be prepared. The ROM 213 stores a control program and an embedded OS program executed by the CPU 212. In this embodiment, the CPU 212 executes each control program stored in the ROM 213 under the management of an embedded OS also stored in the ROM 213, thereby performing software control such as scheduling and task switching.

[0017] The RAM 214 is composed of an SRAM or the like. The RAM 214 stores data such as program control variables, setting values ​​registered by the user, and management data of the MFP 100. The RAM 214 can also be used as a buffer for various types of work. The non-volatile memory 215 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the power of the MFP 100 is turned off. The image memory 216 is composed of a memory such as a DRAM. The image memory 216 accumulates image data received via the wireless unit 226, image data processed by the encoding / decoding processing unit 221, and the like. Note that the memory configuration of the MFP 100 is not limited to the above configuration. The data conversion unit 218 analyzes data of various formats, converts image data into print data, and the like.

[0018] The reading control unit 217 controls the reading unit 219 (for example, a CIS (contact image sensor)) to optically read the document placed on the document table 201. The reading control unit 217 converts the image obtained by optically reading the document into electrical image data (image signals) and outputs the same. At this time, the reading control unit 217 may output the image data after performing various image processes such as binarization and halftoning.

[0019] The operation display unit 220 is the operation display unit 205 described with reference to FIG. 2(a), and performs display on a display based on display control by the CPU 212, generation of a signal in response to reception of a user operation, and the like.

[0020] The encoding / decoding processor 221 performs encoding and decoding processes and enlargement / reduction processes for image data (JPEG, PNG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100.

[0021] The paper feed unit 223 holds paper for printing. The paper feed unit 223 can supply the set paper under the control of the print control unit 224. The paper feed unit 223 may include multiple paper feed units in order to hold multiple types of paper in one device, and under the control of the print control unit 224, it can control which paper feed unit to use to feed paper.

[0022] The print control unit 224 performs various image processing such as smoothing, print density correction, and color correction on the image data to be printed, and outputs the processed image data to the print unit 222. The print unit 222 is configured to be able to execute, for example, an inkjet printing process, and ejects ink supplied from an ink tank from a print head to record an image on a recording medium (print medium) such as paper. Note that the print unit 222 may be configured to execute other printing processes such as an electrophotographic method. The print control unit 224 may also periodically read out information from the print unit 222 and update status information stored in the RAM 214, including the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank and the state of the print head.

[0023] The wireless unit 226 is a unit capable of providing a communication function of WLAN, and can provide the same function as that of a combination of the WLAN unit 401 of the mobile terminal device 104, for example. That is, the wireless unit 226 converts data into packets according to the WLAN standard and transmits the packets to other devices, and also restores packets from other external devices to the original data and outputs them to the CPU 212. The wireless unit 226 can communicate as a station conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard series. In particular, it can communicate as a station conforming to IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. Hereinafter, the station may be referred to as an STA. It can also communicate as an STA compatible with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark).

[0024] The wireless unit 226 is compatible with IEEE802.11ax, i.e., Wi-Fi6 (trademark), and can perform processing compliant with IEEE802.11ax. That is, the MFP 100 can perform either or both of the processing as an STA compatible with (compliant with) OFDMA and the operation (processing) as an STA compatible with (compliant with) TWT. OFDMA stands for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access. TWT stands for Target Wake Time. Since it supports TWT, the timing of data communication from the parent device to the STA is adjusted. The wireless unit 226 (MFP 100) that is an STA transitions the communication function to a sleep state when it is not necessary to wait for signal reception. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption. The wireless unit 226 also supports Wi-Fi 6E (trademark). That is, communication in the 6 GHz band (5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz) is also possible. The band that is in the 5 GHz band and in which Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) is performed does not exist in the 6 GHz band. As a result, when communicating in the 6 GHz band, communication interruptions due to DFS waiting times will not occur, and you can expect more smooth communication.

[0025] The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 are capable of P2P (WLAN) communication based on the WFD, and the wireless unit 226 has a software access point (soft AP) function or a group owner function. That is, the wireless unit 226 can build a network for P2P communication and determine a channel to be used for P2P communication.

[0026] (MFP operation display section) FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen display on a display (touch panel display) included in the operation display unit 220 of the MFP 100. FIG. 3(a) shows an example of a home screen displayed when the MFP 100 is powered on and an operation such as printing or scanning is not being performed (idle state, standby state). In FIG. 3(a), display items (menu items) corresponding to copy, scan, and cloud are displayed. Cloud is a menu item related to a cloud function using Internet communication. When any of the menu items is selected by key operation or touch panel operation, the MFP 100 can start executing the corresponding setting or function. The MFP 100 can seamlessly display a screen different from that shown in FIG. 3(a) by accepting key operation or touch panel operation on the home screen of FIG. 3(a).

[0027] Fig. 3(b) is a display example of another part of the home screen, which is a screen transitioned to by an operation (such as a sliding operation to the left or right) to display another page of the home screen from the state of Fig. 3(a). Fig. 3(b) displays display items (menu items) corresponding to communication settings, printing, and main unit settings. When any of these menu items is selected, the function corresponding to the selected menu item, i.e., the print function, main unit settings, or communication settings, is executed.

[0028] FIG. 3(c) is an example of a display of a menu screen of communication settings that is displayed when communication settings are selected on the screen of FIG. 3(b). On the menu screen of communication settings, "wireless LAN", "wired LAN", "wireless direct", "Bluetooth", and "common" are displayed as menu items (options). "Wireless LAN", "wired LAN", and "wireless direct" are menu items for performing LAN settings, and from these items, settings such as setting wired connection, enabling / disabling wireless infrastructure mode, and enabling / disabling P2P modes such as WFD and soft AP mode can be performed. When the "wireless LAN" item is selected and wireless LAN is enabled by user operation, wireless infrastructure mode is enabled. When the "wireless direct" item is selected and wireless direct is enabled by user operation, P2P (WLAN) mode is enabled. In addition, on this screen, a common setting menu for each connection form is also displayed. Furthermore, the user can set the frequency band and frequency channel of wireless LAN from this screen.

[0029] (External configuration of mobile terminal device) FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the mobile terminal device 104. In this embodiment, as an example, the mobile terminal device 104 is a smartphone of a general type. The mobile terminal device 104 includes, for example, a display unit 402, an operation unit 403, and a power key 404. The display unit 402 is, for example, a display including a display mechanism of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type. The display unit 402 may display information using, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like. The mobile terminal device 104 may have a function of outputting information by voice in addition to or instead of the display unit 402. The operation unit 403 includes hard keys such as keys and buttons, a touch panel, and the like for detecting user operations. In this example, the display unit 402 displays information and the operation unit 403 accepts user operations using a common touch panel display, so that the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 are realized by one device. In this case, for example, button icons and a software keyboard are displayed using the display function of the display unit 402, and the touch of the user on those points is detected by the operation reception function of the operation unit 403. Note that the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 may be separated, and hardware for display and hardware for operation reception may be prepared separately. The power key 404 is a hardware key for receiving a user operation for turning the power of the mobile terminal device 104 on or off.

[0030] The mobile terminal device 104 includes a WLAN unit 401 that provides a communication function of a WLAN, although it is not necessarily visible from the outside. The WLAN unit 401 is configured to be able to execute data (packet) communication in a WLAN system that complies with, for example, the IEEE802.11 standard series (IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, etc.). In addition, it is capable of communication as an AP compatible with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark). However, it is not limited to this, and the WLAN unit 401 may be capable of executing communication in a WLAN system that complies with other standards. In this example, it is assumed that the WLAN unit 401 is capable of communication in both the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. It is also assumed that the WLAN unit 401 is capable of communication based on WFD, communication in a soft AP mode, communication in a wireless infrastructure mode, etc. Operations in these modes will be described later.

