Information processing device, method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that further improves user convenience in processing for enabling communication between a communication device and the information processing device via a network.SOLUTION: An information processing device, on the basis of finding that no communication device is found as a result of searching for a communication device via a first network to which the information processing device is connected, displays a screen capable of accepting a first user instruction corresponding to setting a network to which the information processing device is connected as the first network and a second user instruction corresponding to setting the network to which the information processing device is connected as a second network. When the first user instruction is accepted, the information processing device performs control so that the network to which the information processing device is connected becomes the first network, and when the second user instruction is accepted, the information processing device performs control so that the network to which the information processing device is connected becomes the second network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, method, and program. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that multiple information processing devices such as PCs share devices such as printers as communication devices via a LAN (Local Area Network) connected to the Internet. In addition, the LAN may be constructed as a wireless network, which has the advantage that devices can be installed anywhere, as opposed to a wired network.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a PC and a printer are temporarily connected via a wireless direct connection to easily connect the printer to an access point in order to easily allow the printer to participate in an already constructed LAN. It also describes a method in which the PC transmits information for connecting the printer to a specific access point to the printer via wireless direct communication. It also describes a method in which the user is made to specify access point setting information such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and a password for a desired access point to which the user wishes to connect the printer on the PC. Patent Document 2 describes a method in which the PC is automatically connected to the same network as the printer in order to enable communication between the printer and the PC connected to different LANs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-191252 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-88428 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is a demand for further improving user convenience in the process for enabling communication between a communication device and an information processing device via a network.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, method, and program that further improves user convenience in processing for enabling communication between a communication device and an information processing device via a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, an information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: a transmission means for transmitting network information regarding a second network different from a first network to a communication device; a first search means for searching for the communication device via the first network to which the information processing device is connected after the network information is transmitted; a display means for displaying a screen capable of accepting a first user instruction corresponding to setting the network to which the information processing device is connected as the first network and a second user instruction corresponding to setting the network to which the information processing device is connected as the second network based on the result of the search by the first search means that the communication device is not found; and a control means for controlling the network to which the information processing device is connected, wherein when the first user instruction is accepted on the screen, the control means controls the network to which the information processing device is connected to be the first network, and when the second user instruction is accepted on the screen, the control means controls the network to which the information processing device is connected to be the second network. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to further improve user convenience in the process for enabling communication between a communication device and an information processing device via a network. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an information processing device and a communication device. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a process in the information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user interface screen. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a process in the communication device. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a process in the information processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user interface screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user interface screen. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing a process in the information processing device. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user interface screen. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing a process in the information processing device. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user interface screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 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.

[0011] [First embodiment] In this embodiment, a system including an information processing device and a communication device will be described. A printer will be described as an example of a communication device, but it may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a camera, a smart speaker, a scanner, etc. Also, a PC will be described as an example of an information processing device, but it may be a smartphone or a tablet terminal, etc. In this embodiment, a configuration is assumed in which the PC executes a process to connect the printer to an already constructed Local Area Network (LAN). Such a process is also called network setup, and includes the following operations.

[0012] In order to establish a wireless infrastructure connection (hereinafter referred to as wireless infrastructure connection) between the PC and the printer and perform communication, a network setup instruction is sent from the PC to the printer. A wireless infrastructure connection is a connection via an AP, for example, where the PC and the printer connect to the same access point (AP) and communicate with each other. The AP is included in a wireless LAN router, for example. For a printer that does not have an independent display, it is not easy for a user to input the Service Set Identifier (SSID) and password for the printer to connect to the AP correctly. Therefore, the PC temporarily connects to the printer in wireless setting mode (described later), transmits information such as the SSID and password related to the desired AP to be connected to the printer (hereinafter referred to as AP setting information) to the printer, and connects the printer to the AP. For example, the PC obtains from the printer a list of APs to which the printer can connect, and if the AP to which the PC was connected is included in the list, transmits the setting information of the AP to which the PC was connected to the printer to the printer. The printer then connects to the AP using the setting information of the AP received from the PC. In such a process, the user does not need to operate the printer and AP, so the user can more easily perform network setup of the printer.

[0013] As described above, the setting information of an AP includes AP specific information such as an SSID, and authentication information such as a password used in the authentication process of the AP. In other words, the setting information of an AP is the network information of the AP. When an AP and a PC are connected via a wireless LAN interface, the operating system (OS) of the PC holds the setting information of the AP as a wireless profile. Here, the wireless profile is information including the SSID of the AP connected by the wireless LAN interface, and authentication information (password, etc.) used in the authentication process. The wireless profile is stored and managed by the OS. Therefore, the setting information of the AP sent from the PC to the printer can be obtained from the wireless profile stored in the OS.

[0014] For example, assume that a PC is connected to an AP by specifying an SSID for the 5 GHz frequency band, while a printer only supports wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. In such a case, assume that a network setup is performed to connect the printer to the AP network. At this time, the wireless profile of the AP with an SSID for the 5 GHz frequency band is stored in the OS of the PC. On the other hand, the wireless profile of the AP to which the printer is to be connected is not stored in the OS. Therefore, it is necessary to have the user specify the AP setting information such as the SSID and password of the AP desired by the user on the PC, that is, the AP to which the printer is to be connected. For example, it is necessary to have the user specify the AP setting information such as the SSID and password of the AP with an SSID for the 2.4 GHz frequency band on the PC. Then, in the network setup, the setting information of the AP specified by the user is sent to the printer. In this way, the setting information of the AP sent to the printer in the network setup is not necessarily the same as the setting information of the AP to which the PC was connected.

[0015] Incidentally, when one wireless LAN router supports multiple frequency bands, the wireless LAN router may have multiple APs that support different frequency bands and have different SSIDs enabled. Some wireless LAN routers have a security function that blocks communication between devices connected to the same wireless LAN router using different SSIDs. That is, when one wireless LAN router enables an AP that supports 2.4 GHz and an AP that supports 5 GHz, if the security function is enabled, communication between a device connected to the AP that supports 2.4 GHz and a device connected to the AP that supports 5 GHz is prevented from being performed. Such a function is also called an SSID separation function or a privacy separator function. For example, when the security function is enabled in an AP that has multiple SSIDs (first SSID, second SSID), if a PC is connected to the AP using the first SSID, it cannot communicate with a printer connected to the AP using the second SSID. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1(c) below, if the SSID used by the PC to connect and the SSID used by the printer to connect are different, both devices will not necessarily be connected to the same AP. In a configuration in which the user connects the PC and the printer to different APs, the PC may not be able to communicate with the printer. In such a case, for example, the PC will not be able to find the printer even if it searches for it on the network. As a result, the printer information cannot be registered in an app on the PC, and the PC cannot execute the printer functions via the network using the app.

[0016] Also, for example, by transmitting the setting information of the AP that is the same as the AP to which the PC was connected to the printer to the printer, even if the PC and the printer are connected to the same AP, if the privacy separator function is enabled in the AP, the PC cannot communicate with the printer through the AP. Therefore, in this embodiment, the PC transmits the setting information of the AP to the printer, and performs appropriate control in a case where the PC cannot communicate with the printer even though the printer and the AP are connected. Specifically, in this embodiment, if the PC cannot find the printer through the network of the AP to which the PC was connected and finds the printer in the network of the AP to which the printer is connected, a confirmation screen is displayed to the user. Then, based on the user's instruction on the confirmation screen, the network to which the PC is connected is controlled to be the same network as the printer. As a result, only when the user judges that the network to which the PC is connected may be changed, the network to which the PC is connected is controlled to be the network to which the printer is connected. In other words, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the network to which the PC is connected is automatically switched without the user's intention, and as a result, communication with the printer cannot be made. Furthermore, the user does not need to return the network that was switched without the user's intention to the original network to which the printer is connected, and convenience can be improved.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration in this embodiment. FIG. 1(a) shows a state in which a PC 101 and an AP 102 are connected via a wireless LAN. Also, a printer 103 is connected to the AP 102 via a wireless LAN. That is, the PC 101 is in a state in which it can communicate with the printer 103 via the AP 102, and a wireless infrastructure connection is established. In the wireless infrastructure connection, a network environment in which the PC 101 can communicate with two or more devices can be constructed. Note that, if the printer 103 and the AP 102 are in a state in which they are connected via a wireless LAN and the PC 101 and the printer 103 are in a state in which they can communicate with each other via the AP 102, it can be said that the printer 103 has established a wireless infrastructure connection. That is, in FIG. 1(a), the PC 101 may be in a state in which it is connected to the AP 102 via a wired LAN. Also, the external server 171 is a server that can provide a service via the Internet to a device connected to the AP 102. For example, it is a server from which the PC 101 can download a printer driver for the printer 103. 1A, the LAN formed by the AP 102 includes the AP 102, a printer 103, and a PC 101. On the other hand, the Wide Area Network (WAN) includes the AP 102 and an external server 171.

[0018] FIG. 1(c) shows a configuration in which the AP 104 is WAN-connected to the LAN 1 formed by the AP 102. In general, it is desirable for the AP 104 to be LAN-connected to the LAN 1 formed by the AP 102, but a user may unintentionally construct a network. In this case, the LAN 2 formed by the AP 104 becomes a different network from the LAN 1, and the PC 101 connected to the LAN 1 and the printer 103 connected to the LAN 2 may not be able to communicate with each other. The AP 104 can access the external server 171 via the WAN connection of the AP 102. That is, the printer 103 connected to the LAN 2 formed by the AP 104 can access the external server 171.

