Program, information processing device, control method for information processing device

Abstract

To provide a technology that enables an information processing device to appropriately process connection information related to an access point (AP). [Solution] A program that causes the computer of an information processing device to function as: an acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the information processing device; a first determination means for determining whether the information processing device has ever connected to an access point using a predetermined authentication method, when the first connection information has been acquired by the acquisition means and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method; and a first trial means for attempting to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information acquired by the acquisition means, when the first determination means determines that the information processing device has ever connected to an access point using a predetermined authentication method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing apparatus, and a control method for an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique in which an information processing apparatus such as a smartphone transmits setting information for connecting to an access point (AP) of a communication apparatus such as a printer and causes the communication apparatus to connect to the AP. Patent Document 1 describes that before the information processing apparatus transmits the setting information to the communication apparatus, the information processing apparatus attempts to connect to the AP to confirm whether the setting information for connecting to the AP is correct.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the information processing apparatus attempts to connect to the AP, if the information processing apparatus does not support the authentication method of the AP, the connection to the AP fails even if the connection information such as the password for connecting to the AP is correct. To avoid this, for example, when the authentication method of the AP is a predetermined authentication method, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus does not attempt to connect to the AP and transmits the connection information to the communication apparatus. In such a case, if the connection information is incorrect, the communication apparatus fails to connect to the AP, and the user needs to perform the operation again. Therefore, a technique for the information processing apparatus to appropriately process the connection information of the AP is required.

[0005] An exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a technique for an information processing apparatus to appropriately process connection information of an AP.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present invention, a program is provided that causes the computer of an information processing device to function as: an acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the information processing device; a first determination means for determining whether the information processing device has ever connected to an access point using a predetermined authentication method, provided that the first connection information has been acquired by the acquisition means and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method; and a first trial means for attempting to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information acquired by the acquisition means, provided that the first determination means determines that the information processing device has ever connected to an access point using a predetermined authentication method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that allows an information processing device to appropriately process connection information related to an AP. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system configuration. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of terminal devices and communication devices. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the terminal device. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the terminal device. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the terminal device. [Figure 6] This is an example of a screen displayed by a terminal device. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the terminal device. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the communication device. [Figure 9]This is a diagram showing the screen displayed by the terminal device. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing the screen displayed by the terminal device. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the screen displayed by the terminal device. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the terminal device. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing the screen displayed by the terminal device. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the terminal device. [Figure 15] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the terminal device. [Figure 16] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the terminal device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention to the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> The information processing apparatus and communication apparatus included in the communication system of the present embodiment will be described. As the information processing apparatus, a smartphone is exemplified in the present embodiment, but it is not limited thereto, and various devices such as terminal devices, notebook PCs, tablet terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), digital cameras, etc. can be applied. Further, as the communication apparatus, a printer is exemplified in the present embodiment, but it is not limited thereto, and various devices can be applied as long as they can perform wireless communication with the information processing apparatus. For example, if it is a printer, it can be applied to an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam printer, a monochrome printer, etc. Further, it can be applied not only to printers but also to copiers, facsimile devices, terminal devices, smartphones, notebook PCs, tablet terminals, PDAs, digital cameras, music playback devices, televisions, smart speakers, etc. In addition, it can also be applied to multifunction devices having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a FAX function, a printing function, etc.

[0011] First, the system configuration for realizing the present embodiment will be described.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system of the present embodiment. This system is assumed to include a communication device 151, a terminal device 101, an access point (AP) 131, and an external server 171.

[0013] The terminal device 101 is the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment. The communication device 151 is the communication apparatus of the present embodiment. The AP 131 is an external device existing outside the terminal device 101 and outside the communication device 151. The external server 171 is a server that can provide services to the device connected to the AP 131 via the Internet.

[0014] The LAN (Local Area Network) formed by the AP 131 includes the AP 131, the communication device 151, and the terminal device 101. On the other hand, the WAN (Wide Area Network) includes the AP 131 and the external server 171.

[0015] In this embodiment, terminal device 101 can communicate with communication device 151 via AP 131 if the infrastructure connection described later is established. Furthermore, terminal device 101 can communicate directly with communication device 151 without going through AP 131 if the direct connection described later is established. In the following, connection to AP refers to connection to the network formed by AP. Note that AP may form multiple networks simultaneously, in which case connection to AP may refer to connection to any of the multiple networks formed by AP.

[0016] In this embodiment, the connection 141 between the terminal device 101 and AP131, and the connection 142 between the communication device 151 and AP131, are connections based on the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 series standard. Specifically, the communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 series standard is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark). The connection 143 between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 is either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE). Note that the communication method used for each connection is not limited to this form, and may be, for example, Bluetooth Classic, Wi-Fi Aware, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. AP131 and the external server 171 can communicate via the Internet, and when AP131 is connected to the Internet, devices connected to AP131 (terminal device 101 and communication device 151) can also use the Internet. The connection 141 between terminal device 101 and AP131, and the connection 142 between communication device 151 and AP131, may be a wired LAN connection.

[0017] Next, the configuration of the information processing device of this embodiment and the communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram in Figure 2. In addition, the following configuration is described as an example in this embodiment, but this embodiment is applicable to devices that can communicate with a communication device and does not particularly limit the functions as shown in this figure.

[0018] The terminal 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, a camera 111, a wired communication unit 112, etc. The CPU 103, ROM 104, RAM 105, etc. form the computer of the terminal device 101. The terminal device 101 is envisioned as a device like a smartphone, but is not limited to a smartphone.

[0019] The input interface 102 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, touch panel, etc. Alternatively, the output interface 107 (described later) and the input interface 102 may have the same configuration, allowing for screen output and acceptance of user operations to be performed using the same configuration.

[0020] The CPU 103 is the system control unit and controls the entire terminal device 101.

[0021] ROM 104 stores fixed data such as control programs executed by CPU 103, data tables, and operating system (OS) programs. In this embodiment, each control program stored in ROM 104 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in ROM 104. In this embodiment, ROM 104 stores a setup application program (hereinafter referred to as the setup app). The setup app is installed on the terminal device 101 from an external source, for example, by a store application program. The setup app is an app provided by the vendor of the communication device 151. The setup app may have functions other than the function of performing network setup of the communication device 151. Specifically, these other functions may include, for example, a function to perform setup other than network setup of the communication device 151, a function to send a print job to the communication device 151 to perform printing, or a function to send a scan job to the communication device 151 to perform scanning. In this embodiment, the OS is, for example, Windows. That is, an OS that manages wireless profiles (described later) that include information such as encryption methods and authentication methods.

[0022] RAM 105 consists of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and other components that require a backup power supply. Since RAM 105's data is held by a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, important data such as program control variables can be stored without being lost. RAM 105 also includes a memory area for storing configuration information and management data for the terminal device 101. Furthermore, RAM 105 is used as both the main memory and work memory for the CPU 103.

[0023] The external storage device 106 contains 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 and reception control program that transmits and receives information with 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.

[0024] The output interface 107 is an interface that controls the display unit 108 to display data and notify the status of the terminal device 101.

[0025] The display unit 108 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays), and displays data and notifies the status of the terminal device 101. Alternatively, a soft keyboard with keys such as numerical input keys, mode setting keys, select keys, cancel keys, and power keys may be installed on the display unit 108 to accept user input via the display unit 108.

[0026] The wireless communication unit 109 is configured to wirelessly connect to devices such as the communication device 151 and AP131 to perform data communication. For example, the wireless communication unit 109 may communicate directly with the communication device 151 wirelessly, or it may communicate via AP131 located outside the terminal device 101 and 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 IEEE 802.11 standard, but Bluetooth Classic or the like may also be used. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN is defined as a Wi-Fi network. AP131 can be, for example, a wireless LAN router or other device. In this embodiment, the method in which the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 are connected directly without going through an external AP is called the direct connection method. The method in which the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 are connected via an external AP is called the infrastructure connection method.

[0027] The short-range wireless communication unit 110 is configured to perform data communication with devices such as the communication device 151 using a short-range wireless communication method, and communicates using a different communication method than the wireless communication unit 109. The short-range wireless communication unit 110 can connect to the short-range wireless communication unit 157 within the communication device 151. Examples of communication methods for the short-range wireless communication unit 110 include BLE, Bluetooth Classic, Wi-Fi Aware, and NFC.

[0028] The imaging device 111 is a device that converts images captured by the image sensor into digital data. The digital data is first stored in the RAM 105. Then, a program executed by the CPU 103 converts it into a predetermined image format and saves it as image data to the external storage device 106.

[0029] The wired communication unit 112 is configured to connect via a wire to devices such as the communication device 151 and AP131 to 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, it is not limited to this configuration, and the wired communication unit 112 may communicate via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

[0030] The communication device 151 includes a ROM 152, RAM 153, CPU 154, print engine 155, wireless communication unit 156, short-range wireless communication unit 157, input interface 158, output interface 159, function control unit 160, display unit 161, wired communication unit 162, etc. The computer of the terminal device 101 is formed by the ROM 152, RAM 153, CPU 154, etc.

[0031] The wireless communication unit 156 is configured to wirelessly connect to devices such as the terminal device 101 and AP 131 to perform data communication. In this embodiment, Wi-Fi is used as the wireless communication method for the wireless communication unit 156, but it is not limited to Wi-Fi. The wireless communication unit 156 has AP 156-a as an AP inside the communication device 151 for connecting to devices such as the terminal device 101. This AP can be connected to the wireless communication unit 109 of the terminal device 101. The wireless communication unit 156 may communicate directly with the terminal device 101 via AP 156-a, or it may communicate with the terminal device 101 via AP 131. Furthermore, AP 156-a may be hardware that functions as an AP, or the wireless communication unit 156 may operate as AP 156-a through software that functions as an AP. In addition, the AP inside the communication device 151 may consist of multiple APs with different SSIDs and passwords. In this embodiment, the AP inside the communication device 151 includes at least the connection setting AP described later.

[0032] RAM153 consists of DRAM and other components that require a backup power supply. Since RAM153 retains data through a data backup power supply (not shown), it can store important data such as program control variables without losing them. RAM153 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU154, storing a receive buffer for temporarily saving print information received from terminal devices such as the terminal device 101, as well as various other information.

[0033] 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 ROM 152 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt handling under the management of the embedded OS stored in ROM 152. ROM 152 also includes a memory area for storing data that needs to be retained even when power is not supplied, such as configuration information and management data for the communication device 151.

[0034] The CPU 154 is the system control unit and controls the entire communication device 151.

[0035] The print engine 155 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording material such as ink, based on the information stored in the RAM 153 and the print job received from the terminal device 101, and outputs the print result. At this time, the print job transmitted from the terminal device 101, etc., has a large amount of data to transmit and requires high-speed communication, so it is received via the wireless communication unit 156, which can communicate at a higher speed than the short-range wireless communication unit 157.

