Program, information processing device, and control method

Abstract

To improve convenience when communication with an external device cannot be performed via an access point.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer of an information processing device to function as confirmation means for confirming a state of communication between the information processing device and an external device via a predetermined relay device, and control means for performing control, based on the confirmed state of communication being a predetermined state, so that a frequency band used for connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device is changed from a first frequency band to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing apparatus, and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] There is a technology in which an information processing apparatus and an external apparatus communicate with each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) connected to the Internet. In addition, the LAN may be constructed as a wireless network, and in this case, there is an advantage that the installation location of the device is not restricted compared to a wired network. Patent Document 1 describes a method for connecting an external apparatus to a network that forms an access point using an information processing apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when an information processing apparatus communicates with an external apparatus via a relay apparatus, the communication may not be possible. Therefore, it is required to improve the convenience when communication with an external apparatus via a relay apparatus is not possible.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a computer of an information processing apparatus is caused to function as a confirmation means for confirming a communication state between the information processing apparatus and an external apparatus via a predetermined relay apparatus, and a control means for controlling such that a frequency band used for connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is changed from a first frequency band to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band based on the confirmed communication state being a predetermined state. A program is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience when communication with an external apparatus via a relay apparatus is not possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential for the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0009] <First Embodiment> <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system according to this embodiment. This system includes an information processing apparatus 101, an image forming apparatus 102, a router 103, and the like. Further, in one example, this system is a wireless communication system in which communication devices such as the information processing apparatus 101, the image forming apparatus 102, and the router 103 can communicate with each other wirelessly via a wireless LAN or the like. Hereinafter, the wireless LAN may be referred to as WLAN. The information processing apparatus 101 can perform wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103. That is, the router 103 is a relay device capable of relaying communication. It is assumed that this wireless connection uses, for example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark). The information processing apparatus 101 requires a printer driver to transmit a print command or the like to the image forming apparatus 102, and installs it from a driver installer or the like. At that time, a print port for communicating with the image forming apparatus 102 is created in the information processing apparatus 101, and a print command is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 102 using this print port. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 102 can execute printing from the print command received from the information processing apparatus 101.

[0010] In the present system, the case where the image forming apparatus 102 is used as an external device will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) such as a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, and a smart speaker, each having a communication function, may be used instead of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0011] Further, the router 103 is provided separately (externally) from the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 and operates as a base station device for a WLAN. A communication device having a WLAN communication function can perform communication in the infrastructure mode of the WLAN via the router 103 operating as an access point. In the following description, the access point may be referred to as an AP. Also, the infrastructure mode may be referred to as the "infrastructure connection mode". The operation in this mode will be described later. The router 103 performs wireless communication with a communication device (authenticated) that has been permitted to connect to the self-device, and relays wireless communication between the communication device and other communication devices. Further, the router 103 is connected to, for example, a wired communication network, and can relay communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and another communication device wirelessly connected to the AP 101.

[0012] In addition, the router 103 may support the function of band steering. The function of band steering is, for example, a function capable of communicating with a communication device in a plurality of frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Specifically, for example, the router 103 corresponding to Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark) may be used. Wi-Fi Agile Multiband is a function that enables selection of an optimal environment according to the changing situation of a Wi-Fi network. Specifically, a station such as the information processing device 101 and the image forming device 102 and an AP such as the router 103 exchange information regarding the network environment using the communication standards of the IEEE802.11 series. Hereinafter, the station may be referred to as an STA in some cases. By such information exchange, when the network is congested, the AP can induce (change the connection destination of) the STA to another AP, frequency band, channel, or in some cases, even to another cellular service.

[0013] In addition, when the function of Wi-Fi Agile Multiband of the router 103 is valid, it is assumed that the Service Set Identifiers (hereinafter, SSIDs) of the router 103 corresponding to different frequency bands are set to be the same. That is, the SSID of the router 103 that communicates at 2.4 GHz and the SSID of the router 103 that communicates at 5 GHz are the same. Also, it is assumed that the passwords of the router 103 that communicates in a plurality of frequency bands are set to be the same. That is, the password of the router 103 that communicates at 2.4 GHz and the password of the router 103 that communicates at 5 GHz are the same.

[0014] <Device Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 101 and the image forming device 102 in the present embodiment.

[0015] The information processing device 101 is described by taking a PC as an example, but it is not limited to this. The information processing device 101 may be, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet. The information processing device 101 includes, for example, an input I / F (interface) 202, a CPU 203, a ROM 204, a RAM 205, an external storage device 206, an output I / F (interface) 207, a display unit 208, a keyboard 209, a mouse 210, a wireless interface 211, a wired interface 212, a USB interface 213, an application program (hereinafter referred to as an app) 214, etc. Here, CPU is the initialism of Central Processing Unit, ROM is the initialism of Read Only Memory, and RAM is the initialism of Random Access Memory.

[0016] The keyboard 209, the mouse 210, etc. are connected to the input I / F 202. The input I / F 202 acquires information regarding a user operation received via an input device such as the keyboard 209 or the mouse 210, and transmits the information to the CPU 203. The display unit 208, which is a display device such as a display, is connected to the output I / F 207.

[0017] The CPU 203 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire information processing device 101. The CPU 203 executes various processes by reading out a program stored in a storage medium such as the external storage device 206 or the ROM 204 into the RAM 205 as a work area and executing it.

[0018] The ROM 204 is, for example, a non-volatile storage, and stores fixed data such as a program executed by the CPU 203, a data table, and an embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as an OS) program.

[0019] The RAM 205 is composed of an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like that requires a backup power supply. Since the data in the RAM 205 is retained by a primary battery for data backup (not shown), important data such as program control variables can be stored without being volatile. Also, a memory area for storing the setting information of the information processing apparatus 101, the management data of the information processing apparatus 101, and the like is also provided in the RAM 205. Further, the RAM 205 is also used as the main memory and the work memory of the CPU 203.

[0020] The external storage device 206 is, for example, a storage device such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a Solid State Drive (SSD), and stores an application program group, an Operating System (OS), a driver for the image forming apparatus 102, a print information generation program for generating print information interpretable by the image forming apparatus 102, and various other data. In this embodiment, the app 214 described later is also stored in the external storage device 206. Also, a form of using Microsoft's Windows (registered trademark) as the OS will be described as an example, but other OSs may also be used.

[0021] The wireless interface 211, the wired interface 212, and the USB interface 213 are communication interfaces for performing data communication with external devices. The wireless interface 211 is an interface capable of wireless communication with external devices via a router 103 or the like. The wired interface 212 is an interface capable of wired communication with external devices via a router 103 or the like. The USB interface 213 is an interface capable of local communication with external devices.

[0022] The information processing apparatus 101 performs wireless communication using the wireless interface 211 and conducts data communication with other devices such as the MFP 100. The wireless interface 211 converts data into packets and transmits the packets to other devices. Also, the wireless interface 211 restores the packets from external other devices to the original data and outputs it to the CPU 203. The wireless interface 211 is a unit for realizing communication compliant with the WLAN standard respectively. The wireless interface 211 can operate in parallel in at least two communication modes including the infrastructure connection mode and the P2P (WLAN) mode. Details of these modes will be described later. Note that the frequency bands used in these communication modes may be limited by the functions and performance of the hardware. In this example, the wireless interface 211 will be described as being capable of communicating in both the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. Note that the information processing apparatus 101 may be capable of communicating in other frequency bands.

[0023] The application 214 is, for example, an application for executing the network setup of other devices (for example, the image forming apparatus 102). Note that the network setup of other devices specifically refers to the process of connecting other devices to an access point such as a router that forms a network.

[0024] Also, in this embodiment, the app 214 is not limited to the function of executing the above-described network setup. For example, the app 214 may have a setup function including installing a driver on the information processing apparatus 101 and obtaining a license contract for using the image forming apparatus 102 in various Web services. Further, the app 214 is not limited to the setup function and may have other functions. For example, the app 214 may have a function of communicating with the image forming apparatus 102 or the router 103. Also, for example, the app 214 may have a function for executing the function of the image forming apparatus 102. For example, it may have a printing function for causing the image forming apparatus 102 to execute printing or a scanning function for causing the image forming apparatus 102 to execute scanning. Also, the app 214 may have either the printing function or the scanning function, or may be an app having other functions.

[0025] The configuration of the information processing apparatus 101 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and appropriately has a configuration according to the functions executable by the device applied as the information processing apparatus 101. The information processing apparatus 101 may, for example, have a position information acquisition unit that acquires the position information of the information processing apparatus 101. Also, it may have a short-range wireless communication unit (not shown) for performing wireless connection at a short distance with a device such as the image forming apparatus 102 to execute data communication, a photographing unit (not shown) that operates when a photographing function is executed by an app operating on the information processing apparatus 101, and the like.

[0026] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 is a printing apparatus (printer) having a printing function of executing printing on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus 102 may further have a reading function (scanner), a FAX function, and a telephone function. Also, the image forming apparatus 102 of this embodiment has a communication function capable of wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103. Hereinafter, a printer will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 102 includes a network I / F (interface) 252, a RAM 253, a ROM 254, a CPU 255, a print engine 260, an input interface 256, an output interface 257, an operation unit 258, a display unit 259, and the like.

[0028] The network interface 252 is a communication interface that executes data communication with external devices. The network interface 252 is, for example, a wireless interface, a priority interface, a USB interface, or the like. The wireless interface is an interface capable of wireless communication with external devices via a router 103 or the like. The priority interface is an interface capable of performing wired communication with a router 103 or the like via a LAN cable or the like and communicating with external devices. The USB interface is an interface capable of local communication with external devices.

[0029] The wireless interface is a unit capable of providing a WLAN communication function. That is, the wireless interface converts data into packets and transmits the packets to other devices according to the WLAN standard, and also restores the packets from external other devices to original data and outputs the original data to the CPU 255. The wireless interface may be capable of communication as a station compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard series. In particular, communication as a STA compliant with IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax may be possible. Also, communication as a STA compatible with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark) may be possible.

