Program, terminal device, and method

Abstract

To provide a program for efficiently executing setup processing for a peripheral device.SOLUTION: When a peripheral device of a specific mode is found by a second program having a function not related to peripheral device setup, the second program passes information on the peripheral device of the specific mode to a first program having a function related to setup when the first program having a function related to setup is started. The started first program controls the peripheral device of the specific mode to be connected to the network to which the terminal device belongs, on the basis of the information on the peripheral device of the specific mode, without searching for peripheral devices in the network to which the terminal device belongs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a terminal device, and a method capable of executing connection settings for a peripheral device to a wireless network. [Background technology]

[0002] There are many types of devices (hereinafter referred to as peripheral devices) that can be connected to a terminal device and used, such as printers, cameras, smart devices, and home appliances. All of these peripheral devices can be connected to a local area network (LAN) by operating the terminal device or the peripheral device, and can be used from the terminal device via the LAN. Furthermore, LANs are sometimes constructed as wireless networks, which offer the convenience of being able to install devices anywhere, compared to wired networks. However, it can be difficult for users to operate the operations required to join communication devices such as peripheral devices to a wireless network. Patent Document 1 describes how an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application or app) installed on a terminal device detects a printer that is in a state where connection settings to a wireless LAN are possible (referred to as a wireless setting mode or a network setup mode). It also describes how connection settings for the detected printer to the wireless LAN are performed by passing connection information to the wireless LAN to which the terminal device is connected to the detected printer.

[0003] When a printer needs to connect to a wireless LAN, it enters wireless setting mode automatically or by a user operating the printer's control panel. Detecting a printer in wireless setting mode means that the printer becomes an access point (AP) and an application on the terminal device detects the AP. The application establishes a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection between the terminal device and the printer, which is acting as an AP. The application then transmits information about the previously connected wireless LAN, such as the AP's SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and passphrase, to the printer, thereby setting up the printer's connection to the wireless LAN. After completing the wireless LAN connection setup, the printer exits wireless setting mode and connects to the AP specified by the terminal device. The terminal device then returns to its previous connection to the AP. Generally, when a printer is first used, it is necessary to perform processes including the wireless LAN connection setup and the installation of related applications. The application responsible for these tasks is sometimes called a setup application, which performs the printer setup process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-191252 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a setup application is launched, the setup application executes a process to identify peripheral devices to be set up. However, when the setup application is launched from another application, the peripheral devices to be set up may have already been identified in the other application. In this case, the process in the setup application becomes redundant or redundant.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a program, a terminal device, and a method for efficiently executing a setup process for a peripheral device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the program of the present invention is a program for setting up a peripheral device in a terminal device, the program including a first program having a function related to the setup of the peripheral device and a second program having a function not related to the setup of the peripheral device, the second program causes the terminal device to function as a search means for searching for a peripheral device of a specific mode and a launch means for launching the first program, and when a peripheral device of the specific mode is discovered by the search means, the launch means passes information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to the first program when launching the first program, and the first program launched by the launch means controls the peripheral device of the specific mode to be connected to the network to which the terminal device belongs based on the information about the peripheral device of the specific mode, without searching for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the setup process for a peripheral device can be efficiently executed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of each device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen of a portal application. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing screen transitions. [Figure 6]10 is a flowchart showing a process of a portal application. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of an application A. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen of an application A. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of an application A. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of a portal application. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen of a portal application. [Figure 13] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 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 scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the communication system includes an information processing device 101, a communication device 103, and an access point (AP) 102 that is external to the information processing device 101 and external to the communication device 103. The AP 102 has an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​for identification by other devices. The information processing device 101 designates the SSID of the AP 102 to connect to the AP 102 via a wireless LAN, and the communication device 103 designates the SSID of the AP 102 to connect to the AP 102 via a wireless LAN, thereby enabling communication between the devices. Furthermore, the information processing device 101 and the communication device 103 can communicate via a peer-to-peer connection (P2P connection) when either one of them operates as an AP. Furthermore, if the communication device 103 has an operation unit, a user can directly operate the communication device 103 for use. Furthermore, if communication with the information processing device 100 is possible, the communication device 103 can be operated from the information processing device 100.

[0012] The information processing device 101 is a device having a wireless communication function via a wireless LAN or the like. Note that hereinafter, wireless LAN may be referred to as WLAN. The information processing device 101 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other personal information terminal, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a digital camera, a personal computer (PC), or the like. The communication device 103 is a device having a wireless communication function via a wireless LAN or the like. The communication device 103 may be a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, or the like, which have a communication function. In this embodiment, a PC is described as an example of the information processing device 101, and a printing device (printer) having a printing function is described as an example of the communication device 103. The printer may be an MFP that has not only a printing function but also a reading function (scanner), a fax function, and a telephone function. Note that MFP is an acronym for Multi Function Peripheral. Specifically, the AP 102 is, for example, a wireless LAN router.

[0013] 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a communication system including a PC 101 and a printer 103 in this embodiment. The PC 101 has a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 206, an external storage device 207, a display device 208, and an input interface 209. The CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 206, etc. form a computer, PC 101, that executes a program. The PC 101 also has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 205, a wired LAN interface 210, and a wireless LAN interface 211. The PC 101 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and may have appropriate functional blocks that can be executed by a device applied as the PC 101.

[0014] The CPU 201 is a processor that reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM 202. The control program controls the entire PC 101 and executes the processes shown in the flowcharts described below. As a result of executing the control program, various functions of the PC 101 are realized, such as controlling communications with external devices such as the printer 103, generating print jobs to be output to the printer 103, and issuing network setup instructions. The RAM 206 is composed of a DRAM or SRAM that requires a backup power source, and is used as a memory area for temporarily storing setting information, management data, and the like when the PC 101 is operating. The RAM 206 is also used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 201, and as a transmission buffer for temporarily storing print jobs generated to be sent to the printer 103.

[0015] The ROM 202 stores a program 203 corresponding to various processes, including a network setup process program for transmitting setting information of an external access point (AP) to a printer, a wireless profile 204, and the like. The external storage device 207 also stores an operating system (OS), a printer driver, and various other data. The display device 208 is composed of an LED (light-emitting diode) and an LCD (liquid crystal display), and displays various user interface screens for the OS and the program 203 and notifies the status of the PC 101. The input interface 209 is an interface for accepting data input and user instruction operations from a user by operating an operation unit such as a keyboard. The operation unit may be a physical keyboard, physical buttons, or the like, or may be a soft keyboard, soft buttons, or the like displayed on the display device 208. In other words, the input interface 209 may accept input from a user via the display device 208.

[0016] The network setup processing program is an application program for performing connection settings with an AP to which the printer 103 is connected, and may have functions other than the network setup function. The network setup processing program is also referred to as a setup application hereinafter. The setup application is stored in the ROM 202 by being installed from an external server via Internet communication via the wireless LAN interface 211, for example. The setup application is also assumed to be an application program provided by the vendor of the printer 103.

[0017] ROM 202 also stores network information. The network information includes IP addresses assigned to the wireless LAN interface 211 and wired LAN interface 210 of PC 101, and the IP address and subnet mask of the AP to which PC 101 is currently connected. The network information also includes wireless profiles of APs to which PC 101 has previously connected. In other words, ROM 202 stores history information of APs to which PC 101 has previously connected. The wireless profile information includes the SSID, security settings, and password of the AP to which PC 101 has previously connected.

[0018] The wired LAN interface 210 and the wireless LAN interface 211 are configured to connect to external devices such as the printer 103 and the AP 102 and perform data communication. For example, the wireless LAN interface 211 can be connected to an access point (not shown) within the printer 103. The wireless LAN interface 211 controls the transmission and reception of data in accordance with the communication standard defined by IEEE 802.11 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 201. The wireless communication method used in this case is, for example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) defined by the industry group Wi-Fi Alliance, which is defined as a standard for wireless LANs. The wireless LAN interface 211 also has an access point within the PC 101 for connecting to devices such as the printer 103. This access point is generally called tethering. The wireless LAN interface 256 of the printer 103 can be connected to this access point. When the wireless LAN interface 211 enables the access point, the PC 101 operates as an access point. The PC 101 and the printer 103 can communicate with each other by connecting the wireless LAN interface 256 to the access point in the wireless LAN interface 211. Furthermore, if the wireless LAN interface 211 of the PC 101 is connected to the Internet, the printer 103 can also be connected to the Internet via the wireless LAN interface 211.