[0031] (Configuration of mobile terminal device) FIG. 4(b) shows an example of the configuration of the mobile terminal device 104. In one example, the mobile terminal device 104 has a main board 411 that performs main control of the device itself, and a WLAN unit 429 that performs WLAN communication. The main board 411 includes, for example, a CPU 412, a ROM 413, a RAM 414, an image memory 415, a data conversion unit 416, a telephone unit 417, a GPS 419, a camera unit 421, a non-volatile memory 422, a data storage unit 423, a speaker unit 424, and a power supply unit 425. Here, CPU is an acronym for Central Processing Unit, ROM is an acronym for Read Only Memory, RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory, and GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. The mobile terminal device 104 also includes a display unit 420 and an operation unit 418. These functional units in the main board 411 are connected to each other via a system bus 628 managed by the CPU 412. Furthermore, the main board 411 and the WLAN unit 429 (the above-mentioned WLAN unit 401) are connected via a dedicated bus 426, for example.

[0032] The CPU 412 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire mobile terminal device 104. In one example, the processing of the mobile terminal device 104 described below is realized by the CPU 412 executing a program stored in the ROM 413. Dedicated hardware for each process may be prepared. The ROM 413 stores a control program executed by the CPU 412, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In this embodiment, the CPU 412 executes each control program stored in the ROM 413 under the management of an embedded OS also stored in the ROM 413, thereby performing software control such as scheduling and task switching.

[0033] The RAM 414 is composed of a static RAM (SRAM) or the like. The RAM 414 stores data such as program control variables, settings registered by the user, and management data of the mobile terminal device 104. The RAM 414 can also be used as a buffer for various types of work. The image memory 415 is composed of a memory such as a dynamic RAM (DRAM). The image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received via the WLAN unit 429 and image data read from the data storage unit 423 for processing by the CPU 412. The non-volatile memory 422 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the power supply of the mobile terminal device 104 is turned off. Note that the memory configuration of the mobile terminal device 104 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. For example, the image memory 415 and the RAM 414 may be shared, or data may be backed up using the data storage unit 423. In the present embodiment, a DRAM is given as an example of the image memory 415, but other storage media such as a hard disk or a non-volatile memory may also be used.

[0034] The data conversion unit 416 performs data conversion such as analysis of data in various formats, color conversion, image conversion, etc. The telephone unit 417 controls the telephone line and realizes telephone communication by processing audio data input and output via the speaker unit 424. The GPS 419 receives radio waves transmitted from satellites and acquires location information such as the current latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal device 104.

[0035] The camera unit 421 has a function of electronically recording and encoding an image input through a lens. Image data obtained by imaging with the camera unit 421 is stored in the data storage unit 423. The speaker unit 424 performs control to realize a function of inputting or outputting voice for a telephone function and other functions such as alarm notification. The power supply unit 425 is, for example, a portable battery, and controls the power supply to the device. The power supply state includes, for example, a dead battery state in which the battery has no remaining charge, a power-off state in which the power key 404 is not pressed, a running state in which the device is normally running, and a power-saving state in which the device is running but is in power-saving mode.

[0036] 4(a) and performs various input operations and displays the operating and status conditions of the MFP 100 based on the control of the CPU 412. The operation unit 418 is the operation unit 403 described with reference to Fig. 4(a) and, upon receiving a user operation, performs control such as generating an electrical signal corresponding to the operation and outputting it to the CPU 412.

[0037] The mobile terminal device 104 performs wireless communication using the WLAN unit 429, and performs data communication with other devices such as the MFP 100. The WLAN unit 429 converts data into packets and transmits the packets to other devices. The WLAN unit 429 also restores packets from other external devices to their original data and outputs the data to the CPU 412. The WLAN unit 429 is a unit for realizing communication compliant with the WLAN standards. The WLAN unit 429 can operate in parallel in at least two communication modes including a wireless infrastructure mode and a P2P (WLAN) mode. The frequency bands used in these communication modes may be limited by the functions and performance of the hardware.

[0038] (Access point configuration) 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of AP1 (101) having a wireless LAN access point function. The AP1 (101) includes a main board 510 that controls the AP1 (101), a wireless LAN unit 516, a wired LAN unit 518, and an operation button 520.

[0039] A microprocessor-type CPU 511 arranged on a main board 510 operates according to a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 513 connected via an internal bus 512 and the contents of a RAM-type data memory 514. The CPU 511 performs wireless LAN communication with other communication terminal devices by controlling a wireless LAN unit 516 via a wireless LAN communication control unit 515. The CPU 511 also performs wired LAN communication with other communication terminal devices by controlling a wired LAN unit 518 via a wired LAN communication control unit 517. The CPU 511 is capable of accepting operations from a user via an operation button 520 by controlling an operation unit control circuit 519. The CPU 511 includes at least one processor.

[0040] The AP1 (101) also includes an interference wave detection unit 521 and a channel change unit 522. The interference wave detection unit 521 performs processing to detect interference waves when wireless communication is being performed in a band where DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) is performed. If an interference wave is detected when wireless communication is being performed in a band where DFS is performed, the channel change unit 522 performs processing to change the channel to be used when it is necessary to immediately change to an available channel.

[0041] It should be noted that AP2 (102) has the same configuration as AP1 (101).

[0042] (P2P communication method) Next, we will outline a P2P (WLAN) communication method in which devices communicate directly with each other wirelessly without going through an external access point in WLAN communication. P2P (WLAN) communication can be realized using a number of methods, and for example, a communication device can support a number of modes for P2P (WLAN) communication and selectively use one of the multiple modes to execute P2P communication (WLAN).

[0043] The following two P2P modes are envisioned: Soft AP mode Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode A communication device capable of P2P communication may be configured to support at least one of these modes, but a communication device capable of P2P communication does not necessarily have to support all of these modes and may be configured to support only some of them.

[0044] A communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104) having a communication function based on WFD calls up a (possibly dedicated) application for implementing the communication function by accepting user operations via its operation unit. The communication device then displays a UI (user interface) screen provided by the application to prompt the user to operate, and can execute WFD communication based on the accepted user operations in response.

[0045] ●Soft AP mode In the soft AP mode, a communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104) operates as a client that requests various services. The other communication device (e.g., the MFP 100) operates as a soft AP that can execute the functions of a WLAN AP by software settings. Note that commands and parameters transmitted and received when establishing a wireless connection between a client and a soft AP are not described here because those specified in the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard are sufficient. In addition, the MFP 100 operating in the soft AP mode determines a frequency band and a frequency channel as a parent station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use from 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0046] ●WFD mode The MFP 100 may be configured to start up as a fixed parent station in the WFD mode (Autonomous Group Owner). In this case, GO Negotiation processing for determining the role is not required. In addition, in this case, the MFP 100 determines the frequency band and frequency channel as the parent station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use from 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0047] (Wireless infrastructure mode) In the wireless infrastructure mode, communication devices (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100) that communicate with each other are connected to an external AP (e.g., AP1 (101)) that manages the network, and communication between the communication devices is performed via the AP. In other words, communication between the communication devices is performed via a network built by the external AP. When the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 each find the AP1 (101) and transmit a connection request to the AP1 (101) and connect, communication between these communication devices in the wireless infrastructure mode via the AP1 (101) is possible. Note that multiple communication devices may be connected to separate APs. In this case, data transfer between the APs enables communication between the communication devices. Commands and parameters transmitted and received during communication between each communication device via an access point may be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, so description thereof will be omitted here. In this case, the AP1 (101) determines the frequency band and frequency channel. Therefore, the AP1 (101) can select which frequency band to use from 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 6 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0048] (Processing in response to a request from the AP to change the connection destination of the STA) The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 support a function disclosed as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark). Wi-Fi Agile Multiband is a function that enables the selection of an optimal environment according to the changing conditions of a Wi-Fi network. Specifically, STAs such as the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 and APs such as AP1 (101) exchange information about the network environment using the IEEE802.11 series of communication standards. By such information exchange, when the network is congested, the AP can guide (change the connection destination) the STA to another AP, frequency band, channel, or even to another cellular service in some cases.

