Electronic apparatus, control method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus capable of reducing a time until communication with an external device is restarted, in the case of changing a connection destination AP.SOLUTION: In a radio communication system, an electronic apparatus (MFP) receives a change request of a communication destination AP from an access point (AP) in connection, changes the communication destination AP on the basis of the change request, confirms whether or not it can communicate with a specific external device that could communicate with before the change of the AP via the AP changed at the changing, performs specific processing for requesting an allocation of an IP address in the case where it cannot communicate with the specific external device as a result of the confirmation, and performs control so that the specific processing is not performed in the case where it can communicate with the specific external device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In an ESS (Extended Service Set) composed of a plurality of APs (Access Points), there is a technology for dynamically switching the connection destination AP in order for the AP and the STA (Station) to efficiently exchange data. When it is determined that the connection destination AP should be switched based on the congestion of the AP to which the STA is connected, the availability of other APs, the radio wave situation, etc., the connected AP transmits a connection destination AP change request to the STA. When the STA receives the change request, it can connect to an appropriate AP by switching the connection destination AP according to the request.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses the following as a process for requesting a change in the connection destination AP from a router having the function of an AP to a connected wireless slave device. A mobile router (MR1) capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless slave devices checks whether the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v. Whether the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v can be determined from the Association Request frame transmitted when the wireless slave device terminal wirelessly connects to the MR1. When the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v, a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame is transmitted to the corresponding wireless slave device terminal. The BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field of the BTM Request frame specifies the BSSID of the parent router RT2 as the connection destination. As a result, the switching of the connection destination AP of the slave device terminal is promoted, and the wireless slave device terminal switches the connection destination AP from the MR1 to the RT2 according to the received BTM Request frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-175068 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] When a STA receives a connection destination AP change request and changes the connection destination AP, it is not always possible to continue using the IP address assigned to the electronic device before the change of the connection destination AP. However, if a process for requesting an IP address assignment is performed every time the connection destination AP is changed, it will take time to resume communication with other devices that were being performed before the change of the connection destination AP.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can shorten the time until communication with an external device is resumed when changing the connection destination AP. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0007] To solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention includes: receiving means for receiving a connection destination AP change request from an access point (AP) in connection; changing means for changing the connection destination AP based on the change request; confirmation means for confirming, when changing by the changing means, whether communication can be performed with a specific external device that could communicate before the AP change via the changed AP; and control means for performing a specific process for requesting an IP address assignment when the confirmation means cannot communicate with the specific external device as a result of the confirmation, and controlling so as not to perform the specific process when the confirmation means can communicate with the specific external device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when changing the connection destination AP, the time until communication with an external device is resumed can be shortened. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] 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 to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0011] [First Embodiment] (System Configuration) FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the system according to this embodiment. In one example, this system is a wireless communication system in which a plurality of communication devices can communicate with each other wirelessly. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication devices include a mobile terminal device 104, an MFP 100, access points AP101 and AP102, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server 103, a DNS (Domain Name System) server 105, and a network 110. Note that, for illustration purposes, AP101 may be displayed as AP1 and AP102 may be displayed as AP2. The mobile terminal device 104 is an information processing device having a wireless communication function such as a wireless LAN. Note that hereinafter, the wireless LAN may be referred to as WLAN. The mobile terminal device 104 can be a personal information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone (smartphone), a digital camera, a personal computer, or the like.

[0012] The MFP 100 is a printing device having a printing function, and may further have a reading function (scanner), a FAX function, and a telephone function. Also, the MFP 100 of this embodiment has a communication function capable of wireless communication with the mobile terminal device 104. In this embodiment, the case where the MFP 100 is used as an example is described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, etc., each having a communication function, may be used instead of the MFP 100. Note that MFP is an acronym for Multi Function Peripheral (multifunctional peripheral device).

[0013] AP101 is provided separately (externally) from the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP100 and operates as a WLAN base station device. A communication device having a WLAN communication function can communicate in the infrastructure mode of the WLAN via AP101. Hereinafter, the access point may be referred to as "AP" in some cases. Also, the infrastructure mode may be referred to as the "wireless infrastructure mode" in some cases. AP101 performs wireless communication with a communication device that has been permitted to connect to the self-device (authenticated), and relays wireless communication between the communication device and other communication devices. Further, AP101 can be connected to, for example, a wired communication network and relay communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and another communication device wirelessly connected to AP101.

[0014] AP102 has the same functions as AP101, and the MFP100 switches the connection from AP101 to AP102 as necessary. The DHCP server 103 is connected to the MFP100 via AP101 and the network 110 and provides services to the MFP100 by responding to requests from the MFP100. In FIG. 1, the DHCP server 103 is described as being connected as a device separate from AP101 and AP102, but AP101 and AP102 may have a DHCP server function. The DNS server 105 is connected to the MFP100 and the mobile terminal device 104 via AP101 and the network 110 and provides a name resolution service by responding to requests from the MFP100 and the mobile terminal device 104. Here, the network 110 may be the so-called Internet, or may be a closed network within a company or a mobile phone network.

[0015] (Appearance Configuration of MFP) Fig. 2(a) shows an example of the external configuration of the MFP100. The MFP100 has, for example, an original document table 201, an original document cover 202, a printing paper insertion port 203, a printing paper discharge port 204, and an operation display unit 205. The original document table 201 is a table on which an original document to be read is placed. The original document cover 202 is a cover for pressing the original document placed on the original document table 201 and preventing light from a light source that irradiates the original document during reading from leaking to the outside. The printing paper insertion port 203 is an insertion port into which papers of various sizes can be set. The printing paper discharge port 204 is a discharge port for discharging the printed papers. The papers set in the printing paper insertion port 203 are conveyed one by one to the printing unit, and after being printed by the printing unit, are discharged from the printing paper discharge port 204. The operation display unit 205 is composed of keys such as a character input key, a cursor key, a determination key, a cancellation key, etc., and includes an LED, an LCD, etc., and is configured to be able to receive activation of various functions as an MFP by the user and operations of various settings. Further, the operation display unit 205 may be composed of including a touch panel display. The MFP100 has a wireless communication function by WLAN, and although it is not necessarily required to be visually recognizable from the outside, it is composed of including a wireless communication antenna 206 for the wireless communication. The MFP100 can also perform wireless communication in a frequency band of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz by WLAN, similar to the mobile terminal device 104.