[0036] The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is configured to communicate with devices such as the terminal device 101 using a short-range wireless communication method. Examples of communication methods for the short-range wireless communication unit 157 include BLE, Bluetooth Classic, and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0037] The input interface 158 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and consists of a physical keyboard, buttons, touch panel, etc. Alternatively, the output interface 159 (described later) and the input interface 158 may have the same configuration, allowing for screen output and acceptance of user operations using the same configuration. The output interface 159 is an interface that controls the display unit 161 for displaying data and notifying the status of the communication device 151.

[0038] The function control unit 160 manages the operation of the functions of the communication device 151, determining whether or not to operate them simultaneously.

[0039] The display unit 161 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays), and displays data and notifies the status of the communication device 151. Alternatively, a soft keyboard with keys such as numerical input keys, mode setting keys, confirm keys, cancel keys, and power keys may be installed on the display unit 161 to accept user input via the display unit 161.

[0040] The wired communication unit 162 is configured to connect via a wire to devices such as the terminal device 101 or AP131 and perform data communication. For example, the wired communication unit 162 communicates via a wired LAN. However, it is not limited to this configuration; for example, it may communicate via a USB cable.

[0041] <About the direct connection method> Direct connection refers to a configuration in which devices connect wirelessly directly (i.e., peer-to-peer) without the need for external devices such as AP131. Direct connection is also called peer-to-peer connection (P2P connection). The communication device 151 can operate in a mode for communication via direct connection (direct connection mode) as one of its connection modes. In Wi-Fi communication, there are multiple modes for communication via direct connection, such as software AP mode and Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode.

[0042] The mode in which a direct connection is performed using WFD is called WFD mode. WFD is a standard developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance and is included in the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards. In WFD mode, after the device to be communicated with is discovered using a device discovery command, the roles of the P2P group owner (GO) and the P2P client are determined, and then the remaining wireless connection processing is performed. The group owner corresponds to the Wi-Fi base station (access point), and the client corresponds to the Wi-Fi slave station (slave device). This role determination corresponds to GO Negotiation in P2P, for example. In WFD mode, before the role determination is performed, the communication device 151 is neither a base station nor a slave station. Specifically, first, one device issues a device discovery command to the other device to search for a device to connect to in WFD mode. Once the other device to be communicated with is discovered, the two devices confirm information about the services and functions that can be supplied by each other. This confirmation of device supply information is optional and not mandatory. This equipment supply information confirmation phase corresponds, for example, to P2P Provision Discovery. Next, by confirming this equipment supply information with each other, it is determined which will be the P2P client and which will be the P2P group owner. Once the client and group owner are determined, they exchange parameters for communication using WFD. Based on the exchanged parameters, the remaining wireless connection processing and IP connection processing are carried out between the P2P client and group owner. In WFD mode, the communication device 151 may always operate as GO without performing the GO Negotiation described above. In other words, the communication device 151 may operate in WFD mode, which is Autonomous GO mode. Furthermore, the state in which the communication device 151 is operating in WFD mode means, for example, a state in which the WFD connection has not been established but the communication device 151 is operating as GO, or a state in which the WFD connection has been established and the communication device 151 is operating as GO.

[0043] In software AP mode, one device (e.g., information processing device 101) acts as a client, requesting various services from the communicating devices (e.g., information processing device 101 and communication device 151). The other device then implements the functions of an AP in Wi-Fi through software configuration. The software AP corresponds to a Wi-Fi base station, and the client corresponds to a Wi-Fi slave station. In software AP mode, the client searches for a device that will become a software AP using a device discovery command. Once a software AP is found, the remaining wireless connection processing (such as establishing a wireless connection) takes place between the client and the software AP, followed by IP connection processing (such as assigning an IP address). The commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the software AP can be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and are therefore omitted from this explanation.

[0044] In this embodiment, when the communication device 151 establishes and maintains a direct connection, it operates as a master station within the network to which it belongs. A master station is a device that constructs a wireless network and provides slave stations with parameters used to connect to the wireless network. Parameters used to connect to the wireless network include, for example, parameters related to the channel used by the master station. By receiving these parameters, the slave station connects to the wireless network constructed by the master station using the channel used by the master station. In direct connection mode, since the communication device 151 operates as a master station, it is possible for the communication device 151 to determine which frequency band and which channel to use for communication in direct connection mode. In this embodiment, the communication device 151 is capable of using channels corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and channels corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in direct connection mode. The user can arbitrarily set which frequency band to use (i.e., which frequency band channel to use) through settings on a screen not shown. In other words, if 2.4GHz is selected on the screen, the communication device 151 will use a channel corresponding to the 2.4GHz frequency band for communication in direct connection mode. On the other hand, if 5GHz is selected on the screen, the communication device 151 will use a channel corresponding to the 5GHz frequency band for communication in direct connection mode. However, in this embodiment, even if 5GHz is selected on the screen, the communication device 151 will not use a channel corresponding to the DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) band within the 5GHz frequency band for communication in direct connection mode. In other words, the communication device 151 will only use channels corresponding to frequency bands other than the DFS band within the 5GHz frequency band for communication in direct connection mode. If a radar wave in the frequency band corresponding to a channel is detected while a channel corresponding to the DFS band is being used, the currently used channel must be changed.The frequency band in which channel changes can occur due to radar wave detection is called the DFS band. For example, if a wireless chip that supports the DFS function is used, it is possible that a channel corresponding to the DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) band within the 5GHz frequency band may be used for communication in direct connection mode. The channel determined to be used for direct connection mode is used for communication via the direct connection. Furthermore, this channel is also used for transmitting beacon signals as a master station and for sending responses to received commands. In other words, this channel is used not only for communication processing in direct connection mode when a direct connection is established, but also for communication processing in direct connection mode when a direct connection is not established.

[0045] In the above description, we have explained a configuration in which the user can set whether to use a channel corresponding to the 2.4GHz frequency band or a channel corresponding to the 5GHz frequency band for the direct connection mode, but this configuration is not limited to this. The configuration may also allow the user to specify which channel to use for the direct connection mode by accepting channel number specification from the user. Furthermore, the channel used for the direct connection mode may not be arbitrarily set by the user, but may be pre-set in the communication device 151.

[0046] Although the above description explains that the communication device 151 can use the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, it is not limited to this configuration. Other frequency bands may also be usable, and in the processing where the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands are used in this embodiment, other frequency bands may also be used. For example, since the IEEE 802.11ad standard allows the use of the 60GHz frequency band, 60GHz may be used as one of the other frequency bands mentioned above.

[0047] <Regarding infrastructure connection methods> Infrastructure connection is a connection configuration in which communication devices (for example, an information processing device 101 and a communication device 151) are connected to an AP (for example, AP131) that manages the network, allowing the devices to communicate with each other via the AP. The communication device 151 can also operate in an infrastructure connection mode (infrastructure connection mode) as one of its connection modes.

[0048] In infrastructure connectivity, each device searches for an access point (AP) using an AP discovery command. Once an AP is found, the remaining wireless connection processing (establishing the wireless connection, etc.) takes place between the device and the AP, followed by IP connection processing (assigning an IP address, etc.). The commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between the device and the AP should be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and will not be explained here.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the communication device 151 operates via an infrastructure connection, the AP 131 acts as the master station and the communication device 151 acts as the slave device. That is, in this embodiment, the infrastructure connection refers to the connection between the communication device 151, which operates as a slave device, and the device that operates as the master station. If 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, then communication between the communication device 151 and the information processing device 101 is possible via the AP 131. Since the channel used for communication in the infrastructure connection is determined by the AP 131, 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 capable of using channels corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and channels corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. The communication device 151 can also use channels corresponding to the DFS band within the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. Furthermore, in order for the information processing device 101 to communicate with the communication device 151 via AP131, it needs to recognize that the communication device 151 belongs to the network formed by AP131, to which the information processing device 101 belongs.

[0050] <Regarding simultaneous operation> The communication device 151 of this embodiment is capable of simultaneously (in parallel) performing both infrastructure mode operation and direct connection mode operation. Therefore, the communication device 151 can simultaneously (in parallel) maintain a connection for communication in infrastructure mode and a connection for communication in direct connection mode. In other words, the communication device 151 can simultaneously establish a Wi-Fi connection in which it acts as a slave device and a Wi-Fi connection in which it acts as a master device. Hereafter, the simultaneous (in parallel) establishment of infrastructure connection and direct connection, and the operation that enables communication simultaneously (in parallel) via infrastructure connection and direct connection, is referred to as simultaneous operation. In other words, simultaneous operation is the operation in which the communication device 151 performs both the operation as a master device (Group Owner or AP) and the operation as a slave device in parallel.

[0051] Communication in infrastructure mode and communication in direct connection mode are performed using specific frequency bands (specific channels). Therefore, in both infrastructure mode and direct connection mode, the channel to be used for communication and connection between each device must be determined before communication begins. In a configuration where multiple channels are assigned to a single wireless IC chip for simultaneous communication, the configuration of each communicating device and the processing performed by each device become complex. Therefore, for example, when communication devices 151 are operating simultaneously, it is desirable that a common channel be used for communication in each mode. That is, it is desirable that communication devices 151 use only one channel even when operating simultaneously. For this reason, in this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 156 has only one wireless IC chip that realizes communication on a predetermined channel, and communication devices 151 do not communicate using multiple channels simultaneously.

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

[0053] When the communication device 151 starts operating in connection setting mode, it enables both Wi-Fi communication and BLE communication. Specifically, as part of the Wi-Fi communication activation process, the communication device 151 activates an internal AP (connection setting AP) dedicated to connection setting mode. This allows the communication device 151 to establish a direct Wi-Fi connection with the terminal device 101. Connection information (SSID and password) for connecting to the connection setting AP is pre-stored in the setup application installed on the terminal device 101, and the terminal device 101 is assumed to be aware of this connection information in advance. It is also possible that the connection setting AP does not have an encryption method set and does not require a password to connect to it. Therefore, unlike the connection information of the AP enabled in direct connection mode, the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP cannot be arbitrarily changed by the user. In connection setting mode, the communication device 151 may connect to the terminal device 101 using Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) instead of normal Wi-Fi. In other words, the communication device 151 may operate as a Group Owner and receive configuration commands from the terminal device 101 via WFD communication.

[0054] <About Wireless Profiles> A wireless profile is information stored and managed by the operating system of terminal device 101, and includes connection information for APs that terminal device 101 has previously connected to. For example, wireless profiles are used in a reconnection function, which is a function that automatically re-establishes the connection between terminal device 101 and the AP when the connection is lost.

[0055] Figure 9(a) is a screen displayed by the OS, which is the connection screen 900 for terminal device 101 to connect to AP. The connection screen 900 is intended for connecting to AP131, which has the SSID displayed on screen 900. The connection screen 900 includes an area 901 for setting whether or not to enable the reconnection function when connecting to AP131, an area 902 for accepting input of a password for connecting to AP131, and an area 903 for attempting to establish a connection between AP131 and terminal device 101 using the entered password. If the reconnection function is enabled by area 901, the OS will automatically re-establish the connection when the connection between terminal device 101 and AP131 is disconnected. On the other hand, if the reconnection function is disabled by area 901, the OS will not automatically re-establish the connection when the connection between terminal device 101 and AP131 is disconnected. When area 903 is pressed, if the connection between AP131 and terminal device 101 is successfully established, the OS saves the AP131's connection information (SSID and password) as a wireless profile. However, certain types of OS or certain versions of the OS will not save the AP131's connection information as a wireless profile, even if the connection between AP131 and terminal device 101 is successfully established, if the reconnection function is disabled.

