Communication device, method, program

Abstract

To provide a communication device which can improve convenience of a user in a constitution in which connection setting with an external device can be performed in parallel with preparation processing in the device.SOLUTION: A communication device capable of communicating with an external device includes: execution means for executing predetermined preparation processing in the communication device based on the fact that the communication device has been started; connection setting means for executing connection setting processing for connecting with the external device, which is different from the predetermined preparation processing; and display control means for controlling so as to display a screen regarding the predetermined preparation processing, accompanying the execution of the predetermined preparation processing by the execution means. The screen regarding the predetermined preparation processing is displayed in such a manner that the screen can be transitted to a guidance screen which guides so as to execute the predetermined processing for executing the connection setting processing in an information processing device different from the external device and different from the communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, method, and program capable of communicating with an external device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when a user purchases a printing device, print preparation processes such as print head cleaning and print head position adjustment, and connection settings with external devices are performed sequentially during initial installation after the power is turned on for the first time (hereinafter referred to as "arrival time"). Patent Document 1 describes a method in which the AC power of the printing device is turned on, a determination is made as to whether a cleaning process has been performed, and if a cleaning process has not been performed, the cleaning content is determined based on the elapsed time since the previous cleaning process was performed. Patent Document 2 describes a method in which, if it is determined that the device should be started upon arrival, the device is provided with an execution unit that executes print preparation processes to perform printing on a recording medium, and a setting unit that sets connection parameters required to connect to an external device in parallel with the print preparation processes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-103802 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-141019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a communication device, method, and program that improves user convenience in a configuration that allows connection settings with an external device to be performed in parallel with preparation processing within the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the communication device of the present invention is a communication device capable of communicating with an external device, and is equipped with an execution means for executing a predetermined preparation process in the communication device based on the communication device being started up, a connection setting means for executing a connection setting process for connecting to the external device that is different from the predetermined preparation process, and a display control means for controlling the display of a screen related to the predetermined preparation process as the execution means executes the predetermined preparation process, and is characterized in that the screen related to the predetermined preparation process is displayed so as to be able to transition to a guidance screen that guides the user to execute the predetermined process for executing the connection setting process in an information processing device that is different from the external device and different from the communication device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve user convenience in a configuration in which connection settings with an external device can be performed in parallel with print preparation processing within the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a printing device and a terminal device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of a printing device and a terminal device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the printing device. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the printing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen for processing upon arrival of goods. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a network setup guidance screen. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the printing device. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the printing device. [Figure 10]10 is a flowchart showing a connection setting process. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a process in the terminal device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram between a terminal device and a printing device. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the 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.

[0009] [First embodiment] First, the communication device and terminal device included in the communication system of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as an example, a configuration will be described in which a mobile terminal as a terminal device (information processing device) and a printing device (printer) as a communication device can connect to a wireless network established by an access point (AP). However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, various devices such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a digital camera can be applied as the terminal device. Furthermore, although a printer is used as an example of the communication device in this embodiment, this is not limited thereto and various devices capable of wireless communication with the information processing device can be applied. For example, a multifunction peripheral with multiple functions such as copying, faxing, and printing can also be applied. Furthermore, although a printer using cut paper is described as an example of the printing device in this embodiment, other printer configurations may also be used, such as a printer using roll paper. When a user purchases a printing device, initial setup is performed when the device is turned on for the first time (upon delivery). In this embodiment, the initial setup includes print preparation processes such as ink cartridge setup process (ink setup process), detection of paper installation operations, registration process (registration adjustment) which is a process for adjusting the ink landing position on paper during printing, and connection settings with external devices.

[0010] 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing an example of a network configuration of a communication system in this embodiment. In this embodiment, for example, the terminal device is a terminal device 101, and the communication device is a printing device 100. Fig. 1(a) shows the configuration when the printing device 100 performs network setup, receiving connection information (wireless profile) required to connect to an AP 102 from the terminal device 101 and setting up the connection.

[0011] 1(a), the printing device 100 starts a network setup mode in which it operates as a network setup access point (parent station) under predetermined conditions, and waits for a connection from the terminal device 101 (child station) and for connection information to be input to the AP 102. The SSID of the setup access point includes a predetermined character string that can be recognized by a setting application of the terminal device 101. Therefore, the setting application can search for the printing device 100 in the network setup mode. The setting application will be described later.

[0012] Note that a mode in which the printing device 100 communicates directly with another device such as the terminal device 101 without going through the AP 102 that forms a wireless network is called a point-to-point (P2P) connection or a direct connection 110. Note that the AP 102 may be, for example, a device such as a wireless LAN router, but is not limited to a wireless LAN router and may also be a repeater or the like as long as the printing device 100 and the terminal device 101 can be wirelessly connected using a predetermined communication protocol.

[0013] In this embodiment, the above-described predetermined conditions are always satisfied during initial installation of the printing device 100, and are also satisfied when the wireless connection button provided on the operation unit of the printing device 100 is pressed. In other words, during initial installation or when the wireless connection button is pressed, the printing device 100 operates as a network setup access point.

[0014] 1(b) shows a configuration in which the printing device 100 has successfully connected to the wireless network 112 of the AP 102 using connection information for the AP 102 received from the terminal device 101 during network setup mode. If the terminal device 101 has previously stored connection information (wireless profile) for the AP 102, after network setup is complete, a wireless connection 111 with the AP 102 is established under the control of a setting app and the OS of the terminal device 101. Then, it becomes possible to submit a print job to the printing device 100 via wireless communication from the terminal device 101 via the AP 102.

[0015] The method of connecting the printing device 100 and the terminal device 101 via the AP 102, which is an external device, is called an infrastructure connection method. In a connection using the infrastructure connection method, the AP 102 operates as a parent station, and the printing device 100 and the terminal device 101 operate as child stations.

[0016] Next, the hardware configuration of the printing device 100 and the terminal device 101 in this embodiment will be described using the block diagram in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the following configuration will be described as an example in this embodiment, but this embodiment can be applied to devices that can communicate wirelessly with external devices, and is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0017] The printing device 100 includes at least a control unit (controller) 200 that controls the entire device, an operation unit 210, and a printer engine 220. When the printing device 100 is configured as a multifunctional peripheral (MFP), it also includes a scanner engine 221. In the control unit 200, a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, an operation unit I / F 204, a printer I / F 205, a wireless unit 207, and a USB unit 208 are interconnected via a communication bus, and function as a computer that controls the entire printing device 100. When the printing device 100 is configured as an MFP, the control unit 200 also includes a scanner I / F 206.

[0018] The CPU 201 is a processor that reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM 203, and realizes the processes shown in the flowcharts described below using the control program. As a result of executing the control program, various functions are realized, such as communication control with external devices such as the terminal device 101, and generation of image data according to an input print job.

[0019] The RAM 202 is configured with a DRAM or SRAM that requires a backup power source, and is used as a memory area for storing temporary setting information, management data, etc. when the printing device 100 is operating. The RAM 202 is also used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 201, and is also used as a receiving buffer for temporarily storing print jobs received from the terminal device 101, etc.

[0020] The ROM 203 is a non-volatile flash memory that stores fixed data such as various data tables and OS programs, as well as control programs executed by the CPU 201. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 203 controls software execution, such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing, under the management of an embedded OS stored in the ROM 203. The ROM 203 also stores rewritable program control variables and counter information such as the number of printed sheets. Some of the program control variables are configured to be rewritable by menus displayed on the operation unit 210 or instructions from an external device.

[0021] In this embodiment, the ROM 203 also stores information indicating whether the printing device 100 was powered on for the first time after being shipped from the factory (powered on upon arrival). The operation unit I / F 204 connects the operation unit 210 to the control unit 200. In this embodiment, the operation unit 210 includes, in addition to a power button 213, a group of physical operation buttons 214 for controlling various functions such as copying provided in the printing device 100, and a wireless connection button (WC button) 212 for starting a network setup mode.