[0030] The wireless interface may support IEEE802.11ax, that is, Wi-Fi6 (trademark), or may be in a form capable of performing processing compliant with IEEE802.11ax. That is, the image forming apparatus 102 may be capable of one or both of the processing as a STA compliant with OFDMA and the operation (processing) as a STA compliant with TWT. OFDMA is the abbreviation of Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access. TWT is the abbreviation of Target Wake Time. When corresponding to TWT, the data communication timing from the master device to the STA is adjusted. The wireless interface (image forming apparatus 102) as the STA shifts the communication function to the sleep state when there is no need to wait for signal reception. Thereby, power consumption can be suppressed. Further, the wireless interface may also support Wi-Fi6E (trademark). That is, communication in the 6 GHz band (5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz) may also be possible. The band subject to Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) existing in the 5 GHz band does not exist in the 6 GHz band. Therefore, in communication in the 6 GHz band, communication disconnection due to the DFS waiting time does not occur, and more comfortable communication can be expected.

[0031] RAM253 is used as the main memory and work memory of CPU255, and stores a reception buffer for temporarily storing received print commands and print data, and various data.

[0032] The print engine 260 performs printing based on the data stored in RAM253.

[0033] The ROM254 stores various control programs and data used by each control program, and the CPU255 controls each part of the printer 251 according to these control programs.

[0034] The CPU 255 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 102. The CPU 255 executes various processes by reading out a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 204 into the RAM 205 as a work area and executing it.

[0035] An input interface 256 has an input device such as an operation unit 258 connected thereto. The input interface 256 acquires information regarding a user operation received via the operation unit 258, and transmits the information to the CPU 255. A display unit 259 is connected to an output interface 257.

[0036] <Regarding the direct connection method> Direct connection refers to a form in which devices are directly wirelessly connected to each other (i.e., Peer to Peer) without going through an external device such as a router 103. Direct connection is also referred to as Peer to Peer connection (P2P connection). The image forming apparatus 102 can operate in a mode (direct connection mode) for communicating by direct connection as one of the connection modes. In Wi-Fi communication, there are a plurality of modes such as a software AP mode and a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode for communicating by direct connection.

[0037] The mode in which direct connection is executed by WFD is called the WFD mode. WFD is a standard formulated by the Wi-Fi Alliance and is included in the communication standards of the IEEE802.11 series. In the WFD mode, after a device to communicate with is discovered by a device discovery command, the roles of the P2P group owner (GO) and the P2P client are determined, and then the remaining wireless connection process is performed. The group owner corresponds to the parent station (parent device) of Wi-Fi, and the client corresponds to the child station (child device) of Wi-Fi. This role determination corresponds to, for example, GO Negotiation in P2P. In the WFD mode in the state before the role determination, the image forming apparatus 102 is in a state that is neither the parent station nor the child station. Specifically, first, between the devices that communicate, one device issues a device discovery command to discover the device to connect in the WFD mode. When the other device that becomes the communication partner is discovered, information regarding services and functions that can be provided by each other's devices is confirmed between the two. Note that this confirmation of device-provided information is optional and not essential. This phase of confirming device-provided information corresponds to, for example, Provision Discovery in P2P. Next, by mutually confirming this device-provided information, as its role, it is determined which will be the P2P client and which will be the P2P group owner. Next, after the client and the group owner are determined, parameters for communication by WFD are exchanged between the two. Based on the exchanged parameters, the remaining wireless connection process and the IP connection process are performed between the P2P client and the group owner. Note that in the WFD mode, the image forming apparatus 102 may always operate as the GO without executing the above-described GO Negotiation. That is, the image forming apparatus 102 may operate as the WFD mode which is the Autonomous GO mode. Also, the state in which the image forming apparatus 102 is operating in the WFD mode means, for example, a state in which the connection by WFD is not established but the image forming apparatus 102 is operating as the GO, or a state in which the connection by WFD is established and the image forming apparatus 102 is operating as the GO.

[0038] In the software AP mode, among the devices that communicate (for example, the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102), one device (for example, the information processing apparatus 101) serves as a client that requests various services. And the other device realizes the function of an AP in Wi-Fi through software settings. The software AP corresponds to the parent station of Wi-Fi, and the client corresponds to the child station of Wi-Fi. In the software AP mode, the client searches for the device that becomes the software AP using a device search command. When the software AP is searched, after going through the remaining wireless connection process (establishment of wireless connection, etc.) between the client and the software AP, then the IP connection process (assignment of IP address, etc.) is performed. Note that for the commands and parameters transmitted and received when realizing a wireless connection between the client and the software AP, those defined in the Wi-Fi standard may be used, and the description here is omitted.

[0039] In the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 102 establishes and maintains a direct connection, it operates as a parent station within the network to which the image forming apparatus 102 belongs. Note that the parent station is a device that constructs a wireless network and is a device that provides parameters used for connection to the wireless network to the child stations. The parameters used for connection to the wireless network are, for example, parameters regarding the channel used by the parent station. The child station receives the parameters and uses the channel used by the parent station to connect to the wireless network constructed by the parent station. In the direct connection mode, since the image forming apparatus 102 operates as the parent station, it is possible for the image forming apparatus 102 to determine which frequency band and which channel to use for communication in the direct connection mode. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 102 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] <Regarding the infrastructure (infra) connection method> Infrastructure connection is a connection mode in which devices that communicate (e.g., information processing apparatus 101 and image forming apparatus 102) are connected to an AP (e.g., router 103) that manages the network, and the devices communicate with each other via the AP. The image forming apparatus 102 can also operate in a mode (infrastructure connection mode) for communicating via infrastructure connection as one of the connection modes.

[0041] In infrastructure connection, each device searches for the AP using a device search command. When the AP is searched, after going through the processing of the remaining wireless connection (establishment of wireless connection, etc.) between the device and the AP, the processing of the IP connection (assignment of IP address, etc.) is then performed. Note that for the commands and parameters transmitted and received when realizing the wireless connection between the device and the AP, those defined by the Wi-Fi standard may be used, and the description here is omitted.

[0042] When the image forming apparatus 102 operates in an infrastructure connection in this embodiment, the router 103 operates as a master station and the image forming apparatus 102 operates as a slave station. That is, in this embodiment, the infrastructure connection refers to a connection between the image forming apparatus 102 operating as a slave station and a device operating as a master station. When the image forming apparatus 102 has established an infrastructure connection and the information processing apparatus 101 has also established an infrastructure connection with the router 103, communication between the image forming apparatus 102 and the information processing apparatus 101 via the router 103 becomes possible. Since the channel used for communication in the infrastructure connection is determined by the router 103, the image forming apparatus 102 executes communication in the infrastructure connection using the channel determined by the router 103. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 102 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 infrastructure connection. Note that the image forming apparatus 102 can also use a channel corresponding to the DFS band in the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. Note that, in order for the information processing apparatus 101 to communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103, it is necessary for the information processing apparatus 101 to recognize that the image forming apparatus 102 belongs to the network formed by the router 103 and to which the information processing apparatus 101 belongs.

[0043] <Regarding connection setting process (network setup process)> In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus 101 executes connection settings (network settings), which are settings for operating the image forming apparatus 102 in at least one of an infrastructure connection and a direct connection, by using wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 102. The connection setting process in this embodiment is also called a cableless reset setup (CLS) because it is executed by wireless communication. Note that the connection setting process may be executed by wired communication. The information processing apparatus 101 performs connection setting processing on the image forming apparatus 102 when the application 214 stored in the external storage device 206 or the like is started. That is, the image forming apparatus 102 can operate in a connection setting mode (connection setting state), which is a mode for executing the connection setting process, and executes the connection setting process while operating in the connection setting mode. Details of the connection setting mode will be described later. Note that the connection setting mode is also a mode for performing network setup for connecting the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103, as will be described later. That is, the connection setting mode can also be said to be a network setup mode. In other words, the connection setting process is a network setup process.

[0044] When the information processing apparatus 101 operates the image forming apparatus 102 in the infrastructure connection mode, the information processing apparatus 101 wirelessly transmits infrastructure setting information, which is setting information for operating in the infrastructure connection mode, to the image forming apparatus 102. The infrastructure setting information includes information about the router 103. Information about the router 103 is, for example, information such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier), a password, and information about a frequency band.

[0045] On the one hand, when the information processing apparatus 101 operates the image forming apparatus 102 in the direct connection mode, the information processing apparatus 101 wirelessly transmits direct setting information, which is setting information for operating in the direct connection mode, to the image forming apparatus 102. The direct setting information includes instructions for enabling the WFD function to operate as a Group Owner and for enabling the access point setting of the image forming apparatus 102. Further, the information processing apparatus 101 acquires connection information necessary for directly connecting to the image forming apparatus 102 from the image forming apparatus 102. The connection information for directly connecting to the image forming apparatus 102 includes information such as the SSID and password of the image forming apparatus 102, for example.

[0046] In the present embodiment, for the transmission of the infrastructure setting information and the direct setting information in the connection setting process and for the acquisition of the information for directly connecting to the image forming apparatus 102, a direct connection for connection setting between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 is used. In the present embodiment, a connection setting process using Wi-Fi is executed as the direct connection for connection setting. However, for example, a wireless communication standard other than Wi-Fi such as Bluetooth may be used, or a wired communication standard such as a wired LAN or USB (Universal Serial Bus) may be used.

[0047] After an infrastructure connection or a direct connection via Wi-Fi is established between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 by the connection setting process, communication becomes possible between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 via the established connection. Specifically, for example, the information processing apparatus 101 can transmit a print job for causing the image forming apparatus 102 to execute printing or a scan job for causing the image forming apparatus 102 to execute scanning to the image forming apparatus 102 via the established connection. In the present embodiment, it is possible to operate the image forming apparatus 102 in the infrastructure connection mode or in the direct connection mode by the connection setting process, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, a form in which it is only possible to operate the image forming apparatus 102 in the infrastructure connection mode by the connection setting process (that is, it is not possible to operate the image forming apparatus 102 in the direct connection mode) may be employed.

