Printing apparatus, processing method, and program

Abstract

One challenge is that the printing device cannot be wirelessly connected to the access point. [Solution] The printing apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure includes a printing unit 120 that prints on a medium, a first wireless communication unit 111 that communicates according to a first wireless communication standard, a second wireless communication unit 112 that communicates according to a second wireless communication standard, a state determination unit 151 that determines whether or not the printing unit 120 is in a state where it can perform printing, and a wireless setting unit 152 that, if it is determined that the printing unit 120 is in a state where it can perform printing, causes the printing unit 120 to print a code image containing predetermined information, and if it is determined that the printing unit 120 is not in a state where it can perform printing, causes the second wireless communication unit 112 to transmit predetermined information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus, a processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A function called Wi-Fi Easy Connect (registered trademark) established by the Wi-Fi Alliance is known. This function is a technology in which a device called a Configurator provides access point information to a device called an Enrollee according to the Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP). As a result, the Enrollee that has acquired the access point information can wirelessly connect to the access point.

[0003] Regarding this, Patent Document 1 discloses using DPP to wirelessly connect a printing apparatus to an access point.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in Bootstrapping, which is the first phase of DPP, the printing apparatus prints a QR code (registered trademark). Since the QR code is familiar to general users, the implementation of Bootstrapping by printing the QR code is preferable from the viewpoint of user-friendliness. However, when the printing apparatus is in a state where printing is impossible, the QR code cannot be output. For this reason, in such a case, there has been a problem that the printing apparatus cannot be wirelessly communication-connected to the access point. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing apparatus according to this disclosure comprises a printing unit that prints on a medium, a first wireless communication unit that communicates in accordance with a first wireless communication standard, a second wireless communication unit that communicates in accordance with a second wireless communication standard, a state determination unit that determines whether or not the printing unit is in a state where it can perform printing, and a wireless setting unit that, if it is determined that the printing unit is in a state where it can perform printing, causes the printing unit to print a code image containing predetermined information, and if it is determined that the printing unit is not in a state where it can perform printing, causes the wireless setting unit to transmit the predetermined information to the second wireless communication unit, wherein the predetermined information is information that the terminal device needs to be provided to in order for the first wireless communication unit to start communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for receiving access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point and the first wireless communication unit, from the terminal device.

[0007] The processing method relating to this disclosure relates to a printing apparatus having a printing unit that prints on a medium, a first wireless communication unit that communicates according to a first wireless communication standard, and a second wireless communication unit that communicates according to a second wireless communication standard, which determines whether or not the printing unit is in a state where it can perform printing, and if it is determined that the printing unit is in a state where it can perform printing, it causes the printing unit to print a code image containing predetermined information, and if it is determined that the printing unit is not in a state where it can perform printing, it causes the second wireless communication unit to transmit the predetermined information, the predetermined information being information that the terminal device needs to be provided to in order for the first wireless communication unit to start communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for receiving access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between an access point and the first wireless communication unit, from the terminal device.

[0008] The program relating to this disclosure causes a computer of a printing apparatus having a printing unit that prints on a medium, a first wireless communication unit that communicates according to a first wireless communication standard, and a second wireless communication unit that communicates according to a second wireless communication standard to perform a state determination step of determining whether or not the printing unit is in a state where it can perform printing; a wireless setting step of causing the printing unit to print a code image containing predetermined information if it is determined that the printing unit is in a state where it can perform printing, and causing the second wireless communication unit to transmit the predetermined information if it is determined that the printing unit is not in a state where it can perform printing, wherein the predetermined information is information that the terminal device needs to be provided to in order for the terminal device to start communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for the first wireless communication unit to receive access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between an access point and the first wireless communication unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration including a printing device and terminal equipment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of printing done by the printing department. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow during the bootstrapping phase in a printing device. [Figure 6] This is a sequence chart illustrating an example of the workflow in which a printing device establishes a wireless connection with an access point. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer installed in a printing device or terminal device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. For clarity of explanation, the following descriptions and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In addition, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing, and redundant explanations have been omitted as necessary. Furthermore, not all features or steps shown in any one of the figures are necessarily required to explain an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. Moreover, the order of the steps shown in any of the figures may be changed as appropriate.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration including a printing device 100 and a terminal device 200 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, both the printing device 100 and the terminal device 200 are devices equipped with Wi-Fi Easy Connect functionality. In this embodiment, the terminal device 200 is a device that already possesses access point information. The terminal device 200 may be a terminal that has already established a wireless communication connection with an access point AP. In contrast, the printing device 100 is a device that does not yet possess access point information. That is, the printing device 100 is a device that has not yet established a wireless communication connection with an access point AP. Here, access point information refers to information required to establish a wireless communication connection with an access point AP. Specifically, access point information is information referred to as a Configuration Object in DPP. Access point information may include, for example, at least one of the SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​and password of the access point AP. However, access point information only needs to be information required to establish a wireless communication connection with an access point AP, and may include other information in place of, or along with, the SSID or password. Specifically, an access point (AP) is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router.

