Computer program for terminal device, terminal device, and method for controlling terminal device

Abstract

To provide a novel technique for establishing a wireless connection between a printing device and a terminal device.SOLUTION: A computer program for a terminal device functions a computer of the terminal device as: a first transmission instruction supplying part configured to supply a first transmission instruction for transmitting a specific signal to an OS program of the terminal device; and a second transmission instruction supplying part for supplying a second transmission instruction for transmitting a Probe request including first connection information to the OS program when receiving related information which is an error screen displayed on a display part of the terminal device when a predetermined time elapses after a response to a specific signal is not received after a first transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program, the related information being supplied according to the OS program in response to a predetermined operation of ending display of an error screen displayed on the display part according to the OS program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique related to a terminal device that transmits a probe request including first connection information. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system including a printer, a terminal device, and a normal AP. The terminal device sends a Probe Req. signal including the SSID "YYY" to the printer. At this point, the terminal device does not receive a response signal from the printer. When the printer receives the Probe Req. signal including the SSID "YYY" from the terminal device, it activates an alternative SoftAP. After a predetermined time has passed since sending the Probe Req. signal, the terminal device sends a Probe Req. signal including the SSID "YYY" to the printer. In this case, the terminal device receives a response signal from the printer and establishes a SoftAP connection with the printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-17601 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY Provided herein are novel techniques for establishing a wireless connection between a printing device and a terminal device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a computer program for a terminal device. The computer of the terminal device may function as a first transmission instruction supply unit that supplies a first transmission instruction to an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program of the terminal device for transmitting a specific signal to cause a printing device to operate as a master station of a wireless network, and a second transmission instruction supply unit that supplies a second transmission instruction to the OS program for transmitting a Probe request including first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the printing device, the second transmission instruction being an error screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined time has passed since the first transmission instruction was supplied to the OS program without receiving a response to the specific signal, and related information supplied according to the OS program in response to a predetermined operation to terminate display of the error screen displayed on the display unit according to the OS program is accepted.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the computer program for the terminal device supplies a first transmission instruction to the OS program, and when related information is received, supplies a second transmission instruction to the OS program. In this case, a wireless connection is established between the printing device and the terminal device using the first connection information included in the second transmission instruction. Therefore, a wireless connection can be established between the printing device and the terminal device.

[0007] The present invention also provides a novel and useful computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, a terminal device implemented by the computer program, and a method for controlling the terminal device. The present invention also provides a novel and useful communication system including the terminal device and the printing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of Case A when the OS version is a first predetermined version or higher and the printer is a model that supports Wi-Fi settings. [Figure 3]This is a continuation of Figure 2. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device in case A. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of Case B when the OS version is lower than the first predetermined version and the printer is a model that supports Wi-Fi settings. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of Case C when the OS version is a first predetermined version or higher and the printer is a model that does not support Wi-Fi settings. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case C. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a first setting process executed by an application. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a second setting process executed by an application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a process executed by a terminal device of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Example) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a printer 10, a terminal device 100, and a normal access point 200. Hereinafter, the normal access point 200 will be referred to as a "normal AP 200." Normal AP is an abbreviation for Normal Access Point.

[0010] (Printer 10 configuration) The printer 10 is a peripheral device (i.e., a peripheral device such as a PC) capable of executing a printing function. The printer 10 has a device name "DV1." The device name is a name assigned by a printer administrator. The printer 10 is either a Wi-Fi setting-compatible model or a Wi-Fi setting-incompatible model. The Wi-Fi setting-compatible model is a model that supports a Wi-Fi setting function that establishes a wireless connection between the printer and a normal AP (hereinafter referred to as a "normal AP connection") without the user operating the printer. The Wi-Fi setting-incompatible model is a model that does not support the Wi-Fi setting function. The printer 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, and a wireless interface 20. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0011] The operation unit 12 is an I / F that allows the user to input various information to the printer 10. The operation unit 12 includes, for example, a touch panel for displaying software keys (operation objects), hardware keys, or both. The hardware keys include, for example, buttons or switches. The display unit 14 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The panel may or may not be a touch panel. The panel may also be, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0012] The print execution unit 16 includes an inkjet, electrophotographic, or thermal print engine. An inkjet print engine includes a print head that ejects ink droplets. An electrophotographic print engine includes a photosensitive member and an exposure device that emits light to expose the photosensitive member. A thermal print engine includes a print head that generates heat using a heater.

[0013] The wireless I / F 20 is an I / F for performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11. Specifically, the wireless I / F 20 can establish a normal AP connection with the normal AP 200 in accordance with IEEE 802.11. In this case, the printer 10 can participate as a slave station in a wireless network in which the normal AP 200 operates as a master station (hereinafter referred to as a "normal APNW (abbreviation for normal AP Network)"). The printer 10 can then perform wireless communication with other devices (e.g., the terminal device 100) belonging to the normal APNW via the normal AP 200.