[0022] The display 211 is a display unit including an LCD panel and a light-emitting diode, and displays various menus and notifies status information of the printing device 100. The display 211 may also be configured to display a soft keyboard, soft buttons, menus, etc., and function as an operation panel that accepts operation instructions from the user. For this reason, the display 211 is shown as part of the operation unit 210 in FIG. 2.

[0023] The operation unit I / F 204 detects when a user presses a physical button or when a user operates or inputs a menu displayed on the display 211, and notifies the control unit 200 of the instruction content represented by the operation or input as a signal, thereby accepting data input and operation instructions from the user.

[0024] Printer I / F 205 connects printer engine 220 and control unit 200. Printer engine 220 forms an image on a recording medium, such as cut paper, by ejecting a recording material such as ink onto the recording medium based on image data input via printer I / F 205, and outputs the print result. Furthermore, if printer engine 220 determines that power-on is the power-on at the time of delivery, it is configured to perform print head cleaning and registration adjustment to adjust the ink ejection position as print preparation processing.

[0025] The scanner engine 221 reads an image on a sheet of paper set on a platen (not shown) based on input from the operation unit 210 or a scan job received from the terminal device 101 or the like. The read data is stored in the RAM 202 as the scan result or transmitted to the terminal device 101 or the like. If the printing device 100 is a single-function printer (SFP), the scanner engine 221 may not be provided.

[0026] The wireless unit 207 is a unit that controls wireless communication with external devices such as the terminal device 101, and is configured, for example, by an LSI. In this embodiment, the wireless unit 207 controls the transmission and reception of data in accordance with the communication standard defined by IEEE802.11 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 201. The wireless communication method used in this case is, for example, the one defined by the industry group Wi-Fi Alliance as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark), which is defined as a standard for wireless LANs.

[0027] The modes and connection methods for performing wireless communication using the wireless unit 207 will be described below.

[0028] <Direct connection method> A direct connection refers to a wireless connection between devices directly (i.e., peer-to-peer) 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 printing device 100 can operate in a mode for communication via a direct connection (direct connection mode) as one of its 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 search for 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 corresponds, for example, to GO Negotiation in P2P. Note that in WFD mode, before the role determination is made, the printing device 100 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 is discovered, the two devices confirm information about the services and functions that each device can provide. Note that this device provisioning information confirmation is optional and not required. This device provisioning information confirmation phase corresponds to, for example, P2P Provision Discovery. Next, by mutually confirming this device provisioning information, they determine which party will be the P2P client and which party will be the P2P group owner. Next, once the client and group owner have been determined, they exchange parameters for WFD communication. Based on the exchanged parameters, the remaining wireless connection processing and IP connection processing are performed between the P2P client and group owner. Note that in WFD mode, the printing device 100 may always operate as the GO without performing the above-mentioned GO Negotiation. In other words, the printing device 100 may operate in WFD mode, which is an autonomous GO mode. Furthermore, the state in which the printing device 100 operates in WFD mode refers to, for example, a state in which a WFD connection is not established but the printing device 100 operates as the GO, or a state in which a WFD connection is established and the printing device 100 operates as the GO.

[0030] In software AP mode, between devices communicating (for example, the terminal device 101 and the printing device 100), one device (for example, the terminal device 101) acts as a client that requests various services. The other device realizes the functions 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 the commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the software AP can be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and therefore will not be described here.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the printing device 100 establishes and maintains a direct connection, it operates as a master station within the network to which the printing device 100 belongs. The master station is a device that establishes a wireless network and provides parameters used for connecting to the wireless network to slave stations. The parameters used for connecting to the wireless network are, for example, parameters related to the channel used by the master station. By receiving these parameters, the slave stations connect to the wireless network established by the master station using the channel used by the master station. Because the printing device 100 operates as a master station in the direct connection mode, it can determine which frequency band and which channel to use for communication in the direct connection mode. In this embodiment, the printing device 100 is capable of using channels corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the direct connection mode.

[0032] <About infrastructure connection methods> An infrastructure connection is a connection mode in which devices (e.g., the terminal device 101 and the printing device 100) connect to an access point (e.g., AP102) that manages a network of communicating devices, and the devices communicate with each other via the access point. The printing device 100 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 printing device 100 operates via an infrastructure connection, the AP 102 acts as a master station, and the printing device 100 acts as a slave station. In other words, in this embodiment, an infrastructure connection refers to a connection between the printing device 100 operating as a slave station and a device operating as a master station. When the printing device 100 has established an infrastructure connection and the terminal device 101 has also established an infrastructure connection with the AP 102, communication between the printing device 100 and the terminal device 101 becomes possible via the AP 102. The channel used for communication in the infrastructure connection is determined by the AP 102, and the printing device 100 performs communication in the infrastructure connection using the channel determined by the AP 102. In this embodiment, the printing device 100 is capable of using a channel corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and a channel corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. Note that the printing device 100 can also use a channel corresponding to the DFS band in the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. In order for the terminal device 101 to communicate with the printing device 100 via the AP 102, the terminal device 101 must recognize that the printing device 100 belongs to the network formed by the AP 102 and to which the terminal device 101 belongs.

[0035] <About Network Setup Mode> The printing device 100 can operate in network setup mode. The trigger for the printing device 100 to start operating in network setup mode may be, for example, a user pressing a network setup mode button, or the printing device 100 being started up (powered on) for the first time after arrival. The network setup mode button may be a hardware (physical) button provided on the printing device 100, or may be a software button displayed on the display 211 of the printing device 100. In this embodiment, the WC button is the network setup mode button, and is a hardware button provided on the printing device 100.

[0036] When the printing device 100 starts operating in network setup mode, it enables Wi-Fi communication. Specifically, as part of the Wi-Fi communication enablement process, the printing device 100 enables an AP (setup access point (setup AP)) internal to the printing device 100 that is dedicated to the network setup mode. This puts the printing device 100 in a state where it can establish a direct connection via Wi-Fi with the terminal device 101. Connection information (SSID and password) for connecting to the setup AP is stored in advance in a setting app installed on the terminal device 101, and the terminal device 101 is assumed to recognize the connection information for connecting to the setup AP in advance. Therefore, unlike the connection information for the AP that is enabled in direct connection mode, the connection information for connecting to the setup AP cannot be arbitrarily changed by the user. Note that in network setup mode, the printing device 100 may connect to the terminal device 101 via Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) instead of regular Wi-Fi. That is, the printing device 100 may operate as a group owner and receive a setting command from the terminal device 101 through WFD communication. Also, in the network setup mode, the printing device 100 may connect to the terminal device 101 through Bluetooth. Here, Bluetooth includes Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). That is, for example, the printing device 100 may operate as a slave device in BLE in the network setup mode and receive a setting command from the terminal device 101 through BLE communication. Also, in the network setup mode, the printing device 100 may be capable of performing both network setup via Wi-Fi and network setup via BLE. That is, when the printing device 100 starts operation in the network setup mode, it may enable both Wi-Fi communication and BLE communication.Specifically, when the printing device 100 starts operating in network setup mode, it may both enable the setup AP and enable the advertising state, which is a state in which advertising information is sent via BLE and BLE connection is possible.

[0037] As described above, the printing device 100 in this embodiment operates in a network setup mode for executing network setup of the printing device 100 in response to certain conditions, including when the user presses the WC button 212 or during initial installation. When operating in the network setup mode, the printing device 100 controls the wireless unit 207 to operate as a setup AP that is valid only while operating in the network setup mode. This setup AP is a different access point 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 setting application of the terminal device 101.