[0019] The PC 101 can establish a peer-to-peer connection (P2P connection, direct connection) with the printer 103 via a USB cable 221 or via a wireless direct connection 224 using the wireless LAN interface 211. The PC 101 can also connect to the LAN 222 via an Ethernet cable 225, and if the printer 103 can also connect to the LAN 222, the PC 101 and the printer 103 can communicate with each other in the same LAN 222 environment. Furthermore, the PC 101 can connect to the AP 102 via the wireless LAN interface 211, and the AP 102 can connect to the LAN 222 via an Ethernet cable 226, thereby enabling the PC 101 to connect to the LAN 222. If the printer 103 can also connect to the AP 102, the PC 101 and the printer 103 can communicate with each other via the AP 102.

[0020] The printer 103 has a CPU 252, a ROM 253, a RAM 258, a display device 259, an input interface 260, a USB interface 251, a wireless LAN interface 256, and a wired LAN interface 257. The CPU 252, the ROM 253, the RAM 258, etc. form a computer of the printer 103 that executes programs. The printer 103 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 1, and may have appropriate functional blocks that can be executed by a device (for example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP)) that is used as the printer 103.

[0021] The CPU 252 is a processor that reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM 253, and controls the entire printer 103 according to the control program. As a result of the execution of the control program, various functions of the printer 103, such as communication control with external devices such as the PC 101, are realized. The RAM 258 is composed of DRAM, SRAM, or the like that requires a backup power source, and is used as a memory area for storing temporary setting information, management data, and the like when the printer 103 is operating. The RAM 258 is also used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 252, and may also function as a receive buffer for temporarily holding print information received from the PC 101, etc.

[0022] The ROM 253 is a non-volatile flash memory that stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and the embedded OS executed by the CPU 252. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 253 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 253.

[0023] The ROM 253 stores a program 254, a wireless profile 255, and the like. Here, the wireless profile 255 is information including the SSID and authentication information (password, etc.) of the AP connected to the wireless LAN interface 256. The wireless profile 255 is stored and managed by the CPU 252 executing the program 254 included in the ROM 253. For example, when the printer 103 is turned on, the printer 103 can reconnect to the previous network by using the wireless profile 255. Furthermore, for example, the printer 103 may be configured to manage multiple wireless profiles, like the OS of the PC 101.

[0024] The ROM 253 also stores a unique SSID that is uniquely set for the printer 103. Here, the unique SSID is uniquely determined for the printer manufacturer and printer model, and the wireless LAN interface 256 of the printer 103 can operate as an AP corresponding to this unique SSID. Therefore, the PC 101 can connect to the printer 103 operating as an AP corresponding to the unique SSID via the wireless direct connection 224, just like when connecting to the AP 102.

[0025] The display device 259 is configured with an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays various menus and notifies the status of the printer 103. The input interface 260 is an interface for accepting data input from the user and user instruction operations by operating an operation unit such as a keyboard. The operation unit may be a physical keyboard, physical buttons, etc., or a soft keyboard, soft buttons, etc. displayed on the display device 259. In other words, the input interface 260 may accept input from the user via the display device 259.

[0026] The printing unit 261 forms an image on a recording medium, such as cut paper, by ejecting a recording agent such as ink onto the recording medium based on image data, and outputs the print result. Furthermore, if it is determined that the power-on is due to arrival of the printer, the printing unit 261 is configured to perform an initial setup process, including cleaning the print head and adjusting the registration to adjust the ink ejection position. The printing unit 261 may be configured to use not only an inkjet recording method, but also other recording methods such as an electrophotographic method. Furthermore, the printer 103 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and may have other configurations (not shown).

[0027] The following describes the modes and connection methods for performing wireless communication using a wireless LAN interface.

[0028] <Direct connection method> A direct connection refers to a form in which devices are directly and wirelessly connected to each other without going through an external device such as the AP 102. A direct connection is also called a peer-to-peer connection (P2P connection). The printer 103 can operate in a mode for communication via a direct connection (direct connection mode) as one of the connection modes. In Wi-Fi communication, there are multiple modes for communication via a direct connection, such as software AP mode and Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode.

[0029] The mode in which a direct connection is established using WFD is called WFD mode. WFD is a standard established by the Wi-Fi Alliance and is included in the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards. In WFD mode, after a device discovery command is used to discover a communication partner, the roles of P2P group owner (GO) and P2P client are determined, and the remaining wireless connection processing is carried out. The group owner corresponds to a Wi-Fi parent station (parent device), and the client corresponds to a Wi-Fi child station (child device). This role determination is called GO Negotiation. Note that in WFD mode, before the role determination is made, the printer 103 is neither a parent station nor a child station. Specifically, one device first issues a device discovery command to search for a device to connect to in WFD mode. Once the other device has been discovered, the two devices confirm information about the services and functions that can be provided by each other. Note that this device provisioning information confirmation is optional and not required. This device provisioning information confirmation phase corresponds, for example, to P2P Provision Discovery. Next, by mutually confirming this device provision information, they decide which will be the P2P client and which will be the P2P group owner. Once the client and group owner are decided, they exchange parameters for WFD communication. Based on the exchanged parameters, the remaining wireless connection processing and IP connection processing are performed between the client and group owner. Note that in WFD mode, the printer 103 may always operate as the GO without executing the above-mentioned GO Negotiation. In other words, the printer 103 may operate in WFD mode, which is an autonomous GO mode. Furthermore, the state in which the printer 103 operates in WFD mode refers to, for example, a state in which a WFD connection has not been established but the printer 103 is operating as the GO, or a state in which a WFD connection has been established and the printer 103 is operating as the GO.

[0030] In software AP mode, between devices communicating with each other (for example, PC 101 and printer 103), one device (for example, PC 101) acts as a client that requests various services. The other device realizes the function of a Wi-Fi access point through software settings. The software AP corresponds to a Wi-Fi parent station, and the client corresponds to a Wi-Fi child station. In software AP mode, the client searches for a device that will become the software AP using a device search command. Once the software AP is found, the remaining wireless connection processing (establishing a wireless connection, etc.) between the client and the software AP is carried out, and then IP connection processing (assigning an IP address, etc.) is carried out. Note that commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the software AP may be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and therefore will not be described here.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the printer 103 establishes and maintains a direct connection, it operates as a master station in the network to which the printer 103 belongs. A master station is a device that builds a wireless network and provides parameters used to connect to the wireless network to slave stations. The parameters used to connect to the wireless network are, for example, parameters related to the channel used by the master station. By receiving the parameters, the slave stations connect to the wireless network built by the master station using the channel used by the master station. In the direct connection mode, the printer 103 operates as a master station, and therefore can determine which frequency band and which channel to use for communication in the direct connection mode.

[0032] <About infrastructure connection methods> An infrastructure connection is a connection mode in which devices (for example, PC 101 and printer 103) connect to an access point (for example, AP 102) that manages a network of communicating devices, and the devices communicate with each other via the access point. The printer 103 can also operate in a mode for communicating via an infrastructure connection (infrastructure connection mode) as one of its connection modes.

[0033] In an infrastructure connection, each device searches for an access point using a device search command. Once an access point is found, the remaining wireless connection processing (establishing a wireless connection, etc.) is carried out between the device and the access point, and then the IP connection processing (assigning an IP address, etc.) is carried out. Note that the commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between a device and an access point can be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and so a description of them will be omitted here.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the printer 103 operates via an infrastructure connection, the AP 102 operates as a parent station, and the printer 103 operates as a child station. That is, in this embodiment, the infrastructure connection refers to the connection between the printer 103 operating as a child station and the AP 102 operating as a parent station. When the printer 103 has established an infrastructure connection and the PC 101 has also established an infrastructure connection with the AP 102, communication between the printer 103 and the PC 101 via the AP 102 becomes possible. The channel used for communication in the infrastructure connection is determined by the AP 102, and the printer 103 performs communication in the infrastructure connection using the channel determined by the AP 102. Note that, in order to communicate with the printer 103 via the AP 102, the PC 101 needs to recognize (search and discover) that the printer 103 belongs to the network formed by the AP 102 and to which the PC 101 belongs.