[0014] The wireless I / F 20 particularly supports the SoftAP (Software Access Point) function of IEEE802.11. When the SoftAP of the wireless I / F 20 is activated, the printer 10 operates as an AP (i.e., a parent station) of the wireless network and can establish a wireless connection (hereinafter referred to as a "SoftAP connection") with another device (e.g., the terminal device 100). In other words, the other device can participate as a child station in the wireless network (hereinafter referred to as a "SoftAPNW (SoftAP Network)") in which the printer 10 operates as the parent station.

[0015] The wireless I / F 20 is physically a single interface. However, the wireless I / F 20 is assigned a first MAC address for establishing a normal AP connection and a second MAC address for establishing a SoftAP connection. The first MAC address and the second MAC address are different. Therefore, the printer 10 can simultaneously perform both wireless communication using a normal AP connection and wireless communication using a SoftAP connection via the wireless I / F 20. In a modified example, the interface for performing wireless communication using a normal AP connection and the interface for performing wireless communication using a SoftAP connection may be configured on physically different chips.

[0016] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. As an example, the main storage device includes a RAM and a cache memory. As an example, the auxiliary storage device may be a ROM, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a combination thereof. A program 40 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 34. The CPU 32 performs various processes in accordance with the program loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0017] If the printer 10 is a Wi-Fi setting compatible model, the memory 34 further stores first SoftAP information 42. The first SoftAP information 42 is information used in a first SoftAPNW formed by the first SoftAP. The first SoftAP is activated in response to receiving a signal corresponding to a Wi-Fi setting function from the terminal device 100. The first SoftAP information 42 is determined in advance by the vendor of the printer 10. The first SoftAP information 42 includes the SSID "SETUP-AUTO", the password "AAA", etc. SSID is an abbreviation for Service Set Identifier.

[0018] If the printer 10 is a model that does not support Wi-Fi settings, the memory 34 also stores second SoftAP information 44. The second SoftAP information 44 is information used in a second SoftAPNW. The second SoftAP is activated in response to the operation of the Wi-Fi button on the operation unit 12 of the printer 10. The second SoftAP information 44 is determined in advance by the vendor of the printer 10. The second SoftAP information 44 is information different from the first SoftAP information 42. The second SoftAP information 44 includes the SSID "XXX", the password "BBB", etc.

[0019] (Configuration of terminal device 100) The terminal device 100 is a terminal device such as a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a tablet PC, etc. The terminal device 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a wireless I / F 120, and a control unit .

[0020] The operation unit 112 is a user interface that allows a user to input various information to the terminal device 100. The operation unit 112 includes, for example, a touch panel for displaying software keys (operation objects), hardware keys, or both. The hardware keys include, for example, buttons or switches. The display unit 114 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The panel may or may not be a touch panel. The panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The wireless I / F 120 has a configuration similar to that of the wireless I / F 20 of the printer 10.

[0021] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. An OS program 140 and an application program 142 are stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 134. OS stands for Operating System. Hereinafter, the OS program 140 and the application program 142 will be referred to as "OS 140" and "app 142," respectively. The OS 140 controls the basic operations of the terminal device 100. Examples of the OS 140 include iOS (registered trademark) and Android (registered trademark). The app 142 is a program for establishing a normal AP connection between the printer and the normal AP 200. Hereinafter, various processes implemented by the CPU 132 according to a program may be described as being performed primarily by the OS 140 or the app 142. The auxiliary storage device of the memory 134 further stores setting start information 144, third SoftAP information 146, and fourth SoftAP information 148. The setting start information 144 is information for activating the first SoftAP of the printer, which establishes a normal AP connection with the normal AP 200. The third SoftAP information 146 is the same as the first SoftAP information 42. The fourth SoftAP information 148 is the same as the second SoftAP information 44 in the printer 10.

[0022] (Normal AP200 configuration) The normal AP 200 is a well-known AP known as a wireless AP, a wireless LAN router, or the like, and is different from a SoftAP. The normal AP 200 relays communications between a pair of devices that have established a normal AP connection with the normal AP 200. The pair of devices is a pair of slave stations (e.g., a printer 10 and a terminal device 100) that belong to a normal APNW. The normal AP 200 stores normal AP information 220 currently used in the normal APNW. The normal AP information 220 includes an SSID "YYY" and a password "CCC."

[0023] (Specific case) Specific cases executed by the communication system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] (Figures 2 to 4; Case A) Case A will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. In Case A, a normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200. In Case A, the version of the OS 140 is a first predetermined version or higher. The printer 10 is a Wi-Fi setting-compatible model. Note that, hereinafter, all communications performed by the printer 10 and the terminal device 100 are performed via the wireless I / F 20 of the printer 10 and the wireless I / F 120 of the terminal device 100. Therefore, the phrase "via the wireless I / Fs 20 and 120" will be omitted. The application 142 accesses each piece of hardware, such as the display unit 114, the memory 134, and the wireless I / F 120, via the OS 140 to perform various processes. In the following, the description will appropriately omit the fact that the application 142 performs processes via the OS 140. In the following, screens and dialogs mainly displayed by the application 142 are indicated by thin lines, and screens and dialogs mainly displayed by the OS 140 are indicated by thick lines. Further, below, there is a description corresponding to "supplying instructions / information to OS 140 / application 142." This description can also be interpreted as "supplying instructions / information to CPU 132 (computer) that operates in accordance with OS 140 / application 142."