[0012] In this embodiment, access point information is transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the printing device 100 according to the procedure defined in DPP. This enables the printing device 100 to establish a wireless communication connection with the access point AP. In this embodiment, the terminal device 200 operates as a configurator as defined in DPP, and the printing device 100 operates as an enrollee as defined in DPP.

[0013] The printing device 100 is a printer that prints information on a medium such as paper. The printing device 100 may, for example, be a printer without a display. If the printing device 100 does not have a display, it cannot display code images, as described later. In such cases, the printing device 100 needs to print the code images in order to present them to the user U. Therefore, the features for solving the problem described in this disclosure are preferably applied to printers without a display, but may also be applied to printers with a display. This is because there are cases where it is undesirable to display code images on the display for some reason, such as the display being too small, or where it is not possible to display code images on the display due to technical or specification constraints, or where it is desirable to avoid displaying them.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing apparatus 100. As shown in Figure 2, the printing apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 110, a printing unit 120, a colorant storage container 130, and a control unit 150.

[0015] The communication unit 110 is a hardware circuit that performs wireless communication with other devices according to a predetermined communication standard, and may include software such as firmware. The communication unit 110 includes a first wireless communication unit 111 and a second wireless communication unit 112.

[0016] The first wireless communication unit 111 is a circuit that communicates according to the first wireless communication standard. That is, the first wireless communication unit 111 transmits information according to the first wireless communication standard, or receives information according to the first wireless communication standard. In this embodiment, specifically, the first wireless communication unit 111 performs wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard.

[0017] The second wireless communication unit 112 is a circuit that communicates according to the second wireless communication standard. That is, the second wireless communication unit 112 transmits information according to the second wireless communication standard, or receives information according to the second wireless communication standard. In this embodiment, the second wireless communication unit 112 performs Bluetooth communication, which is communication according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. More specifically, in this embodiment, the second wireless communication unit 112 performs wireless communication according to the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) standard, which is the power-saving standard of Bluetooth.

[0018] The printing unit 120 includes a printing engine, which is a mechanical configuration for printing on a medium. In this embodiment, the configuration of the printing unit 120 will be described as an inkjet printing configuration. However, the printing unit 120 may include a printing engine configured to perform printing with a coloring material (toner) by an electrophotographic method. The medium is, for example, paper, but may also be cloth or the like.

[0019] In this embodiment, the printing unit 120 includes a print head 121 as a printing engine that ejects colorants onto a medium. The print head 121 performs inkjet printing using the supplied colorants (specifically, ink). The colorants are supplied to the print head 121 from a colorant container 130 mounted on the printing device 100. In addition to the print head 121, the printing engine may also include a media container for housing the medium, a transport mechanism for transporting the medium from the media container to a position opposite the print head 121, a drive mechanism for driving the carriage including the print head 121, and the like. In this case, the printing unit 120 prints information such as an image onto the medium by ejecting colorants from the print head 121 onto the medium transported by the transport mechanism.