[0048] <Regarding the connection setting mode (network setup mode)> The image forming apparatus 102 can operate in the connection setting mode. The trigger for the image forming apparatus 102 to start operating in the connection setting mode may be, for example, that the user presses a button for the connection setting mode, or that the image forming apparatus 102 starts up (turns on the power) for the first time after being shipped. The button for the connection setting mode may be a hardware button provided in the image forming apparatus 102, or may be a soft button displayed on the display unit 259 of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0049] When the image forming apparatus 102 starts operating in the connection setting mode, it enables both Wi-Fi communication and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication. Specifically, as an activation process for Wi-Fi communication, the image forming apparatus 102 activates an AP (access point for connection setting) inside the image forming apparatus 102 dedicated to the connection setting mode. As a result, the image forming apparatus 102 becomes capable of establishing a direct connection with the information processing apparatus 101 via Wi-Fi. Connection information (such as SSID and password) for connecting to the connection setting AP is pre-held in the setup application (application 214) installed in the information processing apparatus 101, and it is assumed that the information processing apparatus 101 has recognized in advance the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP. Note that an encryption method is not set for the connection setting AP, and it may be in a form where a password is not required for connection to the AP. Therefore, unlike the connection information of the AP activated in the direct connection mode, the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP shall not be arbitrarily changed by the user. Note that in the connection setting mode, the image forming apparatus 102 may connect to the information processing apparatus 101 via Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) instead of normal Wi-Fi. That is, the image forming apparatus 102 may operate as a Group Owner and receive a setting command from the information processing apparatus 101 via communication using WFD.

[0050] <Processing executed by Wi-Fi Agile Multiband> As described above, the information processing apparatus 101 of the present embodiment supports Wi-Fi Agile Multiband. Wi-Fi Agile Multiband is a function compliant with the standards of IEEE802.11v, IEEE802.11r, and IEEE802.11k, and is a function for controlling the information processing apparatus 101 to connect to an appropriate network according to the state of the network around the information processing apparatus 101.

[0051] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the processes executed by Wi-Fi Agile Multiband. The processes executed by each device in this sequence are realized by the CPU of each device reading various programs stored in a memory such as a ROM provided in each device into the RAM and executing them. The processes executed by the information processing device 101 are assumed to be executed by the OS of the information processing device 101 based on the settings related to Wi-Fi Agile Multiband being performed on the OS. Also, in the description of Figure 10, it is assumed that there are a first network, which is the network to which the information processing device 101 is currently connected, and a second network, which is a network to which the information processing device 101 is not currently connected, around the information processing device 101. The access point forming the first network is, for example, the access point enabled by the router 103. Note that the access point forming the first network and the access point forming the second network may be the same device or separate devices. That is, for example, both the access point forming the first network and the access point forming the second network may be enabled in parallel by the same router 103. When the access point forming the first network and the access point forming the second network are the same device, for example, the frequency bands used in the first network and the second network are different. And the process in Figure 10 is assumed to start when the information processing device 101 is operating in the infrastructure connection mode and is connected to the first network. Also, when the connection between the information processing device 101 and the access point forming the first network is established, the access point acquires information indicating whether the information processing device 101 supports IEEE802.11v. Based on that information, the following process is assumed to be performed when it is specified that the information processing device 101 supports IEEE802.11v. That is, the information indicating whether the information processing device 101 supports IEEE802.11v is, in other words, information indicating whether the information processing device 101 supports Wi-Fi Agile Multiband.Also, the processes described below are assumed to be realized by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function provided by the access point or the information processing device 101 that forms the first network. Further, the processes in this sequence diagram are executed, for example, in a state where the priority frequency band described later is not set in the OS, or in a state where the priority frequency band is set in the OS but the priority frequency band is not used for the connection between the information processing device 101 and the first network.

[0052] In S1001, the access point that forms the first network transmits measurement requests to the information processing device 101. For example, the mechanism defined in the IEEE 802.11k standard is used for transmitting the measurement requests.

[0053] In S1002, the information processing apparatus 101 starts measuring values related to one or more networks around the information processing apparatus 101 based on the measurement request received in S1001. Specifically, the value related to the network around the information processing apparatus 101 is the radio wave intensity of the information received by the information processing apparatus 101. Specifically, the information received by the information processing apparatus 101 is information corresponding to one or more networks around the information processing apparatus 101, and is information transmitted by an access point forming the network around the information processing apparatus 101. Note that the information may be a beacon or a frame. When there are a plurality of networks around the information processing apparatus 101, the radio wave intensity of each piece of information corresponding to the plurality of networks is measured. Here, it is assumed that the radio wave intensity of the information corresponding to the first network and transmitted from the access point forming the first network, and the radio wave intensity of the information corresponding to the second network and transmitted from the access point forming the second network are measured. Note that the information acquired by the information processing apparatus 101 in this process is not limited to information related to the radio wave intensity of the information received by the information processing apparatus 101. For example, the SSID which is the identification information of the network corresponding to the information received by the information processing apparatus 101, information related to the frequency band used in the network, information related to the channel used in the network, information related to the number of devices connected to the network, etc. may also be acquired. Further, the identification information of the access point transmitting the beacon may also be acquired. The identification information of the access point is, for example, the BSSID, which is the MAC address.

[0054] In S1003, the information processing apparatus 101 identifies and extracts information corresponding to a network having the same SSID as the SSID of the first network from among the information acquired in S1002. Then, the information processing apparatus 101 transmits, as a response to the request received in S1001, the extracted information from among the information acquired in S1002 to the access point forming the first network, and does not transmit the information that was not extracted from among the information acquired in S1002 to the access point forming the first network. Here, since the SSID of the first network and the SSID of the second network are the same, it is assumed that at least the information corresponding to the second network is transmitted to the access point forming the first network. Note that the information regarding the network having the same SSID as the SSID of the first network is, for example, the identification information of each access point that forms the network and has been discovered by the information processing apparatus 101, or the identification information of the network.

[0055] In S1004, the access point forming the first network determines whether to switch (change) the connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 from the first network to another network based on the information received from the information processing apparatus 101. This determination is a process of determining whether communication between the information processing apparatus 101 and another network is more stable than communication between the first network and the information processing apparatus 101. This determination is also a process performed by comprehensively referring to the radio field intensity, frequency band, number of devices connected to the network, etc. specified based on the information received from the information processing apparatus 101. Note that in this determination, information other than the information received from the information processing apparatus 101 may be referred to. Information other than the information received from the information processing apparatus 101 is, for example, information collected by the access point forming the first network itself, information regarding the number of devices connected to the access point forming the first network, information regarding the amount and speed of data being communicated on the first network, and the like. When it is determined that the connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 is to be switched from the first network to another network, the access point forming the first network specifies the new connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101. Here, any one of the networks that are specified by the information received from the information processing apparatus 101 and that exist around the information processing apparatus 101 is specified as the new connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101. Hereinafter, the network specified by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function and specified as the new connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 is referred to as the network to be changed. In this description, the network to be changed is assumed to be the second network. Next, the access point forming the first network specifies information regarding the second network. Specifically, the information regarding the second network is, for example, the SSID of the second network, the frequency band used by the second network, and the channel used by the second network. Note that the access point forming the first network may specify a plurality of networks as the new connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 and specify information regarding each of the plurality of networks.

[0056] In S1005, the access point forming the first network transmits a connection destination switching request to the information processing apparatus 101. The connection destination switching request includes information regarding the network specified as the new connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101, which was specified in S1004. The connection destination switching request is transmitted as a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request, for example, by a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame defined by the IEEE802.11v standard. Information regarding the network specified as the new connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 is, for example, the identification information of the access point forming the second network or the identification information of the access point forming the second network.

[0057] Note that the access point forming the first network may specify a plurality of networks as the new connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 from among a plurality of networks corresponding to the information received from the information processing apparatus 101. And the connection destination switching request may include, as a list, the identification information of a plurality of access points forming the same network as the first access point. In that case, the information processing apparatus 101 may select any one of the plurality of access points and switch the connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 to the selected access point.

[0058] In S1006, when the information processing apparatus 101 agrees to switch the connection destination according to the connection destination switching request received in S1005, the information processing apparatus 101 transmits a response (approval response) indicating that it approves of switching the connection destination to the access point forming the first network. When the information processing apparatus 101 does not comply with the connection destination change request, the information processing apparatus 101 may transmit a response indicating that it rejects switching the connection destination to the access point forming the first network. The response is transmitted as a BTM Response. In this description, it is assumed that a response indicating approval of switching the connection destination is transmitted. Then, based on the connection destination switching request received in S1005, the information processing apparatus 101 identifies the second network that is the switching destination of the connection destination. Then, the information processing apparatus 101 also identifies which channel the second network uses. Note that when the connection destination switching request includes information corresponding to a plurality of networks, the information processing apparatus 101 identifies any one of the networks as the second network. At this time, which network to select may be determined according to an arbitrary condition. As described above, the BSSID of the access point is used as the identification information of the network and the identification information of the access point in the connection destination switching request. When one access point forms a plurality of networks, the connection destination switching request includes two or more pieces of information corresponding to different networks, and the two or more pieces of information may include the same BSSID. In that case, the information processing apparatus 101 distinguishes each network based on the channel information included in the two or more pieces of information. This is because even when one access point forms a plurality of networks, the channels used by the plurality of networks are different. When the connection destination switching request includes only information corresponding to one network, the information processing apparatus 101 identifies the network corresponding to the information as the second network.

[0059] In S1007, the information processing apparatus 101 disconnects the connection with the first network.

[0060] In S1008, the information processing apparatus 101 transmits a connection request for connecting to the second network to the access point forming the second network using the channel specified in S1006. Note that the password used for the information processing apparatus 101 to connect to the second network and transmitted from the information processing apparatus 101 to the apparatus forming the second network shall be the same password as the password used for the information processing apparatus 101 to connect to the first network. That is, after the connection of the information processing apparatus 101 to the first network is disconnected, the information processing apparatus 101 can specify the password used to connect to the second network without receiving an input of the password for connecting to the second network from the user or receiving the password from another apparatus.

