Information processing device, control method, and program

Abstract

The objective is to improve the usability of application programs that perform processing to transmit information for connecting communication devices to access points. [Solution] The problem is solved by providing a program that causes a computer of an information processing device equipped with a predetermined operating system (OS) to execute a first search step of searching for a communication device using the OS, a first acquisition step of obtaining a first value from the OS which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device, and a first display control step of displaying a first notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, based on the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A known configuration is such that an information processing apparatus such as a smartphone transmits information for connecting to an access point to a communication apparatus such as a printer, whereby the communication apparatus uses the information to connect to the access point. Patent Document 1 describes that the information processing apparatus transmits information to the communication apparatus, thereby setting a connection mode for determining a connection form between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus in the communication apparatus.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As configurations for transmitting information for connecting a communication apparatus to an access point have become widespread, there is a demand for improving the usability of application programs that execute processing for transmitting information for connecting the communication apparatus to the access point.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the usability of an application program that executes processing for transmitting information for connecting a communication apparatus to an access point.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The present invention relates to a predetermined application program that causes a computer of an information processing device equipped with a predetermined operating system (OS) to execute: a first search step of searching for a communication device using the OS; a first acquisition step of obtaining a first value from the OS which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device; a first display control step of displaying a first notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, based on the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold; a second display control step of displaying a password input screen that accepts input from a user for a password to connect to an access point outside the information processing device; and a first transmission step of transmitting setting information, including at least the password entered by the user on the password input screen, to the communication device via the connection between the information processing device and the communication device, wherein the first notification screen is displayed at any time between the execution of the first search step and the display of the password input screen, and when the setting information is received by the communication device, the communication device connects to the access point using the setting information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the usability of an application program that performs processing for transmitting information for connecting a communication device to an access point can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example of a communication system. [Figure 2] This is an example of a configuration diagram for terminal and communication equipment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 4] This is an example of a screen for direct connection. [Figure 5]This is an example of a password entry screen. [Figure 6] This is an example of a password confirmation screen. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 8] This is an example of a confirmation screen. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 11] This is an example of a password confirmation screen. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 13] This is an example of a screen used to check signal strength. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 15] This is an example of a screen used to check signal strength. [Figure 16] This is an example of a screen that displays a list of APs (Application Programmers). [Figure 17] The first example shows a screen displaying password verification methods in a chat format. [Figure 18] This is an example of a password confirmation screen. [Figure 19] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 20] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 21] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a terminal device using the first application. [Figure 22] This is an example of a screen used to check signal strength. [Figure 23]This is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a terminal device using a first application. [Figure 24] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a terminal device using a first application. [Figure 25] This is an example of a screen for checking radio wave intensity. [Figure 26] This is an example of a screen for checking radio wave intensity. [Description of Embodiments]

[0009] <First Embodiment> An information processing apparatus and a communication apparatus included in the communication system of the present embodiment will be described. The information processing apparatus is also referred to as a terminal device. In the present embodiment, a smartphone is exemplified as the information processing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As the information processing apparatus, various devices such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a digital camera can be applied. Further, in the present embodiment, a printer is exemplified as the communication apparatus. The printer may be an inkjet printer that performs printing with ink, or a laser beam printer that performs printing with toner. Further, the printer may be a full-color printer capable of color printing, or a monochrome printer that is not capable of color printing but capable of monochrome printing. Note that in the present embodiment, the communication apparatus is not limited to a printer, and any device capable of performing wireless communication with the information processing apparatus can be applied as the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus can also be applied to, for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a smartphone, a PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, a robot vacuum cleaner, an automatic cooking pot, a refrigerator, and the like. In addition, the present invention is also applicable to a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a FAX function, and a printing function.

[0010] First, the system configuration for realizing this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system of this embodiment. This system includes a communication device 151, a terminal device 101, an access point (AP) 131, and an external server 171.

[0011] Terminal device 101 is an information processing device of this embodiment. Communication device 151 is a communication device of this embodiment. AP131 is an access point activated by an external device located outside terminal device 101 and outside communication device 151. The external device is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router. External server 171 is a server that can provide services to devices connected to AP131 via the Internet.