[0020] The colorant container 130 is a container that holds the colorants used for printing in the printing unit 120, and can be, for example, a cartridge, tank, or pack (ink cartridge, ink tank, ink pack). The colorants in the colorant container 130 are supplied to the print head 121 via a supply path that leads from the colorant container 130 to the inside of the print head 121. When the printing device 100 is shipped, the print head 121 is not filled with colorants. Therefore, in order to use the printing device 100, it is necessary to fill the print head 121 with colorants. The first time that colorants are filled into the print head 121 is called initial filling. More specifically, during initial filling, colorants are drawn out of the colorant container 130 and the supply path that leads from the colorant container 130 to the inside of the print head 121 is filled with colorants. In this embodiment, the print control unit 153, described later, performs initial filling at a predetermined timing (for example, when the power to the printing device 100 is first turned on, or when an instruction to perform initial filling is received from user U). The instruction from user U is input to the printing device 100 by user U operating, for example, the operation panel (not shown) provided on the printing device 100. Once initial filling is complete, the print control unit 153 stores flag data indicating that initial filling is complete in a non-volatile memory. This non-volatile memory may be implemented by memory 902, described later.

[0021] The control unit 150 controls the operation of the printing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 150 includes a state determination unit 151, a wireless setting unit 152, and a printing control unit 153.

[0022] The printing control unit 153 performs various controls related to printing. For example, after the wireless communication connection between the access point AP and the first wireless communication unit 111 is established, when the first wireless communication unit 111 receives print data from any device connected to the access point AP via the access point AP, the printing control unit 153 causes the printing unit 120 to execute printing based on the received print data.

[0023] As a function for establishing a wireless communication connection between the access point AP outside the printing apparatus 100 and the first wireless communication unit 111, the control unit 150 includes the state determination unit 151 and the wireless setting unit 152.

[0024] The state determination unit 151 determines whether the printing by the printing unit 120 is executable. In the present embodiment, the state determination unit 151 determines whether the printing by the printing unit 120 is executable based on whether the initial filling has been performed and the remaining amount of the coloring material in the coloring material container 130.

[0025] The state determination unit 151 determines whether the initial filling has been performed, for example, by checking whether flag data indicating that the initial filling has been completed is stored in a predetermined non-volatile memory. That is, if the flag data is stored in the non-volatile memory, the state determination unit 151 determines that the initial filling has been performed, and if the flag data is not stored, the state determination unit 151 determines that the initial filling has not been performed yet.

[0026] In addition, the state determination unit 151 detects the remaining amount of the coloring material in the coloring material container 130 by, for example, a sensor provided in the printing apparatus 100 or the coloring material container 130, and determines whether the detected remaining amount is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0027] More specifically, in this embodiment, the state determination unit 151 determines that if initial filling has not been performed, the printing unit 120 is not in a state where it can perform printing. Furthermore, the state determination unit 151 determines that if the remaining amount of colorant in the colorant container 130 is below a predetermined threshold, the printing unit 120 is not in a state where it can perform printing. In other words, the state determination unit 151 determines that if initial filling has already been performed and the remaining amount of colorant in the colorant container 130 is above a predetermined threshold, the printing unit 120 is in a state where it can perform printing. These determinations allow for an appropriate determination of whether or not printing by the printing unit 120 can be performed.

[0028] In this embodiment, the determination of whether printing is possible is made based on the results of both the initial filling and the remaining amount of colorant. However, only one of these conditions may be used to determine whether printing is possible. Furthermore, the state determination unit 151 may combine any other conditions to determine whether printing is possible.

[0029] In this embodiment, the status determination unit 151 further determines whether the printing of the code image by the printing unit 120, as described later, was successful or not. In other words, the status determination unit 151 determines whether the printing of the code image by the printing unit 120 failed or not. For example, if the status determination unit 151 receives an error signal from the printing unit 120 indicating a printing failure after the process of printing the code image has started, it determines that the printing has failed. The printing unit 120 outputs an error signal to notify of the occurrence of this event, for example, if it fails to supply the medium to the position where printing is performed by the printing unit 120. That is, an error signal is output when the supply of the medium from the medium container fails, etc. In this embodiment, the status determination unit 151 determines that the printing of the code image has failed in the case described above as an example, but it may also determine that the printing of the code image has failed if the occurrence of other error events is detected. In this way, this embodiment makes it possible to appropriately determine printing failures after the start of the printing process.