[0019] There is a connection method called wireless direct connection that allows communication only between two devices. The PC 101 and the printer 103 can also be connected to each other via a peer-to-peer connection (hereinafter referred to as a P2P connection) via a wireless direct connection. However, during the wireless direct connection, the PC 101 and the printer 103 cannot communicate with devices other than each other because they use their internal wireless LAN interfaces for the wireless direct connection. For this reason, the wireless direct connection is often used as a temporary connection. In this embodiment, the PC 101 performs a network setup process (P2P wireless setting process) for connecting the printer 103 to the AP 102 or AP 104 via a wireless LAN connection. Specifically, the PC 101 connects the printer 103 to the AP 102 (or AP 104) by transmitting setting information of the AP 102 (or AP 104) to the printer 103 via the wireless direct connection. In the network setup, the PC 101 transmits setting information of the AP 102 (or AP 104) to the printer 103 using the wireless direct connection. In this embodiment, the state in which the printer 103 is capable of receiving a network setup instruction including AP setting information is defined as a "wireless setting mode" or a "network setup mode." FIG.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a communication system including a PC 101 and a printer 103 in this embodiment. The PC 101 has a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 206, an external storage device 207, a display device 208, and an input interface 209. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, the RAM 206, etc. form a computer, PC 101, that executes a program. The PC 101 also has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 205, a wired LAN interface 210, and a wireless LAN interface 211. The PC 101 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and may have appropriate functional blocks that can be executed by a device applied as the PC 101.

[0021] The CPU 201 is a processor that reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM 202, and controls the entire PC 101 by the control program, and executes the processes shown in the flowcharts described below. As a result of the execution of the control program, various functions of the PC 101 are realized, such as communication control with external devices such as the printer 103, generation of print jobs to be output to the printer 103, and instructions for network setup. The RAM 206 is composed of a DRAM or SRAM that requires a backup power source, and is used as a memory area for storing temporary setting information, management data, and the like when the PC 101 operates. The RAM 206 is also used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 201, and is also used as a transmission buffer for temporarily storing print jobs generated to be sent to the printer 103.

[0022] The ROM 202 stores programs 203 corresponding to various processes including a network setup process program for transmitting AP setting information to a printer, and a wireless profile 204 described later. The network setup process will be described in detail later. An operating system (OS), a printer driver, and various other data are stored in the external storage device 207. The display device 208 is composed of an LED (light-emitting diode) and an LCD (liquid crystal display), and displays various user interface screens of the OS and the program 203 and notifies the status of the PC 101. The input interface 209 is an interface for accepting data input and user instruction operations from a user by operating an operation unit such as a keyboard. The operation unit may be a physical keyboard, physical buttons, or the like, or may be a soft keyboard, soft buttons, or the like displayed on the display device 208. That is, the input interface 209 may accept an input from a user via the display device 208.

[0023] The program for the network setup process is an application program for setting up a connection with an AP to which the printer 103 is connected, and may have functions other than the network setup function. The program for the network setup process is hereinafter also referred to as a setup application. For example, the setup application may have a function for causing the printer 103 to execute printing, a function for causing the printer 103 to scan a document set in the printer 103, a function for checking the status of the printer 103, and the like. The setup application may also have a function for transmitting information acquired from the printer 103 and personal information of the user acquired by the PC 101 to a service management server (not shown). The external server 171 can be such a service management server. The setup application is stored in the ROM 202 by being installed from the external server 171, for example, by Internet communication via the wireless LAN interface 211. The setup application is assumed to be an application program provided by a vendor of the printer 103.

[0024] ROM 202 also stores network information. The network information stores IP addresses assigned to the wireless LAN interface 211 and wired LAN interface 210 of PC 101, and the IP address and subnet mask of the AP to which PC 101 is currently connected. The network information also stores wireless profiles of APs to which PC 101 has previously connected. In other words, ROM 202 stores history information of APs to which PC 101 has previously connected. The wireless profile information includes the SSID, security settings, and password of the AP to which PC 101 has previously connected.

[0025] The wired LAN interface 210 and the wireless LAN interface 211 are configured to connect to external devices such as the printer 103 and the AP 102 to execute data communication. For example, the wireless LAN interface 211 can be connected to an access point (not shown) in the printer 103. The wireless LAN interface 211 controls transmission and reception of data conforming to the communication standard defined by IEEE802.11 according to an instruction from the CPU 201. The wireless communication method used at that time is, for example, the one defined by the industry group Wi-Fi Alliance as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark), which is defined as the standard for wireless LAN. The wireless LAN interface 211 also has an access point for connecting to devices such as the printer 103 as an access point inside the PC 101. This access point is generally called tethering. The wireless LAN interface 256 of the printer 103 can be connected to the access point. The wireless LAN interface 211 enables the access point, so that the PC 101 operates as an access point. The PC 101 and the printer 103 can communicate with each other by connecting the wireless LAN interface 256 to an access point in the wireless LAN interface 211. Furthermore, when the wireless LAN interface 211 of the PC 101 is connected to the Internet, the printer 103 can also be connected to the Internet via the wireless LAN interface 211.

[0026] The PC 101 can be connected to the printer 103 via a peer-to-peer connection (P2P connection, direct connection) via a USB cable 221 or via a wireless direct connection 224 using the wireless LAN interface 211. The PC 101 can also be connected to the LAN 222 via an Ethernet cable 225, and if the printer 103 can also be connected to the LAN 222, the PC 101 and the printer 103 can communicate with each other in the same LAN 222 environment. Furthermore, the PC 101 can be connected to the AP 102 via the wireless LAN interface 211, and the AP 102 can be connected to the LAN 222 via an Ethernet cable 226, thereby enabling the PC 101 to be connected to the LAN 222. If the printer 103 can also be connected to the AP 102, the PC 101 and the printer 103 can communicate with each other via the AP 102.

[0027] Printer 103 has a CPU 252, ROM 253, RAM 258, a display device 259, an input interface 260, a USB interface 251, a wireless LAN interface 256, and a wired LAN interface 257. The CPU 252, ROM 253, RAM 258, etc. form a computer of printer 103 that executes a program. Printer 103 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2, and appropriately has functional blocks that can be executed by a device (for example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP)) applied as printer 103.

[0028] The CPU 252 is a processor that reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM 253, and controls the entire printer 103 by the control program, and executes the processes shown in the flowcharts described below. As a result of the execution of the control program, various functions of the printer 103, such as communication control with external devices such as the PC 101, are realized. The RAM 258 is composed of a DRAM or SRAM that requires a backup power source, and is used as a memory area for storing temporary setting information, management data, and the like when the printer 103 operates. Furthermore, the RAM 258 is also used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 252, and may operate as a receiving buffer for temporarily holding print information received from the PC 101, etc.

[0029] The ROM 253 is a non-volatile flash memory that stores fixed data such as the control programs and data tables executed by the CPU 252, the embedded OS, etc. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 253 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 253.

[0030] The ROM 253 stores a program 254, a wireless profile 255, and the like. Here, the wireless profile 255 is information including the SSID of the AP to which the wireless LAN interface 256 is connected, authentication information (password, etc.), and the like. The wireless profile 255 is stored and managed by the CPU 252 executing the program 254 included in the ROM 253. For example, when the printer 103 is turned on, the printer 103 can reconnect to the previous network by using the wireless profile 255. Furthermore, for example, the printer 103 may be configured to manage a plurality of wireless profiles, like the OS of the PC 101.

[0031] The ROM 253 also stores a unique SSID that is uniquely set for the printer 103. Here, the unique SSID is uniquely determined for the printer manufacturer or printer model, and the wireless LAN interface 256 of the printer 103 can operate as an AP corresponding to this unique SSID. Therefore, the PC 101 can connect to the printer 103 operating as an AP corresponding to the unique SSID via the wireless direct connection 224, similar to the case of connecting to the AP 102.

[0032] The display device 259 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) and an LCD (liquid crystal display), and displays various menus and notifies the status of the printer 103. The input interface 260 is an interface for receiving data input from the user and user instruction operations by operating an operation unit such as a keyboard. The operation unit may be a physical keyboard, physical buttons, etc., or may be a soft keyboard, soft buttons, etc. displayed on the display device 259. In other words, the input interface 260 may receive input from the user via the display device 259.

[0033] The printing unit 261 forms an image on a recording medium such as cut paper by ejecting a recording agent such as ink on the recording medium based on image data, and outputs the print result. Furthermore, when it is determined that the power-on is the power-on at the time of arrival, the printing unit 261 is configured to perform an initial setup process including cleaning of the recording head and register adjustment for adjusting the ink ejection position. Note that the printing unit 261 may be configured to adopt not only the inkjet recording method, but also other recording methods such as electrophotography.

[0034] The printer 103 is capable of P2P communication with the PC 101 via a USB cable 221 or via a wireless direct connection 224. The printer 103 is also connected to the AP 102 via a wireless LAN interface 256, and the AP 102 is connected to the LAN 222 via an Ethernet cable 226, thereby enabling the printer 103 to connect to the LAN 222. In the explanation of FIG. 2, the division of processing between the PC 101 and the printer 103 is as described above as an example, but other division of processing may also be configured.

[0035] The following describes the modes and connection methods for performing wireless communication using a wireless LAN interface.

[0036] <About the direct connection method> A direct connection refers to a form in which devices are directly and wirelessly connected to each other without going through an external device such as the AP 102. A direct connection is also called a peer-to-peer connection (P2P connection). The printer 103 can operate in a mode (direct connection mode) for communicating via a direct connection as one of the connection modes. In Wi-Fi communication, there are multiple modes for communicating via a direct connection, such as a software AP mode and a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode.