[0056] Figure 9(b) shows a screen displayed by the OS, which is the wireless profile screen 910 for showing stored wireless profiles. The wireless profile screen 910 is an example of a screen when the OS has stored two wireless profiles. In the wireless profile screen 910, the wireless profile with higher priority is displayed higher up. A wireless profile with higher priority is a wireless profile that is used with greater priority when a connection between the terminal device 101 and the AP has not been established. Area 911 is an area that represents the first wireless profile with higher priority by its SSID, and area 912 is an area that represents the second wireless profile with lower priority by its SSID. By performing a predetermined operation on area 911 or area 912, it is possible to delete the wireless profile corresponding to the area on which the predetermined operation was performed from the terminal device 101.

[0057] <Regarding the processing performed by terminal device 101 and communication device 151> In this embodiment, the setup application can perform network setup of the communication device 151 (hereinafter referred to as "first setup") via a wireless connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. In other words, the first setup is a setup method that connects the communication device 151 and the AP by transmitting configuration information from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151 via wireless communication using the setup application. The configuration information includes a password for connecting to the AP. For example, a wireless profile corresponding to a predetermined AP to which the communication device 151 will connect may be stored in the terminal device 101 before the setup application receives a predetermined operation (predetermined instruction) for network setup from the user. In such a case, the setup application can perform the first setup without receiving a password from the user.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication device 151 can connect to the AP by methods other than the first setup. The second and third setups, which are methods other than the first setup, are network setups that are performed without transmitting configuration information from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151 via wireless communication using a setup application. Specifically, for example, the second setup is a network setup using push-button type WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). The second setup may also be a network setup using PIN code type WPS. The second setup may also be a network setup other than WPS, such as AOSS or Rakuraku Wireless Start. The second setup may also be a network setup that is performed by establishing a connection between the communication device 151 and the AP selected by the user through an operation on the communication device 151 from among the APs that the communication device 151 has searched for, via wireless LAN. The third setup, which is a method other than the first setup, is a network setup that is performed by establishing a connection between the AP and the communication device 151 via wired LAN. The third setup may also be a network setup performed by establishing a connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 via USB. The second and third setups are setup methods that can be performed without the user entering a password for connecting to the AP into the setup application. For example, there may be cases where a wireless profile corresponding to a given AP is not pre-stored in the terminal device 101 before the predetermined instructions are received from the user via the setup application. In such cases, it is preferable for the setup application to perform predetermined processing for setups other than the first setup. This is because many users find the second and third setups more convenient than the first setup, which involves the operation of entering a password. The predetermined processing specifically refers to processes such as displaying the selection screen described later or displaying the guide screen described later.

[0059] However, even if the wireless profile corresponding to a given AP is not pre-stored in the terminal device 101 before the predetermined instructions are received from the user by the setup application, the given AP may not require a password. In such cases, the setup application can perform the first setup without receiving a password from the user. Nevertheless, there are cases where the wireless profile corresponding to a given AP is not pre-stored in the terminal device 101 before the predetermined instructions are received from the user by the setup application, and the given AP does not require a password. In such cases, if the setup application performs the predetermined process described above, usability will be reduced.

[0060] Therefore, in this embodiment, the setup application operates as follows. If a wireless profile corresponding to a predetermined AP is not pre-stored in the terminal device 101 before the predetermined instructions are received from the user by the setup application, and the predetermined AP does not require a password, the setup application performs the first setup without performing any predetermined processing. On the other hand, if a wireless profile corresponding to a predetermined AP is not stored in the terminal device 101, and the predetermined AP requires a password, the setup application performs any predetermined processing.

[0061] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the first setup involves communication via a wireless connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. However, if IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is set as the protocol used by the terminal device 101 for communication, this communication may not be possible. This is because the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode may not be able to perform communication using IPv6. Therefore, in this embodiment, if IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is set as the protocol used by the terminal device 101 for communication, the setup application performs the first setup without executing any predetermined processes. On the other hand, if IPv6 is set as the protocol used by the terminal device 101 for communication, the setup application performs any predetermined processes. Note that if IPv4 is set as the protocol used by the terminal device 101 for communication, this means that communication using IPv4 via the wireless communication unit 109 is effectively configured in the terminal device 101. Similarly, if IPv6 is set as the protocol used by the terminal device 101 for communication, this means that communication using IPv6 by the wireless communication unit 109 is enabled in the terminal device 101.

[0062] This configuration improves the ease of setting up the communication device 151.

[0063] Furthermore, in the first setup, before the terminal device 101 sends configuration information to the communication device 151, it attempts to connect to the AP using connection information such as the AP password entered by the user. By having the terminal device 101 verify whether the connection information entered by the user is correct, the number of cases in which the communication device 151 fails to connect to the AP can be reduced. However, if the terminal device 101 does not support the authentication method used by the AP selected by the user, it will fail to connect to the AP even if the connection information such as the password is correct. To avoid this, for example, if the AP's authentication method is a predetermined authentication method, it is assumed that the terminal device 101 will not attempt to connect to the AP and will instead send connection information to the communication device 151, regardless of whether the terminal device 101 supports the predetermined authentication method. However, if the terminal device 101 does not attempt to connect to the AP, and the connection information is incorrect, the communication device 151 will fail to connect to the AP. If the communication device 151 fails to connect to the AP, the user will need to repeat operations such as setting the communication device 151 to a state where it can receive configuration information from the terminal device 101. This reduces usability. Therefore, a technology is needed that allows the terminal device 101 to appropriately process connection information related to the AP.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminal device 101 operates as follows using the setup application. The terminal device 101 obtains connection information for connecting to the AP selected by the user. If the connection information is obtained and the authentication method of the AP selected by the user is a predetermined authentication method such as WPA3-SAE, as described later, the terminal device 101 makes the following determination. Specifically, the terminal device 101 determines whether or not it has previously connected to an AP that uses the predetermined authentication method. If the setup application determines that the terminal device 101 has previously connected to an AP that uses the predetermined authentication method, it attempts to establish a connection between the terminal device 101 and the AP selected by the user based on the connection information.

[0065] In this way, by attempting to connect to the AP when the terminal device 101 supports a predetermined authentication method, it is possible to prevent connection failure to the AP due to the terminal device 101 not supporting the AP's authentication method. Furthermore, regardless of whether the terminal device 101 supports the AP's authentication method or not, it is possible to prevent it from sending configuration information containing incorrect connection information to the communication device 101 without attempting to connect to the AP. In other words, the terminal device 101 can properly process the AP connection information. As a result, the number of cases in which the communication device 151 fails to connect to the AP can be reduced, and user convenience can be improved.

[0066] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the network setup of the communication device 151 performed by the terminal device 101. This flowchart is realized when the CPU 103 reads a program stored in the ROM 104 into the RAM 105 and executes it. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 performs the processing using a setup application. This flowchart is started based on the user performing the predetermined operations on the screen displayed by the setup application.

[0067] In S301, CPU 103 searches for communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. Specifically, CPU 103 searches for beacons emitted by communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode that include an SSID corresponding to connection setting mode.

[0068] In S302, the CPU 103 determines whether it has found the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode through the search in S301. Specifically, the CPU 103 detects beacons emitted by devices surrounding the terminal device 101. The CPU 103 then determines whether among the detected beacons there is one emitted by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and which contains an SSID corresponding to connection setting mode. The SSID corresponding to connection setting mode is the same SSID as the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP, which is pre-stored in the setup application. Therefore, the CPU 103 determines whether among the beacons emitted by devices surrounding the terminal device 101 there is one that contains the same SSID as the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP, which is pre-stored in the setup application. If the CPU 103 determines YES, it proceeds to S303; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S308. Also, if the CPU 103 determines YES, it identifies the discovered communication device 151 as the device to be set up for network setup (hereinafter referred to as the target device). If multiple communication devices 151 are discovered, the first communication device 151 discovered may be identified as the target device, or the communication device 151 selected by the user from among the multiple discovered communication devices 151 may be identified as the target device. Furthermore, in the following steps, network setup processing will be performed for the communication device 151 identified as the target device.

[0069] In S303, CPU103 executes a first determination process to determine whether to perform the first setup without executing the predetermined process described above. Details of the first determination process will be described later with reference to Figure 4.

[0070] In S304, CPU 103 determines whether it has determined in the first determination process that the first setup should be performed without executing any predetermined processes. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S305; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S308. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it will perform the first setup without executing any setup-related processes other than the first setup, such as displaying the selection screen or guide screen as described later. On the other hand, if CPU 103 determines it is NO, it will execute setup-related processes other than the first setup, such as displaying the selection screen or guide screen as described later.

[0071] In S305, the CPU 103 displays a confirmation screen on the display unit 108 to confirm whether to perform the first setup. For example, the confirmation screen 600 shown in Figure 6 is displayed. For example, the confirmation screen 600 includes a button 601 for selecting whether to perform the first setup and a button 602 for selecting whether not to perform the first setup. For example, the confirmation screen 600 also includes an area 603 showing the name of the communication device 151 and an area 604 showing the SSID of the network to which the terminal device 101 is currently connected. The name of the communication device 151 is included in the beacon obtained from the communication device 151 through the search in S301. The SSID of the network to which the terminal device 101 is currently connected is obtained in the first determination process.

[0072] In S306, CPU 103 determines whether the option to perform the first setup was selected on the confirmation screen. Specifically, this determination determines whether button 601 or button 602 was selected. If CPU 103 determines the answer is YES, it proceeds to S307; otherwise, it proceeds to S308.

[0073] Note that the processes in S305 and S306 may be omitted. That is, if the result in S304 is YES, the process in S305 and S306 may be skipped, and the process may proceed to S307.

[0074] In S307, CPU103 performs the first setup. The details of this process will be described later using Figure 7. The process then proceeds to S314.

[0075] As described above, S308 is executed if NO is determined in S302, S304, or S306. In S308, the CPU 103 accepts the user's selection of the connection method between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151. Here, for example, the selection screen 1010 shown in Figure 10(a) is displayed on the display unit 108. For example, the selection screen 1010 includes an area 1011 for selecting a wireless LAN connection method, an area 1012 for selecting a wired LAN connection method, and a button 1013 for displaying the next screen. Note that the network setup for establishing a connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 using the wireless LAN connection method includes a first setup and a second setup. Therefore, in this embodiment, the setup that can be executed when area 1011 is selected includes the first setup and the second setup. In other words, area 1011 is an option that corresponds to at least the second setup. Furthermore, the network setup for establishing a connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 using a wired LAN connection method includes a third setup. Therefore, in this embodiment, the setup that can be performed when area 1012 is selected includes the third setup. In other words, area 1011 is an option that corresponds to at least the third setup. The selection screen 1010 may also include areas for selecting a USB connection method or a Bluetooth connection method. If the area for selecting a USB connection method is selected, the USB connection setup is performed as the third setup. If the area for selecting a Bluetooth connection method is selected, the Bluetooth connection setup is performed as the third setup.