[0049] 6 is a sequence diagram in which the MFP100 switches the AP of the connection destination from AP1 (101) to AP2 (102) in response to a request to change the connection destination from AP1 (101). In this sequence, the processes executed by each device are realized by the CPU of each device reading various programs stored in a memory such as a ROM of each device into a RAM and executing the programs.

[0050] In the initial state of the process in Fig. 6, it is assumed that the MFP 100 has established a connection with the AP1 (101) in wireless infrastructure mode. In addition, when the MFP 100 and the AP1 (101) connect in wireless infrastructure mode, the AP1 (101) acquires information on whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE802.11v. Then, it is assumed that the AP1 (101) performs the following process if it has acquired information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE802.11v.

[0051] In S601, the AP1 (101) transmits to the MFP 100 an inquiry (measurement request) regarding the radio wave strength of APs around the MFP 100. This inquiry is transmitted, for example, as a beacon frame request or a beacon report request. That is, this request can use a mechanism defined in the IEEE 802.11k standard.

[0052] In S602, in response to the request received in S601, the MFP 100 receives frames transmitted from the surrounding APs and measures the radio wave strength, thereby measuring the radio wave strength of each of the multiple APs, including AP1 (101) and AP2 (102).

[0053] In S603, the MFP 100 transmits a list of the radio wave strengths of the APs around the MFP 100 measured in S602 as a response to the request received in S601. Note that the radio wave strength to be responded to may be information stored in the RAM 214 and non-volatile memory 215 of the MFP 100 in addition to or instead of the information measured in S602. This response is transmitted as, for example, a beacon report or measurement reports.

[0054] In S604, the AP1 (101) determines whether or not it is necessary to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100 based on the congestion status in the network that the AP1 (101) is aware of and the radio wave strength received in S603 from the MFP 100. Factors that the AP1 (101) uses to determine that a connection switch is necessary include a large number of connected STAs, a large amount of communication, other APs are less congested, the presence or absence of radio interference, and AP function stoppage. If it determines that it is necessary to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100 and determines the Service Set Identifier (hereinafter, SSID), channel, and frequency band of another AP to be specified as the switching destination of the MFP 100, the process proceeds to S605.

[0055] In S605, AP1 (101) transmits an AP change request (connection destination switching request) to the MFP 100. The connection destination change request includes information on the SSID, channel, and frequency band of another AP to be specified as a switching destination for the MFP 100, as determined in S604. Note that multiple SSIDs may be specified. The connection destination change request is transmitted, for example, as a BTM Request. In other words, a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame defined in the IEEE802.11v standard is transmitted. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that AP2 (102) is specified as the switching destination included in the connection destination change request.

[0056] In S606, if the MFP 100 complies with the connection destination change request received in S605, it transmits a response indicating switch approval to the AP1 (101). If the MFP 100 does not comply with the connection destination change request, it may transmit a switch refusal as a response. The response is transmitted as a BTM Response. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that a response indicating approval is transmitted.

[0057] In S607, the AP1 (101) and the MFP 100 disconnect the connection in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0058] In S608, the MFP 100 transmits a connection request to the AP2 (102) to connect to the AP2 (102) specified in the connection destination change request received in S605.

[0059] As a result, in S609, a connection between the MFP 100 and the AP2 (102) is established in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0060] With this mechanism, the MFP100, which is an STA, can change the connection destination from AP1 (101) to AP2 (102) based on a connection destination change request from the originally connected AP1 (101). The AP1 (101) and AP2 (102) may be APs installed in different locations. That is, the MFP100 can switch to another AP installed in a different location from the originally connected AP by the process of FIG. 6. Also, the APs may correspond to different frequency bands among multiple frequency bands (any two or three of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) provided by the same device. That is, the MFP100 can switch to another frequency band provided by the same device as the originally connected AP by the process of FIG. 6. For example, the connection destination can be changed to an AP in the 6 GHz band based on a connection destination change request.

[0061] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a measurement request and a connection destination change request are transmitted from an AP in a mechanism conforming to Wi-Fi Agile Multiband, and the STA responds to the request, but the present invention is not limited to this. This embodiment can also be applied to a case in which the STA responds to a measurement request or a connection destination change request transmitted from an AP using a mechanism different from the above-mentioned example, or changes the connection destination AP (switching, deleting, or adding the AP to be connected).

[0062] There are situations where it is acceptable to change the destination AP based on a change request sent from the currently connected AP, and situations where it is not desirable. In situations where it is not desirable to change the destination AP based on a change request, one or a combination of the following processes can be performed as a process to suppress the change of the connection destination in response to a change request. The following processes are processes that prevent the destination AP from being changed based on a change request, or processes that make it difficult to change the destination AP, respectively.

[0063] (Suppression process 1) Even if the change request described in S605 is received, the connection destination AP is not changed based on the received connection request, and a response to the change request is not returned, or a response indicating refusal (not to change the connection destination AP) is sent to the currently connected AP. If a refusal response is sent, the priority of the change of the connection destination of other STAs connected to the currently connected AP increases, and the priority of the change of the connection destination of the MFP 100 that returned the refusal response is lowered, and as a result, the connection with the previously connected AP may be maintained. Also, if no response is returned (ignored), the currently connected AP is considered to maintain the connection with the MFP 100 in order to wait for a response until the response waiting time times out. Therefore, if the situation is such that the connection is immediately cut off in response to the arrival of some kind of response from the MFP 100 in response to the change request, not responding can extend the time during which the connection with the currently connected AP can be maintained, rather than returning some kind of response. Therefore, for example, different processing can be performed according to the reason for the change, such as responding with refusal if the reason is weak and ignoring if the reason is strong, based on the information on the reason for the change included in the change request. The reason for the change can be determined based on information on which of several reasons is included in the Request Mode included in the BTM Request. For example, if the Disassociation Imminent bit or the BSS Termination Included bit in the Request mode is 1, it can be determined that the reason for the change is a strong reason for the change request. If not, it can be determined that the reason for the change is a weak reason.

[0064] (Suppression process 2) In response to the measurement request described in S601, the AP responds with information indicating that the radio wave reception status (signal reception status) of the non-connected AP other than the connected AP is worse than the actual measured status (worse signal quality) (fake response). In this case, the AP may respond by actually performing measurement in response to the reception of the measurement request, or may respond without actually performing measurement. Specifically, in the response (beacon report, etc.) described in S603, the AP responds with a value obtained by subtracting the received signal strength from the signal quality measured as the signal received from the non-connected AP, and / or with a value obtained by increasing the noise (signal-to-noise ratio). Alternatively, the AP may respond with content that does not include at least one piece of information about the non-connected AP. In addition, the AP may respond with a significantly lower received signal strength or a significantly increased noise value based on information previously measured about the non-connected AP. In addition, the AP may respond with a substantially good received signal strength and noise status only about the connected AP without actually performing measurement (AP search) even when the measurement request is received, without including information about the non-connected AP. A response to a measurement request without including information about the non-connected AP corresponds to an AP search not finding other non-connected APs. In other words, a response without including information about the non-connected AP indicates that at least some of the signal quality from the non-connected AP is worse than the signal quality obtained by an actual AP search. This is expected to prevent a connected AP from sending a connection change request to another AP, and therefore prevents a change in connection destination in response to a connection change request.