[0037] A mode in which a direct connection is performed by WFD is called a WFD mode. WFD is a standard established by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and is included in the IEEE802.11 series of communication standards. In the WFD mode, after a device to be a communication partner is searched for by a device search command, the roles of the P2P group owner (GO) and the P2P client are determined, and the remaining wireless connection processing is performed. The group owner corresponds to a Wi-Fi parent station (parent device), and the client corresponds to a Wi-Fi child station (child device). This role determination is called GO Negotiation. Note that in the WFD mode before the role determination, the printer 103 is in a state of neither a parent station nor a child station. Specifically, first, one device issues a device search command between the devices to communicate with each other and searches for a device to connect to in WFD mode. When the other device to be a communication partner is searched for, the two devices confirm information about services and functions that can be provided by each other's devices. Note that this device provision information confirmation is optional and not required. This device provision information confirmation phase corresponds to, for example, P2P Provision Discovery. Next, by mutually confirming this device provision information, it is determined which one will be the P2P client and which one will be the P2P group owner. When the client and group owner are determined, they exchange parameters for communication by WFD between them. Based on the exchanged parameters, the remaining wireless connection processing and IP connection processing are performed between the client and group owner. Note that in the WFD mode, the printer 103 may always operate as the GO without executing the above-mentioned GO Negotiation. In other words, the printer 103 may operate in the WFD mode, which is an autonomous GO mode. In addition, the state in which the printer 103 operates in the WFD mode is, for example, a state in which the printer 103 operates as the GO even though a WFD connection has not been established, or a state in which a WFD connection has been established and the printer 103 operates as the GO.

[0038] In the software AP mode, between devices that communicate (for example, PC 101 and printer 103), one device (for example, PC 101) becomes a client that plays a role of requesting various services. The other device realizes the function of a Wi-Fi access point by software settings. The software AP corresponds to a Wi-Fi parent station, and the client corresponds to a Wi-Fi child station. In the software AP mode, the client searches for a device that will become a software AP using a device search command. When the software AP is found, the remaining wireless connection processing (establishment of a wireless connection, etc.) between the client and the software AP is performed, and then the IP connection processing (assignment of an IP address, etc.) is performed. Note that commands and parameters that are transmitted and received when realizing a wireless connection between a client and a software AP may be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0039] In this embodiment, when the printer 103 establishes and maintains a direct connection, the printer 103 operates as a parent station in the network to which the printer 103 belongs. The parent station is a device that constructs a wireless network and provides a child station with parameters used for connecting to the wireless network. The parameters used for connecting to the wireless network are, for example, parameters related to the channel used by the parent station. By receiving the parameters, the child station connects to the wireless network constructed by the parent station using the channel used by the parent station. In the direct connection mode, the printer 103 operates as a parent station, so that the printer 103 can determine which frequency band and which channel to use for communication in the direct connection mode. In this embodiment, the printer 103 can use a channel corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and a channel corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the direct connection mode.

[0040] <About infrastructure connection method> An infrastructure connection is a connection mode in which devices (for example, PC 101 and printer 103) are connected to an access point (for example, AP 102) that manages a network of devices that communicate with each other, and the devices communicate with each other via the access point. The printer 103 can also operate in a mode for communicating via an infrastructure connection (infrastructure connection mode) as one of the connection modes.

[0041] In infrastructure connections, each device searches for an access point using a device search command. Once an access point has been found, the remaining wireless connection processing (establishment of a wireless connection, etc.) between the device and the access point is carried out, and then IP connection processing (assignment of an IP address, etc.) is carried out. Note that commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between a device and an access point can be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and so a description of these will be omitted here.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the printer 103 operates in the infrastructure connection, the AP 102 operates as a parent station, and the printer 103 operates as a child station. That is, in this embodiment, the infrastructure connection refers to a connection between the printer 103 operating as a child station and the AP 102 operating as a parent station. When the printer 103 has established an infrastructure connection and the PC 101 has also established an infrastructure connection with the AP 102, communication between the printer 103 and the PC 101 via the AP 102 is possible. Since the channel used for communication in the infrastructure connection is determined by the AP 102, the printer 103 executes communication in the infrastructure connection using the channel determined by the AP 102. In this embodiment, the printer 103 is assumed to be able to use a channel corresponding to a 2.4 GHz frequency band and a channel corresponding to a 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. Note that the printer 103 is also able to use a channel corresponding to a DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) band in the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. In order for the PC 101 to communicate with the printer 103 via the AP 102, the PC 101 must recognize (search and discover) that the printer 103 belongs to the network formed by the AP 102 and to which the PC 101 belongs.

[0043] <About network setup mode> The printer 103 can operate in the network setup mode. A trigger for the printer 103 to start operating in the network setup mode may be, for example, a user pressing a network setup mode button, or the printer 103 starting up (powering on) for the first time after arrival. The network setup mode button may be a hardware (physical) button provided on the printer 103, or may be a software button that the printer 103 displays on the display device 259.

[0044] When the printer 103 starts operating in the network setup mode, it activates Wi-Fi communication. Specifically, the printer 103 activates an AP (setup AP) inside the printer 103, which is dedicated to the network setup mode, as an activation process of Wi-Fi communication. The SSID of the setup AP corresponds to the above-mentioned unique SSID. This puts the printer 103 in a state in which it can establish a direct connection with the PC 101 by Wi-Fi. It is assumed that the connection information (SSID and password) for connecting to the setup AP is held in advance in a setup application (program 203) installed in the PC 101, and that the PC 101 recognizes in advance the connection information for connecting to the setup AP. Therefore, unlike the connection information of the AP activated in the direct connection mode, it is assumed that the connection information for connecting to the setup AP cannot be arbitrarily changed by the user. Note that in the network setup mode, the printer 103 may connect to the terminal device 101 by Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) instead of normal Wi-Fi. That is, the printer 103 may operate as a Group Owner and receive network information from the PC 101 through WFD communication. Also, in the network setup mode, the printer 103 may connect to the PC 101 through Bluetooth. Here, Bluetooth includes Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). That is, for example, the printer 103 may operate as a slave device in BLE in the network setup mode and receive network information from the PC 101 through BLE communication. Also, in the network setup mode, the printer 103 may be capable of executing both network setup through Wi-Fi and network setup through BLE. That is, when the printer 103 starts operation in the network setup mode, it may enable both Wi-Fi communication and BLE communication.Specifically, when the printer 103 starts operating in the network setup mode, the printer 103 may execute both the activation of the setup AP and the activation of the advertising state in which advertising information is transmitted by BLE and BLE connection is possible. The printer 103 may also receive network information from the PC 101 via a wired LAN or USB.

[0045] As described above, the printer 103 operates in a network setup mode for executing the network setup of the printer 103 in response to a predetermined condition including a user pressing a button or initial installation. When the printer 103 operates in the network setup mode, the printer 103 controls the wireless LAN interface 256 to operate as a setup AP that is valid only while the printer 103 is operating in the network setup mode. The setup AP is an access point different from the access point that is enabled in the soft AP mode described above. The SSID of the setup AP includes a predetermined character string that can be recognized by the setup application (program 203) of the PC 101.

[0046] Also, the printer 103 operating in the network setup mode uses a predetermined communication protocol (setup communication protocol) in communication with the setup AP and the PC 101 connected thereto. A specific example of the setup communication protocol is the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

[0047] After starting operation in the network setup mode, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the printer 103 stops operation in the network setup mode and disables the setup AP. Also, when the printer 103 receives connection information for connecting to an external AP and an instruction to change the wireless communication operation mode from the PC 101 during the network setup mode, the printer 103 disables the setup AP.

[0048] The operation of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 3 to 8. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing processing (network setup processing) in which PC 101 connects printer 103 to a network of an external AP. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on display device 208 of PC 101 in network setup processing. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed by printer 103. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing processing for printer communication confirmation executed in S313 of Fig. 3. Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on display device 208 of PC 101 in the printer communication confirmation processing of Fig. 6.

[0049] 3 is a flowchart showing the network setup process of the printer 103 executed by the PC 101. This flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 206 and executing it. In this embodiment, the PC 101 executes the process using a setup application. This flowchart is started based on, for example, a predetermined instruction being given by the user on a screen displayed by the setup application. In addition, when the PC 101 is connected to the AP 102 via the wired LAN interface 210, the SSID and password of the AP 102 are not stored in the wireless profile 204. When the PC 101 is connected to the AP 102 via the wireless LAN interface 211, the SSID and password of the AP 102 are stored in the wireless profile 204.

[0050] When the user executes the program 203 and executes a predetermined operation in the program 203, the CPU 201 starts the network setup process. It is assumed here that the PC 101 is already connected to the external AP 102 and the printer 103 is in the network setup mode. FIG. 1B shows the system configuration at this time. The network formed by the AP 102 to which the PC 101 is already connected is hereinafter referred to as the "first network." In other words, the connection to the AP corresponds to the connection to the network formed by the AP. Similarly, the SSID that is the identifier of the first network is hereinafter referred to as the "first SSID." Specifically, for example, the first SSID is the SSID of the AP 102 to which the PC 101 is already connected. In other words, the first network is the network to which the PC 101 was connected at least at the timing when the above-mentioned predetermined operation was accepted.

[0051] In S301, the CPU 201 searches for the printer 103 in the network setup mode. Specifically, for example, the CPU 201 searches for access points around the PC 101 and acquires the SSID of the discovered access point. Then, in S302, the CPU 201 determines whether the discovered SSID includes a unique SSID known to the setup application. The unique SSID is an SSID emitted by the access point of the printer 103 in the network setup mode. The processes of S301 and S302 are repeated until it is determined that the unique SSID is included. If it is determined that the unique SSID is included, the process proceeds to S303.

[0052] In S303, the CPU 201 stores in memory the setting information of the AP 102 to which the wireless LAN interface 211 is connected. Then, the CPU 201 disconnects the wireless connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the AP 102, and in S304, establishes a wireless direct connection with the printer 103. Specifically, the CPU 201 connects the wireless LAN interface 211 to an AP with a unique SSID. Note that if the PC 101 is wired connected to the AP 102 via the wired LAN interface 210, that is, if the PC 101 is not wirelessly connected to the AP 102, the process of S303 is skipped. Also, in a form in which the PC 101 performs various communications with the printer 103 using a communication method other than Wi-Fi (Bluetooth, wired LAN, USB, etc.), it is not necessary to disconnect the wireless connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the AP 102.