[0030] The wireless configuration unit 152 performs the process of configuring the wireless settings in the printing device 100. Specifically, the wireless configuration unit 152 performs the process of establishing a wireless communication connection between the access point AP and the first wireless communication unit 111. In particular, in this embodiment, the wireless configuration unit 152 establishes a wireless communication connection between the access point AP and the first wireless communication unit 111 in accordance with the procedure specified in DPP (Wi-Fi Easy Connect). For this purpose, the wireless configuration unit 152 first obtains access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point AP and the first wireless communication unit 111, from another device (in this embodiment, the terminal device 200) that has access point information.

[0031] In DPP, the process of acquiring access point information consists of three phases. Specifically, the process by which a device acting as an enrollee acquires access point information (i.e., a Configuration Object) from a device acting as a configurator consists of three phases: Bootstrapping, Authentication, and Configuration.

[0032] Bootstrapping is the process by which the enrollee provides predetermined information to the configurator. This predetermined information is necessary for the configurator to initiate communication with the enrollee in the subsequent Authentication phase, and specifically includes the Bootstrapping Key defined in DPP. The Bootstrapping Key is the enrollee's public key. In other words, the predetermined information is the information that the terminal device 200 (configurator) needs to provide to the terminal device 200 in order to initiate communication with the printer 100 according to a predetermined communication procedure for the first wireless communication unit 111 (i.e., the printer 100, which is the enrollee) to receive access point information from the terminal device 200. To put it another way, the predetermined information is the information that the printer 100 needs to provide to the terminal device 200 in order to enable the terminal device 200 to perform predetermined communication (communication in the Authentication phase described later). The predetermined information may also include information such as the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the printer 100. Hereafter, the predetermined information described above will also be referred to as Bootstrapping information.

[0033] As a method for providing predetermined information in bootstrapping, it is possible to provide it via communication other than the first wireless communication standard (Wi-Fi standard) or via a QR code (registered trademark). In contrast, communication between the terminal device 200 and the printing device 100 in the Authentication phase and Configuration phase is performed according to the Wi-Fi standard. That is, in the Authentication phase and Configuration phase, the printing device 100 communicates with the terminal device 200 using the first wireless communication unit 111.

[0034] Authentication is the process in which the configurator (terminal device 200) and the enrollee (printer 100) authenticate each other and generate a shared key used to encrypt the transmission of the Configuration Object. In other words, in this phase, a key for encrypting access point information is generated. The terminal device 200 and the printer 100 (wireless setting unit 152) each generate a shared key, for example, based on ECDH (Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman key exchange). In the Authentication phase, first, the terminal device 200, which is the configurator, sends a signal called a DPP Authentication Request to the printer 100, which is the enrollee. This signal contains a message generated using predetermined information obtained from the printer 100 in the Bootstrapping phase. Therefore, as described above, the predetermined information is information that the terminal device 200 needs to provide to the printer 100 in order to initiate communication (DPP Authentication Request) according to a predetermined communication procedure. In the Authentication phase, after the DPP Authentication Request is sent, a signal called the DPP Authentication Response is sent from the enrollee to the configurator. Finally, a signal called the DPP Authentication Confirm is sent from the configurator to the enrollee.

[0035] Configuration is the process of sending access point information (Configuration Object) from the configurator to the enrollee via encrypted communication using a shared key generated in the Authentication phase. Specifically, in the Configuration phase, the enrollee, the printing device 100, first sends a signal called a DPP Configuration Request to the configurator, the terminal device 200. In response, the configurator sends a signal called a DPP Configuration Response to the enrollee. This DPP Configuration Response contains the access point information (Configuration Object).

[0036] As described above, bootstrapping is necessary for the printing device 100 to obtain access point information from the terminal device 200. That is, bootstrapping information (predetermined information) needs to be provided from the printing device 100 to the terminal device 200. In recent years, code images such as QR codes have become widespread, and procedures using code images are familiar to many users U. Therefore, it is preferable that the printing device 100 outputs a code image containing bootstrapping information, and the terminal device 200 reads the code image through the operation of user U. In contrast, providing bootstrapping information via Bluetooth communication in accordance with the BLE standard is inferior to providing it by reading a code image from a user-friendliness standpoint, because user U must perform an unfamiliar permission operation on the terminal device 200 in advance to authorize the communication. For these reasons, it is preferable that bootstrapping information be provided by outputting a code image. In particular, if the printing device 100 does not have a display, or if it is difficult to display the code image on a display, it is desirable to provide the bootstrapping information by printing the code image. However, in this case, if the code image cannot be printed, the bootstrapping information cannot be provided, and the printing device 100 will not be able to acquire access point information. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wireless setting unit 152 switches the method of providing the bootstrapping information according to the determination result of the status determination unit 151.

