Electronic device, control method for the same, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology that improves the convenience of connecting an STA to an AP.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes setting means for enabling or disabling a function that changes the destination access point upon receiving a change request from an external source, and notification means for notifying the user when connecting to an access point capable of transmitting the change request while the function is disabled by the setting means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device that can change an access point (AP) to which it is connected based on a connection destination change request from the AP, a control method for the electronic device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In an Extended Service Set (ESS) consisting of multiple Access Points (APs), there is a technology that dynamically switches the AP to which the STA (Station) connects in order to efficiently exchange data between the AP and the STA. When it is determined that the AP to which the STA connects should be switched based on factors such as the congestion of the AP to which the STA is connected, the availability of other APs, and the radio wave conditions, the currently connected AP sends a request to the STA to change its connection AP. When the STA receives an AP change request, it can connect to the appropriate AP by switching its connection AP in accordance with the request.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses the following process for a router with AP functionality to request a connected wireless slave device to change its connection destination: A mobile router (MR1) connectable to multiple wireless slave devices checks whether the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v. Whether the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v can be determined from an Association Request frame transmitted by the wireless slave device when wirelessly connecting to MR1. If the wireless slave device terminal supports IEEE802.11v, a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame is transmitted to the corresponding wireless slave device terminal. The BSS Transition Candidate List Entries field of the BTM Request frame specifies the BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) ​​of the master router RT2 as the connection destination. This prompts the slave device terminal to switch its connection destination, and the wireless slave device terminal switches its connection destination from MR1 to RT2 in accordance with the received BTM Request frame.

[0004] Patent document 2 discloses a method of storing connection information that associates information about a wirelessly connected device with communication parameters used for the connection, and displaying the information when there are multiple pieces of connection information that have the same information about the other device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-175068 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-161250 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] A STA may be configured not to respond to a request to change its connection destination. Furthermore, users may not be aware of this setting. If a STA is configured in this way and connects to an AP, it will not be able to change its connection destination AP even if it receives a change request from the AP. As a result, the STA may lose its connection to the AP. Therefore, there is a need to improve the user convenience when connecting a STA to an AP.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving convenience when a STA connects to an AP. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention, an electronic device is provided that is characterized by comprising: a setting means for enabling or disabling a function for receiving a change request from outside and changing the access point to which the device is connected; and a notification means for notifying a user when the device connects to an access point that can send the change request while the function is disabled by the setting means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that improves convenience when a STA connects to an AP. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an MFP. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation display unit of an MFP. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an access point. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process in response to a connection destination change request from an AP. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of displays on an operation display unit of an MFP. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the MFP. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the MFP. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 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.

[0012] (First embodiment) (System Configuration) FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. In one example, this system is a wireless communication system in which a plurality of communication devices can communicate with each other wirelessly. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication devices include a mobile terminal device 104, an MFP 100, access points AP101 and AP102, a DHCP server 103, a DNS server 105, and a network 110. Note that AP101 and AP102 may be illustrated as AP1 and AP2. The mobile terminal device 104 is a device having a wireless communication function such as a wireless LAN. Note that hereinafter, wireless LAN may be referred to as WLAN. The mobile terminal device 104 may be a personal digital assistant such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone (smartphone), a digital camera, a personal computer, or the like.

[0013] The MFP 100 is a printing device having a printing function, and may also have a reading function (scanner), a fax function, and a telephone function. The MFP 100 of this embodiment has a communication function that enables wireless communication with a mobile terminal device 104. Although the present embodiment describes a case in which the MFP 100 is used as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, and the like, each having a communication function, may be used instead of the MFP 100. Note that MFP is an acronym for Multi Function Peripheral.

[0014] The AP 101 is provided separately (externally) from the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100, and operates as a WLAN base station device. A communication device having a WLAN communication function can communicate in WLAN infrastructure mode via the AP 101. Note that hereinafter, an access point may be referred to as an "AP." Furthermore, infrastructure mode may be referred to as "wireless infrastructure mode." The AP 101 performs wireless communication with communication devices that have been authorized (authenticated) to connect to the AP 101, and relays wireless communication between the communication devices and other communication devices. The AP 101 may also be connected to, for example, a wired communication network, and relay communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and another communication device wirelessly connected to the AP 101.

[0015] AP 102 has the same functions as AP 101, and MFP 100 switches its connection from AP 101 to AP 102 as necessary. DHCP server 103 connects to MFP 100 via AP 101 and network 110 and provides services to MFP 100 by responding to requests from MFP 100. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration in which DHCP server 103 is connected as a separate device from AP 101 and AP 102, the APs 101 and 102 may also have DHCP server functionality. DNS server 105 is connected to MFP 100 and mobile terminal device 104 via AP 101 and network 110 and provides name resolution services by responding to requests from MFP 100 and mobile terminal device 104. Here, network 110 may be the so-called Internet, a closed corporate network, or a mobile phone network.

[0016] (MFP external configuration) FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the external configuration of MFP 100. MFP 100 has, for example, a platen 201, a platen cover 202, a print paper insertion slot 203, a print paper ejection slot 204, and an operation display unit 205. Platen 201 is a stand on which a document to be read is placed. Platen cover 202 is a cover that holds down the document placed on platen 201 and prevents light from a light source that illuminates the document during reading from leaking to the outside. Print paper insertion slot 203 is an insertion slot that can accept paper of various sizes. Print paper ejection slot 204 is an ejection slot through which paper that has been printed is ejected. Paper that has been placed in print paper insertion slot 203 is transported one sheet at a time to the printing unit, where it is printed and then ejected from print paper ejection slot 204. The operation display unit 205 includes keys such as character input keys, cursor keys, a confirm key, and a cancel key, as well as an LED and an LCD, and is configured to be able to accept user operations for activating various MFP functions and for various settings. The operation display unit 205 may also include a touch panel display. The MFP 100 has a wireless communication function using WLAN, and includes a wireless communication antenna 206 for this wireless communication, although this antenna does not necessarily need to be visible from the exterior. Like the mobile terminal device 104, the MFP 100 can also perform wireless communication using WLAN in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.

[0017] (MFP configuration) FIG. 2(b) shows an example configuration of MFP 100. MFP 100 includes a main unit 211 that performs main control of the device itself and a wireless unit 226, which is a communication module that performs WLAN communication using at least one common antenna. The main unit 211 simply represents a block including functional blocks other than a modem 229 and a wireless unit 266. Furthermore, MFP 100 includes, for example, a modem 229 for performing wired communication. The main unit 211 includes, for example, a CPU 212 (central processing unit), a ROM 213, a RAM 214, a nonvolatile memory 215, an image memory 216, a read control unit 217, a data conversion unit 218, a reading unit 219, and an encoding / decoding processing unit 221. Furthermore, the main unit 211 includes, for example, a printing unit 222, a paper feed unit 223, a print control unit 224, and an operation display unit 220. These functional units within main unit 211 are connected to one another via a system bus 230 managed by CPU 212. Furthermore, main unit 211 and wireless unit 226 are connected to one another via, for example, a dedicated bus 225, and main unit 211 and modem 229 are connected to one another via, for example, a bus 228.

[0018] The CPU 212 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire MFP 100. In one example, the processing of the MFP 100 described below is realized by the CPU 212 executing programs stored in the ROM 213. Note that dedicated hardware for each process may be provided. The ROM 213 stores control programs such as the control programs and embedded OS programs executed by the CPU 212. In this embodiment, the CPU 212 executes the control programs stored in the ROM 213 under the management of the embedded OS also stored in the ROM 213, thereby performing software control such as scheduling and task switching.