[0038] Furthermore, the printing device 100 operating in the network setup mode uses a predetermined communication protocol (setup communication protocol) in communication with the terminal device 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 printing device 100 stops operation in network setup mode and disables the setup AP when a predetermined time has elapsed. Also, if the printing device 100 receives connection information for connecting to AP 102 and an instruction to change the wireless communication operation mode from the terminal device 101 while in network setup mode, the printing device 100 disables the setup AP.

[0040] The USB unit 208 has a built-in LSI called a USB device controller. The USB device controller is connected to the signal lines that make up the USB bus, and sends and receives data according to instructions from the CPU 201, and notifies the CPU 201 of events that occur on the USB bus, thereby communicating with external devices in accordance with the USB communication standard.

[0041] When the printing device 100 shown in this embodiment detects a connection to a communication device such as a PC (not shown) that also has a USB, it receives print data and responds with various status information in accordance with instructions from the PC, which is the USB host. Furthermore, the printing device 100 of this embodiment is configured to be able to communicate using the SNMP protocol over USB (SNMP over USB), and can also perform network setup via USB using a setting app running on the PC. However, when connected to a PC via a USB cable, communication is possible regardless of the wireless communication operating mode, and therefore, unlike network setup via Wi-Fi, timeout control is not required.

[0042] The following describes the terminal device 101. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 is described as a mobile terminal (smartphone). However, the terminal device 101 may be another terminal device such as a PC as long as it is capable of executing network setup via wireless communication.

[0043] The terminal device 101 is configured to include a CPU 251, RAM 252, ROM 253, an operation unit I / F 254, a wireless unit 255, and an operation unit 256. The CPU 251 is a processor that reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM 253, and controls the entire terminal device 101 using the control program, while also executing the processes shown in the flowcharts described below. As a result of executing the control program, various functions of the terminal device 101 are realized, such as controlling communications with external devices such as the printing device 100, generating print jobs to be output to the printing device 100, and issuing instructions for network setup.

[0044] The RAM 252 is configured with a DRAM or SRAM that requires a backup power source, and is used as a memory area for storing temporary setting information, management data, etc. when the terminal device 101 is operating. The RAM 252 is also used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 251, and is used as a transmission buffer or the like for temporarily storing print jobs generated for transmission to the printing device 100, etc.

[0045] The ROM 253 is a non-volatile flash memory that stores fixed data such as various data tables and OS programs, as well as the control program executed by the CPU 251. In this embodiment, the ROM 253 stores, as part of the control program, an application program (setting application) for performing network setup of the printing device 100, a printer driver for generating print jobs interpretable by the printing device 100, and the like. The setting application is an application program for configuring a connection with the AP 102 to which the printing device 100 is connected, and may have functions other than network setup. For example, the setting application may have a function for causing the printing device 100 to print, a function for causing a document placed in the printing device 100 to be scanned, a function for checking the status of the printing device 100, and the like. The setting application is stored in the ROM 253 by being installed from an external server via Internet communication via the wireless unit 255, for example. The setting application is assumed to be an application provided by the vendor of the printing device 100.

[0046] The operation unit 256 displays a soft keyboard, soft buttons, menus, etc. on an LCD display according to a control program, and functions as an operation panel that can accept operation instructions from a user. Therefore, the operation unit 256 also functions as a display unit. The wireless unit 255 is a unit that controls wireless communication with external devices such as the printing device 100, and is implemented, for example, by an LSI. In this embodiment, the wireless unit 255 controls the transmission and reception of data in accordance with the communication standard defined by IEEE802.11 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 251. As with the printing device 100, the wireless unit 255 supports wireless communication methods such as WFD mode, which performs a direct connection, ad hoc mode, which does not use an AP, and wireless communication using an infrastructure connection mode via the external AP 102. However, in this embodiment, the wireless unit 255 operates only as a slave station.

[0047] The software configurations of the printing device 100 and the terminal device 101 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 3(a) and 3(b). The software configuration of the printing device 100 shown in Figure 3(a) is realized by the CPU 201 included in the printing device 100 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 203. The software configuration of the terminal device 101 shown in Figure 3(b) is realized by the CPU 251 included in the terminal device 101 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 253.

[0048] The UI control unit 301 of the printing device 100 is a control program related to control of the operation unit 210 of the printing device 100. It displays operation screens such as menus on the display 211. The UI control unit 301 also detects input instructions by user operations, including pressing the physical buttons shown in FIG. 2, and accepts input of various setting values ​​and instructions to execute various processes. The storage unit 302 is a control program that controls writing and reading of data such as program control variables to and from predetermined storage areas in the RAM 202 and ROM 203 in response to instructions from other control units.

[0049] The communication control unit 303 is a control program that controls the wireless unit 207 and the USB unit 208 and communicates with external devices according to a predetermined communication protocol, and is subdivided according to each communication unit (communication interface). For the wireless unit 207, the communication control unit 303 controls packet processing in accordance with a protocol stack such as TCP / IP or UDP. For the USB unit 208, the communication control unit 303 controls communications such as control transfer and bulk transfer defined as a USB device class.

[0050] The command analysis unit 304 analyzes input data received by the communication control unit 303. If the input data is a print job, the command analysis unit 304 analyzes the data in accordance with a predetermined language (for example, Page Description Language (PDL)) and generates corresponding image data. If the input data is a packet based on the SNMP protocol, the command analysis unit 304 controls, in accordance with an instruction command, responses to device information managed by the device information management unit 307 as a MIB (Management Information Base) and writing to the MIB. Here, the device information managed by the MIB includes information from standard MIBs such as the printer MIB, as well as information from private MIBs defined by vendors. In this embodiment, the private MIB information includes the operating mode of the wireless unit 207 and information indicating whether a network setup mode can be started by a user during initial installation upon delivery. Note that, although this embodiment is configured to manage information related to a method for starting the network setup mode using an MIB based on the SNMP protocol, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

[0051] The print processing unit 305 controls the print head of the printer engine 220 and performs print processing on the recording medium by sending a signal corresponding to the image data generated by the command analysis unit 304 to the printer I / F 205. During initial installation at the time of delivery, the print processing unit 305 controls operations such as cleaning the print head and adjusting registration in accordance with instructions from the initial installation control unit 309. The scan control unit 306 controls the scanner engine 221 via the scanner I / F 206.

[0052] The network (NW) setup control unit 308 is a control program that controls the operation in the network setup mode. The detailed control procedure will be described later using the flowchart in Fig. 10. The initial installation control unit 309 is a control program that controls the initial installation at the time of delivery.

[0053] The wireless connection control unit 310 controls a series of wireless connection processes, including searching for wireless beacons emitted by a master station (e.g., AP 102), an association procedure with the master station, and a wireless authentication procedure using an encryption method such as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). In this embodiment, the printing device 100 controls both the case where the printing device 100 operates as a slave station and connects to the AP 102, and the case where the printing device 100 operates as an AP (master station) and processes a connection request from the terminal device 101. The wireless connection control unit 310 may also control the wireless connection procedure in accordance with DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol), known as Wi-Fi Easy Connect (WEC).

[0054] In addition to the control programs (modules) described above, the printing device 100 also includes an operating system (OS) (not shown), as well as a BIOS and boot loader that start the OS when the power is turned on. The OS provides various services to the control programs that operate as application software, such as process (task) control, resource management for memory and file systems, and hardware interrupt detection. For example, a Linux (registered trademark) kernel is known as an embedded OS, but an OS provided independently by a vendor may also be used.

[0055] The UI control unit 321 of the terminal device 101 is a control program related to control of the operation unit 256 of the terminal device 101. It controls the overall display control on the display and the overall input control by user operations.

[0056] The storage unit 322 is a control program that, in response to instructions from other control units, stores designated data in predetermined storage areas in the RAM 252 and the ROM 253 and reads designated data from the predetermined storage areas. For example, in response to instructions from the wireless connection control unit 326, the storage unit 322 stores connection information (wireless profile) with the AP 102 in a predetermined area in the ROM 253. The communication control unit 323 is a control program that controls the wireless unit 255 and communicates with external devices in accordance with the above-mentioned predetermined communication protocol.