[0012] In a situation where AP131 is connected to communication device 151 and terminal device 101, the LAN formed by AP131 includes AP131, communication device 151, and terminal device 101. On the other hand, the WAN (Wide Area Network) includes AP131 and external server 171.

[0013] In this embodiment, terminal device 101 can communicate with communication device 151 via AP 131 if the infrastructure connection described later is established. Furthermore, terminal device 101 can communicate directly with communication device 151 without going through AP 131 if the direct connection described later is established. In the following, connection to AP refers to connection to the network formed by AP. Note that one external device may activate multiple APs, and one external device may be able to form multiple networks simultaneously.

[0014] In this embodiment, the connection 141 between the terminal device 101 and AP131, and the connection 142 between the communication device 151 and AP131, are assumed to be connections based on the IEEE 802.11 series standard. Specifically, the communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 series standard is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark). The connection 143 between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 is also assumed to be a connection based on the IEEE 802.11 series standard. However, the communication method used for connection 143 is not limited to this form. That is, for example, it may be Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE), Bluetooth Classic, Wi-Fi Aware, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. AP131 and the external server 171 can communicate via the internet, and when AP131 is connected to the internet, devices connected to AP131 (terminal device 101 and communication device 151) can also use the internet. The connection 141 between terminal device 101 and AP131, and the connection 142 between communication device 151 and AP131, may be a wired LAN connection.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the information processing device of this embodiment and the communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram in Figure 2. In addition, the following configuration is described as an example in this embodiment, but this embodiment is applicable to devices that can communicate with a communication device and does not particularly limit the functions as shown in this figure.

[0016] The terminal device 101 includes an input interface 102, a CPU 103, a ROM 104, a RAM 105, an external storage device 106, an output interface 107, a display unit 108, a wireless communication unit 109, a short-range wireless communication unit 110, a camera 111, a wired communication unit 112, and the like. The CPU 103, ROM 104, RAM 105, etc. form the computer of the terminal device 101.

[0017] The input interface 102 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, touch panel, etc. Alternatively, the output interface 107 (described later) and the input interface 102 may have the same configuration, allowing for screen output and acceptance of user operations to be performed using the same configuration.

[0018] The CPU 103 is a system control unit that controls the entire terminal device 101. In this embodiment, the CPU 103 performs control of the display content (display control) on the display unit 108.

[0019] ROM 104 stores fixed data such as control programs executed by CPU 103, data tables, and operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) programs. In this embodiment, each control program stored in ROM 104 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in ROM 104. In this embodiment, ROM 104 stores a predetermined application program (app) for controlling the communication device 151. An application program is, in other words, application software. The predetermined app is installed on the terminal device 101 from an external source, for example, by a store app for installing various apps. The predetermined app is an app provided by the vendor of the communication device 151. In this embodiment, the predetermined app is an app for communicating with the communication device 151 and configuring the connection settings for the communication device 151. Hereinafter, the predetermined app will be referred to as the first app. The first app may have functions other than the function for configuring the connection settings for the communication device 151. Other functions specifically include, for example, a function to send a print job to the communication device 151 to perform printing (print job sending function), and a function to send a scan job to the communication device 151 to perform scanning (scan job sending function). In this embodiment, the processes described as being performed by the OS are, more precisely, processes that the CPU 103 performs according to a program within the OS. Similarly, the processes described as being performed by the application are, more precisely, processes that the CPU 103 performs according to a program within the application.

[0020] RAM 105 consists of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and other components that require a backup power supply. Since RAM 105's data is held by a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, important data such as program control variables can be stored without being lost. RAM 105 also includes a memory area for storing configuration information and management data for the terminal device 101. Furthermore, RAM 105 is used as both the main memory and work memory for the CPU 103.

[0021] The external storage device 106 contains various programs, such as a print information generation program that generates print information that can be interpreted by the communication device 151, and an information transmission and reception control program that transmits and receives information with the communication device 151 connected via the wireless communication unit 109. The external storage device 106 also stores various information used by these programs, as well as image data obtained from other information processing devices and the Internet.