[0076] After either region 1011 or region 1012 is selected by the user, if button 1013 is pressed by the user, the CPU 103 proceeds to S309.

[0077] In S309, CPU 103 determines whether or not the wireless LAN connection method was selected on selection screen 1010. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S310; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S313.

[0078] In S310, CPU103 executes a second determination process to determine whether to perform the first setup. Details of the second determination process will be described later using Figure 5.

[0079] In S311, CPU 103 determines whether it has decided to perform the first setup in the second decision process. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S307; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S312.

[0080] In S312, the CPU 103 displays a first guide screen for the second setup on the display unit 108. Here, for example, the guide screen 1040 shown in Figure 10(d) is displayed on the display unit 108 as the first guide screen. For example, the guide screen 1040 includes an area 1042 for displaying a manual showing how the user can perform the second setup in the web browser of the terminal device 101, and a button 1041 for displaying the next screen. If area 1042 is selected, the CPU 103 launches the web browser of the terminal device 101 and displays the manual on the web browser. Alternatively, the manual may be displayed directly on the setup application instead of the web browser. If button 1041 is pressed by the user, the process proceeds to S314.

[0081] In S313, the CPU 103 displays two guide screens for the third setup on the display unit 108. Here, for example, the guide screen 1050 shown in Figure 10(e) is displayed on the display unit 108 as the second guide screen. For example, the guide screen 1050 includes an area 1052 for displaying a manual showing how the user can perform the third setup in the web browser of the terminal device 101, and a button 1051 for displaying the next screen. The method for the user to perform the third setup itself may also be included in the guide screen 1050. Specifically, for example, the guide screen 1050 may include an area prompting the user to connect the AP and the communication device 151 with a wired LAN (LAN cable). Also, if the third setup is a USB connection setup, the guide screen 1050 may be a screen prompting the user to connect the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 with a USB cable. If the third setup is for setting up a Bluetooth connection, the guide screen 1050 may be a screen that prompts the user to connect the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 via Bluetooth.

[0082] In S314, CPU 103 searches for communication device 151 on the network to which terminal device 101 belongs, which is the network formed by AP. If communication device 151 and terminal device 101 are connected to the same AP when one of the first setup, second setup, or third setup is executed, communication device 151 will be found through this search.

[0083] In S315, the CPU 103 determines whether or not it found the communication device 151 through the search in S314. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S316; otherwise, it proceeds to S317. If this process is executed after the first setup, the CPU 103 identifies whether the communication device 151, which was the destination for the configuration information in the first setup, is included in the one or more devices found through the search in S314. If it is determined that the communication device 151 is included, the determination in this step is YES. That is, if no devices are found through the search in S314, or if the communication device 151, which was the destination for the configuration information in the first setup, is not included in the one or more devices found, the determination in this step is NO. If this process is executed after the second or third setup, the CPU 103 displays the one or more devices found through the search in S314 and accepts a selection from the user. If a selection is accepted from the user, the determination in this step is YES. In other words, if no devices are found in the search in S314 and no selection is accepted from the user, the result in this determination is NO.

[0084] In S316, the CPU 103 displays a success screen on the display unit 108, which corresponds to the discovery of the communication device 151 through the search in S314. For example, the success screen 1020 shown in Figure 10(b) is displayed on the display unit 108. For example, the success screen 1020 includes a message indicating that the communication device 151 has been discovered and a message indicating that the connection with the communication device 151 was successful. If the exit button 1021 included in the success screen 1020 is pressed, the process in this flowchart ends.

[0085] Furthermore, if the CPU 103 finds the communication device 151 through the search in S314, it may obtain capability information regarding the capabilities of the communication device 151 from the communication device 151. This capability information may then be used in the print setting process for configuring print jobs to be sent to the communication device 151, and in the scan setting process for configuring scan jobs to be sent to the communication device 151. Capability information may include, for example, information indicating which paper types can be printed or information indicating whether scanning is possible.

[0086] In S317, the CPU 103 displays a failure screen on the display unit 108, which corresponds to the fact that the communication device 151 could not be found during the search in S314. For example, the failure screen 1030 shown in Figure 10(c) is displayed on the display unit 108. For example, the failure screen 1030 includes a message indicating that the communication device 151 could not be found, or a message indicating that the connection with the communication device 151 failed. If the exit button 1031 included in the failure screen 1030 is pressed, the process in this flowchart ends.

[0087] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the first decision process executed by the terminal device 101. This flowchart is realized when the CPU 103 reads the program stored in the ROM 104 into the RAM 105 and executes it. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 executes the process using a setup application. This flowchart corresponds to the process in S303.

[0088] In S401, the CPU 103 obtains information indicating the connection status of the wireless communication unit 109 from the OS of the terminal device 101. In other words, the connection status of the wireless communication unit 109 is the Wi-Fi connection status of the terminal device 101.

[0089] In S402, the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 is connected to any AP based on the information obtained in S401. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S403; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S410.

[0090] In S403, CPU 103 identifies the SSID of the AP to which terminal device 101 is connected and the encryption method used by the AP to which terminal device 101 is connected.

[0091] In S404, CPU 103 obtains a list of wireless profiles owned by terminal device 101 from the terminal device 101's OS. This process corresponds to the setup application obtaining a list of wireless profiles owned by terminal device 101 from the terminal device 101's OS. The wireless profiles owned by terminal device 101 are information about access points (APs) to which terminal device 101 has connected, and are managed and stored by the terminal device 101's OS. Specifically, the wireless profiles owned by terminal device 101 include the SSIDs of APs to which terminal device 101 has connected and the passwords for connecting to those APs.

[0092] In S405, CPU 103 determines whether the list obtained in S404 includes the wireless profile corresponding to the AP to which terminal device 101 is connected. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S407; otherwise, it proceeds to S406. A YES determination means that the wireless profile corresponding to the AP to which terminal device 101 is connected is pre-saved in terminal device 101 before the predetermined instructions are received from the user by the setup application. As mentioned above, depending on the type and version of the OS of terminal device 101, if the reconnection function is disabled, the OS will not save the wireless profile for the AP even if a new connection is made to the AP. Therefore, the case in which the list obtained in S404 does not include the wireless profile corresponding to the AP to which terminal device 101 is connected is the case in which the wireless profile was not saved because the setting was enabled.

[0093] In S406, the CPU 103 determines whether a password is required to connect to the AP to which the terminal device 101 is connected, based on the encryption method identified in S403. A password is required to connect to the AP to which the terminal device 101 is connected if the encryption method identified in S403 as being set on the AP to which the terminal device 101 is connected is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2, WPA3, etc. On the other hand, a password is not required to connect to the AP to which the terminal device 101 is connected if no encryption method is set on the AP to which the terminal device 101 is connected, and there is no encryption method identified in S403. Also, the network formed by the AP to which the terminal device 101 is connected is an open network. If the CPU 103 determines YES, it proceeds to S410; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S407.

[0094] In S407, the CPU 103 determines, based on the information obtained in S401, whether or not communication using IPv4 via the wireless communication unit 109 is enabled in the terminal device 101. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S409; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S408.

[0095] In this embodiment, communication via the wireless communication unit 109 takes place between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 before S407, as described in S401. Therefore, if communication via the wireless communication unit 109 using IPv4 is not enabled in the terminal device 101, it is assumed that communication via the wireless communication unit 109 using IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is enabled in the terminal device 101. For this reason, in this embodiment, no process is executed after S407 to determine whether communication via the wireless communication unit 109 using IPv6 is enabled in the terminal device 101. However, to account for cases where the setting is changed after the communication via the wireless communication unit 109 between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 that took place before S407, a process to determine whether communication via the wireless communication unit 109 using IPv6 is enabled in the terminal device 101 based on the information obtained in S401 may be executed after S407 determines that the result is NO. In making that determination, CPU 103 may proceed to S408 if it determines the result is YES, or to S410 if it determines the result is NO.

[0096] In S408, the CPU 103 determines whether the communication device 151, which was identified as the target device in S302, supports P2P communication using IPv6. Supporting P2P communication using IPv6 corresponds to having the functionality to perform P2P communication using IPv6. Specifically in this determination, the CPU 103 determines whether the beacon detected in S302, which was transmitted from the communication device 151, contains information corresponding to support for P2P communication using IPv6. Note that the determination method in this determination is not limited to the above form; for example, it may be a determination method that determines whether the model of the communication device 151 identified from the beacon transmitted from the communication device 151 is a model that supports P2P communication using IPv6. If the CPU 103 determines YES, it proceeds to S409; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S410.

[0097] In this embodiment, the determination in S408 is performed assuming that there is a communication device 151 that can use IPv6 for P2P communication in connection setting mode as a device supported by the setup application. For example, if there is no communication device 151 that can use IPv6 for P2P communication in connection setting mode as a device supported by the setup application, the determination in S408 may be omitted. In that case, if the CPU 103 determines YES in the determination in S407, it may proceed to S409, and if it determines NO, it may proceed to S410. In other words, if there is no communication device 151 that can use IPv6 for P2P communication in connection setting mode as a device supported by the setup application, it means that there is only a communication device 151 that uses IPv4 only for P2P communication in connection setting mode as a device supported by the setup application. However, even a communication device 151 that uses IPv4 only for P2P communication in connection setting mode may be able to use IPv6 for P2P communication in modes other than connection setting mode.

[0098] At S409, CPU103 determines that the first setup will be performed without executing any predetermined processes. This determination result is referenced in S304. After S409, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0099] At S410, CPU103 determines that the first setup will not be performed without executing a predetermined process. This determination result is referenced in S304. After S410, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0100] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the second decision process executed by the terminal device 101. This flowchart is realized when the CPU 103 reads the program stored in the ROM 104 into the RAM 105 and executes it. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 executes the process using a setup application. This flowchart corresponds to the process at S310.

[0101] In S501, the CPU 103 obtains information indicating the connection status of the wireless communication unit 109 and information indicating the connection status of the wired communication unit 112 from the OS of the terminal device 101. The connection status of the wired communication unit 112 is, in other words, the status of the wired LAN connection of the terminal device 101.

[0102] In S502, the CPU 103 determines whether communication by the wireless communication unit 109 is enabled, based on the information indicating the connection status of the wireless communication unit 109 obtained in S501. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S503; otherwise, it proceeds to S507.

[0103] In S503, the CPU 103 determines, based on the information obtained in S501, whether the terminal device 101 is connected to either the wireless communication unit 109 or the wired communication unit 112. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S504; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S507.

[0104] In S504, the CPU 103 determines whether communication using IPv4 via the wireless communication unit 109 is enabled in the terminal device 101, based on the information indicating the connection status of the wireless communication unit 109 obtained in S501. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S506; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S505.