[0057] The device information management unit 324 is a control program that acquires (Get-Request) the MIB, which is device information, and updates (Set-Request) the corresponding MIB to set the wireless communication mode for the printing device 100. After the network setup is complete, it also attempts to acquire device information by broadcasting and determines whether the network setup was successful based on whether or not there is a response from the printing device 100 via the network.

[0058] The NW setup control unit 325 is a control program that connects to the printing device 100 operating in network setup mode and performs network setup of the printing device 100, and corresponds to the setting application described above.

[0059] The wireless connection control unit 326 controls a series of wireless connection processes, such as searching for a wireless beacon emitted by a master station (AP 102 or printing device 100), an association procedure with the master station, and a wireless authentication procedure using an encryption method such as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 operates as a slave station.

[0060] Furthermore, the terminal device 101 includes an operating system (OS) (not shown) in addition to the control programs (modules) described above. The OS of the terminal device 101, which is a mobile terminal, is, for example, Android (registered trademark), but is not limited to this.

[0061] FIG. 4(a) is a flowchart showing the flow of the arrival processing of the printing device 100 in this embodiment. In other words, the arrival processing is a print preparation process for executing printing. The processing of FIG. 4(a) is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the printing device 100 reading a program stored in the ROM 203 into the RAM 202 and executing it. Also, FIGS. 6(a) to 6(h) are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display 211 during the arrival processing of the printing device 100.

[0062] In S401, when the CPU 201 detects that the user has pressed the power button 213 of the operation unit 210, it performs a soft-on. Soft-on is an operation that starts software by pressing the power button 213 of the operation unit 210 in a printing device 100 that is connected to a power source and has its hard power turned on but in which software is not running. In S401, for example, the start-up screen shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the display 211.

[0063] In S402, the CPU 201 determines whether the printing device 100 is in the arrival state by referencing a state determination flag stored in RAM 202 that indicates whether the printing device 100 is in the arrival state. Specifically, for example, when a user first starts up the printing device 100 after purchasing it, the state determination flag stored in RAM 202 is ON (arrival state). On the other hand, in the startup process of the printing device 100 from the second time onwards, the state determination flag stored in RAM 202 is OFF (non-arrival state). The CPU 201 can determine whether the printing device 100 is in the arrival state by referencing the ON / OFF state of the state determination flag. If it is determined in S402 that the printing device 100 is not in the arrival state, the process of FIG. 4A ends, and the CPU 201 performs normal processing when a soft power-on has occurred. As normal processing when a soft power-on has occurred, for example, initialization of each module in the printing device 100 is performed. Note that arrival processing such as registration adjustment is not performed in normal processing when a soft power-on has occurred.

[0064] On the other hand, if it is determined in S402 that the printing device 100 is in the arrival state, then in S403 the CPU 201 initiates arrival processing required to make the printing device 100 usable. The arrival processing will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. In S404, the CPU 201 determines whether all processes related to the arrival processing have been completed. The arrival processing includes multiple processes, as will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. If it is determined in S404 that all processes have not been completed, the processing from S403 is repeated. If it is determined that all processes have been completed, then in S405 the CPU 201 clears the status determination flag stored in the RAM 202, i.e., sets it to OFF. Thereafter, the processing of FIG. 4A ends. Because the status determination flag is turned OFF by the processing of S405, the processing of S403 is not executed after the second or subsequent executions of the processing of S401. Note that in this embodiment, the determination in S402 is performed using the ON / OFF state of the status determination flag. However, information other than the status determination flag may be used. For example, information indicating the arrival state may be stored in the RAM 202. Then, in S402, it may be determined whether or not the information indicating the arrival state is stored in the RAM 202, and in S405, the information indicating the arrival state may be deleted.

[0065] Next, the flow of processing at the time of arrival will be explained using FIG. 4(b).

[0066] If it is determined in S402 that the device is in the arrival state after soft-on and the arrival process is started, the CPU 201 starts the network setup mode in S411. For example, if a USB connection to the USB unit 208 is made in S411, the process for using the USB connection is started. In this embodiment, the network setup mode can display a network setup guidance screen for guiding the user to execute the network setup. The network setup guidance screen will be described later.

[0067] In S412, CPU 201 refers to sensor information within printing device 100, and in S413 determines whether a fixing member remains in printing device 100 (whether it has been removed) to prevent malfunction during transportation. If it is determined that a fixing member remains, CPU 201 displays a screen indicating that a fixing member remains and prompts the user to remove the fixing member. Then, the process from S412 is repeated. Figure 6(b) shows an example of the screen displayed when it is determined that a fixing member remains.

[0068] If it is determined in S413 that no fixing members remain in the printing device 100, in S414 the CPU 201 displays information on the display 211 prompting the user to install ink tanks. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an example of the screen displayed in S414. In S415, the CPU 201 determines whether all ink tanks have been installed by a user operation. Specifically, for example, the CPU 201 determines whether all ink tanks have been installed based on information obtained by the printer I / F 205 from the printer engine 220. If it is determined that all ink tanks have not been installed, the process repeats from S414. Note that "all ink tanks" refers to ink tanks corresponding to ink colors that the printing device 100 can print, such as ink tanks corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

[0069] If it is determined that all ink tanks are installed, in S416, the CPU 201 displays a screen for prompting the user to select a registration adjustment pattern and for performing registration adjustment. FIG. 6D is a diagram showing an example of the screen displayed in S416. The screen displayed in S416 can accept an instruction as to whether or not to perform registration adjustment. In S417, the CPU 201 determines whether or not to perform registration adjustment. Specifically, for example, if the OK button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 6D, it determines that registration adjustment will be performed, and if the "Perform Later" button is pressed, it determines that registration adjustment will not be performed. If it is determined that registration adjustment will be performed, the process proceeds to S418, and if it is determined that registration adjustment will not be performed, the process proceeds to S420.

[0070] In S418, the CPU 201 displays information on the display 211 prompting the user to set paper (recording medium) and confirms whether paper has been set. FIG. 6E is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in S418. The screen displayed in S418 can accept a user instruction to confirm that paper has been set. In S419, the CPU 201 determines whether paper has been set. Specifically, for example, if the OK button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 6E, it is determined that paper has been set. If it is determined that paper has been set, the process proceeds to S420. If it is determined that paper has not been set, the process repeats from S418. Note that, in addition to accepting a confirmation instruction on the screen, a sensor provided within the printing device 100 may be used to detect whether paper has been set, and the determination in S419 may be made based on the detection signal.

[0071] In S420, the CPU 201 issues a command to fill the print head with ink from the ink tank and performs head cleaning to enable printing. After head cleaning is complete, the CPU 201 performs various corrections to account for variations in the print head nozzle position, adjusts the ejection timing, and performs registration adjustment to ensure accurate print results. Figure 6(f) shows an example of the screen displayed in S420. Registration adjustment is achieved by printing several patterns on the loaded paper and allowing the user to select the desired pattern from the print results. Alternatively, the print results of the patterns may be read by a sensor to determine the correction values. Note that if it is determined in S417 that registration adjustment should not be performed, for example, if the "Run Later" button on the screen in Figure 6(d) is pressed, registration adjustment is not performed in S420, and only head cleaning is performed. After S420, the processing in Figure 4(b) ends.

[0072] When the processing of S420 in FIG. 4(b) is completed, the CPU 201 determines in S404 in FIG. 4(a) that all processing related to the arrival processing has been completed, and proceeds to S405. FIG. 6(g) is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when the processing of FIG. 4(b) is completed. As explained above, the arrival processing includes multiple processes that are executed sequentially, and screens corresponding to each process as shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f) are displayed in order. FIG. 6(g) is a screen displayed when it is determined that all processing related to the arrival processing has been completed, in other words, it is the last screen displayed in the arrival processing.