[0053] In S305, the CPU 201 requests the printer 103 for an SSID list of APs in the vicinity of the printer 103, and receives the SSID list from the printer 103 as a response to the request. The SSID list received here is a list of SSIDs of the surrounding APs detected (discovered) by the printer 103. In other words, the SSID list can be said to be a list of APs detected (discovered) by the printer 103. In further words, it can be said to be a list of networks detected (discovered) by the printer 103. Note that the request for the SSID list and the SSID list are communicated via a wireless direct connection, but may also be communicated by a communication method other than Wi-Fi (Bluetooth, wired LAN, USB, etc.).

[0054] In S306, the CPU 201 acquires the wireless profile 204 stored in the PC 101. If there are multiple networks to which the PC 101 has previously connected and multiple wireless profiles exist, the multiple wireless profiles are acquired. Then, from among the acquired wireless profiles, the CPU 201 identifies and acquires the setting information (including the SSID) of the AP 102 that was connected when the network setup process started and whose wireless connection was disconnected in S303.

[0055] In S307, CPU 201 checks the SSID list acquired in S305 based on the SSID (first SSID) of AP 102 acquired in S306. In S308, CPU 201 determines whether or not the first SSID of AP 102 is included in the SSID list acquired in S305 as a result of the check. In other words, determining whether or not the first SSID of AP 102 is included in the SSID list acquired in S305 is determining whether or not information corresponding to the network formed by AP 102 is included in the SSID list acquired in S305.

[0056] If it is determined in S305 that the first SSID of AP 102 is included in the SSID list acquired in S305, CPU 201 sets the setting information of AP 102 (including the first SSID and password) as the target of the network setup instruction to be sent to printer 103. In other words, the setting information of AP 102 connected to PC 101 at the start of the network setup process is automatically selected without user operation, so that the user can omit the operation of selecting or inputting the setting information (including SSID and password) of the AP to which printer 103 is to be connected. On the other hand, if it is determined in S308 that the first SSID of AP 102 is not included in the SSID list acquired in S305, CPU 201 prompts the user in S309 to input the setting information (including SSID and password) of the desired AP.

[0057] For example, the wireless profile does not exist when the PC 101 is connected to the AP 102 via the wired LAN interface 210. In such a case, it is determined in S308 that the first SSID of the AP 102 is not included in the SSID list acquired in S305, and the process proceeds to S309.

[0058] Also, for example, assume a case where the PC 101 specifies an SSID (first SSID) for the 5 GHz frequency band and connects to the AP 102, while the printer 103 supports only wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. That is, in such a case, the printer 103 does not support wireless LAN communication in the 5 GHz frequency band. Hereinafter, a printer that does not support wireless LAN communication in the 5 GHz frequency band is referred to as a 5 GHz non-compatible printer. There are cases where the wireless LAN router that enables the AP 102 enables multiple APs that each use a different frequency band. In this case, in S305, the 5 GHz non-compatible printer detects only the SSID for the 2.4 GHz frequency band and transmits it to the PC 101 as an SSID list. The PC 101 stores a wireless profile for the SSID for the 5 GHz frequency band, but does not store a wireless profile for the SSID for the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Therefore, in S308, it is determined that the first SSID of the AP 102 is not included in the SSID list acquired in S305, and the process proceeds to S309.

[0059] When proceeding to S309, the user needs to specify AP setting information such as SSID and password on the PC 101 for the AP desired by the user, that is, the AP to which the printer 103 is to be connected. In S309, the CPU 201 displays a network information input screen 400 as shown in FIG. 4 on the display device 208. The network information input screen 400 has a "Next" button 401, a drop-down list 402 for accepting the selection of "SSID name", an input area 403 for inputting "password", and an encryption method display area 404 for displaying the encryption method of the selected SSID. The drop-down list 402 lists information of the SSID list acquired from the printer 103 in S305. In other words, the network information input screen 400 can be said to be a selection screen for displaying the SSID list acquired from the printer 103 and accepting the user's selection from the SSID list. When an SSID is selected from the drop-down list 402, the encryption method display area 404 displays the encryption method information acquired from the printer 103 as associated information related to the SSID. If the wireless profiles acquired in S306 include a wireless profile corresponding to the SSID selected from drop-down list 402, CPU 201 may acquire a password included in the wireless profile, thereby omitting the reception of a password input in input area 403. In addition, although the present embodiment has been described as an example in which an SSID is selected using drop-down list 402, this is not limiting. For example, instead of using drop-down list 402, a user may be allowed to input an arbitrary SSID name. Furthermore, encryption method display area 404 may be configured to allow a user to select an arbitrary encryption method.

[0060] The password input area 403 is an area for accepting input of a password character string for connecting to the selected SSID. The password is a key used for encryption in the encryption method displayed in the encryption method display area 404. For security reasons, the password input area 403 displays the input password on the screen replaced with other characters such as "●" so that it cannot be seen from the outside. However, in order for the user to confirm the input characters, the network information input screen 400 may be configured with a UI (not shown) that switches to display the password character string exactly as it is input. If the encryption method of the AP is not set, that is, if the network is an open authentication network, the password input area 403 may be disabled since no input is required.

[0061] The network information input screen 400 is a screen that guides the user to input network information for connecting the printer 103 to a desired AP and prompts the user to press a "Next" button 401. When the user presses the "Next" button 401 according to the guidance on the network information input screen 400, the CPU 201 temporarily stores the input network information (SSID, password, encryption method) internally as information corresponding to the wireless profile of the AP. At this time, the CPU 201 may perform a process to verify whether the input network information is correct. Specifically, for example, the CPU 201 may verify whether the input password matches the format of a predetermined encryption method. If the result of the verification, for example, indicates that the password and encryption method are an erroneous combination, the CPU 201 displays the network information input screen 400 again and prompts the user to input correct information. A network that can be connected using network information acquired by the user's input on the network information input screen 400 and is formed by an AP corresponding to the network information is hereinafter referred to as a "second network." Similarly, the SSID of the AP forming the second network, which is an identifier of the second network, is hereinafter referred to as the "second SSID." For example, the second network is a network formed by AP104, which is an AP different from AP102, as shown in FIG. 1(c). Also, the second network is a network different from the first network formed by AP102.

[0062] In S310, the CPU 201 transmits a network setup instruction to the printer 103. If it is determined in S308 that the first SSID of the AP 102 is included in the SSID list acquired in S305, the network information of the AP of the first SSID is transmitted to the printer 103 as a network setup instruction. If the network information of the second network is acquired by the user's input in S309, the network information of the AP of the second SSID is transmitted to the printer 103 as a network setup instruction. That is, in S310, the setting information of the AP 102 identified by the first SSID or the setting information of the AP identified by the second SSID is transmitted to the printer 103. Note that the network setup instruction is transmitted via a wireless direct connection, but may be transmitted by a communication method other than Wi-Fi (Bluetooth, wired LAN, USB, etc.). In addition, in a form in which the network setup instruction is transmitted by a communication method other than Wi-Fi, the network setup instruction may be transmitted while the PC 101 remains connected to the first network by Wi-Fi.

[0063] In S311, the CPU 201 disconnects the wireless direct connection with the printer 103, and reconnects to the AP 102, which was the connection destination of the PC 101 in the wireless connection disconnected in S303. If the wireless profile 204 of the AP 102 is stored in the ROM 202 in the PC 101, the CPU 201 can acquire it in S311 and reconnect to the AP 102 without the user having to re-enter a password or the like. Alternatively, if an encryption method is not set in the AP 102, the CPU 201 can reconnect to the AP 102 by specifying the SSID of the AP 102, without the user having to re-enter a password or the like. Note that if the PC 101 is connected to the AP 102 via the wired LAN interface 210, the process of S311 is skipped.

[0064] In S312, if there is a wireless profile remaining in the ROM 202 due to a temporary wireless direct connection, the CPU 201 deletes the wireless profile. The processing of S312 can prevent a wireless profile of a connection unintended by the user from remaining.

[0065] In S313, the CPU 201 performs a printer communication confirmation process to determine whether communication between the printer 103 and the PC 101 is possible via the network to which the PC 101 is connected. The printer communication confirmation process in S313 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0066] In S314, the CPU 201 acquires information about the model of the printer 103 from the printer 103 discovered in S313 via the network to which the PC 101 is connected. Specifically, for example, capability information is acquired from the printer 103. In S315, the CPU 201 executes processing for installing a printer driver corresponding to the printer 103 in the PC 101 based on the information. Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 3 ends. Note that the CPU 201 may acquire the printer driver from an external server 171 via the Internet. Also, if the printer 103 is not discovered in S313, the processing in S314 and S315 may be skipped.

[0067] Next, the process of the printer 103 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. This flowchart is implemented by the CPU 252 reading out the program 254 stored in the ROM 253 into the RAM 258 and executing it.

[0068] CPU 252 starts the process of Fig. 5 based on the occurrence of an event that triggers a transition to the network setup mode. For example, the event is a user performing an operation to power on printer 103 at input interface 260 of printer 103. Note that at this time, printer 103 may regard the operation to power on printer 103 as an event that triggers a transition to the network setup mode only when the printer 103 is powered on for the first time after it arrives. Also, for example, the event is a user performing an operation to transition to the network setup mode at input interface 260 of printer 103 that is different from the operation to power on.