[0105] In S505, CPU 103 determines whether the communication device 151, which was identified as the target device in S302, supports P2P communication using IPv6. This determination is the same as in S408. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S506; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S507.

[0106] At S506, CPU103 determines to perform the first setup. This determination result is referenced in S311. After S506, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0107] In S507, CPU103 determines that it will not perform the first setup. This determination is referenced in S311. After S507, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0108] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the first setup performed by the terminal device 101. This flowchart is realized when the CPU 103 reads a program stored in the ROM 104 into the RAM 105 and executes it. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 performs processing using a setup application. This flowchart corresponds to the processing in S307.

[0109] In S701, the CPU 103 searches for a communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. The CPU 103 then determines whether or not it has found a communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. If the CPU 103 determines that it has found a communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, it proceeds to S702; if it determines that it has found a communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, it returns to S701 and repeats the search. Note that if a communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode has already been found in S302, this process may be omitted.

[0110] In S702, if the CPU 103 detects that the terminal device 101 is connected to an AP via the wireless communication unit 109, it disconnects the connection between the terminal device 101 and the AP. At this time, the CPU 103 stores connection information in memory such as the ROM 104 to enable reconnection with the disconnected AP. In other words, in S702, the CPU 103 stores information in the ROM 104 indicating the authentication method of APs that the terminal device 101 has previously connected to. Here, the connection information stored in the ROM 104 includes information indicating the authentication method used by the AP. The authentication method is, for example, information such as "WPA3-SAE". Details will be described later. Information indicating the AP's authentication method is also stored in the wireless profile. The CPU 103 can obtain all wireless profiles held by the terminal device 101 by executing the API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the OS. As a result, the CPU 103 can obtain not only connection information (such as information indicating the authentication method) stored in the ROM 104, but also information indicating the authentication method of APs that the terminal device 101 is not currently connected to but was connected to in the past.

[0111] In other words, the APs whose connections were disconnected in S702 are the APs to which the terminal device 101 was connected when the predetermined user operation for network setup of the communication device 151 was performed. Furthermore, the APs whose connections were disconnected in S702 are the APs to which the terminal device 101 was connected until just before the wireless connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 was established in S703.

[0112] In step S703, the CPU 103 establishes a wireless connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, and the terminal device 101. In other words, in step S703, a direct wireless connection is established between the terminal device 101 and the communication device.

[0113] In S704, CPU 103 sends an information acquisition request to communication device 151, thereby obtaining a list of APs discovered by communication device 151 through a search. The list of APs discovered by communication device 151 is, in other words, a list of networks discovered by communication device 151 through a search. Specifically, the AP list includes the SSIDs of the APs discovered by communication device 151 through a search. In addition to the AP SSIDs, the AP list also includes information indicating the authentication method used by the APs discovered by communication device 151 through a search.

[0114] In S705, CPU 103 determines whether the list obtained in S704 contains the SSID of the AP corresponding to the connection information stored in S702. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S709; otherwise, it proceeds to S706. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it identifies the AP corresponding to the connection information stored in S702 as the AP to be connected to the communication device 151.

[0115] In S706, the CPU 103 displays the list obtained in S704 on the display unit 108 and accepts the user's selection of one of the APs from the list. In other words, the selection of an AP is the selection of the network formed by the AP. In S706, the CPU 103 identifies the AP selected by the user as the AP to be connected to the communication device 151. The CPU 103 also obtains connection information, such as the password for connecting to the AP selected by the user. In this process, for example, a screen like the one shown in Figure 11 is displayed on the display unit 108 as an input screen 1100 for accepting the user's selection of an AP. The input screen 1100 includes an area 1102 for accepting the user's selection of an AP and an area 1103 for accepting the user's input of a password for connecting to the selected AP. The CPU 103 obtains the password for the AP selected by the user through area 1103, which is an interface that can accept user input of a password. The input screen 1100 also includes an area 1104 that shows the authentication method used by the AP selected by the user, and a button 1101 for identifying the AP corresponding to the entered information as the AP to connect to the communication device 151. When area 1102 is selected, a list obtained by S704 is displayed in a dropdown format. Area 1102 also functions as a text box into which any string can be entered.

[0116] The CPU 103 does not need to accept input of a password from the user if the terminal device 101's OS already holds the password used for connecting to the AP selected by the user as a wireless profile. Also, if the authentication method for the AP selected by the user is not set and a password is not required to connect to that AP, the CPU 103 does not need to accept input of a password from the user. Furthermore, the CPU 103 is not limited to accepting user selection of an AP from the list obtained by S704 and identifying the selected AP as the AP to connect to the communication device 151. For example, the CPU 103 may accept input of an arbitrary SSID and password from the user and identify the AP corresponding to the input information as the AP to connect to the communication device 151. When button 1101 is selected, the CPU 103 saves the information selected or entered in area 1102 and the information entered in area 1103 on the input screen 1100 in order to send it as configuration information. At this time, the CPU 103 may perform a process to verify whether the information selected or entered on the input screen 1100 is correct. Specifically, CPU103 may verify whether the entered password matches the format of the authentication method used by the selected AP.

[0117] On S707, CPU103 executes the AP connection verification process. Details of this process will be described later using Figure 12.

[0118] In S708, the CPU 103 determines whether it has determined in S707 to send the configuration information to the communication device 151. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S709; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S706.

[0119] In S709, CPU 103 transmits configuration information regarding the AP identified as the AP to be connected to communication device 151 to communication device 151. The configuration information includes connection information (SSID and password) for connecting to the AP identified as the AP to be connected to communication device 151.

[0120] At S710, the CPU 103 disconnects the wireless connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, and the terminal device 101. The CPU 103 then establishes a connection between the AP and the terminal device 101 corresponding to the connection information stored in S702, using the connection information stored in S702. At this time, the CPU 103 may also establish a connection between the AP and the terminal device 101 corresponding to the connection information transmitted in S709, using the connection information transmitted in S709.

[0121] In S711, if the CPU 103 has saved connection information for connecting to the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode as a wireless profile by the OS, it deletes that wireless profile. This prevents the wireless connection between the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101 from being re-established at a time unintended by the user. After that, the processing of this flowchart ends.

[0122] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the first setup performed by the communication device 151. This flowchart is realized when the CPU 154 reads the program stored in the ROM 152 into the RAM 153 and executes it. This flowchart is also initiated when the communication device 151 receives a user operation to operate in connection setting mode. In other words, the communication device 151 starts operating in connection setting mode based on the trigger described above.

[0123] In S801, CPU 154 searches for APs (Access Points) in the vicinity of communication device 151 and generates a list of found APs.

[0124] In S802, the CPU 154 determines whether or not it has received an information acquisition request from the terminal device 101. If the CPU 154 determines that it is YES, it proceeds to S803; if it determines that it is NO, it proceeds to S804.

[0125] Note that S801 may be executed after S802 has determined to be YES, rather than S801 being executed before S802.

[0126] In S803, CPU 154 sends the list generated in S801 to terminal device 101.

[0127] In S804, CPU 154 determines whether or not it has received configuration information from terminal device 101. If CPU 154 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S805; otherwise, it returns to S802.

[0128] In S805, CPU 154 performs network setup based on the received configuration information. Specifically, CPU 154 establishes a connection between the AP and communication device 151 corresponding to the connection information contained in the received configuration information, using the connection information contained in the received configuration information. After that, the processing in this flowchart ends.

[0129] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the AP connection confirmation process executed by the terminal device 101 in this embodiment. This flowchart is realized when the CPU 103 reads a program stored in the ROM 104 into the RAM 105 and executes it. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 executes the process using a setup application. This flowchart corresponds to the process of S707.

[0130] In S1201, CPU103 determines whether the authentication method used by the AP selected in S706 is a predetermined authentication method. If CPU103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1202; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S1211. Specifically in S1201, CPU103 makes this determination based on the information indicating the authentication method of the AP selected in S706. The information indicating the authentication method of the AP selected in S706 is, as mentioned above, the information included in the list of APs obtained in S704. In the following explanation, the AP selected in S706 may be referred to as the user-selected AP.

[0131] In S1201, CPU103 determines YES if the user-selected AP authentication method information is "WPA3-SAE", "WPA2-WPA3Mix-PSK", "WPA3-EAP", etc., and NO otherwise. "WPA3-SAE" indicates that the AP supports WPA3 and uses the SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) authentication method. "WPA2-WPA3mix-PSK" indicates that the AP supports both WPA3 and WPA2 and uses the PSK (Pre-Shared Key) authentication method. "WPA3-EAP" indicates that the AP supports WPA3 and uses the EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) authentication method. In other words, the information indicating the authentication method can also be said to be information indicating the AP's security method.

[0132] In S1202, the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method. If the CPU 103 determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S1211; otherwise, it proceeds to S1203. Specifically, the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses one of the following authentication methods: "WPA3-SAE," "WPA2-WPA3Mix-PSK," or "WPA3-EAP."

[0133] Let's further explain the determination in S1202. Specifically, in S1202, the CPU 103 determines whether the AP whose connection was terminated in S702 is an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method. As mentioned above, the CPU 103 stores the connection information of the AP whose connection was terminated in S702 in memory such as the ROM 104. The connection information stored in memory such as the ROM 104 also includes information indicating the authentication method of the AP. Therefore, in S1202, the CPU 103 retrieves the information indicating the authentication method of the AP contained in the connection information stored in memory such as the ROM 103, and determines whether the AP whose connection was terminated in S702 is an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method.

[0134] In S1202, for example, the CPU 103 may use the OS API of the terminal device 101 to determine whether the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method. As mentioned above, information indicating the AP's authentication method is also stored in the wireless profile. Therefore, in S1202, the CPU 103 executes the OS API of the terminal device 101 to obtain all wireless profiles held by the terminal device 101. The CPU 103 may then determine whether the obtained wireless profile contains the information indicating the authentication method described above.

[0135] Thus, in this embodiment, if the user-selected AP uses a predetermined authentication method (YES in S1201), the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses the predetermined authentication method. If the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses the predetermined authentication method, it can be assumed that the terminal device 101 is compatible with the predetermined authentication method. Therefore, if the CPU 103 determines YES in S1202, it proceeds to S1211 and attempts to connect to the AP. This configuration prevents the terminal device 101 from failing to connect to the user-selected AP due to its incompatibility with the user-selected AP. On the other hand, if the terminal device 101 has never connected to an AP that uses the predetermined authentication method, it is unknown whether the terminal device 101 is compatible with the predetermined authentication method. Therefore, if the CPU 103 determines NO in S1202, it proceeds to S1203 and performs a further determination. The determination in S1202 is, in other words, a confirmation process to check whether the terminal device 101 is compatible with the predetermined AP.