[0035] <About Network Setup Mode> The printer 103 can operate in network setup mode. The trigger for the printer 103 to start operating in the network setup mode may be, for example, a user pressing a network setup mode button, or the printer 103 starting up (powering on) for the first time after arrival. The network setup mode button may be a hardware (physical) button provided on the printer 103, or may be a software button that the printer 103 displays on the display device 259.

[0036] When the printer 103 starts operating in the network setup mode, it enables Wi-Fi communication. Specifically, as part of the Wi-Fi communication enablement process, the printer 103 enables an internal AP (setup AP) of the printer 103 that is dedicated to the network setup mode. The SSID of the setup AP corresponds to the unique SSID described above. This enables the printer 103 to establish a direct Wi-Fi connection with the PC 101. It is assumed that connection information (SSID and password) for connecting to the setup AP is stored in advance in the portal application 321 or application A 322 installed on the PC 101. In other words, it is assumed that the PC 101 recognizes the connection information for connecting to the setup AP in advance. Therefore, unlike the connection information of the AP enabled in the direct connection mode, it is assumed that the connection information for connecting to the setup AP cannot be arbitrarily changed by the user. Note that in the network setup mode, the printer 103 may connect to the PC 101 via Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) instead of regular Wi-Fi. That is, the printer 103 may operate as a group owner and receive network information from the PC 101 through WFD communication. Also, in the network setup mode, the printer 103 may connect to the PC 101 through Bluetooth. Here, Bluetooth includes Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). That is, for example, the printer 103 may operate as a BLE slave device in the network setup mode and receive network information from the PC 101 through BLE communication. Also, in the network setup mode, the printer 103 may be capable of performing both network setup via Wi-Fi and network setup via BLE. That is, when the printer 103 starts operating in the network setup mode, it may enable both Wi-Fi communication and BLE communication.Specifically, when the printer 103 starts operation in the network setup mode, it may execute both the activation of the setup AP and the activation of the advertising state in which advertising information is transmitted via BLE and BLE connection is possible. The printer 103 may also receive network information from the PC 101 via a wired LAN or USB.

[0037] As described above, the printer 103 operates in a network setup mode for executing network setup of the printer 103 in response to certain conditions, including when the user presses a button or during initial installation. When operating in the network setup mode, the printer 103 controls the wireless LAN interface 256 to operate as a setup AP that is valid only while operating in the network setup mode. This setup AP is an access point that is different from the access point that is enabled in the soft AP mode described above. The SSID of this setup AP includes a predetermined character string that can be recognized by the portal application 321 and application A 322.

[0038] Furthermore, the printer 103 operating in the network setup mode uses a predetermined communication protocol (setup communication protocol) in communication with the PC 101 connected to the setup AP. Specifically, the setup communication protocol is, for example, the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

[0039] After starting operation in network setup mode, the printer 103 stops operation in network setup mode and disables the setup AP when a predetermined time has elapsed. Also, if the printer 103 receives connection information for connecting to an external AP and an instruction to change the wireless communication operation mode from the PC 101 while in network setup mode, the printer 103 disables the setup AP.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the PC 101. That is, FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the configuration of the program 203. The software configuration of the PC 101 includes an OS 310, an application package 320, a portal application 321, an application A 322, and an application B 330. As an example, the description will be given assuming that Windows 10 is installed as the OS 310. The application package 320 includes the portal application 321 and the application A 322. That is, in this embodiment, multiple applications providing different functions are provided to the user as a single application. One method for providing the application package 320 to the user is, for example, providing it from the Internet via the Microsoft Store (registered trademark). In this embodiment, when the application package 320 is downloaded and installed on the PC 101, the portal application 321 and the application A 322 are simultaneously downloaded and installed. The portal application 321 and the application A 322 are applications related to the printer 103 and provide functions that can be commonly used for multiple printers 103. For example, the portal application 321 can display status information of the printer 103 (e.g., the status of printer consumables) or instruct the printer 103 to perform a specific function (e.g., printing or scanning with the printer). The application A322 provides a wireless network setup function including connection settings to a wireless LAN that connects the printer 103 to a predetermined AP 102. In other words, the application A322 corresponds to the above-mentioned setup application.

[0041] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the application A322 can be launched based on a launch instruction issued from the portal application 321. A launch method in which the application A322 is launched based on a launch instruction issued from the portal application 321 is called cooperative launch from the portal application 321. It is assumed that the application A322 cannot be launched without a launch instruction issued from the portal application 321. In other words, it is assumed that the application A322 can only be launched through cooperative launch from the portal application 321.

[0042] The downloading and launching methods of the portal application 321 and the application A322 are not limited to the above. The portal application 321 and the application A322 may be downloaded and installed separately without being packaged. The application A322 may be capable of being launched without a launch instruction issued from the portal application 321. For example, the launching method without a launch instruction issued from the portal application 321 is a method of launching based on a launch instruction issued when an icon corresponding to the application A322 displayed on the top screen of the PC 101 is operated by the user. The icon corresponding to the application A322 may be displayed on a list screen that displays a list of programs owned by the PC 101, for example. This launching method without a launch instruction issued from the portal application 321 is called independent launching.

[0043] The application B330 is an application that can execute processes requiring specific privileges, such as administrator privileges in the OS 310. Examples of processes requiring administrator privileges include reading profile information containing specific information stored in the ROM 202, such as a passphrase used by the PC 101 when connecting to a wireless LAN. When the application B330 is launched, the display device 208 prompts the user for permission to execute the process with administrator privileges. For example, in Windows, a User Account Control (UAC) prompts the user to select whether to grant permission for the application B330 to execute the process with administrator privileges. If the user grants permission via the display device 208, the application B330 starts the process with administrator privileges. If the user does not grant permission via the display device 208, the application B330 terminates without starting the process. The application package 320 distributed from the Microsoft Store (registered trademark) described above cannot execute processes with administrator privileges. Therefore, when the application A322 included in the application package 320 executes a process requiring administrator privileges, such as reading profile information related to connection settings to a wireless LAN, the application B330 executes the process via the application B330. Furthermore, application B330 may be configured to be downloaded to PC 101 from a server managed by the manufacturer of printer 103 before the processing of application A322 is executed, or may be configured to be downloaded from the server to PC 101 when the processing is executed.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a top screen displayed by the portal application 321. The portal application 321 displays an image or character string that allows the printer 103 to be selected to be recognized in a display area 403. For example, an image of the printer model or the model name is displayed in the display area 403. In FIG. 4, "Printer A" is selected as an example. The portal application 321 also stores a list of selectable printers 103. The list of selectable printers 103 is, in other words, a list of printers 103 registered in the portal application 321. When a model change button 404 is pressed, the selected printer 103 is changed from among the printers 103 included in the list. Thereafter, the portal application 321 sets the selected printer 103 from among the printers 103 included in the list as a communication partner. Specifically, for example, the portal application 321 transmits a print job or a scan job to the selected printer 103 in a print function or a scan function, which will be described later. Furthermore, for example, the portal application 321 acquires status information from the selected printer 103 and displays the status of the selected printer 103. The displayed status may be, for example, the power status of the printer 103 or the status of ink held by the printer 103. The list of selectable printers 103 held by the portal application 321 is created, for example, by acquiring a list of print queues of printers managed by the OS 310 and extracting only printers 103 whose driver names assigned to each print queue contain a specific character string. This allows the portal application 321 to create a list in which, for example, only printers 103 of the manufacturer are selectable.