[0022] The output interface 107 is an interface that controls the display unit 108 to display data and notify the status of the terminal device 101.

[0023] The display unit 108 is composed of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays), and displays data and notifies the status of the terminal device 101. Alternatively, a soft keyboard with keys such as numerical input keys, mode setting keys, select keys, cancel keys, and power keys may be installed on the display unit 108 to accept user input via the display unit 108. In this embodiment, the display unit 108 is a touch panel and can accept user input using a finger, pen, or other control device.

[0024] The wireless communication unit 109 is configured to wirelessly connect to devices such as the communication device 151 and AP 131 to perform data communication. For example, the wireless communication unit 109 may communicate directly with the communication device 151 wirelessly, or it may communicate via AP 131 located outside the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the wireless communication unit 109 is Wi-Fi, which is a communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, but Bluetooth Classic or the like may also be used. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN is defined as a Wi-Fi network. In this embodiment, a connection method in which the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 are directly connected without going through an external AP is called a direct connection. A connection method in which the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 are connected via an external AP is called an infrastructure connection.

[0025] The short-range wireless communication unit 110 is configured to perform data communication with devices such as the communication device 151 using a short-range wireless communication method, and communicates using a different communication method than the wireless communication unit 109. The short-range wireless communication unit 110 can connect to the short-range wireless communication unit 157 within the communication device 151. Examples of communication methods for the short-range wireless communication unit 110 include BLE, Bluetooth Classic, Wi-Fi Aware, and NFC.

[0026] The imaging device 111 is a device that converts images captured by the image sensor into digital data. The digital data is first stored in the RAM 105. Then, a program executed by the CPU 103 converts it into a predetermined image format and saves it as image data to the external storage device 106.

[0027] The wired communication unit 112 is configured to connect via a wire to devices such as the communication device 151 and AP131 to perform data communication. For example, the wired communication unit 112 communicates via a wired LAN. In this embodiment, the wired LAN communicates according to the Ethernet standard. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and the wired communication unit 112 may communicate via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. Also, for example, if the terminal device 101 is a smartphone, the terminal device 101 does not need to have a wired communication unit 112.

[0028] The communication device 151 includes a ROM 152, RAM 153, CPU 154, print engine 155, wireless communication unit 156, short-range wireless communication unit 157, input interface 158, output interface 159, function control unit 160, display unit 161, wired communication unit 162, etc. The computer of the communication device 151 is formed by the ROM 152, RAM 153, CPU 154, etc.

[0029] The wireless communication unit 156 is configured to wirelessly connect to devices such as the terminal device 101 and AP131 to perform data communication. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the wireless communication unit 156 is Wi-Fi, which is a communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, but Bluetooth Classic or the like may also be used. The wireless communication unit 156 has AP156-a as an AP inside the communication device 151 for connecting to devices such as the terminal device 101. This AP can be connected to the wireless communication unit 109 of the terminal device 101. The wireless communication unit 156 may communicate directly with the terminal device 101 via AP156-a, or it may communicate with the terminal device 101 via AP131. Furthermore, AP156-a may be hardware that functions as an AP, or the wireless communication unit 156 may operate as AP156-a through software that functions as an AP. In addition, the communication device 151 may be able to start up multiple APs internally with different SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers) and passwords.

[0030] RAM153 consists of DRAM and other components that require a backup power supply. Since RAM153 retains data through a data backup power supply (not shown), it can store important data such as program control variables without losing them. RAM153 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU154, storing a receive buffer for temporarily saving print information received from terminal devices such as the terminal device 101, as well as various other information.

[0031] ROM 152 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU 154. In this embodiment, each control program stored in ROM 152 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt handling under the management of the embedded OS stored in ROM 152. ROM 152 also includes a memory area for storing data that needs to be retained even when power is not supplied, such as configuration information and management data for the communication device 151.

[0032] The CPU 154 is the system control unit and controls the entire communication device 151.