[0019] The RAM 214 is configured with an SRAM or the like. The RAM 214 stores data such as program control variables, setting values ​​registered by the user, and management data for the MFP 100. The RAM 214 can also be used as a buffer for various types of work. The non-volatile memory 215 is configured with a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the power to the MFP 100 is turned off. The image memory 216 is configured with a memory such as a DRAM. The image memory 216 accumulates image data received via the wireless unit 226, image data processed by the encoding / decoding processing unit 221, and the like. Note that the memory configuration of the MFP 100 is not limited to the configuration described above. The data conversion unit 218 analyzes data in various formats and converts image data into print data, etc.

[0020] The reading control unit 217 controls the reading unit 219 (for example, a CIS (contact image sensor)) to optically read the document placed on the document table 201. The reading control unit 217 converts the image obtained by optically reading the document into electrical image data (image signals) and outputs the converted data. At this time, the reading control unit 217 may output the image data after performing various image processes such as binarization and halftoning.

[0021] The operation display unit 220 is the operation display unit 205 described with reference to FIG. 2(a), and performs display on a display based on display control by the CPU 212, generation of a signal in response to reception of a user operation, and the like.

[0022] The encoding / decoding processor 221 performs encoding and decoding processes on image data (JPEG, PNG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100, as well as scaling processes.

[0023] The paper feed unit 223 holds paper for printing. The paper feed unit 223 can supply the set paper under the control of the print control unit 224. The paper feed unit 223 may include multiple paper feed units in order to hold multiple types of paper in one device, and under the control of the print control unit 224, it can control which paper feed unit to use to feed paper.

[0024] The print control unit 224 performs various image processing such as smoothing, print density correction, and color correction on the image data to be printed, and outputs the processed image data to the print unit 222. The print unit 222 is configured to be able to perform, for example, inkjet printing, and ejects ink supplied from an ink tank from a print head to record an image on a recording medium such as paper. Note that the print unit 222 may also be configured to be able to perform other printing processes such as electrophotography. The print control unit 224 may also periodically read information from the print unit 222 and update status information stored in RAM 214, including the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank and the state of the print head.

[0025] The wireless unit 226 is a unit capable of providing WLAN communication functions, and can provide functions similar to those of a combination of the WLAN unit 401 of the mobile terminal device 104, for example. That is, the wireless unit 226 converts data into packets in accordance with the WLAN standard and transmits the packets to other devices, and also restores packets from other external devices to the original data and outputs the data to the CPU 212. The wireless unit 226 is capable of communication as a station conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard series. In particular, it is capable of communication as a station conforming to IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. Hereinafter, the station may be referred to as an STA. It is also capable of communication as an STA compatible with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark).

[0026] The wireless unit 226 is compatible with IEEE802.11ax, i.e., Wi-Fi 6 (trademark), and can perform processing compliant with IEEE802.11ax. In other words, the MFP 100 can operate (process) as either an STA compatible with (compliant with) OFDMA or as an STA compatible with (compliant with) TWT, or both. OFDMA stands for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access. TWT stands for Target Wake Time. Support for TWT adjusts the timing of data communication from the master device to the STA. The wireless unit 226 (MFP 100) as an STA transitions its communication function to a sleep state when it does not need to wait for signal reception. This reduces power consumption. The wireless unit 226 also supports Wi-Fi 6E (trademark). In other words, communication in the 6 GHz band (5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz) is also possible. The bands where Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) is performed, which exist in the 5 GHz band, do not exist in the 6 GHz band. Therefore, when communicating in the 6GHz band, communication interruptions due to DFS waiting times will not occur, and more smooth communication can be expected.

[0027] The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 are capable of P2P (WLAN) communication based on WFD, and the wireless unit 226 has a software access point (soft AP) function or a group owner function. That is, the wireless unit 226 can build a P2P communication network and determine the channel to be used for P2P communication.

[0028] (MFP operation display section) FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a screen display on a display (touch panel display) included in the operation display unit 220 of the MFP 100. FIG. 3(a) is an example of a home screen that is displayed when the MFP 100 is powered on and no operations such as printing or scanning are being performed (idle state, standby state). FIG. 3(a) displays display items (menu items) corresponding to copy, scan, and cloud, respectively. Cloud is a menu item related to cloud functions that use Internet communication. By selecting any of the menu items through key operations or touch panel operations, the MFP 100 can begin executing the corresponding settings or functions. The MFP 100 can seamlessly display a screen different from that shown in FIG. 3(a) by accepting key operations or touch panel operations on the home screen of FIG. 3(a).

[0029] Figure 3(b) is a display example of another part of the home screen, which transitions from the state of Figure 3(a) by performing an operation (such as sliding left or right) to display another page of the home screen. Figure 3(b) displays display items (menu items) corresponding to communication settings, print, and photo. When one of these menu items is selected, the function corresponding to the selected menu item, i.e., the print function, photo function, or communication settings, is executed.

[0030] FIG. 3(c) is an example of a communication settings menu screen that is displayed when communication settings are selected on the screen in FIG. 3(b). The communication settings menu screen displays menu items (options): "Wireless LAN," "Wired LAN," "Wireless Direct," "Bluetooth," and "Common." "Wireless LAN," "Wired LAN," and "Wireless Direct" are menu items for configuring LAN settings. These items allow users to configure wired connections, enable / disable wireless infrastructure mode, and enable / disable P2P modes such as WFD and soft AP mode. When the "Wireless LAN" item is selected and wireless LAN is enabled by user operation, wireless infrastructure mode is enabled. When the "Wireless Direct" item is selected and wireless Direct is enabled by user operation, P2P (WLAN) mode is enabled. This screen also displays a common settings menu for each connection type. Furthermore, the user can configure settings such as the wireless LAN frequency band and frequency channel from this screen.

[0031] (External configuration of mobile terminal device) FIG. 4(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the external configuration of the mobile terminal device 104. In this embodiment, as an example, the mobile terminal device 104 is a general-type smartphone. The mobile terminal device 104 includes, for example, a display unit 402, an operation unit 403, and a power key 404. The display unit 402 is, for example, a display including a liquid crystal display (LCD) type display mechanism. The display unit 402 may display information using, for example, an LED (light emitting diode). The mobile terminal device 104 may also have a function to output information by voice in addition to or instead of the display unit 402. The operation unit 403 includes hard keys such as keys and buttons, a touch panel, and the like for detecting user operations. In this example, the display unit 402 displays information and the operation unit 403 receives user operations using a common touch panel display, so the display unit 402 and the operation unit 403 are implemented by a single device. In this case, for example, button icons and a software keyboard are displayed using the display function of display unit 402, and the touch of the user on those locations is detected by the operation reception function of operation unit 403. Note that display unit 402 and operation unit 403 may be separated, and hardware for display and hardware for operation reception may be provided separately. Power key 404 is a hardware key for receiving a user operation to turn on or off the power of mobile terminal device 104.

[0032] The mobile terminal device 104 includes a WLAN unit 401 that provides WLAN communication functionality, although it does not necessarily need to be visible from the exterior. The WLAN unit 401 is configured to be able to perform data (packet) communication in a WLAN system that complies with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard series (IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, etc.). It is also capable of communication as an AP compatible with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark). However, this is not a limitation, and the WLAN unit 401 may also be capable of communication in a WLAN system that complies with other standards. In this example, the WLAN unit 401 is capable of communication in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. It is also assumed that the WLAN unit 401 is capable of communication based on WFD, communication in soft AP mode, communication in wireless infrastructure mode, etc. Operation in these modes will be described later.