[0065] (Suppression process 3) The currently connected AP is once disconnected, information that the change request is not supported is notified, and reconnection to the same AP is performed. Specifically, the wireless connection to the currently connected AP is once disconnected, and in preparation for wireless connection again, data of an Association Request frame including information that IEEE802.11v is not supported is created. Then, connection processing with the AP is performed using the data of the created Association Request frame. As a result, if an Association Request frame including information that IEEE802.11v is not supported is created, the MFP 100 is connected to the AP as an electronic device that does not support (is not compatible with) the Agile Multiband function. As a result, the currently connected AP recognizes that the MFP 100 is not compatible with IEEE802.11v, and does not transmit a request to change the wireless connection destination to the MFP 100. In this way, a request to change the wireless connection to the MFP 100 is no longer made, and the wireless connection between the MFP 100 and the currently connected AP is easily maintained. Furthermore, when the connected AP recognizes that the MFP 100 is not IEEE802.11v compatible, the transmission of the measurement request (the request described in S601) from the connected AP to the MFP 100 is also suppressed. Therefore, the measurement (AP search) in response to the measurement request in the MFP 100 and the response to the measurement request (processing of S603) can also be suppressed. This reduces the processing load and power consumption, and allows resources to be allocated to other processes.

[0066] For example, a state in which it is not desirable to change the connection destination AP based on a change request is when print data is being received. When the MFP 100 is receiving print data, part of the print data of an image to be printed has already been received from the mobile terminal device 104, which is the counterpart device, and reception of the remaining part of the print data has not been completed. The MFP 100 does not store all of the print data to be printed on one sheet of paper. Therefore, when the MFP 100 receives part of the print data, it prints only the received part (for example, receives and prints one line), and when it receives the subsequent data, it prints only that part again, and repeats this process to perform printing. If the connection destination AP is changed based on a change request for the connection destination while receiving this print data, a time lag occurs due to the process of switching the connection destination, which may lead to a decrease in print quality, such as uneven printing. In addition, after switching the connection destination, communication with the mobile terminal device 104, which is the counterpart device, may not go well, and the subsequent data may not be received, resulting in failure of printing. Therefore, while receiving print data, at least one of the above-mentioned (suppression process 1) and (suppression process 2) is performed to suppress a change of the connection destination in response to a change request, or the above-mentioned (suppression process 3) is performed before starting to receive print data.

[0067] Incidentally, when the MFP 100 receives a connection destination change request from the currently connected AP as described above, the MFP 100 may perform control to switch the connection destination AP based on the change request. On the other hand, the MFP 100 may fail to connect to the AP based on the change request. If the MFP 100 fails to connect to the AP, it may enter an unconnected state.

[0068] In this embodiment, the MFP 100 receives a request to change the connection destination from the currently connected AP to another AP. The MFP 100 performs recording control to store the connection information of the preset AP and the connection information of the other AP included in the change request. The MFP 100 controls the connection destination AP to change the connection from the currently connected AP to the other AP based on the connection destination change request. If the change of connection from the currently connected AP to the other AP fails, the MFP 100 controls to reconnect to the originally connected AP using the connection information of the preset AP. With this configuration, even if the MFP 100 fails to connect, it is possible to prevent the MFP 100 from becoming unconnected. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the MFP 100 when connecting to an AP.

[0069] The following describes the operation of the MFP100 when changing the AP to which it is connected using the Agile Multiband function, and when changing the AP by user settings. The following also describes the operation when connecting to an AP at startup of the MFP100. In the following description, the operation of the MFP100 to receive a request to change the connection destination from the currently connected AP and change the connection destination AP based on the change request may be referred to as the Agile Multiband function.

[0070] Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of MFP 100 in this embodiment regarding connection to an AP (e.g., wireless LAN). In this flow chart, the processing executed by MFP 100 is realized by CPU 212 reading various programs stored in a memory such as ROM 213 into RAM 214 and executing them. The processing in Fig. 7 is started, for example, when MFP 100 is powered on. That is, the processing in Fig. 7 is started, for example, when the MFP is restarted.

[0071] The processes from S701 to S707 show an example of a connection operation to an AP that is executed when the power of the MFP 100 is turned on. The processes from S708 onwards show an example of an operation that is executed after the MFP 100 connects to the AP.

[0072] In S701, the CPU 212 judges whether or not the AP in use is an AP with the Agile Multiband setting. When the CPU 212 judges that the AP in use is an AP with the Agile Multiband setting, the process proceeds to S704. On the other hand, when the CPU 212 judges that the AP in use is not an AP with the Agile Multiband setting, the process proceeds to S702. Specifically, in S701, the CPU 212 judges whether or not the AP based on the connection destination change request was connected by the Agile Multiband function at the time of the previous start (before the MFP 100 is shut down). In this embodiment, the AP based on the connection destination change request may be called an "AP with the Agile Multiband setting". In other words, the "AP with the Agile Multiband setting" is an AP connected by the Agile Multiband function. The CPU 212 manages whether or not the AP with the Agile Multiband setting is in use by using a flag, as described later. For example, when the MFP 100 connects to an AP with the Agile Multiband setting, the CPU 212 sets (ON) a flag to indicate that the AP with the Agile Multiband setting is an AP in use. When the MFP 100 connects to an AP other than the AP with the Agile Multiband setting, the CPU 212 removes (deletes) the flag set for the AP with the Agile Multiband setting. In S701, the CPU 212 refers to a flag indicating that the AP with the Agile Multiband setting is in use, and if the flag is not set, the process proceeds to S702, and if the flag is set, the process proceeds to S704. That is, in S701, if the MFP 100 is shut down while connected to the AP with the Agile Multiband setting at the previous startup, and then restarts, the process proceeds to S704. Note that the determination in S701 may be based on whether or not "connection information for the Agile Multiband setting" described later is stored in the non-volatile memory 215.

[0073] In S702, control is performed to execute a connection to a user-defined AP. The user-defined AP is not a connection destination AP based on a connection destination change request by Agile Multiband, but an AP that is defined as a connection destination AP based on a user operation via the operation display unit 220 or the like. For example, the user can configure wireless connection settings from the menu screen of FIG. 3(c) or the like. For example, the user can select an AP from a display screen listing identification information (SSID, etc.) of APs found by the AP search of the MFP 100, and input the password of the selected AP to define the AP as a connection destination AP of the MFP 100. The identification information (SSID, BSSID, MAC address, etc.) and password defined by the user are stored in the non-volatile memory 215 as connection information. In the following description, the connection information, such as the identification information (SSID, BSSID, MAC address, etc.) and password defined by the user, may be referred to as "user-defined connection information". In the present embodiment, the description will be given assuming that connection information with the AP1 (101) is defined in the "user-defined connection information". That is, in this embodiment, in S702, the CPU 212 performs control to attempt a wireless connection to AP1 (101). In the following description, an AP connected using "user-defined connection information" may be called a "user-defined AP." In addition, the "user-defined connection information" and "Agile Multiband setting connection information," which will be described later, are stored separately in the non-volatile memory 215.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the connection information of the user settings is set via the operation display unit 220, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information of the AP to which the mobile terminal device 104 is connected may be received from the mobile terminal device 104 connected to the MFP 100 and set. For example, if the mobile terminal device 104 supports a function called Wi-Fi Easy Connect (hereinafter, WEC) (registered trademark), the "user settings connection information" may be stored by the function. WEC is a function that executes network setup of other devices using Device Provisioning Protocol (hereinafter, DPP) established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The network setup of other devices is specifically a process of connecting other devices to an access point that forms a network. In this way, the user may transmit the connection information of the AP1 (101) of the MFP 100 from the mobile terminal device 104 by the function of WEC. The connection information of the user settings may be set using a setting app of the mobile terminal device 104 or the like. The connection information of the user settings may be set by other setting methods such as setting using WPS (wi-fi Protected Setup) (registered trademark).

[0075] In S703, the CPU 212 determines whether the connection to the AP set by the user in S702 was successful. If the CPU 212 determines that the connection was successful, the process proceeds to S708. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the connection was unsuccessful, the process proceeds to S702. That is, in S703, if the connection to the AP set by the user fails, the CPU 212 attempts to connect to the same AP again (S702), and does not perform control to connect to the AP set by Agile Multiband. In this way, if the MFP 100 is shut down while connected to the AP set by the user, the MFP 100 preferentially connects to the AP set by the user. Note that, for example, when the distance between the AP set by the user and the MFP 100 is not within a predetermined range, the MFP 100 may fail to connect to the AP set by the user. Also, for example, when the power supply of the AP set by the user is OFF or when the password of the AP input by the user is incorrect, the MFP 100 may fail to connect to the AP set by the user.