[0016] (Configuration of MFP) Fig. 2(b) shows a configuration example of the MFP100. The MFP100 includes a main board 211 that performs main control of the apparatus itself, and a wireless unit 226 that is a single communication module that performs WLAN communication using at least one common antenna. Also, the MFP100 is configured to include, for example, a modem 229 for performing wired communication. The main board 211 is configured to include, for example, a CPU 212 (central processing unit), a ROM 213, a RAM 214, a non-volatile memory 215, an image memory 216, a reading control unit 217, a data conversion unit 218, a reading unit 219, and an encoding / decoding processing unit 221. Also, the main board 211 includes, for example, a printing unit 222, a paper feeding unit 223, a printing control unit 224, and an operation display unit 220. These functional units within the main board 211 are interconnected via a system bus 230 managed by the CPU 212. Also, the main board 211 and the wireless unit 226 are connected via, for example, a dedicated bus 225, and the main board 211 and the modem 229 are connected via, for example, a bus 228.

[0017] The CPU 212 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire MFP100. In one example, the processing of the MFP100 described below is realized by the CPU 212 executing a program stored in the ROM 213. Note that dedicated hardware for each process may be provided. The ROM 213 stores a control program executed by the CPU 212, an embedded OS program, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 212 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching by executing each control program stored in the ROM 213 under the management of the embedded OS also stored in the ROM 213.

[0018] The RAM 214 is composed of an SRAM or the like. The RAM 214 stores data such as program control variables, set values registered by the user, and management data of the MFP 100. Also, the RAM 214 can be used as various work buffers. The non-volatile memory 215 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the power of the MFP 100 is turned off. The image memory 216 is composed of a memory such as a DRAM. The image memory 216 accumulates image data received via the wireless unit 226, image data processed by the code decoding processing unit 221, and the like. Note that the memory configuration of the MFP 100 is not limited to the above-described configuration. The data conversion unit 218 performs analysis of various forms of data, conversion of image data to print data, and the like.

[0019] The reading control unit 217 controls the reading unit 219 (for example, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor)) to optically read a document placed on the document table 201. The reading control unit 217 converts an image obtained by optically reading the document into electrical image data (image signal) and outputs it. At this time, the reading control unit 217 may perform various image processes such as binarization processing and halftone processing and then output the image data.

[0020] The operation display unit 220 is the operation display unit 205 described with reference to FIG. 2(a), and executes display on the display based on display control by the CPU 212, generation of signals in response to reception of user operations, and the like.

[0021] The code decoding processing unit 221 performs encoding processing, decoding processing, and enlargement / reduction processing of image data (JPEG, PNG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100. The paper feeding unit 223 holds paper for printing. The paper feeding unit 223 can supply the set paper under the control of the print control unit 224. The paper feeding unit 223 may include a plurality of paper feeding units in order to hold a plurality of types of paper in one device, and can control from which paper feeding unit to feed paper under the control of the print control unit 224.

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

[0023] The wireless unit 226 is a unit capable of providing a WLAN communication function, and can provide a function similar to that of, for example, combining the WLAN unit 429 of the mobile terminal device 104. That is, the wireless unit 226 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 212. The wireless unit 226 can communicate as a station compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard series. In particular, it can communicate as a station compliant with IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. Hereinafter, the station may be referred to as STA in some cases. Also, it can communicate as a STA corresponding to Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark).

[0024] The wireless unit 226 is compatible with IEEE 802.11ax, that is, Wi-Fi 6 (trademark), and can perform processing compliant with IEEE 802.11ax. That is, the MFP 100 can perform 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. Since it is compatible with TWT, the data communication timing from the master unit to the STA is adjusted. The wireless unit 226 (MFP 100) as a STA can shift the communication function to the sleep state when there is no need to wait for signal reception. Thereby, power consumption can be suppressed. Also, the wireless unit 226 is also compatible with Wi-Fi 6E (trademark). That is, communication in the 6 GHz band (5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz) is also 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.

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

[0026] (Operation display unit of MFP) FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a screen display on a display (touch panel display) included in the operation display unit 220 of the MFP 100. FIG. 3(a) is an example of a home screen displayed while the power of the MFP 100 is turned on and operations such as printing and scanning are not being performed (idle state, Standby state). In FIG. 3(a), display items (menu items) corresponding to copy, scan, and cloud are displayed respectively. Cloud is a menu item related to a cloud function using Internet communication. By selecting any of the menu items through key operations or touch panel operations, the MFP 100 can start executing the corresponding settings and functions. The MFP 100 can seamlessly display a screen different from that in FIG. 3(a) by receiving key operations or touch panel operations on the home screen in FIG. 3(a).

[0027] FIG. 3(b) is an example of the display of another part of the home screen, and is a screen that transitions from the state in FIG. 3(a) by an operation (such as a slide operation to the left or right) to display another page of the home screen. In FIG. 3(b), display items (menu items) corresponding to communication settings, print, and photo are displayed respectively. When any of these menu items is selected, the function corresponding to the selected menu item, that is, any of the print function, photo function, and communication settings is executed.

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

[0029] (External Configuration of the Mobile Terminal Device) FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the mobile terminal device 104. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the mobile terminal device 104 is a general type of smartphone is shown. Note that the mobile terminal device 104 includes, for example, a display unit 402, an operation unit 403, and a power key 404. The display unit 402 is a display including, for example, a display mechanism of the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) system. Note that the display unit 402 may display information using, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like. In addition to or instead of the display unit 402, the mobile terminal device 104 may have a function of outputting information by voice. The operation unit 403 includes a hard key such as a key or a button, a touch panel, etc. for detecting a user operation. In this example, since the information display on the display unit 402 and the reception of the user operation by the operation unit 403 are performed using a common touch panel display, the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 are realized by one device. In this case, for example, a button icon or a software keyboard is displayed using the display function of the display unit 402, and the fact that the user touches those locations is detected by the operation reception function of the operation unit 403. Note that the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 may be separated, and hardware for display and hardware for operation reception may be prepared separately. The power key 404 is a hard key for receiving a user operation for turning on or off the power of the mobile terminal device 104.

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

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

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

[0033] The RAM 414 is composed of an SRAM (Static RAM) or the like. The RAM 414 stores data such as variables for program control, setting values registered by the user, and management data of the portable terminal device 104. Further, the RAM 414 can be used as various work buffers. The image memory 415 is composed of a memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received via the WLAN unit 429 or image data read from the data storage unit 423 for processing by the CPU 412. The non-volatile memory 422 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the power of the portable terminal device 104 is turned off. Note that the memory configuration of the portable terminal device 104 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the image memory 415 and the RAM 414 may be shared, or data backup or the like may be performed using the data storage unit 423. Further, in the present embodiment, a DRAM is cited as an example of the image memory 415, but other storage media such as a hard disk and a non-volatile memory may be used.