[0033] (Configuration of mobile terminal device) FIG. 4(b) shows an example of the configuration of the mobile terminal device 104. In one example, the mobile terminal device 104 includes a main unit 411 that performs main control of the device itself and a WLAN unit 429 that performs WLAN communication. The main unit 411 includes, for example, a CPU 412, a ROM 413, a RAM 414, an image memory 415, a data conversion unit 416, a telephone unit 417, a GPS 419, a camera unit 421, a non-volatile memory 422, a data storage unit 423, a speaker unit 424, and a power supply unit 425. Here, CPU is an acronym for Central Processing Unit, ROM is an acronym for Read Only Memory, RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory, and GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. The mobile terminal device 104 also includes a display unit 420 and an operation unit 418. These functional units within the main unit 411 are connected to each other via a system bus 628 managed by the CPU 412. Furthermore, the main unit 411 and the WLAN unit 429 (the above-mentioned WLAN unit 401) are connected via a dedicated bus 426, for example.

[0034] The CPU 412 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire mobile terminal device 104. In one example, the processing of the mobile terminal device 104 described below is realized by the CPU 412 executing a program stored in the ROM 413. Note that dedicated hardware for each process may be provided. The ROM 413 stores control programs, such as a control program and an embedded operating system (OS) program, executed by the CPU 412. In this embodiment, the CPU 412 executes each control program stored in the ROM 413 under the management of an embedded OS also stored in the ROM 413, thereby performing software control such as scheduling and task switching.

[0035] The RAM 414 is configured with a static RAM (SRAM) or the like. The RAM 414 stores data such as program control variables, setting values ​​registered by the user, and management data for the mobile terminal device 104. The RAM 414 can also be used as a buffer for various types of work. The image memory 415 is configured with a memory such as a dynamic RAM (DRAM). The image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received via the WLAN unit 429 and image data read from the data storage unit 423 for processing by the CPU 412. The nonvolatile memory 422 is configured with a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the mobile terminal device 104 is powered off. Note that the memory configuration of the mobile terminal device 104 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the image memory 415 and the RAM 414 may be shared, or data may be backed up using the data storage unit 423. In this embodiment, although a DRAM is given as an example of the image memory 415, other storage media such as a hard disk or nonvolatile memory may also be used.

[0036] The data conversion unit 416 analyzes data in various formats and performs data conversion such as color conversion and image conversion. The telephone unit 417 controls telephone lines and realizes telephone communication by processing audio data input and output via a speaker unit 424. The GPS 419 receives radio waves transmitted from satellites and acquires location information such as the current latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal device 104.

[0037] The camera unit 421 has the function of electronically recording and encoding an image input through a lens. Image data obtained by capturing an image with the camera unit 421 is stored in a data storage unit 423. The speaker unit 424 controls the input and output of audio for telephone functions, as well as other functions such as alarm notification. The power supply unit 425 is, for example, a portable battery, and controls the supply of power to the device. Power supply states include, for example, a dead battery state in which there is no remaining battery power, a power-off state in which the power key 404 is not pressed, a running state in which the device is normally running, and a power-saving state in which the device is running but is in power-saving mode.

[0038] The display unit 420 is the display unit 402 described with reference to Fig. 4(a), and performs various input operations and displays the operating status and status of the MFP 100 based on the control of the CPU 412. The operation unit 418 is the operation unit 403 described with reference to Fig. 4(a), and upon receiving a user operation, performs control such as generating an electrical signal corresponding to the operation and outputting it to the CPU 412.

[0039] The mobile terminal device 104 performs wireless communication using a WLAN unit 429 to perform data communication with other devices such as the MFP 100. The WLAN unit 429 converts data into packets and transmits the packets to other devices. The WLAN unit 429 also restores packets from other external devices to the original data and outputs the data to the CPU 412. The WLAN unit 429 is a unit for realizing communication compliant with the WLAN standards. The WLAN unit 429 can operate in parallel in at least two communication modes, including a wireless infrastructure mode and a P2P (WLAN) mode. Note that the frequency bands used in these communication modes may be limited by the functionality and performance of the hardware.

[0040] (Access point configuration) 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an AP 101 having a wireless LAN access point function, which includes a main unit 510 that controls the AP 101, a wireless LAN unit 516, a wired LAN unit 518, and an operation button 520.

[0041] A microprocessor-type CPU 511 disposed in main unit 510 operates in accordance with a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 513 connected via an internal bus 512 and the contents of a RAM-type data memory 514. CPU 511 controls a wireless LAN unit 516 via a wireless LAN communication control unit 515 to perform wireless LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. CPU 511 also controls a wired LAN unit 518 via a wired LAN communication control unit 517 to perform wired LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. CPU 511 controls an operation unit control circuit 519 to accept operations from a user via operation buttons 520. CPU 511 includes at least one processor.

[0042] The AP 101 also includes an interference wave detection unit 521 and a channel change unit 522. The interference wave detection unit 521 performs processing to detect interference waves when wireless communication is being performed in a band where DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) is implemented. If an interference wave is detected when wireless communication is being performed in a band where DFS is implemented, the channel change unit 522 performs processing to change the channel to be used when it is necessary to immediately change to an available channel.

[0043] The AP 102 has the same configuration as the AP 101.

[0044] (P2P communication method) Next, we will outline the P2P (WLAN) communication method, which allows devices to communicate directly with each other wirelessly without going through an external access point. P2P (WLAN) communication can be realized using multiple methods. For example, a communication device can support multiple modes for P2P (WLAN) communication and selectively use one of the multiple modes to perform P2P communication (WLAN).

[0045] The following two P2P modes are envisioned: Soft AP mode Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode A communication device capable of P2P communication may be configured to support at least one of these modes, but even a communication device capable of P2P communication does not have to support all of these modes and may be configured to support only some of them.

[0046] A communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104) having a WFD communication function receives user operations via its operation unit, thereby invoking a (possibly dedicated) application for realizing the communication function. The communication device then displays a UI (user interface) screen provided by the application to prompt the user to perform an operation, and can execute WFD communication based on the received user operations.

[0047] ●Soft AP mode In the soft AP mode, a communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 104) operates as a client that requests various services. The other communication device (e.g., the MFP 100) operates as a soft AP that can execute the functions of a WLAN AP through software configuration. It is sufficient for the commands and parameters transmitted and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the soft AP to be those specified in the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. Furthermore, the MFP 100 operating in the soft AP mode determines the frequency band and frequency channel as the master station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use, either 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0048] WFD mode The MFP 100 may be configured to be permanently activated as a master station in WFD mode (Autonomous Group Owner). In this case, GO negotiation processing to determine the role is not required. In addition, in this case, the MFP 100 determines the frequency band and frequency channel as the master station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use, 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0049] (Wireless infrastructure mode) In wireless infrastructure mode, communication devices (e.g., mobile terminal device 104 and MFP 100) that communicate with each other are connected to an external AP (e.g., AP 101) that manages the network, and communication between the communication devices is performed via that AP. In other words, communication between the communication devices is performed via a network established by the external AP. When mobile terminal device 104 and MFP 100 each discover AP 101 and send a connection request to AP 101 to connect, communication between these communication devices in wireless infrastructure mode via AP 101 is possible. Note that multiple communication devices may be connected to separate APs. In this case, data transfer between APs enables communication between the communication devices. Commands and parameters transmitted and received during communication between each communication device via an access point may be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and therefore will not be described here. In this case, AP 101 determines the frequency band and frequency channel. Therefore, the AP 101 can select which frequency band to use from 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 6 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0050] (Processing in response to a request from the AP to change the connection destination of the STA) The mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 support a function publicly known as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark). Wi-Fi Agile Multiband is a function that enables the selection of an optimal environment according to changing conditions in a Wi-Fi network. Specifically, STAs such as the mobile terminal device 104 and the MFP 100 and APs such as the AP 101 exchange information about the network environment using the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards. Through this information exchange, if the network is congested, the AP can guide (change the connection destination) the STA to another AP, frequency band, channel, or even another cellular service.