[0076] In S704, the CPU 212 performs control to execute a connection to the "AP with Agile Multiband settings". The "AP with Agile Multiband settings" is an AP connected based on a connection destination change request by Agile Multiband. The connection destination change request includes, for example, identification information of the AP after change, information indicating a security method, and information such as a channel as connection information of the Agile Multiband connection destination. The identification information included in the change request is, for example, an SSID (BSSID, MAC address), etc. Hereinafter, information such as the SSID (BSSID, MAC address) of the AP included in the connection destination change request stored by the MFP 100 may be referred to as "connection information of Agile Multiband settings". This connection information of Agile Multiband settings is stored separately from the connection information of the user settings as described above. In this embodiment, the connection information of Agile Multiband settings will be described as connection information of AP2 (102). That is, in S704, the CPU 212 performs control to attempt a wireless connection to the AP2 (102) using the Agile Multiband connection information stored in the non-volatile memory 215.

[0077] In S705, the CPU 212 determines whether or not the connection to the AP with the Agile Multiband setting in S704 was successful. If the CPU 212 determines that the connection was successful, the process proceeds to S708. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the connection was unsuccessful, the process proceeds to S706. Note that, for example, when the distance between the AP with the Agile Multiband setting and the MFP 100 is not within a predetermined range, the MFP 100 may fail to connect to the AP with the user setting. Also, for example, when the power supply of the Agile Multiband setting is OFF, the MFP 100 may fail to connect to the AP with the user setting.

[0078] In S706, the CPU 212 performs control to execute a connection to the AP of the user's setting, similarly to the process of S702. In this way, even if the connection to the AP of the Agile Multiband setting fails based on the start of the MFP 100, the MFP 100 attempts to connect to the AP of the user's setting. This can prevent the MFP 100 from being in an unconnected state. Note that, in the present embodiment, a case where the process of S707 is performed after the process of S706 will be described, but is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 212 may execute a process similar to S703 after executing the process of S706. That is, the CPU 212 may determine whether or not the connection to the AP of the user's setting has been successful after executing the process of S706. Furthermore, when the CPU 212 determines that the connection to the AP of the user's setting has failed, the CPU 212 may repeat the process of S706.

[0079] In S707, the CPU 212 removes the AP with the Agile Multiband setting from the APs in use. Specifically, the CPU 212 deletes (removes) the flag set in the AP with the Agile Multiband setting. Note that in S707, for example, the CPU 212 may delete the connection information of the Agile Multiband setting stored in the non-volatile memory 215.

[0080] In S708, the CPU 212 judges whether or not an inquiry about the radio wave strength of APs around the MFP 100 has been received from the connected AP. It is judged whether or not a measurement request has been received. For example, the connected AP may be AP1 (101) if the connection to the AP set by the user is successful in S702 or S706, or may be AP2 (102) if the connection to the AP set by Agile Multiband is successful in S704. This inquiry is transmitted as a beacon frame request or a beacon report request. The inquiry about radio wave strength that is confirmed in this step corresponds to the one transmitted by the AP1 (101) in S601 of FIG. 6. If the CPU 212 judges that the inquiry about radio wave strength has been received, the process proceeds to S709. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 judges that the inquiry about radio wave strength has not been received, the process proceeds to S710.

[0081] In S709, as described in S602 and S603 of FIG. 6, the CPU 212 measures the radio wave strength of the APs around the MFP 100, and transmits a list of the radio wave strengths of the APs as a Beacon report to the connected AP.

[0082] In S710, it is determined whether or not a connection destination change request for MFP 100 has been received from the connected AP. This process corresponds to the determination of whether or not a request has been received in S605 in FIG. 6 described above. This request includes information such as the SSID, channel, and frequency band of another AP designated as the switching destination, as described above. If the CPU 212 determines that a connection destination change request has been received, the process proceeds to S711. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that a connection destination change request has not been received, the process proceeds to S717.

[0083] In S711, the CPU 212 transmits a response indicating acceptance of the switch to the currently connected AP. This process corresponds to S605 in FIG.

[0084] In S712, the CPU 212 disconnects the currently connected AP in accordance with the received connection destination change request (corresponding to the processing of S607 in FIG. 6), and attempts to connect by sending a connection request to the recommended AP included in the connection destination change request (corresponding to the processing of S608 in FIG. 6).

[0085] In S713, the CPU 212 determines whether or not the connection to the recommended AP based on the change request has been successful. If the CPU 212 determines that the connection has been successful, the process proceeds to S714. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the connection has not been successful, the process proceeds to S716. In other words, if the connection has failed, the CPU 212 proceeds to S716.

[0086] In S714, the CPU 212 performs recording control to control so as to store information on the AP connected in S712 (a recommended AP included in the change request and which has been successfully connected) in the non-volatile memory 215. For example, when the CPU 212 is connected to AP1 (101) set by the user and is able to change the connection destination AP to AP2 (102) based on the connection destination change request, the CPU 212 stores connection information of AP2 (102) in the non-volatile memory 215 as an AP with the Agile Multiband setting.

[0087] In S715, the CPU 212 stores information indicating that the AP with the Agile Multiband setting is being used as the AP to which the connection is to be made. Specifically, the CPU 212 sets a flag indicating that the AP with the Agile Multiband setting is the AP in use, for example, and stores the flag in the non-volatile memory 215. This flag is used in the determination in S701 described above when the MFP 100 is restarted.

[0088] In S716, the CPU 212 connects to the AP using the connection information of the user setting, which is the connection information previously set by the user. For example, when the MFP 100 receives a connection destination change request from the AP 1 (101) in a state where the MFP 100 is connected to the AP 1 (101) set by the user, the MFP 100 disconnects the connection destination from the AP 1 (101) according to the change request, and attempts to change the connection destination AP to AP 2 (102). That is, the control for connecting to the AP 2 is performed. However, as a result, if the MFP 100 fails to connect to the AP 2 (102), the MFP 100 reconnects to the AP 1 (101) based on the "user setting connection information" recorded in the non-volatile memory 215. This makes it possible to prevent the MFP 100 from being in a state of not being connected to the AP. In addition, in this embodiment, a case where the process of S717 is performed after the process of S716 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 212 may perform the same process as S703 after performing the process of S716. That is, the CPU 212 may determine whether or not the connection to the AP set by the user has been successful after executing the process of S716. Furthermore, if the CPU 212 determines that the connection to the AP set by the user has failed, the CPU 212 may repeat the process of S716.

[0089] In S717, the CPU 212 determines whether or not the user has started wireless LAN setting. When the CPU 212 determines that the user has started wireless LAN setting, the process proceeds to S718. On the other hand, when the CPU 212 determines that the user has not started wireless LAN setting, the process proceeds to S718. This is a determination as to whether or not the user has performed an operation to set the AP (wireless LAN) connection destination of the MFP 100, as described above. For example, when the user operates the operation display unit 220 and selects wireless LAN on the screen of FIG. 3(c), the CPU 212 may determine that the user has started wireless LAN setting. Note that the case where the CPU 212 determines that the user has started wireless LAN setting is not limited to this. For example, when the CPU 212 receives a request that the user has started wireless LAN setting using a setting application for the MFP 100 installed in the mobile terminal device 104, the CPU 212 may determine that the user has started wireless LAN setting. For example, there may be a case where MFP 100 operates as a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (hereinafter, HTTP) server, and wireless LAN settings of MFP 100 can be executed via a web browser on mobile terminal device 104. For example, when it is accepted that a web page capable of executing wireless LAN settings has been opened from the web browser, CPU 212 may determine that wireless LAN settings have been started by the user.