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

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

[0036] The display unit 420 is the display unit 402 described with reference to FIG. 4(a), and based on the control of the CPU 412, performs various input operations, displays the operation status and status status of the mobile terminal device 104, etc. The operation unit 418 is the operation unit 403 described with reference to FIG. 4(a), and when receiving a user operation, executes control such as generating an electrical signal corresponding to the operation and outputting it to the CPU 412.

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

[0038] (Configuration of Access Point) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the AP 101 having a wireless LAN access point function. It includes a main board 510 for controlling the AP 101, a wireless LAN unit 516, a wired LAN unit 518, and an operation button 520.

[0039] The CPU 511 in the form of a microprocessor arranged on the main board 510 operates according to a control program stored in the program memory 513 in the form of a ROM connected via the internal bus 512 and data etc. stored in the data memory 514 in the form of a RAM. The CPU 511 controls the wireless LAN unit 516 through the wireless LAN communication control unit 515 to conduct wireless LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. Also, the CPU 511 controls the wired LAN unit 518 through the wired LAN communication control unit 517 to conduct wired LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. The CPU 511 can receive operations from the user by the operation button 520 by controlling the operation unit control circuit 519. The CPU 511 includes at least one processor.

[0040] In addition, AP101 includes an interference wave detection unit 521 and a channel change unit 522. When performing wireless communication in a band where DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) is implemented, the interference wave detection unit 521 performs interference wave detection processing. When performing wireless communication in a band where DFS is implemented and an interference wave is detected, the channel change unit 522 performs channel change processing for use when it is necessary to immediately change to an available channel, etc.

[0041] Note that AP102 also has the same configuration as AP101.

[0042] (P2P communication method) Subsequently, in WLAN communication, an overview of the P2P (WLAN) communication method in which devices communicate directly wirelessly without going through an external access point will be given. P2P (WLAN) communication can be realized using a plurality of methods. For example, a communication device supports a plurality of modes for P2P (WLAN) communication and can selectively use any one of the plurality of modes to execute P2P communication (WLAN).

[0043] For example, the following two modes are assumed as P2P modes.

[0044] · Soft AP mode · Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode A communication device capable of executing P2P communication can be configured to support at least one of these modes. On the other hand, even a communication device capable of executing P2P communication does not necessarily have to support all of these modes and may be configured to support only a part of them.

[0045] In a communication device having a communication function by WFD (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104), by receiving a user operation via its operation unit, an (in some cases, dedicated) application for realizing the communication function is called. Then, this communication device displays a screen of a UI (user interface) provided by the application to prompt a user operation, and based on the user operation received accordingly, can execute WFD communication.

[0046] ● Soft AP mode In the soft AP mode, a communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104) operates in the role of a client that requests various services. And the other communication device (e.g., the MFP 100) operates as a soft AP that can execute the function of a WLAN AP through software settings. Note that for the commands and parameters transmitted and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the soft AP, those defined by the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard are sufficient, so the description here is omitted. Also, the MFP 100 operating in the soft AP mode determines the frequency band and frequency channel as the master station. For this reason, the MFP 100 can select which of the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands to use, and which frequency channel to use in that frequency band.

[0047] ● WFD mode The MFP 100 may be fixedly activated as the master station in the WFD mode (Autonomous Group Owner). In this case, the GO Negotiation process for determining the role becomes unnecessary. Also, in this case, the MFP 100 determines the frequency band and frequency channel as the master station. For this reason, the MFP 100 can select which of the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands to use, and which frequency channel to use in that frequency band.

[0048] (Wireless infrastructure mode) In the wireless infrastructure mode, communication devices that communicate with each other (e.g., each of the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100) are connected to an external AP (e.g., AP 101) that manages the network, and communication between the communication devices is performed via that AP. In other words, communication between the communication devices is executed via the network constructed by the external AP. When the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 each discover the AP 101 and send a connection request to this AP 101 and connect, communication in the wireless infrastructure mode via the AP 101 of these communication devices becomes possible. Note that a plurality of communication devices may be connected to separate APs. In this case, data transfer is performed between the APs, enabling communication between the communication devices. Regarding the commands and parameters transmitted and received during communication between each communication device via the access point, those defined by the Wi-Fi standard are sufficient, so the description here is omitted. Also, in this case, the AP 101 determines the frequency band and frequency channel. Therefore, the AP 101 can select which frequency band to use from 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 6 GHz, and which frequency channel to use in that frequency band.

[0049] (Processing in response to a connection destination change request from the AP to the STA) The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 support a function published as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark). Wi-Fi Agile Multiband is a function that enables selection of an optimal environment according to the changing situation of the Wi-Fi network. Specifically, STAs such as the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 and APs such as the AP 101 exchange information regarding the network environment using the communication standards of the IEEE 802.11 series. Through 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, and in some cases, even to another cellular service.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram when the MFP 100 changes (switches) the connection destination AP from AP101 to AP102 in accordance with a connection destination change request from AP101. The processing executed by each device in this sequence is 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.

[0051] In the initial state of the processing in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the MFP 100 has established a connection with AP101 in the wireless infrastructure mode. In this embodiment, AP101 is, for example, an AP set by the user. Further, when the MFP 100 and AP101 are connected in the wireless infrastructure mode, AP101 acquires information on whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. Specifically, for example, whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v can be determined from an Association Request frame transmitted when the MFP 100 makes a wireless connection to AP101. And when AP101 can acquire information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v, the following processing is performed.

[0052] In S601, AP101 transmits a query (measurement request) for the radio wave intensity of the APs around the MFP 100 to the MFP 100. This query is transmitted, for example, as a beacon frame request or a beacon report request. That is, this request can use the mechanism defined in the IEEE 802.11k standard.

[0053] In S602, the MFP 100 receives the frames transmitted by the surrounding APs in response to the request received in S601 and measures the radio wave intensity. As a result, the radio wave intensity of each of a plurality of APs including AP101 and AP102 is measured.

[0054] In S603, the MFP100 transmits, as a response to the request received in S601, a list of the radio wave intensities of the APs around the MFP100 measured in S602. Note that, as the radio wave intensities to be responded, in addition to or instead of the information measured in S602, the information stored in, for example, the RAM 214 and the non-volatile memory 215 of the MFP100 may be used. This response is transmitted, for example, as a Beacon Report or measurement reports.