[0073] In step S405 of FIG. 4A, the CPU 201 turns off the status determination flag stored in the RAM 202 and completes the arrival process. FIG. 6H illustrates an example of a screen displayed upon completion of the arrival process, such as a home screen for executing various functions of the printing device 100 (e.g., print, scan, copy, and setting functions). Here, completion of the arrival process refers to the state in which the screen indicating the completion of the arrival process has been displayed. In other words, the screen displayed upon completion of the arrival process is the first screen displayed after the screen indicating the completion of the arrival process has been displayed. The home screen includes buttons corresponding to the various functions of the printing device 100. When a button on the home screen is pressed, the printing device 100 displays a screen corresponding to the pressed button, which is used to execute the function of the printing device 100. The printing device 100 then executes functions such as print, scan, copy, and setting functions based on instructions from the user.

[0074] As described above, the arrival process requires a lot of processing, but the CPU 201 remains in a standby state until head cleaning and registration adjustment are complete. Therefore, the CPU 201 can execute the connection setting process for network setup in parallel with the arrival process.

[0075] Next, network setup performed by the terminal device 101 and the printing device 100 will be described. In this embodiment, network setup refers to the terminal device 101 connecting another device (e.g., the printing device 100) to an access point that forms a network. In other words, network setup includes processing executed on the terminal device 101 side and processing executed on the printing device 100 side. The processing executed on the terminal device 101 side is, for example, processing executed by a setting application of the terminal device 101, and will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The processing executed on the printing device 100 side is, for example, connection setting processing for connecting to an external device (e.g., AP 102), and will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12.

[0076] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure for connecting to the setup AP of the printing device 100 in the terminal device 101. The processing in Fig. 11 is realized, for example, by the CPU 251 reading a program stored in the ROM 253 into the RAM 252 and executing it. Below, the processing in Fig. 11 will be described as processing of a setting application. In Fig. 11, it is assumed that the printing device 100 is operating in network setup mode.

[0077] The wireless connection control unit 326 of the setting application starts searching for a wireless beacon having an SSID that matches the conditions of the setup AP (S1101). At this time, the setting application displays a screen indicating that a search is in progress, as shown in Fig. 13(a). The setting application determines whether a predetermined timeout period (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed (S1102).

[0078] If the setting application determines that the timeout period has elapsed, it terminates the processing of FIG. 11 . If it determines that the timeout period has not elapsed, it determines whether an SSID that meets the conditions for the setup AP has been found (S1103). If an SSID that meets the conditions for the setup AP has been found, the setting application displays a dialog screen indicating the detection, as shown in FIG. 13(b) (S1104). As shown in FIG. 13(b), the dialog screen is a screen for allowing the user to confirm whether the printing device 100 for which network setup is to be performed is the desired printing device. The setting application determines whether the “Connect” button in FIG. 13(b) has been pressed (S1105). If it determines that the “Connect” button has been pressed, the setting application attempts to connect to the setup AP (S1106) and stores a connection result indicating whether the connection was successful (S1107). On the other hand, if it determines that the “Connect” button has not been pressed, it means that the “Cancel” button has been pressed, and the processing of FIG. 11 terminates.

[0079] Next, the processing executed by the terminal device 101 and the printing device 100 after the processing of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The sequence shown in FIG. 12 is realized, for example, by the CPU of each device reading a program stored in the ROM or external storage device of each device into the RAM of each device and executing it. Note that a setup communication protocol is used for communication via a Wi-Fi connection between the printing device 100 operating in network setup mode and the terminal device 101.

[0080] In S1200, the terminal apparatus 101 requests a list of access points from the printing apparatus 100 via the Wi-Fi connection between the printing apparatus 100 and the terminal apparatus 101, the printing apparatus 100 operating in network setup mode, using the setting application.

[0081] Next, in step S1201, the printing device 100 transmits a list of access points to the terminal device 101 via the Wi-Fi connection between the printing device 100 operating in network setup mode and the terminal device 101. The list transmitted here indicates one or more access points to which the printing device 100 can connect, which have been discovered by the printing device 100 performing an AP search.

[0082] Next, in step S1202, the terminal device 101 transmits connection information for one of the access points included in the received list to the printing device 100 via a Wi-Fi connection between the printing device 100, which is operating in network setup mode, and the terminal device 101. This process is realized by the setting application controlling the terminal device 101 to transmit connection information for one of the access points included in the received list. Specifically, in this process, if the received list includes a connected AP, the terminal device 101 transmits the connection information for the connected AP. In this embodiment, the list includes only access points to which the printing device 100 can connect. Therefore, if the received list includes a connected AP, that means that the printing device 100 can connect to the connected AP. Furthermore, if the received list does not include a connected AP, the terminal device 101 displays the received list and accepts the user's selection of an access point from the list. The terminal device 101 then transmits the connection information for the selected access point. In this embodiment, the list includes only access points to which the printing device 100 can connect, so if the connected AP is not included in the received list, that means the printing device 100 cannot connect to the connected AP. Access points that can be connected using an encryption method that is not supported by the printing device 100 are not included in the list because the printing device 100 cannot connect to them. Access points that can be connected using a frequency band that is not supported by the printing device 100 are not included in the list because the printing device 100 cannot connect to them. Before transmitting the connection information, the terminal device 101 receives from the user a password for connecting to the access point on a screen displayed by the settings app. The received password is then included in the connection information and the connection information is transmitted.

[0083] In S1203, the printing apparatus 100 notifies the terminal apparatus 101 that connection information has been received via the Wi-Fi connection between the printing apparatus 100 operating in the network setup mode and the terminal apparatus 101.

[0084] In S1204, the printing device 100 exits the network setup mode and transitions to the infrastructure mode. Using the connection information acquired in S1202, the printing device 100 attempts to connect to the access point corresponding to the connection information. If the connection is successful, the printing device 100 can then communicate via the network formed by the connected access point.

[0085] In S1205, the terminal device 101 uses the saved connection information through the setting app to reconnect to the access point to which the terminal device 101 was connected when the setting operation was performed. Note that this is not a limitation. For example, if the terminal device 101 has transmitted to the printing device 100 connection information for an access point other than the access point to which the terminal device 101 was connected via Wi-Fi when the setting operation was performed, the terminal device 101 may connect to the other access point.

[0086] In S1206, the information processing device 101 searches for the printing device 100 on the network to which the information processing device 101 belongs using the setting app. When the terminal device 101 finds the printing device 100, it requests capability information from the printing device 100, and the printing device 100 transmits the capability information to the terminal device 101. This registers information about the printing device 100 in the setting app, and thereafter, communication with the printing device 100 becomes possible using the setting app. Specifically, for example, the setting app makes it possible to send print jobs to the printing device 100. At this time, if the terminal device 101 belongs to a network formed by an access point to which the printing device 100 is connected by network setup, communication with the printing device 100 becomes possible via the access point. If communication between the terminal device 101 and the printing device 100 cannot be performed, such as when the access point to which the printing device 100 is connected is not the access point to which the terminal device 101 is connected, the request for and acquisition of capability information is omitted. The communication in S1206 is executed using, for example, a communication protocol different from the DPP and the setup communication protocol (specifically, for example, CHMP). After that, the terminal device 101 ends the processing in this sequence diagram.

[0087] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a connection setting process executed by the printing device 100. The process in FIG. 10 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the printing device 100 reading a program stored in the ROM 203 into the RAM 202 and executing it. The process in FIG. 10 is started when a specific condition is triggered. For example, the specific condition may be that an instruction prompting a specific operation is displayed on the display 211 using the operation unit I / F 204 of the printing device 100, and that the specific operation is received from the user. The specific operation may be an operation on a panel or an operation on the housing of the printing device 100. Alternatively, the specific condition may be when the user purchases the printing device 100 and turns it on for the first time (when it arrives).

