Network connection method, device, and program

Abstract

The printer and information processing device communicate wirelessly via an access point, and communication is restored even if the wireless connection is interrupted. [Solution] The information processing device has a wireless communication unit and a control unit, and has an access point function using the wireless communication unit. When a failure occurs in wireless communication with a communication device via the first access point, the control unit sets predetermined wireless setting information shared with the communication device as wireless setting information for a virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. As a result, wireless communication with the communication device is performed via the virtual access point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for connecting network devices such as printers, scanners, and copiers.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for a printer and an information processing apparatus to communicate with each other, there is a wireless communication method using a wireless local area network (referred to as wireless LAN), particularly Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The wireless communication method using Wi-Fi can be broadly divided into two methods. The first method is a method in which the printer and the information processing apparatus communicate with each other by connecting peer-to-peer via a wireless LAN. The second method is a method in which each of the printer and the information processing apparatus connects to an access point via a wireless LAN, and the printer and the information processing apparatus communicate with each other via the access point. The first method may be referred to as a peer-to-peer mode or a P2P mode, and the second method may be referred to as an infrastructure mode or an infra mode. These days, not only printers but various devices are performing Wi-Fi-based communication. Considering the case where an information processing apparatus has only one wireless LAN interface, a method that can communicate with a plurality of devices via an access point is desirable. For this purpose, since settings for connecting the printer to the access point are required, a technique for transmitting wireless setting information stored in the information processing apparatus to the printer so that the wireless settings of the printer can be easily performed is known from Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as mentioned above, when configuring a network via an access point, wireless communication between the printer and the access point may be interrupted due to insufficient signal strength. Insufficient signal strength can occur when the physical distance to the access point is large, or when devices with similar frequency bands, such as microwave ovens, interfere with each other. As a result, even if the information processing device sends print commands to the printer via the access point, printing may not be possible because the connection between the printer and the access point is lost.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional examples, and aims to restore the connection with a communication device, such as a printer, to an access point even if the connection between the communication device and the access point is lost, without requiring the user to reconfigure the communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a wireless communication means and It has control means, An information processing device having an access point function using the aforementioned wireless communication means, When a failure occurs in wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point, the control means sets predetermined wireless setting information shared with the communication device as wireless setting information for the virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. Wireless communication with the communication device is performed via the virtual access point. An information processing device characterized by the above is provided.

[0007] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, wireless communication means and It has control means, An information processing device having an access point function using the aforementioned wireless communication means, The control means is When wireless communication with a communication device via the first access point is interrupted due to a change from the wireless configuration information of the first access point to the wireless configuration information of the second access point, the wireless configuration information of the first access point is set as the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. Wireless communication is performed with the communication device via the virtual access point, and the wireless configuration information of the second access point is transmitted to the communication device. An information processing device characterized by the above is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention makes it possible to restore the connection between a communication device, such as a printer, and an access point even if the connection is lost, without requiring the user to reconfigure the communication device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of the system configuration. [Figure 2] This is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing device and a printer. [Figure 3] This is a software configuration diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram for repairing the wireless connection when a wireless communication error occurs in a printer using the AP mode of the information processing device of this system. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram for wireless connection repair when the information processing device of this system is using AP mode. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing how the system's application determines whether AP mode is enabled or disabled. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the process of configuring the printer's AP settings via a temporary connection using AP mode when communication between the information processing system and the printer becomes impossible due to AP replacement or other reasons. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in 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, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] ● System Configuration The configuration of this system will be explained using Figures 1(a) and 1(b). Figure 1(a) shows a communication system consisting of an information processing device 101, a communication device (printer 102), and an access point (AP) 103. In this communication system, the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 are wirelessly connected via Wi-Fi through the AP 103. In this embodiment, it is assumed that this wireless connection uses Wi-Fi. Therefore, the information processing device 101 can communicate with the printer 102 via the AP 103. The information processing device 101 executes an application (application 351 in Figure 3) to send print commands to the printer 102. Application 351 is installed on the information processing device 101 by an installer or the like. During the installation of application 351, a print port is created in the information processing device 101 for communication with the printer 102. Application 351 uses the print port to send print commands to the printer 102. This allows the printer 102 to execute printing from the received print command.

[0012] Figure 1(b) shows the configuration when a direct wireless connection is established between the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 according to this embodiment, in the event that the wireless communication between the printer 102 and AP103 is disconnected. The information processing device 101 is assumed to be wirelessly connected to AP103 and to be operating as a wireless LAN access point. To realize this assumption, for example, if the information processing device 101 is a computer equipped with Windows® OS, and its version is 10 or later, the mobile hotspot function provided by the OS can be used. With the Windows mobile hotspot function, by operating SoftAP, which is a virtual Wi-Fi adapter, connection to AP103 and connection to slave stations as an AP can be realized simultaneously with a single wireless LAN interface. If the information processing device 101 has multiple wireless LAN interfaces, each can use a different wireless LAN interface. The operating mode in which the information processing device 101 operates as a wireless LAN access point is called AP mode. In AP mode, for example, tethering functionality can be realized. Furthermore, the function that enables the information processing device 101 to realize an access point (AP), such as SoftAP, is called the virtual access point function (virtual AP function) or simply the access point function, and the AP realized by the virtual AP function is sometimes also called a virtual access point (virtual AP). By connecting the printer 102 to the information processing device 101 in AP mode, the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 communicate peer-to-peer, making it possible to directly send print commands and other instructions. It also becomes possible to modify the wireless settings information of the printer 102 as needed. The series of processes shown in Figure 1(a) to Figure 1(b) will be explained in the embodiment described later.