[0055] In S604, based on the congestion status in the network grasped by the AP101 and the radio wave intensity received from the MFP100 in S603, the AP101 determines whether it is necessary to change the connection destination of the MFP100. The factors for which the AP101 determines that the connection destination needs to be changed include that there are many STAs connected to the AP101 (equal to or more than the threshold value), the traffic volume between the STAs connected to the AP101 and the AP101 is large (equal to or more than the threshold value), the presence or absence of interfering radio waves determined based on the SNR, etc., and the AP function stop. Also, based on the congestion level (the number of connected STAs, traffic volume) of each AP determined by using the communication between APs, it may be determined whether it is necessary to change the connection destination. If it is determined that the connection destination of the MFP100 needs to be changed and the SSID, channel, and frequency band of another AP designated as a candidate for the connection destination of the MFP100 after the change are determined, the process proceeds to S605. Note that, in the present embodiment, the SSID of another AP designated as the change destination of the connection destination is the same SSID as the SSID of the AP before the change.

[0056] In S605, AP101 sends a connection destination AP change request (connection destination change request) to MFP100. The connection destination AP change request includes the SSID, MAC address, channel, and frequency band information of other APs specified as candidates for the connection destination determined in S604. Note that multiple SSIDs may be specified. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the same SSID is set for APs that perform connection switching by Wi-Fi Agile Multiband, and each AP can be identified by its MAC address. Therefore, even if the SSID of another AP specified as a candidate for the connection destination after the change is the same as that of the original AP, it can be identified by its MAC address. The connection destination AP change request is sent, for example, as a BTM Request. That is, a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame defined in the IEEE802.11v standard is sent. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that AP102 is specified as a candidate for the connection destination after the change included in the connection destination AP change request. That is, in this embodiment, the SSID of AP101 and the SSID of AP102 are the same.

[0057] In S606, if MFP100 follows the connection destination AP change request received in S605, it sends a response indicating change approval (switching approval) to AP101. Alternatively, suppression processing for suppressing the change of the connection destination access point (connection destination AP) described later may be performed. The response is sent as a BTM Response. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that a response indicating approval is sent.

[0058] In S607, AP101 and MFP100 disconnect the connection in the wireless infrastructure mode. At this time, MFP100 does not yet delete the connection information to AP101 and retains it. In S608, MFP100 sends a connection request to AP102 so as to connect to AP102 specified in the connection destination AP change request received in S605.

[0059] As a result, in S609, a wireless infrastructure mode connection between the MFP100 and the AP102 is established. When the wireless infrastructure mode connection between the MFP100 and the AP102 is established, the connection information to the AP101 is deleted.

[0060] With such a mechanism, the MFP100, which is a STA, can change the connection destination from the AP101 to the AP102 based on a connection destination AP change request from the originally connected AP101. The AP101 and the AP102 may be APs installed in different locations. That is, through the process of FIG. 6, the MFP100 can switch to another AP installed at a position different from the originally connected AP. Also, among multiple frequency bands provided by the same device (any two or three of the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands), they may be APs corresponding to different frequency bands. That is, through the process of FIG. 6, the MFP100 can switch to another frequency band provided by the same device as the originally connected AP. For example, based on a connection destination AP change request, the connection destination can be changed to an AP in the 6 GHz band.

[0061] Note that in this embodiment, an example is described in which a measurement request and a connection destination AP change request are transmitted from the AP in a mechanism compliant with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband, and the STA responds to this, but it is not limited to this. This embodiment is also applicable when the STA responds or changes the connection destination AP (switching, deleting, adding the AP serving as the connection destination) to the measurement request and the connection destination AP change request transmitted from the AP using a mechanism different from the above example.

[0062] Depending on the state of the MFP100 such as during job execution, it may not be preferable to change the destination AP based on a change request for the destination AP sent from the connected AP. In the present embodiment, when it is not preferable to change the destination AP based on the change request, one or more of the following suppression processes may be combined and performed as a process for suppressing the change of the destination according to the change request. Each of the following suppression processes is a process for preventing the change of the destination AP based on the change request, or a process for making it difficult to perform.

[0063] (Suppression Process 1) Even if the change request described in S605 is received, the change of the destination AP based on the received change request is not performed, and no response to the change request is returned, or a response indicating rejection (indicating that the change of the destination AP is not performed) is sent to the connected AP. When a rejection response is sent, the priority of the connection destination change of the other STAs connected to the AP connected to the MFP100 increases, and the priority of the change of the destination AP of the MFP100 that has returned the rejection response decreases, so that it may be possible to maintain the connection with the AP that was connected. Also, when no response is returned (in the case of ignoring), the connected AP maintains the connection with the MFP100 in order to wait for a response until the response waiting time times out. Therefore, in the case of a configuration in which the connection is immediately disconnected in response to the arrival of some response to the change request from the MFP100, not returning any response can extend the time for maintaining the connection with the connected AP more than returning some response. Therefore, for example, depending on the reason, different processes may be performed, such as rejecting the response for a weak reason and ignoring it for a strong reason, based on the information on which of several reasons the reason included in the change request corresponds to. The change reason can be determined based on, for example, the information on which of several reasons the Request Mode included in the BTM Request corresponds to. For example, when the Disassociation Imminent bit or the BSS Termination Included bit of the Requestmode is 1, it can be determined that the change request is a change request with a strong reason. Otherwise, it can be determined that the change reason is weak.

[0064] (Suppression Process 2) In response to the measurement request described in S601, information indicating that the radio wave reception status (signal reception status) of non-connected APs other than the connected AP is a radio wave status (low signal quality) different from the actually measured status is used to respond (false response). In this case, actual measurement may be performed and a response may be made in response to the reception of the measurement request, or a response may be made without actually performing the measurement. Specifically, in the response (such as beacon report) described in S603, for the signal quality measured as a signal received from a non-connected AP, a response is made with a value obtained by subtracting the received signal strength, and / or a response is made with a value obtained by increasing the noise (signal-to-noise ratio). Alternatively, a response may be made that does not include at least one piece of information about the non-connected AP. Also, based on information measured in the past regarding the non-connected AP, either a process of setting the received signal strength to a significantly low value or a process of setting the noise to a significantly large value may be performed to make a response. Also, even if a measurement request is received, without actually performing measurement (AP search), a response may be made assuming that only the connected AP has good received signal strength and noise status without including information about non-connected APs. Responding to a measurement request without including information about non-connected APs corresponds to the content that no other non-connected APs were found even after performing an AP search. By doing so, it is possible to suppress a connection destination change request from the connected AP to another AP from being sent. Therefore, a change in the connection destination in response to a connection destination change request is suppressed.