[0025] At T10, the user executes an application activation operation on the terminal device 100 to activate the application 142. As a result, at T12, the application 142 displays a home screen on the display unit 114. The home screen includes a search button and the like that causes the terminal device 100 to search for a device with which to establish a normal AP connection. The search button is also a button for activating the SoftAP of a printer that supports Wi-Fi settings. While the application 142 is activated, the application 142 operates in either a non-controlled state in which operation (control) by the application 142 is not restricted, or a controlled state in which operation by the application 142 is restricted. The restricted state is a state in which the OS 140 does not execute an operation based on information or instructions supplied from the application 142. When the application 142 is activated, the application 142 starts operating in a controlled state. At T14, the user executes a search operation on the terminal device 100 by selecting a search button on the home screen. As a result, the application 142 determines that it has accepted an operation of the search button, and identifies the setup start information 144 (i.e., the SSID "SETUP-START") in the memory 134. Next, the application 142 provides the OS 140 with a first transmission instruction including the identified SSID "SETUP-START." The first transmission instruction is a signal for causing the OS 140 to transmit a first Probe request including the SSID "SETUP-START." Next, at T18, the application 142 displays a search screen SC2 including a search dialog 302 on the display unit 114. As shown in FIG. 4, the search screen SC2 and the search dialog 302 include a message indicating that a search is currently being conducted for devices present near the terminal device 100.

[0026] 2, when the OS 140 receives a first transmission instruction from the application 142, the OS 140 broadcasts a first probe request including the SSID "SETUP-START" at T20. If the OS 142 does not receive a probe response to the first probe request, the OS 142 repeatedly transmits the first probe request.

[0027] When the printer 10 receives a first Probe request from the terminal device 100 at T20, it determines that the request includes the SSID "SETUP-START." In this case, the printer 10 activates the first SoftAP at T22 using the third SoftAP information 146 in the memory 134. This transitions the operating state of the printer 10 from a state in which it does not belong to the first SoftAPNW to a master station state in which it operates as a master station of the first SoftAPNW. By including the SSID "SETUP-START" in this way, the first Probe request functions as a signal to activate the printer as a master station of the first SoftAPNW. Furthermore, because the printer 10 has not activated a SoftAP that uses the SSID "SETUP-START," it does not transmit a Probe response to the first Probe request.

[0028] When a first predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed since the application 142 supplied the first transmission instruction to the OS 140, the application 142 supplies a stop instruction to the OS 140 at T30. The stop instruction is a signal for causing the OS 140 to stop transmitting the first Probe request.

[0029] When the OS 140 receives a cancel instruction from the app 142 at T30, the OS 140 cancels the transmission of the first Probe request. Next, at T32, the OS 140 displays a first error dialog 310 on the search screen SC2. As shown in FIG. 4 , the first error dialog 310 includes a message indicating that the device search has been canceled by the app 142 and an OK button 312. In response to the first error dialog 310 being displayed mainly by the OS 140, the app 142 transitions from a controlled state to an uncontrolled state. The user operates the OK button 312 on the first error dialog 310 at T34 in FIG. 2 . As a result, the OS 140 terminates the display of the first error dialog 310 at T36 and supplies an operational instruction to the app 142 at T38. The operational instruction is a signal for transitioning the app 142 from the uncontrolled state to the controlled state.

[0030] When the application 142 receives an operation instruction from the OS 140 in T38, it transitions from the non-controlled state to the controlled state and resumes operation. The application 142 identifies the setup start information 144 (i.e., SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and password "AAA") in the memory 134. Next, in T40, the application 142 provides the OS 140 with a second transmission instruction including the identified SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and password "AAA". The second transmission instruction is a signal that causes the OS 140 to transmit a second Probe request including the identified SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and password "AAA". T42 is the same as T18.

[0031] When the OS 140 receives the second transmission instruction from the application 142 in T40, the OS 140 broadcasts a second Probe request including the SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and the password "AAA" in T44.

[0032] When the printer 10 receives the second Probe request from the terminal device 100 at T44, the printer 10 activates the first SoftAP that uses the SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and the password "AAA", and therefore at T46 sends a Probe response to the terminal device 100 that includes the SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and the device name "DV1".