[0069] In addition, the printer 103 in the network setup mode operates the wireless LAN interface 256 as an access point of the unique SSID described above. For example, the unique SSID includes a character string corresponding to the model name of the printer 103, or a character string such as "printer" that allows the SSID to be assumed to be the printer 103. The network setup mode is a mode in which the PC 101 can easily connect to the printer 103 without using authentication information (such as a password). In the network setup mode, the printer 103 operates as an AP with a reduced security level, and therefore the network setup mode is used temporarily when performing network setup of the printer 103.

[0070] In S501, before the printer 103 is shifted to the network setup mode, the CPU 252 searches for access points around the printer 103 and creates an SSID list including the SSIDs of the found access points. The access points found here are those to which the printer 103 can connect. In other words, access points to which the printer 103 cannot connect are not found by the search executed here. Examples of access points to which the printer 103 cannot connect include access points that use a frequency band that the printer 103 cannot use and access points that use an encryption method that the printer 103 cannot use. In other words, the search for access points is a search for a network formed by access points. Therefore, as described above, the SSID list generated here is also a list of networks found by the search executed by the printer 103. In S502, the CPU 252 shifts the printer 103 to the network setup mode and determines whether or not a request to obtain an SSID list has been received from the PC 101. This process corresponds to S305 in FIG. 3. If it is determined in S502 that an SSID list acquisition request has been received from PC 101, then in S503 CPU 252 performs processing for transmitting the SSID list requested by PC 101. Specifically, CPU 252 transmits the SSID list created in S501 to PC 101. If it is determined in S502 that an SSID list acquisition request has not been received from PC 101, the process proceeds to S504.

[0071] In S504, the CPU 252 judges whether or not a network setup instruction has been received from the PC 101. This process corresponds to S310 in FIG. 3. The network setup instruction includes AP setting information. If it is judged in S504 that the network setup instruction has not been received, the process from S502 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is judged in S504 that the network setup instruction has been received, in S505, the CPU 252 executes a connection process to the AP corresponding to the received AP setting information. Specifically, for example, if the AP setting information received from the PC 101 includes the wireless profile 204, the CPU 252 executes a connection process to the AP 102 using the SSID and password included in the wireless profile 204. Also, for example, if the AP setting information received from the PC 101 includes the network information of the second network input in the PC 101 in S309, the CPU 252 executes a connection process to the external AP forming the second network using the network information. After S505, the process in FIG. 5 ends. In this embodiment, the order of the processes in Fig. 5 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 5. The reception determination of the instruction for network setup may be performed before the reception determination of the request for obtaining the SSID list.

[0072] The printer communication confirmation process in S313 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0073] In S601, the CPU 201 searches for the printer 103 on the first network, which is a network to which the PC 101 belongs and which is formed by the AP 102. Specifically, for example, the search for the printer 103 is performed by sending a broadcast packet or a multicast packet. For example, if the printer 103 and the PC 101 are connected to the same AP 102 and the security function (such as an SSID separation function) of the AP 102 is not enabled, a response to the packet sent in the search is received from the printer 103 via the first network. In other words, the printer 103 is discovered by this search. Hereinafter, the process of searching for the printer 103 on the first network is referred to as a first search.

[0074] In S602, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the printer 103 has been found by the first search in S601. If it is determined that the printer 103 has been found, in S603, the CPU 201 displays on the display device 208 a screen indicating that the printer 103 has been found by the first search in S601. Here, for example, a screen 810 shown in FIG. 8(a) is displayed on the display device 208. The screen 810 includes a message indicating that the printer 103 has been found and a message indicating that the connection to the printer 103 has been successful. The screen 810 also includes an end button 811 for ending the process. If the end button 811 is pressed, the process in FIG. 6 ends.

[0075] On the other hand, if it is determined that the printer 103 was not found in the first search, in S604, the CPU 201 determines whether the first search has been performed a specified number of times. If it is determined that the first search has not been performed a specified number of times, the process repeats from S601. If it is determined that the first search has been performed a specified number of times, the process proceeds to S605.

[0076] In S605, the CPU 201 judges whether the network information of the AP of the first SSID was transmitted in S310 or the network information of the AP of the second SSID was transmitted. If it is judged in S310 that the network information of the AP of the first SSID was transmitted, the process proceeds to S620, and a screen indicating a failure in the network connection of the printer 103 shown in FIG. 8B is displayed on the display device 208. For example, the screen 820 displays a message indicating that the printer 103 could not be found or a message indicating that the connection to the printer 103 has failed. The screen 820 may also include a message indicating that the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has failed. The screen 820 includes an end button 821 for ending the process. If the end button 821 is pressed, the process of FIG. 6 is ended. Then, if it is judged in S310 that the network information of the AP of the second SSID was transmitted, the process proceeds to S606.

[0077] In S606, the CPU 201 disconnects the connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the first SSID network, and attempts to establish a connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the second SSID network. That is, the CPU 201 attempts to change the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211. The attempt to establish a connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the second SSID network is executed in response to an instruction from the setup application while the setup application is running. Then, in S607, the CPU 201 determines whether the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has succeeded or failed. The case where the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has succeeded means the case where the establishment of a connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the second SSID network has succeeded.

[0078] If it is determined that the change of the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has failed, in S617, the CPU 201 reconnects the wireless LAN interface 211 to the network of the first SSID. Then, in S616, the CPU 201 displays a screen indicating that the network connection of the printer 103 has failed on the display device 208. Note that in this embodiment, the network connection of the printer 103 is determined to be successful based on the result of the network setup process in which the PC 101 has found the printer 103 on the network. Here, for example, a screen 820 shown in FIG. 8C is displayed on the display device 208. For example, the screen 820 displays a message indicating that the printer 103 could not be found or a message indicating that the connection to the printer 103 has failed. In addition, the screen 820 displays a message indicating that the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has been reconnected to the network of the first SSID. In addition, the screen 820 may include a message indicating that the change of the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has failed. The screen 820 includes an end button 821 for ending the process. When the end button 821 is pressed, the processing in FIG. 6 ends.

[0079] If it is determined in S607 that the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has been successful, in S608, the CPU 201 searches for the printer 103 on the second network. Specifically, for example, the search for the printer 103 is performed by transmitting a broadcast packet or a multicast packet. If the security function (such as an SSID separation function) of the AP 102 is not enabled because the printer 103 and the PC 101 are connected to the same second network, a response to the packet transmitted in the search is received from the printer 103 via the second network. That is, the printer 103 is discovered by this search. Hereinafter, the process of searching for the printer 103 on the second network is referred to as a second search. Note that if the wireless LAN interface 211 is set to automatically obtain an IP address, the CPU 201 may consider the change in the connection destination to be successful when an IP address is assigned after connection to the AP 102.

[0080] In S609, CPU 201 determines whether or not printer 103 was found by the second search in S608. If it is determined that printer 103 was not found in the second search, CPU 201 determines in S613 whether or not the second search was performed a specified number of times. If it is determined that the second search was not performed a specified number of times, the process repeats from S608. If it is determined that the second search was performed a specified number of times, the process proceeds to S614.

[0081] If it is determined in S613 that the second search has been performed a prescribed number of times, in S614, the CPU 201 disconnects the connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the network of the second SSID, and reconnects the wireless LAN interface 211 to the network of the first SSID. The establishment of the connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the network of the first SSID is executed in response to an instruction from the setup application while the setup application is running. Also, at this time, since the OS may not be able to search for surrounding SSIDs and may be in an unstable state immediately after the connection is disconnected, there is a possibility that the reconnection may fail. Therefore, the CPU 201 may reconnect after a certain time has elapsed since the disconnection. Alternatively, when the reconnection fails, the reconnection process may be retried to reduce the connection failure. Then, in S615, the CPU 201 deletes the wireless profile (including the second SSID and password) of the second network, and in S616, displays a screen indicating the failure of the network connection of the printer 103 shown in FIG. 8C on the display device 208. The process of S615 can prevent a wireless profile of a connection not intended by the user from remaining. When the end button 821 on the screen 820 shown in Fig. 8(c) is pressed, the process of Fig. 6 ends.

[0082] If it is determined in S609 that the printer 103 has been found in the second network, the CPU 201 determines in S610 whether the PC 101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet, that is, whether the PC 101 can access the external server 171. Specifically, for example, the CPU 201 first executes an API, which is an Application Programming Interface (API) of the OS, for checking whether the PC 101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet. Then, by referring to a result acquired by executing the API, it is determined whether the PC 101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet. Note that in this embodiment, the execution of the API and the determination of whether the PC 101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet are executed after the search in S608 is completed and not in parallel with the search in S608. Furthermore, when the above-mentioned API is executed, if the PC 101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet via the second network, a result indicating that the PC 101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet is naturally output. However, when the above-mentioned API is executed, even if PC101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet via a network other than the second network, a result indicating that PC101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet is output. That is, for example, when PC101 has established a connection to another network by wired LAN and a connection to the second network by wireless LAN, in a state where it can connect to the Internet via the other network but cannot connect to the Internet via the second network, a result indicating that PC101 is in a state where it can connect to the Internet is output. If it is determined that PC101 is not in a state where it can connect to the Internet, in S614, CPU201 disconnects the connection between wireless LAN interface 211 and the network of the second SSID and reconnects wireless LAN interface 211 to the network of the first SSID. Thereafter, the processes of S614 to S616 are the same as those described above. The determination process of S610 can prevent failure in acquiring a printer driver from external server 171 based on the process of acquiring model information of S314 performed after the process of FIG. 6 is completed.The process of S610 does not necessarily have to be performed after the process of S609, and may be performed, for example, at the timing of accessing the external server 171. As described above, in this embodiment, the determination of S610 is executed, and the process branches based on the determination result of S610, but this is not limiting. The determination of S610 may be omitted. Specifically, for example, if the determination result of S609 is YES, the process may always proceed to S611 without executing the determination of S610.