[0065] (Inhibiting Process 3) Disconnect from the currently connected AP once, notify information indicating that the change request is not being accommodated, and then reconnect to the same AP. Specifically, disconnect the wireless connection with the currently connected AP once, and create data for an Association Request frame that includes information indicating non - compliance with IEEE802.11v as preparation for reconnecting wirelessly. Then, perform the connection process with the AP using the created data for the Association Request frame. As a result, if an Association Request frame including information indicating non - compliance with IEEE802.11v is created, the connection will be made to the AP as an electronic device that does not support (is non - compliant with) the Agile Multiband function. As a result, the currently connected AP will recognize that the MFP100 is non - compliant with IEEE802.11v and will not send a change request for the connected AP to the MFP100. In this way, since the change of the connected AP for the MFP100 is no longer requested, the wireless connection between the MFP100 and the currently connected AP is more likely to be maintained. Also, when the currently connected AP recognizes that the MFP100 is non - compliant with IEEE802.11v, the transmission of measurement requests (the requests described in S601) from the currently connected AP to the MFP100 is also suppressed. Therefore, measurements (AP search) in response to measurement requests in the MFP100 and responses to measurement requests (the process of S603) can also be suppressed. Accordingly, the processing load can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and resources can be allocated to other processes.

[0066] When it is not preferable to change the destination AP based on a change request, for example, printing data is being received. During the reception of printing data in the MFP 100, for example, a part of the printing data of the image to be printed has been received from the mobile terminal device 104 which is the counter machine, and the reception of the remaining part of the printing data is not completed. In the MFP 100, when a part of the printing data for printing on one sheet of paper is received, it prints by the amount received (for example, it receives and prints one line), and when the subsequent data is received, it prints by that amount again, repeating this process for printing. If the connection destination AP is changed based on a change request during the reception of this printing data, a time lag associated with the connection destination change process occurs, which may cause a deterioration in print quality such as uneven printing. Also, after the connection destination is changed, communication with the mobile terminal device 104 which is the counter machine may not work properly, and there is a possibility that the subsequent data cannot be received and printing fails. Therefore, during the reception of printing data, at least one of the above (suppression process 1) and (suppression process 2) processes may be performed as a process for suppressing the change of the connection destination in response to the change request, or the above (suppression process 3) process may be performed before the start of the reception of the printing data.

[0067] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processes executed in response to a change request for the connection destination AP in the present embodiment. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 212 expanding a program stored in the computer-readable ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executing it.

[0068] In S701, the CPU 212 determines whether it is connected to the AP 101 in which connection information such as the SSID and password is registered in advance as the connection destination AP. If it is determined that it is connected, the process proceeds to S702, and if it is determined that it is not connected, the process of S701 is repeated.

[0069] In S702, the CPU 212 requests the DHCP server 103 to assign a dynamic IP address. Specifically, for example, it issues and transmits a DHCP Discover. More specifically, for example, it broadcasts the DHCP Discover within the network 110. The DHCP Discover is a command for requesting the assignment of an IP address. The DHCP server 103 that has received the DHCP Discover notifies that the assignment of an IP address is possible by responding with a DHCP Offer to the MFP 100. More specifically, for example, the DHCP server 103 broadcasts the DHCP Offer on the network 110. Since the IP address of the DHCP server 103 is set as the source address of this DHCP Offer message, the CPU 212 can obtain the IP address of the DHCP server 103 by receiving the DHCP Offer. The CPU 212 designates the IP address notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer to the DHCP server 103, issues a DHCP Request, and requests the assignment of an IP address. If the assignment of the IP address designated by the MFP 100 is possible, the DHCP server 103 responds with a DHCP ACK (approval) to determine the IP address of the MFP 100.

[0070] In S703, the CPU 212 stores the dynamic IP address assigned by the DHCP server 103 (that is, the IP address requested in the DHCP Request and for which the response of the DHCP ACK has been received) in the RAM 214. Also, the CPU 212 stores (records) the IP address of the DHCP server 103 obtained from the DHCP Offer in at least one of the RAM 214 and the non-volatile memory 215.

[0071] As described above, the CPU 212 establishes a connection with the AP 101 in the wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the AP 101 are connected in the wireless infrastructure mode, the AP 101 acquires information on whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v. Here, it is assumed that the following processing is performed when the AP 101 acquires information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE 802.11v.

[0072] In S704, the CPU 212 determines whether it has received an inquiry (measurement requests) from the AP 101 regarding the radio wave intensity of the APs around the MFP 100. This inquiry can include a beacon frame request or a beacon report request, and in this embodiment, it is assumed to include either request. Also, the inquiry regarding the radio wave intensity to be confirmed in this step corresponds to what the AP 101 transmits in S601 of FIG. 6. If it is determined in S704 that the inquiry has been received, the process proceeds to S705, and if it is determined that the inquiry has not been received, the process proceeds to S706.

[0073] In S705, as described in S602 and S603 of FIG. 6, the CPU 212 measures the radio wave intensity of the APs around the MFP 100 and transmits a list of the radio wave intensities of the APs to the AP 101 as a beacon report. That is, it responds to the received measurement request.

[0074] In S706, the CPU 212 determines whether it has received a connection destination AP change request transmitted from the AP 101. If it is determined that the request has been received, the process proceeds to S707, and if it is determined that the request has not been received, the process proceeds to S717. This change request corresponds to what is described in S605 of FIG. 6.

[0075] In S707, the CPU 212 determines whether the MFP 100 is communicating with the mobile terminal device 104 connected via the connected AP 101 at the application layer. Specifically, for example, the CPU 212 determines whether communication for executing printing processing is being performed with the mobile terminal device 104. If it is determined that communication at the application layer is being performed, the process proceeds to S710. If it is determined that communication at the application layer is not being performed, the process proceeds to S709. Hereinafter, as an example of communication at the application layer, communication for executing printing will be described.