[0061] In S1009, a connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the second network is established.

[0062] As described above, with the function of Wi-Fi Agile Multiband, it becomes possible to appropriately control the network to which the information processing apparatus 101 connects.

[0063] In the above description, the form in which the connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 is changed from the first network to the second network by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function has been described. However, when a plurality of access points cooperate, a plurality of access points may form one network. Specifically, the network formed by the cooperation of a plurality of access points is, for example, a mesh network. In that case, the change of the connection destination by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function can be performed within one network. In other words, in the present embodiment, the form may be such that, by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function, the information processing apparatus 101 is switched from the first access point to which it is connected at the start of this flowchart to the second access point that forms the same network as the first access point. Therefore, the connection to the second network in the above description can also be said to be a connection to an access point that forms the same network as the first network.

[0064] Incidentally, as described above, when a network setup is performed to connect the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103 using the information processing apparatus 101, the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 can communicate with each other via the router 103. Further, in a situation where the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 are connected to the router 103, the connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 may be switched by Wi-Fi Agile Multiband. As a result of this switch, the frequency band used for connection to the new connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 may be different from the frequency band used by the image forming apparatus 102, which communicates with the information processing apparatus 101 via the infrastructure connection, for connection to the access point. Specifically, for example, there may be a case where the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 are both connected to an access point corresponding to 2.4 GHz enabled by the router 103, and the connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 is switched by Wi-Fi Agile Multiband. As a result, the information processing apparatus 101 may be connected to an access point corresponding to 5 GHz enabled by the router 103, and the image forming apparatus 102 may be connected to an access point corresponding to 2.4 GHz enabled by the router 103. As described above, when the frequency band used by the information processing apparatus 101 for communication via the infrastructure connection is different from the frequency band used by the image forming apparatus 102 for communication via the infrastructure connection, there is a problem that communication via the infrastructure connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 may not be possible or the communication speed of the communication may decrease. Further, this problem may also occur due to reasons other than the switching of the connection destination of the information processing apparatus 101 by Wi-Fi Agile Multiband. For example, this is a case where the information processing apparatus 101 is connected to the router 103 by a 5 GHz frequency band without using the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function after connecting the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103 by a 2.4 GHz frequency band. In the present embodiment, control for solving the above-described problem is executed.

[0065] In this embodiment, a computer (e.g., CPU 203) of the information processing apparatus 101 is caused to execute a communication check for checking a communication state with an external apparatus such as the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103 which is an AP. Further, when it is confirmed by the communication check that the communication state with the external apparatus via the router 103 is communication impossible, the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 is changed. Further, based on the fact that the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 is changed, a form of checking the communication state with the external apparatus via the router 103 will be described. By such a form, it is possible to improve the convenience when communication with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103 is impossible.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the application 214 of this system. In this flowchart, the processing executed by the application 214 is realized, for example, by the CPU 203 expanding a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 204 to the RAM 205 and executing it. For example, when the application 214 installed in the information processing apparatus 101 is started by a user, the application 214 executes the processing of FIG. 3.

[0067] In S301, the application 214 executes network setup processing. The network setup processing is processing for connecting the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103. Details of the processing of S301 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0068] In S302, the application 214 performs a communication check for checking whether the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103. The communication check is performed, for example, by communication by the above-described infrastructure connection. For example, the application 214 designates the identification information of the image forming apparatus 102 and requests a response from the image forming apparatus 102 by a predetermined protocol.

[0069] Specifically, for example, the application 214 designates an Object IDentifier (OID) indicating the device name, serial number, etc. of the image forming apparatus 102. Then, by broadcasting a Get Request command on the network formed by the router 103 to which the information processing apparatus 101 is connected using the Simple Network Management Protocol (hereinafter referred to as SNMP), a response from the image forming apparatus 102 is requested. For example, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to execute these processes.

[0070] In S303, the application 214 determines whether the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103. When the application 214 receives a response from the image forming apparatus 102 by the process executed in S302, it determines that communication is possible; when it does not receive a response from the image forming apparatus 102 by the process executed in S302, it determines that communication is impossible. When the application 214 determines that communication is possible, it ends the process of FIG. 3. On the other hand, when the application 214 determines that communication is impossible, it proceeds to S304. Note that even if the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103, the application 214 may proceed to S304 when the communication quality via the router 103 between the information processing apparatus 101 and the communication apparatus 102 is poor. That is, in this process, the application 214 specifies the communication quality between the information processing apparatus 101 and the communication apparatus 102, and if the specified quality is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, it ends the process of FIG. 3, and if the specified quality is less than the predetermined threshold, it may proceed to S304. Specifically, the communication quality is, for example, transmission quality, connection quality, and stability quality. That is, in this process, the application 214 determines whether the communication via the router 103 between the information processing apparatus 101 and the communication apparatus 102 is in a first state or a second state in which the communication quality is worse than the first state, and switches the process based on the result. The second state includes a state in which communication via the router 103 between the information processing apparatus 101 and the communication apparatus 102 is impossible, or a state in which communication via the router 103 between the information processing apparatus 101 and the communication apparatus 102 is possible but the communication quality is poor. Also, for example, the case where the communication via the router 103 between the information processing apparatus 101 and the communication apparatus 102 is in the second state is a specific case where the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 is different from the frequency band used for the connection between the communication apparatus 102 and the router 103. Also, specifically, the specific case is, for example, a case where the information transmitted to the communication apparatus 102 by the network setup process corresponds to a frequency band different from the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103.In addition, specifically in a particular case, for example, even though the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device 101 and the router 103 is the same as the frequency band used for the connection between the communication device 102 and the router 103, the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device 101 and the router 103 is switched when the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function is executed in that state.

[0071] The process of S303 is determined, for example, by whether the image forming apparatus 102 can be detected via the router 103. Specifically, for example, when the image forming apparatus 102 belongs to the same network as the information processing apparatus 101, the information processing apparatus 101 can receive the response of the image forming apparatus 102 to the Get Response command transmitted from the information processing apparatus 101 as described in S302. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 102 is detected via the router 103. That is, in S303, when the response of the image forming apparatus 102 to the Get Response command is received, it is determined that communication is possible. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 102 does not belong to the same network as the information processing apparatus 101, a response to the Get Response command is not transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 to the information processing apparatus 101. In other words, the image forming apparatus 102 is not detected via the router 103. That is, in S303, if the information processing apparatus 101 cannot receive a response from the image forming apparatus 102, it is determined that communication is impossible. Further, the application 214 may inquire of the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 whether the image forming apparatus 102 can be detected via the router 103.

[0072] In S304, the application 214 performs a process of changing the settings of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. This process will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 to be described later.

[0073] In S305, the application 214 determines whether it is wirelessly connected to the router 103 using the priority frequency band through the process of S304. In the following description, the frequency band preferred by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 may be referred to as the priority frequency band. If the application 214 determines that it is wirelessly connected in the priority frequency band, it proceeds to S306. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that it is not wirelessly connected in the priority frequency band, it proceeds to S311. Specifically, in S510 of FIG. 5 described later, the application 214 performs a process of acquiring the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. The application 214 makes the determination of S305 based on the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 acquired in S510.

[0074] In S306, the application 214 performs a communication check to confirm whether the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103. Note that since the communication check in S306 is the same as the process of S302, this process can be said to be a reconfirmation process for executing the confirmation again. Also, since the communication check in S306 is the same as the process of S302, the description is omitted.

[0075] In S307, the application 214 determines whether the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103. If the application 214 determines that communication is possible, it proceeds to S308. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that communication is impossible, it proceeds to S311. In S307, the determination is made based on the result of the communication check in S306. Since the determination in S307 is the same as the process of S303, the description is omitted.

[0076] In S308, the application 214 displays a screen for guiding the change of the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. In the following description, the screen for guiding the change of the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 may be referred to as a screen for guiding the change of the priority frequency band or the like.

[0077] Here, refer to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a change guidance screen that the application 214 displays on the display unit 208 of the information processing apparatus 101 at S308. For example, the application 214 controls so as not to accept an instruction to close the change guidance screen. For example, the application 214 may perform display control to make the interface (button) that can accept an instruction to close the change guidance screen non-displayed or grayed out.

[0078] A dialog 600 is displayed on the change guidance screen. The dialog 600 is a display indicating that the priority frequency band of the information processing apparatus 101 has been changed. For example, a title 601, an explanatory text 602, buttons 603 to 604, etc. are displayed in the dialog 600. The title 601 is, for example, a message prompting the change of the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. The explanatory text 602 is a message indicating that the information processing apparatus can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 by changing the frequency band of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus. That is, it can be said that the change guidance screen is also a screen for displaying the confirmation result of the communication between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103. In addition, the explanatory text 602 also includes a message asking the user whether to change the setting of the priority frequency band or not. The button 603 is an interface that can accept an instruction not to change the setting of the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211. The button 604 is an interface that can accept an instruction to change the setting of the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211. In this way, when the change guidance screen 600 is displayed on the display unit 208, the user can recognize that the frequency band used by the information processing apparatus 101 has been changed and can set whether to change the frequency band or not.

[0079] In S309, the application 214 determines whether to change the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. If the application 214 determines to change the setting of the priority frequency band, the process of FIG. 3 ends. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines not to change the setting of the priority frequency band, it proceeds to S310. The process of S309 is specifically determined based on, for example, a user operation on the priority frequency band change guidance screen displayed in S308 described above. For example, when the button 603 is pressed by the user on the priority frequency band change guidance screen, the application 214 determines not to change the setting of the priority frequency band (NO in S309). On the other hand, when the button 604 is pressed by the user, the application 214 determines to change the setting of the priority frequency band (YES in S309).

[0080] In S310, the application 214 returns the setting of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 to the state before the change process in S304. For example, the application 214 instructs the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to return the setting of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 to the state before the change process in S304.

