Information processing device, method, and program

Abstract

A mechanism for improving convenience is provided for connecting a communication device to an access point that was connected immediately before an information processing device connected to the communication device. [Solution] The information processing device executes processing to display a dialog screen that is displayed by the OS of the information processing device, and that changes the state of a specified application program to one in which the use of location information is permitted, based on the state being one in which the use of location information is not permitted for the specified application program and which is based on the execution of an operation to not permit the use of location information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, method, and program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technology that enables an information processing device such as a smartphone to establish a temporary connection with a communication device such as a printer and transmit information about the access point, thereby connecting the information processing device and the communication device to an access point with the same SSID. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of setting the access point connecting the information processing device and the communication device to an SSID selected by a user from an SSID list of surrounding access points to which the communication device can connect, or a method of setting the access point to an SSID that the information processing device was connected to immediately before the information processing device established a temporary connection with the communication device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-127545 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable to improve the convenience of allowing a communication device to connect to an access point that was connected to the information processing device immediately before connecting to the communication device.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an information processing device, method, and program that improves convenience for connecting a communication device to an access point that the information processing device was connected to immediately before connecting to a communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a program according to the present invention is a predetermined application program, the program being capable of receiving a first operation for permitting the predetermined application program to use location information and a second operation for not permitting the predetermined application program to use location information, the program including: an acquisition step of executing, on a computer of an information processing device, processing to acquire information on an access point to which the information processing device is connected from an operating system (OS) of the information processing device, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a first state in which the predetermined application program is permitted to use location information and a state based on the first operation being executed; a transmission step of transmitting the information on the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device to a communication device; The method is characterized by executing a first processing step of executing a process to display a first dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the specified application program to the first state, based on the state being a second state, which is a state based on neither the first operation nor the second operation being executed; and a second processing step of executing a process to display a second dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the specified application program to the first state, which is a dialog screen displayed by the OS of the information processing device, based on the state being a third state, which is a state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the specified application program and is based on the second operation being executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of connecting a communication device to an access point that was connected immediately before the information processing device connected to the communication device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing device and a communication device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed in the information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed in the information processing device. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 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.

[0010] An information processing device and a communication device included in the communication system of this embodiment will be described. The information processing device is also referred to as a terminal device. In this embodiment, a smartphone is used as an example of the information processing device, but this is not limiting. Various types of information processing devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a digital camera, can be used. In this embodiment, a printer is used as an example of the communication device. The printer may be an inkjet printer that prints using ink or a laser beam printer that prints using toner. The printer may be a full-color printer capable of color printing or a monochrome printer that does not support color printing but is capable of monochrome printing. Note that the communication device in this embodiment is not limited to a printer, and any device capable of wireless communication with the information processing device can be used as the communication device. Examples of communication devices include copiers, facsimile machines, scanners, smartphones, PCs, tablet devices, PDAs, digital cameras, music playback devices, televisions, smart speakers, robot vacuum cleaners, automatic cooking pots, refrigerators, and the like. Other communication devices include multifunction peripherals with multiple functions, such as a copying function, a fax function, and a printing function.

[0011] First, a system configuration for realizing this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to this embodiment. This system includes a communication device 151, an information processing device 101, an access point (AP) 131, and an external server 171.

[0012] The information processing device 101 is an information processing device of this embodiment. The communication device 151 is a communication device of this embodiment. The AP 131 is an access point activated by an external device that exists outside the information processing device 101 and outside the communication device 151. The external device is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router. The external server 171 is a server that can provide services to devices connected to the AP 131 via the Internet.

[0013] In a situation where the communication device 151 and the information processing device 101 are connected to the AP 131, a LAN formed by the AP 131 includes the AP 131, the communication device 151, and the information processing device 101. On the other hand, a WAN (Wide Area Network) includes the AP 131 and an external server 171.

[0014] In this embodiment, when an infrastructure connection (described later) is established, the information processing device 101 can communicate with the communication device 151 via the AP 131. Furthermore, when a direct connection (described later) is established, the information processing device 101 can communicate directly with the communication device 151 without going through the AP 131. Note that, in the following, a connection with an AP corresponds to a connection with a network formed by the AP. Note that one external device may activate multiple APs, and one external device may be able to form multiple networks simultaneously.

[0015] In this embodiment, a connection 141 between the information processing device 101 and the AP 131 and a connection 142 between the communication device 151 and the AP 131 are assumed to be connections using a communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. Specifically, the communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 series of standards is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark). Furthermore, a connection 143 between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 is assumed to be a connection using a communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. However, the communication method used for the connection 143 is not limited to this form and may be, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE), Bluetooth Classic, Wi-Fi Aware, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. The AP 131 and the external server 171 can communicate with each other via the Internet. When the AP 131 is connected to the Internet, devices connected to the AP 131 (such as the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151) can also use the Internet. The connection 141 between the information processing device 101 and the AP 131 and the connection 142 between the communication device 151 and the AP 131 may be a wired LAN connection.

[0016] Next, the configuration of an information processing device of this embodiment and a communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of Fig. 2. In addition, the following configuration will be described as an example in this embodiment, but this embodiment is applicable to devices capable of communicating with the communication device, and the functions are not particularly limited to those shown in this diagram.

[0017] The information processing device 101 includes an input interface 102, a CPU 103, a ROM 104, a RAM 105, an external storage device 106, an output interface 107, a display unit 108, a wireless communication unit 109, a short-range wireless communication unit 110, an image capturing device 111, and a wired communication unit 112. The CPU 103, the ROM 104, the RAM 105, etc. form a computer of the information processing device 101.

[0018] The input interface 102 is an interface that can accept data input and operation instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 107 described below and the input interface 102 may have the same configuration, and the screen output and the acceptance of operations from the user may be performed by the same configuration.

[0019] The CPU 103 is a system control unit, and controls the entire information processing device 101. In this embodiment, the CPU 103 controls the display content on the display unit 108 (display control), and the like.

[0020] The ROM 104 stores fixed data such as control programs and data tables executed by the CPU 103, and operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) programs. In this embodiment, iOS or iPadOS (registered trademark) is assumed as an example of the OS. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 104 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of an embedded OS stored in the ROM 104. In this embodiment, the ROM 104 stores a predetermined application program (app) for controlling the communication device 151. The application program is, in other words, application software. The predetermined app is installed in the information processing device 101 from outside, for example, by a store app for installing various apps. The predetermined app is provided by a vendor of the communication device 151 and is an app for communicating with the communication device 151 and performing connection settings for the communication device 151. The predetermined app may have functions other than the function of performing connection settings for the communication device 151. Specifically, the other functions include, for example, a function of transmitting a print job to cause communication device 151 to execute printing (print job transmission function) and a function of transmitting a scan job to cause communication device 151 to execute scanning (scan job transmission function). Note that in this embodiment, the processes described as processes executed by the OS are, more precisely, processes executed by CPU 103 in accordance with a program in the OS. Similarly, the processes described as processes executed by an app are, more precisely, processes executed by CPU 103 in accordance with a program in the app.