[0033] Based on the information stored in the print engine 155 and RAM 153, and print jobs received from terminal devices 101, etc., an image is formed on a recording medium such as paper using a recording material such as ink, and the print result is output. At this time, since the amount of data transmitted from terminal devices 101, etc. is large and high-speed communication is required, the print jobs are received via a wireless communication unit 156 that can communicate at a higher speed than the short-range wireless communication unit 157.

[0034] The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is configured to communicate with devices such as the terminal device 101 using a short-range wireless communication method. Examples of communication methods for the short-range wireless communication unit 157 include BLE, Bluetooth Classic, and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0035] The input interface 158 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and consists of a physical keyboard, buttons, touch panel, etc. Alternatively, the output interface 159 (described later) and the input interface 158 may have the same configuration, allowing for screen output and acceptance of user operations using the same configuration. The output interface 159 is an interface that controls the display unit 161 for displaying data and notifying the status of the communication device 151.

[0036] The function control unit 160 manages the operation of the functions of the communication device 151, determining whether or not to operate them simultaneously.

[0037] The display unit 161 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays), and displays data and notifies the status of the communication device 151. Alternatively, a soft keyboard with keys such as numerical input keys, mode setting keys, confirm keys, cancel keys, and power keys may be installed on the display unit 161 to accept user input via the display unit 161.

[0038] The wired communication unit 162 is configured to connect via a wire to devices such as the terminal device 101 or AP131 and perform data communication. For example, the wired communication unit 162 communicates via a wired LAN. However, it is not limited to this configuration; for example, it may communicate via a USB cable.

[0039] <About the direct connection method> Direct connection refers to a configuration in which devices connect wirelessly directly (i.e., peer-to-peer) without the need for external devices such as AP131. Direct connection is also called peer-to-peer connection (P2P connection). The communication device 151 can operate in a mode for communication via direct connection (direct connection mode) as one of its connection modes. In Wi-Fi communication, there are multiple modes for communication via direct connection, such as software AP mode and Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode.

[0040] The mode in which a direct connection is performed using WFD is called WFD mode. WFD is a standard developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance and is included in the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards. In WFD mode, after the device to be communicated with is discovered using a device discovery command, the roles of the P2P group owner (GO) and the P2P client are determined, and then the remaining wireless connection processing is performed. The group owner corresponds to the Wi-Fi base station (access point), and the client corresponds to the Wi-Fi slave station (slave device). This role determination corresponds to GO Negotiation in P2P, for example. In WFD mode, before the role determination is performed, the communication device 151 is neither a base station nor a slave station. Specifically, first, one device issues a device discovery command to the other device to search for a device to connect to in WFD mode. Once the other device to be communicated with is discovered, the two devices confirm information about the services and functions that can be supplied by each other. This confirmation of device supply information is optional and not mandatory. This equipment supply information confirmation phase corresponds, for example, to P2P Provision Discovery. Next, by confirming this equipment supply information with each other, it is determined which will be the P2P client and which will be the P2P group owner. Once the client and group owner are determined, they exchange parameters for communication using WFD. Based on the exchanged parameters, the remaining wireless connection processing and IP connection processing are carried out between the P2P client and group owner. In WFD mode, the communication device 151 may always operate as GO without performing the GO Negotiation described above. That is, the communication device 151 may operate in WFD mode, which is Autonomous GO mode. Furthermore, the state in which the communication device 151 is operating in WFD mode means, for example, a state in which the WFD connection has not been established but the communication device 151 is operating as GO, or a state in which the WFD connection has been established and the communication device 151 is operating as GO.