[0081] In S311, the application 214 displays a selection screen for the connection method of the image forming apparatus 102. Here, refer to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for the connection method of the image forming apparatus 102. On the selection screen for the connection method, selection items 801 to 803 for the connection method of the image forming apparatus 102, a button 804, a button 805, etc. are displayed.

[0082] In the selection items 801 to 803, there are displayed check boxes capable of receiving selection instructions, connection methods of the image forming apparatus 102, icons indicating the connection methods, and the like. That is, the selection screen shown in FIG. 7 is a screen capable of receiving an instruction for a connection method for connecting the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102. In this example, the selection item 801 for connecting the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 by wireless connection, the selection item 802 for connecting the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 by wired connection, and the selection item 803 for connecting the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 by USB connection are displayed. That is, the selection screen shown in FIG. 7 is a screen that displays connection methods including wired connections such as wired connection and USB connection, not limited to wireless connection. Further, the connection method is a connection form for making the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 communicable by wireless or wired, and is not limited to the connection method via the router 103. Thus, by displaying a plurality of connection methods including wired (selection items 801 to 803), even when the information processing apparatus 101 cannot communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103, the user can select another connection method.

[0083] The button 804 is, for example, an interface (link button) capable of receiving a display instruction for detailed guidance on the connection method. The detailed guidance on the connection method is, for example, a Web manual or the like in which the connection method for communicating the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 is described. The Web manual will be described with reference to FIG. 8 described later.

[0084] The button 805 is, for example, an interface capable of receiving an instruction for determining the connection method between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102. For example, after selecting the setting items 801 to 803, the user can determine the selected connection method by pressing the button 805.

[0085] In S312, the application 214 determines whether to display guidance on the connection method. If the application 214 determines to display it, it proceeds to S313. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines not to display it, it proceeds to S314. Specifically, for example, the application 214 makes the determination in S312 based on the user operation on the connection method selection screen displayed in S311. When the button 805 is pressed by the user on the connection method selection screen, the application 214 determines to display the guidance on the connection method (YES in S312). On the other hand, when the button 805 is not pressed by the user, the application 214 determines not to display the guidance screen on the connection method (NO in S312).

[0086] In S313, the application 214 displays the guidance on the connection method. Specifically, for example, the application 214 may specify the link (URL) of the Web manual to the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 and instruct the browser to start. Also, the application 214 may acquire the model information of the image forming apparatus 102 in order to display the Web manual. The model information of the image forming apparatus 102 may be, for example, information indicating the model name, SSID, device name, model number, and year model of the image forming apparatus 102. The application 214 may display the Web manual corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus 102. For example, the application 214 may generate a URL for displaying the WEB manual corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus 102 and start the browser to display the WEB manual of the target model.

[0087] Here, refer to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the Web manual displayed in the process of S312. The Web manual describes the details of the connection method for communicating the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102. In the Web manual, for example, the connection method when the router 103 has already been installed and the connection method when the router 103 has not been installed are described. In other words, the case where the router 103 is installed is an environment where wireless LAN or wired LAN can be used.

[0088] As connection methods when the router 103 is installed, a method using wireless communication, a method using both wired communication and wireless communication, and a method using wired communication are described. As a method using wireless communication, for example, a method of wirelessly connecting the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103 for communication is described. As a method using both wired communication and wireless communication, for example, a method of connecting the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 by wire and wirelessly connecting the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103 is described. As a method using wired communication, a method of connecting the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103 with a wired LAN cable, a USB cable, or the like is described. Further, as a connection method when the router 103 is not installed, a method of connecting the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 with a USB cable is described. In this way, by displaying the Web manual, the user can confirm the method of connecting the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 according to the usage environment.

[0089] In addition, the Web manual may describe, for example, the operation method of the main body of the image forming apparatus 102 for wirelessly connecting the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103. The operation method may describe, for example, the operation of the physical buttons of the image forming apparatus 102 or the buttons on the touch panel of the display unit 259. For example, the image forming apparatus 102 detects the SSIDs of devices such as the surrounding router 103 and displays a list of the detected device SSIDs on a panel such as the display unit 259. As an operation method, for example, a method for setting up the wireless connection between the image forming apparatus 102 and the router 103 by the user selecting an SSID from the list of SSIDs and inputting a password may be used. Also, depending on the router 103, it may support a function called Wi-Fi Protected Setup (hereinafter referred to as WPS) standardized by the Wi-Fi Alliance. As an operation method, a method for connecting the image forming apparatus 102 and the router 103 using the WPS function may be described. WPS is a function established by the Wi-Fi Alliance for executing network setup using a push button or a PIN code. Note that the operation method is not limited to the methods described above, and other methods may be described.

[0090] In S314, the application 214 receives the selection of the connection method from the user. Specifically, for example, the application 214 receives the selection of the connection method based on the user operation on the selection screen of the connection method of the image forming apparatus 102 displayed in S311. That is, the application 214 receives the selection of the selection items 801 to 803.

[0091] In S315, the application 214 executes setup according to the connection method determined in S314 in order to connect to the image forming apparatus 102. That is, according to the connection method determined in S314, the application 214 checks the connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102. In other words, the application 214 checks the communication between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 using the connection method determined in S314.

[0092] Specifically, for example, when the user selects a wired LAN connection as the connection method, the application 214 guides the user to connect the image forming apparatus 102 and the router 103 via a wired LAN. After the user connects the image forming apparatus 102 and the router 103 via a wired LAN, the information processing apparatus 101 executes a determination as to whether it can communicate with the printer via the router, similar to S303 and S307.

[0093] Also specifically, for example, when the user selects a USB connection as the connection method, the application 214 guides the user to connect the image forming apparatus 102 and the information processing apparatus 101 via USB. After the user connects the image forming apparatus 102 and the information processing apparatus 101 via USB, the application 214 performs a communication check using SNMP via USB. Note that the communication check is not limited to using SNMP, and a communication check using another method may be performed.

[0094] Also specifically, for example, when the user selects a wireless connection as the connection method, the application 214 executes S301 again. Note that the present invention is not limited to executing S301 again, and embodiments that guide another setup such as a connection method using the WPS function may be used.

[0095] In the above description, after the network setup process is executed in S301, the processes after the confirmation process in S302 are executed, but the present invention is not limited to this form. The application 214 may execute the processes after the confirmation process in S302 based on receiving a user instruction different from the user instruction for the network setup process, which is a user instruction for establishing communication between the image forming apparatus 102 and the information processing apparatus 101.

[0096] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the application 214 of the present system. In this flowchart, the processing executed by the information processing apparatus 101 is realized by the CPU 203 reading out various programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 204 and executing them in the RAM 205. For example, as the processing of S301 in FIG. 3, the application 214 executes the processing of FIG. 4. That is, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the network setup processing executed by the application 214.

[0097] In S401, the application 214 gives guidance for setting the image forming apparatus 102 to the network setup mode. Specifically, for example, the application 214 may notify guidance for setting the image forming apparatus 102 to the network setup mode. For example, the application 214 may display guidance for setting the image forming apparatus 102 to the network setup mode on the display unit 208. Also, for example, the application 214 may transmit a specific signal or the like for setting the image forming apparatus 102 to the network setup mode to the image forming apparatus 102.

[0098] As described above, when the image forming apparatus 102 is set to the network setup mode, it becomes possible to establish a direct connection with the information processing apparatus 101 via Wi-Fi. That is, the image forming apparatus 102 becomes capable of transmitting the identification information and password of the image forming apparatus 102 to the information processing apparatus 101. The identification information of the image forming apparatus 102 is an SSID set by the provider of the image forming apparatus 102, and includes, for example, information such as the manufacturer name, serial number, and model name.

[0099] In S402, the application 214 determines whether it has detected the SSID of the image forming apparatus 102. If the application 214 determines that it has detected the SSID, it proceeds to S403. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that it has not detected the SSID, it proceeds to S416. Specifically, for example, the application 214 searches for surrounding routers using the wireless interface 211. The application 214 determines whether the image forming apparatus 102 in the network setup mode set in S301 has been detected.

[0100] Note that in S402, when the application 214 detects the image forming apparatus 102, before proceeding to S403, the application 214 may also determine whether the image forming apparatus 102 is a supported model. The supported model is a model supported by the application 214, in other words, a model corresponding to the application 214. The models supported by the application 214 are, for example, image forming apparatuses 102 provided by the same vendor that provides the application 214. If the application 214 determines that the image forming apparatus 102 is a supported model, it may proceed to S403. Also, if the application 214 determines that the image forming apparatus 102 is not a supported model, it may proceed to S416. Specifically, the application 214 may refer to information that it has previously held and determine whether the detected SSID is a supported model.

[0101] In S403, the application 214 acquires the identification information of the router 103 to which the information processing apparatus 101 is connected. Also, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to acquire the SSID of the router 103.

[0102] In S404, the application 214 determines whether it is possible to obtain the authentication information of the router 103 to which the information processing apparatus 101 is connected. Specifically, the authentication information of the router 103 is the password for connecting to the access point enabled by the router 103. In this embodiment, the router 103 enables both an access point forming a network connectable using 2.4 GHz and an access point forming a network connectable using 5 GHz, and it is assumed that both access points can be connected with the same password. If the application 214 determines that it can be obtained, it proceeds to S407. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that it cannot be obtained, it proceeds to S405. If the setting of the router 103 is such that it is possible to connect to the router 103 without a password, this process may be skipped and the process may proceed to S407.

[0103] In S404, specifically, for example, the application 214 determines whether it is possible to obtain the password from the Wi-Fi profile stored in the information processing apparatus 101. For example, when the information processing apparatus 101 is a predetermined OS (e.g., Windows (registered trademark)), the SSID and the encrypted password may be stored as a Wi-Fi profile in the ROM 204 of the information processing apparatus 101. In this case, the application 214 can obtain the password of the router 103 by referring to the Wi-Fi profile that matches the SSID obtained in S403 and decrypting the encrypted password. Note that the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to execute these processes. Also, in S404, the case where the authentication information of the router 103 to which the information processing apparatus 101 is connected cannot be obtained is, for example, when the acquisition described above is restricted by the security of the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 or the like. Also, in S404, when the security method of the router 103 connected to the information processing apparatus 101 is a method that does not require authentication information such as a password, the process proceeds to S407.