[0021] The RAM 105 is configured with an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like that requires a backup power source. Note that the RAM 105 holds data using a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, so that important data such as program control variables can be stored without volatilization. The RAM 105 also has a memory area for storing setting information for the information processing device 101, management data for the information processing device 101, and the like. The RAM 105 is also used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 103.

[0022] The external storage device 106 includes various programs such as a print information generation program that generates print information that can be interpreted by the communication device 151, and an information transmission / reception control program that transmits and receives information to and from the communication device 151 connected via the wireless communication unit 109. The external storage device 106 also stores various information used by these programs, as well as image data obtained from other information processing devices and the Internet.

[0023] The output interface 107 is an interface that controls the display unit 108 to display data and notify the status of the information processing device 101 .

[0024] The display unit 108 is configured with an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays data and notifies the status of the information processing device 101. Note that a soft keyboard equipped with keys such as numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a confirmation key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on the display unit 108 to accept input from the user via the display unit 108. In this embodiment, the display unit 108 is a touch panel that can accept operations from the user using a finger, a pen, etc.

[0025] The wireless communication unit 109 is configured to wirelessly connect to devices such as the communication device 151 and the AP 131 to perform data communication. For example, the wireless communication unit 109 may communicate directly with the communication device 151 via wireless communication, or may communicate via the AP 131 that is external to the information processing device 101 or the communication device 151. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the wireless communication unit 109 is Wi-Fi, which is a communication method based on the IEEE802.11 standard, but Bluetooth Classic, etc., may also be used. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN is a network based on Wi-Fi. In this embodiment, a connection between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 directly without an external AP is referred to as a direct connection. In addition, a connection between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 via an external AP is referred to as an infrastructure connection.

[0026] The short-range wireless communication unit 110 is configured to perform data communication with devices such as the communication device 151 by a short-range wireless communication method, and performs communication by a communication method different from that of the wireless communication unit 109. The short-range wireless communication unit 110 is connectable to a short-range wireless communication unit 157 in the communication device 151. Note that examples of the communication method of the short-range wireless communication unit 110 include BLE, Bluetooth Classic, Wi-Fi Aware, and NFC.

[0027] The photographing device 111 is a device that converts an image photographed by a photographing element into digital data. The digital data is temporarily stored in the RAM 105. Thereafter, the digital data is converted into a predetermined image format by a program executed by the CPU 103, and is saved in the external storage device 106 as image data.

[0028] The wired communication unit 112 is configured to connect to devices such as the communication device 151 and the AP 131 via a wire and perform data communication. For example, the wired communication unit 112 communicates via a wired LAN. In this embodiment, the wired LAN communicates according to the Ethernet standard. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the wired communication unit 112 may communicate via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. Furthermore, for example, if the information processing device 101 is a smartphone, the information processing device 101 may not have the wired communication unit 112.

[0029] The communication device 151 includes a ROM 152, a RAM 153, a CPU 154, a print engine 155, a wireless communication unit 156, a short-range wireless communication unit 157, an input interface 158, an output interface 159, a function control unit 160, a display unit 161, and a wired communication unit 162. The ROM 152, RAM 153, CPU 154, etc. form a computer of the communication device 151.

[0030] The wireless communication unit 156 is configured to wirelessly connect to devices such as the information processing device 101 and the AP 131 to perform data communication. In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 156 uses Wi-Fi, a communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, as a wireless communication method. However, Bluetooth Classic or the like may also be used. The wireless communication unit 156 includes an AP 156-a as an AP within the communication device 151 for connecting to devices such as the information processing device 101. The AP is connectable to the wireless communication unit 109 of the information processing device 101. The wireless communication unit 156 may communicate directly with the information processing device 101 via the AP 156-a, or may communicate with the information processing device 101 via the AP 131. The AP 156-a may be hardware that functions as an AP, or the wireless communication unit 156 may operate as the AP 156-a using software that functions as an AP. The communication device 151 may be capable of internally activating multiple APs with different SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers) and passwords.

[0031] The RAM 153 is composed of a DRAM or the like that requires a backup power supply. Note that the RAM 153 retains data by being supplied with a data backup power supply (not shown), so it can store important data such as program control variables without volatilizing it. The RAM 153 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 154, and serves as a receive buffer for temporarily storing print information received from the information processing device 101 or the like, thereby storing various types of information.

[0032] The ROM 152 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU 154. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 152 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of an embedded OS stored in the ROM 152. The ROM 152 also has a memory area for storing data that needs to be retained even when power is not supplied, such as setting information for the communication device 151 and management data for the communication device 151.

[0033] The CPU 154 is a system control unit that controls the entire communication device 151 .

[0034] The print engine 155 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording agent such as ink based on information stored in the RAM 153 and a print job received from the information processing device 101, etc., and outputs the print result. At this time, the print job sent from the information processing device 101, etc., has a large amount of transmission data and requires high-speed communication, so it is received via the wireless communication unit 156, which can communicate faster than the short-range wireless communication unit 157.

[0035] The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is configured to communicate with devices such as the information processing device 101 by a short-range wireless communication method. Note that examples of the communication method of the short-range wireless communication unit 157 include BLE, Bluetooth Classic, and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0036] The input interface 158 is an interface capable of receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and is configured with a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 159 described below and the input interface 158 may have the same configuration, and the same configuration may be used to output the screen and receive operations from the user. The output interface 159 is an interface that controls the display unit 161 to display data and notify the status of the communication device 151.

[0037] The function control unit 160 manages the function operations of the communication device 151, determining whether or not the functions of the communication device 151 are operated simultaneously.

[0038] Display unit 161 is configured with an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays data and notifies the status of communication device 151. Note that a soft keyboard equipped with keys such as numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on display unit 161 to accept input from the user via display unit 161.

[0039] The wired communication unit 162 is configured to perform data communication by connecting to devices such as the information processing device 101 and the AP 131 via a wire. For example, the wired communication unit 162 communicates via a wired LAN. However, the communication is not limited to this, and may be performed via a USB cable, for example.