[0045] The portal application 321 provides functions that can be commonly used by multiple printers 103. For example, the functions include a print function for causing the printer 103 to print and a scan function for causing the printer 103 to scan. In this embodiment, the print functions include a photo print function and a document print function. For example, when a photo print button 401 for executing the photo print function is pressed, the portal application 321 displays a screen for receiving an instruction as to which image file to print from among image files (not shown) stored in the ROM 202. The portal application 321 then reads out the specified image file and transmits a print job for printing the selected image file to the printer 103 selected by the model switch button 404. Furthermore, when a document print button 402 for executing the document print function is pressed, the portal application 321 displays a screen for receiving an instruction as to which document file to print from among document files (not shown) stored in the ROM 202. The portal application 321 then reads out the specified document file and transmits a print job for printing the selected document file to the printer 103 selected by the model switching button 404. When the add printer button 405 is pressed, the portal application 321 also launches the application A322 included in the application package 320. The launched application A322 executes a setup process for the printer 103 and adds the new printer 103 to a print queue of printers managed by the OS 310, thereby adding the new printer 103 to the list of selectable printers 103 described above.

[0046] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing when the portal application 321 is started. The portal application 321 starts the processing in Fig. 6 when it is started in response to a start-up operation by the user. The processing in Fig. 6 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 206 and executing it. The processing of the portal application 321 by the CPU 201 will be described below.

[0047] In S601, the portal application 321 refers to the list of selectable printers and checks whether one or more printers are registered in the list of selectable printers held by the portal application 321. If it is determined that no printers are registered, the process proceeds to S602. In S602, a setup guide screen 500 such as that shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The screen includes a message instructing the user to perform printer setup, a "Setup Now" button, and an "Exit Application" button. Note that this screen may also include a message indicating that the portal application 321 cannot be used if the user does not have a printer supported by the portal application 321, or a message urging the user to register a printer in the portal application 321. At this point, the printer to be set up has not been discovered by the portal application 321, so the printer identification information is not displayed on the setup guide screen 500.

[0048] In S603, the portal application 321 determines whether to execute the setup process based on the user operation accepted on the setup guide screen displayed in S602. Specifically, for example, if it is determined that the "Exit Application" button has been pressed, it determines not to execute the setup process, and if it is determined that the "Setup Now" button has been pressed, it determines to execute the setup process.

[0049] If it is determined in S603 that the setup process is to be executed, then in S604 the portal application 321 executes a process for launching the application A322. The launch instruction issued here includes a launch parameter including information indicating that the launch instruction is from the portal application 321. In this embodiment, the launch parameters issued in this process do not include model information of the printer 103. When this launch instruction is issued, the application A322 is launched. After S604, in S612 the portal application 321 displays the top screen 400, and then ends the process in FIG. 6. If it is determined in S603 that the setup process is not to be executed, the launch of the portal application 321 is terminated, and the process in FIG. 6 ends.

[0050] The determination performed in S601 is not limited to the above-described form. The determination performed in S601 may be processing for determining whether the launch of the portal application 321, which triggered the start of the processing of this flowchart, is the first launch. If it is determined that the launch of the portal application 321 is the first launch, the process may proceed to S602. If it is determined that the launch of the portal application 321 is not the first launch, the process may proceed to S605. The determination performed in S601 may also be processing for determining whether one or more print queues corresponding to the printer corresponding to the portal application 321 exist among the print queues managed by the OS 310. The printer corresponding to the portal application 321 is, for example, a certain model of printer provided by the same vendor as the vendor that provides the portal application 321. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and the printer corresponding to the portal application 321 may be all printers provided by the same vendor as the vendor that provides the portal application 321.

[0051] If it is determined in S601 that one or more printers have been registered, in S605 the portal application 321 executes processing to search for APs present around the PC 101. Specifically, the portal application 321 instructs, for example, the OS to search for APs present around the PC 101. In response to this instruction, the OS executes a search for APs present around the PC 101 and notifies the portal application 321 of information on all discovered APs. Note that the search executed by the OS here is a search executed by passive scanning to obtain information on surrounding APs (AP information). Passive scanning refers to receiving Beacon frames periodically transmitted by APs. The AP information includes information such as the SSID, encryption method, and radio wave strength. As described above, a printer in network setup mode operates using a setup AP, and the setup AP has an SSID that includes a predetermined string recognizable by the portal application 321 and application A 322. For example, the SSID of the setup AP includes a string indicating the printer vendor (manufacturer), the printer model, and the printer's serial number. The predetermined character string could be, for example, a character string indicating the printer vendor or the printer model. Specifically, if the manufacturer is "AAA," the printer model is "PRINTER_B," and the serial number is "XXXXX...12345," the SSID of the setup AP is determined using the manufacturer name, model name, and part of the serial number: "AAA_PRINTER_B_12345." Note that "XXXXX...12345" in the above example indicates that the last five digits of the serial number are "12345." This SSID arrangement makes it possible to identify each printer, even if the same manufacturer and printer model are in network setup mode. The above SSID is just an example; any SSID that can identify the model name or part of the serial number will suffice.

[0052] In S606, the portal application 321 searches for APs around the PC 101 to determine whether an AP corresponding to the SSID of the printer in network setup mode has been detected (discovered). Specifically, the portal application 321 determines whether a character string indicating the printer vendor included in the received AP information matches a predetermined character string indicating the printer supported by the portal application 321. More specifically, for example, the portal application 321 determines whether an AP corresponding to an SSID starting with "AAA_" has been detected. If the received AP information contains a character string that matches the predetermined character string indicating the printer supported by the portal application 321, the portal application 321 determines that an AP corresponding to the SSID of the printer in network setup mode has been detected. Note that in this determination, it may also be determined whether a character string indicating the printer model matches a predetermined character string indicating the printer supported by the portal application 321.

[0053] If it is determined in S606 that the SSID of a printer in network setup mode has not been detected, this means that there is a printer registered in the portal application 321, but there is no printer in network setup mode nearby. In this case, in S612, the portal application 321 displays the top screen 400, and then ends the processing of FIG.

[0054] If it is determined that one or more APs corresponding to the SSID of the printer in network setup mode have been detected, in S607 the portal application 321 acquires model information from the SSID detected in S606. In this embodiment, the model information is information including the printer model name and part of the serial number. Specifically, for example, if the SSID is "AAA_PRINTER_B_12345," the model name "PRINTER_B" and part of the serial number "12345" are acquired as the model information.

[0055] In S608, the portal application 321 determines, based on the model name acquired in S607, whether the printer transmitting AP information including an SSID containing a predetermined character string is a printer supported by the portal application 321. Specifically, in the above example, it determines whether "PRINTER_B" is included in a list of model names supported for setup processing that is predetermined in the portal application 321. Alternatively, it may refer to a list of model names supported for setup processing that is predetermined in the application A322 and determine whether "PRINTER_B" is included.

[0056] If the determination in S608 is NO, this means that there is a printer registered in the portal application 321, but there is no printer in the surrounding area that is in a supported network setup mode. In this case, in S612, the portal application 321 displays the top screen 400, and then ends the processing in Fig. 6. If it is determined that the printer whose SSID has been detected is one that supports setup processing, in S609, the portal application 321 displays a setup guide screen.

[0057] Screen 700 in FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setup guide screen displayed by portal application 321 in S609. The setup guide screen 700 includes a message indicating that a printer that can be set up has been found and the printer's identification information, a "Later" button, and an "Add Printer" button. The setup guide screen 700 displays, as an example of the printer's identification information, the model name "PRINTER_B" and part of the serial number "12345." Note that the printer's identification information does not have to be displayed on the setup guide screen 700. The "Later" button is a button that can accept a selection instruction not to set up, and the "Add Printer" button is a button that can accept a selection instruction to set up.

[0058] In S610, the portal application 321 determines whether to execute the setup process based on the user operation accepted on the setup guide screen displayed in S609. Specifically, for example, if it is determined that the “Later” button has been pressed, it determines not to execute the setup process, and if it is determined that the “Add Printer” button has been pressed, it determines to execute the setup process.