[0104] In S405, the application 214 displays, on the display unit 208, a password input screen (not shown) of the router 103 that is connected to the information processing apparatus 101. The password input screen is an interface that can accept the input of a password. In this way, for example, even if the password of the router 103 cannot be obtained from the Wi-Fi profile due to the security of the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 or the like, the password of the router 103 can be obtained by accepting the input of the password.

[0105] In S406, the application 214 determines whether it is possible to connect to the router 103 using the password accepted in S405. If the application 214 determines that connection is possible, it proceeds to S407. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that connection is not possible, it proceeds to S416. Specifically, for example, the application 214 disconnects the connection with the router 103 that is connected. Then, the application 214 attempts to connect to the router 103 again using the password accepted in S405. For example, if the password accepted in S405 is an incorrect password, NO is determined in S406.

[0106] In S407, the application 214 starts a wireless connection with the image forming apparatus 102. For example, the application 214 attempts to wirelessly connect the information processing apparatus 101 to the image forming apparatus 102 by communication by the above-described direct connection. Specifically, for example, the application 214 disconnects the connection with the router 103 and attempts to wirelessly connect to the image forming apparatus 102. When wirelessly connecting to the image forming apparatus 102 in the network setup mode, it may be possible to connect without a password. Alternatively, it may be assumed that the application 214 knows in advance the password set by the provider of the image forming apparatus 102. Also, the direct connection established here may be by other communication standards such as Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy instead of by Wi-Fi. And when it is a form in which a direct connection by other communication standards is established, the connection with the router 103 may be maintained without being disconnected.

[0107] In S408, the application 214 determines whether the wireless connection to the image forming apparatus 102 has been successful. If the application 214 determines that it is successful, it proceeds to S409. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that it is a failure, it proceeds to S416.

[0108] In S409, the application 214 acquires information on the radio frequency band supported by the image forming apparatus 102. For example, the application 214 acquires it from the image forming apparatus 102 by requesting the image forming apparatus 102 for information on the radio frequency band supported by the image forming apparatus 102. Note that the request for information on the radio frequency band may be made using the wireless communication by the direct connection to the image forming apparatus 102 described above. Specifically, for example, the application 214 transmits an SNMP Get Request command to acquire information on the frequency band supported by the image forming apparatus 102 from the image forming apparatus 102. Also, in S409, the application 214 stores the acquired information on the frequency band supported by the image forming apparatus 102 in a memory such as the external storage device 206 or the ROM 204. Further, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to perform the process of acquiring and storing the information on the frequency band supported by the image forming apparatus 102.

[0109] In S410, the application 214 determines whether the frequency band to which the information processing apparatus 101 is wirelessly connected is the same as the frequency band supported by the printer. In other words, the application 214 determines whether the frequency band in use by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 is the same as the frequency band supported by the printer. If the application 214 determines that they are the same, it proceeds to S414. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that they are different, it proceeds to S411.

[0110] In S411, the application 214 acquires the SSID of the router detected by the image forming apparatus 102 and the information on the frequency band. For example, the application 214 requests the image forming apparatus 102 to provide the SSID of the router detected by the image forming apparatus 102 and the information on the frequency band. The application 214 receives the response from the image forming apparatus 102 to this request and acquires the SSID of the router and the information on the frequency band. Specifically, the application 214 is connected to the image forming apparatus 102 by communication using direct connection as described above, and transmits an SNMP Get Request command from the information processing apparatus 101 to acquire a list of the SSID of the router detected by the image forming apparatus 102 and the information on the frequency band. Note that the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to perform these processes.

[0111] In S412, the application 214 displays a screen for accepting the selection of the SSID of the router detected by the image forming apparatus 102 and the input of the password. The application 214 lists up the SSIDs of the routers acquired from the image forming apparatus 102 in S411 and causes them to be displayed on the display unit 208 of the information processing apparatus 101, thereby accepting the selection of the SSID to be set by the user. The application 214 also accepts the input of the password corresponding to the SSID selected within the same screen.

[0112] In S413, the application 214 determines whether the information processing apparatus 101 can be wirelessly connected to the router using the SSID and password input in S411. If the application 214 determines that wireless connection is possible, it proceeds to S414. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that wireless connection is impossible, it proceeds to S416. For example, in S413, the application 214 checks the integrity of the password input in S412. Specifically, for example, the application 214 disconnects the connection with the image forming apparatus 102. The application 214 performs a connectivity check by temporarily attempting to wirelessly connect the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 using the password input in S413. If the wireless connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 is confirmed, the application 214 determines that wireless connection is possible. On the other hand, if the wireless connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 is not confirmed, the application 214 determines that wireless connection is impossible. Also, after checking the wireless connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103, the application 214 performs a wireless connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102. Further, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to execute the process of S413.

[0113] In S414, the application 214 transmits the connection information of the router 103 to the image forming apparatus 102. Specifically, for example, as described above, the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 are connected by communication by direct connection as described above. The application 214 transmits the connection information such as the SSID, frequency band information, and password of the router 103 acquired in S412 to the image forming apparatus 102 using the SNMP Set Request command. By transmitting the connection information of the router 103 from the information processing apparatus 101 in this way, the image forming apparatus 102 can detect the SSID of the router 103 and perform a wireless connection with the router 103 using information such as the password. Further, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to transmit the connection information of the router 103 to the image forming apparatus 102.

[0114] In S415, the application 214 starts a wireless connection between the information processing device 101 and the router 103. Specifically, for example, the application 214 disconnects the wireless connection between the information processing device 101 and the image forming device 102. Then, the application 214 uses connection information such as the SSID, frequency band information, and password of the router 103 to execute a wireless connection between the information processing device 101 and the router 103. Note that the application 214 may, for example, instruct the OS of the information processing device 101 to start the wireless connection between the information processing device 101 and the router 103.

[0115] Note that when the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing device 101 is different from the corresponding frequency band of the image forming device 102 (when NO in S410), the frequency band used by the image forming device 102 may be different from the frequency band used by the information processing device 101. That is, the frequency band used by the image forming device 102 for wireless connection with the router 103 and the frequency band used by the information processing device 101 for wireless connection with the router 103 may be different from each other.

[0116] In S416, the application 214 executes the display of a Web manual for setting up the wireless connection between the information processing device 101 and the router 103. Note that S416 may be, for example, the same process as the process of S313. That is, the Web manual displayed in S416 is the same as that in FIG. 8 described above. The application 214 may, for example, instruct the OS of the information processing device 101 to display the Web manual.

[0117] Note that in this embodiment, in S416, the app 214 has been described in the form of displaying a web manual, but it is not limited to this. For example, in this embodiment, in S416, the description has been made assuming that the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 are wirelessly connected. In the case where the information processing apparatus 101 is not connected to the router 103 in S416, the app 214 may perform the same processing as that in S411 to S412 described above. That is, the app 214 may acquire a list of the SSIDs of the routers detected by the image forming apparatus 102 and display the list on the display unit 208 of the information processing apparatus 101. When an SSID is selected from the list of SSIDs by the user, the app 214 may display a screen for accepting an input of the password corresponding to the SSID. In this way, the app 214 may acquire the password information of the router 103.

[0118] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the app 214 of this system. In this flowchart, the processing executed by the app 214 is realized, for example, by the CPU 203 expanding and executing a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 204 in the RAM 205. For example, as the processing of S304 in FIG. 3, the app 214 executes the processing of FIG. 5. That is, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the setting change processing of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 executed by the app 214.

[0119] In S501, the app 214 checks the frequency band available for the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. For example, the app 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to acquire information on the frequency band available for the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101.

[0120] In S502, the application 214 determines whether there are two or more frequency bands available for the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. In other words, the application 214 determines whether the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 supports multiple frequency bands. That is, the application 214 determines whether the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 can use multiple frequency bands. If the application 214 determines that there are two or more, it proceeds to S503. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that there are not two or more, it proceeds to S510. Specifically, for example, the application 214 makes the determination in S502 based on the information on the frequency bands available for the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 acquired in S501. For example, in S502, it is determined whether different frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are available for the wireless interface 211.

[0121] In S503, the application 214 determines whether it is possible to obtain the password of the connected router 103. If the application 214 determines that it is possible to obtain it, it proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that it is not possible to obtain it, it proceeds to S510. Note that the determination in S503 is the same as the process in S404, so the explanation is omitted.

[0122] In S504, the application 214 obtains the SSID and password of the connected router 103. Specifically, for example, the application 214 decrypts and obtains the SSID of the router 103 stored in the information processing apparatus 101 as a Wi-Fi profile and the encrypted password. Also, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to obtain the SSID and password of the connected router 103.

[0123] In S505, the application 214 obtains information on the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. Also, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to obtain information on the frequency band being used by the information processing apparatus 101.

[0124] In S506, the application 214 changes the frequency band prioritized by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. Specifically, for example, the application 214 refers to the frequency information corresponding to the image forming apparatus 102 acquired in S409, and changes the setting so as to match the same frequency band as the corresponding frequency band of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0125] In this way, in S506, the application 214 is a setting item regarding Wi-Fi Agile Multiband being performed on the OS, and changes the setting content in the setting item of the frequency band (priority frequency band) preferentially used by the wireless interface 211. Specifically, the application 214 changes the setting content in the setting item to the corresponding frequency band of the image forming apparatus 102. Note that the priority frequency band is the frequency band preferentially used in the wireless connection with the router corresponding to the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function established by the wireless interface 211. Also, when the priority frequency band is set in the information processing apparatus 101, the information processing apparatus 101 in the state of being wirelessly connected to the router corresponding to the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function executes predetermined control so as not to switch to a connection using a frequency band other than the priority frequency band depending on the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function.