[0033] When the OS 140 receives a Probe response from the printer 10 in T46, the OS 140 displays a confirmation dialog 320 on the search screen SC2 in T50 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the confirmation dialog 320 includes the received SSID "SETUP-AUTO," the received device name "DV1," a cancel button 322, and a connect button 324. The confirmation dialog 320 is a screen for confirming the printer with which a normal AP connection is to be established. The user operates the connect button 324 on the confirmation dialog 320 in T52 of FIG. 3. As a result, the OS 140 displays a connecting dialog 330 on the search screen SC2 in place of the confirmation dialog 320 in T54. As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting dialog 330 includes a message indicating that a SoftAP connection with the printer is being established. The OS 140 executes a first SoftAP connection process to establish a first SoftAP connection with the printer 10 in T60 of FIG. 3. Specifically, the OS 140 transmits an association request including the SSID "SETUP-AUTO" to the printer 10 and receives an association response including the SSID "SETUP-AUTO" from the printer 10. The OS 140 also communicates various signals (for example, a 4-way handshake) with the printer 10 and establishes a first SoftAP connection with the printer 10 at T62. As a result, the terminal device 100 participates as a slave station in the first SoftAPNW in which the printer 10 operates as a master station.

[0034] In T70, the OS 140 displays an input screen SC4 on the display unit 114. As shown in FIG. 4, the input screen SC4 includes a first input object 340 for inputting an SSID, a second input object 342 for inputting a password, and an OK button 344. The input screen SC4 is a screen for inputting the SSID and password used in the normal APNW in which the printer 10 will participate as a slave station. In T72 of FIG. 3, the user inputs the SSID "YYY" into the first input object 340, inputs the password "CCC" into the second input object 342, and operates the OK button 344. As a result, in T74, the OS 140 transmits a normal AP connection instruction to the printer 10, including the input SSID "YYY" and password "CCC."

[0035] When the printer 10 receives a normal AP connection instruction from the terminal device 100 in T74, it executes a first normal AP connection process using the SSID "YYY" and password "CCC" included in the instruction. In the first normal AP connection process, the printer 10 communicates various signals with the normal AP 200. The various signal communications include sending a probe request including the SSID "YYY," receiving a probe response including the SSID "YYY," sending an association request including the SSID "YYY," receiving an association response including the SSID "YYY," and a 4-way handshake. As a result, a normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200 in T82. That is, the printer 10 participates as a child station in the normal APNW formed by the normal AP 200, which is the parent station. Therefore, the printer 10 can communicate with other devices via the normal AP 200. For example, the printer 10 can receive an image file representing an image from the other device via the normal AP 200 and cause the print execution unit 16 to print the image. At T90, the printer 10 transmits establishment information indicating that a normal AP connection has been established to the terminal device 100. Note that before or after the normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200, the first SoftAP connection between the printer 10 and the terminal device 100 is disconnected.

[0036] In T90, the application 142 receives establishment information from the printer 10 via the OS 140, and in T92, causes the display unit 114 to display a completion screen indicating that a normal AP connection has been established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200. Note that in a modified example, T90 and T92 can be omitted.

[0037] (Case B; Figure 5) Case B will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In Case B, a normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200. In Case B, the version of the OS 140 is lower than the first predetermined version. Also, the printer 10 is a model that supports Wi-Fi settings.

[0038] Steps T110 to T130 are the same as steps T10 to T30 in FIG. 2. Unlike when the version of the OS 140 is equal to or higher than the first predetermined version, when the version of the OS 140 is lower than the first predetermined version, the OS 140 does not display the first error dialog 310 on the display unit 114 even if a stop instruction is received from the application 142. Therefore, the application 142 does not transition from the controlled state to the uncontrolled state after the stop instruction is supplied to the OS 140. In this case, the application 142 supplies a second transmission instruction to the OS 140 in T140 without receiving an operation instruction from the OS 140. Thereafter, processing similar to steps T50 to T80 in FIG. 3 is executed between the printer 10, the terminal device 100, and the normal AP 200. As a result, a normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200 in T182.

[0039] (Case C; Figure 6) Case C will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In case C, a normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200. In case C, the version of the OS 140 is a first predetermined version or higher. Furthermore, the printer 10 is a model that does not support Wi-Fi settings. In the initial state of case C, a normal AP connection is established between the terminal device 100 and the normal AP 200. That is, the memory 134 of the terminal device 100 stores the SSID "YYY" and password "CCC" used in the normal APNW.

[0040] First, the same processes as T10 to T14 in Fig. 2 are executed. T216 to T220 are the same as T16 to T20 in Fig. 2. Since the printer 10 is a model that does not support Wi-Fi settings, even if it receives a first Probe request from the terminal device 100, it does not activate the first SoftAP.

[0041] Next, the same processes as T30 to T38 in Fig. 2 are executed. T240 to T244 are the same as T40 to T44 in Fig. 2. Since the printer 10 in this case does not activate the first SoftAP, even if it receives a second Probe request from the terminal device 100, it does not transmit a Probe response to that request.