[0090] In S718, CPU 212 displays an interface capable of accepting an instruction to set the AP to which MFP 100 is connected. Specifically, for example, when the user is operating through operation display unit 220, CPU 212 may display a wireless LAN setting screen (for example, FIG. 10(a) described later) on operation display unit 220. When the user has performed wireless settings using a setting application on mobile terminal device 104, the wireless LAN setting screen may be displayed by the setting application. For example, CPU 212 may perform control to instruct the setting application to display the wireless LAN setting screen. When a configurable Web page of MFP 100 is displayed from a Web browser on mobile terminal device 104, CPU 212 may transmit HTTP data of the wireless LAN setting screen.

[0091] In S719, the CPU 212 performs recording control to control so as to store the connection information of the AP for which the user operation on the wireless LAN setting screen displayed in S718 has been accepted as user-set connection information in the non-volatile memory 215. The connection information of the AP input based on the user operation is, for example, identification information (e.g., SSID (BSSID, MAC address)) of the connection destination AP and authentication information (e.g., password), etc.

[0092] In S720, the CPU 212 performs control to connect to the AP using the connection information of the user setting stored in the non-volatile memory 215 in S719.

[0093] In S721, the CPU 212 determines whether or not the connection to the AP set by the user in S720 was successful. If the CPU 212 determines that the connection was successful, the process proceeds to S722. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the connection was unsuccessful, the process proceeds to S720. In other words, even if the wireless connection in S720 fails, the CPU 212 does not perform control to connect to the destination AP stored as the connection information in the Agile Multiband setting.

[0094] In S722, the CPU 212 turns off (deletes) the in-use flag, which is information indicating that the AP is connected to the destination AP changed by the Agile Multiband function. Note that in S722, for example, the CPU 212 may delete the connection information of the Agile Multiband setting stored in the non-volatile memory 215.

[0095] Thus, in S711 to S716, when changing the connection destination based on a connection destination change request from an AP, if the CPU 212 attempts to connect to the changed connection destination AP (recommended AP) and fails, it performs control to connect to the AP set by the user. On the other hand, in S718 to S722, if the CPU 212 attempts to connect to the AP set by the user and fails, it does not perform connection processing to a connection destination other than the AP set by the user, but retries the connection to the AP set by the user.

[0096] In S723, CPU 212 determines whether or not there are other events. If CPU 212 determines that there are other events, the process proceeds to S724. On the other hand, if CPU 212 determines that there are no other events, the process proceeds to S725. The other events may be, for example, an instruction to scan an original using reading unit 219, an instruction to copy, an instruction to print (print out) by printing unit 222, etc. In S723, CPU 212 may determine whether or not such an instruction has been received. In S724, CPU 212 performs processing corresponding to the event determined to have other events in S723.

[0097] In S725, CPU 212 determines whether or not the connection with the AP has been terminated. If CPU 212 determines that the connection with the AP has been terminated, it terminates the process of FIG. 7. On the other hand, if CPU 212 determines that the connection with the AP has not been terminated, it proceeds to S708. Specifically, for example, CPU 212 may determine that the connection has been terminated when MFP 100 is shut down, or when the wireless setting of MFP 100 is switched from a screen or the like to a setting that disables wireless connection. Also, for example, CPU 212 may determine that the connection has been terminated when the connection is cut off from the currently connected AP, or when wireless radio waves can no longer reach the AP.

[0098] As described above, according to this embodiment, the MFP 100 stores the connection information of the AP set by the user and the connection information of the AP based on the connection destination change request. Even if the MFP 100 receives a connection destination change request from the currently connected AP and fails to connect to the connection destination AP based on the request, the connection destination can be returned to the AP to which the MFP 100 was originally connected, using the stored connection information set by the user. This makes it possible to prevent the MFP 100 from becoming unconnected to the AP, even if the MFP 100 fails to switch the connection. This improves the convenience of the STA when connecting to the AP.

[0099] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which, when a change request is received in S710 and a connection to a recommended AP based on the received change request is attempted, if the connection to the recommended AP fails (NO in S713), then the AP is connected to using the connection information set by the user in S716. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If a connection to the recommended AP based on a change request is once successful (YES in S713) and communication is subsequently performed through the connection to the recommended AP, then the connection to the recommended AP is cut off for some reason, the process of S716 may be performed. In other words, if communication is being performed with the connection destination changed by the Agile Multiband function, but the connection to the changed connection destination is cut off, then the AP may be connected to AP1 (101) set by the user.

[0100] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which, when a connection has failed due to the Agile Multiband function, the CPU 212 controls to change the AP of the connection destination to an AP set by the user. At this time, for example, when a connection has failed due to the Agile Multiband function, the CPU 212 may notify the user that the connection has failed due to the Agile Multiband function or that the connection has been made to the original connection destination. With reference to Figs. 8(a) and (b), a notification when a connection has failed due to the Agile Multiband function will be described. Fig. 8(a) shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit 220 of the MFP 100. A notification display unit 800 may be displayed on the home screen of the operation display unit 220. The notification display unit 800 is an interface capable of displaying a predetermined notification. For example, when a connection has failed due to the Agile Multiband function, the notification display unit 800 displays a notification 801 indicating that switching of the connection destination AP due to the Agile Multiband function has failed or that the connection has been made to the original connection destination. For example, after executing the process of S716 described above, the CPU 212 may execute a process of notifying notification 801, or may perform display control to display notification 801 on the operation display unit 220. In addition, although an example in which notification 801 is displayed on notification display unit 800 of the home screen is shown in Fig. 8(a), it may be displayed on the mobile terminal device 104 or the like.

[0101] Please refer to Fig. 8(b). Fig. 8(b) shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 420 of the mobile terminal device 104. There are cases where the MFP 100 operates as an HTTP server, and various settings and states of the MFP 100 can be operated via a Web browser on the mobile terminal device 104. The screen in Fig. 8(b) is displayed, for example, when a user accesses a predetermined Web page from the Web browser that allows various settings and states of the MFP 100 to be operated.

[0102] The screen in FIG. 8B may display a status display section 802, a status check / cancel button, a setting button, and the like. The status display section 802 may display, for example, the connection status of the MFP 100, the remaining ink and paper status, and the like. When the MFP 100 fails to connect using the Agile Multiband function, the status display section 802 may display a notification 801 indicating that switching of the connection destination AP using the Agile Multiband function has failed, or that the MFP 100 has connected to the original connection destination. For example, the CPU 212 may perform a process of notifying the notification 801 after performing the process of S716 described above. The status check / cancel button may be, for example, an interface capable of receiving an instruction to display a detailed screen (not shown) of the job status of the MFP 100, or an interface capable of receiving an instruction to cancel a job being executed by the MFP 100. The setting button may be, for example, an interface capable of receiving an instruction to display a screen (not shown) on which each setting such as communication settings and print settings of the MFP 100 can be executed. By receiving the notification 801 in this manner, the user can recognize that the MFP 100 has failed to change the AP using the Agile Multiband function and has reconnected to the original AP.

[0103] Also, the notification 801 is not limited to the examples shown in FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b). For example, the notification 801 may be notified by voice from a speaker unit (not shown) of the MFP 100 or a speaker 424 unit of the mobile terminal device 104. This allows the user to recognize that the MFP 100 has failed to change the AP connection or that it has been connected to the original AP even when the user is not looking at the MFP 100. Also, for example, the notification 801 may be notified by a report printed by the printing unit 222 of the MFP 100. Even in such a form, the user can recognize that the MFP 100 has failed to change the AP connection or that it has been connected to the original AP. Also, in FIG. 8(a), an example in which the notification display unit 800 is displayed at the bottom of the home screen has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notification 801 may be displayed at the center or top of the home screen.