[0041] In software AP mode, one device (e.g., terminal device 101) acts as the client, requesting various services between the communicating devices (e.g., terminal device 101 and communication device 151). The other device implements the functions of an AP in Wi-Fi through software configuration. The software AP corresponds to the Wi-Fi base station, and the client corresponds to the Wi-Fi slave station. In software AP mode, the client searches for a device that will become a software AP using a device discovery command. Once a software AP is found, the remaining wireless connection processing (such as establishing a wireless connection) takes place between the client and the software AP, followed by IP connection processing (such as assigning an IP address). The commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the software AP should be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and their explanation is omitted here.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the communication device 151 establishes and maintains a direct connection, it operates as a master station within the network to which it belongs. A master station is a device that constructs a wireless network and provides slave stations with parameters used to connect to the wireless network. Parameters used to connect to the wireless network include, for example, parameters related to the channel used by the master station. By receiving these parameters, the slave station connects to the wireless network constructed by the master station using the channel used by the master station. In direct connection mode, since the communication device 151 operates as a master station, it is possible for the communication device 151 to determine which frequency band and which channel to use for communication in direct connection mode. In this embodiment, the communication device 151 is capable of using channels corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and channels corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in direct connection mode.

[0043] <About infrastructure connection methods> Infrastructure connection is a connection configuration in which communication devices (e.g., terminal device 101 and communication device 151) are connected to an AP (e.g., AP131) that manages the network, allowing the devices to communicate with each other via the AP. The communication device 151 can also operate in an infrastructure connection mode (infrastructure connection mode) as one of its connection modes.

[0044] In infrastructure connectivity, each device searches for an access point (AP) using an AP discovery command. Once an AP is found, the remaining wireless connection processing (establishing the wireless connection, etc.) takes place between the device and the AP, followed by IP connection processing (assigning an IP address, etc.). The commands and parameters sent and received when establishing a wireless connection between the device and the AP should be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and will not be explained here.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the communication device 151 operates in an infrastructure connection, the AP 131 operates as the master station and the communication device 151 operates as the slave station. That is, in this embodiment, the infrastructure connection refers to the connection between the communication device 151 operating as a slave station and the device operating as the master station. If the communication device 151 has established an infrastructure connection and the terminal device 101 has also established an infrastructure connection with the AP 131, then communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 is possible via the AP 131. Since the channel used for communication in the infrastructure connection is determined by the AP 131, the communication device 151 performs communication in the infrastructure connection using the channel determined by the AP 131. In this embodiment, the communication device 151 is capable of using channels corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and channels corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. The communication device 151 can also use channels corresponding to the DFS band within the 5 GHz frequency band for communication in the infrastructure connection. Furthermore, in order to communicate with the communication device 151 via AP131, the terminal device 101 recognizes and identifies that the communication device 151 belongs to the network formed by AP131 and to which the terminal device 101 belongs.

[0046] <About connection setup process> In this embodiment, the terminal device 101 performs connection settings (network settings), which are settings for operating the communication device 151 using at least one communication method from infrastructure connection and direct connection, using wireless communication with the communication device 151. The connection setting process in this embodiment is performed by wireless communication and is therefore also called cableless setup (CLS). Note that the connection setting process may also be performed by wired communication. The terminal device 101 performs the connection setting process on the communication device 151 when the first application stored in the external storage device 106 or the like is running. The communication device 151 can operate in connection setting mode (connection setting state), which is a mode for executing the connection setting process, and performs the connection setting process while operating in the connection setting mode described later. Details of the connection setting mode will be described later.

[0047] When the terminal device 101 operates the communication device 151 in infrastructure connection mode, it wirelessly transmits infrastructure configuration information, which is the configuration information for operating in infrastructure connection mode, to the communication device 151. The infrastructure configuration information includes information about AP131. Information about AP131 includes, for example, the SSID (Service Set Identifier), password, and frequency band information.

[0048] On the other hand, when the terminal device 101 operates the communication device 151 in direct connection mode, it wirelessly transmits direct configuration information, which is the configuration information for operating in direct connection mode, to the communication device 151. The direct configuration information includes instructions for enabling the WFD function and operating as a Group Owner, and for enabling the access point settings of the communication device 151. The terminal device 101 also obtains connection information necessary to directly connect with the communication device 151 from the communication device 151. The connection information for directly connecting with the communication device 151 includes, for example, information such as the SSID and password of the communication device 151 operating in direct connection mode.