[0042] Because the application 142 does not receive a Probe response from the printer 10, at T250, the application 142 displays a second error dialog 350 on the search screen SC2. As shown in FIG. 7, the second error dialog 350 includes a message indicating that the device was not detected and an OK button 352. The user operates the OK button 352 on the second error dialog 350 at T252 in FIG. 6. As a result, the application 142 displays a second input screen SC10 on the display unit 114 at T254 in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the second input screen SC10 includes a third input object 360 for inputting a device name and an OK button 362. The second input screen SC10 is a screen for inputting the device name of the printer with which a normal AP connection is to be established. The user inputs the device name "DV1" and operates the OK button 362 at T256 in FIG. 6. As a result, the application 142 displays an operation screen SC12 on the display unit 114 at T258. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation screen SC12 includes a message for prompting the user to operate the Wi-Fi button of the printer 10.

[0043] At T260 in FIG. 6 , the user operates the Wi-Fi button included in the operation unit 12 of the printer 10. As a result, at T262, a second normal AP connection process is executed between the printer 10, the terminal device 100, and the normal AP. The second normal AP connection process includes a SoftAP activation process, a first establishment process, an AP information communication process, and a second establishment process. The SoftAP activation process is a process in which the printer 10 activates the second SoftAP. The first establishment process is a process in which a second SoftAP connection is established between the terminal device 100 and the printer 10 operating as the second SoftAP. The AP information communication process is a process in which the terminal device 100 transmits the SSID "YYY" and the password "CCC" to the printer 10 using the second SoftAP connection. The second establishment process is a process in which the printer 10 establishes a normal AP connection with the normal AP 200 using the SSID "YYY" and the password "CCC" that it has received. As a result, a normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200 in T264.

[0044] (First setting process; Figure 8) The first setting process executed by the application 142 of the terminal device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The application 142 executes the process of Fig. 8 when the application 142 is started.

[0045] In S10, the application 142 monitors whether the search button on the home screen is operated. If the application 142 receives an operation of the search button, it determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12.

[0046] In S12, the application 142 supplies a first transmission instruction including the SSID "SETUP-START" to the OS 140 (T16 in FIG. 2, T116 in FIG. 5, T216 in FIG. 6).

[0047] In S14, the application 142 displays the search screen SC2 including the search dialogue 302 on the display unit 114 (T18 in FIG. 2, T118 in FIG. 5, T218 in FIG. 6).

[0048] In S20, the application 142 determines whether the version of the OS 140 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined version. If the version of the OS 140 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined version (YES in S20), the application 142 proceeds to S22. On the other hand, if the version of the OS 140 is less than the first predetermined version (NO in S20), the application 142 proceeds to S30.

[0049] In S22, the application 142 monitors whether a first predetermined time has elapsed since the first transmission instruction was supplied to the OS 140. If the first predetermined time has elapsed, the application 142 determines YES in S22 and proceeds to S24.

[0050] In S24, the application 142 supplies a stop instruction to the OS 140 (T30 in FIG. 2). Thus, the application 142 stops transmitting the first Probe request when a first predetermined time has elapsed since the application 142 supplied the first transmission instruction to the OS 140. The OS 140 automatically stops transmitting the first Probe request when a second predetermined time has elapsed since the application 142 received the first transmission instruction without receiving a Probe response to the first Probe request, even if the application 142 does not receive a stop instruction. However, the second predetermined time is longer than the first predetermined time. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the application 142 does not supply a stop instruction to the OS 140, the time from the supply of the first transmission instruction to the OS 140 until the first error dialog 310 is displayed can be shortened. As a result, the time until a SoftAP connection is established between the terminal device 100 and the printer 10 can be shortened.

[0051] In S26, the application 142 monitors whether an operation instruction has been received from the OS 140. If an operation instruction has been received from the OS 140 (T38 in FIG. 2), the application 142 determines YES in S26 and proceeds to S40.

[0052] S30 and S32 are the same as S22 and S24, respectively. When S30 ends, the application 142 proceeds to S40 without monitoring whether an operation instruction has been received from the OS 140. In this way, the application 142 switches whether to execute S24 depending on the version of the OS 140. Therefore, a SoftAP connection can be established between the terminal device 100 and the printer 10 regardless of whether the version of the OS 140 is the first predetermined version or higher.

[0053] In S40, the application 142 supplies a second transmission instruction including the SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and the password "AAA" to the OS 140 (T40 in FIG. 2, T140 in FIG. 5, and T240 in FIG. 6). S42 is the same as S14. As described above, the information included in the first Probe request and the second Probe request is different. Specifically, the SSID included in the first Probe request and the second Probe request is different. This allows the printer 10 to appropriately execute processing corresponding to the SSID included in each Probe request.

[0054] In S50, the application 142 determines whether or not a probe response has been received from the printer 10. If the application 142 receives a probe response from the printer 10 (YES in S50) (T46 in FIG. 2, T146 in FIG. 5), the application 142 ends the processing of FIG. 8. Thereafter, T50 to T80 in FIG. 3 are executed between the printer 10, the terminal device 100, and the normal AP 200, and a normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200 (T82 in FIG. 3, T182 in FIG. 5). On the other hand, if the application 142 does not receive a probe response from the printer 10 (NO in S50), the application 142 proceeds to S60. Note that a case where NO is determined in S50 is when the printer 10 is a model that does not support Wi-Fi settings (case C in FIG. 6).