[0013] Using FIG. 2, the hardware configurations of the information processing apparatus 101 and the printer 102 will be described. The information processing apparatus 101 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The information processing apparatus 101 includes an input I / F (interface) 202, a CPU 203, a ROM 204, a RAM 205, an external storage device 206, and an output I / F (interface) 207. The information processing apparatus 101 further includes a display unit 208, a keyboard 209, a mouse 210, a network interface 211, and a position information acquisition device 212. An initialization program is stored in the ROM 204, and an application program group, an OS (Operating System), a printer driver, and other various data are stored in the external storage device 206. The RAM 205 is used as a work memory for various programs stored in the external storage device 206. Also, programs such as application programs are loaded into the RAM 205 and executed by the CPU 203. Hereinafter, a form in which Microsoft's Windows (registered trademark) is used as the OS will be described as an example.

[0014] The network interface 211 controls communication via wireless and communication processing via a wired LAN cable. In the present embodiment, the network interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101 may include at least one wireless LAN interface. The position information acquisition device 212 acquires the position information of the information processing apparatus 101. The position information acquisition device 212 may be, for example, a satellite positioning system such as a global positioning system. Also, the information processing apparatus 101 can operate as a slave station with respect to the AP 103 and can operate in an AP mode in which it functions as an AP by software.

[0015] The printer 102 may be, for example, a single-function printer or a multifunction device with other functions such as a scanner, but here a single-function printer is shown as an example. The printer 102 has a network interface 252, RAM 253, ROM 254, CPU 255, and print engine 256. The network interface 252 controls communication via wireless and communication processing via wired LAN cable. In this embodiment, the network interface 252 of the printer 102 only needs to include at least one wireless LAN interface. The RAM 253 is used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 255, and stores a receive buffer for temporarily saving received print command print data and various other data. The print engine 256 performs printing based on the data stored in the RAM 253. The ROM 254 contains various control programs and data used by each control program, and the CPU 255 controls each part of the printer 102 according to these control programs. Here, the division of processing between the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 is shown as an example, but it is not limited to this division of processing and other forms are also acceptable.

[0016] The software configuration of the information processing apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The information processing apparatus 101 includes an application program 351 (hereinafter abbreviated as application 351) that can be executed within the information processing apparatus 101. The application 351 can cause the printer 102 to execute printing via the print system 301 provided by the OS. The application 351 is also software that can repair the destination port setting of a print queue for which transmission of print data to the printer 102 has become impossible due to a defective destination port setting. The application 351 can also change network settings such as setting the information processing apparatus 101 to AP mode using the network interface 211 of the information processing apparatus 101. The application 351 inquires about an available print queue 302 for transmitting print data via the print system 301 provided by the OS, and accesses an appropriate print queue 302n (n is any one of 1 to N) based on the result of the inquiry. Also, the application 351 inquires about an available printer driver 305 via the print system 301, and accesses an appropriate printer driver 305p (p is any one of 1 to P) based on the result of the inquiry.

[0017] The printer driver 305p includes a supported model identifier 306p, which contains the model name or model name of the printer 102, and a driver type identifier 307p, such as GDI, XPS, or FAX, as identifiers. The application 351 queries the available port 308 via the printing system 301 and accesses the appropriate port 308m (where m is one of 1 to M) based on the query result. Port 308m includes a port type identifier 309m, such as USB, TCP / IP, or WSD, and a network identifier 310m, such as an IP address or hostname. Each print queue 302n (where n is one of 1 to N) is associated with the printer driver 305p and port 308m. The print queue 302n includes printer driver configuration information 303n and port configuration information 304n to identify the associated printer driver. The printer driver configuration information 303n includes printer driver reference information, which contains a supported model identifier and a driver type identifier to identify the printer driver. Port configuration information 303n includes port reference information containing a port model identifier and a network identifier to identify the port. For example, the port configuration information for a print port includes the IP address, port name, and printer name of the printer 102. Here, application 351 is configured to detect print and communication errors, repair the destination port settings for the print queue, and change network settings, but each of these may be configured as a separate application. For example, the printer driver 305 may detect communication errors during print execution and instruct another application to repair the destination port settings for the print queue, thereby performing port setting repair and network setting changes.

[0018] The embodiments of this system will now be described based on the above configuration. In each embodiment, communication and processing are performed in a communication system having the above configuration.

[0019] <<Embodiment 1>> Figure 4 is a sequence diagram of wireless connection repair in the event of a wireless communication error in the printer using the AP mode of the information processing device of this system. As shown in Figure 1(a) above, AP103 is assumed to have established communication with both the information processing device 101 and the printer 102, and the printer 102 is assumed to have entered a wireless communication error state with respect to AP103. One possible cause of the wireless communication error state is insufficient radio signal strength. In Figure 4, the information processing device 101 is divided into the operation of application 351 and the printing system 301, but in both cases, the operation is realized by the CPU 203 executing the program. Therefore, in the process where the execution entity is application 351 or the printing system 301, the CPU 203 is the hardware entity, and in the configuration where the execution entity is printer 102, the CPU 255 is the entity. Note that the printing system 301 shown in Figure 4 includes not only the configuration shown in Figure 3, but also functions other than application 351 provided by the OS for changing settings in response to user operations and processing related to wireless communication, for the sake of simplifying the illustration. Therefore, even in processes primarily involving the printing system 301, there are also processes in which other OS functions or device drivers are involved. This is also true for Figures 5 and 7.