[0037] The wireless setting unit 152 controls the printing or transmission of predetermined information (bootstrapping information) as part of the bootstrapping phase processing defined by DPP. Specifically, if the status determination unit 151 determines that printing by the printing unit 120 is possible, the wireless setting unit 152 causes the printing unit 120 to print a code image containing the predetermined information (bootstrapping information). Specifically, the wireless setting unit 152 generates an image of a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code, on which the predetermined information is encoded, and instructs the print control unit 153 to print the image. As a result, the print control unit 153 controls the printing unit 120 to start the printing process of the image. Note that this printing process is not guaranteed to succeed, and whether or not the printing was successful is determined by the status determination unit 151 as described above.

[0038] Figure 3 shows an example of printing by the printing unit 120. As shown in Figure 3, a code image C containing predetermined information is printed on the medium 90. As also shown in Figure 3, in addition to the code image C, a message M for the user U may also be printed. Message M is a message that explains the task that user U should perform, for example, a message prompting user U to read the code image C with the terminal device 200. Also, as shown in Figure 3, message M may be a message that informs user U that reading the code image C is a necessary task to connect the printing device 100 to the access point. By printing message M together with the code image C, the printing device 100 becomes a more user-friendly printing device.

[0039] Furthermore, if the status determination unit 151 determines that printing by the printing unit 120 is not possible, the wireless setting unit 152 will transmit predetermined information (bootstrapping information) to the second wireless communication unit 112. Also, if the status determination unit 151 determines that printing of the code image has failed, the wireless setting unit 152 will transmit predetermined information (bootstrapping information) to the second wireless communication unit 112. In these cases, in this embodiment, the predetermined information is transmitted to the terminal device 200 via BLE communication. This makes it possible to reliably perform bootstrapping.

[0040] As described above, in this embodiment, bootstrapping is performed according to the determination result of the state determination unit 151. After bootstrapping is performed, when the first wireless communication unit 111 receives an Authentication phase signal from the terminal device 200, the wireless setting unit 152 executes the Authentication phase and Configuration phase processing according to the procedure specified in DPP. As a result, the wireless setting unit 152 obtains access point information from the terminal device 200. Once the wireless setting unit 152 obtains the access point information, it uses the obtained access point information to establish a wireless communication connection with the access point AP.

[0041] Next, the terminal device 200 will be described. The terminal device 200 is a device operated by user U, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 200. As shown in Figure 4, the terminal device 200 includes a UI unit 210, a communication unit 220, a code reading unit 230, and a control unit 250.

[0042] The UI unit 210 is a user interface device comprising an input device such as a button or pointing device that accepts input operations from the user U, and a display. The UI unit 210 may also be a touch panel in which the input device and display are integrated.

[0043] The communication unit 220 is a hardware circuit that performs wireless communication with other devices according to a predetermined communication standard, and may include software such as firmware. The communication unit 220 includes a first wireless communication unit 221 and a second wireless communication unit 222.

[0044] The first wireless communication unit 221 is a circuit that performs communication in accordance with the first wireless communication standard described above. Specifically, the first wireless communication unit 221 performs wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard.

[0045] The second wireless communication unit 222 is a circuit that performs communication in accordance with the second wireless communication standard described above. In this embodiment, the second wireless communication unit 222 performs Bluetooth communication, which is communication in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. More specifically, in this embodiment, the second wireless communication unit 222 performs wireless communication in accordance with the BLE standard.

[0046] The code reading unit 230 is a reader that reads code images such as QR codes. The code reading unit 230 may include a scanner or a camera as hardware for reading. The code reading unit 230 decodes the scanned or photographed code image and reads the information represented by the code image. Therefore, the code reading unit 230 can read the code image of the bootstrapping information printed by the printing device 100.

[0047] The control unit 250 controls the operation of the terminal device 200. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 250 has a wireless setting unit 251.