[0040] <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 131. A direct connection is also called a peer-to-peer connection (P2P connection). The communication device 151 can operate in a mode for communicating via a direct connection (direct connection mode) as one of the connection modes. In Wi-Fi communication, there are multiple modes for communicating via a direct connection, such as a software AP mode and a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode.

[0041] 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 to be a communication partner is discovered using a device discovery command, 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 communication device 151 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 with another device to communicate with. Once the other device to be a communication partner 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, it is determined which one will be the P2P client and which one will be the P2P group owner. Next, once the client and group owner are determined, they exchange parameters for communication via WFD. 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 communication device 151 may always operate as the GO without performing the above-mentioned GO Negotiation. In other words, the communication device 151 may operate in WFD mode, which is an autonomous GO mode. Furthermore, the state in which the communication device 151 operates in WFD mode refers to, for example, a state in which a WFD connection is not established but the communication device 151 operates as the GO, or a state in which a WFD connection is established and the communication device 151 operates as the GO.

[0042] In the software AP mode, between devices that communicate (for example, the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151), one device (for example, the information processing device 101) serves as a client that requests various services. The other device realizes the functions of an AP in Wi-Fi through software settings. The software AP corresponds to a Wi-Fi parent station, and the client corresponds to a Wi-Fi child station. In the 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 performed, and then IP connection processing (assigning an IP address, etc.) is performed. Note that commands and parameters that are transmitted and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the software AP may be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the communication device 151 establishes and maintains a direct connection, it operates as a master station in the network to which the communication device 151 belongs. The master station is a device that builds a wireless network and provides parameters used for connecting to the wireless network to the 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 the parameters, the slave stations connect to the wireless network built by the master station using the channel used by the master station. In the direct connection mode, the communication device 151 operates as a master station, and therefore can determine which frequency band and which channel to use for communication in the direct connection mode. In this embodiment, the communication device 151 is assumed to be able to use a channel corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and a channel corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the direct connection mode.

[0044] <About infrastructure connection methods> The infrastructure connection is a connection mode in which devices (for example, the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151) that communicate with each other are connected to an AP (for example, AP 131) that manages a network of the devices, and the devices communicate with each other via the AP. The communication device 151 can also operate in a mode for communication via an infrastructure connection (infrastructure connection mode) as one of the connection modes.

[0045] In an infrastructure connection, each device searches for an AP using a device discovery command. Once an AP is discovered, the remaining wireless connection processing (establishing a wireless connection, etc.) is carried out between the device and the AP, 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 AP can be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and so a description of them will be omitted here.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the communication device 151 operates in an infrastructure connection, the AP 131 operates as a master station, and the communication device 151 operates as a slave station. That is, in this embodiment, the infrastructure connection refers to a connection between the communication device 151 operating as a slave station and a device operating as a master station. When the communication device 151 has established an infrastructure connection and the information processing device 101 has also established an infrastructure connection with the AP 131, communication between the communication device 151 and the information processing device 101 is possible via the AP 131. The channel used for communication in the infrastructure connection is determined by the AP 131, and the communication device 151 performs communication in the infrastructure connection using the channel determined by the AP 131. In this embodiment, the communication device 151 is assumed to be able to use 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 communication device 151 can also use a channel corresponding to the DFS band in the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. In order to communicate with the communication device 151 via the AP 131, the information processing device 101 recognizes and identifies that the communication device 151 belongs to the network formed by the AP 131 and to which the information processing device 101 belongs.

[0047] <Connection setup process> In this embodiment, the information processing device 101 performs a connection setting process (network setting process) for operating the communication device 151 using at least one of an infrastructure connection and a direct connection communication method, using wireless communication with the communication device 151. The connection setting process in this embodiment is also called cableless setup (CLS) because it is performed via wireless communication. Note that the connection setting process may also be performed via wired communication. The information processing device 101 performs the connection setting process for the communication device 151 when a predetermined application stored in the external storage device 106 or the like is running. The communication device 151 is operable in a connection setting mode (connection setting state) that is a mode for performing the connection setting process, and performs the connection setting process while operating in the connection setting mode described below. The connection setting mode will be described in detail later.

[0048] When the information processing device 101 operates the communication device 151 in the infrastructure connection mode, the information processing device 101 wirelessly transmits infrastructure setting information, which is setting information for operating the communication device 151 in the infrastructure connection mode, to the communication device 151. The infrastructure setting information includes information about the AP 131. The information about the AP 131 includes, for example, an SSID (Service Set Identifier), a password, and information about a frequency band.

[0049] On the other hand, when the information processing device 101 operates the communication device 151 in the direct connection mode, the information processing device 101 wirelessly transmits direct setting information, which is setting information for operating the communication device 151 in the direct connection mode, to the communication device 151. The direct setting information includes instructions for enabling the WFD function to operate the communication device 151 as a Group Owner and for enabling the access point setting of the communication device 151. Furthermore, the information processing device 101 acquires connection information required for directly connecting to the communication device 151 from the communication device 151. The connection information for directly connecting to the communication device 151 includes, for example, information such as the SSID and password of the communication device 151 operating in the direct connection mode.

[0050] In the present embodiment, a direct connection for connection setup between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 is used to transmit infrastructure setting information and direct setting information and to obtain information for establishing a direct connection with the communication device 151 in the connection setup process. In the present embodiment, the connection setup process is performed using Wi-Fi as the direct connection for connection setup. However, a wireless communication standard other than Wi-Fi, such as Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy, may also be used. Furthermore, a wired communication standard, such as a wired LAN or USB (Universal Serial Bus), may also be used as the direct connection for connection setup. In these configurations, the information processing device 101 may maintain a Wi-Fi connection with the AP even while establishing a connection between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 operating in the connection setup mode.

[0051] After a Wi-Fi infrastructure connection or a direct connection is established between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 through the connection setting process, communication between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 becomes possible via the established connection. Specifically, for example, the information processing device 101 can transmit, to the communication device 151, a print job for causing the communication device 151 to execute printing or a scan job for causing the communication device 151 to execute scanning, via the established connection. Note that in this embodiment, the connection setting process can cause the communication device 151 to operate in either an infrastructure connection mode or a direct connection mode, but is not limited to this. For example, the connection setting process may be configured to cause the communication device 151 to operate only in the infrastructure connection mode (i.e., the communication device 151 cannot operate in the direct connection mode).

[0052] <About connection setting mode> Communication device 151 can operate in a connection setting mode. A trigger for communication device 151 to start operation in the connection setting mode may be, for example, a user pressing a connection setting mode button, or communication device 151 being started up (powered on) for the first time after arrival. The connection setting mode button may be a hardware button provided in communication device 151, or may be a software button displayed on display unit 161 by communication device 151.