[0083] If it is determined in S610 that the PC 101 is in a state in which it can connect to the Internet, in S611, the CPU 201 displays on the display device 208 a confirmation screen for confirming with the user whether or not to maintain the connection between the changed destination network (second network) and the PC 101. Here, for example, a confirmation screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 208. For example, the confirmation screen 700 includes a message indicating that the printer 103 has been found on the second network, a message indicating that the wireless LAN interface 211 has been connected to the network of the second SSID, and an area 703 displaying the second SSID. Also, for example, the confirmation screen 700 includes a "Manual" button 704 for displaying a manual showing detailed explanations, and a "Yes" button 701 or a "No" button 702 that the user operates depending on the contents of the message.

[0084] If the connection between PC101 and the second network is maintained, PC101 may not be able to communicate with other external devices connected to the first network. When a "Manual" button 704 included in the confirmation screen 700 is pressed, a Web browser or the like displays a Web manual, which is an Internet content, explaining precautions to be taken when the connection destination of PC101 is changed and maintained. Specifically, for example, the content includes an explanation that communication with external devices connected to the first network may be cut off by changing and maintaining the connection destination of PC101 to the second network. Note that, although the display by pressing the "Manual" button 704 is shown as an example, this is not limiting. For example, the content may be embedded and displayed in the confirmation screen 700. Alternatively, a message corresponding to the content of the content may be displayed in the confirmation screen 700. The confirmation screen 700 is a screen that displays a message to confirm with the user whether or not to maintain the connection state of PC101 to the second network, and prompts the user to press either the "Yes" button 701 or the "No" button 702. In other words, the confirmation screen 700 can be said to be a selection screen that can accept a user instruction as to whether to set the connection destination of PC 101 to the first network or the second network. In other words, the confirmation screen 700 is a screen that allows the user to confirm whether to switch the connection between the previous connection destination network (first network) and PC 101.

[0085] In S612, the CPU 201 judges whether or not to maintain the connection to the second network. Specifically, for example, when the user presses the "Yes" button 701, the CPU 201 judges to maintain the connection of the wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network, and in S603, displays the screen shown in FIG. 8(a) on the display device 208. When the end button 811 included in the screen 810 is pressed, the processing of FIG. 6 is terminated. In that case, even if an operation to end the processing of FIG. 6 is accepted, the connection of the wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network is maintained. In other words, even if an operation to end the processing of FIG. 6 is accepted, the switching from the second network of the wireless LAN interface 211 to the first network is not performed. On the other hand, when the user presses the "No" button 702, the CPU 201 judges not to maintain the connection of the wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network, and proceeds to S614. Thereafter, the processing of S614 to S616 is the same as that described above.

[0086] In the process of Fig. 6, the judgment process of S604 and S613 may be performed based on whether the processing time for executing the first search and the second search reaches a specified time (e.g., a predetermined number of seconds) rather than on whether the number of times the first search and the second search have been executed reaches a specified number of times. In this case, the first search and the second search are repeatedly performed in S601 and S608 until a certain time has elapsed. Also, the conditions in S604 and S613 do not need to be the same. In other words, one search may be judged based on whether the number of times has been reached, and the other search may be judged based on whether the number of seconds has been reached.

[0087] Also, while the first search is being performed, the printer 103 may be performing a connection process with the AP based on the setting information of the AP sent from the PC 101. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the threshold value for the first search, taking into consideration the time required for the printer 103 to perform the process being performed. On the other hand, for the second search, since the search is performed after a sufficient amount of time has passed, it is highly likely that the printer 103 has already completed connection to the second network, and it is not necessary to determine the threshold value, taking into consideration the time required for the printer 103 to connect to the AP 102. Therefore, the threshold value for the second search is set to be less frequent than the threshold value for the first search, or to be shorter than the threshold value for the first search. This makes it possible to minimize the processing time in FIG. 6.

[0088] Also, in S610, if it is determined that the Internet connection is not possible even if the AP is connected with the second SSID, the screen of Fig. 8(c) may not be displayed, and a screen may be displayed first to prompt the user to confirm whether or not to continue the network setup process in a state in which the Internet connection is not possible. For example, the user may be prompted to display a continuation confirmation screen (not shown) such as "Do you want to continue the process even though you are not connected to the Internet?", and may accept an instruction to continue the process on the screen, thereby allowing the process to continue in a state in which the network is connected to the second SSID even if the Internet connection is not possible.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the PC 101 acquires a printer driver from the external server 171 via the Internet after establishing communication with the printer 103. Although the determination of whether or not an Internet connection is possible in S610 is performed in FIG. 6, this is not limiting. For example, the process of S610 may be performed immediately before accessing the external server 171 to determine whether or not an Internet connection is possible. At this time, if it is determined that an Internet connection is not possible, the network may be temporarily switched to the first SSID in order to access the external server 171.

[0090] As described above, in this embodiment, when the PC 101 is connected to the second network and communication with the printer 103 is possible, the user is first asked to confirm whether or not to change to the second network. As a result, the connection destination of the PC 101 is changed from the first network to the second network only when the user allows the change to the second network. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the communication between the PC 101 and the printer 103 is no longer possible as a result of the automatic change of the connection destination network, and it is necessary to switch back to the original network, and it is possible to improve convenience. Furthermore, the PC 101 can end the network setup process by establishing a state in which communication with the printer 103 is possible on the second network. As a result, for example, when the user executes a process such as issuing a print instruction to the printer 103 after the network setup process is ended, the print process can be successfully performed without an error. Furthermore, when the connection destination of the PC 101 is changed from the first network to the second network, it is indicated to the user that the connection with the external device on the first network may be cut off, and it is possible to prevent the user from changing the connection destination without recognizing the possibility of the cutoff.

[0091] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below with respect to the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, when the printer 103 is found in the second search, the connection destination of the PC 101 is returned to the first network before the confirmation screen is displayed. Then, the confirmation screen is displayed, and the user is prompted to select the network to which the PC 101 is connected. In this way, the network to which the PC is connected is switched to the network to which the printer is connected only when the user determines that it is acceptable to change the network to which the PC is connected. In other words, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the network to which the PC is connected is automatically switched without the user's intention, making it impossible to communicate with a printer connected to a network with a different SSID. Furthermore, even if the user interrupts the network setup process, it is possible to prevent the network setup process from being ended in a state in which the network to which the PC is connected has been changed.

[0092] The printer communication confirmation process of S314 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The process of Fig. 9 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 206 and executing it. The process of Fig. 9 is realized by a setup application. The process of Fig. 9 is started, for example, when a predetermined instruction is given by the user on a screen displayed by the setup application.

[0093] Since S901 to S911 and S930 are the same as the explanations for S601 to S610, S613 and S620 in FIG. 6, the explanations for them will be omitted.

[0094] If it is determined in S907 that the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has failed, in S920, the CPU 201 causes the wireless LAN interface 211 to reconnect to the network of the first SSID. Then, in S919, the CPU 201 displays a screen indicating that the network connection of the printer 103 has failed on the display device 208. Here, for example, a screen 820 shown in Fig. 8(c) is displayed on the display device 208. If an end button 821 on the screen 820 is pressed, the processing in Fig. 9 ends.

[0095] If it is determined in S910 that the second search has been performed a specified number of times, in S912, the CPU 201 disconnects the connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the network of the second SSID, and reconnects the wireless LAN interface 211 to the network of the first SSID. The establishment of the connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the network of the first SSID is executed in response to an instruction from the setup application while the setup application is running. Also, at this time, since the OS may not be able to search for surrounding SSIDs and may be in an unstable state immediately after the connection is disconnected, there is a possibility that the reconnection may fail. Therefore, the CPU 201 may reconnect after a certain time has elapsed since the disconnection. Alternatively, when the reconnection fails, the reconnection process may be retried to reduce the connection failure. Then, in S913, the CPU 201 deletes the wireless profile (including the second SSID and password) of the second network, and in S919, the display device 208 displays the screen of FIG. 8C indicating that the network connection of the printer 103 has failed. The process of S913 can prevent a wireless profile of a connection not intended by the user from remaining. When the end button 821 on the screen 820 shown in Fig. 8(c) is pressed, the process of Fig. 9 ends.

[0096] If it is determined in S911 that the Internet connection is not possible, the above-mentioned processes from S912 onwards are performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S911 that the Internet connection is possible, in S914, the CPU 201 disconnects the connection between the wireless LAN interface 211 and the network of the second SSID, and reconnects the wireless LAN interface 211 to the network of the first SSID. Then, in S915, the CPU 201 displays on the display device 208 a confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to change the connection destination network. Here, for example, a selection screen 1000 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display device 208. For example, the confirmation screen 1000 includes a message indicating that the printer 103 has been found on the second network, a message for confirming that the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 is to be changed to the network of the second SSID, and an area 1003 for displaying the second SSID. Also, for example, the confirmation screen 1000 includes a "Manual" button 1004 for displaying a manual showing detailed explanations, and a "Yes" button 1001 or a "No" button 1002 that the user operates depending on the contents of the message.

[0097] If the PC 101 is connected to the second network, the PC 101 may not be able to communicate with other external devices connected to the first network. When the "Manual" button 1004 included in the confirmation screen 1000 is pressed, a Web browser or the like displays an explanation of precautions to be taken when changing the network to which the PC 101 is connected as a Web manual, which is Internet content. This explanation is the same as the explanation displayed when the "Manual" button 704 in FIG. 7 is pressed. The confirmation screen 1000 displays a message for confirming with the user whether or not to change the connection of the PC 101 to the second network, and prompts the user to press either the "Yes" button 1001 or the "No" button 1002. In other words, the confirmation screen 1000 can be said to be a selection screen that can accept a user instruction as to whether to change the connection destination of the PC 101 to the first network or the second network. In other words, the confirmation screen 1000 is a screen for confirming with the user whether to switch the connection between the changed connection destination network (second network) and the PC 101.