[0136] In S1203, the CPU 103 determines whether the OS of the terminal device 101 is of a predetermined version or higher. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1204; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S1209. Note that "OS is of a predetermined version or higher" means that the OS of the terminal device 101 can store information indicating a predetermined authentication method in the wireless profile. The predetermined version is a version that is compatible with the predetermined authentication method, specifically, for example, Windows 10 1909. In other words, "OS is of a predetermined version or higher" corresponds to, for example, the OS being "Windows" and version "Windows 10 1909" or higher. In other words, in S1203, the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 has the potential to support the predetermined authentication method based on the version of the terminal device 101's OS. If the version of the terminal device 101's OS is an earlier version than the predetermined version, the terminal device 101 can be considered not to support the predetermined authentication method. Therefore, if CPU103 determines NO in S1203, it proceeds to S1209 without attempting to connect to the AP.

[0137] In S1204, the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 does not have multiple wireless communication units 109 and whether the wireless profile contains information indicating a predetermined authentication method. If the CPU 103 determines that it is YES, it proceeds to S1205. If the OS of the terminal device 101 holds a wireless profile containing information indicating a predetermined authentication method, there is a possibility that the wireless communication unit 109 supports the predetermined authentication method. Therefore, if the CPU 103 determines that the terminal device 101 is YES, it proceeds to S1205 and attempts to connect to the AP. On the other hand, if the CPU 103 determines that it is NO, it proceeds to S1209. The wireless profile does not contain information on which wireless communication unit of the terminal device 101 saved it. However, if the terminal device 101 has only one wireless communication unit (only the wireless communication unit 109), the wireless profile held by the terminal device 101 can be considered to have been saved by the wireless communication unit 109. In other words, the CPU 103 can determine that the wireless communication unit 109 may support all authentication methods in the wireless profile held by the terminal device 101.

[0138] Thus, in this embodiment, the CPU 103 determines in S1203 to S1204 whether or not the terminal device 101 may support a predetermined authentication method. Note that the CPU 103 may omit the processing in S1203 and S1204 in the AP connection confirmation process. That is, if the CPU 103 determines NO in S1202, it may proceed to S1209 without executing the processing in S1203 and S1204.

[0139] In S1205, CPU 103 disconnects the wireless connection between communication device 151 and terminal device 101. Then, CPU 103 attempts to establish a connection between terminal device 101 and user-selected AP based on connection information such as the password obtained in S706. If CPU 103 succeeds in establishing a connection between communication device 101 and user-selected AP, it disconnects that connection. After that, CPU 103 establishes a wireless connection between communication device 151 and terminal device 101.

[0140] In S1206, CPU 103 determines whether the connection between terminal device 101 and user-selected AP was successful, based on the results of the connection attempt in S1205. If CPU 103 determines the result is YES, it proceeds to S1209; otherwise, it proceeds to S1207.

[0141] In S1207, the CPU 103 displays a confirmation screen on the display unit 108 to confirm whether or not to send the setting information shown in Figure 13(a) to the communication device 151. Figure 13(a) shows an example of the confirmation screen 1300 displayed on the display unit 108 in S1207.

[0142] Screen 1300 displays a button 1301 that can accept a user instruction to send configuration information from terminal device 101 to communication device 151. Screen 1300 also displays a button 1302 that can accept a user instruction not to send configuration information from terminal device 101 to communication device 151. Screen 1300 also displays a message in S706 asking the user whether or not to send the password entered in area 1103 to communication device 151. In other words, screen 1300 can be described as an interface (reception screen) that can accept a user selection whether or not to send configuration information from terminal device 101 to communication device 151 if the connection to the user-selected AP fails. If either button 1301 or button 1302 is pressed by the user, CPU 103 proceeds to S1208.

[0143] Here, at S1205, the connection between terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP has failed. The cause of the connection failure is thought to be at least one of the following: the password entered by the user is incorrect, or terminal device 101 does not support the specified authentication method. Therefore, screen 1300 displays a message at S706 indicating that the password entered by the user in area 1103 may be incorrect, and a message indicating that terminal device 101 may not support the specified encryption method. Screen 1300 also displays a message indicating that it has not been able to verify whether the password entered by the user in area 1103 is correct. In other words, screen 1300 notifies the user of the possibility that the password entered by the user is incorrect. By displaying these messages on screen 1300, the user can be made aware of the possibility that the password entered by the user is incorrect before the terminal device 101 sends the configuration information to the communication device 151.

[0144] Additionally, screen 1300 may display a message indicating that the connection between terminal device 101 and user-selected AP failed.

[0145] In S1208, CPU103 determines whether button 1301 was pressed in S1207. If CPU103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1209; otherwise, it proceeds to S1210.

[0146] In S1209, the CPU 103 determines that configuration information should be sent from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. In other words, the CPU 103 controls the terminal device 101 to send the connection information of the user-selected AP to the communication device 151. After S1209, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0147] At S1210, the CPU 103 determines that it will not send configuration information from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. In other words, the CPU 103 controls the system so that the connection information for the user-selected AP is not sent from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151. After S1210, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0148] In S1211, the CPU 103 disconnects the wireless connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. Then, based on the connection information such as the password obtained in S706, the CPU 103 attempts to establish a connection between the terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP. If the CPU 103 establishes a connection between the terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP, it disconnects that connection. After that, the CPU 103 establishes a wireless connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101.

[0149] In S1212, the CPU 103 determines whether the connection attempt made in S1211 between the terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP was successful. If the CPU 103 determines the result is YES, it proceeds to S1213; otherwise, it proceeds to S1210.

[0150] In S1213, the CPU 103 determines that configuration information should be sent from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. In other words, the CPU 103 controls the terminal device 101 to send the connection information of the user-selected AP to the communication device 151. After S1213, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0151] As described above, according to this embodiment, the terminal device 101 operates as follows using the setup application. The terminal device 101 obtains connection information such as a password for connecting to the user-selected AP. If the authentication method of the user-selected AP is a predetermined authentication method such as WPA3-SAE, the terminal device 101 determines whether it has ever connected to an AP that uses the predetermined authentication method. If it determines that the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses the predetermined authentication method, it can be assumed that the terminal device 101 supports that authentication method. Therefore, if it determines that the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses the predetermined authentication method, it attempts to connect the terminal device 101 to the AP selected by the user based on the connection information. By attempting to connect to the AP in this way when the terminal device 101 supports the predetermined authentication method, it is possible to prevent connection failure to the AP due to the terminal device 101 not supporting the AP's authentication method. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the terminal device 101 from sending configuration information containing incorrect connection information to the communication device 101 without attempting to connect to the AP, regardless of whether the terminal device 101 supports the AP's authentication method or not. In other words, the terminal device 101 can properly process connection information related to the AP.

[0152] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the terminal device 101 determines that it has never connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method, it performs the following determination. Specifically, the terminal device 101 uses the version of its OS and its wireless profile to determine whether it is compatible with the predetermined authentication method. If the terminal device 101 determines that it is potentially compatible with the predetermined authentication method, it can attempt to connect to the AP selected by the user.

[0153] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the terminal device 101 determines that it may support a predetermined authentication method and attempts to connect to the AP selected by the user, and the connection fails, it issues the following notification. Specifically, the terminal device 101 notifies the user that the password or other information entered by the user may be incorrect. This notification allows the user to recognize the possibility that the password or other information is incorrect before the terminal device 101 transmits connection information to the communication device 151.

[0154] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the terminal device 101 has an OS that manages wireless profiles, and the wireless profile includes information indicating the authentication method. The setup application can obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, from the OS of the terminal device 101. As a result, for example, the CPU 103 uses the wireless profile in S1204 to determine whether or not the terminal device 101 is likely to support a predetermined authentication method. On the other hand, there are configurations in which the setup application cannot obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, from the OS. Specifically, for example, if the OS of the terminal device 101 is macOS®, the setup application cannot obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, from the OS of the terminal device 101. This embodiment describes the AP connection confirmation process in such a configuration. Note that this embodiment is not limited to configurations in which the setup application cannot obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, from the OS of the terminal device 101. For example, even if the OS of the terminal device 101 is Windows and the setup application can obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, the processing of this embodiment may be executed. When the processing of this embodiment is executed with the terminal device 101's OS being Windows, there is an advantage in that the processing can be completed more quickly compared to when the processing of the first embodiment is executed.

[0155] Figure 14 is a flowchart of the AP connection confirmation process executed by the terminal device 101 in this embodiment. This flowchart is realized by the CPU 103 reading a program stored in ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 executes the process using a setup application. This flowchart corresponds to the process in S707. In this embodiment, in S702, before executing this flowchart, the CPU 103 stores connection information for connecting to the AP in memory such as ROM 104, and the connection information is obtained by executing the OS API. However, even if the OS API is executed, connection information regarding APs that the terminal device 101 was connected to before the start of the S702 process is not obtained.

[0156] Since S1401 is the same as S1201 in Figure 12, its explanation is omitted.

[0157] In S1402, CPU 103 determines whether the authentication method used by the AP corresponding to the connection information stored in S702 is a predetermined authentication method. Note that the determination in S1402 is performed in the same way as in S1202, so a detailed explanation is omitted. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1403; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S1405.

[0158] In the first embodiment, if the CPU 103 determines NO in S1202, it proceeds to S1203 to determine whether the OS version of the terminal device 101 is equal to or greater than a predetermined version. If the CPU 103 determines YES in S1203, it proceeds to S1204 to determine whether the wireless profile contains information indicating a predetermined authentication method. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as described above, the terminal device 101 has an OS that manages the wireless profile, but the wireless profile does not contain information indicating an authentication method. In such a terminal device 101, it is not possible to perform a determination like that in S1204. Therefore, in this embodiment, if NO is determined in S1402, it proceeds to S1405. This makes it possible to omit processing using the wireless profile when the wireless profile does not contain information indicating an authentication method.

[0159] Note that S1403-S1404 are the same as S1211-S1212, and S1405-S1406 are the same as S1209-S1209, so their explanations will be omitted.

[0160] According to this embodiment, the setup application causes the terminal device 101 to operate as follows. If the terminal device 101 determines that it has never connected to an AP using a predetermined authentication method (NO in S1402), it controls the communication device 151 to send AP configuration information. This makes it possible to omit processing using the wireless profile when the wireless profile does not contain information indicating the authentication method. Also, if the terminal device 101 determines that it has connected to an AP using a predetermined authentication method (YES in S1402), it attempts to connect to the AP in the same manner as in the first embodiment. With this configuration, even if the OS of the terminal device 101 is an OS that manages wireless profiles that do not contain information indicating the authentication method, it is possible to appropriately control whether or not the terminal device 101 sends connection information.

[0161] <Third Embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, the CPU 103 determined whether the terminal device 101 supported a predetermined authentication method when the authentication method used by the user-selected AP was a predetermined authentication method. If the CPU 103 determined that the terminal device 101 supported the predetermined authentication method, it attempted to establish a connection between the terminal device 101 and the AP. In this embodiment, in the AP connection confirmation process, the CPU 103 first attempts to establish a connection between the terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP. If the connection between the terminal device 101 and the AP fails, the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 has previously connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 is assumed to have an OS that allows the wireless profile to be referenced from a setup application. In this embodiment, the OS is, for example, Windows®.