[0020] In S101, the user inputs an operation to execute printing from the keyboard 209 or mouse 210 of the information processing device 101. In other words, in S101, the information processing device 101 receives input from the user instructing it to print. In S102, the printing system 301 of the information processing device 101 sends a print execution command to the application 351. In S103, the application 351 sends the print command received in S102 to the printer 102. This transmission is performed via AP103. In S104, the application 351 determines a communication error because it has not received a response from the printer 102 to the print command in S103. Here, the application 351 may, for example, set a certain waiting time, and if there is no response within the waiting time from transmission, it may determine that a communication error has occurred. Also, for example, even if there is no data to send or receive between the information processing device 101 and the printer 102, by sending and receiving a liveness confirmation signal at predetermined time intervals, the printer 102 can also detect a communication error if there is no signal for a predetermined time. In infrastructure mode, communication between the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 is conducted via AP103.

[0021] Meanwhile, in S105, printer 102, having received a wireless communication error in S103, performs an SSID search based on the service set identifier (hereinafter referred to as SSID) of AP103 to which printer 102 was connected. The SSID search is performed, for example, by receiving a beacon transmitted by the AP and determining whether the SSID contained in the received beacon is the SSID of AP103. Until a matching SSID is found, printer 102 continues to execute the SSID search process in S105. In S106, application 351 determines whether to execute AP mode. Whether or not to execute AP mode is determined based on whether the virtual AP realized by AP mode can communicate with printer 102. This determination of whether or not to execute AP mode is explained in detail in the flowchart in Figure 6. Here, let's assume that it has been determined that AP mode can be executed. If it is determined that AP mode can be executed, that is, enabled, the process continues from S107. If it is determined that AP mode cannot be executed, that is, cannot be enabled, the sequence in Figure 4 is terminated there.

[0022] In S107, application 351 stores the print port configuration information used when it was able to communicate with printer 102 via AP103 in the RAM205 of the information processing device 101. The print port configuration information includes the IP address and port name (or port number) of printer 102, the printer name, etc., and specifies the route for sending data such as print jobs to the printer. In S108, application 351 obtains wireless configuration information from the information processing device 101. Here, wireless configuration information refers to the AP's SSID and password information. In S108, the SSID and password of AP103 are obtained. If the OS running on the information processing device 101 is Windows (registered trademark), the SSID and encrypted password are stored as a Wi-Fi profile in the ROM204 of the information processing device. Therefore, the wireless configuration information can be obtained by decrypting the encrypted password. In S109, application 351 enables AP mode on the information processing device 101. Specifically, Windows has a tethering function that uses a virtual wireless adapter called SoftAP. By executing the OS API for tethering, the information processing unit 101 can be made to operate as a virtual AP. In other words, the information processing unit 101 can operate itself in AP mode using the tethering function. The information processing unit 101 may maintain a wireless LAN connection with AP 103 in parallel with its operation as a virtual AP, or it may disconnect the wireless LAN connection with AP 103 and operate only as a virtual AP. Since other operating systems also have tethering functions, if the operating system of the information processing unit 101 is not Windows, the information processing unit 101 should execute the tethering function corresponding to the operating system of the information processing unit 101. The information processing unit 101 can also control the SSID and password of the virtual AP activated by the tethering function. Therefore, the information processing unit 101 sets the SSID and password of the virtual AP activated by the tethering function to be the same as the wireless configuration information obtained by S108.In other words, the SSID and password obtained in S108 are set as the SSID and password for the AP provided by the information processing device 101. Subsequently, the information processing device 101 transmits a beacon containing the SSID, etc., as an AP. As a result, the printer 102, which is searching for an AP using the SSID contained in the wireless configuration information transmitted from the information processing device 101, can discover the information processing device 101 operating as an AP with that SSID. The printer 102 can also connect to the information processing device 101 operating as an AP using the password contained in the wireless configuration information transmitted to the printer 102.

[0023] Printer 102 repeatedly performs an SSID search in S105, and as a result, in S110, printer 102 prioritizes detecting APs with strong signal strength. Here, we assume that the information processing device 101 in AP mode has a stronger signal strength than AP 103. Consequently, in S111, printer 102 starts a connection to the AP of the SSID detected in S110, i.e., the virtual AP of the information processing device 101 in AP mode, using the wireless configuration information that was connected to AP 103.

[0024] In S112, application 351 uses the print port that was in use when it was able to communicate with printer 102 to repair (or recreate) the print port based on information from printer 102. For example, if it is Web Services on Devices (WSD), application 305 needs to search for printer 102 via the virtual AP and recreate the WSD port. Alternatively, if it is Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), it needs to obtain the IP address of printer 102 and recreate the TCP / IP port.

[0025] In S113, application 351 resends the print command that it sent to printer 102 in S103. In S114, printer 102 starts printing upon receiving the print command from S113. In S115, printer 102 notifies application 351 that printing is complete. In S116, application 351 commands information processing device 101 to display a print completion message. A print completion message refers to the display of text or a bitmap using the display unit 208 of information processing device 101 to inform the user that printing is complete. As a result, in S117, information processing device 101 displays a print completion message to the user.