[0088] In S1001, the CPU 201 searches for surrounding beacons using the wireless unit 207 and creates an SSID list. The SSID list is a list that indicates one or more access points to which the printing device 100 can connect, which are discovered by the printing device 100 performing an AP search.

[0089] In S1002, the CPU 201 starts the network setup mode and prepares for a P2P connection via a wireless connection with the terminal device 101. Preparing for a P2P connection is a process of operating the wireless unit 207 in the network setup mode, transmitting a beacon, and waiting for a connection from the terminal device 101. At this point, the printing device 100 operates in the network setup mode. Note that starting the network setup mode in S1002 corresponds to S411 in FIG. 4B.

[0090] When the terminal device 101 connects to the wireless unit 207 of the printing device 100 operating in network setup mode and a P2P connection is established via a wireless connection, the process proceeds to S1003.

[0091] In S1003, the CPU 201 checks for an information acquisition request from the terminal device 101. In S1004, the CPU 201 determines whether the information acquisition request from the terminal device 101 includes a request for an SSID list from the terminal device 101 to the printing device 100. The request for an SSID list here refers to a request for an SSID list from the terminal device 101 to the printing device 100, and corresponds to the request for a list of access points in S1200 of FIG. 12. If it is determined that a request for an SSID list has been made, the process proceeds to S1006; if it is determined that a request for an SSID list has not been made, the process proceeds to S1005. In S1006, the CPU 201 transmits the SSID list to the terminal device 101 that has made the request. Thereafter, the process repeats from S1003.

[0092] In S1005, the CPU 201 checks for an instruction from the terminal device 101. In S1007, the CPU 201 determines whether or not there is a connection setting instruction from the terminal device 101 to the printing device 100. The connection setting instruction here is an instruction issued from the terminal device 101 to the printing device 100 as transmission of information for connecting to the AP 102, and corresponds to the transmission of access point connection information in S1202 of Fig. 12. If it is determined that there is a connection setting instruction, the process proceeds to S1008; if it is determined that there is no connection setting instruction, the process repeats from S1003.

[0093] In S1008, the CPU 201 ends the network setup mode and transitions to infrastructure mode. That is, the CPU 201 connects the wireless unit 207 to the SSID of the AP 102 specified by the terminal device 101 and establishes a wireless connection via infrastructure connection. Thereafter, the printing device 100 becomes able to communicate via the network formed by the connected AP 102. After S1008, the processing in FIG. 10 ends.

[0094] Next, a display control process for the network setup guidance screen when the printing device 100 in this embodiment arrives will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 211 in the display control process for the network setup guidance screen during the arrival process.

[0095] When the network setup mode is activated in S411, in S501 the CPU 201 starts displaying an icon image (network setup guidance icon) for guiding the user to perform network setup on the display 211. In other words, the network setup guidance icon is an image indicating that the printing device 100 is in network setup mode. In other words, the network setup guidance icon is an image for displaying a network setup guidance screen.

[0096] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of the network setup guidance icon displayed in S501. The network setup guidance icon is displayed superimposed on a screen displayed in the arrival process. For example, FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of the network setup guidance icon superimposed on the screen of FIG. 6(c) that prompts the user to install an ink tank. The network setup guidance icon may be displayed on any of the screens of FIG. 6(b) to 6(f) in the same manner as FIG. 7(b). The network setup guidance icon may be placed anywhere on the screen as long as it does not interfere with the transmission of information on the screen it is superimposed on. The network setup guidance icon also serves as a button that can accept a selection operation, and by selecting it, the user can transition to the network setup guidance screen from any screen displayed in the arrival process. The transition to the network setup guidance screen will be described later.

[0097] In S502, the CPU 201 determines whether network setup is complete. Because network setup can be performed without using the network setup guidance screen described below, the CPU 201 determines whether network setup is complete at this time. Completion of network setup means, for example, that after the processing of FIG. 10 is executed, it is possible to submit a print job to the printing device 100 via wireless communication from the terminal device 101 via the AP 102.

[0098] If it is determined that network setup is complete, in S508, the CPU 201 hides the displayed network setup guidance icon. This means, for example, ceasing the display of the network setup guidance icon, as in the transition from the screen of FIG. 7(b) to the screen of FIG. 6(c). Alternatively, operation instructions for the network setup guidance icon may be disabled. At this time, a screen indicating the completion of network setup, such as that shown in FIG. 7(f), may be displayed. The screen indicating the completion of network setup is displayed temporarily for a few seconds to notify the user when it is detected that network setup is complete while one of the arrival processing screens is being displayed, or until the user presses a confirmation button such as the OK button. Note that the method for detecting the completion of network setup for the determination in S502 is not particularly limited. For example, the completion of network setup may be detected based on the transmission and reception of a predetermined command between the device and an external device. Furthermore, the process of hiding the network setup guidance icon in S508 may be omitted, considering that the user may perform network setup again using a different method.

[0099] If it is determined in S502 that the network setup is not complete, the CPU 201 determines in S503 whether or not the network setup guidance icon displayed on each screen of the arrival process has been selected. If it is determined that the network setup guidance icon has not been selected, the process from S502 is repeated.

[0100] If it is determined in S503 that the network setup guidance icon has been selected, in S504 the CPU 201 starts processing for displaying a network setup guidance screen on the display 211. Here, before transitioning to the network setup guidance screen, screen information for the arrival processing currently being displayed is retained. Specifically, the screen information is, for example, information such as a serial number (ID) assigned to each screen. In S505, the CPU 201 displays the network setup guidance screen on the display 211.

[0101] Examples of the network setup guidance screen are shown in FIGS. 7(c), 7(d), and 7(e). FIG. 7(c) is the top screen of the network setup guidance screen, displaying a message to guide the user through network setup. FIG. 7(d) is a screen displaying a URL for displaying a web page showing detailed information for the user to perform network setup. The user confirms the displayed URL and enters it into the web browser of the terminal device 101. The terminal device 101 then displays the web page in the web browser. Specific content displayed on the web page may include, for example, a method of operating the terminal device 101 to perform network setup or a method of operating the printing device 100 to perform network setup. Specific content displayed on the web page may include, for example, information guiding the user to install a setting application on the terminal device 101 or a method of operating the setting application on the terminal device 101. FIG. 7(e) is a screen in which the URL shown in FIG. 7(d) is converted into a two-dimensional code (for example, a readable QR code (registered trademark)). The terminal device 101 reads the two-dimensional code, and thereby acquires the URL. The terminal device 101 then launches a web browser and inputs the URL obtained from the two-dimensional code into the web browser, thereby displaying a web page on the web browser. In the present embodiment, a URL and a two-dimensional code are used as the network setup guidance screen, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display 211 may display more detailed information, such as an explanation of an app (such as a setting app) to be installed on the terminal device 101. Note that the information displayed in FIG. 7(d) and the information obtained by reading the two-dimensional code displayed in FIG. 7(e) are not limited to the URL described above. For example, the information may be information for identifying the setting app. Specific examples of the information for identifying the setting app include the name of the setting app and an identification number for installing the setting app from a store app.The store app is an app that the terminal device 101 has, and is an app for installing various other apps on the terminal device 101. Also, an operation method for installing a setting app from the store app may be displayed as shown in FIG. 7(d). Then, a two-dimensional code may be read by the terminal device 101, and a screen for installing the setting app, which is a screen by the store app, may be displayed on the terminal device 101. When a back button (not shown) provided on the printing device 100 is operated while FIG. 7(e) is displayed, the screen shown in FIG. 7(d) is displayed. Note that a button for returning to the screen shown in FIG. 7(d) may be displayed on the screen of FIG. 7(e).