[0162] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the AP connection confirmation process executed by the terminal device 101 in this embodiment. This flowchart is realized when the CPU 103 reads a program stored in the ROM 104 into the RAM 105 and executes it. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 executes the process using a setup application. This flowchart corresponds to the process of S707.

[0163] In S1501, the CPU 103 disconnects the wireless connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. Then, based on the connection information of the user-selected AP obtained in S706, the CPU 103 attempts to establish a connection between the terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP. If the CPU 103 establishes a connection between the terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP, it disconnects that connection. After that, the CPU 103 establishes a wireless connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101.

[0164] In S1502, the CPU 103 determines whether the connection between the terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP was successful, based on the results of the connection attempt in S1501. If the CPU 103 determines the result is YES, it proceeds to S1512; otherwise, it proceeds to S1503.

[0165] In S1503, CPU103 determines whether the authentication method used by the user-selected AP is a predetermined authentication method. If CPU103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1504; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S1511. Note that the determination in S1503 is performed in the same way as in S1201, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0166] In S1504, the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP using a predetermined authentication method. If the CPU 103 determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S1511; otherwise, it proceeds to S1505. Note that the determination in S1504 is performed in the same way as in S1202, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0167] Thus, in this embodiment, in the AP connection confirmation process, the CPU 103 first attempts to establish a connection between the terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP in S1501. If the connection to the user-selected AP fails, it is assumed that the cause is either that the password entered by the user is incorrect, or that the terminal device 101 does not support the authentication method used by the user-selected AP. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the connection to the user-selected AP fails, the CPU 103 determines in S1504 whether the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method. For example, if the terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method, it can be assumed that the terminal device 101 supports the predetermined authentication method. Therefore, the cause of the failure to connect to the user-selected AP may be that the password entered by the user is incorrect. Therefore, if the CPU 103 determines YES in S1504, it proceeds to S1511. On the other hand, for example, if the terminal device 101 has never connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method, it is unknown whether the terminal device 101 supports the predetermined authentication method. Therefore, if CPU103 determines NO in S1504, it proceeds to S1505.

[0168] In S1505, the CPU 103 determines whether the OS of the terminal device 101 is at or above a specified version. If the CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1506; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S1507. Note that the determination in S1505 is performed in the same way as in S1203, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0169] In S1506, the CPU 103 determines whether the terminal device 101 does not have multiple wireless communication units 109 and whether the wireless profile contains information indicating a predetermined authentication method. If the CPU 103 determines YES, it proceeds to S1508; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S1507. Note that the determination in S1506 is performed in the same way as in S1204, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0170] In S1507, the CPU 103 displays the setting information transmission confirmation screen shown in Figure 13(b) on the display unit 108. Figure 13(b) shows an example of the confirmation screen 1310 displayed on the display unit 108 in S1207.

[0171] Screen 1310 displays a button 1311 that can accept a user instruction to send configuration information from terminal device 101 to communication device 151. Screen 1310 also displays a button 1312 that can accept a user instruction not to send configuration information from terminal device 101 to communication device 151. Screen 1300 displays a message in S706 asking the user whether or not to send the password entered in area 1103 to communication device 151. In other words, screen 1311 is an interface that can accept a user selection of whether or not to send configuration information from terminal device 101 to communication device 151. If either button 1311 or button 1312 is pressed by the user, CPU 103 proceeds to S1509.

[0172] Here, at S1501, the connection between terminal device 101 and the user-selected AP has failed. Furthermore, at S1504, it is determined that terminal device 101 has never connected to an AP that uses the specified authentication method. In addition, processing at S1505 to S1508 allows it to be determined that terminal device 101 is unlikely to support the specified authentication method. Therefore, screen 1311 displays a message indicating that because terminal device 101 does not support the specified authentication method, it was not possible to verify whether the password, which is the connection information, is correct. This message notifies the user that because terminal device 101 does not support the specified authentication method, the correctness of the password entered by the user at S706 could not be verified. Displaying these messages on screen 1310 also allows the user to be aware of the possibility that the password they entered may be incorrect before terminal device 101 sends the configuration information to communication device 151.

[0173] In S1508, the CPU 103 displays a confirmation screen on the display unit 108 to check whether or not to send the configuration information shown in Figure 13(a) to the communication device. Here, the processing in S1505 to S1506 has determined that the terminal device 101 may support the predetermined authentication method. Therefore, the CPU 103 displays the confirmation screen 1300 described above to notify the user that the password entered by the user may be incorrect.

[0174] As described above, in this embodiment, if the CPU 103 determines in processing S1505 to S1506 that there is no possibility that the terminal device 101 supports the predetermined authentication method (NO in S1505, NO in S1506), it displays the confirmation screen 1310. If the CPU 103 determines in processing S1505 to S1506 that there is a possibility that the terminal device 101 supports the predetermined authentication method (YES in S1505, YES in S1506), it displays the confirmation screen 1300. In other words, the CPU 103 controls the display of the confirmation screen based on the determination of whether or not the terminal device 101 supports the predetermined authentication method. This makes it possible to notify the user of appropriate information even if the terminal device 101 fails to connect to the AP.

[0175] In S1509, the CPU 103 determines whether a button has been selected to send configuration information from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151. If either button 1301 or button 1311 is pressed, the CPU 103 proceeds to S1510. On the other hand, if either button 1302 or button 1312 is pressed, the CPU 103 proceeds to S1511.

[0176] At S1510, the CPU 103 determines that the terminal device 101 will send configuration information to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. In other words, the CPU 103 controls the terminal device 101 to send the connection information of the user-selected AP to the communication device 151. After S1510, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0177] At S1511, the CPU 103 determines that the terminal device 101 will not send configuration information to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. In other words, the CPU 103 controls the terminal device 101 not to send the connection information of the user-selected AP to the communication device 151. After S1511, the processing of this flowchart is completed. In S1512, the CPU 103 determines that the terminal device 101 will send configuration information to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. In other words, the CPU 103 controls the terminal device 101 to send the connection information of the user-selected AP to the communication device 151. After S1512, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0178] According to this embodiment, the setup application causes the terminal device 101 to operate as follows: In the AP connection confirmation process, the terminal device 101 first attempts to connect with the user-selected AP. If the connection between the terminal device 101 and the AP fails, the terminal device 101 determines whether it has ever connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method. In this configuration, if the terminal device 101 fails to connect to the AP because it does not support the authentication method used by the user-selected AP, it can be assumed that the connection information, such as the password entered by the user, is incorrect.

[0179] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the terminal device 101 has never connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method (NO in S1504), it is possible to determine in S1505 to S1506 whether the terminal device 101 is compatible with the predetermined authentication method.

[0180] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the terminal device 101 controls the display of the confirmation screen based on the determination results in S1505 to S1506. This allows the terminal device 101 to notify the user of the appropriate content regarding whether or not to send the configuration information, even if it fails to connect to the AP selected by the user.

[0181] <Fourth Embodiment> In the third embodiment, the terminal device 101 has an OS that manages wireless profiles, and the wireless profile includes information indicating the authentication method. The setup application can obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, from the OS of the terminal device 101. As a result, for example, the CPU 103 uses the wireless profile in S1506 to determine whether or not the terminal device 101 is likely to support a predetermined authentication method. On the other hand, there are configurations in which the setup application cannot obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, from the OS. Specifically, for example, if the OS of the terminal device 101 is macOS®, the setup application cannot obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, from the OS of the terminal device 101. This embodiment describes the AP connection confirmation process in such a case. Note that this embodiment is not limited to configurations in which the setup application cannot obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, from the OS of the terminal device 101. For example, even if the OS of the terminal device 101 is Windows and the setup application can obtain the wireless profile, which includes the information indicating the authentication method, the processing of this embodiment may be executed. When the processing of this embodiment is executed with the terminal device 101's OS being Windows, there is an advantage in that the processing can be completed more quickly compared to when the processing of the third embodiment is executed.

[0182] Figure 16 is a flowchart of the AP connection confirmation process executed by the terminal device 101. This flowchart is realized when the CPU 103 reads a program stored in the ROM 104 into the RAM 105 and executes it. In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 executes the process using a setup application. This flowchart also corresponds to the process in S707.

[0183] Since steps S1601 to S1603 are the same as steps S1501 to S1503, their explanations will be omitted.

[0184] In S1604, CPU 103 determines whether terminal device 101 has ever connected to an AP using a predetermined authentication method. If CPU 103 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1608; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S1605. Note that the determination in S1604 is performed in the same way as in S1202, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0185] In the third embodiment, if the CPU 103 determines NO in S1504, it proceeds to S1505 to determine whether the OS version of the terminal device 101 is equal to or greater than a predetermined version. If the CPU 103 determines YES in S1505, it proceeds to S1506 to determine whether the wireless profile contains information indicating a predetermined authentication method. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as described above, the terminal device 101 has an OS that manages the wireless profile, but the wireless profile does not contain information indicating an authentication method. In such a terminal device 101, it is not possible to perform a determination like the one in S1506. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the CPU 103 determines NO in S1604, it proceeds to S1605. This makes it possible to omit processing using the wireless profile when the wireless profile does not contain information indicating an authentication method.

[0186] In S1605, the CPU 103 displays the setting information transmission confirmation screen shown in Figure 13(b) on the display unit 108. If the user presses button 1311 or button 1312, the CPU 103 proceeds to S1606.

[0187] In S1606, the CPU 103 determines whether a button has been selected to send configuration information from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151. If button 1311 is pressed, the CPU 103 determines it is YES and proceeds to S1607. On the other hand, if button 1312 is pressed, the CPU 103 determines it is NO and proceeds to S1608.

[0188] In S1607, the CPU 103 determines that the terminal device 101 will send configuration information to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. After S1607, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0189] In S1608, the CPU 103 determines that the terminal device 101 will not send configuration information to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. After S1608, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0190] In S1609, the CPU 103 determines that the terminal device 101 will send configuration information to the communication device 151. This determination result is referenced in S708. After S1609, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

[0191] According to this embodiment, the setup application causes the terminal device 101 to operate as follows: If the terminal device 101 fails to connect to the user-selected AP, it determines whether or not it has previously connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method. If the terminal device 101 determines that it has never connected to an AP that uses a predetermined authentication method (NO in S1604), it displays a confirmation screen 1311 on the display unit 108. In this configuration, even if the OS of the terminal device 101 is an OS that manages wireless profiles that do not include information indicating the authentication method, the control over whether or not the terminal device 101 transmits connection information can be appropriately performed.

[0192] <Other Embodiments> In the embodiment described above, if the CPU 103 determines YES in S309 (i.e., if button 1011 is selected by the user), it proceeds to S310 and executes the second determination process. However, the embodiment is not limited to this form, and if the CPU 103 determines YES in S309, it may display a guide screen for the second setup without executing the second determination process. In other words, if the CPU 103 determines YES in S309, it may execute S312 without executing S310 and S311.