[0076] In S710, the CPU 212 stores the recommended AP information included in the received connection destination AP change request in the RAM 214 and proceeds to S711. In S711, the CPU 212 refers to the change reason included in the received connection destination AP change request and determines whether there is a strong reason for the change reason. If it is determined that there is a strong reason for the change reason, the process proceeds to S713. If it is determined that there is no strong reason for the change reason, the process proceeds to S712. Specifically, for example, when the Disassociation Imminent bit or BSS Termination Included bit of the Requestmode of the BTM Request is 1, it is determined as a strong request.

[0077] In S713, the CPU 212 performs connection destination change processing based on the connection destination AP change request. The connection destination change processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0078] In S714, the CPU 212 determines whether the IP address of the MFP 100 has changed as a result of changing the connection destination AP by the connection destination change processing in S713. If it is determined that the IP address has changed, the process proceeds to S716. If it is determined that the IP address has not changed, that is, if it is the same IP address as before the change of the connection destination AP, the process proceeds to S715.

[0079] In S715, the CPU 212 receives the continuation of the print job and continues printing. Then, it proceeds to S717. On the other hand, in S716, the CPU 212 performs cancel processing of the print job being printed. By performing job control to cancel the print job, it is possible to prevent the inability to receive the data of the continuation of the print job and the inability to receive instructions for other processes while remaining in the processing state of the print job, and it is possible to return to a state where instructions for other processes can be received. In other words, the process of S716 can be said to be a process that controls the transition to a state where instructions for other processes can be received.

[0080] In S712, the CPU 212 sends a response rejecting the change to the AP 101 for the connection destination AP change request and proceeds to S717. Since there is no strong reason to proceed to S712, it is assumed that the AP 101 that received the response is unlikely to forcibly disconnect even if a change rejection response is sent. Therefore, when there is no strong reason for the change, it is expected that the connection can be maintained without the AP 101 forcibly disconnecting, and a change rejection response is sent.

[0081] In S709, the CPU 212 performs connection destination change processing based on the connection destination AP change request. The connection destination change processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0082] In S717, the CPU 212 determines whether a trigger event for executing other processes has occurred. Specifically, for example, it determines whether copying or cloud communication has been instructed by a key operation or a touch panel operation from the operation display unit 205. If it is determined that a trigger event for executing other processes has occurred, it proceeds to S718, and if it is determined that a trigger event for executing other processes has not occurred, it proceeds to S719.

[0083] In S718, the CPU 212 executes a process corresponding to the trigger event determined to have occurred in S717. Specifically, for example, it executes copying (scanning and printing) or cloud printing according to the instruction.

[0084] In S719, the CPU 212 determines whether the connection to the AP has ended due to a factor other than a connection destination change due to a connection destination AP change request (for example, power off). Here, the AP can be the case of AP101 or the case of an AP other than AP101. If it is determined that the connection has not ended due to another factor, that is, if the connection to the AP is maintained, the process from S704 is repeated. If it is determined that the connection has ended due to another factor, that is, if the connection to the AP has ended, the process of FIG. 7 ends.

[0085] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the connection destination AP change process (connection destination change process) of S709 and S713. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 212 expanding and executing a program stored in the computer-readable ROM 213 into the RAM 214.

[0086] In S801, after the CPU 212 sends a response accepting the change to the connection destination AP to the connected AP, it disconnects the connection to the connected AP. This process corresponds to S606 and S607 in FIG. 6. Before disconnecting the connection to the connected AP, the CPU 212 may request the mobile terminal device 104 via AP101 to execute a process for specifying the IP address of the MFP 100 after the change of the connection destination AP (name resolution) based on at least one of the domain name of the MFP 100 and the model-specific information (model name, model number, serial number, etc.). Thereby, even after the MFP 100 changes the connection destination AP, the mobile terminal device 104 can access the MFP 100.

[0087] In S802, the CPU 212 connects to the recommended AP presented by AP101. Here, the recommended AP is AP102. This process corresponds to the process of S608 in FIG. 6. In S803, the CPU 212 sends a Ping-based communication check request to the IP address of the DHCP server 103 saved in S703. Specifically, for example, a Ping command is sent to the IP address of the DHCP server 103.

[0088] In S804, the CPU 212 determines whether or not the connectivity check by Ping was successful. If there is a response from the DHCP server 103, it is determined that the connectivity check was successful and the process proceeds to S805. If there is no response from the DHCP server 103, it is determined that the connectivity check was not successful and the process proceeds to S806. In other words, the connectivity check here is to confirm whether the MFP 100 is on the same network before and after the change of the destination AP based on the change request.

[0089] In S805, the CPU 212 continues to use the same IP address as before the change of the destination AP based on the change request as the IP address of the MFP 100. That is, it is controlled not to perform the predetermined processes of S806 to S807 for requesting the assignment of an IP address.

[0090] In S806, the CPU 212 performs a process for requesting the assignment of an IP address to the DHCP server 103. Specifically, for example, the CPU 212 first broadcasts a DHCP Discover to the network (hereinafter referred to as network 2) to which the MFP 100 belongs after the change of the destination AP based on the change request. A DHCP server (hereinafter referred to as the second DHCP server) in network 2 that has received the DHCP Discover broadcasts a DHCP Offer as a response. Since the IP address of the second DHCP server is set as the source address of the DHCP Offer, the CPU 212 can obtain the IP address of the second DHCP server by receiving the DHCP Offer. The CPU 212 specifies the IP address notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer to the second DHCP server and issues a DHCP Request to request the assignment of an IP address. At this time, regardless of whether the IP address notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer is the same as the IP address before the change of the destination AP, the CPU 212 issues a DHCP Request using the notified IP address as the IP address to be used by the MFP 100.

[0091] Specifically, for example, if the IP address stored in S703 is IP address A and the IP address notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer in S806 is IP address B, the CPU 212 issues a DHCP Request by specifying IP address B. Also, if the IP address stored in S703 is IP address A and the IP address notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer in S806 is IP address A, the CPU 212 issues a DHCP Request by specifying IP address A. If the second DHCP server can assign the IP address specified by the MFP 100, it responds with a DHCP ACK (approval) to determine the IP address of the MFP 100.

[0092] In S807, the CPU 212 stores in the RAM 214 the IP address assigned by the second DHCP server (i.e., the IP address requested in the DHCP Request in S806 and for which a DHCP ACK response was received). At this time, the IP address stored in S703 is cleared by being overwritten by the IP address stored in S807. Specifically, for example, if the IP address stored in S703 is IP address A and the IP address requested in the DHCP Request and for which a DHCP ACK response was received is IP address B, IP address A is cleared by being overwritten by IP address B. Also, in S807, the IP address of the second DHCP server obtained from the DHCP Offer is stored (memorized) in at least one of the RAM 214 and the non-volatile memory 215.