[0102] While the network setup guidance screens shown in FIGS. 7(c), 7(d), and 7(e) are displayed, the user can select or operate the cancel key on the operation unit 210 or the end button on the screen to transition from the network setup guidance screen to a screen for upon-arrival processing. Therefore, in S506, the CPU 201 determines whether to terminate the network setup guidance screen and transition to a screen for upon-arrival processing based on the user's operation on the network setup guidance screen. Furthermore, a user may perform network setup of the printing device 100 from the terminal device 101 while the network setup guidance screen is displayed, and the network setup may be completed while the network setup guidance screen is still displayed. Therefore, in S506, the CPU 201 may determine whether to terminate the network setup guidance screen and transition to a screen for upon-arrival processing based on detection of completion of network setup. If it is determined that the network setup guidance screen should be terminated and transition to the screen for upon-arrival processing is to be performed, the process proceeds to S507. If it is determined that the network setup guidance screen should not be terminated and transition to the screen for upon-arrival processing is not to be performed, the process of S506 is repeated. In S507, the CPU 201 refers to the screen information for the arrival process stored in S504, ends the network setup guidance screen, and transitions to a screen corresponding to the screen information, after which the processing from S502 is repeated.

[0103] In this embodiment, by enabling screen transition between the arrival processing screen and the network setup guidance screen, it is possible to continue the arrival processing even if the arrival processing transitions to the network setup guidance screen during the arrival processing. If it is determined in S506 based on the detection of network setup completion that the network setup guidance screen should be terminated and the arrival processing screen should be transitioned to, a screen indicating network setup completion, such as that shown in FIG. 7(f), may be displayed before the processing of S507 is executed. In this case, the screen indicating network setup completion is not displayed in S508, which is executed thereafter. Furthermore, the user may understand how to operate the network setup without checking the network setup guidance screen. In such a case, the network setup may be completed while the arrival processing screen (e.g., FIGS. 6(a) to 6(g)) is displayed, without operating the network setup guidance icon (i.e., without the network setup guidance screen being displayed). In other words, without operating the network setup guidance icon, while a screen for upon-arrival processing (e.g., FIGS. 6(a) to 6(g)) is displayed, the setting app may transmit information from the terminal device 101 to the printing device 100 to connect to the AP 102, and the printing device 100 may connect to the AP 102. In this case, when the printing device 100 connects to the AP 102, a screen indicating network setup completion such as that shown in FIG. 7(f) may not be displayed. That is, even when the printing device 100 connects to the AP 102, any of the screens shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(g) that were displayed when the printing device 100 connected to the AP 102 may remain displayed. Thereafter, when the Next button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 6(g), a screen indicating network setup completion such as that shown in FIG. 7(f) may be displayed. Thereafter, when the OK button is pressed, the screen of FIG. 6(h) may be displayed.

[0104] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to transition to a network setup guidance screen during the arrival process, thereby improving the convenience for the user regarding network setup.

[0105] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, when transitioning from one of the arrival processing screens to the network setup guidance screen and returning from the network setup guidance screen to the arrival processing screen, the screen returns to the arrival processing screen immediately before transitioning to the network setup guidance screen. However, if the arrival processing screen immediately before transitioning to the network setup guidance screen is a screen indicating the end of arrival processing as shown in FIG. 6(g), the operations required for arrival processing have already been completed. Therefore, when the display of the network setup guidance screen is terminated, there is little need to display the screen indicating the end of arrival processing again.

[0106] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the arrival processing screen immediately before transitioning to the network setup guidance screen is a screen indicating the end of arrival processing, when the display of the network setup guidance screen is terminated, the screen indicating the end of arrival processing is not displayed.

[0107] In this embodiment, S501 to S506 and S508 in Fig. 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore their description will be omitted. In this embodiment, in S507, the processing in Fig. 8 is executed.

[0108] If it is determined in S506 that the network setup guidance screen should be ended and the screen for arrival processing should be displayed, then in S801 the CPU 201 refers to the arrival processing screen information stored in S504. Then, in S802, the CPU 201 determines whether the arrival processing screen indicated by the screen information is a screen indicating the end of arrival processing. Here, an example of the screen indicating the end of arrival processing is the screen shown in FIG. 6(g). The determination of whether the arrival processing screen is a screen indicating the end of arrival processing is made, for example, by checking information such as a serial number (ID) assigned in advance to each screen. If it is determined in S802 that the arrival processing screen is a screen indicating the end of arrival processing, the process proceeds to S803, and if it is determined that the arrival processing screen is not a screen indicating the end of arrival processing, the process proceeds to S804.

[0109] In S803, the CPU 201 transitions to a screen that is displayed after the arrival process is completed. Specifically, for example, the CPU 201 transitions to the screen in Fig. 6(h) instead of the screen in Fig. 6(g).

[0110] In this embodiment, if the user transitions to the network setup guidance screen after confirming the screen indicating the completion of the arrival process, the screen indicating the completion of the arrival process is not displayed again, and the screen transitions to the screen displayed after the arrival process is completed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from having to perform the confirmation process multiple times when the arrival process is completed. Note that when the transition is made to the screen displayed after the arrival process is completed, the arrival process has already been completed, so the process of turning off the status determination flag as described in S405 of FIG. 4(a) is also executed.

[0111] On the other hand, if it is determined that the screen information held in S504 is not a screen indicating the end of the arrival processing, in S804, the CPU 201 transitions to a screen corresponding to the arrival processing screen information held in S504, as in S507 in the first embodiment.

[0112] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to omit the display of a screen indicating the completion of the processing upon arrival, thereby improving the convenience for the user regarding network setup.

[0113] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment will be described below, focusing on differences from the first and second embodiments. In the first embodiment, a case where a transition from one of the arrival process screens to the network setup guidance screen was described. However, the user may not realize that an icon that serves as a button for transitioning to the network setup guidance screen can be selected as a button. In this case, the arrival process is completed without displaying the network setup guidance screen to the user. In other words, even though the network setup guidance screen can be displayed, the user misses the opportunity to perform network setup.

[0114] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the user completes the arrival process without displaying the network setup guidance screen, the network setup guidance screen is displayed after the arrival process is completed.

[0115] In this embodiment, after it is determined in S404 of Fig. 4(a) that all processes upon arrival have been completed, the process of Fig. 9 is executed. Note that the process of Fig. 9 may be executed before or after the process of S405, which clears the status determination flag.

[0116] In S901, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the network setup is complete. The process for determining whether or not the network setup is complete is the same as that described in S502. If it is determined that the network setup is complete, there is little need to transition to the network setup guidance screen, so in S905 the CPU 201 transitions to a screen that is displayed after the arrival process is completed. After S905, the process in FIG. 9 ends.

[0117] If it is determined in S901 that the network setup is not complete, the CPU 201 determines in S902 whether or not there is a display history of the network setup guidance screen. In this embodiment, when the network setup guidance screen is displayed, the CPU 201 stores a display history flag for the network setup guidance screen as ON in the RAM 202. Alternatively, information such as a serial number (ID) previously assigned to the last screen displayed may be stored in association with this flag information. This flag information enables the determination of whether or not there is a display history of the network setup guidance screen. In S902, if the display history flag for the network setup guidance screen is ON, it is determined that there is a display history of the network setup guidance screen. Note that when the user first starts up the printing device 100, the display history flag for the network setup guidance screen is OFF. If it is determined that there is a display history of the network setup guidance screen, there is little need to display the network setup guidance screen again to the user. Therefore, in S905, the CPU 201 does not transition to the network setup guidance screen after the arrival processing is completed. In this embodiment, the process of S902 may be omitted. In that case, even if the display history flag for the network setup guidance screen is ON, the process proceeds to S903 and the network setup guidance screen is displayed. With this configuration, a user who has not yet completed network setup can be reminded to perform network setup again.