[0053] When the communication device 151 starts operating in the connection setting mode, it enables both Wi-Fi communication and BLE communication. Specifically, as a process for enabling Wi-Fi communication, the communication device 151 enables an internal AP (connection setting AP) of the communication device 151 that is dedicated to the connection setting mode. This puts the communication device 151 in a state where it can establish a direct connection via Wi-Fi with the information processing device 101. Connection information (SSID and password) for connecting to the connection setting AP is stored in advance in a predetermined application installed in the information processing device 101. That is, it is assumed that the information processing device 101 recognizes the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP in advance. Therefore, unlike the connection information of the AP enabled in the direct connection mode, it is assumed that the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP cannot be arbitrarily changed by the user. Note that an encryption method may not be set in the connection setting AP, and a password may not be required to connect to the AP. Note that in the connection setting mode, the communication device 151 may connect to the information processing device 101 via Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) instead of normal Wi-Fi. That is, the communication device 151 may act as a group owner and receive a setting command from the information processing device 101 through WFD communication.

[0054] <Registering communication devices to the app> In this embodiment, a predetermined application can register the communication device 151 with the predetermined application by acquiring information about the communication device 151 from the communication device 151. The information about the communication device 151 includes, for example, capability information about the communication device 151, identification information (such as a MAC address) about the communication device 151, and model information about the communication device 151. The capability information about the communication device 151 specifically includes a list of information about functions supported by the communication device 151, information about consumables (ink, paper) available for the communication device 151, and information indicating the printing method of the communication device 151. The predetermined application then selects one device from one or more communication devices 151 registered in the predetermined application as a device with which the predetermined application will communicate. Hereinafter, the communication device 151 currently selected as a device with which the predetermined application will communicate will be referred to as the selected communication device 151. The selection of a device to be a communication partner for a predetermined application may be performed by accepting a selection from one or more communication devices 151 registered in the predetermined application from the user, or may be performed automatically by the predetermined application according to predetermined criteria. Furthermore, a change of a device to be a communication partner for a predetermined application may be performed by, for example, accepting a selection from one or more communication devices 151 registered in the predetermined application from the user. In this embodiment, the predetermined application transmits various jobs, such as a print job or a scan job, to the selected communication device 151. In other words, the selected communication device 151 is a device to which various jobs are transmitted.

[0055] An information processing device 101 such as a smartphone temporarily connects to a communication device 151 such as a printer, and transmits information about the access point to which the information processing device 101 was connected immediately before the temporary connection to the communication device 151. This allows the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 to connect to an access point with the same SSID. In order to obtain information about the access point to which the information processing device 101 was connected immediately before the temporary connection to the communication device 151 from an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as OS), an application needs to accept a permission operation to use the location information from a user. To accept the permission operation to use the location information, for example, the application needs to call an OS Application Programming Interface (API) and display an OS dialog screen for accepting the permission operation to use the location information, and accept the permission operation from the user. As an alternative method, it is possible for the application to guide the user to accept the permission operation to use the location information in a standard OS setting application. However, for easy user operation, it is desirable to display an OS dialog screen for accepting the permission operation to use the location information by the application. Furthermore, the application state regarding the use of location information includes a state in which neither an operation for permission nor an operation for denial has been performed (hereinafter, "unauthorized state"), a state in which an operation for permission has been performed (hereinafter, "authorized state"), and a state in which an operation for denial has been performed (hereinafter, "unauthorized state"). In the authorized state, information about the access point to which the information processing device 101 is connected can be obtained from the OS. However, in other states, the application cannot obtain the information from the OS. Therefore, in other states, the communication device cannot be connected to the access point of the SSID to which the information processing device 101 was connected immediately before temporarily connecting to the communication device 151. Therefore, it is necessary to present to the user an appropriate method for accepting an operation for permission to use location information according to the state of the application regarding the use of location information.

[0056] Next, a processing flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing including connection setup processing in this embodiment. The processing of FIG. 3 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 of the information processing device 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 104, such as a predetermined application, into the RAM 105 and executing it. This flowchart starts when the following predetermined operation for performing connection setup processing for the communication device 151 is performed on a screen displayed by the predetermined application. The predetermined application is an application having a function for enabling communication between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 and a function for registering the communication device 151 in a communication-enabled state. Note that the function for enabling communication between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 is a function for executing connection setup processing. The predetermined application may have other functions in addition to the function for executing connection setup processing. For example, the predetermined application may have a function for selecting print information to be sent to the communication device 151 or a function for performing other settings for the communication device 151.

[0057] First, the predetermined application displays a screen (for example, a guidance screen) on the information processing device 101 that prompts the user to operate the communication device 151 in the connection setting mode. Note that the instruction to the user may be given by the communication device 151. The user follows the instruction and operates the communication device 151 in the connection setting mode. At this time, as described above, the communication device 251 that has entered the connection setting mode transmits a signal including the SSID of the connection setting AP to the surrounding area. Thereafter, when the user starts a function that executes the connection setting process of the information processing device 101 (for example, by pressing a "Next" button (not shown) on a screen displayed by the predetermined application), the predetermined application starts the process shown in FIG. 3.

[0058] In S301, the CPU 103 determines the state of a predetermined app related to the use of location information of the information processing device 101. This determination is made, for example, by the predetermined app calling an API of the OS of the information processing device 101 and acquiring the state of an application (here, the predetermined app) related to the use of location information. The state of the predetermined app related to the use of location information includes a state in which neither an operation for permission nor an operation for prohibition has been performed (hereinafter, unauthorized state), a state in which an operation for permission has been performed (hereinafter, permitted state), and a state in which an operation for prohibition has been performed (hereinafter, prohibited state). If it is determined that the state of the predetermined app related to the use of location information is the unauthorized state, the process proceeds to S302. If it is determined that the state of the predetermined app related to the use of location information is the prohibited state, the process proceeds to S303. If it is determined that the state of the predetermined app related to the use of location information is the permitted state, the process proceeds to S305.

[0059] To change the status of a specific app regarding the use of location information, the user must accept permission to use location information on an OS dialog screen for accepting permission to use location information, or the user must accept permission to use location information on a screen displayed by a standard OS settings app. In this embodiment, in S302 and S303, the specific app calls an OS API to accept permission to use location information and displays an OS dialog screen for accepting permission to use location information. In this embodiment, the OS dialog screen that can be displayed varies depending on the status of the specific app regarding the use of location information. In other words, the OS dialog screens displayed in S302 and S303 are different from each other. Hereinafter, the OS dialog screen displayed in S302 will be referred to as the first dialog screen, and the OS dialog screen displayed in S303 will be referred to as the second dialog screen.