[0048] The wireless configuration unit 251 performs processing to assist in the wireless configuration of the printer 100. In particular, the wireless configuration unit 251 performs predetermined processing for transmitting access point information to the printer 100. In this embodiment, the wireless configuration unit 251 transmits access point information to the printer 100 using the first wireless communication unit 221 in accordance with the procedure specified in DPP. Specifically, the wireless configuration unit 251 starts predetermined processing for transmitting access point information to the printer 100 in response to the code reading unit 230 reading a code image containing bootstrapping information, or in response to the second wireless communication unit 222 receiving bootstrapping information. That is, when the wireless configuration unit 251 obtains predetermined information (bootstrapping information) provided by the printer 100, it starts processing in the Authentication phase of DPP. After that, the wireless configuration unit 251 performs processing in the Configuration phase of DPP, thereby transmitting access point information to the printer 100.

[0049] Next, the processing flow of the Bootstrapping phase in the printing device 100 will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the Bootstrapping phase in the printing device 100. The processing flow will be described below with reference to Figure 5. The series of processes shown in Figure 5 are executed when the power to the printing device 100 is turned on for the first time, or when a command to perform wireless connection settings is input to the printing device 100 from user U. The command from user U is input to the printing device 100 by user U operating, for example, the operation panel (not shown) provided on the printing device 100.

[0050] In step S100, the state determination unit 151 determines whether or not the printing unit 120 is in a state where printing can be performed. If it is determined that printing is in a state where it can be performed, the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing is not in a state where it can be performed, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0051] In step S101, the wireless setting unit 152 instructs the print control unit 153 to print a code image containing predetermined information, and the print control unit 153 executes the code image printing process. After that, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0052] In step S102, the status determination unit 151 determines whether the printing of the code image was successful or not. That is, the status determination unit 151 determines whether the printing process performed in step S101 was completed successfully without any printing errors being detected. If the printing of the code image is successful, the bootstrapping phase process ends. On the other hand, if the printing of the code image is unsuccessful, that is, if the printing of the code image fails, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0053] When the process moves to step S103, the wireless setting unit 152 causes the second wireless communication unit 112 to transmit predetermined information. In this case, the second wireless communication unit 112 transmits the predetermined information via BLE communication. This completes the bootstrapping phase.

[0054] Next, we will describe the operation flow by which the printing device 100 establishes a wireless connection with the access point AP. Figure 6 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation flow by which the printing device 100 establishes a wireless connection with the access point AP. The operation flow will be explained below with reference to Figure 6.

[0055] In step S10, as described above, the DPP's Bootstrapping phase is processed, and predetermined information is provided from the printing device 100 to the terminal device 200. Next, in step S20, the Authentication phase of the DPP is processed between the terminal device 200 and the printing device 100. This generates a key for transmitting access point information via encrypted communication. Next, in step S30, the DPP Configuration phase is processed between the terminal device 200 and the printing device 100. This transmits access point information from the terminal device 200 to the printing device 100. Subsequently, in step S40, the printing device 100 establishes a wireless connection (a wireless communication connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard) with the access point AP using the access point information. In other words, in step S40, the printing device 100 joins the LAN using the access point AP using the access point information.

[0056] Thus, in this embodiment, predetermined information (Bootstrapping information) is provided in a manner corresponding to the determination result of the state determination unit 151. Therefore, while providing the information in a user-friendly manner (printing a code image) is realized as much as possible, it is also possible to avoid a situation where wireless connection settings become impossible when the information cannot be provided in that manner.

[0057] Although embodiments have been described above, the processing of the printing device 100 and the terminal device 200 may be performed by the computers provided in each device. The computers may be configured as SoCs (System on a Chip). Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 900 provided in the printing device 100 or the terminal device 200. As shown in Figure 7, the computer 900 has, for example, an input / output interface 901, a memory 902, and a processor 903.

[0058] The input / output interface 901 is used to communicate with any circuit or device. Memory 902 is composed of, for example, a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Memory 902 is used to store programs executed by the processor 903 and data used for various processes. The processor 903 reads and executes a program from the memory 902, thereby performing various processes described in the above-described embodiment. The processor 903 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 903 may also include multiple processors.