[0098] In S916, CPU 201 determines whether or not to change the connection destination of wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network. Specifically, for example, when the user presses "Yes" button 1001, CPU 201 determines to change the connection destination of wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network, and in S917, CPU 201 attempts to change the connection destination of wireless LAN interface 211 to the network of the second SSID. Then, in S918, CPU 201 determines whether the change in connection destination of wireless LAN interface 211 has succeeded or failed.

[0099] If it is determined in S918 that the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has been successful, then in S903, the CPU 201 displays a screen shown in FIG. 8A on the display device 208. If an end button 811 on the screen 810 is pressed, the process of FIG. 9 is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has failed, then in S919, the CPU 201 displays a screen 820 shown in FIG. 8B, which indicates a failure in the network connection of the printer 103, on the display device 208. If an end button 821 on the screen 820 shown in FIG. 8B is pressed, the process of FIG. 9 is terminated. If it is determined in S918 that the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has failed, then the connection destination of the PC may be changed to the first network, and the screen 820 of FIG. 8C may be displayed on the display device 208.

[0100] Refer again to S916. For example, if the user presses the "No" button 1002, in S916 the CPU 201 determines not to change the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network. Then, in S913, the CPU 201 deletes the wireless profile (including the second SSID and password) of the second network, and in S919 displays the screen of FIG. 8B indicating a failure in network connection of the printer 103 on the display device 208. If the end button 821 on the screen 820 shown in FIG. 8B is pressed, the processing of FIG. 9 ends.

[0101] In the process of connecting the wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network in S905, the wireless profile may not remain when the connection is made. Specifically, for example, the above control is performed by making it possible to specify whether or not to hold the wireless profile used for connecting to the AP in the OS. If it is specified that the wireless profile used for connecting to the AP is not to be held in the OS and the wireless LAN interface 211 is connected to the second network in S906, the process of deleting the wireless profile of the second network in S913 may not be executed.

[0102] As described above, according to this embodiment, the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 is returned to the original first network before S915. Therefore, even if the user interrupts the network setup process in S915, for example, it is possible to prevent the process from ending with the connection destination network changed.

[0103] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment will be described below with respect to the differences from the first and second embodiments. In this embodiment, before the second search is executed, the user is prompted to select a network to which the PC 101 is to be connected. This makes it possible to prevent the user from unintentionally connecting the PC 101 to the second network, even temporarily, in a case where, for example, a network administrator intentionally limits the devices that are to be connected to the second network.

[0104] The printer communication confirmation process of S314 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The process of Fig. 11 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 206 and executing it. The process of Fig. 11 is realized by a setup application. The process of Fig. 11 is started, for example, when a predetermined instruction is given by the user on a screen displayed by the setup application.

[0105] S1101 to S1104 are the same as those in S601 to S604 in FIG. 6, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0106] If it is determined in S1104 that the first search has been performed a prescribed number of times, in S1105, the CPU 201 displays on the display device 208 a pre-confirmation screen for prompting the user to confirm that the network to be connected to is to be changed. Here, for example, a pre-confirmation screen 1200 shown in Fig. 12 is displayed on the display device 208. For example, the pre-confirmation screen 1200 includes a message indicating that the printer 103 could not be found on the first network, a message indicating that the printer may be found by changing the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 to a network with a second SSID, and an area 1203 displaying the second SSID. In addition, for example, the pre-confirmation screen 1200 includes a "Manual" button 1204 for displaying a manual showing detailed explanations, and a "Yes" button 1201 or a "No" button 1202 that the user operates depending on the contents of the message.

[0107] If the PC 101 is connected to the second network, the PC 101 may not be able to communicate with other external devices connected to the first network. When the "Manual" button 1204 included in the preliminary confirmation screen 1200 is pressed, a Web browser or the like displays an explanation of precautions to be taken when changing the network to which the PC 101 is connected. This explanation is the same as the explanation displayed when the "Manual" button 704 in FIG. 7 is pressed. The preliminary confirmation screen 1200 displays a message for confirming with the user whether or not to change the connection of the PC 101 to the second network, and prompts the user to press either the "Yes" button 1201 or the "No" button 1202. In other words, the preliminary confirmation screen 1200 can be said to be a selection screen that can accept a user instruction as to whether to change the connection destination of the PC 101 to the first network or the second network. In other words, the preliminary confirmation screen 1200 is a screen for confirming with the user whether or not to switch the connection between the changed connection destination network (second network) and the PC 101.

[0108] In S1106, CPU 201 determines whether or not to change the connection destination of wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network. Specifically, for example, when "No" button 1202 is pressed, CPU 201 determines not to change the connection destination of wireless LAN interface 211 to the second network. Then, in S1116, CPU 201 displays screen 820 shown in Fig. 8(b) on display device 208. When end button 821 on screen 820 is pressed, the processing in Fig. 11 ends.

[0109] On the other hand, when the user presses the "Yes" button 1201, the CPU 201 determines that the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 is to be changed to the second network. Then, in S1107, the CPU 201 determines whether the network information of the AP of the first SSID was transmitted in S310 or the network information of the AP of the second SSID was transmitted. If it is determined in S310 that the network information of the AP of the first SSID was transmitted, the process proceeds to S1120, where a screen indicating a failure in the network connection of the printer 103 in FIG. 8B is displayed on the display device 208. If the end button 821 is pressed, the process of FIG. 11 is terminated. Then, if it is determined in S310 that the network information of the AP of the second SSID was transmitted, the process proceeds to S1108.

[0110] In S1108, CPU 201 disconnects wireless LAN interface 211 from the first SSID network, and attempts to establish a connection between wireless LAN interface 211 and the second SSID network. The attempt to establish a connection between wireless LAN interface 211 and the second SSID network is executed in response to an instruction from the setup application while the setup application is running. Then, in S1109, CPU 201 determines whether the change in the connection destination of wireless LAN interface 211 has succeeded or failed. The case where the change in the connection destination of wireless LAN interface 211 has succeeded means the case where the connection between wireless LAN interface 211 and the second SSID network has been successfully established.

[0111] If it is determined in S1109 that the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has failed, in S1117, the CPU 201 reconnects the wireless LAN interface 211 to the network of the first SSID, and displays a screen indicating a failure in the network connection of the printer 103 on the display device 208. If the end button 821 on the screen 820 shown in Fig. 8(c) is pressed, the processing in Fig. 11 ends.

[0112] If it is determined in S1109 that the change in the connection destination of the wireless LAN interface 211 has been successful, in S1110 the CPU 201 searches for the printer 103 on the second network. Specifically, for example, the search for the printer 103 is performed by transmitting a broadcast packet or a multicast packet.

[0113] In S1111, CPU 201 determines whether or not printer 103 was found by the second search in S1110. If it is determined that printer 103 was not found in the second search, CPU 201 determines in S1112 whether or not the second search was performed a specified number of times. If it is determined that the second search was not performed a specified number of times, the process repeats from S1110. If it is determined that the second search was performed a specified number of times, the process proceeds to S1114.

[0114] In S1114, the CPU 201 disconnects the wireless LAN interface 211 from the second SSID network, and reconnects the wireless LAN interface 211 to the first SSID network. Then, in S1115, the CPU 201 deletes the wireless profile of the second network (including the second SSID and password), and in S1116, the CPU 201 displays the screen of FIG. 8C indicating a failure in the network connection of the printer 103 on the display device 208. The process of S1115 makes it possible to prevent a wireless profile of a connection unintended by the user from remaining. When the end button 821 on the screen 820 shown in FIG. 8C is pressed, the process of FIG. 11 ends.

[0115] If it is determined in S1111 that printer 103 has been found in the second search, then in S1113 CPU 201 determines whether an Internet connection is possible via the second network, i.e., whether access to external server 171 is possible. S1111 is the same as the description of S610 in Fig. 6. If it is determined that an Internet connection is not possible, the above-mentioned processes of S1114 to S1116 are performed.

[0116] If it is determined in S1113 that an Internet connection is possible, a screen 810 shown in Fig. 8(a) is displayed on the display device 208. If an end button 811 on the screen 810 is pressed, the processing in Fig. 11 ends.

[0117] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user is prompted for confirmation before changing the connection destination from the first network to the second network. Therefore, for example, in a case where a network administrator limits the devices that can be connected to the second network, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally connecting the PC 101 to the second network even temporarily.

[0118] 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.