[0059] If it is determined in S610 that the setup process is to be executed, in S611 the portal application 321 executes processing for launching the application A322. Specifically, the portal application 321 issues a launch instruction for launching the application A322. The issued launch instruction includes launch parameters including the model information acquired in S607 and information indicating that the launch instruction is from the portal application 321. The OS uses the launch parameters in the issued launch instruction to launch the application A322. Then, in S612, the portal application 321 displays the top screen 400. The processing for launching the application A322 by including the model information in the launch parameters is, in other words, processing for passing the model information to the application A322 when launching the application A322. In other words, the launch of the application A322 in S611 differs from the launch of the application A322 in S604 in that the launch parameters for launching the application A322 include the model information. In step S611, the example in which the model information is included in the startup parameters has been described, but the process may not include the model information in the startup parameters. For example, the portal application 321 may pass the model information to the application A322 along with the startup parameters.

[0060] If it is determined in S610 that the setup process is not to be executed, the portal application 321 displays the top screen 400 in S612 without starting the application A322, and then ends the process of FIG.

[0061] In this embodiment, when one or more printers are registered, a nearby printer in network setup mode that can support setup processing is detected, and an instruction to execute the setup processing is received from the user, the portal application 321 starts the application A322 with model information included in the start-up parameters. Also, when no printers are registered, the portal application 321 starts the application A322 in S604. That is, the start-up of the application A322 in S604 differs from the start-up of the application A322 in S611 in that the start-up parameters for starting the application A322 do not include model information.

[0062] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by application A322. For example, the processing in Fig. 8 is started when application A322 is co-launched from portal application 321 in S611 and S604 in Fig. 6. The processing in Fig. 8 is realized, for example, by CPU 201 reading a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 206 and executing it. The processing of application A322 by CPU 201 will be described below.

[0063] In S801, the application A322 determines whether model information is included in the startup parameters used to start the application A322. Here, the model information is, for example, the model name and part of the serial number. If it is determined that model information is not included in the startup parameters, the application A322 executes normal setup processing in S802. The process proceeds to S802 when, for example, the process of S604 in FIG. 6 is executed. The process of S802 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10. Note that, as described above, the application A322 may be capable of being started independently. The parameters used for independent startup do not include model information. Therefore, if the application A322 is started independently, the process proceeds to S802.

[0064] If it is determined in S801 that the startup parameters include model information, the process proceeds to S803. The process proceeds to S803 when, for example, the process of S611 in FIG.

[0065] In S803, the application A322 displays the processing screen 701. Then, the application A322 acquires model information of the printer to be set up from the startup parameters.

[0066] In S804, the application A322 determines the SSID of the printer in network setup mode from the model information acquired in S803. Specifically, for example, the application A322 determines the SSID to be "AAA_PRINTER_B_12345" using the manufacturer name "AAA," the model name "PRINTER_B," and part of the serial number "12345."

[0067] In S805, the application A322 executes an AP search for the SSID determined in S804. Specifically, the application A322 notifies the OS of the SSID determined in S804, thereby instructing the OS to search for an AP having the SSID. The search instruction executed at this time is different from the search instruction executed in S605 or S1003. In response to this instruction, the OS searches for the AP notified by the application A322 and notifies the application A322 whether the AP has been found. In S806, the application A322 executes acquisition of information corresponding to the model name, i.e., information about the model that is the target of the setup process. In this embodiment, the processing of S805 and the processing of S806 are executed in parallel. However, this is not limited to this form, and the processing of S805 and the processing of S806 may be executed sequentially.

[0068] The AP search performed in S805 is performed, for example, by passive scanning or active scanning with a specified SSID. Information about the model that is the target of the setup process is acquired, for example, by downloading it from a server managed by the manufacturer. Information about the model includes, for example, the communication interface types supported by the model and a driver installer corresponding to the model. The driver installer corresponds, for example, to application B330.

[0069] In S807, the application A322 determines whether or not information about the model that is the target of the setup process has been acquired. If it is determined that information about the model that is the target of the setup process has not been acquired, in S808 the application A322 displays a screen (not shown) containing a message that indicates that acquisition of information about the model that is the target of the setup process has failed, and then ends the processing of Fig. 8. On the other hand, if it is determined that information about the model that is the target of the setup process has been acquired, the process proceeds to S809.

[0070] In S809, the application A322 determines whether an AP with the SSID determined in S804 was detected in the AP search in S805. If it is determined in S804 that an AP with the SSID determined in S804 was not detected, in S812 the application A322 displays a setup screen that allows selection of a connection method corresponding to the model that is the target of the setup process, and executes the setup process. Thereafter, the process in FIG. 8 ends.

[0071] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a setup screen displayed in S812 from which a connection method can be selected. The connection method selection screen 900 includes a message 901 that prompts the user to select a printer connection method, connection method selection items 902, and a button 903 for confirming the connection method. The connection method selection items 902 are, for example, in the form of radio buttons, and allow the user to select the connection method from USB connection, wired connection, and wireless connection. The displayed selection items are switched between visible and hidden based on information about the model that is the target of the setup process, for example, the communication I / F type supported by the model that is the target of the setup process.

[0072] For example, if "wireless connection" is selected on the connection method selection screen 900, in S812, setup processing is executed, including processing for setting up the printer's connection to a wireless LAN and processing for print settings by the PC 101. The processing for setting up the printer's connection to a wireless LAN is processing in which the PC 101 temporarily establishes a P2P connection with the target printer in network setup mode, and connects the target printer to the AP by transmitting information such as the SSID and passphrase of the AP to which the PC 101 was previously connected. The print setting processing by the PC 101 is processing in which, for example, a driver installer for the target printer is started, thereby setting up the target printer so that it can be used by the PC 101.

[0073] For example, if "wired connection" is selected on the connection method selection screen 900, in S812, setup processing is executed, including wired LAN connection processing for the printer and print setting processing for the PC 101. The wired LAN connection processing for the printer is, for example, processing for setting up a connection using a LAN cable. The print setting processing for the PC 101 is, for example, processing for checking whether the target printer exists within the LAN to which the PC 101 belongs, and if the target printer exists within the LAN, starting the driver installer for the target printer to set up the target printer so that it can be used by the PC 101.

[0074] For example, if "USB connection" is selected on the connection method selection screen 900, in S812, setup processing including printer USB connection processing and PC 101 print setting processing is executed. The printer USB connection processing is, for example, processing for performing connection settings via a USB cable. The PC 101 print setting processing is, for example, processing for checking whether PC 101 is connected to the target printer via a USB cable, and if connected to the target printer, starting the driver installer for the target printer to perform settings so that PC 101 can start using the target printer.

[0075] If it is determined in S804 that an AP with the SSID determined has been detected, in S810 the application A322 stops displaying the processing screen 701 and displays a confirmation screen 702 for the model that is the target of the setup process. The confirmation screen 702 is a screen for confirming with the user whether or not to execute the setup process. The confirmation screen 702 displays information about the printer that is the target of the setup process and that has the AP with the SSID determined in S804. Specific examples of the printer information displayed include the serial number and model name of the printer. The confirmation screen 702 also displays AP information that will be sent to the printer during the setup process. Specific examples of the AP information displayed include the SSID included in the AP information. Specific examples of the AP information displayed here include the AP information of the AP to which PC 101 is currently connected.

[0076] In S811, the application A322 determines whether or not to execute setup processing for the printer corresponding to the AP determined to have been detected in S809. Specifically, for example, if an instruction to execute setup processing is received on the confirmation screen displayed in S810, it is determined that setup processing will be executed. If it is determined that setup processing will not be executed, in S812 the application A322 displays a setup screen that allows selection of a connection method corresponding to the model that is the target of setup processing, and executes setup processing. Thereafter, the processing of FIG. 8 ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that setup processing will be executed, the process proceeds to S813.

[0077] In S813, the application A322 executes a wireless setup process for the printer that is the target of the setup process. The application A322 then displays a screen 703 indicating that the setup process is in progress. In S813, the setup process includes a process for setting up the printer's connection to the wireless LAN and a process for print settings by the PC 101. The process for setting up the printer's connection to the wireless LAN is a process in which the PC 101 temporarily establishes a P2P connection with the target printer in network setup mode, and connects the target printer to the AP by transmitting information such as the SSID and passphrase of the AP to which the PC 101 was previously connected. The print setting process by the PC 101 is a process in which the driver installer for the target printer is started, for example, to set up the target printer so that it can be used by the PC 101. Thereafter, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

[0078] The following describes a case where application A322 is started without model information being included in the start-up parameters.