[0093] The processing of S806 may be performed as follows. That is, the CPU 212 specifies the IP address notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer to the second DHCP server, issues a DHCP Request, and requests the assignment of the IP address. At this time, regardless of whether the IP address notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer is the same as the IP address of the destination AP before the change, the CPU 212 once issues a DHCP Request using the IP address of the destination AP before the change saved in S703 as the IP address used by the MFP 100. Specifically, for example, if the IP address saved in S703 is IP address A and the IP address notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer is IP address B, the CPU 212 once specifies IP address A instead of IP address B and issues a DHCP Request. As a result of the DHCP Request, if a DHCP ACK of approval is received from the second DHCP server, the IP address of the destination AP before the change (that is, IP address A) is continuously used. And in this case, in S807, IP address A will be saved. On the other hand, if a response indicating denial is received from the second DHCP server, the CPU 212 specifies the IP address B notified as assignable in the DHCP Offer to the second DHCP server, issues a DHCP Request, and requests the assignment of the IP address. And in this case, in S807, the CPU 212 saves the IP address requested in the DHCP Request and received a DHCP ACK response (that is, IP address B) in the RAM 214.

[0094] In the process described above, when it is determined as Yes in S804 and it is confirmed that communication can be established with the DHCP server 103 that was on the network before the change of the destination AP, it means that the MFP100 belongs to the same network as before the change of the destination AP even after the change of the destination AP. That is, the destination AP is on the same network before and after the change. If it is the same network, there is no problem in continuously using the same IP address as before the change of the destination AP as the IP address of the MFP100. Therefore, in this embodiment, in such a case, by omitting the processes of S806 to S807 that request the assignment of a new IP address from the DHCP server, it is possible to suppress (for example, eliminate or shorten the interruption period) the interruption of communication between the MFP100 and other devices (for example, the mobile terminal device 104) in the network due to the switching of the IP address of the MFP100.

[0095] On the other hand, when it is determined as No in S804 and it is not possible to confirm communication with the DHCP server 103 that was on the network before the change of the destination AP, it means that the MFP100 belongs to a network different from that before the change of the destination AP after the change of the destination AP. That is, the destination AP is on different networks before and after the change. In the case of different networks, problems may occur if the same IP address as before the change of the destination AP is continuously used as the IP address of the MFP100. For example, the IP address of the MFP100 before the change of the destination AP may be used by other devices in the network after the change of the destination AP, and there may be an IP address duplication, resulting in the inability to communicate. Therefore, in this embodiment, in such a case, a request for the assignment of a new IP address is made to the DHCP server. That is, the processes of S806 to S807 are performed.

[0096] In S803, an example of performing a communication check with the DHCP server 103 by Ping has been described. However, any other process may be performed as long as it can confirm whether the MFP100 belongs to the same network as before the change of the destination AP after the change of the destination AP.

[0097] As a communication confirmation method other than Ping, for example, the mechanism of ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) requests may be used. In this case, the MFP 100 performs TCP / IP communication and broadcasts an ARP request message. At this time, the IP address of the DHCP server 103 is set in the message. When the DHCP server 103 receives this message, it returns an ARP reply to the MFP 100. In that case, the MFP 100 can determine that it belongs to the same network. If there is no terminal, DHCP server, etc. corresponding to the IP address set in the ARP request on the network, no reply is returned. Therefore, in that case, the MFP 100 can determine that it does not belong to the same network as before the change of the connection destination AP.

[0098] In addition to the DHCP server, communication confirmation may be performed on external devices that existed in the network to which the connection destination AP belonged before the change. If communication is confirmed, the MFP 100 can determine that it belongs to the same network before and after the change of the connection destination AP. If communication is not confirmed, the MFP 100 can determine that it belongs to different networks before and after the change of the connection destination AP. For example, the communication confirmation target may be, for example, the mobile terminal device 104, the IP address of the default gateway, and the IP address of the router.

[0099] Also, for example, when the host name or IP address of the mobile terminal device 104 is registered in the MFP 100, the MFP 100 may check the connectivity with the mobile terminal device 104. The case where the host name or IP address of the mobile terminal device 104 is registered in the MFP 100 is, for example, the case where it is registered as the destination to which the scanned file is to be sent. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to determine whether the MFP 100 belongs to the same network before and after the change of the connection destination AP. When the host name is stored, name resolution is performed by LLMNR (Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution), NetBIOS, or mDNS. The fact that name resolution has been successful here means that there has been a response from the host itself, so it can be seen that the mobile terminal device 104 belongs to the same network. That is, it can be determined that it is the same network as before the change of the connection destination AP. When the IP address is stored, a connectivity check is performed by Ping on the IP address of the mobile terminal device 104. When connectivity is confirmed, it can be seen that the mobile terminal device 104 belongs to the same network. That is, it can be determined that it is the same network as before the change of the connection destination AP.

[0100] The above description of the process of S707 was about the process during the reception of print data. However, the process of FIG. 7 can also be applied during the reception of other data different from print data or during the transmission of other data. For example, when the reading unit 219 scans a document and transmits the scanned image (image data) to the mobile terminal device 104 via the AP, the process of FIG. 7 can also be applied. In this case, when it is determined as Yes in S706 of FIG. 7 described above, instead of or in addition to the determination of S707, it may be determined whether scanning and transmission are being executed. In that case, if it is determined that scanning and transmission are not being executed, the process proceeds to S709. If it is determined that scanning and transmission are being executed, the processes of S710 to S716 are executed with the above-mentioned "printing" replaced by "scanning and transmission". Also, for example, when transmitting FAX data to an external device via the AP, the process of FIG. 7 can also be applied. In this case, when it is determined as Yes in S706 of FIG. 7 described above, instead of or in addition to the determination of S707, it may be determined whether FAX transmission is being executed. In that case, if it is determined that FAX transmission is not being executed, the process proceeds to S709. If it is determined that FAX transmission is being executed, the processes of S710 to S716 are executed with the above-mentioned "printing" replaced by "FAX transmission".