[0119] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following information processing device, method, and program. (Item 1) An information processing device, A transmitting means for transmitting network information regarding a second network different from the first network to the communication device; a first search means for searching for the communication device via the first network to which the information processing device is connected after the network information is transmitted; a display means for displaying a screen capable of accepting a first user instruction corresponding to setting the first network as a network to which the information processing device is to be connected and a second user instruction corresponding to setting the second network as a network to which the information processing device is to be connected, based on the result of the search by the first search means that the communication device is not found; A control means for controlling a network to which the information processing device is connected; wherein the control means controls the network to which the information processing device is connected so that it becomes the first network when the first user instruction is accepted on the screen, and controls the network to which the information processing device is connected so that it becomes the second network when the second user instruction is accepted on the screen. (Item 2) when the communication device is not found as a result of the search by the first search means, the control means switches a connection destination of the information processing device from the first network to the second network before the display means displays the screen; 2. The information processing device according to item 1, wherein the display means displays the screen after a connection destination of the information processing device is switched from the first network to the second network. (Item 3) a second search means for searching for the communication device in the second network after the connection destination of the information processing device is switched from the first network to the second network; The information processing device according to item 2, characterized in that the display means displays the screen based on the fact that the communication device is not found as a result of the search by the first search means and the communication device is found as a result of the search by the second search means. (Item 4) a determination unit that, when the communication device is found as a result of the search by the second search unit, determines whether the information processing device is connectable to the Internet via the second network; The information processing device described in item 3, characterized in that the display means displays the screen based on the fact that the communication device is not found as a result of the search by the first search means, the communication device is found as a result of the search by the second search means, and the determination means determines that the information processing device is capable of connecting to the Internet via the second network. (Item 5) The information processing device described in item 4, characterized in that, based on the determination by the determination means that the information processing device is not capable of connecting to the Internet via the second network, the display means does not display the screen, and the control means switches the connection destination of the information processing device from the second network to the first network. (Item 6) The information processing device described in any one of items 3 to 5, characterized in that, based on the result of the search by the second search means that the communication device is not found, the display means does not display the screen, and the control means switches the connection destination of the information processing device from the second network to the first network. (Item 7) When the first user instruction is received on the screen, the control means switches a connection destination of the information processing device from the second network to the first network; The information processing device according to any one of items 3 to 5, characterized in that when the second user instruction is received on the screen, the control means maintains the connection of the information processing device on the second network. (Item 8) The information processing device described in item 1, characterized in that if the communication device is not found as a result of the search by the first search means, the display means displays the screen before the network to which the information processing device is connected is changed from the first network to another network. (Item 9) When the first user instruction is received on the screen, the control means maintains a connection destination of the information processing device on the first network; 9. The information processing device according to item 8, characterized in that, when the second user instruction is received on the screen, the control means switches the connection destination of the information processing device from the first network to the second network. (Item 10) a second search means for searching for the communication device in the second network after the connection destination of the information processing device is switched from the first network to the second network, 10. The information processing device according to item 9, characterized in that, when the communication device is found as a result of the search by the second search means, the control means maintains the connection destination of the information processing device on the second network. (Item 11) when the communication device is found as a result of the search by the second search means, the control means switches a connection destination of the information processing device from the second network to the first network; 4. The information processing device according to item 3, wherein the display means displays the screen after a connection destination of the information processing device is switched from the second network to the first network. (Item 12) When the first user instruction is received on the screen, the control means maintains a connection destination of the information processing device on the first network; Item 12. The information processing device according to item 11, characterized in that, when the second user instruction is received on the screen, the control means switches the connection destination of the information processing device from the first network to the second network. (Item 13) 13. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the network information includes at least one of an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and a password of the second network. (Item 14) 13. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein a device corresponding to an access point of the first network and a device corresponding to an access point of the second network are the same. (Item 15) The information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 14, characterized in that the network information is transmitted between the information processing device and the communication device via a connection that does not go through an access point outside the information processing device and outside the communication device. (Item 16) After the network information is transmitted, a connection between the information processing device and the communication device that does not go through the external access point is disconnected, and a connection between the information processing device and the first network is established; After a connection between the information processing device and the first network is established, a search is executed by the first search means. 16. The information processing device according to item 15, (Item 17) The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 16, characterized in that the first network is at least a network to which the information processing device was connected at a predetermined timing before the network information was transmitted to the communication device. (Item 18) The method further comprises receiving means for receiving from the communication device a list indicating networks found by a search performed by the communication device, the first network is at least a network to which the information processing device was connected at a predetermined timing before the network information was transmitted to the communication device; If the list includes information corresponding to the first network, the network information relating to the first network is sent to the communication device; Item 18. The information processing device according to item 17, characterized in that, if the list does not include information corresponding to the first network, the network information regarding the second network is transmitted to the communication device. (Item 19) a display control means for displaying the list when the list does not include the first network; 19. The information processing device according to item 18, wherein the second network is a network selected from the list. (Item 20) and receiving means for receiving an input of the network information from a user when the first network is not included in the list. Item 19. The information processing device according to item 18, wherein the second network is a network corresponding to the network information input by a user. (Item 21) 21. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 20, wherein the network information is transmitted to the communication device via any one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wired LAN, and USB. (Item 22) A method executed in an information processing device, comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting network information regarding a second network different from the first network to the communication device; a first search step of searching for the communication device via the first network to which the information processing device is connected after the network information is transmitted; a display step of displaying a screen capable of accepting a first user instruction corresponding to setting the first network as a network to which the information processing device is to be connected and a second user instruction corresponding to setting the second network as a network to which the information processing device is to be connected, based on the result of the search in the first search step that the communication device is not found; a control step of controlling a network to which the information processing device is connected; having In the control step, when the first user instruction is accepted on the screen, control is performed so that a network to which the information processing device is connected becomes the first network, and when the second user instruction is accepted on the screen, control is performed so that a network to which the information processing device is connected becomes the second network. A method comprising: (Item 23) 22. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 21.

[0120] 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]

[0121] 101 information processing device: 102 access point: 103 communication device: 201, 252 CPU: 202, 253 ROM: 206, 258 RAM

Claims

1. An information processing device, a transmitting means for transmitting network information regarding a second network different from the first network to the communication device; a first search means for searching for the communication device via the first network to which the information processing device is connected after the network information is transmitted; a display means for displaying a screen capable of accepting a first user instruction corresponding to setting the first network as a network destination of the information processing device and a second user instruction corresponding to setting the second network as a network destination of the information processing device, based on a result of the search by the first search means that the communication device has not been found; A control means for controlling a network to which the information processing device is connected; Equipped with The information processing device is characterized in that the control means controls the network to which the information processing device is connected to become the first network when the first user instruction is accepted on the screen, and controls the network to which the information processing device is connected to become the second network when the second user instruction is accepted on the screen.

2. when the communication device is not found as a result of the search by the first search means, the control means switches a connection destination of the information processing device from the first network to the second network before the display means displays the screen; 2 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays the screen after the connection destination of the information processing apparatus is switched from the first network to the second network.

3. a second search means for searching for the communication device in the second network after the connection destination of the information processing device is switched from the first network to the second network; 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the display means displays the screen based on the result of a search by the first search means indicating that the communication device is not found and the result of a search by the second search means indicating that the communication device is found.

4. a determination unit that, when the communication device is found as a result of the search by the second search unit, determines whether the information processing device is connectable to the Internet via the second network; The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the display means displays the screen based on the fact that the communication device is not found as a result of a search by the first search means, the communication device is found as a result of a search by the second search means, and the determination means determines that the information processing device is capable of connecting to the Internet via the second network.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, based on the determination by the determination means that the information processing device is not capable of connecting to the Internet via the second network, the display means does not display the screen, and the control means switches the connection destination of the information processing device from the second network to the first network.

6. The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, based on the result of the search by the second search means that the communication device is not found, the display means does not display the screen, and the control means switches the connection destination of the information processing device from the second network to the first network.

7. When the first user instruction is received on the screen, the control means switches a connection destination of the information processing device from the second network to the first network, 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when the second user instruction is accepted on the screen, the control means maintains the connection destination of the information processing apparatus on the second network.

8. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display means displays the screen before the network to which the information processing device is connected is changed from the first network to another network when the communication device is not found as a result of a search by the first search means.

9. When the first user instruction is received on the screen, the control means maintains a connection destination of the information processing device on the first network; 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when the second user instruction is received on the screen, the control means switches a connection destination of the information processing apparatus from the first network to the second network.

10. a second search means for searching for the communication device in the second network after the connection destination of the information processing device is switched from the first network to the second network, 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, when the communication apparatus is found as a result of the search by the second search means, the control means maintains the connection destination of the information processing apparatus on the second network.

11. when the communication device is found as a result of the search by the second search means, the control means switches a connection destination of the information processing device from the second network to the first network; 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays the screen after a connection destination of the information processing apparatus is switched from the second network to the first network.

12. When the first user instruction is received on the screen, the control means maintains a connection destination of the information processing device on the first network; 12 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein, when the second user instruction is accepted on the screen, the control means switches a connection destination of the information processing apparatus from the first network to the second network.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the network information includes at least one of an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and a password of the second network.

14. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a device corresponding to an access point of the first network and a device corresponding to an access point of the second network are the same.

15. 2 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the network information is transmitted via a connection between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus that does not go through an access point outside the information processing apparatus and outside the communication apparatus.

16. After the network information is transmitted, a connection between the information processing device and the communication device that does not go through the external access point is disconnected, and a connection between the information processing device and the first network is established; 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the search is executed by the first search means after a connection between the information processing apparatus and the first network is established.

17. 2 . The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first network is at least a network to which the information processing device was connected at a predetermined timing before the network information was transmitted to the communication device.

18. The method further comprises receiving means for receiving from the communication device a list indicating networks found by a search performed by the communication device, the first network is at least a network to which the information processing device was connected at a predetermined timing before the network information was transmitted to the communication device; If the list includes information corresponding to the first network, the network information relating to the first network is transmitted to the communication device; 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein if the list does not include information corresponding to the first network, the network information relating to the second network is transmitted to the communication device.

19. a display control means for displaying the list when the list does not include the first network; 20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the second network is a network selected from the list.

20. a receiving unit for receiving an input of the network information from a user when the first network is not included in the list; 20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the second network is a network corresponding to the network information input by a user.

21. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network information is transmitted to the communication device by any one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a wired LAN, and a USB.

22. A method executed in an information processing device, comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting network information regarding a second network different from the first network to the communication device; a first search step of searching for the communication device via the first network to which the information processing device is connected after the network information is transmitted; a display step of displaying a screen capable of accepting a first user instruction corresponding to setting the first network as a network to which the information processing device is to be connected and a second user instruction corresponding to setting the second network as a network to which the information processing device is to be connected, based on the result of the search in the first search step that the communication device is not found; a control step of controlling a network to which the information processing device is connected; having The method is characterized in that, in the control process, when the first user instruction is accepted on the screen, the network to which the information processing device is connected is controlled to become the first network, and when the second user instruction is accepted on the screen, the network to which the information processing device is connected is controlled to become the second network.

23. 22. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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