[0079] 10 is a flowchart showing the normal setup process of S802, which is executed when the application A322 is launched without including model information in the launch parameters. The process of FIG. 10 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 206 and executing it. 6. Hereinafter, the processing of application A322 by CPU 201 will be described.

[0080] First, a case where application A322 is launched from portal application 321 in S802 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Screen transitions by application A322 will also be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that the screens in Fig. 5 are merely examples, and the configuration of each screen is not limited to that shown in Fig. 5.

[0081] In S1001, the application A322 displays the printer power confirmation screen 501 shown in Fig. 5. The power confirmation screen 501 is a screen that prompts the user to confirm that the printer 103 is turned on. When the user turns on the printer 103 in accordance with the message on the printer power confirmation screen 501, the printer 103 operates in network setup mode. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the printer is turned on by the user.

[0082] In S1002, when the Next button is pressed on the power check screen 501, the application A322 searches for printers on the LAN to which the PC 101 belongs and displays the search in progress screen 502 in FIG. 5 . In S1003, the application A322 executes processing to search for APs present around the PC 101. Specifically, the application A322 instructs, for example, the OS to search for APs present around the PC 101. In response to this instruction, the OS executes a search for APs present around the PC 101 and notifies the application A322 of information on all discovered APs. Note that the search executed by the OS here is a search executed by acquiring information on surrounding APs (AP information) through passive scanning. In this embodiment, the processing of S1002 and the processing of S1003 are executed in parallel. However, this is not limited to this form, and the processing of S1002 and the processing of S1003 may be executed sequentially. Here, the search for printers on the LAN to which the PC 101 belongs is performed, for example, by Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) communication. The LAN to which PC 101 belongs is a network formed by the AP to which PC 101 is connected. The search for a printer on the LAN in S1002 is a process of obtaining information from a device on the LAN using SNMP and determining, based on the obtained information, whether the device is a target printer for setup processing. The information obtained by SNMP is, for example, the model name, MAC address, IP address, and vendor identifier.

[0083] In S1004, the application A322 determines whether an AP corresponding to the SSID of the printer in network setup mode has been detected by searching for APs present around the PC 101. The determination in S1004 is the same as that in S606, so its description will be omitted. If it is determined that an AP corresponding to the SSID of the printer in network setup mode has been detected, the process proceeds to S1005, and if it is determined that an AP has not been detected, the process proceeds to S1013.

[0084] In S1005, the application A322 acquires model information from the SSID detected in S1004. This process is the same as S607.

[0085] In S1006, the portal application 321 determines whether the printer transmitting AP information including an SSID containing a predetermined character string is a printer compatible with the application A322, based on the model name acquired in S1005.

[0086] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the printer corresponding to the application A322 and the printer corresponding to the portal application 321 are the same. Therefore, this determination is the same process as in step S608. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the application A322 and the portal application 321 are not packaged, the printer corresponding to the application A322 and the printer corresponding to the portal application 321 may be partially different.

[0087] If the determination in S1006 is NO, the processing in FIG. 10 is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination in S1006 is YES, in S1007, the portal application 321 displays the confirmation screen 503 of the target of the setup processing in FIG. 5. The confirmation screen 503 is a screen for confirming with the user whether or not to execute the setup processing. The confirmation screen 503 displays information about the printer that is the target of the setup processing and is in the network setup mode detected in S1004. Specific examples of the printer information displayed include the serial number and model name of the printer. The confirmation screen 503 also displays AP information that will be sent to the printer during the setup processing. Specific examples of the AP information displayed include the SSID included in the AP information. Specific examples of the AP information displayed here include the AP information of the AP to which the PC 101 is currently connected.

[0088] In S1008, the application A322 determines whether to execute setup processing for the printer corresponding to the AP determined to have been detected. Specifically, for example, if an instruction to execute setup processing is received on the confirmation screen 503 displayed in S1005, the application A322 determines to execute setup processing. If it is determined to execute setup processing, the process proceeds to S1009, and if it is determined not to execute setup processing, the process proceeds to S1013.

[0089] In S1009, the application A322 acquires information about the model corresponding to the model name, i.e., the model that is the target of the setup process, and displays the processing screen 504 in FIG. 5. Specifically, the application A322 first acquires model information (including the model name) from the detected SSID. Then, the application A322 acquires information about the model corresponding to the model name. The information about the model is acquired, for example, by downloading from a server managed by the manufacturer. The information about the model is, for example, the communication I / F type supported by the model and a driver installer corresponding to the model. The driver installer corresponds, for example, to the application B330. The information acquisition process executed in S1009 is similar to the information acquisition process executed in S806. However, while the information acquisition process executed in S1009 is executed after the confirmation screen 503 is displayed, the information acquisition process executed in S806 is executed before the confirmation screen 702 is displayed.

[0090] In S1010, the application A322 determines whether or not information about the model that is the target of the setup process has been acquired. If it is determined that information about the model that is the target of the setup process has not been acquired, in S1012 the application A322 displays a screen (not shown) including a message that indicates that acquisition of information about the model that is the target of the setup process has failed. Thereafter, the processing of FIG. 10 ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that information about the model that is the target of the setup process has been acquired, the process proceeds to S1011.

[0091] In S1011, the application A322 executes the setup process via wireless connection for the printer that is the target of the setup process. Since S1011 is the same as the description in S813, the description thereof will be omitted. Thereafter, the processing in Fig. 10 ends. In S1011, the application A322 displays the screen 505 in Fig. 5, which indicates that the setup process is being executed.

[0092] In S1013, the application A322 determines whether or not a printer was detected on the LAN to which PC 101 belongs as a result of the search in S1002. Specifically, for example, if there is no response to communication from PC 101 for a certain period of time or multiple times, it determines that a printer was not detected on the LAN to which PC 101 belongs. If it is determined that a printer was not detected on the LAN to which PC 101 belongs, in S1015, the application A322 displays a setup screen that allows selection of a connection method common to all models, and executes setup processing. Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 10 ends. The setup screen displayed in S1015 is, for example, the connection method selection screen 900 in FIG. 9, which is a setup screen in which the display / hide of each selection item is not switched to correspond to a specific model.

[0093] On the other hand, if it is determined that a printer has been detected on the LAN to which the PC 101 belongs, the application A322 executes setup processing for the printer detected on the LAN in S1014. In S1014, for example, a driver installer for the target printer is started, thereby performing processing for setting up the target printer so that it can be used on the PC 101, and installing related applications, etc. After S1014, the processing in FIG. 10 ends.

[0094] In this manner, in this embodiment, the processing of application A322 and the accompanying screen transitions are controlled differently depending on whether the application is launched with model information included in the launch parameters or not. Specifically, when the application is launched with model information included in the launch parameters, the printer search on the LAN to which PC 101 belongs (S1002 in FIG. 10) is not performed. Therefore, in this case, the search in progress screen 502 in FIG. 5 is not displayed. When application A322 is launched with model information included in the launch parameters, the target printer for network setup mode has already been identified. In other words, since a printer search on the LAN is not required, in this embodiment, the processing time in this case can be shortened by not searching for a printer on the LAN. Furthermore, the efficiency of screen transitions can be improved, thereby improving the convenience of the target printer setup process.

[0095] Furthermore, when the startup parameters include model information and the application is started, display control is performed so that the printer power confirmation screen 501 of S1001 in FIG. 10 is not displayed. When the startup parameters include model information and the application A322 is started, the target printer for network setup mode has already been identified. In other words, since it is not necessary to display a guidance screen for setting the printer to network setup mode, in this embodiment, the processing time in this case can be shortened by not displaying the power confirmation screen 501. Furthermore, the screen transition can be made more efficient, and the convenience of the setup process for the target printer can be improved.