[0101] The various controls described above as being performed by the CPU 212 may be performed by a single 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. Also, in the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an MFP has been described as an example, but this is not limited to this example and is applicable to any wireless device that functions as a STA capable of processing in response to a change request from an AP. That is, the present invention is applicable to personal computers, PDAs, tablet terminals, mobile phone terminals such as smartphones, music players, game machines, e-book readers, smartwatches, and various measurement devices (sensor devices) such as thermometers and hygrometers. The present invention is also applicable to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, network cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones. The present invention is also applicable to video output devices, audio output devices (for example, smart speakers), media streaming players, wireless LAN slave units (adapters) capable of connecting to USB terminals and LAN cable terminals, etc. The video output device includes, for example, a device such as a set-top box, acquires (downloads) moving images and still images on the Internet specified by a URL instructed from an electronic device, and outputs them to a display device connected via a video output terminal such as HDMI (registered trademark). This realizes streaming playback on the display device or mirroring display (displaying the content displayed on the electronic device also on the display device). The video output device also includes televisions, hard disk recorders, Blu-ray recorders, DVD recorders, any media players, head-mounted displays, projectors, televisions, display devices (monitors), signage devices, etc. The present invention is also applicable to so-called smart home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, lighting fixtures, heating appliances, and cooling appliances that can be connected to Wi-Fi.

[0102] The present invention can also be implemented by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0103] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following electronic devices, control methods, programs, and storage media. (Item 1) Receiving means for receiving a request to change the connection destination AP from the currently connected access point (AP); Changing means for changing the connection destination AP based on the change request; Confirmation means for confirming whether communication can be established with a specific external device that could communicate before the AP change via the AP after the change when changing by the changing means; As a result of the confirmation by the confirmation means, When communication with the specific external device is not possible, perform a specific process for requesting IP address allocation; When communication with the specific external device is possible, control so as not to perform the specific process; Control means An electronic device characterized by having the above. (Item 2) The electronic device according to Item 1, wherein the specific process includes at least one of transmitting a DHCP Discover and transmitting a DHCP Request. (Item 3) The electronic device according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the specific external device is a DHCP server that could communicate before the AP change. (Item 4) The electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the specific external device is any one of a default gateway, a router, and a mobile terminal device that could communicate before the AP change. (Item 5) The confirmation means is the electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 4, characterized in that it confirms whether communication with the specific external device is possible by performing a connectivity check using Ping. (Item 6) After changing the connection destination AP based on the change request during a specific process involving sending and receiving data with other devices via the connected AP, the control means controls to execute the continuation of the specific process when communication with the specific external device is possible as a result of the confirmation by the confirmation means. The electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. (Item 7) After changing the connection destination AP based on the change request during a specific process involving sending and receiving data with other devices via the connected AP, the control means cancels the specific process and controls to transition to a state capable of receiving instructions for other processes when communication with the specific external device is not possible as a result of the confirmation by the confirmation means. The electronic device according to Item 6. (Item 8) The specific process is at least one of printing, scanning and transmitting, and faxing. The electronic device according to Item 6 or 7. (Item 9) The electronic device is the electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 8, characterized in that it performs connection and processing compliant with the standard of AP and IEEE 802.11ax. (Item 10) The electronic device is the electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 9, characterized in that it can perform at least one of processing compliant with Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and processing compliant with Target Wake Time (TWT). (Item 11) The electronic device is the electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 10, characterized in that it can change the connection destination to an AP in the 6 GHz band by changing the connection destination based on the change request. (Item 12) The electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 11, further comprising printing means capable of executing printing processing based on print data received via an AP in connection. (Item 13) A control method executed in an electronic device, a receiving step of receiving a change request for a connection destination AP from an access point (AP) in connection; a changing step of changing the connection destination AP based on the change request; a confirmation step of confirming, when changing in the changing step, whether communication can be performed with a specific external device that could communicate before the AP change via the changed AP; As a result of the confirmation in the confirmation step, when communication with the specific external device is not possible, performing specific processing for requesting assignment of an IP address; when communication with the specific external device is possible, controlling so as not to perform the specific processing; a control step; A control method characterized by comprising: (Item 14) A program for causing at least one computer to function as each means of the electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 12. (Item 15) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each means of the electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 12.

[0104] 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. Therefore, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0105] 100 MFP: 101 AP1: 102 AP2: 103, 105 Server: 104 Mobile Terminal Device: 212 CPU: 213 ROM: 214 RAM

Claims

1. Receiving means for receiving a request to change the destination AP from the currently connected access point (AP); Changing means for changing the destination AP based on the change request; Confirmation means for confirming, when changing by the changing means, whether communication can be established with a specific external device that could communicate before the AP change, via the AP after the change; As a result of the confirmation by the confirmation means, When communication with the specific external device is not possible, performing a specific process for requesting IP address allocation; When communication with the specific external device is possible, controlling so as not to perform the specific process; Control means; An electronic device characterized by comprising the above.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the specific process is a process including at least one of transmission of DHCP Discover and transmission of DHCP Request.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the specific external device is a DHCP server that could communicate before the AP change.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the specific external device is any one of a default gateway, a router, and a mobile terminal device that could communicate before the AP change.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation means confirms whether communication can be established with the specific external device by performing a connectivity check using Ping.

6. After changing the destination AP based on the change request during a specific process involving sending and receiving data with another device via the currently connected AP, the control means controls to execute the continuation of the specific process when communication with the specific external device is possible as a result of the confirmation by the confirmation means. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

7. After changing the destination AP based on the change request during a specific process involving sending and receiving data with another device via the currently connected AP, the control means cancels the specific process and controls to transition to a state capable of receiving instructions for other processes when communication with the specific external device is not possible as a result of the confirmation by the confirmation means. The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized by this.

8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the specific process is at least one of printing, scanning and transmitting, and FAX.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device performs connection and processing in accordance with the standard of IEEE 802.11ax and an AP.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic device can perform at least one of processing compliant with Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and processing compliant with Target Wake Time (TWT).

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic device can change the connection destination to an AP in the 6 GHz band by changing the connection destination based on the change request.

12. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising printing means capable of executing printing processing based on print data received via an AP during connection.

13. A control method executed in an electronic device, a receiving step of receiving a change request for a connection destination AP from an access point (AP) during connection; a changing step of changing the connection destination AP based on the change request; a confirmation step of confirming whether communication can be established with a specific external device that could communicate before the AP change via the AP after the change during the change in the changing step; as a result of the confirmation in the confirmation step, when communication with the specific external device is not possible, performing a specific process for requesting assignment of an IP address; when communication with the specific external device is possible, controlling so as not to perform the specific process, a control step; A control method characterized by comprising:

14. A program for causing at least one computer to function as each means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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