[0026] In S118, application 351 restores the print port, which was repaired in S112 based on information from printer 102, to the print port it was using when communicating with printer 102 via AP103. In S118, this can be done using the print port configuration information stored in S107. In S119, application 351 disables the AP mode of the information processing device 101. This can also be done through the SoftAP API.

[0027] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing how application 351 of this embodiment of the system determines whether AP mode can be enabled. This flowchart corresponds to the processing in S106 in Figure 4 and S206 in Figure 5, and will be explained in more detail. Figure 6(a) is a detail of S106, so the software execution entity is described as application 351 in the following description, but application 351 is executed by CPU 203.

[0028] In S301, application 351 uses network interface 211 to verify the network connection. This verification can be performed, for example, by referring to the network connection status maintained by the Windows OS, or by sending a ping to a designated site on an external network, such as the Internet. In S302, application 351 determines, based on the network connection verified in S301, that the information processing device is connected to an external network, such as the Internet. If it determines that it is not connected to the Internet (S302: No), it branches to S309. In S309, application 351 determines that enabling AP mode is not possible. On the other hand, if it determines in S302 that it is connected to the Internet (S302: Yes), it branches to S303. In the configuration of Figure 1, even if communication between printer 102 and AP103 is interrupted, the information processing device 101 is connected to AP103, so the connection to the external network can be confirmed via AP103. The external network is the network outside the network shown in Figure 1, which includes the information processing device 101, printer 102, and AP103. Specifically, it may be a network outside the router to which AP103 is connected. Alternatively, if the information processing device 101 has a communication medium other than the wireless LAN communication medium for connecting to AP103, such as a wired LAN, it may be a network outside the router to which it is connected via that medium.

[0029] Steps S301 and S302 are tests to confirm that an internet connection is available, which is a necessary condition for enabling the mobile hotspot function using SoftAP under Windows 10 or 11. Therefore, if a non-Windows OS running on the information processing device 101, or a specific application, can implement a virtual AP equivalent to SoftAP, an internet connection is not necessarily required. In that case, steps S301 and S302 can be omitted.

[0030] In S303, application 351 retrieves printer information. This printer information refers to the supported frequency bands and supported encryption methods of the network interface 252 of printer 102. This printer information is either retrieved when application 351 and printer 102 are able to communicate, or retrieved during driver installation, and is stored in application 351's external storage device 206.

[0031] In S304, application 351 determines whether the frequency supported by printer 102, obtained in S303, matches the frequency supported by information processing device 101 in AP mode. If the supported frequency of printer 102 and the supported frequency of AP mode do not match (S304: No), the process branches to S309. In S309, application 351 determines that enabling AP mode is not possible. If the supported frequency of the printer and the supported frequency of AP mode match (S304: Yes), the process branches to S305.

[0032] In S305, application 351 determines whether the encryption method supported by the printer, obtained in S303, matches the encryption method supported by AP mode. If the printer's supported encryption method and the AP mode's supported encryption method do not match (S305: No), it determines in S309 that enabling AP mode is not possible. If the printer's supported encryption method and the AP mode's supported encryption method do match (S305: Yes), it branches to S306.

[0033] In S306, application 351 obtains the radio signal strength between printer 102 and AP103. When obtaining this signal strength, application 351 requests information from printer 102 via AP103. If there is a wireless communication error between printer 102 and AP103, as shown in S102 of Figure 4, no response is returned, and the signal strength is determined to be 0%. If there is no wireless communication error and communication is possible or unstable, a response is returned, and the signal strength is obtained from the printer itself.

[0034] In S307, application 351 determines whether the signal strength between printer 102 and AP103, which was obtained in S306, is below a certain threshold. If it is determined that the signal strength between printer 102 and AP103 is not below the threshold (S307: No), it determines in S309 that enabling AP mode is not possible due to the possibility of a temporary communication error. If it is determined that the signal strength between printer 102 and AP103 is below the threshold (S307: Yes), it branches to S308. In S308, application 351 determines that enabling AP mode is possible.

[0035] If the determination in Figure 6(b) shows that AP mode can be enabled, then S107 will be executed following S106 in Figure 4; otherwise, the process will be terminated at S106.

[0036] According to the embodiment described above, if the printer 102 is in a wireless communication error state with AP 103 and a print command is not executed from application 351, the information processing device 101 determines whether it is possible to enable AP mode. If it is determined that AP mode can be enabled, the information processing device 101 uses AP mode and sets the same SSID and password as AP 103 for the virtual AP created by the information processing device 101. The printer 102 detects the virtual AP started in AP mode and establishes a wireless connection, and the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 establish peer-to-peer wireless communication. As a result, the application 351 can execute a print command to the printer 102.

[0037] Furthermore, even when the information processing device 101 is communicating with other information processing devices using AP mode, the settings for wireless connection, etc., that were set immediately before AP mode was activated can be saved, allowing the AP mode settings to be restored to the previous settings. This makes it possible to return to the same connection configuration as before the operation. In addition, since the information processing device 101 sets the SSID and password of the AP to which it is connected in AP mode, no user operation is required.

[0038] [Differentiation] In this embodiment, a method of setting the same SSID as the AP to AP mode has been described, but a predetermined unique SSID and password may be stored in the ROM 254 of the printer 102. When a wireless communication error occurs, the printer 102 performs the SSID search in S105 of Figure 4 based on the unique SSID and password stored in the ROM 254. On the other hand, in S108, the information processing device 101 sets the unique SSID and password shared with the printer 102, which have been stored in advance, to AP mode, thereby enabling the creation of a virtual AP with a different SSID from AP 103. Since the printer 102 also performs a search based on the unique SSID, it can detect the SSID in the same way as in S109 of Figure 2.