[0060] In S302, CPU 103 displays a first dialog screen for accepting an operation for permission to use location information. In S302, a predetermined application calls an API of the OS, thereby displaying the first dialog screen. The API is an API for causing the OS to display the first dialog screen of the OS for accepting an operation for permission to use location information from the user, and the predetermined application can cause the OS to display the first dialog screen by calling the API.

[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the first dialog screen displayed in step S302. The message display area 404 is an area displayed by the OS using the name of a specific application. In FIG. 4, the OS displays the message "Do you want to allow 'Application A' to use your location information?" using the name of the specific application, "Application A." The message display area 405 is an area where the specific application specifies a message when calling the OS's API. For example, the specific application can include the specified message in the API, causing the OS to display a dialog screen including the message. In FIG. 4, the application specifies the message "Allowing the use of accurate location information services will be helpful in resolving communication problems with the printer. Please note that even if you allow this service, your location information will not be sent to Vendor A." Thus, the first dialog screen includes an area where the OS specifies a message and an area where the specific application specifies a message.

[0062] Furthermore, the first dialog screen includes buttons 401 and 402 for accepting a permission operation from the user, and button 403 for accepting a non-permission operation from the user. When button 401 (the "Allow Once" button in FIG. 4) is pressed, the OS changes the state of a predetermined application regarding use of location information from a non-permission state to a permission state. Then, when button 401 is pressed, the permission state continues until one of the following occurs:

[0063] - Until a given app runs in the background without enabling the background location usage indicator.

[0064] After a given app runs in the background with the background location usage indicator enabled, until the background location usage indicator is disabled.

[0065] Until it is set to a non-permitted state using the OS standard settings app or the first dialog screen.

[0066] Note that if the permitted state is temporarily released and set to the non-permitted state after button 401 is pressed, the permitted state will not be automatically restored even if the specified application runs in the foreground again.

[0067] When button 402 (the "Allow while using the app" button in FIG. 4) is pressed, the OS changes the state of a specific app regarding use of location information from a non-permitted state to a permitted state. Then, when button 402 is pressed, the permitted state continues until one of the following occurs:

[0068] - Until a given app runs in the background without enabling the background location usage indicator.

[0069] After a given app runs in the background with the background location usage indicator enabled, until the background location usage indicator is disabled.

[0070] In addition, if the permitted state is temporarily released and set to the non-permitted state after button 402 is pressed, when the specified application runs in the foreground again, the permitted state will automatically be restored without any user operation.

[0071] When button 403 (the "Do not permit" button in FIG. 4) is pressed, the OS changes the state of a predetermined application related to the use of location information from the unauthorized state to the unauthorized state.

[0072] In S303, CPU 103 displays a second dialog screen for accepting an operation for permission to use location information. In S303, a predetermined application calls an API of the OS, thereby displaying the second dialog screen. The API is an API for causing the OS to display the second dialog screen of the OS for accepting an operation for permission to use location information from the user, and the predetermined application can cause the OS to display the second dialog screen by calling the API. Note that the API called to display the second dialog screen is different from the API called to display the first dialog screen.

[0073] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the second dialog screen displayed in S303. Both text display areas 503 and 504 are areas where the OS displays the name of a predetermined app, and the predetermined app cannot specify the text to be displayed in the area. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the OS displays the name of a predetermined app, "App A," in text display area 503, saying, "App A can only access your location information if you choose to share it."

[0074] Furthermore, the second dialog screen includes a button 501 for accepting an authorization operation from the user and a button 502 for accepting a non-authorization operation from the user. When button 501 (the "OK button" in FIG. 5) is pressed, the state of a predetermined application related to location information is changed from a non-authorized state to a permitted state. When button 501 is pressed, the permitted state continues until one of the following occurs:

[0075] - Until a given app runs in the background without enabling the background location usage indicator.

[0076] After a given app runs in the background with the background location usage indicator enabled, until the background location usage indicator is disabled.

[0077] Until it is set to a non-permitted state using the OS standard settings app or the first dialog screen.

[0078] Note that if the permitted state is temporarily released and set to the non-permitted state after button 501 is pressed, the permitted state will not be automatically restored even if the specified application runs in the foreground again.

[0079] When button 502 ("Not now" button in FIG. 5) is pressed, the state of a predetermined application regarding use of location information remains in the non-permitted state.

[0080] As described above, in this embodiment, the first dialog screen and the second dialog screen have different messages. In other words, the processes of S301 to S303 are display control processes that change the dialog displayed by the OS depending on the status of a predetermined app related to the use of location information. Specifically, for example, the first dialog screen is a screen including an area where the predetermined app can specify a message, and the second dialog screen is a screen where the predetermined app cannot specify a message. For example, the first dialog screen is a screen including two types of buttons 401 and 402 for receiving a permission operation from the user, and the second dialog screen is a screen including one type of button 501 for receiving a permission operation from the user. In this embodiment, the first dialog screen is displayed when the status of the predetermined app related to the use of location information is unauthorized, and the second dialog screen is displayed when the status is unauthorized. However, the second dialog screen may be displayed regardless of whether the status of the predetermined app related to the use of location information is unauthorized or unauthorized. When any of buttons 401 to 403, 501, and 502 is pressed, the process proceeds to S304. In addition, in S302 and S303, CPU 103 may display a dialog screen showing an explanation regarding the use of location information before displaying the first dialog screen and the second dialog screen.

[0081] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog screen that provides an explanation regarding the use of location information and is displayed before the first dialog screen is displayed. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog screen that provides an explanation regarding the use of location information and is displayed before the second dialog screen is displayed. The dialog that provides an explanation regarding the use of location information is not an OS screen that is displayed when a specific app calls an OS API, like the first dialog screen and the second dialog screen, but a screen that is displayed by a specific app.

[0082] The dialog screen of FIG. 6 is a screen displayed in S302, and a message display area 602 displays a message explaining the use of location information. For example, the screen of FIG. 6 displays a message such as "Connect your printer to the same Wi-Fi as the information processing device 101! To easily set up your printer, please allow the use of [precise location information] on the next screen," which prompts the user to enter permission on the first dialog screen displayed by the OS. The dialog screen of FIG. 6 includes a button 601. The button 601 is a button for calling an OS API to cause the OS to display the first dialog screen. For example, when the button 601 is pressed, a specific application calls an OS API to cause the OS to display the first dialog screen of FIG. 4. Here, the message on the button 601 ("OK" in FIG. 6) is a message that can be specified by a specific application.