[0193] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 103 performed both the S406 and S407 judgments in the first judgment process, but it is also possible to perform only one of the judgments. That is, for example, in a configuration where only the S406 judgment is performed, if the CPU 103 determines YES in S405, it may proceed to S409 without performing the S407 judgment. Also, if the CPU 103 determines NO in S406, it may proceed to S409 without performing the S407 judgment. Furthermore, for example, in a configuration where only the S407 judgment is performed, if the CPU 103 determines NO in S405, it may proceed to S410 without performing the S406 judgment.

[0194] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, if the CPU 103 determines in S304 that it will not perform the first setup, it proceeds to S308, but it is not limited to this. For example, if the CPU 103 determines in S304 that it will not perform the first setup, it may proceed to S312 without executing S308 to S309. That is, if the CPU 103 determines in the first determination process that it will not perform the first setup, it may display a guide screen for the second setup. Also, for example, if the CPU 103 determines in S304 that it will not perform the first setup, it may proceed to S313 without executing S308 to S309. That is, if the CPU 103 determines in the first determination process that it will not perform the first setup, it may display a guide screen for the third setup.

[0195] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, during the first setup, the terminal device 101 transmitted configuration information to the communication device 151 using the wireless communication unit 109, but this is not limited to this. For example, the terminal device 101 may transmit configuration information to the communication device 151 using the short-range wireless communication unit 110. That is, configuration information may be transmitted by BLE or Bluetooth communication between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151. In this configuration, it is not necessary for the wireless LAN connection between the terminal device 101 and the AP to be disconnected in S702. That is, the terminal device 101 may transmit configuration information to the communication device 151 using the short-range wireless communication unit 110 while the wireless LAN connection between the terminal device 101 and the AP is maintained.

[0196] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the objectives of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium containing program code for software that realizes the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device, and by having the computer (or CPU or MPU) of that system or device read and execute the program code stored on the recording medium. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself realizes the functions of the embodiments described above, and the storage medium containing that program code constitutes the present invention.

[0197] For storing program code, storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs can be used.

[0198] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized not only by the execution of program code read by the computer, but also by the fact that the operating system (OS) running on the computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized through that processing.

[0199] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0200] <Summary of Embodiments> The above embodiments disclose the inventions of the following items. (Item 1) In the computer of the information processing device, Acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, When the first connection information is obtained by the acquisition means, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the first determination means determines whether the information processing device has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the first trial means will function as a means to attempt to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information obtained by the acquisition means. A program characterized by the following features. (Item 2) If, as a result of the trial performed by the first trial means, the connection between the information processing device and the first access point is successful, a control means controls the transmission of the first connection information from the information processing device to the communication device. To further enable the aforementioned computer, The program described in item 1, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 3) The computer further functions as a storage means for storing information indicating the authentication method of an access point to which the information processing device has previously connected, The first determination means is, If the storage means stores information indicating the authentication method, the information processing device determines that it has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. A program according to item 1 or 2, characterized by the above. (Item 4) If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has never been connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, a second determination means determines whether the information processing device may be compatible with the predetermined authentication method. If the second determination means determines that such a possibility exists, the second trial means attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information acquired by the acquisition means. To further enable the aforementioned computer, A program according to any one of items 1 to 3, characterized by the above. (Item 5) The second determination means is, If the wireless profile of the information processing device contains information indicating the predetermined authentication method, then it is determined that the possibility exists. The program described in item 4, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 6) The second determination means is, The possibility is determined to exist if the OS version of the information processing device is at or above a predetermined version, and the wireless profile contains information indicating the predetermined authentication method. The program described in item 5, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 7) If the connection by the second trial means fails, a receiving means capable of receiving a user selection of whether or not to transmit the first connection information to the communication device, To further enable the aforementioned computer, A program according to any one of items 4 to 6, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 8) The acquisition means is, The first connection information is obtained through an interface capable of accepting user input of connection information for connecting to an access point. A program according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized by the above. (Item 9) The aforementioned predetermined authentication method is: It is one of the following methods: WPA3-SAE, WPA2-WPA3Mix-PSK, or WPA3-EAP. A program according to any one of items 1 to 8, characterized by the above. (Item 10) In the computer of the information processing device, Acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, When the first connection information is obtained by the acquisition means, a trial means attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information. If the trial by the trial means fails, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device is configured to function as a first determination means for determining whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. A program characterized by the following features. (Item 11) If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the computer is further made to function as a control means that controls the transmission of the first connection information from the information processing device to the communication device. The program described in item 10, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 12) The computer further functions as a storage means for storing information indicating the authentication method of an access point to which the information processing device has previously connected, The first determination means is, If the storage means stores information indicating the authentication method, the information processing device determines that it has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. A program as described in item 10 or 11, characterized by the above. (Item 13) If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has never connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the computer further functions as a receiving means capable of receiving a user selection of whether or not to transmit the first connection information to the communication device. A program according to any one of items 10 to 12, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 14) If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has never been connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the computer further functions as a second determination means for determining whether the information processing device may be compatible with the predetermined authentication method. A program according to any one of items 10 to 14, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 15) The second determination means is, If the wireless profile of the information processing device contains information indicating the predetermined authentication method, then it is determined that the possibility exists. The program described in item 14, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 16) The second determination means is, The possibility is determined to exist if the OS version of the information processing device is at or above a predetermined version, and the wireless profile contains information indicating the predetermined authentication method. The program described in item 15, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 17) The acquisition means is, The first connection information is obtained through an interface capable of accepting user input of connection information for connecting to an access point. A program according to any one of items 10 to 16, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 18) The aforementioned predetermined authentication method is: It is one of the following methods: WPA3-SAE, WPA2-WPA3Mix-PSK, or WPA3-EAP. The program described in item 10, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 19) An information processing device, An acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, When the first connection information is obtained by the acquisition means, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device has a first determination means for determining whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. The system includes, when the first determination means determines that the information processing device has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, a first trial means that attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information obtained by the acquisition means. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 20) A method for controlling an information processing device, An acquisition step to acquire first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, If the first connection information is obtained in the acquisition step, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device performs a first determination step to determine whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. If the first determination step determines that the information processing device has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the system includes a first trial step in which, based on the first connection information obtained in the acquisition step, the system attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features. (Item 21) An information processing device, An acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, When the first connection information is obtained by the acquisition means, the trial means attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information, If the trial by the trial means fails, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device includes a first determination means for determining whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 22) A method for controlling an information processing device, An acquisition step to acquire first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, If the first connection information is obtained in the acquisition step, the trial step involves attempting to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information. If the trial fails in the trial step, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device includes a first determination step of determining whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features.

[0201] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0202] 101 Terminal device: 103 CPU: 104 ROM: 105 RAM: 131 Access point: 151 Communication device:

Claims

1. In the computer of the information processing device, Acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, When the first connection information is obtained by the acquisition means, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the first determination means determines whether the information processing device has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the first trial means will function as a means to attempt to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information obtained by the acquisition means. A program characterized by the following features.

2. If, as a result of the trial performed by the first trial means, the connection between the information processing device and the first access point is successful, a control means controls the transmission of the first connection information from the information processing device to the communication device. To further enable the aforementioned computer, The program according to feature 1.

3. The computer further functions as a storage means for storing information indicating the authentication method of an access point to which the information processing device has previously connected, The first determination means is, If the storage means stores information indicating the authentication method, the information processing device determines that it has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. The program according to feature 1.

4. If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has never been connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, a second determination means determines whether the information processing device may be compatible with the predetermined authentication method. If the second determination means determines that such a possibility exists, the second trial means attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information acquired by the acquisition means. To further enable the aforementioned computer, The program according to feature 1.

5. The second determination means described above is: If the wireless profile of the information processing device contains information indicating the predetermined authentication method, then it is determined that the possibility exists. The program according to feature 4.

6. The second determination means described above is: The possibility is determined to exist if the OS version of the information processing device is at or above a predetermined version, and the wireless profile contains information indicating the predetermined authentication method. L according to feature 5.

7. If the connection by the second trial means fails, a receiving means capable of receiving a user selection of whether or not to transmit the first connection information to the communication device, To further enable the aforementioned computer, The program according to feature 4.

8. The acquisition means is, The first connection information is obtained through an interface capable of accepting user input of connection information for connecting to an access point. The program according to feature 1.

9. The aforementioned predetermined authentication method is: It is one of the following methods: WPA3-SAE, WPA2-WPA3Mix-PSK, or WPA3-EAP. The program according to feature 1.

10. In the computer of the information processing device, Acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, When the first connection information is obtained by the acquisition means, a trial means attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information. If the trial by the trial means fails, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device is configured to function as a first determination means for determining whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. A program characterized by the following features.

11. If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the computer is further configured to function as a control means that controls the transmission of the first connection information from the information processing device to the communication device. The program according to feature 10.

12. The computer further functions as a storage means for storing information indicating the authentication method of an access point to which the information processing device has previously connected, The first determination means is, If the storage means stores information indicating the authentication method, the information processing device determines that it has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. The program according to feature 10.

13. If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has never connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the computer further functions as a receiving means capable of receiving a user selection of whether or not to transmit the first connection information to the communication device. The program according to feature 10.

14. If the first determination means determines that the information processing device has never been connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the computer further functions as a second determination means for determining whether the information processing device may be compatible with the predetermined authentication method. The program according to feature 10.

15. The second determination means described above is: If the wireless profile of the information processing device contains information indicating the predetermined authentication method, then it is determined that the possibility exists. The program according to feature 14.

16. The second determination means described above is: The possibility is determined to exist if the OS version of the information processing device is at or above a predetermined version, and the wireless profile contains information indicating the predetermined authentication method. The program according to feature 15.

17. The acquisition means is, The first connection information is obtained through an interface capable of accepting user input of connection information for connecting to an access point. The program according to feature 10.

18. The aforementioned predetermined authentication method is: It is one of the following methods: WPA3-SAE, WPA2-WPA3Mix-PSK, or WPA3-EAP. The program according to feature 10.

19. An information processing device, An acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to a first external access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, When the first connection information is obtained by the acquisition means, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device has a first determination means for determining whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. The system includes, when the first determination means determines that the information processing device has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, a first trial means that attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information acquired by the acquisition means. An information processing device characterized by the following:

20. A method for controlling an information processing device, An acquisition step for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, If the first connection information is obtained in the acquisition step, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device performs a first determination step to determine whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. If the first determination step determines that the information processing device has previously connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method, the system includes a first trial step in which, based on the first connection information obtained in the acquisition step, the system attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features.

21. An information processing device, An acquisition means for acquiring first connection information for connecting to a first external access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, When the first connection information is obtained by the acquisition means, the trial means attempts to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information, If the trial by the trial means fails, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device includes a first determination means for determining whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. An information processing device characterized by the following:

22. A method for controlling an information processing device, An acquisition step for acquiring first connection information for connecting to an external first access point different from the aforementioned information processing device, If the first connection information is obtained in the acquisition step, the trial step involves attempting to establish a connection between the information processing device and the first access point based on the first connection information. If the trial fails in the trial step, and the authentication method of the first access point is a predetermined authentication method, the information processing device includes a first determination step of determining whether or not it has ever connected to an access point using the predetermined authentication method. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features.

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