[0039] Furthermore, the method for setting a unique SSID and password in the AP mode of the information processing device 101 may be performed manually by the user. Alternatively, it may be performed automatically by the application 351 stored in the external storage device 206 of the information processing device 101 that performs printing, or by the application after it detects a communication failure. With the latter configuration, the virtual AP launched by the information processing device 101 and the printer can connect peer-to-peer, enabling the execution of print commands without any user intervention.

[0040] Furthermore, although the acquisition of wireless setting information in S107 in Figure 4 of this embodiment was described as being obtained from the ROM 204 of the information processing device 101, it is also possible to configure the user to manually enter a password. This makes it possible to execute this embodiment even if the acquisition of wireless setting information in S107 in Figure 4 is not possible. In addition, when AP mode is started and the virtual AP is launched, the information processing device 101 may display a message to the user indicating that the connection to the printer has been switched from a connection via AP 103 to a direct connection.

[0041] <<Embodiment 2>> In this embodiment, the information processing device 101 functions in AP mode and is simultaneously connected to AP 103, thereby enabling tethering. The configuration of the communication system is the same as in Embodiment 1. That is, in this embodiment, AP mode is enabled on the information processing device 101 in Embodiment 1, and it is already functioning as a virtual AP. In this embodiment, in addition to the information processing device 101, there are other information processing devices in the communication system that use the information processing device 101 as a virtual AP. Therefore, the information processing device 101 is referred to as information processing device A, and the other information processing devices are referred to as information processing device B.

[0042] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram of wireless connection repair when the information processing device of this system is using AP mode. As shown in Figure 1(a), AP103 is assumed to have established communication with information processing device A and printer 102. The SSID of the wireless configuration information used by information processing device A when communicating wirelessly with AP103 is SSID1, and the password is PASSWORD1. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 1(b), the communication between printer 102 and AP103 is assumed to have entered a wireless communication error state. Information processing device B is assumed to be communicating wirelessly with virtual AP2, which information processing device A has started using AP mode. The SSID of the wireless configuration information used in this AP mode is SSID2, and the password is PASSWORD2.

[0043] The processes from S201 to S207 in Figure 5 are the same as those from S101 to S107 in Figure 4, so their explanation is omitted. In order to unify the processes of S101-S107 and S201-S207, in this embodiment as well, S101-S107 in Figure 1 may be executed, and then the application 351 may determine whether or not AP mode has already been enabled in the information processing device 101. If it has been enabled, the process may branch to S208; if it has not been enabled, the process may branch to S108.

[0044] In S208, application 351 obtains the wireless configuration information for AP103 from information processing device A. This wireless configuration information refers to AP103's SSID1 and PASSWORD1. In S209, application 351 saves (or backs up) SSID2 and PASSWORD2, which are set as the wireless configuration information for AP mode on information processing device A, to RAM205 of information processing device A. In S210, application 351 sets the same SSID1 and PASSWORD1 obtained in S208 for AP103's wireless configuration information to AP mode on information processing device A and starts up virtual AP1.

[0045] Steps S211 to S212 are the same as steps S110 to S111 in Figure 4. In this step, the connection between the information processing device A and the printer 102 is established.

[0046] In response to the change in the AP mode setting of information processing device A in S210, information processing device B disconnects from virtual AP2, which was started in AP mode by information processing device A. In S213, information processing device B performs an SSID search based on the SSID2 of virtual AP2. Information processing device B continues to perform the SSID search until a matching SSID is found. Processes S214 to S220 are the same as those from S112 to S118 in Figure 4 described above. As a result of the processes from S214 to S220, information processing device A connects to printer 102 and sends a print command (print job) to printer 102. Furthermore, the print port for sending print commands to printer 102 is restored to the print port that was used when communicating with printer 102 via AP103. As a result, information processing device A returns to a state where it can connect to printer 102 via AP103 once communication between AP103 and printer 102 is restored.

[0047] In S221, application 351 retrieves the same SSID2 and PASSWORD2 that were used when it was communicating with information processing device B, which was stored in S209, and changes the AP mode setting. In S222, information processing device B detects the virtual AP2 configured in the AP mode of S221 and resumes communication.

[0048] As described above, this embodiment enables direct communication with the printer 102 by replacing the wireless configuration information of the virtual AP of the information processing device, which originally functioned as a virtual AP, with the wireless configuration information of the AP that the printer 102 was communicating with. Therefore, even if communication with the printer 102 via AP 103 is interrupted, communication with the printer 102 can still be performed. As a result, even if there is a problem with communication with the printer 102 via AP 103, the information processing device 101 can send a print job to the printer 102 and print can be executed.

[0049] Furthermore, after direct communication with printer 102, the functionality with the virtual AP can be restored by reconfiguring the original wireless settings information for the AP that was saved.

[0050] Furthermore, variations of Embodiment 1 can also be applied to this embodiment.

[0051] <<Embodiment 3>> The configuration of the communication system is almost the same as in Embodiment 1. However, in this embodiment, the system includes two APs (AP1 and AP2). In this embodiment, when communication between the information processing device and the printer connected in infrastructure mode becomes impossible due to AP replacement or the like, the printer is configured to wirelessly configure the new AP via a temporary connection using the AP mode of the information processing device.