[0083] The dialog screen of FIG. 7 is a screen displayed in step S303, and a message display area 702 displays a message explaining the use of location information. For example, the dialog screen of FIG. 7 displays a message prompting the user to perform an authorization operation on the second dialog screen displayed by the OS, such as "Connect a printer to the same Wi-Fi network as the information processing device 101! Tap the [Current Location] button to allow access to [Accurate Location Information] and easily set up the printer." The dialog screen of FIG. 7 includes a button 701. The button 701 is a button for calling an OS API to cause the OS to display the second dialog screen. For example, when the button 701 is pressed, a specific application calls an OS API to cause the OS to display the second dialog screen of FIG. 5. Here, the message of the button 701 ("Current Location" in FIG. 7) is a message pre-specified by the OS and cannot be specified by the specific application.

[0084] In S304, CPU 103 determines whether the state of a predetermined application related to use of location information is permitted. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether a button for setting the state to permitted is pressed. If it is determined that the state of the predetermined application related to use of location information is permitted, the state of the predetermined application related to use of location information is permitted and the process proceeds to S305, and if it is determined that the state is not permitted, the process proceeds to S306.

[0085] In S305, since the state of the predetermined application is the permitted state, the CPU 103 performs processing to acquire, from the OS, the SSID of the access point 131 to which the information processing device 101 is currently connected. The acquired SSID is stored in a predetermined storage area such as a memory.

[0086] In S306 , the CPU 103 performs processing to disconnect the connection between the information processing device 101 and the access point 131 .

[0087] In S307, CPU 103 searches for an access point (access point for connection setup) of communication device 151 in connection setup mode. Because the SSID of an access point in communication device 151 in connection setup mode is generated in accordance with a generation rule, an access point corresponding to an SSID that matches the generation rule is searched for. CPU 103 then connects information processing device 101 to the discovered access point of communication device 151 in connection setup mode. Note that if multiple access points are discovered, a list of discovered SSIDs may be displayed to the user to allow selection, and information processing device 101 may be connected to the access point of communication device 151 corresponding to the selected SSID.

[0088] In S308, the CPU 103 requests the communication device 151 for a list of access points that are present in the vicinity of the communication device 151 and that the communication device 151 can connect to. At this time, the communication device 151 receives the request, executes a search for access points, and transmits the search results to the information processing device 101. The CPU 103 then obtains from the communication device 151 a list of access points that are present in the vicinity of the communication device 151 and that the communication device 151 can connect to. The list of access points is, for example, a list of SSIDs.

[0089] In S309, CPU 103 determines whether or not the SSID of access point 131 was acquired in S305. Specifically, for example, if the SSID of access point 131 is stored in a predetermined storage area, it is determined in S305 that the SSID of access point 131 was acquired. If it is determined that the SSID of access point 131 was acquired, the process proceeds to S310, and if it is determined that the SSID was not acquired, the process proceeds to S313.

[0090] In S310, CPU 103 determines whether the SSID of access point 131 acquired in S305 is included in the list of access points acquired in S308. If it is determined that the SSID is included in the list of access points, the process proceeds to S311, and if it is determined that the SSID is not included, the process proceeds to S313.

[0091] In S311, the CPU 103 displays a dialogue screen inquiring whether to connect the communication device 151 to the SSID of the access point 131 acquired in S305.

[0092] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog screen displayed in S311. As shown in FIG. 8, a message display area 803 displays a message inquiring whether to connect the communication device 151 to the access point 131 using the SSID of the access point 131 acquired in S305 ("AAAAA" in FIG. 8). In S312, the CPU 103 determines whether to connect the communication device 151 to the access point 131 acquired in S305. If it is determined that the communication device 151 should be connected to the access point 131 acquired in S305, the process proceeds to S314. If it is determined that the communication device 151 should not be connected to the access point 131 acquired in S305, the process proceeds to S313. Specifically, for example, if the "Yes" button 802 on the dialog screen of FIG. 8 is pressed, the process proceeds to S314, and if the "No" button 801 is pressed, the process proceeds to S313.

[0093] In S313, CPU 103 displays a list of access points that are present in the vicinity of communication device 151 and to which communication device 151 can connect, based on the list of access points acquired in S308. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the screen displayed in S313. As shown in Fig. 9, SSIDs 901 to 910 are displayed in the list. When the user selects a desired SSID from the list, the process proceeds to S314.

[0094] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of S314.

[0095] In S1001, CPU 103 accepts input of a password from the user for connecting to the access point corresponding to the SSID indicated in S311 or selected in S313. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen displayed in S1001. As shown in FIG. 11, a message display area 1102 displays a message prompting the user to input an SSID selected from the list (for example, "AAAAA") and a password for connecting to the access point corresponding to that SSID. CPU 103 then acquires password information input by the user in input area 1101. Here, it is assumed that a password for connecting to access point 131 has been input.

[0096] In S1002, the CPU 103 transmits connection setting information to the communication device 151 for connecting the communication device 151 to the access point 131. Here, the connection setting information includes the SSID of the access point 131 acquired in S311 or S313, the password acquired in S1001, a command for setting the connection mode of the communication device 151, and the like. Here, the command for setting the connection mode of the communication device 151 is a command for setting the communication device 151 to an infrastructure connection mode. Upon receiving the connection setting information, the communication device 151 executes connection to the access point 131 based on the connection setting information. As a result, the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 connect to the same access point, and thus the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 are connected by infrastructure connection, enabling high-speed communication via wireless LAN.

[0097] After transmitting the connection setting information in S1002, in S1003, CPU 103 determines whether or not the connection (connection setting) of communication device 151 to access point 131 based on the transmitted connection setting information has been successful. Specifically, for example, CPU 103 waits for a notification from communication device 151 regarding the success or failure of the connection setting. Then, when the notification is received, CPU 103 analyzes the contents of the notification and determines whether or not the connection setting of communication device 151 has been successful based on the analysis result.

[0098] If it is determined that the connection setup of communication device 151 has failed, then in S1004 CPU 103 displays on display unit 108 a screen (not shown) for prompting the user to decide whether or not to retry the connection setup of communication device 151. Then, in S1005 CPU 103 determines whether or not to retry the connection setup of communication device 151 based on the user's input on the screen. If it is determined that the connection setup of communication device 151 should be retried, the processing from S1001 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection setup of communication device 151 should not be retried, the processing of FIG. 10 is terminated.