[0051] 6 is a sequence diagram in which MFP 100 switches the AP of the connection destination from AP 101 to AP 102 in response to a connection destination change request from AP 101. In this sequence, the processes executed by each device are realized by the CPU of each device reading various programs stored in memory such as ROM of each device into RAM and executing them.

[0052] 6, it is assumed that the MFP 100 has established a connection with the AP 101 in wireless infrastructure mode. When the MFP 100 and the AP 101 connect in wireless infrastructure mode, the AP 101 acquires information on whether the MFP 100 supports IEEE802.11v. If the AP 101 has acquired information indicating that the MFP 100 supports IEEE802.11v, it will perform the following processing.

[0053] In S601, the AP 101 transmits to the MFP 100 an inquiry (measurement request) about the radio wave strength of APs around the MFP 100. This inquiry is transmitted as, for example, a beacon frame request or a beacon report request. That is, this request can use a mechanism defined in the IEEE 802.11k standard.

[0054] In S602, the MFP 100 receives frames transmitted by surrounding APs in response to the request received in S601 and measures the radio wave strength. As a result, the radio wave strength of each of the multiple APs, including AP 101 and AP 102, is measured.

[0055] In S603, the MFP 100 transmits a list of the radio wave intensities of the APs around the MFP 100 measured in S602 as a response to the request received in S601. Note that the radio wave intensity to be transmitted in response may be information stored in the RAM 214, non-volatile memory 215, etc. of the MFP 100 in addition to or instead of the information measured in S602. This response is transmitted as, for example, a beacon report or measurement reports.

[0056] In S604, the AP 101 determines whether or not it is necessary to switch the connection destination of the MFP 100, based on the congestion status within the network that the AP 101 is aware of and the radio wave strength received in S603 from the MFP 100. Factors that the AP 101 may use to determine that a connection switch is necessary include a large number of connected STAs, a large amount of communication traffic, other APs being less congested, the presence or absence of radio interference, and AP function outages. Once it has determined that a switch of the connection destination of the MFP 100 is necessary and has determined the SSID (Service Set Identifier), channel, and frequency band of another AP to specify as the switch destination of the MFP 100, the process proceeds to S605.

[0057] In S605, the AP 101 transmits an AP change request (connection destination switch request) to the MFP 100. The connection destination change request includes information on the SSID, channel, and frequency band of another AP to be designated as a switch destination for the MFP 100, as determined in S604. Note that multiple SSIDs may be designated. The connection destination change request is transmitted, for example, as a BTM Request. In other words, a BTM (BSS Transition Management) Request frame defined in the IEEE802.11v standard is transmitted. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the AP 102 is designated as the switch destination included in the connection destination change request.

[0058] In S606, if the MFP 100 complies with the connection destination change request received in S605, it transmits a response indicating acceptance of the switch to the AP 101. If the MFP 100 does not comply with the connection destination change request, it may transmit a response indicating rejection of the switch. The response is transmitted as a BTM Response. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that a response indicating acceptance is transmitted.

[0059] In S607, the AP 101 and the MFP 100 disconnect from each other in the wireless infrastructure mode.

[0060] In S608, the MFP 100 transmits a connection request to the AP 102 to connect to the AP 102 specified in the connection destination change request received in S605. As a result, in S609, a connection between the MFP 100 and the AP 102 in the wireless infrastructure mode is established.

[0061] With this mechanism, MFP100, which is an STA, can change its connection destination from AP101 to AP102 based on a connection destination change request from AP101 to which it was originally connected. AP101 and AP102 may be APs installed in different locations. That is, by the processing of FIG. 6, MFP100 can switch to another AP installed in a different location from the AP to which it was originally connected. Also, among multiple frequency bands (any two or three of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) provided by the same device, the APs may each support different frequency bands. That is, by the processing of FIG. 6, MFP100 can switch to another frequency band provided by the same device as the AP to which it was originally connected. For example, it is possible to change the connection destination to an AP in the 6 GHz band based on a connection destination change request.

[0062] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which an AP transmits a measurement request or a connection destination change request in a mechanism compliant with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband, and an STA responds to the request, but the present invention is not limited to this. This embodiment can also be applied to a case in which an STA responds to a measurement request or a connection destination change request transmitted from an AP using a mechanism different from the above example, or changes the connection destination AP (switches, deletes, or adds an AP to be connected to).

[0063] There are situations where it is acceptable to change the destination AP based on a change request sent from the currently connected AP, and situations where it is not desirable. In situations where it is not desirable to change the destination AP based on a change request, one or a combination of the following processes can be performed to suppress the change of destination in response to the change request. The following processes respectively prevent or make it more difficult to change the destination AP based on a change request.

[0064] (Suppression process 1) Even if the change request described in S605 is received, the MFP 100 does not change the destination AP based on the received connection request, does not return a response to the change request, or sends a rejection response (indicating that the destination AP will not be changed) to the currently connected AP. If a rejection response is sent, the priority of the change of destination for other STAs connected to the AP to which the MFP 100 is connected increases, and the priority of the change of destination for the MFP 100 that returned the rejection response decreases, resulting in the connection with the currently connected AP being maintained. Also, if no response is returned (ignored), the currently connected AP is considered to maintain its connection with the MFP 100 by waiting for a response until the response wait time expires. Therefore, if the connection is to be immediately terminated in response to a response from the MFP 100 to the change request, not responding can extend the time the connection with the currently connected AP can be maintained rather than returning a response. Therefore, for example, different processing can be performed depending on the reason for the change, such as responding with a rejection if the reason is weak and ignoring if the reason is strong, based on the information about the reason for the change included in the change request. The reason for the change can be determined based on the information included in the Request Mode included in the BTM Request, which of several reasons applies. For example, if the Disassociation Imminent bit or the BSS Termination Included bit in the Request Mode is 1, it can be determined that the reason for the change is a strong reason for the change request. Otherwise, it can be determined that the reason for the change is a weak reason for the change.

[0065] (Suppression process 2) In response to the measurement request described in S601, the AP responds (fakes) with information indicating that the radio wave reception conditions (signal reception conditions) of non-connected APs other than the connected AP are lower than the conditions actually measured (low signal quality). In this case, the AP may actually perform measurements in response to the measurement request, or may respond without actually performing measurements. Specifically, in the response (beacon report, etc.) described in S603, the AP may respond with a value obtained by reducing the received signal strength and / or increasing the noise (signal-to-noise ratio) compared to the signal quality measured for the signal received from the non-connected AP. Alternatively, the AP may respond without including information about at least one of the non-connected APs. Furthermore, the AP may respond with a significantly lower received signal strength or a significantly increased noise based on information previously measured for the non-connected AP. Furthermore, the AP may respond without actually performing measurements (AP search) even when it receives a measurement request, and may not include information about the non-connected AP, indicating that only the connected AP has good received signal strength and noise conditions. A response to a measurement request without including information about the non-connected AP corresponds to an AP search not finding other non-connected APs. In other words, a response without including information about the non-connected AP indicates that at least some of the signal quality from the non-connected AP is worse than that obtained by an actual AP search. This is expected to prevent a connected AP from sending a request to change the connection destination to another AP. Therefore, a change of connection destination in response to a request to change the connection destination is prevented.