[0096] In this embodiment, the processes of S803 to S805 and S809 to S811 may not be performed in the process of Fig. 8. Such processes will be described below along with the screen transitions of Fig. 13. Note that the screens of Fig. 13 are only an example, and the configuration of each screen is not limited to that of Fig. 13.

[0097] In S609 of Fig. 6, the portal application 321 displays the setup guide screen 1300 of Fig. 13. When a button capable of accepting a selection instruction to perform setup is pressed on the setup guide screen 1300, the processing from S801 onwards in Fig. 8 is executed.

[0098] If it is determined in S801 that model information is included in the startup parameters, then in S806 the application A322 executes acquisition of information corresponding to the model name, i.e., information relating to the model that is the target of the setup process. Then, in S807, the application A322 determines whether or not information relating to the model that is the target of the setup process has been acquired. In S807, the application A322 displays the processing screen 1301 of FIG. 13.

[0099] If it is determined that information regarding the model of the target printer for the setup process has been acquired, in S813, the application A322 executes the setup process via wireless connection for the target printer for the setup process, and displays the processing screen 1302 of FIG.

[0100] In this way, by not performing an AP search and the associated screen display, it is possible to further reduce the processing time when application A322 is launched with model information included in the launch parameters. It also makes screen transitions more efficient, further improving the convenience of setting up the target printer.

[0101] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a case was described in which the portal application 321 searches for printers in network setup mode and executes processing on one detected printer in network setup mode. On the other hand, if there are multiple printers in an office environment, multiple printers in network setup mode may be detected. In such a case, it is necessary to appropriately select the target printer. For example, selecting a printer with high radio wave strength will improve communication conditions when the user uses the printer. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the portal application 321 executes setup processing on the target printer when it detects multiple printers in network setup mode.

[0102] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing processing when the portal application 321 is started in this embodiment. The portal application 321 starts the processing in Fig. 11 by receiving a start-up operation from the user. The processing in Fig. 11 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 206 and executing it. The processing of the portal application 321 by the CPU 201 will be described below.

[0103] S1101 to S1106 and S1113 to S1115 are the same as the explanations for S601 to S606 and S610 to S612 in FIG. 6, so the explanations for these will be omitted.

[0104] If it is determined in step S1106 that one or more SSIDs of printers in network setup mode have been detected, the portal application 321 creates a list of printers to be set up based on the detected SSIDs in step S1107. Here, it is assumed that multiple SSIDs have been detected.

[0105] In S1108, the portal application 321 acquires model information for all printers in network setup mode from the printer list created in S1107. The acquired model information is, for example, the model name and part of the serial number. The model information is acquired in the same manner as described in S607.

[0106] In S1109, the portal application 321 deletes printers that are not supported for setup processing from the printer list. Specifically, for example, it determines whether the relevant model name is included in a list of model names that are supported for setup processing that is predetermined in the portal application 321. Alternatively, it may refer to the list of model names that are supported for setup processing that is predetermined in the application A322 and determine whether the relevant model name is included.

[0107] In S1110, the portal application 321 determines whether one or more printers are registered in the printer list. If it is determined that no printers are registered in the printer list, the process proceeds to S1115. On the other hand, if it is determined that one or more printers are registered in the printer list, the process proceeds to S1111.

[0108] In S1111, the portal application 321 sorts the printers in the printer list in descending order of radio wave strength. Here, the radio wave strength is acquired, for example, by passive scanning when searching for printers in network setup mode in S1105. The radio wave strength is represented, for example, by a value indicated by a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and in this case, the larger the value, the stronger the radio wave strength.

[0109] In S1112, the portal application 321 displays a screen for selecting a printer to be set up.

[0110] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the setup target printer selection screen displayed in S1112. The setup target printer selection screen 1200 includes a message 1201 prompting the user to select a target printer for the setup process, a display area 1202 for a list of printers to be set up, and a printer determination area 1203. The setup target printer selection screen 1200 includes a button 1204 that can accept a selection operation for not executing the setup process, and a button 1205 that can accept a selection operation for executing the setup process for the printer determined in the printer determination area 1203. The printer determination area 1203 can be moved up and down in response to a user operation, and can be moved to a position desired by the user.

[0111] In S1113, the portal application 321 determines whether or not an instruction to execute the setup process has been accepted on the setup target printer selection screen 1200. Specifically, for example, if the button 1205 has been accepted, it is determined that an instruction to execute the setup process has been accepted. If it is determined in S1113 that an instruction to execute the setup process has been accepted, the process proceeds to S1114, and if it is determined that an instruction to execute the setup process has not been accepted, the process proceeds to S1115.

[0112] In S1114, the portal application 321 starts the application A322 by including the model information acquired in S1108 in the start-up parameters. That is, the application A322 is started by including information including the model name and part of the serial number in the start-up parameters. Starting the application A322 by including the model information in the start-up parameters means that the model information is passed to the application A322 when the application A322 is started. Then, in S1115, the portal application 321 displays the top screen 400. Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 11 ends.

[0113] In this embodiment, in S1111, the printers in the printer list are rearranged in descending order of radio wave strength, but the portal application 321 may be configured to remove from the list any printers whose radio wave strength is below a threshold value predefined in advance.

[0114] As described above, according to this embodiment, the portal application 321 detects multiple printers in network setup mode and prompts the user to select the printer to be set up based on the radio wave strength of the detected printers. This configuration allows for a setup process that is suited to the printer placement environment.