[0104] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the CPU 212 determines whether or not the MFP 100 was connected to an AP with Agile Multiband settings at the previous startup (before the MFP 100 was powered off) in the process of S701, but this is not limiting. For example, the AP to be connected to when the MFP 100 is powered on may be determined based on a user setting. Hereinafter, this will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0105] FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen that allows the user to set the AP to be connected to when the MFP 100 is started. The screen of FIG. 9 displays, for example, interfaces 901 to 903 that allow the user to receive an instruction to set the AP to be connected to when the MFP 100 is started. The user setting 901 is an interface that allows the user to receive an instruction to set the AP to be connected to when the MFP 100 is started. For example, when the user presses "user setting 901", the CPU 212 may store in a memory such as the non-volatile memory 215 a setting for attempting to connect to the AP of the user setting when the MFP 100 is started. When the "user setting 901" is selected, the CPU 212 attempts to connect to the AP of the user setting when the MFP 100 is restarted, regardless of whether the MFP 100 was connected to another AP by the Agile Multiband function at the previous start. That is, the process of S701 in FIG. 7 may be skipped, and the process may start from S702.

[0106] The Agile Multiband 902 is an interface capable of receiving an instruction to set the AP to be connected to when the MFP 100 is started to be the AP with the Agile Multiband setting. For example, when the "Agile Multiband setting 902" is pressed by the user, the CPU 212 may store the setting to set the AP to be connected to when the MFP 100 is started to be the AP with the Agile Multiband setting in a memory such as the non-volatile memory 215. When set in this way, the CPU 212 attempts to connect to the AP with the Agile Multiband setting when the MFP 100 is restarted, regardless of whether the MFP 100 was connected to another AP with the Agile Multiband function at the previous start. That is, the process of S701 in FIG. 7 may be skipped, and the process may start from S704. In this way, the user can set the AP to be connected to when the MFP 100 is started, so that the MFP 100 can be prevented from being connected to an AP that is not intended by the user. Therefore, the convenience of the MFP 100 when connecting to an AP can be improved.

[0107] Auto 903 is an interface capable of receiving an instruction for setting the connection destination AP at the time of starting up the MFP 100 to be automatically determined. For example, when “Auto 903” is pressed by the user, the CPU 212 may store a setting in a memory such as the non-volatile memory 215 that sets the connection destination AP at the time of starting up the MFP 100 to an AP based on radio wave strength. When set in this way, for example, the CPU 212 may execute a process of measuring the radio wave strength of APs around the MFP 100 based on the start-up of the MFP 100. The CPU 212 may control to connect to an AP with high radio wave strength among the APs around the MFP 100. That is, instead of S701, an AP search may be performed to determine which AP has high radio wave strength among the AP set by the user and the AP set by Agile Multiband. When the CPU 212 determines that the radio wave strength of the AP set by the user is stronger than that of the AP set by Agile Multiband, the process may proceed to S702. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the radio wave strength of the AP with the Agile Multiband setting is stronger than that of the AP with the user setting, the process may proceed to S704. In this way, by controlling the MFP 100 to connect to the AP with better conditions including stronger radio wave strength between the AP with the user setting and the AP with the Agile Multiband setting at the time of startup, the convenience of the MFP 100 when connecting to the AP can be improved.

[0108] Also, the connection information of the AP in the user settings and the connection information of the AP in the Agile Multiband settings may be displayed on a wireless LAN setting screen or the like. See FIG. 10. FIG. 10(a) is an example of a UI display when, for example, "wireless LAN" in FIG. 3(c) is selected by the user. FIG. 10(a) is, for example, a screen capable of accepting an instruction for wireless LAN setting by a user. For example, the screen in FIG. 10(a) may display an interface capable of manually (by a user) accepting an instruction for setting the connection destination AP of the MFP 100, or an interface capable of automatically accepting an instruction for setting the connection destination AP of the MFP 100. Also, the screen in FIG. 10(a) may display an interface 1001 capable of accepting an instruction for displaying the connection state of an AP to which the MFP 100 has connected or an AP currently connected.

[0109] For example, when the user selects "Wireless LAN Status Display 1001" in FIG. 10(a), the CPU 212 may perform display control to display the screen in FIG. 10(b). FIG. 10(b) is an example of a screen showing the connection status of APs to which the MFP 100 has been connected and APs currently connected. In other words, FIG. 10(b) can be said to be a screen showing the connection status of APs stored in the MFP 100. That is, the CPU 212 may perform display control to control to display status information showing the connection status of each of the APs set by the user and the APs set by Agile Multiband with the MFP 100. "Wireless LAN Connection Destination 1002", "Agile Multiband Connection Destination 1003", and the like are displayed on the screen in FIG. 10(b). "Wireless LAN Connection Destination 1002" displays the connection information of the AP set by the user. "AglieMultiband Connection Destination 1003" displays the connection information of the AP set by the AgileMultiband. As the contents of each connection information displayed in "wireless LAN connection destination 1002" and "Agile Multiband connection destination 1003", for example, information indicating whether each AP is connected to the MFP 100 is displayed in the status. Furthermore, when the AP is connected to the MFP 100, information indicating wireless strength (for example, radio wave strength) is displayed. The information indicating wireless strength may be displayed in three stages, for example, "good", "normal", and "poor". Note that the information indicating wireless strength may be displayed as a percentage, for example. Furthermore, the SSID, MAC address, channel, security method, etc. of the AP may be displayed. This allows the user to check the connection status of the user-configured AP or the Agile Multiband-configured AP with the MFP 100, and to identify the AP connected to the MFP 100.

[0110] As another example, the MFP 100 may receive a connection request to AP3 (not shown) from AP2 (102) while connected to AP2 (102) connected by the Agile Multiband function. In this case, for example, the CPU 212 may control to change the AP of the connection destination of the MFP 100 to AP3 (not shown) according to the connection destination change request received from AP2 (102). Furthermore, if the connection to AP3 fails, the CPU 212 may reconnect to AP1 (101) which is an AP set by the user, or may reconnect to AP2 (102) which was connected until then. For example, when the CPU 212 connects to AP1 (101) after failing to connect to AP3, it operates in the same manner as in FIG. 7. That is, the CPU 212 may attempt to connect to AP3 in the processes of S711 to S712, and when it is determined that the connection has failed (NO in S713), it may attempt to connect to AP1 (101) which is an AP set by the user in S716. On the other hand, when connecting to AP2 (102) after failing to connect to AP3, CPU 212 executes an operation different from the process in FIG. 7. That is, when failing to connect to AP3 (NO in S713), CPU 212 may attempt to connect to AP2 using the connection information of AP2 (102) stored in non-volatile memory 215 instead of S716. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to prevent MFP 100 from becoming unconnected to the AP when it fails to connect to the AP. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of connecting MFP 100 to the AP.

[0111] The various controls described above as being performed by CPU 212 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0112] In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined.

[0113] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is applied to an MFP as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example and can be applied to any electronic device that is a wireless device that connects to an AP and functions as a STA and that can be configured for security. That is, the present invention can be applied to various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as personal computers, PDAs, tablet terminals, mobile phone terminals such as smartphones, music players, game consoles, electronic book readers, smart watches, thermometers, and hygrometers. The present invention can also be applied to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, network cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones. The present invention can also be applied to video output devices, audio output devices (e.g., smart speakers), media streaming players, and wireless LAN adapters (adapters) that can be connected to USB terminals or LAN cable terminals. The video output device includes, for example, a device that acquires (downloads) a video on the Internet specified by a URL instructed from an electronic device and outputs it to a display device connected via a video output terminal such as HDMI (trademark), thereby realizing streaming playback on the display device or realizing mirroring display (display in which the content displayed on the electronic device is also displayed on the display device). Furthermore, the video output device includes media players such as televisions, hard disk recorders, Blu-ray recorders, and DVD recorders, head-mounted displays, projectors, televisions, display devices (monitors), signage devices, etc. Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to Wi-Fi-connectable devices known as smart home appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, lighting equipment, heating equipment, and cooling equipment.