[0066] (Suppression process 3) The MFP 100 temporarily disconnects from the currently connected AP, notifies the MFP 100 of the fact that the change request is not supported, and then reconnects to the same AP. Specifically, the wireless connection with the currently connected AP is temporarily disconnected, and in preparation for reconnecting wirelessly, association request frame data is created that includes information that the MFP 100 is not compliant with IEEE 802.11v. Then, connection processing with the AP is performed using the data in the created association request frame. As a result, if an association request frame including information that the MFP 100 is not compliant with IEEE 802.11v is created, the MFP 100 will connect to the AP as an electronic device that does not support (is incompatible with) the Agile Multiband function. As a result, the currently connected AP recognizes that the MFP 100 is not compliant with IEEE 802.11v, and will no longer send a request to change the wireless connection destination to the MFP 100. In this way, a request to change the wireless connection to the MFP 100 is no longer made, making it easier to maintain the wireless connection between the MFP 100 and the currently connected AP. Furthermore, if the connected AP recognizes that the MFP 100 is not IEEE802.11v-compatible, the transmission of the measurement request (the request described in S601) from the connected AP to the MFP 100 is also suppressed. Therefore, the measurement (AP search) in response to the measurement request in the MFP 100 and the response to the measurement request (processing in S603) can also be suppressed. This reduces the processing load and power consumption, allowing resources to be allocated to other processes.

[0067] For example, a state in which changing the connection destination AP based on a change request is undesirable is when print data is being received. While the MFP 100 is receiving print data, it has already received part of the print data for the image to be printed from the mobile terminal device 104, which is the other device, but has not yet received the remaining part of the print data. The MFP 100 does not store all of the print data for one sheet of paper. Therefore, when the MFP 100 receives part of the print data, it prints only that part (for example, it receives and prints one line), and when it receives the remaining data, it prints that part again, repeating this process. If the connection destination AP is changed based on a change request while receiving this print data, a time lag occurs during the connection destination switching process, which may result in reduced print quality, such as uneven printing. Furthermore, after the connection destination is switched, communication with the mobile terminal device 104, which is the other device, may not work properly, preventing it from receiving the remaining data and resulting in printing failure. Therefore, while receiving print data, at least one of the above-mentioned (suppression process 1) and (suppression process 2) processes should be performed to suppress changes in the connection destination in response to a change request, or the above-mentioned (suppression process 3) process should be performed before starting to receive print data.

[0068] The MFP 100, which is an electronic device, can enable or disable a function provided as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark), as described below. Hereinafter, the function published as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband (trademark) will be referred to as the Agile Multiband function. In this embodiment, the Agile Multiband function is a function that, when the MFP 100 receives a connection destination AP change request from an external AP, changes the connection destination AP in accordance with the change request (see FIG. 6 ). The MFP 100 has an internal setting value indicating whether the Agile Multiband function is enabled or disabled. When this setting value indicates enabled, the connection destination AP can be changed by the Agile Multiband function, and when it indicates disabled, the connection destination AP cannot be changed by the Agile Multiband function. The setting value is stored in the RAM 214 and can be rewritten and read by the CPU 212 as needed. Furthermore, this setting value is set based on a user operation, as described below. In the following description, the setting value indicating whether the Agile Multiband function is enabled or disabled may be referred to as the Agile Multiband setting.

[0069] For example, when the Agile Multiband function is enabled and the MFP 100 receives a change request from the currently connected AP, the MFP 100 changes the connection destination to another AP in accordance with the change request. This operation allows the MFP 100 to change the connection destination to an appropriate AP when, for example, the network of the currently connected AP is congested. On the other hand, when the MFP 100 connects to an AP in a state where the Agile Multiband function is disabled, the MFP 100 cannot execute the function. That is, even if the MFP 100 receives a change request for the connection destination AP from the currently connected AP after connecting to the AP, the MFP 100 does not change the connection destination AP in accordance with the change request. Specifically, for example, when the MFP 100 receives a change request for the connection destination AP from the currently connected AP, the MFP 100 does not respond to the change request. Alternatively, for example, the MFP 100 may respond to the change request by refusing the change. As a result, the MFP 100 may be disconnected from the AP. Furthermore, the user may not be aware that the MFP 100 is configured not to respond to connection destination change requests. Therefore, when connecting the MFP 100 to an AP, it is required to improve user convenience.

[0070] In this embodiment, the MFP 100 enables or disables the Agile Multiband function, which receives a change request from an external device and changes the AP to which it is connected. Furthermore, when the MFP 100 connects to an AP that can send a change request while the Agile Multiband function is disabled, the MFP 100 notifies the user. This configuration allows the user to recognize that the Agile Multiband function is disabled when connecting the MFP 100 to an AP. In other words, it is possible to improve user convenience when connecting an MFP operating as an STA to an AP.

[0071] (Notification display) Please refer to Fig. 7(a). Fig. 7(a) schematically shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit 220 under the control of the CPU 212. Specifically, Fig. 7(a) is an example of a home screen that is displayed when the MFP 100 is connected to an AP that can send a change request while the Agile Multiband function is disabled. An AP that can send a change request is, in other words, an AP that supports the Agile Multiband function. The process when the home screen of Fig. 7(a) is displayed will be described in detail later (see Figs. 8 and 9). The home screen of Fig. 7(a) displays a status notification display unit 701, a button 702, a button 703, etc.

[0072] The status notification display unit 701 displays a notification regarding the Agile Multiband setting when connecting to an AP that can send a change request while the Agile Multiband function of the MFP 100 is set to disabled. In this example, the status notification display unit 701 displays a notification indicating that switching to the optimal AP is not possible due to the Agile Multiband setting. In other words, the status notification display unit 701 indicates that the Agile Multiband function will not be executed because the Agile Multiband function is set to disabled.

[0073] In this embodiment, when the Agile Multiband function of the MFP 100 is disabled and the MFP 100 connects to an AP that can transmit a change request, a notification is given to the user by the status notification display unit 701 on the user interface screen. As a result, even if the user does not realize that the Agile Multiband function is disabled and connects the MFP 100 to an AP, the user can recognize the setting. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user when connecting the MFP 100 to an AP.

[0074] For example, the status notification display unit 701 may display a notification that the Agile Multiband function is executed by enabling the Agile Multiband function of the MFP 100. For example, the status notification display unit 701 may display a notification that urges the user to enable the Agile Multiband function of the MFP 100. For example, the status notification display unit 701 may display a notification that explains the Agile Multiband function.

[0075] The button 702 is an interface that can accept a change instruction to change the Agile Multiband function to enabled or disabled. When the CPU 212 accepts an instruction to change the setting (when the button 702 is pressed by the user), it displays an Agile Multiband setting screen shown in Fig. 7(b) that will be described later. On the Agile Multiband setting screen, the Agile Multiband function can be set to enabled or disabled. In other words, the home screen shown in Fig. 7(a) can also be said to be a user interface screen that can accept a change instruction to set the Agile Multiband function to enabled or disabled.

[0076] Button 703 is an interface that can accept a non-change instruction that does not change the settings of the Agile Multiband function. When the CPU 212 accepts an instruction not to change the settings (when the button 703 is pressed by the user), the CPU 212 stops displaying the status notification display unit 701, the button 702, and the button 703 on the home screen. Furthermore, when no user operation is performed on the button 702 or the button 703 for a certain period of time, the CPU 212 stops displaying these.

[0077] (AgileMultiband setting screen) Please refer to Fig. 7(b). Fig. 7(b) shows an example of an Agile Multiband setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 220 when the user presses a button 702 on the home screen of Fig. 7(a). The Agile Multiband setting screen 704 is a screen for enabling or disabling the Agile Multiband function of the MFP 100. The Agile Multiband setting screen 704 displays, for example, an Agile Multiband setting section 705 and an OK button 706.

[0078] The AgileMultiband setting unit 705 is an interface capable of receiving a selection instruction for setting to enable or disable the AgileMultiband function. The AgileMultiband setting unit 705 includes an enable button capable of receiving a selection instruction for setting to enable the AgileBand function, and a disable button capable of receiving a selection instruction for setting to disable the AgileBand function. Note that the AgileMultiband setting unit 705 is not limited to button display, and may receive a selection instruction for setting to enable or disable the AgileBand function in other display formats such as a radio box.