[0118] If it is determined that there is no display history of the network setup guidance screen, then in S903, similarly to S505, the CPU 201 displays the network setup guidance screen on the display 211. The screen displayed at this time may be a screen corresponding to information such as a serial number stored in association with the display history flag, or may be the first screen in the arrival processing.

[0119] In S904, similarly to S506, the CPU 201 determines whether to terminate the network setup guidance screen and transition to a screen for upon-arrival processing based on a user operation on the network setup guidance screen. If it is determined that the screen will transition to the screen for upon-arrival processing, the process proceeds to S905, and if it is determined that the screen will not transition to the screen for upon-arrival processing, the process of S904 is repeated. The process of FIG. 9 is executed as a process when it is determined in S404 of FIG. 4(a) that all upon-arrival processing has been completed. Therefore, in S905, the CPU 201 transitions to a screen that is displayed after the upon-arrival processing is completed.

[0120] As described above, according to this embodiment, if the arrival processing is completed without displaying the network setup guidance screen, it is possible to display the network setup guidance screen after the arrival processing is completed, thereby improving the user's convenience regarding network setup.

[0121] 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.

[0122] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following communication device, method, and program. (Item 1) A communication device capable of communicating with an external device, an execution unit that executes a predetermined preparation process in the communication device based on the activation of the communication device; a connection setting unit that executes a connection setting process for connecting to the external device, which is different from the predetermined preparation process; a display control means for controlling the display of a screen relating to the predetermined preparation process in accordance with the execution of the predetermined preparation process by the execution means; Equipped with the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process is displayed so as to be able to transition to a guidance screen which guides the user to execute the predetermined process for executing the connection setting process in an information processing device which is different from the external device and different from the communication device. A communication device comprising: (Item 2) 2. The communication device according to item 1, wherein the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process is configured to be able to accept an instruction to display the guidance screen. (Item 3) 3. The communication device according to item 2, wherein the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process includes an icon image capable of accepting an instruction to display the guidance screen. (Item 4) 4. The communication device according to item 2 or 3, wherein the guidance screen is a screen that displays information for executing the predetermined process in the information processing device. (Item 5) 5. The communication device according to item 4, wherein the information for executing the predetermined process is information that can be read by the information processing device. (Item 6) The communication device described in item 4 or 5, characterized in that the connection setting means is executed based on communication between the communication device and the information processing device without going through the external device, which is performed after the guidance screen is displayed. (Item 7) 7. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process includes a plurality of screens. (Item 8) 8. The communication device according to item 7, wherein the plurality of screens are screens corresponding to a plurality of preparatory processes that are executed sequentially. (Item 9) When the display of the guidance screen is terminated, the display control means controls so that a screen that was displayed before the transition to the guidance screen is displayed among the plurality of screens. 9. The communication device according to item 7 or 8, (Item 10) The communication device described in item 9 is characterized in that among the plurality of screens, a screen displayed after the screen displayed before transitioning to the guidance screen is displayed so as not to be transitionable to the guidance screen. (Item 11) The communication device described in any one of items 7 to 10, characterized in that if the screen displayed before transitioning to the guidance screen is the last screen of the multiple screens, the display control means does not display the last screen, but instead controls to display the screen that will be displayed after the specified preparation process is completed. (Item 12) Item 12. The communication device according to item 11, wherein the final screen is a screen indicating that the predetermined preparation process has been completed. (Item 13) 13. The communication device according to item 11 or 12, wherein the screen displayed after the predetermined preparation process is completed is a home screen on which functions of the communication device can be executed. (Item 14) The communication device described in any one of items 1 to 13, characterized in that the display control means controls the display of the guidance screen if there is no display history of the guidance screen after the specified preparation process is completed. (Item 15) 15. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the predetermined preparation process is a process performed when the communication device arrives. (Item 16) Item 16. The communication device according to item 15, wherein the communication device is a printing device. (Item 17) Item 17. The communication device according to item 16, wherein the process upon arrival includes at least one of installing an ink tank and setting paper. (Item 18) 18. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 17, wherein the external device is a device that operates as an access point. (Item 19) 19. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the predetermined process is a setup process for connecting the communication device to the external device. (Item 20) 1. A method performed in a communication device capable of communicating with an external device, comprising: an execution step of executing a predetermined preparation process in the communication device based on the activation of the communication device; a connection setup process for executing a connection setup process for connecting to the external device, which is different from the predetermined preparation process; a display control step of controlling the display of a screen relating to the predetermined preparation process in association with the execution of the predetermined preparation process in the execution step; and the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process is displayed so as to be able to transition to a guidance screen which guides the user to execute the predetermined process for executing the connection setting process in an information processing device which is different from the external device and different from the communication device. A method characterized by: (Item 21) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device according to any one of items 1 to 19.

[0123] 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]

[0124] 100 Printer: 101 Terminal: 201, 251 CPU: 202, 252 RAM: 203, 253 ROM

Claims

1. A communication device capable of communicating with an external device, an execution unit that executes a predetermined preparation process in the communication device based on the activation of the communication device; a connection setting unit that executes a connection setting process for connecting to the external device, which is different from the predetermined preparation process; a display control means for controlling the display of a screen relating to the predetermined preparation process in accordance with the execution of the predetermined preparation process by the execution means; Equipped with the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process is displayed so as to be able to transition to a guidance screen which guides the user to execute the predetermined process for executing the connection setting process in an information processing device which is different from the external device and different from the communication device. A communication device comprising:

2. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process is configured to be able to accept an instruction to display the guidance screen.

3. The communication device according to claim 2 , wherein the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process includes an icon image that can accept an instruction to display the guidance screen.

4. 3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the guidance screen is a screen that displays information for executing the predetermined process in the information processing device.

5. 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the information for executing the predetermined process is information that can be read by the information processing device.

6. 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the connection setting means is executed based on communication between the communication device and the information processing device that does not involve the external device, which is performed after the guidance screen is displayed.

7. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process includes a plurality of screens.

8. 8. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of screens correspond to a plurality of preparatory processes that are executed sequentially.

9. When the display of the guidance screen is terminated, the display control means controls so that a screen that was displayed before the transition to the guidance screen is displayed among the plurality of screens.

8. The communication device according to claim 7,

10. The communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that a screen among the plurality of screens that is displayed after a screen that was displayed before transitioning to the guidance screen is displayed so as not to be transitionable to the guidance screen.

11. The communication device according to claim 7, characterized in that, when the screen displayed before transitioning to the guidance screen is the last screen of the plurality of screens, the display control means controls the display so that the last screen is not displayed, but rather the screen that is displayed after the specified preparation process is completed is displayed.

12. 12. The communication device according to claim 11, wherein the final screen is a screen indicating that the predetermined preparation process has been completed.

13. The communication device according to claim 11 , wherein the screen displayed after the predetermined preparation process is completed is a home screen on which functions of the communication device can be executed.

14. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means controls the display of the guidance screen if there is no display history of the guidance screen after the predetermined preparation process is completed.

15. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined preparation process is a process performed when the communication device arrives.

16. 16. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein the communication device is a printing device.

17. 17. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein the process upon arrival includes at least one of installing an ink tank and setting paper.

18. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the external device is a device that operates as an access point.

19. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is a setup process for connecting the communication device to the external device.

20. 1. A method performed in a communication device capable of communicating with an external device, comprising: an execution step of executing a predetermined preparation process in the communication device based on the activation of the communication device; a connection setup process for executing a connection setup process for connecting to the external device, which is different from the predetermined preparation process; a display control step of controlling the display of a screen relating to the predetermined preparation process in association with the execution of the predetermined preparation process in the execution step; and the screen relating to the predetermined preparation process is displayed so as to be able to transition to a guidance screen which guides the user to execute the predetermined process for executing the connection setting process in an information processing device which is different from the external device and different from the communication device. A method characterized by:

21. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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