[0052] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing the process of configuring the printer via a temporary connection using AP mode when communication between the information processing unit and the printer becomes impossible due to AP replacement or other reasons in this system. As shown in Figure 1(a), AP103 is assumed to have established communication with both the information processing unit 101 and the printer 102. In this embodiment, there are two APs, so the AP103 currently in use will be called AP1, and the new AP after replacement will be called AP2. Application 351 saves the wireless configuration information, SSID1 and PASSWORD1, used when communicating wirelessly with AP1, along with the printer 102 information, to the updatable ROM 204 in the information processing unit 101. This saving process is performed when the printer driver is installed or when application 351 completes printing or other operations. This printer 102 information is used to identify the target printer and includes the print queue 302 information.

[0053] In Figure 7, the printing system 301 and application 351 are executed by the CPU 203 of the information processing device 101. The printer 102's processing is executed by its CPU 255.

[0054] Before the sequence shown in Figure 7, the user removes AP1 from the system, for example by turning off its power, and then powers on AP2 to make it usable. At this stage, the SSID and password, which are the wireless connection settings for AP2, are known to the user. Also, as with embodiments 1 and 2, the printing system 301 in Figure 7 includes OS-provided functions that are not included in the printing system 301 shown in Figure 3, such as manual input acceptance, message display, and communication control.

[0055] In S401, the user makes changes to the wireless connection settings on the information processing device 101. That is, in S401, the information processing device 101 accepts input for changing wireless setting information, including the SSID and password. For example, this could be the case when a user replaces an old router (AP1) with a new router (AP2). Here, we assume that the user manually selects SSID2, which is the SSID of AP2, and enters PASSWORD2 as the password.

[0056] In S402, the printing system 301 of the information processing device 101 performs wireless communication with AP2. As a result, the wireless configuration information of AP2, SSID2 and PASSWORD2, is stored in the ROM 204 of the information processing device 101. At this time, since the information processing device 101 has lost wireless communication with AP1, it is unable to send print commands (print jobs) to the printer 102. Therefore, the processes from S403 to S409 are the same as those from S101 to S107 in Figure 4, so the explanation is omitted. In S408, the application 351 performs the process shown in Figure 6 to determine whether or not to enable AP mode.

[0057] When the print port settings are saved in S409, application 351 obtains wireless configuration information from the information processing device 101 in S410. The wireless configuration information here refers to SSID2 and PASSWORD2, which are the wireless configuration information for AP2. In S411, application 351 uses the AP mode of the information processing device 101 to set SSID1 and PASSWORD1, which were stored in the ROM 204 of the information processing device 101 as described above, as wireless configuration information. At this point, AP mode is enabled, but if necessary to reconfigure the wireless configuration information, AP mode may be disabled and then re-enabled with the new wireless configuration information. Of course, if AP mode can be continued by simply reconfiguring the wireless configuration information, that may be done instead. The process from S412 to S413 is the same as S110 to S111 in Figure 4, so a detailed explanation is omitted. In S413, the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 are connected via the virtual AP of the information processing device 101.

[0058] In S414, application 351 sends the SSID2 and PASSWORD2, which are the wireless configuration information for AP2 obtained in S410, to printer 102. Specifically, the printer is configured by sending a Managed Information Base (MIB) containing the SSID and password using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). In this embodiment, the SNMP protocol was used for explanation, but a configuration using a different protocol for communication is also possible.

[0059] In S415, the printer 102 disconnects the wireless communication with the virtual AP launched in AP mode on the information processing device 101 after receiving the wireless configuration information in S414. In S416, the printer 102 sets the SSID2 and PASSWORD2, which are the wireless configuration information received in S414, as the wireless configuration information for the printer 102 and uses them to perform wireless communication with AP2. In S417, the application 351 checks for connectivity with the printer 102. If communication with the printer 102 is successful, the connection between the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 via AP2 is established. Here, we assume that communication with the printer 102 was successful via AP2. The processes from S418 to S423 are the same as those from S112 to S117 in Figure 4, so the explanation is omitted. However, in Embodiment 1, the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 were connected without going through AP103, whereas in this embodiment, the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 are connected via AP2. In S424, application 351 disables the AP mode of the information processing device 101. Note that disabling the AP mode may be done after it has been confirmed in S417 that communication with the printer 102 is possible.

[0060] According to the embodiment described above, if the AP to which the information processing device 101 is connected changes, the SSID and password of the AP that was used when the printer 102 was able to connect are stored. This allows the same SSID and password to be set in the AP mode of the information processing device 101, and the virtual AP started in AP mode and the printer 102 can communicate wirelessly peer-to-peer. Furthermore, by sending the wireless setting information of the AP to which the information processing device 101 is connected to the printer 102, the printer 102 can connect wirelessly to the AP to which the information processing device 101 is connected based on the received wireless setting information. As a result, the information processing device 101 and the printer 102 can communicate via the new AP, and a print command can be sent by resetting the print port. In addition, even if the power to the printer 102 is turned off, the wireless setting information is stored in the ROM 254 of the printer 102, so when it is restarted, it will connect to the new AP and no wireless communication error will occur.