[0055] In S60, the application 142 executes a second setting process (see FIG. 9). The second setting process is a process for establishing a normal AP connection between the printer 10, which is a model that does not support Wi-Fi settings, and the normal AP 200. When S60 ends, the application 142 ends the process in FIG. 8.

[0056] (Second setting process; Figure 9) The second setting process executed in S60 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0057] In S80, the application 142 displays the second error dialog 350 on the search screen SC2 (T250 in FIG. 6).

[0058] In S82, the application 142 monitors whether the OK button 352 on the second error dialog 350 is operated. If the OK button 352 is operated (T252 in FIG. 6), the application 142 determines YES in S82 and proceeds to S84.

[0059] In S84, the application 142 displays the second input screen SC10 on the display unit 114 (T254 in FIG. 6).

[0060] In S86, the application 142 monitors whether an operation to input a device name is being performed. If an operation to input a device name is received (T256 in FIG. 6), the application 142 determines YES in S86 and proceeds to S88.

[0061] In S88, the application 142 displays the operation screen SC12 on the display unit 114 (T258 in FIG. 6).

[0062] In S90, the application 142 executes the second normal AP connection process (T262 in FIG. 6). As a result, a normal AP connection is established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200 (T264 in FIG. 6). When S90 ends, the application 142 ends the process in FIG. 9.

[0063] (Effects of this embodiment) Before describing the effects of this embodiment, a process implemented by a terminal device 400 of a comparative example will be described with reference to Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 10, an OS 440 and an application 442 are stored in the memory of the terminal device 400. The version of the OS 440 is a first predetermined version or higher. The application 442 differs from the application 142 of the terminal device 100 in that it does not execute S20 to S24 in the first setting process of Fig. 8.

[0064] 10 are the same as T10 to T30 in FIG. 2 except that the communication target is the terminal device 400. In response to receiving a stop instruction from the application 442 at T330, the OS 440 displays the first error dialog 310 on the search screen SC2 at T332. In response to the first error dialog 310 being displayed, the application 442 transitions from the controlled state to the uncontrolled state. Since the first setting process does not include the process of monitoring whether an operation instruction has been received from the OS 440 (S26 in FIG. 8), the application 442 terminates the first setting process in response to the transition to the uncontrolled state. T334 to T338 are the same as T34 to T38 in FIG. 2. As described above, since the application 442 has terminated the first setting process, even if it receives an operation instruction from the OS 440 at T338, it does not supply a second transmission instruction to the OS 440. 2 and T50 to T82 in Fig. 3 are not executed. That is, the first SoftAP connection is not established between the printer 10 and the terminal device 400. As a result, a normal AP connection is not established between the printer 10 and the normal AP 200.

[0065] According to the above configuration, the application 142 supplies a first transmission instruction to the OS 140 (S12 in FIG. 8), and when an operation instruction is received from the OS 140 (YES in S24), the application 142 supplies a second transmission instruction to the OS 140 (S40). In this case, a SoftAP connection is established between the printer 10 and the terminal device 100 using the SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and password "AAA" included in the second transmission instruction. Therefore, a wireless connection can be established between the printer 10 and the terminal device 100.

[0066] In particular, in this embodiment, the application 142 includes a process for monitoring whether the first setting process has received an operation instruction from the OS 440 (S26 in FIG. 8), and therefore does not terminate the first setting process even when the application 142 transitions to the non-controlled state. Therefore, in response to receiving an operation instruction from the OS 140, the application 142 supplies a second transmission instruction to the OS 140. As a result, T60 in FIG. 3 is executed, and a first SoftAP connection is established between the printer 10 and the terminal device 100 (T62 in FIG. 3).

[0067] (Correspondence) The application 142 is an example of a "computer program for a terminal device." The printer 10 is an example of a "printing device." The first SoftAPNW is an example of a "wireless network." The first Probe request T20 in FIG. 2 is an example of a "specific signal." The first error dialog 310 in FIG. 4 is an example of an "error screen." T34 in FIG. 2 is an example of a "predetermined operation." The operation instruction T38 in FIG. 2 is an example of "related information." The first SoftAP connection is an example of a "wireless connection with a printing device." The SSID "SETUP-AUTO" and the password "AAA" are examples of "first connection information." The second Probe request T42 in FIG. 2 is an example of a "Probe request." The version of the OS 140 being equal to or higher than a first predetermined version is an example of "within a predetermined version range." The SSID "SETUP-START" is an example of "second connection information." The SSID "SETUP-AUTO" is an example of a "first SSID." The SSID “SETUP-START” is an example of a “second SSID.” The first predetermined time is an example of a “predetermined time.”