[0126] Specifically, for example, the predetermined control is control that operates so as not to follow the request even if a connection destination switching request for requesting to switch the connection destination to a network using a frequency band other than the priority frequency band is received from the router. That is, specifically, for example, when a connection destination switching request for requesting to switch the connection destination to a network using a frequency band other than the priority frequency band is received from the router, the predetermined control is control that transmits a response indicating that the connection destination switching is rejected to the router. In this form, even if the information processing apparatus 101 receives the switching request, the frequency band used in the connection with the router 103 is maintained as the priority frequency band without being changed to the frequency band corresponding to the request.

[0127] Note that the predetermined control is not limited to the above-described form. For example, even when a measurement request is received from the router in a state where a connection with the router using the priority frequency band is established, the predetermined control may be a control that does not execute the measurement based on the measurement request and does not transmit a response to the measurement request. Also, for example, the predetermined control may be a control that transmits a response to the measurement request, but includes information regarding a network using a frequency band other than the priority frequency band in the response to the measurement request and includes information regarding a network using the priority frequency band.

[0128] Also, for example, the predetermined control may be a control for preventing a connection destination switching request for requesting to switch the connection destination to a network using a frequency band other than the priority frequency band from being sent from the router. Specifically, the predetermined control is a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame defined by the IEEE802.11v standard, and is a control for transmitting information including the numbers of channels corresponding to frequency bands other than the priority frequency band in the designated field of non-preferred channel to the router. Also, each channel indicated by the information transmitted here is a non-preferred channel, and the router that has received the notification of the non-preferred channel controls not to specify a network using the non-preferred channel as a network to be changed. Also, the above information is transmitted by the information processing apparatus 101, for example, when the information processing apparatus 101 and the router are connected. Thereby, for example, even when the communication of the router 103 is restricted in different frequency bands, the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103.

[0129] In S507, the application 214 instructs the OS to start a wireless connection with the router 103 using the connection information of the router 103 obtained in S504. The attempt to establish a wireless connection with the router 103, which is executed by the OS based on this instruction, is carried out based on the settings related to Wi-Fi Agile Multiband performed in S506. That is, the OS first attempts to establish a wireless connection with the router 103 using the priority frequency band. And if that fails, it attempts to establish a wireless connection with the router 103 using a frequency band different from the priority frequency band. That is, the OS preferentially uses the priority frequency band to attempt to establish a wireless connection with the router 103. The connection information of the router 103 is the SSID and the password. When the application 214 changes the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 in S506, the wireless connection with the router 103 to which the information processing apparatus 101 is connected is disconnected. Therefore, in S507, the process of reconnecting the information processing apparatus 101 to the router 103 is performed again.

[0130] If the establishment of a wireless connection with the router 103 using the priority frequency band is successful, the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 appropriately executes the above-described predetermined control based on the settings related to Wi-Fi Agile Multiband performed in S506. If the establishment of a wireless connection with the router 103 using the priority frequency band fails and the establishment of a wireless connection with the router 103 using a frequency band different from the priority frequency band is successful, the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 may execute the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function as required by the router 103. That is, when the establishment of a wireless connection with the router 103 using a frequency band different from the priority frequency band is successful, the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 may execute a connection destination switch based on the connection destination switch request received from the router 103. However, if as a result of that connection destination switch, a wireless connection with the router 103 using the priority frequency band is established, the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 appropriately executes the above-described predetermined control based on the settings related to Wi-Fi Agile Multiband performed in S506.

[0131] In S508, the application 214 determines whether the information processing apparatus 101 can be wirelessly connected to the router 103 using the SSID and password of the router 103 obtained in S504. If the application 214 determines that the wireless connection is successful, it proceeds to S510. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that the wireless connection has failed, it proceeds to S509.

[0132] For example, when the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is enabled, the password of the router 103 is set to be the same across different frequency bands. In such a case, even if the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 is changed in S506, the wireless connection to the router 103 can be established using the same password. Specifically, for example, assume that the information processing apparatus 101 is connected to the router 103 in the 5 GHz frequency band. In this case, even if the frequency band used by the information processing apparatus 101 is changed from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz, the password used for the 5 GHz connection can also be used for the 2.4 GHz connection.

[0133] Also, for example, when the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is not enabled, the router 103 may be set with different passwords for different frequency bands. Therefore, in the process of S506, the wireless connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 may fail due to the change in the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101, and thus it proceeds to S509. In S509, the application 214 restores the preferred frequency band of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 to the original setting. That is, the application 214 changes the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 back to the frequency band originally used. Also, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to change the preferred frequency band of the wireless interface 211.

[0134] Note that in this embodiment, when the answer in S508 is NO, the form in which the application 214 returns the frequency band prioritized by the wireless interface 211 to the original setting in S509 has been described, but it is not limited to this. For example, when the answer in S508 is NO, the application 214 may display a password input screen and accept the input of the password. Thereafter, the application 214 may execute the same processing as the processing in S507 to S508 using the received password. As described above, the router 103 may have different passwords set for different frequency bands. Even in such a case, when the answer in S508 is NO, the password may be acquired according to the change of the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 (S506), and the connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 may be confirmed.

[0135] Also, in this embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus 101 can use two frequency bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz has been described as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, the information processing apparatus 101 may support three or more frequency bands. In this case, for example, the processing in S506 to S509 may be repeated according to the number of frequency bands available to the information processing apparatus 101.

[0136] In S510, the application 214 acquires information on the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. Also, the application 214 may instruct the OS of the information processing apparatus 101 to acquire information on the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the connection with the router 103 is made in the frequency band prioritized in S305 of FIG. 3.

[0137] According to the present embodiment described above, the computer of the information processing apparatus 101 is caused to execute communication confirmation (S302) for checking the communication state with an external apparatus such as the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103. Further, when it is confirmed by the communication confirmation that the communication state with the external apparatus via the router 103 is not communicable (NO in S303), the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 is changed (S304). Further, based on the change in the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101, the communication state with the external apparatus is checked via the router 103 (S306). In such a form, it is possible to improve the convenience when communication with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103 is not possible.

[0138] Further, according to the present embodiment, after the network setup process (S301), the communication state is checked between the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103 (S302). In such a form, it is possible to check whether or not the connection of the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103 has been successful by the network setup process.

[0139] Further, according to the present embodiment, the frequency band preferred by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 is changed to the same frequency band as the corresponding frequency band of the image forming apparatus 102 (S304). Thereby, for example, even when communication of the router 103 in a plurality of frequency bands is restricted, the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103.

[0140] Further, according to the present embodiment, the setting of the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 is changed to the preferred frequency band (S304). Thereby, even when the information processing apparatus 101 is restarted, the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 becomes the set preferred frequency band.

[0141] Further, according to the present embodiment, after changing the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101, if the information processing apparatus 101 cannot communicate with the printer via the router 103 (NO in S307), a connection method selection screen is displayed (S311). Thereby, even when the information processing apparatus 101 cannot communicate with the printer via the router 103, another connection method can be selected.

[0142] Also, in the present embodiment, in the process of FIG. 3, the form in which S301 is executed has been described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the application 214 may be configured to perform S301 at the first startup and skip S301 when the application 214 is started again. That is, a network setup process for connecting the image forming apparatus 102 to the router 103 may be performed when the image forming apparatus 102 is shipped or the like. Thereafter, when the application 214 is started to use the functions of the image forming apparatus 102 from the information processing apparatus 101, the process of S301 may be skipped. In this way, when the application 214 is started to use the functions of the image forming apparatus 102 from the information processing apparatus 101, etc., communication confirmation with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103 is executed. Further, by executing the setting change process (S304) of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 according to the confirmation result, convenience can be improved.

[0143] Also, in this embodiment, in the process of S506 in FIG. 5, the application 214 has been described as an example of changing the frequency band used by the information processing apparatus 101 to the frequency band supported by the image forming apparatus 102, but it is not limited to this. In S506, for example, the application 214 may change the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 from the frequency band in use by the wireless interface 211 to another frequency band. Specifically, for example, the application 214 acquires information on the available frequency bands of the wireless interface 211 in S501 and acquires information on the available frequency bands of the wireless interface 211 in S505. In S506, based on this information, the application 214 may change the frequency band used by the wireless interface 211 from the frequency band in use by the wireless interface 211 to an available frequency band of the wireless interface 211.

[0144] Specifically, for example, when the information processing apparatus 101 uses the 5 GHz frequency band for wireless connection with the router 103 as described above, the application 214 changes the preferred frequency band of the wireless interface 211 to 2.4 GHz available to the wireless interface 211. Thereby, for example, even when there is an obstacle between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 and the connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 becomes unstable, the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103.

[0145] Also specifically, for example, when the information processing apparatus 101 uses the 2.4 GHz frequency band for wireless connection with the router 103, the application 214 changes the preferred frequency band of the wireless interface 211 to 5 GHz available to the wireless interface 211. Thereby, for example, even when there is an electronic device operating at 2.4 GHz such as a microwave oven around the information processing apparatus 101 and the wireless connection between the information processing apparatus 101 and the router 103 is interfered with, the information processing apparatus 101 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 102 via the router 103.

[0146] <Second Embodiment> The following describes the second embodiment with respect to the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, in the setting change process of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 in S304, a form was described in which the process of first checking the frequency band available for the wireless interface 211 is executed. In this embodiment, in the process of S304, a form in which the setting information of the router 103 is first acquired will be described. As a result, the process of unnecessarily changing the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211 is not executed. In addition, it is possible to prevent failure when reconnecting to the router 103 again due to the change of the frequency band.

[0147] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the application 214 of this system. In this flowchart, the process executed by the application 214 is realized, for example, by the CPU 203 expanding and executing the control program stored in the memory such as the ROM 204 in the RAM 205. For example, as the process of S304 in FIG. 3, the application 214 executes the process of FIG. 5. That is, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the setting change process of the wireless interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 executed by the application 214.