[0059] The program, when loaded into a computer, includes a set of instructions (or software code) for causing the computer to perform one or more of the functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. Examples, but not limited to, include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted over a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium. Examples, but not limited to, include temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium that includes electrically, optically, acoustically or otherwise propagating signals.

[0060] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, if it is determined that printing by the printing unit 120 is not possible, or if printing of the code image fails, predetermined information is transmitted by Bluetooth communication, but it may also be transmitted by Near Field Communication (NFC) communication. In this case, the second wireless communication unit 112 of the printing device 100 performs communication according to the NFC standard as the communication of the second wireless communication standard. Also, in the embodiments described above, the method of providing predetermined information was selected depending on whether or not printing by the printing unit 120 is possible, but the wireless setting unit 152 may select the method of provision as follows. When the power of the printing device 100 is turned on for the first time, it is clear that initial filling has not been performed and printing is not possible. Therefore, for example, in response to the power of the printing device 100 being turned on for the first time, the wireless setting unit 152 may cause the second wireless communication unit to transmit predetermined information, and in response to the user U inputting an instruction to perform wireless connection settings to the printing device 100, the printing device 100 may start the series of processes shown in Figure 5 described above. In this case, the state determination unit 151 may determine whether the power of the printing device 100 has been turned on for the first time by, for example, checking whether a flag data indicating the execution of the initial power-on, which is stored in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned on for the first time, is stored in the non-volatile memory.

[0061] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to these. (Note 1) The printing department, which prints onto the medium, A first wireless communication unit that communicates in accordance with the first wireless communication standard, A second wireless communication unit that communicates in accordance with the second wireless communication standard, A state determination unit that determines whether or not the printing unit is in a state where printing can be performed, A wireless setting unit, which, when it is determined that the printing unit is capable of printing, causes the printing unit to print a code image containing predetermined information, and when it is determined that the printing unit is not capable of printing, causes the wireless setting unit to transmit the predetermined information to the second wireless communication unit. Yes, The predetermined information is information that needs to be provided to the terminal device in order for the terminal device to initiate communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for the first wireless communication unit to receive access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point and the first wireless communication unit. Printing device. (Note 2) The printing unit has a printing head that ejects colorant onto the medium, The state determination unit determines that if the initial filling process, in which the colorant is first filled into the print head, has not been performed, the printing unit is not in a state where printing can be performed. The printing apparatus described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The state determination unit determines that if the remaining amount of colorant in the colorant storage container that holds the colorant used for printing in the printing unit is below a predetermined threshold, the printing unit is not in a state where printing can be performed. The printing apparatus described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Note 4) The state determination unit further determines whether the printing unit has successfully printed the code image. If the wireless setting unit determines that printing the code image has failed, it will cause the second wireless communication unit to transmit the predetermined information. A printing apparatus as described in any one of the items 1 to 3 of the appendix. (Note 5) The status determination unit determines that printing of the code image has failed if it fails to supply the medium to the position where printing is performed by the printing unit. The printing apparatus described in Appendix 4. (Note 6) The aforementioned printing device operates as an enloader as defined by the Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP). The wireless configuration unit controls the printing or transmission of the predetermined information as part of the bootstrapping phase processing defined by DPP. A printing apparatus as described in any one of the items 1 to 5 of the appendix. (Note 7) The communication according to the second wireless communication standard mentioned above is either Bluetooth communication or Near Field Communication (NFC) communication. A printing apparatus as described in any one of the items 1 to 6 of the appendix. (Note 8) A printing apparatus having a printing unit that prints on a medium, a first wireless communication unit that communicates according to a first wireless communication standard, and a second wireless communication unit that communicates according to a second wireless communication standard, Determine whether or not the printing unit is in a state where printing can be performed. If it is determined that the printing unit is capable of printing, the printing unit is instructed to print a code image containing predetermined information. If it is determined that the printing unit is not in a state where printing can be performed, the predetermined information is transmitted to the second wireless communication unit. The predetermined information is information that needs to be provided to the terminal device in order for the terminal device to initiate communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for the first wireless communication unit to receive access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point and the first wireless communication unit. Processing method. (Note 9) A computer in a printing apparatus having a printing unit that prints on a medium, a first wireless communication unit that communicates according to a first wireless communication standard, and a second wireless communication unit that communicates according to a second wireless communication standard, A state determination step to determine whether or not the printing unit is in a state where printing can be performed, If it is determined that the printing unit is capable of printing, the printing unit is instructed to print a code image containing predetermined information; if it is determined that the printing unit is not capable of printing, the wireless setting step is performed to transmit the predetermined information to the second wireless communication unit. Make it run, The predetermined information is information that needs to be provided to the terminal device in order for the terminal device to initiate communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for the first wireless communication unit to receive access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point and the first wireless communication unit. program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 90...Media, 100...Printing device, 110...Communication unit, 111...First wireless communication unit, 112...Second wireless communication unit, 120...Printing unit, 121...Print head, 130...Colorant container, 150...Control unit, 151...Status determination unit, 152...Wireless setting unit, 153...Printing control unit, 200...Terminal device, 210...UI unit, 220...Communication unit, 221...First wireless communication unit, 222...Second wireless communication unit, 230...Code reading unit, 250...Control unit, 251...Wireless setting unit, 900...Computer, 901...Input / output interface, 902...Memory, 903...Processor, C...Code image, M...Message, U...User