[0099] If it is determined in S1003 that the connection setting for the communication device 151 has been successful, in S1006, the CPU 103 registers the communication device 151, which is the target of the connection setting, as a communication destination of the information processing device 101. Specifically, for example, in order to communicate with the communication device 151 via the AP 131, the information processing device 101 first recognizes and identifies that the communication device 151 belongs to a network formed by the AP 131 and to which the information processing device 101 belongs. Then, the CPU 13 acquires information about the communication device 151 from the communication device 151 using a predetermined application, and registers the communication device 151 for the predetermined application.

[0100] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately control the display of a dialog screen for accepting an operation for permission to use location information, depending on the state of a predetermined application related to the use of location information. This increases the opportunities to accept permission to use location information, and reduces the possibility of failing to find the SSID of the access point 131 to which the information processing device 101 is connected. Furthermore, when the SSID of the access point 131 to which the information processing device 101 is connected is obtained, a process for connecting the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 to the access point 131 is performed without requiring the user to select an SSID, thereby improving usability.

[0101] 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.

[0102] The disclosure of this embodiment includes an information processing device, a method, and a program. (Item 1) A predetermined application program, a computer of an information processing device that can accept a first operation for permitting the predetermined application program to use location information and a second operation for not permitting the predetermined application program to use location information; an acquisition step of executing a process for acquiring information about an access point to which the information processing device is connected from an operating system (OS) of the information processing device, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a first state in which the predetermined application program is permitted to use location information and is a state based on the execution of the first operation; a transmitting step of transmitting the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device to a communication device; a first processing step of executing processing to display a first dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a second state, which is a state based on neither the first operation nor the second operation being executed, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device; a second processing step of executing processing to display a second dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device and is different from the first dialog screen, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a third state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the predetermined application program and which is a state based on the execution of the second operation; A program characterized by executing the following. (Item 2) The program described in item 1 is characterized in that the acquisition step executes a process to acquire information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device when the first operation is executed on the first dialog screen displayed by the processing executed by the first processing step. (Item 3) The program described in item 1 or 2, characterized in that the acquisition step executes a process to acquire information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device when the first operation is executed on the second dialog screen displayed by the processing executed by the second processing step. (Item 4) The program described in any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the acquisition step does not execute a process to acquire information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device if the first operation is not executed on the first dialog screen displayed by the processing executed by the first processing step. (Item 5) The program described in item 4 is characterized in that the acquisition step does not execute a process to acquire information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device if the first operation is not executed on the second dialog screen displayed by the processing executed by the second processing step. (Item 6) a first type of operation and a second type of operation can be accepted as the first operation on the first dialog screen; On the second dialog screen, the first type of operation can be accepted as the first operation, but the second type of operation cannot be accepted. 6. The program according to any one of items 1 to 5, (Item 7) Item 6. The program according to item 6, characterized in that when the first type of operation and the second type of operation are executed, the state of the specified application program changes to a state in which the specified application program is permitted to use location information, and this state continues until the specified application program runs in the background. (Item 8) Item 7. The program according to item 7, characterized in that if the state of the specified application program becomes a state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the specified application program based on the execution of the second operation after the execution of the first type of operation, even if the specified application program runs in the foreground again, the state of the specified application program will not become a state in which the use of location information is permitted for the specified application program without user operation. (Item 9) Item 9. The program according to item 7 or 8, characterized in that if the state of the specified application program becomes a state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the specified application program based on the execution of the second operation after the execution of the second type of operation, when the specified application program runs in the foreground again, the state of the specified application program becomes a state in which the use of location information is permitted for the specified application program without any user operation. (Item 10) The program described in any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising causing the computer of the information processing device to execute a connection step of establishing a connection between the information processing device and the communication device in a predetermined mode without going through the access point. (Item 11) The program described in item 10 further causes the computer of the information processing device to execute a second acquisition step of acquiring a list of access points to which the communication device can connect from the communication device via the connection established by the connection step. (Item 12) The program described in item 11, characterized in that the acquisition of the list by the second acquisition step is performed whether or not the process for acquiring information about the access points from the OS of the information processing device is executed by the acquisition step. (Item 13) Item 13. The program according to item 12, further comprising causing the computer of the information processing device to execute a display step of executing processing for displaying the list acquired in the second acquisition step. (Item 14) The program described in item 13, characterized in that the display step executes a process to display the list if the process to obtain information about the access points from the OS of the information processing device is not executed by the acquisition step. (Item 15) Item 14. The program according to item 13, wherein the display step executes processing for displaying the list if the information about the access point is not included in the list. (Item 16) If the information of the access point is included in the list, the process of displaying the list in the display step is not executed; Item 16. The program according to item 15, wherein the transmission step transmits the access point information acquired from the OS of the information processing device to the communication device via the connection established by the connection step. (Item 17) a receiving step of receiving a selection of an access point from the list displayed by the process executed in the display step; The program described in any one of items 13 to 16, characterized in that the transmission step transmits information about the access point whose selection was accepted in the acceptance step to the communication device via the connection established in the connection step. (Item 18) The program according to any one of items 1 to 17, characterized in that the first operation and the second operation can also be accepted on a screen displayed by a standard application program of the OS of the information processing device. (Item 19) The program described in any one of items 1 to 18, characterized in that the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device by the processing executed in the acquisition step includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​but does not include a password. (Item 20) a second receiving step of receiving the input of the password by the computer of the information processing device; 20. The program according to item 19, wherein the transmitting step transmits the SSID and the password accepted in the second accepting step to the communication device. (Item 21) 21. The program according to any one of items 1 to 20, wherein the OS of the information processing device is iOS or iPadOS. (Item 22) An information processing device including a predetermined application program, the information processing device is capable of receiving a first operation for permitting the predetermined application program to use location information and a second operation for not permitting the predetermined application program to use location information; an acquisition means for executing a process to acquire information about an access point to which the information processing device is connected from an operating system (OS) of the information processing device, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a first state in which the predetermined application program is permitted to use location information and is a state based on the first operation being executed; a transmitting means for transmitting the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device to a communication device; a first processing means that executes processing to display a first dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state, based on the state being a second state which is a state based on neither the first operation nor the second operation being executed, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device; second processing means that executes processing to display a second dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing a state of the predetermined application program to the first state, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device, and which is different from the first dialog screen, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a third state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the predetermined application program and which is a state based on the execution of the second operation; An information processing device comprising: (Item 23) A method executed in an information processing device including a predetermined application program, the information processing device is capable of receiving a first operation for permitting the predetermined application program to use location information and a second operation for not permitting the predetermined application program to use location information; an acquisition step of executing a process for acquiring information about an access point to which the information processing device is connected from an operating system (OS) of the information processing device, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a first state in which the predetermined application program is permitted to use location information and is a state based on the execution of the first operation; a transmitting step of transmitting the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device to a communication device; a first processing step of executing processing to display a first dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state, based on the state being a second state which is a state based on neither the first operation nor the second operation being executed, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device; a second processing step of executing processing to display a second dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device and is different from the first dialog screen, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a third state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the predetermined application program and which is a state based on the execution of the second operation; A method comprising:

[0103] 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]

[0104] 101 Terminal device: 131 Access point: 151 Communication device: 103, 154 CPU: 104, 152 ROM: 105, 153 RAM

Claims

1. A predetermined application program, a computer of an information processing device that can accept a first operation for permitting the predetermined application program to use location information and a second operation for not permitting the predetermined application program to use location information; an acquisition step of executing a process for acquiring information about an access point to which the information processing device is connected from an operating system (OS) of the information processing device, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a first state in which the predetermined application program is permitted to use location information and is a state based on the execution of the first operation; a transmitting step of transmitting the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device to a communication device; a first processing step of executing processing to display a first dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a second state, which is a state based on neither the first operation nor the second operation being executed, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device; a second processing step of executing processing to display a second dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device and is different from the first dialog screen, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a third state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the predetermined application program and which is a state based on the execution of the second operation; A program characterized by executing the following.

2. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition step executes a process to acquire information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device when the first operation is executed on the first dialog screen displayed by the processing executed by the first processing step.

3. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition step executes a process to acquire information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device when the first operation is executed on the second dialog screen displayed by the processing executed by the second processing step.

4. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition step does not execute a process to acquire information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device if the first operation is not executed on the first dialog screen displayed by the processing executed by the first processing step.

5. The program described in claim 4, characterized in that the acquisition step does not execute a process to acquire information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device if the first operation is not executed on the second dialog screen displayed by the processing executed by the second processing step.

6. a first type of operation and a second type of operation can be accepted as the first operation on the first dialog screen; On the second dialog screen, the first type of operation can be accepted as the first operation, but the second type of operation cannot be accepted.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

7. The program according to claim 6, characterized in that when the first type of operation and the second type of operation are executed, the state of the specified application program becomes a state in which the specified application program is permitted to use location information, and this state continues until the specified application program runs in the background.

8. The program described in claim 7, characterized in that if the state of the specified application program becomes a state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the specified application program based on the execution of the second operation after the execution of the first type of operation, even if the specified application program runs in the foreground again, the state of the specified application program will not become a state in which the use of location information is permitted for the specified application program without user operation.

9. The program of claim 7, characterized in that if the state of the specified application program becomes a state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the specified application program based on the execution of the second operation after the second type of operation is executed, when the specified application program runs in the foreground again, the state of the specified application program becomes a state in which the use of location information is permitted for the specified application program without any user operation.

10. 2. The program according to claim 1, further causing a computer of the information processing device to execute a connection step of establishing a connection between the information processing device and the communication device in a predetermined mode without going through the access point.

11. The program according to claim 10, further comprising causing the computer of the information processing device to execute a second acquisition step of acquiring a list of access points to which the communication device can connect from the communication device via the connection established by the connection step.

12. The program described in claim 11, characterized in that the acquisition of the list by the second acquisition step is performed whether or not a process for acquiring information about the access point from the OS of the information processing device is executed by the acquisition step.

13. 13. The program according to claim 12, further causing the computer of the information processing device to execute a display step of executing processing for displaying the list acquired in the second acquisition step.

14. The program according to claim 13, characterized in that the display step executes a process for displaying the list if a process for acquiring information about the access points from the OS of the information processing device is not executed by the acquisition step.

15. 14. The program according to claim 13, wherein said display step executes a process for displaying said list when information about said access point is not included in said list.

16. If the information of the access point is included in the list, the process of displaying the list in the display step is not executed; 16. The program according to claim 15, wherein the transmitting step transmits the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device to a communication device via the connection established in the connecting step.

17. a receiving step of receiving a selection of an access point from the list displayed by the process executed in the display step; 14. The program according to claim 13, wherein the transmitting step transmits information about the access point selected in the receiving step to the communication device via the connection established in the connecting step.

18. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first operation and the second operation can also be accepted on a screen displayed by a standard application program of an OS of the information processing apparatus.

19. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device by the process executed in the acquisition step includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​but does not include a password.

20. a second receiving step of receiving the input of the password by the computer of the information processing device; 20. The program according to claim 19, wherein the transmitting step transmits the SSID and the password accepted in the second accepting step to the communication device.

21. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the OS of the information processing device is iOS or iPadOS.

22. An information processing device including a predetermined application program, the information processing device is capable of receiving a first operation for permitting the predetermined application program to use location information and a second operation for not permitting the predetermined application program to use location information; an acquisition means for executing a process to acquire information about an access point to which the information processing device is connected from an operating system (OS) of the information processing device, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a first state in which the predetermined application program is permitted to use location information and is a state based on the first operation being executed; a transmitting means for transmitting the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device to a communication device; a first processing means for executing a process to display a first dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing a state of the predetermined application program to the first state, based on the state being a second state which is a state based on neither the first operation nor the second operation being executed, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device; a second processing means that executes processing to display a second dialog screen that is a dialog screen for changing a state of the predetermined application program to the first state, the second dialog screen being a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device, and that is different from the first dialog screen, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a third state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the predetermined application program and which is a state based on the execution of the second operation; An information processing device comprising:

23. A method executed in an information processing device including a predetermined application program, the information processing device is capable of receiving a first operation for permitting the predetermined application program to use location information and a second operation for not permitting the predetermined application program to use location information; an acquisition step of executing a process for acquiring information about an access point to which the information processing device is connected from an operating system (OS) of the information processing device, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a first state in which the predetermined application program is permitted to use location information and is a state based on the execution of the first operation; a transmitting step of transmitting the information about the access point acquired from the OS of the information processing device to a communication device; a first processing step of executing processing to display a first dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state, based on the state being a second state which is a state based on neither the first operation nor the second operation being executed, and which is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device; a second processing step of executing processing to display a second dialog screen, which is a dialog screen for changing the state of the predetermined application program to the first state and is a dialog screen displayed by an OS of the information processing device and is different from the first dialog screen, based on the state of the predetermined application program being a third state in which the use of location information is not permitted for the predetermined application program and which is a state based on the execution of the second operation; A method comprising:

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