[0068] T16 in Fig. 2 and S12 in Fig. 8 are examples of processing executed by the "first transmission instruction supply." T40 in Fig. 2 and S40 in Fig. 8 are examples of processing executed by the "second transmission instruction supply unit."

[0069] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0070] (First Modification) The "printing device" is not limited to a printer, but may be a multifunction device having a scanning function in addition to a printing function, a copier, or the like.

[0071] (Second Variant) The "related information" is not limited to an operation instruction, but may be information indicating that the display of the first error dialog 310 has ended, or information indicating that restrictions on the operation of the app 142 have been lifted, etc.

[0072] (Third Modification) In S20 of Fig. 8, the application 142 may determine whether the OS version is equal to or greater than a first predetermined version and less than a second predetermined version that is greater than the first predetermined version. In this modification, the OS version being greater than the first predetermined version and less than a second predetermined version is an example of "within a predetermined version range."

[0073] (Fourth Modification) In an environment where all OS versions are equal to or higher than the first predetermined version, S20, S30, and S32 in FIG. 8 can be omitted.

[0074] (Fifth Modification) The "specific signal" is not limited to a Probe request, and may be Service Discovery or the like. Generally speaking, the "specific signal" may be any signal that triggers the printer 10, which is a Wi-Fi setting compatible model, to activate the first SoftAP. When the application 142 sends Service Discovery instead of the first Probe request, the Service Discovery does not need to include the SSID "SETUP-START." In this modification, the "first connection information" can be omitted.

[0075] (Sixth Modification) The information included in the first probe request and the information included in the second probe request may be the same. That is, the first probe request and the second probe request may include the SSID "SETUP-SUTO" and the password "AAA". In this modification, the OS 140 broadcasts the first probe request only once.

[0076] (Seventh Modification) S22 and S30 in FIG. 8 can be omitted. In this modification, if a third predetermined time has elapsed since the OS 140 received the first transmission instruction from the application 142 without receiving a response to the first Probe request from the printer 10, the OS 140 cancels the transmission of the first Probe request and displays a first error dialog 310 on the search screen SC2. The third predetermined time is longer than the first predetermined time. In this modification, the third predetermined time is an example of a "predetermined time." In this modification, the "cancellation instruction supply unit" can be omitted.

[0077] (Eighth Modification) The application 142 is not limited to a resident application, but may be a non-resident application.

[0078] (Ninth Modification) In each of the above embodiments, the processes of FIGS. 2 to 9 are realized by software (e.g., programs 140 and 142), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0079] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

[0080] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing, even if each claim is dependent on only some of the claims, this does not mean that each claim can be dependent on only those some of the claims. To the extent that there is no technical contradiction, each claim can also be dependent on other claims that were not dependent on it at the time of filing. In other words, the technologies of each item can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The computer of the terminal device, a first transmission instruction supply unit that supplies a first transmission instruction to an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program of the terminal device, for transmitting a specific signal to cause the printing device to operate as a master station of a wireless network; a second transmission instruction supply unit that supplies to the OS program a second transmission instruction for transmitting a Probe request including first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the printing device, the second transmission instruction being an error screen that is displayed on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined time has passed without receiving a response to the specific signal after the first transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program, and when related information supplied in accordance with the OS program is accepted in response to a predetermined operation that ends the display of the error screen that is displayed on the display unit in accordance with the OS program; A computer program that functions as a (Item 2) When the version of the OS program is within a predetermined version range, the error screen is displayed on the display unit by the computer in accordance with the OS program; If the version of the OS program is outside the range of the predetermined version, the error screen is not displayed, The second transmission instruction supply unit If the version of the computer program is within the predetermined version range and the related information is acquired, supply the second transmission instruction to the OS program; 2. The computer program of claim 1, wherein, if the version of the computer program is outside the range of the specified version, after the first transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program, the second transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program without the related information being acquired. (Item 3) 3. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the first connection information includes information for joining the wireless network as a slave station. (Item 4) 4. The computer program of claim 1, wherein the specific signal is a Probe request including second connection information. (Item 5) Item 5. The computer program of item 4, wherein the first connection information and the second connection information are different. (Item 6) the first connection information includes a first SSID (abbreviation of Service Set Identifier); Item 6. The computer program of item 5, wherein the second connection information includes a second SSID that is different from the first SSID. (Item 7) the specific signal is repeatedly transmitted by the computer in accordance with the OS program, The computer program further causes the computer to: when the predetermined time has elapsed since the supply of the first transmission instruction, the device functions as a stop instruction supply unit that supplies a stop instruction to the OS program for stopping transmission of the specific signal; 7. The computer program of claim 1, wherein if a response to the specific signal is not received from the printing device and the abort instruction is supplied to the OS program, the error screen is displayed on the display unit by the computer in accordance with the OS program. (Item 8) A terminal device, A display unit; A memory that stores an OS (short for Operating System) program and a computer program; A computer, Equipped with The computer program causes the computer to: a first transmission instruction supply unit that supplies a first transmission instruction to the OS program for transmitting a specific signal to cause the printing device to operate as a master station of a wireless network; a second transmission instruction supply unit that supplies to the OS program a second transmission instruction for transmitting a Probe request including first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the printing device, the second transmission instruction being an error screen that is displayed on the display unit when a predetermined time has passed without receiving a response to the specific signal after the first transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program, and when related information that is supplied in accordance with the OS program in response to a predetermined operation that ends the display of the error screen that is displayed on the display unit in accordance with the OS program is accepted; A terminal device that functions as a (Item 9) 1. A method for controlling a terminal device, comprising: a first transmission instruction supply step of supplying a first transmission instruction to an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program of the terminal device, the first transmission instruction being for transmitting a specific signal for causing the printing device to operate as a master station of a wireless network; a second transmission instruction supply step of supplying to the OS program a second transmission instruction for transmitting a Probe request including first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the printing device, the second transmission instruction being an error screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined time has passed without receiving a response to the specific signal after the first transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program, and when related information supplied in accordance with the OS program is accepted in response to a predetermined operation for terminating the display of the error screen displayed on the display unit in accordance with the OS program; A method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 2: communication system, 10: printer, 12: operation unit, 14: display unit, 16: print execution unit, 20: wireless I / F, 30: control unit, 32: CPU, 34: memory, 40: program, 42: first SoftAP information, 44: second SoftAP information, 100: terminal device, 112: operation unit, 114: display unit, 120: wireless I / F, 130: control unit, 132: CPU, 134: memory, 140: OS program, 142: application program, 144: setting start information, 146: third SoftAP information, 148: fourth SoftAP information, 200: normal access point, 220: normal AP information