Claims

1. The printing department, which prints onto the medium, A first wireless communication unit that communicates in accordance with the first wireless communication standard, A second wireless communication unit that communicates in accordance with the second wireless communication standard, A state determination unit that determines whether or not the printing unit is in a state where printing can be performed, A wireless setting unit, which, when it is determined that the printing unit is capable of printing, causes the printing unit to print a code image containing predetermined information, and when it is determined that the printing unit is not capable of printing, causes the wireless setting unit to transmit the predetermined information to the second wireless communication unit. Yes, The predetermined information is information that needs to be provided to the terminal device in order for the terminal device to initiate communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for the first wireless communication unit to receive access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point and the first wireless communication unit. Printing device.

2. The printing unit has a printing head that ejects colorant onto the medium, The state determination unit determines that if the initial filling process, in which the colorant is first filled into the print head, has not been performed, the printing unit is not in a state where printing can be performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The state determination unit determines that if the remaining amount of colorant in the colorant storage container that holds the colorant used for printing in the printing unit is below a predetermined threshold, the printing unit is not in a state where printing can be performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The state determination unit further determines whether the printing unit has successfully printed the code image. If the wireless setting unit determines that printing the code image has failed, it will cause the second wireless communication unit to transmit the predetermined information. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The status determination unit determines that printing of the code image has failed if it fails to supply the medium to the position where printing is performed by the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned printing device operates as an enrollee as defined by the Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP), The wireless configuration unit controls the printing or transmission of the predetermined information as part of the Bootstrapping phase processing defined by DPP. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The communication in accordance with the second wireless communication standard is Bluetooth communication or Near Field Communication (NFC) communication. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. A printing apparatus having a printing unit that prints on a medium, a first wireless communication unit that communicates according to a first wireless communication standard, and a second wireless communication unit that communicates according to a second wireless communication standard, Determine whether or not the printing unit is in a state where printing can be performed. If it is determined that the printing unit is capable of printing, the printing unit is instructed to print a code image containing predetermined information. If it is determined that the printing unit is not in a state where printing can be performed, the predetermined information is transmitted to the second wireless communication unit. The predetermined information is information that needs to be provided to the terminal device in order for the terminal device to initiate communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for the first wireless communication unit to receive access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point and the first wireless communication unit. Processing method.

9. A computer in a printing apparatus having a printing unit that prints on a medium, a first wireless communication unit that communicates according to a first wireless communication standard, and a second wireless communication unit that communicates according to a second wireless communication standard, A state determination step to determine whether or not the printing unit is in a state where printing can be performed, If it is determined that the printing unit is capable of printing, the printing unit is instructed to print a code image containing predetermined information; if it is determined that the printing unit is not capable of printing, the wireless setting step is performed to transmit the predetermined information to the second wireless communication unit. Make it run, The predetermined information is information that needs to be provided to the terminal device in order for the terminal device to initiate communication in accordance with a predetermined communication procedure for the first wireless communication unit to receive access point information, which is information used to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point and the first wireless communication unit. program.

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