[0061] Furthermore, although this embodiment assumes the replacement of an AP, it can also be applied to interruptions in communication with the AP due to the movement of the information processing device. Many modern information processing devices are physically portable. Therefore, it is conceivable that the physical distance between the information processing device 101 and the AP 103 may increase. As a measure to avoid communication interruptions in such cases, the location information acquisition device 212 of the information processing device 101 is used to store the location information in the ROM 204 of the information processing device 101 when it is in a state where it can communicate with the printer 102. This can be done, for example, periodically. Then, by comparing the stored location information with the location information at the time the wireless communication error occurred, if it is determined that the physical distance exceeds a certain threshold, the switching of the printer's communication partner according to Embodiments 1 to 3 is not performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the distance between the location of the stored location information and the location at the time the wireless communication error occurred is within a certain threshold, the switching of the printer's communication partner according to Embodiments 1 to 3 is performed. This makes it possible to determine that the physical distance between the information processing device and the AP is large and to avoid performing this embodiment more than necessary.

[0062] [Other examples] The above describes a configuration in which the information processing device 101 starts operating in AP mode via tethering based on an error occurring in the communication of a print execution command. However, the trigger for the information processing device 101 to start operating in AP mode via tethering is not limited to an error occurring in the communication of a print execution command. The trigger may also be an error occurring in other communications. Alternatively, the trigger may be, for example, that the printer 102 was not found by a search performed by the information processing device 101. Specifically, the information processing device 101 establishes a direct connection with the printer 102 operating in connection setting mode and transmits wireless setting information to the printer 102 for connecting to an external AP. The printer 102, having received the wireless setting information, attempts to connect to the AP using the wireless setting information. After transmitting the wireless setting information, the information processing device 101 re-establishes a connection with the external AP that it was connected to before establishing the direct connection with the printer 102. Then, the information processing device 101 searches for the printer 102 connected to the network formed by the external AP via the connection with the external AP. Furthermore, if the printer 102 is not found through the search, the information processing device 101 may start operating in AP mode, enabling connection using the same SSID and password included in the wireless configuration information sent to the printer 102. If the printer 102 fails to connect to an external AP using the wireless configuration information, or if the printer 102 succeeded in connecting to an external AP using the wireless configuration information but the connection was lost, the printer 102 will attempt to connect to the AP again using the wireless configuration information. Therefore, as described above, by the information processing device 101 starting to operate in AP mode, a connection between the printer 102 and the information processing device 101 is established.

[0063] Furthermore, as described above, the information processing device 101 starts operating in AP mode, which allows connection using the same SSID and password as the connection information sent to the printer via tethering. However, the information processing device 101 may also start operating in AP mode, which allows connection using other SSIDs and passwords, via tethering. Specifically, for example, the information processing device 101 may notify the printer 102 of other SSIDs and passwords. The information processing device 101 may start operating in AP mode, which allows connection using other SSIDs and passwords, based on the occurrence of a trigger for the process of starting operation in AP mode via tethering. Then, if the connection to the external AP is lost, the printer 102 may attempt to connect to the AP using the other SSID and password notified by the information processing device 101. As a result, if the connection to the external AP is lost, the printer 102 will connect to the information processing device 101, which is operating in AP mode, which allows connection using other SSIDs and passwords.

[0064] 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.

[0065] ●Summary of Embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) Wireless communication means, It has control means, An information processing device having an access point function using the aforementioned wireless communication means, When a failure occurs in wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point, the control means sets predetermined wireless setting information shared with the communication device as wireless setting information for the virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. Wireless communication with the communication device is performed via the virtual access point. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 2) The information processing device described in item 1, The predetermined wireless configuration information is wireless configuration information for communication with the first access point. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 3) An information processing device as described in item 1 or 2, The predetermined wireless configuration information is different from the wireless configuration information for communication with the first access point, and is predetermined wireless configuration information that the communication device uses when a failure occurs in wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 4) An information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 3, If a failure occurs in wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point when a print job is sent from the print port, the control means saves the information of the print port, activates the access point function, recreates the print port if communication with the communication device is possible via the virtual access point, sends the print job from the print port to the communication device via the virtual access point, and restores the print port using the saved information of the print port once the print job is completed. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 5) An information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 4, The control means further determines whether the virtual access point can communicate with the communication device before activating the access point function, and activates the virtual access point based on the result of the determination. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 6) The information processing device described in item 5, The control means determines that communication with the communication device is possible on the condition that the radio frequency and encryption method supported by the communication device and the virtual access point match, and that the radio wave intensity of the signal between the communication device and the virtual access point is below a threshold. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 7) The information processing device described in item 6, The control means further determines that it can communicate with the communication device, provided that the above conditions are met and the information processing device is connected to a network outside the network including the first access point and the communication device. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 8) An information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 7, If the access point function has already been enabled before its activation, the control means sets predetermined wireless configuration information shared with the first access point as wireless configuration information for the virtual access point. Wireless communication with the communication device is performed via the virtual access point. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 9) The information processing device described in item 8, The control means further saves the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point before setting predetermined wireless configuration information shared with the first access point as the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point, and after communication with the communication device is completed, it resets the saved wireless configuration information to the virtual access point. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 10) An information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 9, The aforementioned wireless configuration information includes a service set identifier and a password. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 11) An information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 10, The aforementioned communication device is a printer. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 12) A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device as described in any one of items 1 through 11. (Item 13) A control method for an information processing device having wireless communication means and control means, and having an access point function using the wireless communication means, When the control means detects a failure in wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point, it activates the access point function by setting predetermined wireless configuration information shared with the communication device as wireless configuration information for the virtual access point realized by the access point function. Wireless communication with the communication device is performed via the virtual access point. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features. (Item 14) Wireless communication means, It has control means, An information processing device having an access point function using the aforementioned wireless communication means, The control means is When wireless communication with a communication device via the first access point is interrupted due to a change from the wireless configuration information of the first access point to the wireless configuration information of the second access point, the wireless configuration information of the first access point is set as the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. Wireless communication is performed with the communication device via the virtual access point, and the wireless configuration information of the second access point is transmitted to the communication device. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 15) The information processing device described in item 14, The control means disables the access point function if communication with the communication device becomes possible via the second access point. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 16) An information processing device as described in item 14 or 15, The system further includes means for acquiring location information indicating the location of the information processing device, The control means stores location information when communication with the communication device is possible, and if wireless communication with the communication device is interrupted, and the distance between the location information at the time the wireless communication was interrupted and the stored location information exceeds a threshold, the control means does not activate the access point function. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 17) A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device as described in any one of items 14 through 16. (Item 18) A control method for an information processing device having wireless communication means and control means, and having an access point function using the wireless communication means, When the control means detects that wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point is interrupted due to a change from the wireless configuration information of the first access point to the wireless configuration information of the second access point, it sets the wireless configuration information of the first access point as the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. The control means performs wireless communication with the communication device via the virtual access point and transmits the wireless configuration information of the second access point to the communication device. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features.