Claims

1. A computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The computer of the terminal device, a first transmission instruction supply unit that supplies a first transmission instruction to an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program of the terminal device, for transmitting a specific signal to cause the printing device to operate as a master station of a wireless network; an error screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined time has passed without receiving a response to the specific signal after the first transmission instruction has been supplied to the OS program, and a second transmission instruction supply unit supplies the OS program with a second transmission instruction to transmit a Probe request including first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the printing device when related information supplied in accordance with the OS program is accepted in response to a predetermined operation for terminating the display of the error screen displayed on the display unit in accordance with the OS program; A computer program that functions as a

2. When the version of the OS program is within a predetermined version range, the error screen is displayed on the display unit by the computer in accordance with the OS program; If the version of the OS program is outside the range of the predetermined version, the error screen is not displayed, The second transmission instruction supply unit If the version of the computer program is within the predetermined version range and the related information is accepted, supply the second transmission instruction to the OS program; 2. The computer program of claim 1, wherein, if the version of the computer program is outside the range of the specified version, after the first transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program, the related information is not accepted and the second transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program.

3. The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection information includes information for joining the wireless network as a slave station.

4. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the specific signal is a Probe request including second connection information.

5. The computer program product of claim 4 , wherein the first connection information and the second connection information are different.

6. the first connection information includes a first SSID (abbreviation of Service Set Identifier); The computer program product of claim 5 , wherein the second connection information includes a second SSID that is different from the first SSID.

7. The specific signal is repeatedly transmitted by the computer in accordance with the OS program, The computer program further causes the computer to: when the predetermined time has elapsed since the supply of the first transmission instruction, the device functions as a stop instruction supply unit that supplies a stop instruction to the OS program to stop transmission of the specific signal; 2. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein when the stop instruction is supplied to the OS program without receiving a response to the specific signal from the printing device, the error screen is displayed on the display unit in accordance with the OS program.

8. A terminal device, A display unit; A memory for storing an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program and a computer program; A computer, Equipped with The computer program causes the computer to: a first transmission instruction supply unit that supplies a first transmission instruction to the OS program for transmitting a specific signal to cause the printing device to operate as a master station of a wireless network; an error screen that is displayed on the display unit when a predetermined time has passed without receiving a response to the specific signal after the first transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program, and a second transmission instruction supply unit that supplies, to the OS program, a second transmission instruction for transmitting a Probe request that includes first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the printing device when related information supplied in accordance with the OS program is accepted in response to a predetermined operation that ends the display of the error screen that is displayed on the display unit in accordance with the OS program; A terminal device that functions as a

9. 1. A method for controlling a terminal device, comprising: a first transmission instruction supply step of supplying a first transmission instruction to an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) program of the terminal device, the first transmission instruction being for transmitting a specific signal for causing the printing device to operate as a master station of a wireless network; a second transmission instruction supply step of supplying to the OS program a second transmission instruction for transmitting a Probe request including first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the printing device, the second transmission instruction being an error screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined time has passed without receiving a response to the specific signal after the first transmission instruction is supplied to the OS program, and when related information supplied in accordance with the OS program is accepted in response to a predetermined operation for terminating the display of the error screen displayed on the display unit in accordance with the OS program; A method comprising:

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