[0114] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0115] The disclosure of this specification includes the following electronic device, control method for an electronic device, program, and storage medium. (Item 1) a change means for controlling the change of connection from a currently connected access point to another access point based on a change request for a destination access point received from the currently connected access point; a recording control means for controlling to record in a storage means first connection information, which is information for connecting to a first access point that is set in advance not based on the change request, and second connection information, which is information for connecting to a second access point based on the change request; If the connection to the first access point fails as a result of performing control for connecting to the first access point, the control is performed without performing control for connecting to the second access point, and a control means for controlling the device to connect to the first access point using the first connection information when a connection to a connection destination access point based on the change request fails. 1. An electronic device comprising: (Item 2) The control means and after the electronic device is shut down while connected to the second access point based on the change request, when the electronic device is started up, the second connection information stored in the storage means is used to perform control for connecting to the second access point, and if the connection to the second access point fails, the electronic device is controlled to connect to the first access point using the first connection information. 2. The electronic device according to item 1, (Item 3) The electronic device further includes a setting unit capable of setting an access point to be connected when the electronic device is started, The control means When the setting means sets the first access point as the access point to be connected when the electronic device is started up, the electronic device is controlled to connect to the first access point when started up; When the setting means sets the second access point as the access point to be connected when the electronic device is started up, the electronic device is controlled to connect to the second access point when started up. 2. The electronic device according to item 1, (Item 4) When the setting of the access point to be connected at the time of starting up the electronic device by the setting means is a setting to automatically determine the access point to be connected to, The control means controlling the electronic device to connect to one of the first access point and the second access point, whichever has better conditions including stronger radio wave intensity, when the electronic device is started up; 4. The electronic device according to item 3, (Item 5) a notification means for controlling to perform a notification regarding the failure when the change of the connection to the second access point fails as a result of controlling to change the connection from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request; 5. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) The notification means is when the first access point is connected to by the control of the control means using the first connection information after the failure, notifying the first access point that the connection has been established. 6. The electronic device according to item 5, (Item 7) When a second change request for prompting a change of connection to a third access point is received from the second access point to which the connection is currently connected after the change of connection from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request has been successful, The change means controls to connect to the third access point based on the second change request, the control means, when the connection to the third access point based on the second change request fails, controls to connect to the first access point based on the first connection information stored in the storage means. 2. The electronic device according to item 1, (Item 8) When a second change request for prompting a change of connection to a third access point is received from the second access point to which the connection is currently connected after the change of connection from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request has been successful, The change means controls to connect to the third access point based on the second change request, the control means, when the connection to the third access point based on the second change request fails, controls to connect to the second access point based on the second connection information stored in the storage means. 2. The electronic device according to item 1, (Item 9) The electronic device further includes a display control unit that controls to display status information indicating a connection status of each of the first access point and the second access point with the electronic device. 9. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 8. (Item 10) The status information is The information includes at least one of information indicating whether each of the first access point and the second access point is connected to the electronic device and information indicating radio wave intensity of each of the first access point and the second access point. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9 . (Item 11) The apparatus further includes a receiving unit for receiving input of connection information to the access point by a user, The first connection information is information received by the receiving means. 11. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 10. (Item 12) The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the electronic device and the access point perform connection and processing in accordance with the IEEE 802.11ax standard. (Item 13) The electronic device described in any one of items 1 to 12 is characterized in that the electronic device can perform at least one of processing compliant with Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and processing compliant with Target Wake Time (TWT). (Item 14) 14. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the electronic device is capable of changing a connection destination to an AP in a 6 GHz band by changing the connection destination based on the change request. (Item 15) 15. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 14, further comprising a printing means for printing an image on a printing medium. (Item 16) 1. A method implemented in an electronic device, comprising: a change step of controlling so as to change the connection from the currently connected access point to another access point based on a change request for a destination access point received from the currently connected access point; a recording control process for controlling to record in a storage process first connection information, which is information for connecting to a first access point that is preset not based on the change request, and second connection information, which is information for connecting to a second access point based on the change request; When the connection to the first access point fails as a result of performing control for connecting to the first access point, the control is performed without performing control for connecting to the second access point, and a control step of controlling the device to connect to the first access point using the first connection information when a connection to a connection destination access point based on the change request fails. A method comprising: (Item 17) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device described in any one of items 1 to 15. (Item 18) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device described in any one of items 1 to 15.

[0116] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 104: mobile terminal device, 100: MFP, 101: AP1, 102: AP2, 110: network

Claims

1. a change means for controlling the change of connection from a currently connected access point to another access point based on a change request for a destination access point received from the currently connected access point; a recording control means for controlling to record in a storage means first connection information, which is information for connecting to a first access point that is set in advance not based on the change request, and second connection information, which is information for connecting to a second access point based on the change request; If the connection to the first access point fails as a result of performing control for connecting to the first access point, the control is performed without performing control for connecting to the second access point, and a control means for controlling the device to connect to the first access point using the first connection information when a connection to a connection destination access point based on the change request fails.

1. An electronic device comprising:

2. The control means and after the electronic device is shut down while connected to the second access point based on the change request, when the electronic device is started up, the second connection information stored in the storage means is used to perform control for connecting to the second access point, and if the connection to the second access point fails, the electronic device is controlled to connect to the first access point using the first connection information.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. The electronic device further includes a setting unit capable of setting an access point to be connected when the electronic device is started, The control means When the setting means sets the first access point as the access point to be connected when the electronic device is started up, the electronic device is controlled to connect to the first access point when started up; When the setting means sets the second access point as the access point to be connected when the electronic device is started up, the electronic device is controlled to connect to the second access point when started up.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

4. When the setting of the access point to be connected at the time of starting up the electronic device by the setting means is a setting to automatically determine the access point to be connected to, The control means controlling the electronic device to connect to an access point having better conditions including stronger radio wave intensity out of the first access point and the second access point when the electronic device is started up; 4. The electronic device according to claim 3.

5. a notification means for controlling to perform a notification regarding the failure when the change of the connection to the second access point fails as a result of controlling to change the connection from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

6. The notification means includes: when the first access point is connected to by the control of the control means using the first connection information after the failure, notifying the first access point that a connection has been established.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5,

7. When a second change request for prompting a change of connection to a third access point is received from the second access point to which the connection is currently being connected after the change of connection from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request has been successful, The change means controls the device to connect to the third access point based on the second change request, the control means, when a connection to the third access point based on the second change request fails, controls to connect to the first access point based on the first connection information stored in the storage means.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

8. When a second change request for prompting a change of connection to a third access point is received from the second access point to which the connection is currently being connected after the change of connection from the first access point to the second access point based on the change request has been successful, The change means controls the device to connect to the third access point based on the second change request, the control means, when a connection to the third access point based on the second change request fails, controls to connect to the second access point based on the second connection information stored in the storage means.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

9. a display control unit that controls the display of status information indicating a connection status between the first access point and the second access point and the electronic device, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

10. The status information is The information includes at least one of information indicating whether each of the first access point and the second access point is connected to the electronic device and information indicating radio wave intensity of each of the first access point and the second access point.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9.

11. The apparatus further includes a receiving unit for receiving input of connection information to the access point by a user, The first connection information is information received by the receiving means.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

12. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic device performs connection and processing with an access point in compliance with the IEEE 802.11ax standard.

13. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is capable of performing at least one of a process conforming to Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and a process conforming to Target Wake Time (TWT).

14. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is capable of changing a connection destination to an AP in a 6 GHz band by changing the connection destination based on the change request.

15. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a printing means for printing an image on a print medium.

16. 1. A method implemented in an electronic device, comprising: a change step of controlling so as to change the connection from the currently connected access point to another access point based on a change request for a destination access point received from the currently connected access point; a recording control step of controlling to record in a storage step first connection information, which is information for connecting to a first access point that is set in advance not based on the change request, and second connection information, which is information for connecting to a second access point based on the change request; When the connection to the first access point fails as a result of performing control for connecting to the first access point, the control is performed without performing control for connecting to the second access point, and a control step of controlling the device to connect to the first access point using the first connection information when a connection to a connection destination access point based on the change request fails. A method comprising:

17. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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