[0148] In S701, the application 214 acquires the setting information of the router 103. The setting information is, for example, information indicating whether the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is enabled. Further, the setting information also includes, for example, the SSID of the router 103, information indicating the encryption method, information indicating the version of the Virtual Private Network (VPN), and the like. Specifically, for example, the application 214 uses the Application Programming Interface (API) to acquire the setting information of the router 103. The API may be provided by the provider of the router 103. For example, when an API for acquiring the enabled state of the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function is provided, the application 214 sends a request command from the information processing apparatus 101 to the router 103 by calling the API. The router 103 sends response information to the information processing apparatus 101 in accordance with the content of the request received from the information processing apparatus 101.

[0149] In S702, the application 214 determines whether the setting related to the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband of the router 103 is valid. If the application 214 determines that the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is enabled, it proceeds to S703. On the other hand, if the application 214 determines that the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is not enabled (invalid), it proceeds to S712. Specifically, for example, the application 214 can determine the enabled state of the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function as True or False by the information processing apparatus 101 receiving the above-described response information from the router 103.

[0150] Note that the processes of S703 to S712 are the same as the processes of S501 to S510 in FIG. 5, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0151] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the setting change process of the wireless interface 211, the application 214 acquires the setting information of the router 103 (S701). The application 214 determines whether the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is enabled based on the setting information of the router 103 (S702). For example, when the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is enabled, the router 103 can communicate in multiple frequency bands, and the passwords can be set the same among the multiple frequency bands. Therefore, when the application 214 determines that the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is enabled, it changes the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211. For example, when the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is disabled, the router 103 may not be able to communicate in multiple frequency bands. Therefore, on the one hand, when the application 214 determines that the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function of the router 103 is disabled, it does not change the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211. In such a form, the process of unnecessarily changing the priority frequency band of the wireless interface 211 is not executed. Also, it is possible to prevent failure when reconnecting to the router 103 again along with the change of the frequency band.

[0152] Note that each of the various controls described above as being performed by the CPU 203 may be performed by one piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware (for example, a plurality of processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0153] (Other Embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following program, information processing apparatus, and control method. (Item 1) Cause a computer of the information processing apparatus to function as confirmation means for checking the communication state between the information processing apparatus and an external apparatus via a predetermined relay apparatus; control means for controlling such that the frequency band used for connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is changed from a first frequency band to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, based on the communication state being a predetermined state as confirmed; A program characterized by causing the above to function. (Item 2) reconfirmation means for rechecking the communication state after the frequency band used for connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus has been changed from the first frequency band to the second frequency band; The program according to Item 1, characterized by further causing the computer to function as the above. (Item 3) Cause the computer to further function as transmission means for transmitting information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus to the external apparatus, wherein the external apparatus connects to the predetermined relay apparatus based on the information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus when the information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus is received, and the communication state is checked after the information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus has been transmitted. The program according to Item 1, characterized by the above. (Item 4) The information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus is transmitted via a connection between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus that does not pass through the predetermined relay apparatus. The program according to Item 3, characterized by the above. (Item 5) The connection between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus that does not pass through the predetermined relay apparatus is a Wi-Fi connection. The program according to item 4, characterized in that... (Item 6) The connection without passing through the predetermined relay device between the information processing device and the external device is a connection by Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy. The program according to item 4, characterized in that... (Item 7) The predetermined relay device is... A device to which the information processing device was connected before a connection without passing through the predetermined relay device between the information processing device and the external device is established. The program according to any one of items 4 to 6, characterized in that... (Item 8) Establishing means for establishing a connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device after information for connecting to the predetermined relay device is transmitted to the external device, The program according to any one of items 3 to 7, characterized in that the computer is further caused to function as... (Item 9) The communication state is checked after information for connecting to the predetermined relay device is transmitted to the external device and after a connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device is established. The program according to item 8, characterized in that... (Item 10) The process of controlling the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device to be changed from the first frequency band to the second frequency band includes a process of disconnecting the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device using the first frequency band and a process of establishing a connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device using the second frequency band. The program according to item 1, characterized in that... (Item 11) For the connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus using the second frequency band, the same password as the password for the connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus using the first frequency band is used. The program according to item 10, characterized in that. (Item 12) Second control means for controlling based on the fact that the confirmed communication state is the predetermined state so that the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is not changed from the second frequency band to the first frequency band by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function. The program according to item 1, characterized in that the computer is further caused to function as such. (Item 13) The process of controlling so that the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is not changed from the second frequency band to the first frequency band by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function is a request based on the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function. Even if the information processing apparatus receives a predetermined request that is a request corresponding to the first frequency band from the predetermined relay apparatus, the process includes controlling so that the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is not changed from the second frequency band to the first frequency band. The program according to item 12, characterized in that. (Item 14) The process of controlling so that the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is not changed from the second frequency band to the first frequency band by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function includes a process of controlling so that a predetermined request that is a request based on the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function and corresponding to the first frequency band is not received from the predetermined relay apparatus. The program according to item 12, characterized in that. (Item 15) The predetermined state is at least one of a state in which communication between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus via the predetermined relay apparatus is impossible and a state in which the communication quality of communication between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus via the predetermined relay apparatus is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value. The program according to any one of Items 1 to 14, characterized in that... (Item 16) The first frequency band and the second frequency band are at least one of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The program according to any one of Items 1 to 15, characterized in that... (Item 17) The external apparatus is a printing apparatus. The program according to any one of Items 1 to 16, characterized in that... (Item 18) When the confirmed communication state is the predetermined state, it means that the frequency band used for the connection between the predetermined relay apparatus and the information processing apparatus is different from the frequency band used for the connection between the predetermined relay apparatus and the external apparatus. The program according to Item 1, characterized in that... (Item 19) An information processing apparatus, comprising: confirmation means for confirming a communication state between the information processing apparatus and an external apparatus via a predetermined relay apparatus; control means for controlling such that a frequency band used for connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is changed from a first frequency band to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, based on the confirmed communication state being a predetermined state; An information processing apparatus, characterized by comprising the above. (Item 20) A control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: a confirmation step of confirming a communication state between the information processing apparatus and an external apparatus via a predetermined relay apparatus; A control step of controlling based on the fact that the communication state that has been confirmed is a predetermined state, such that a frequency band used for connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is changed from a first frequency band to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; A control method characterized by including this.

[0154] The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims are appended to disclose the scope of the invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0155] 101 Information processing apparatus: 102 Image forming apparatus: 103 Router: 203 CPU: 204 ROM: 204 RAM: 206 External storage device: 208 Display unit: 211 Wireless interface: 214 App

Claims

1. Cause a computer of an information processing apparatus to function as confirmation means for confirming a communication state between the information processing apparatus and an external apparatus via a predetermined relay apparatus, control means for controlling such that a frequency band used for connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is changed from a first frequency band to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band based on the confirmed communication state being a predetermined state, a program characterized by causing the computer to function as such.

2. Further cause the computer to function as reconfirmation means for reconfirming the communication state after the frequency band used for connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is changed from the first frequency band to the second frequency band, The program according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. Further cause the computer to function as transmission means for transmitting information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus to the external apparatus, The external apparatus when receiving information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus, connects to the predetermined relay apparatus based on the information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus, and the communication state is confirmed after the information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus is transmitted, The program according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus is transmitted via a connection between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus that does not pass through the predetermined relay apparatus, The program according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. The connection between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus that does not pass through the predetermined relay apparatus is a connection by Wi-Fi, The program according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

6. The connection between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus that does not pass through the predetermined relay apparatus is a connection by Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy, The program according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

7. The predetermined relay apparatus is an apparatus to which the information processing apparatus was connected before a connection between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus that does not pass through the predetermined relay apparatus is established, The program according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

8. establishment means for establishing a connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus after the information for connecting to the predetermined relay apparatus is transmitted to the external apparatus, The program according to claim 3, further causing the computer to function as such.

9. After information for connecting to the predetermined relay device has been transmitted to the external device and after a connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device has been established, the communication state is confirmed. The program according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The process of controlling the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device to be changed from the first frequency band to the second frequency band includes a process of disconnecting the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device using the first frequency band and a process of establishing a connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device using the second frequency band. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. For the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device using the second frequency band, the same password as the password for the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device using the first frequency band is used. The program according to claim 10, characterized in that.

12. Second control means for controlling, based on the fact that the confirmed communication state is the predetermined state, so that the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device is not changed from the second frequency band to the first frequency band by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function. The program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to function as such.

13. The process of controlling the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device so that it is not changed from the second frequency band to the first frequency band by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function is a request based on the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function. Even if the information processing device receives a predetermined request that is a request corresponding to the first frequency band from the predetermined relay device, the process includes controlling so that the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device is not changed from the second frequency band to the first frequency band. The program according to claim 12, characterized in that.

14. The process of controlling so that the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device is not changed from the second frequency band to the first frequency band by the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function is a request based on the Wi-Fi Agile Multiband function, and includes a process of controlling so that a predetermined request, which is a request corresponding to the first frequency band, is not received from the predetermined relay device. The program according to claim 12, characterized in that.

15. The predetermined state is at least one of a state in which communication between the information processing device and the external device via the predetermined relay device is impossible and a state in which the communication quality of communication between the information processing device and the external device via the predetermined relay device is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that.

16. The first frequency band and the second frequency band are at least one of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that.

17. The external device is a printing device. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that.

18. When the confirmed communication state is the predetermined state, it means that the frequency band used for the connection between the predetermined relay device and the information processing device is different from the frequency band used for the connection between the predetermined relay device and the external device. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that.

19. An information processing device, A confirmation means for confirming the state of communication between the information processing device and an external device via a predetermined relay device; Control means for controlling based on the fact that the confirmed communication state is a predetermined state so that the frequency band used for the connection between the information processing device and the predetermined relay device is changed from a first frequency band to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; An information processing device, characterized by comprising.

20. A control method for an information processing device, A confirmation step of confirming the state of communication between the information processing device and an external device via a predetermined relay device; A control step of controlling based on the fact that the communication state that has been confirmed is a predetermined state, such that a frequency band used for connection between the information processing apparatus and the predetermined relay apparatus is changed from a first frequency band to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; A control method characterized by including this.

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