[0079] The OK button 706 is an interface for confirming the content of the selection instruction received by the Agile Multiband setting unit 705. For example, when the OK button 706 is pressed by the user, the CPU 212 stores the content of the selection instruction received by the Agile Multiband setting unit 705 in memory as the above-mentioned setting value. Note that the Agile Multiband function of the MFP 100 may be set to disabled or enabled by default. For example, even if it is set to disabled by default, the user can recognize the setting by a notification when connecting to an AP, as described below. Also, although Agile Multiband is set in FIG. 7, it may instead be set to enable or disable a predetermined communication standard (e.g., IEEE802.11ax). In this case, Agile Multiband is enabled if the predetermined communication standard is enabled, and Agile Multiband is disabled if the predetermined communication standard is disabled. In addition to setting the predetermined communication standard, an "access point switching function" may also be set to enable or disable.

[0080] Although an example has been described in which the Agile Multiband setting screen 704 is displayed on the operation display unit 220 when the button 702 is pressed by the user on the home screen of Fig. 7(a), the present invention is not limited to this. The Agile Multiband setting screen 704 may be displayed, for example, by a user operation on the communication setting menu screen of Fig. 3(c).

[0081] In the present embodiment, the home screen of Fig. 7(a) and the AgileMultiband setting screen of Fig. 7(b) are described as examples displayed on the operation display unit 220 of the MFP 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. These screens may be displayed using a display unit of an external device using, for example, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) communication. Specifically, these screens may be displayed on the display unit 402 of the mobile terminal device 104 by a WebUI (also called a remote UI) function for operating the MFP 100.

[0082] Next, reference is made to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an example of processing executed when MFP 100 connects to an external access point in this embodiment. The processing in FIG. 8 is started, for example, when MFP 100 receives an instruction for AP setting processing to connect to an external AP in wireless infrastructure mode. The instruction for AP setting processing may be received by a user operation from a communication setting menu screen, for example. The processing in FIG. 8 is realized, for example, by CPU 212 reading a program stored in ROM 213, which is a computer-readable recording medium, into RAM 214 and executing the program.

[0083] In S801, the CPU 212 controls the wireless unit 226 to perform a process of searching for APs (hereinafter referred to as AP search) that are connection destination candidates in the environment in which the MFP 100 is installed. In other words, the CPU 212 searches for an AP to which the MFP 100 is to be connected. For example, the CPU 212 transmits a device search request (ProbeRequest). Thereafter, the CPU 212 searches for APs around the MFP 100 by receiving signals such as a device search response (ProbeResponse) transmitted from the AP or a Beacon (information that the AP voluntarily transmits periodically). In addition, in the AP search, AP information acquired from the surrounding APs includes, for example, the AP's SSID (Service Set Identifier), radio wave intensity, frequency band, MAC address (Media Access Control address), information indicating a security method, and information indicating whether the AP supports the Agile Multiband function. In addition, in S801, the CPU 212 searches for APs around the MFP 100, and then creates an AP search result list. The AP search result list is a list of APs discovered by the AP search. In S801, the CPU 212 may store the AP search result list in the RAM 214. In S801, the CPU 212 may refer to the RAM 214, and if an AP search list is already stored, the CPU 212 may proceed to S802 without performing an AP search.

[0084] In S802, the CPU 212 acquires information indicating whether or not the AP supports the Agile Multiband function from the AP information received by the AP search in S801.

[0085] In S803, the CPU 212 accepts an instruction to select an AP to connect to. For example, the CPU 212 may display an AP search result list on the operation display unit 220 as an interface that can accept a selection instruction. This interface may display part or all of the AP search result list. Also, in S803, the CPU 212 acquires authentication information for the AP to connect to for which the selection instruction has been accepted. Specifically, if the AP to connect to for which the selection instruction has been accepted uses a security method that requires authentication information such as a password, the CPU 212 accepts input of the password for the AP to connect to.

[0086] Note that in S803, the CPU 212 is not limited to accepting a selection instruction from the AP search result list. For example, the CPU 212 may accept input of the SSID of the AP to be connected to. The CPU 212 may also accept information such as the channel and frequency band of the AP to be connected to. In addition, in S803, the CPU 212 may accept a selection instruction of the AP to be connected to by, for example, a setting application of the mobile terminal device 104. The setting application is, for example, an application program that can operate the settings of the MFP 100.

[0087] In S804, the CPU 212 determines whether the AP to be connected, for which the selection instruction was received in S803, supports the Agile Multiband function. If the CPU 212 determines that the AP to be connected supports the Agile Multiband function, the process proceeds to S805. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the AP to be connected does not support the Agile Multiband function, the process proceeds to S809. In S804, for example, the CPU 212 makes this determination based on the information regarding whether the AP supports the Agile Multiband function obtained in S802. Specifically, the CPU 212 makes this determination based on whether the beacon received in the AP discovery includes information indicating support for IEEE 802.11k and IEEE 802.11v.

[0088] In S805, the CPU 212 reads the Agile Multiband setting stored in the RAM 214 and determines whether the Agile Multiband function is enabled. If the CPU 212 determines that the Agile Multiband function is enabled, the process proceeds to S809. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the Agile Multiband function is disabled, the process proceeds to S806.

[0089] In S806, the CPU 212 notifies the user. Specifically, the CPU 212 notifies the user that the Agile Multiband function will not be executed because the Agile Multiband function has been set to disabled on the operation display unit 220. This notification is displayed in the status notification unit 701 shown in FIG. 7(a) as described above. Also, in S806, the CPU 212 displays buttons 702 and 703 on the home screen of the operation display unit 220 as described above. That is, the CPU 212 displays an interface capable of accepting a change instruction to change the Agile Multiband function to enabled or disabled, and an interface capable of accepting a non-change instruction to not change the Agile Multiband function.

[0090] In this way, when the MFP 100 connects to an AP that can send a connection destination change request while the AgileMultiband function is set to disabled, the notification of S806 is performed before connecting to the AP. With this notification, the user can recognize the setting even if they are not aware that the AgileBand function is set to disabled. Furthermore, when connecting the MFP 100 to an AP, the user can change the AgileMultiband setting from disabled to enabled.

[0091] In S806, the CPU 212 controls the printing unit 222 to print a report of information indicating the contents of the Agile Multiband setting. By printing such a report, it is possible to notify the user that the Agile Multiband setting has been disabled.

[0092] Note that, in the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the CPU 212 proceeds to S807 after S806, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 212 may determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after S806. If the CPU 212 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, it may stop the notification of S806 and proceed to S809. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, it may proceed to S807. In this way, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the notification was displayed in S806, stopping the notification prevents the notification from being continuously displayed.

[0093] In S807, the CPU 212 determines whether or not to change the Agile Multiband settings. If the CPU 212 determines to change the settings, the process proceeds to S808. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines not to change the settings, the process proceeds to S809. Specifically, in S807, if the button 702 is operated on the operation display unit 220, the CPU 212 proceeds to S808. On the other hand, if the button 703 is operated, the CPU 212 proceeds to S809 (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0094] In S808, the CPU 212 displays the Agile Multiband setting screen 704 on the operation display unit 220 and receives a setting instruction for the Agile Multiband setting (see FIG. 7(b)). Then, when the OK button 706 is pressed, the CPU 212 stores the Agile Multiband setting in the RAM 214 based on the user operation of the Agile Multiband setting unit 705.