[0115] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0116] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following program, terminal device, and method. (Item 1) A program for setting up a peripheral device in a terminal device, the programs include a first program having a function related to the setup of the peripheral device and a second program having a function not related to the setup of the peripheral device; The second program a search means for searching for peripheral devices of a particular mode; causing the terminal device to function as a launching means for launching the first program; When the peripheral device of the specific mode is found by the search means, When activating the first program, the activation means passes information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to the first program, and the first program activated by the activation means controls the peripheral device of the specific mode to be connected to the network to which the terminal device belongs based on the information about the peripheral device of the specific mode, without searching for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs. A program characterized by: (Item 2) The program described in item 1, characterized in that when the first program is started by the startup means after receiving information about a peripheral device of the specific mode from the second program, the first program controls the peripheral device of the specific mode to be connected to the network to which the terminal device belongs based on the information about the peripheral device of the specific mode, without searching for the peripheral device of the specific mode. (Item 3) The program described in item 1 or 2, characterized in that the first program further causes the terminal device to function as a first display control means that controls the terminal device to display a screen for setting up the peripheral device. (Item 4) The program described in item 3 is characterized in that when the second program passes information about a peripheral device in the specific mode and the first program is started by the start-up means, the first display control means controls so as not to display a screen regarding a search for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs. (Item 5) The program described in item 3 or 4, characterized in that when the second program passes information about peripheral devices of the specific mode and the first program is started by the start-up means, the first display control means controls so as not to display a screen related to searching for peripheral devices of the specific mode. (Item 6) 6. The program according to item 5, wherein the screen related to the search for a peripheral device of the specific mode includes a guidance screen for setting the peripheral device to the specific mode. (Item 7) The program described in any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that when the search means discovers a peripheral device of the specific mode and identifies information about the peripheral device of the specific mode, the launch means passes the identified information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to the first program when launching the first program. (Item 8) The second program causing the terminal device to further function as a second display control means for controlling the launching means to display a screen for launching the first program; the screen for starting the first program is a screen capable of receiving an instruction to start the first program, the launching means launches the first program when the instruction is received on a screen for launching the first program; 8. The program according to item 7, (Item 9) The program described in item 8, characterized in that when information about the peripheral device of the specific mode is identified, the second display control means controls the display of the identified information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to be included in the screen for launching the first program. (Item 10) The program described in item 9, characterized in that if information about the peripheral device of the specific mode is not identified, the second display control means controls to display a screen for launching the first program without including information about the peripheral device of the specific mode. (Item 11) The program described in item 10 is characterized in that when the first program is launched by a screen for launching the first program that is displayed when information on a peripheral device of the specific mode is not identified, the first program launched by the launching means controls to search for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs. (Item 12) The program described in item 11, characterized in that when the first program is launched by a screen for launching the first program that is displayed when information on a peripheral device of the specific mode is not identified, the first program launched by the launching means is controlled to search for a peripheral device of the specific mode. (Item 13) 13. The program according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the information about the peripheral device in the specific mode includes a serial number. (Item 14) 14. The program according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the information about the peripheral device in the specific mode includes a model name. (Item 15) The second program causing the terminal device to further function as a registration means for registering the peripheral device; If the peripheral device is not registered by the registration means, the launching means launches the first program without performing a search by the search means. 15. The program according to any one of items 1 to 14, (Item 16) Item 16. The program according to item 15, wherein the search means searches for a peripheral device of the specific mode when at least one peripheral device is registered by the registration means. (Item 17) The program described in item 15 or 16, characterized in that if the first program is started by the startup means without a search being performed by the search means, the first program started by the startup means is controlled to search for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs. (Item 18) The program described in any one of items 15 to 17, characterized in that if the first program is started by the launching means without a search being performed by the search means, the first program started by the launching means is controlled to search for peripheral devices of the specific mode. (Item 19) 19. The program according to any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the peripheral device is a printer. (Item 20) 20. The program according to any one of items 1 to 19, wherein the specific mode is a mode in which the peripheral device becomes an access point. (Item 21) The program described in any one of items 1 to 20, characterized in that as a control for connecting the peripheral device of the specific mode to the network to which the terminal device belongs, information of an access point is sent to the peripheral device of the specific mode, and the peripheral device of the specific mode is connected to the access point. (Item 22) 22. The program according to any one of items 1 to 21, wherein the second program is a program capable of executing a job for the peripheral device. (Item 23) A terminal device, the terminal device has a program for setting up peripheral devices, the programs include a first program having a function related to the setup of the peripheral device and a second program having a function not related to the setup of the peripheral device; In the second program, a search means for searching for peripheral devices of a particular mode; a start-up means for starting the first program, When the search means finds a peripheral device of the specific mode, the launch means passes information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to the first program when launching the first program; In the first program, a control means for controlling, when activated by the activation means, to connect the peripheral device of the specific mode to the network to which the terminal device belongs, based on information about the peripheral device of the specific mode, without searching for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs; A terminal device characterized by: (Item 24) 1. A method performed in a terminal device, comprising: the terminal device has a program for setting up peripheral devices, the programs include a first program having a function related to the setup of the peripheral device and a second program having a function not related to the setup of the peripheral device; In the second program, a searching step for searching for peripheral devices of a particular mode; a start-up step of starting the first program, If a peripheral device of the specific mode is found in the search step, in the start-up step, when the first program is started, information about the peripheral device of the specific mode is passed to the first program; In the first program, a step of controlling, when started in the starting step, to connect the peripheral device of the specific mode to the network to which the terminal device belongs based on information about the peripheral device of the specific mode without searching for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs; A method characterized by:

[0117] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 101 Terminal device: 102 AP: 103 Peripheral devices: 201, 252 CPU: 202, 253 ROM: 206, 258 RAM

Claims

1. A program for setting up a peripheral device in a terminal device, the programs include a first program having a function related to the setup of the peripheral device and a second program having a function not related to the setup of the peripheral device; The second program a search means for searching for peripheral devices of a particular mode; causing the terminal device to function as a launching means for launching the first program; When the peripheral device of the specific mode is found by the search means, When activating the first program, the activation means passes information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to the first program, and the first program activated by the activation means controls the peripheral device of the specific mode to be connected to the network to which the terminal device belongs, based on the information about the peripheral device of the specific mode, without searching for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs. A program characterized by:

2. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that when the first program is started by the startup means after receiving information about a peripheral device of the specific mode from the second program, the first program controls the peripheral device of the specific mode to be connected to the network to which the terminal device belongs based on the information about the peripheral device of the specific mode without searching for the peripheral device of the specific mode.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first program causes the terminal device to further function as a first display control means for controlling the terminal device to display a screen for setting up the peripheral device.

4. The program described in claim 3, characterized in that when the second program passes information about a peripheral device of the specific mode and the first program is started by the start-up means, the first display control means controls so as not to display a screen regarding a search for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs.

5. The program described in claim 3, characterized in that when the first program is started by the startup means after receiving information about peripheral devices of the specific mode from the second program, the first display control means controls so as not to display a screen related to searching for peripheral devices of the specific mode.

6. 6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the screen related to the search for a peripheral device of the specific mode includes a guidance screen for setting the peripheral device to the specific mode.

7. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that when the search means discovers a peripheral device of the specific mode and identifies information about the peripheral device of the specific mode, the launch means passes the identified information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to the first program when launching the first program.

8. The second program causing the terminal device to further function as a second display control means for controlling the launching means to display a screen for launching the first program; the screen for starting the first program is a screen capable of accepting an instruction to start the first program, the launching means launches the first program when the instruction is received on a screen for launching the first program; 8. The program according to claim 7,

9. The program described in claim 8, characterized in that when information about a peripheral device of the specific mode is identified, the second display control means controls the display of the information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to be included in a screen for launching the first program.

10. The program described in claim 9, characterized in that if information about peripheral devices of the specific mode is not identified, the second display control means controls to display a screen for launching the first program without including information about peripheral devices of the specific mode.

11. The program described in claim 10, characterized in that when the first program is launched by a screen for launching the first program that is displayed when information on a peripheral device of the specific mode is not identified, the first program launched by the launching means is controlled to search for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs.

12. The program described in claim 11, characterized in that when the first program is launched by a screen for launching the first program that is displayed when information on a peripheral device of the specific mode is not identified, the first program launched by the launching means is controlled to search for a peripheral device of the specific mode.

13. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the information about the peripheral device of the specific mode includes a serial number.

14. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the information about the peripheral device in the specific mode includes a model name.

15. The second program causing the terminal device to further function as a registration means for registering the peripheral device; the launching means launches the first program without performing a search by the searching means if the peripheral device is not registered by the registering means.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

16. 16. The program according to claim 15, wherein said search means searches for a peripheral device of the specific mode when at least one peripheral device has been registered by said registration means.

17. The program described in claim 15, characterized in that if the first program is started by the startup means without a search being performed by the search means, the first program started by the startup means is controlled to search for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs.

18. The program described in claim 15, characterized in that if the first program is started by the startup means without a search being performed by the search means, the first program started by the startup means is controlled to search for peripheral devices of the specific mode.

19. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a printer.

20. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the specific mode is a mode in which the peripheral device functions as an access point.

21. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that, as a control for connecting the peripheral device of the specific mode to the network to which the terminal device belongs, information of an access point is sent to the peripheral device of the specific mode, and the peripheral device of the specific mode is connected to the access point.

22. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second program is a program capable of executing a job for the peripheral device.

23. A terminal device, the terminal device has a program for setting up peripheral devices, the programs include a first program having a function related to the setup of the peripheral device and a second program having a function not related to the setup of the peripheral device; In the second program, a search means for searching for peripheral devices of a particular mode; a launching means for launching the first program, When the search means finds a peripheral device of the specific mode, the launch means passes information about the peripheral device of the specific mode to the first program when launching the first program; In the first program, a control means for controlling, when activated by the activation means, to connect the peripheral device of the specific mode to the network to which the terminal device belongs, based on information about the peripheral device of the specific mode, without searching for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs; A terminal device characterized by:

24. 1. A method performed in a terminal device, comprising: the terminal device has a program for setting up peripheral devices, the programs include a first program having a function related to the setup of the peripheral device and a second program having a function not related to the setup of the peripheral device; In the second program, a searching step for searching for peripheral devices of a particular mode; a start-up step of starting the first program, If a peripheral device of the specific mode is found in the search step, in the start-up step, when the first program is started, information about the peripheral device of the specific mode is passed to the first program; In the first program, a step of controlling, when the terminal device is started in the starting step, to connect the peripheral device of the specific mode to the network to which the terminal device belongs based on information about the peripheral device of the specific mode without searching for the peripheral device in the network to which the terminal device belongs; A method characterized by:

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