[0066] The present 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]

[0067] 101 Information processing equipment, 102 Printer, 103 Access point (AP)

Claims

1. Wireless communication means, It has control means, An information processing device having an access point function using the aforementioned wireless communication means, When a failure occurs in wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point, the control means sets predetermined wireless setting information shared with the communication device as wireless setting information for the virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. Wireless communication with the communication device is performed via the virtual access point. An information processing device characterized by the following:

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The predetermined wireless configuration information is wireless configuration information for communication with the first access point. An information processing device characterized by the following:

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The predetermined wireless configuration information is different from the wireless configuration information for communication with the first access point, and is predetermined wireless configuration information that the communication device uses when a failure occurs in wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device. An information processing device characterized by the following:

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, If a failure occurs in wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point when a print job is transmitted from the print port, the control means saves the information of the print port, activates the access point function, recreates the print port if communication with the communication device is possible via the virtual access point, sends the print job from the print port to the communication device via the virtual access point, and restores the print port using the saved information of the print port once the print job is completed. An information processing device characterized by the following:

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The control means further determines whether the virtual access point can communicate with the communication device before activating the access point function, and activates the virtual access point based on the result of the determination. An information processing device characterized by the following:

6. An information processing device according to claim 5, The control means determines that communication with the communication device is possible on the condition that the radio frequency and encryption method supported by the communication device and the virtual access point match, and that the radio wave intensity of the signal between the communication device and the virtual access point is below a threshold. An information processing device characterized by the following:

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6, The control means further determines that it can communicate with the communication device, provided that the above conditions are met and the information processing device is connected to a network outside the network including the first access point and the communication device. An information processing device characterized by the following:

8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, If the access point function is already enabled, the control means sets predetermined wireless configuration information shared with the first access point as wireless configuration information for the virtual access point. Wireless communication with the communication device is performed via the virtual access point. An information processing device characterized by the following:

9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 8, The control means further saves the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point before setting predetermined wireless configuration information shared with the first access point as the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point, and after communication with the communication device is completed, it resets the saved wireless configuration information to the virtual access point. An information processing device characterized by the following:

10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned wireless configuration information includes a service set identifier and a password. An information processing device characterized by the following:

11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned communication device is a printer. An information processing device characterized by the following:

12. A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A control method for an information processing device having wireless communication means and control means, and having an access point function using the wireless communication means, When the control means detects a failure in wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point, it activates the access point function by setting predetermined wireless configuration information shared with the communication device as wireless configuration information for the virtual access point realized by the access point function. Wireless communication with the communication device is performed via the virtual access point. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features.

14. Wireless communication means, It has control means, An information processing device having an access point function using the aforementioned wireless communication means, The control means is When wireless communication with a communication device via the first access point is interrupted due to a change from the wireless configuration information of the first access point to the wireless configuration information of the second access point, the wireless configuration information of the first access point is set as the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. Wireless communication is performed with the communication device via the virtual access point, and the wireless configuration information of the second access point is transmitted to the communication device. An information processing device characterized by the following:

15. An information processing apparatus according to claim 14, The control means disables the access point function if communication with the communication device becomes possible via the second access point. An information processing device characterized by the following:

16. An information processing apparatus according to claim 14, The system further includes means for acquiring location information indicating the location of the information processing device, The control means stores location information when communication with the communication device is possible, and if wireless communication with the communication device is interrupted, and the distance between the location information at the time the wireless communication was interrupted and the stored location information exceeds a threshold, the control means does not activate the access point function. An information processing device characterized by the following:

17. A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

18. A control method for an information processing device having wireless communication means and control means, and having an access point function using the wireless communication means, When the control means detects that wireless communication with the communication device via the first access point is interrupted due to a change from the wireless configuration information of the first access point to the wireless configuration information of the second access point, it sets the wireless configuration information of the first access point as the wireless configuration information of the virtual access point realized by the access point function, thereby enabling the access point function. The control means performs wireless communication with the communication device via the virtual access point and transmits the wireless configuration information of the second access point to the communication device. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features.

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