[0095] In S809, the CPU 212 performs authentication with the AP to be connected using the authentication information (password) acquired when the instruction to select the AP to be connected to was received in S803. Note that if the security method of the AP to be connected to is a method that does not require authentication when connecting to the AP, this process may be skipped. Note that in S809, the CPU 212 may use authentication information that has been stored in advance in the RAM 214, or may use authentication information transmitted by a setting application of the mobile terminal device 104.

[0096] In step S809, if the authentication fails, the CPU 212 may repeatedly perform authentication with the AP to be connected. The CPU 212 may also notify the user that the authentication failed and display an interface for accepting input of authentication information. The CPU 212 may then perform authentication with the AP to be connected using the accepted input authentication information.

[0097] In S810, the CPU 212 establishes (associates) a wireless connection with the AP to be connected, and ends the processing of FIG.

[0098] As described above, according to this embodiment, the MFP 100 notifies the user when connecting to an AP that can transmit a connection destination change request while the Agile Multiband function of the MFP 100 is disabled. In this manner, the user can be made aware that the Agile Multiband function is disabled.

[0099] Note that, although the embodiment in which the CPU 212 proceeds to S809 when it is determined in S805 that the Agile Multiband setting is valid has been described as an example, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined that the Agile Multiband setting is valid, the CPU 212 may determine whether or not the MFP 100 satisfies a specific condition. Then, the CPU 212 may proceed to S809 when the specific condition is not satisfied, and may disable the Agile Multiband setting and proceed to S809 when the specific condition is satisfied. The specific condition is a condition for disabling the Agile Multiband setting. Specifically, for example, it may be determined that the specific condition is satisfied when either the following condition (1) or (2) is satisfied. (1) The MFP 100 is installed in a specific installation environment. (2) The MFP 100 is in a state where it transitions to a power saving state.

[0100] The specific installation environment of condition (1) can be, for example, (a) an installation environment in which the number of APs connectable to the MFP 100 is equal to or less than a predetermined number, or (b) an installation environment in which the number of electronic devices connected to the AP 101 is equal to or less than a predetermined number. For example, if the predetermined number is 2 in condition (a), an installation environment in which there are no other APs that can be connection destinations is determined to be a specific installation environment. Furthermore, in an installation environment in condition (b), it is estimated that the number of STAs is small and that congestion requiring AP switching is rare. A typical example of such a specific installation environment is a home installation environment, such as a telecommuting environment. When a STA is used at home, it is rare for there to be multiple APs in the home, and it is expected that AP connection destination changes using Agile Multiband rarely occur. However, unnecessary power consumption occurs while waiting for connection destination change requests. Therefore, when such a specific installation environment is detected, the setting may be changed so that connection destination changes using Agile Multiband are not performed (disabled). Note that the installation environment can be configured by the user via, for example, an operation screen of the MFP 100. Alternatively, the setting may be automatically made based on the operating environment acquired by the MFP 100. In this embodiment, the setting value of the installation environment indicates, for example, HOME or OFFICE, and when the setting value indicates HOME, it is determined to be a specific installation environment (condition (1)).

[0101] The power-saving state in condition (2) is an operating state into which the STA transitions to reduce power consumption. The STA (MFP 100 in this example) detects that it has entered a state in which it should transition to the power-saving state when no operation, such as printing, is performed for a predetermined period of time. The STA can maintain a wireless connection even in the power-saving state, but since communication is rarely performed in the power-saving state, there is little benefit in improving the communication state by changing the AP. If the STA receives a request to change the connection destination from the AP in such a power-saving state, it must return from the power-saving state and change the AP, which consumes extra power. Therefore, when it is detected that it has entered a state in which it should transition to the power-saving state, it may be set to disable the Agile Multiband function from changing the connection destination (disabled).

[0102] (Second embodiment) The following describes differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, when the MFP 100 connects to an AP that supports the Agile Multiband function while the Agile Multiband function is disabled, the user is notified before the connection. In this embodiment, a form in which the user is notified after the connection is made will be described.

[0103] Please refer to FIG. 9. The process of FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a process that is started when MFP 100, which has already been connected to an AP, connects to the AP again. Specifically, the process of FIG. 9 is started by CPU 212 when MFP 100 is powered on while MFP 100 has already been connected to an AP. That is, the process of FIG. 9 is started when MFP 100 is powered on while MFP 100 stores authentication information (password) of an AP previously connected to. The process of FIG. 9 is also started when wireless infrastructure mode is changed from disabled to enabled while MFP 100 stores authentication information (password) of an AP previously connected to. The process of FIG. 9 is realized by CPU 212 reading a program stored in ROM 213, which is a computer-readable recording medium, into RAM 214 and executing the program.

[0104] In S901, the CPU 212 refers to the AP information stored in the RAM 214 and proceeds to S902. Here, the AP information to be referred to is information about APs to which the MFP 100 has previously connected. The AP information includes, for example, the SSID, radio wave intensity, frequency band, MAC address (Media Access Control address), information indicating the security method of the AP, and information indicating whether the AP supports the Agile Multiband function, as described above.

[0105] In S902, the CPU 212 selects an AP to which the connection is to be made. For example, the CPU 212 may select the AP to which the connection was last made as the AP to which the connection is to be made. The CPU 212 may display AP information (for example, SSID, etc.) stored in the RAM 214 as a selectable interface on the operation display unit 220 and accept a selection instruction (user instruction).

[0106] In S903, the CPU 212 performs authentication with the AP to be connected using a password included in the AP information stored in the RAM 214. Authentication with the AP to be connected is performed using the authentication information (password). Note that if the security method of the AP to be connected is a method that does not require authentication when connecting to the AP, this process may be skipped. Note that in S903, if the authentication fails, the CPU 212 may repeatedly perform authentication with the AP to be connected. Also, the CPU 212 may notify the user that the authentication has failed and display an interface that accepts input of authentication information. Then, the CPU 212 may perform authentication with the AP to be connected using the authentication information that has been accepted as input.

[0107] In S904, the CPU 212 establishes (associates) a wireless connection with the AP to be connected.

[0108] In S905, the CPU 212 determines whether the AP to be connected supports the Agile Multiband function. In this embodiment, the CPU 212 determines whether the AP to which a connection has been established supports the Agile Multiband function. If the CPU 212 determines that the AP to be connected supports the Agile Multiband function, the process proceeds to S906. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the AP to be connected does not support the Agile Multiband function, the process ends in FIG. 9. Note that this determination is performed in the same manner as in the process of S804, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] In S906, the CPU 212 reads out the Agile Multiband setting stored in the RAM 214 and determines whether the Agile Multiband function is enabled. If the CPU 212 determines that the Agile Multiband function is enabled, the CPU 212 ends the processing in Fig. 9. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines that the Agile Multiband function is disabled, the processing proceeds to S907.

[0110] If it is determined in step S906 that the Agile Multiband setting is enabled, the CPU 212 may determine whether or not the MFP 100 satisfies a specific condition, as described above. If the specific condition is not satisfied, the CPU 212 may terminate the processing of Fig. 9 as is, and if the specific condition is satisfied, the CPU 212 may disable the Agile Multiband setting and terminate the processing of Fig. 9.

[0111] In S907, the CPU 212 notifies the user. In this embodiment, when connecting to an AP that can send a change request, the CPU 212 notifies the user after the connection. Even when the MFP 100 has already connected to an AP and is connecting to the AP again, the notification after the connection allows the user to notice that the Agile Multiband function of the MFP 100 has been disabled. Note that the processing in S907 is the same as in S806, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0112] In S908, the CPU 212 determines whether or not to change the Agile Multiband settings. If the CPU 212 determines to change the settings, the process proceeds to S909. On the other hand, if the CPU 212 determines not to change the settings, the process ends in Fig. 9. The determination in S908 is the same as the determination in S807, and therefore the description thereof ends here.

[0113] In S909, the CPU 212 displays the Agile Multiband setting screen 704 on the operation display unit 220 and accepts a setting instruction for the Agile Multiband setting. Then, when the OK button 706 is pressed, the CPU 212 stores the Agile Multiband setting in the RAM 214 based on a user operation of the Agile Multiband setting unit 705. Thereafter, the CPU 212 ends the processing of FIG.

[0114] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the MFP 100 connects to an AP again after having already connected to the AP, the MFP 100 notifies the user after connecting to the AP. With this configuration, the user can notice that the AgileMultiband function has been disabled even after connecting to the AP. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience when the MFP 100 connects to an AP.

[0115] The various controls described above as being performed by MFP 100 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing. Furthermore, while the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0116] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to an MFP as an example. However, this is not limited to this example and can be applied to any wireless device that functions as an STA and can process a connection change request from an AP. Specifically, the present invention is applicable to personal computers, PDAs, tablet devices, mobile phone terminals such as smartphones, music players, game consoles, e-book readers, smartwatches, and various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as thermometers and hygrometers. The present invention is also applicable to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, network cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones. The present invention is also applicable to video output devices, audio output devices (e.g., smart speakers), media streaming players, and wireless LAN adapters (adapters) that can be connected to USB or LAN cable terminals. Examples of video output devices include devices that acquire (download) videos from the Internet identified by a URL specified by an electronic device and output them to a connected display device via a video output terminal such as HDMI (registered trademark), thereby enabling streaming playback on the display device or mirroring display (displaying the content displayed on the electronic device on the display device). Furthermore, video output devices include media players such as televisions, hard disk recorders, Blu-ray recorders, and DVD recorders, head-mounted displays, projectors, televisions, display devices (monitors), signage devices, etc. The present invention is also applicable to Wi-Fi-connectable devices known as smart home appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, lighting equipment, heating equipment, and cooling equipment.

[0117] (Other embodiments) 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.

[0118] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following electronic device, its control method, and program. (Item 1) An electronic device, a setting means for enabling or disabling a function for receiving a change request from an external device and changing the access point of the connection destination; a notification unit that notifies a user when the device is connected to an access point that can transmit the change request while the function is disabled by the setting unit, An electronic device characterized by: (Item 2) The notice shall: The notification indicates that the function will not be executed because the function has been disabled. 2. The electronic device according to item 1. (Item 3) The notification means When connecting to an access point that can transmit the change request, the notification is performed before the connection. 3. The electronic device according to item 1 or 2. (Item 4) The notification means When connecting to an access point that can transmit the change request, the notification is performed after the connection. 3. The electronic device according to item 1 or 2. (Item 5) The notification means Stopping the notification after a predetermined time has elapsed; 5. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) The notification means A user interface screen, 6. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 5. (Item 7) The user interface screen includes: A change instruction for enabling the function can be accepted. 7. The electronic device according to item 6. (Item 8) a determination unit for determining whether the access point to be connected is capable of transmitting the change request; The notification means When the function is disabled and it is determined that the access point to be connected is capable of transmitting the change request, and the device is connected to the access point capable of transmitting the change request, the device performs the notification. 8. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 7. (Item 9) further comprising a receiving means for receiving an instruction to select the access point to be connected; The determination means determining whether the access point to be connected, which has received the selection instruction by the receiving means, is capable of transmitting the change request; Item 9. The electronic device according to item 8. (Item 10) further comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating whether the access point to be connected is capable of transmitting the change request; The determination means determining based on the information acquired by the acquisition means; 10. The electronic device according to item 8 or 9. (Item 11) Further comprising a search means for searching for an access point, The acquisition means obtaining the information through the search; Item 11. The electronic device according to item 10. (Item 12) further comprising a storage means for storing the information on access points to which the electronic device has been connected; The acquisition means acquiring the information stored by the storage means; Item 11. The electronic device according to item 10. (Item 13) The function is This is a feature provided by Wi-Fi Agile Multiband. 13. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 12. (Item 14) The electronic device connects to an access point and performs processing in accordance with the IEEE 802.11ax standard. 14. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 13. (Item 15) The electronic device can perform at least one of processing conforming to Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and processing conforming to Target Wake Time (TWT). 15. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 14. (Item 16) The electronic device can change the connection destination to a 6 GHz band access point by changing the connection destination based on the change request. 16. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 15. (Item 17) The printer further includes a printing unit capable of executing a printing process based on print data received via the currently connected access point. 17. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 16. (Item 18) A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: a setting process for enabling or disabling a function for receiving a change request from an external device and changing the access point of the connection destination; a notification step of notifying a user when connecting to an access point capable of transmitting the change request while the function is set to be disabled in the setting step, A method for controlling an electronic device. (Item 19) Computer, A setting means for enabling or disabling a function for receiving a change request from an external device and changing the access point of the connection destination; When the function is disabled by the setting means and the access point is connected to which the change request can be transmitted, the setting means functions as a notification means for notifying the user. A program characterized by:

[0119] 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]

[0120] 104: portable terminal device, 100: MFP, 101: AP1, 102: AP2

Claims

1. An electronic device, a setting means for enabling or disabling a function for receiving a change request from an external device and changing the access point of the connection destination; a notification unit that notifies a user when the device is connected to an access point that can transmit the change request while the function is disabled by the setting unit, An electronic device characterized by:

2. The notice shall: The notification indicates that the function will not be executed because the function has been disabled.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

3. The notification means When connecting to an access point that can transmit the change request, the notification is performed before the connection.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

4. The notification means When connecting to an access point that can transmit the change request, the notification is performed after the connection.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

5. The notification means Stopping the notification after a predetermined time has elapsed; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

6. The notification means A user interface screen, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

7. The user interface screen includes: A change instruction for enabling the function can be accepted.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

8. a determination unit for determining whether the access point to be connected is capable of transmitting the change request; The notification means When the function is disabled and it is determined that the access point to be connected is capable of transmitting the change request, and the device is connected to the access point capable of transmitting the change request, the device performs the notification.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

9. further comprising a receiving means for receiving an instruction to select the access point to be connected; The determination means determining whether the access point to be connected, which has received the selection instruction by the receiving means, is capable of transmitting the change request; 9. The electronic device according to claim 8.

10. further comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating whether the access point to be connected is capable of transmitting the change request; The determination means determining based on the information acquired by the acquisition means; 9. The electronic device according to claim 8.

11. Further comprising a search means for searching for an access point, The acquisition means obtaining the information through the search; 11. The electronic device according to claim 10.

12. further comprising a storage means for storing the information on access points to which the electronic device has been connected; The acquisition means acquiring the information stored by the storage means; 11. The electronic device according to claim 10.

13. The function is This is a function provided as Wi-Fi Agile Multiband.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

14. The electronic device connects to and processes an access point in accordance with the IEEE 802.11ax standard.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

15. The electronic device can perform at least one of processing conforming to Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and processing conforming to Target Wake Time (TWT).

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

16. The electronic device can change the connection destination to a 6 GHz band access point by changing the connection destination based on the change request.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

17. The printer further includes a printing unit capable of executing a printing process based on print data received via the currently connected access point.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

18. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: a setting process for enabling or disabling a function for receiving a change request from an external device and changing the access point of the connection destination; a notification step of notifying a user when connecting to an access point capable of transmitting the change request while the function is set to be disabled in the setting step, A method for controlling an electronic device.

19. Computer, A setting means for enabling or disabling a function for receiving a change request from an external device and changing the access point of the connection destination; When the function is disabled by the setting means and the access point is connected to which the change request can be transmitted, the setting means functions as a notification means for notifying the user. A program characterized by:

Images