[0049] In this embodiment, a direct connection for connection setup is used between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 for transmitting infrastructure setting information and direct setting information, and for obtaining information for direct connection with the communication device 151 during the connection setup process. In this embodiment, a Wi-Fi connection setup process is performed as the direct connection for connection setup, but other wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth may be used. Alternatively, wired communication standards such as wired LAN or USB (Universal Serial Bus) may be used as the direct connection for connection setup.

[0050] After the connection setup process establishes an infrastructure connection or a direct connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151, communication becomes possible between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 via the established connection. Specifically, for example, the terminal device 101 can send a print job to the communication device 151 to perform printing, or a scan job to perform scanning, via the established connection. In this embodiment, the connection setup process can operate the communication device 151 in either infrastructure connection mode or direct connection mode, but the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, the connection setup process may only allow the communication device 151 to operate in infrastructure connection mode (i.e., it may not be possible to operate the communication device 151 in direct connection mode).

[0051] <About connection settings mode> The communication device 151 can operate in connection setting mode. The trigger for the communication device 151 to start operating in connection setting mode may be, for example, the user pressing a button for connection setting mode, or the communication device 151 may be started (powered on) for the first time after arrival. The button for connection setting mode may be a hard button on the communication device 151, or a soft button displayed on the display unit 161 by the communication device 151.

[0052] When the communication device 151 starts operating in connection setting mode, it enables Wi-Fi communication. Specifically, as part of the process of enabling Wi-Fi communication, the communication device 151 enables an internal AP (connection setting AP) dedicated to connection setting mode. This makes the communication device 151 capable of establishing a direct Wi-Fi connection with the terminal device 101. At least a portion of the connection information (SSID and password) for connecting to the connection setting AP is pre-stored in the first application installed on the terminal device 101. In other words, the terminal device 101 is assumed to be aware of at least a portion of the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP in advance. Therefore, unlike the connection information of the AP enabled in direct connection mode, at least a portion of the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP cannot be arbitrarily changed by the user. Hereinafter, the connection information for connecting to the connection setting AP will be referred to as the SSID of the connection setting AP. Now, the details of the SSID of the connection setting AP in this embodiment will be described.

[0053] In this embodiment, the SSID of the AP for connection settings includes a string common to multiple models, a string common to a single identical model, and an individual string. The string common to multiple models is a string common to a predetermined model provided by a given vendor and other models provided by the same vendor. Specifically, the string common to multiple models is a string that includes a string indicating the vendor name. Note that the string indicating the vendor name is not limited to a string consisting only of the vendor name, but any string that includes the vendor name is acceptable. Furthermore, it is not limited to this form; for example, it may be a string that does not include a string indicating the vendor name but is assigned to each vendor. The string common to a single identical model corresponds to a string that is common to predetermined models provided by a given vendor, but not common to a predetermined model provided by the same vendor and other models provided by the same vendor. Hereinafter, the string common to a single identical model will be referred to as the common string for each model. Specifically, the common string for each model is a string that includes a string indicating the model name. Note that the string indicating the model name is not limited to a string consisting only of the model name, but any string that includes the model name is acceptable. Furthermore, the format is not limited to this; for example, it could be a string that does not include a string indicating the model name, but is assigned to each model.

[0054] Furthermore, individual strings refer to strings that differ for each communication device. Specifically, these include strings such as the device's serial number or random strings that differ for each communication device. However, the system is not limited to this form, and may include strings that change each time the connection setting mode is activated. In this embodiment, the order of the strings constituting the SSID of the connection setting AP is assumed to be a string common to multiple models, an individual string, and a common string for each model. However, the system is not limited to this form, and may be in any order. In this disclosure, the SSID of the connection setting AP does not necessarily have to include all three types of strings: a string common to multiple models, an individual string, and a common string for each model. For example, it may include two of the three types of strings, or it may be a string arbitrarily determined by the user.

[0055] The first application pre-stores at least a portion of the strings of the SSID, and notifies the OS of at least a portion of the strings of the SSID, causing the OS to perform a search for communication devices. In this embodiment, the string pre-stored by the first application is a string indicating the vendor name. In other words, the string indicating the vendor name is at least a portion of the strings that constitute the SSID, and is a string common to multiple models. The string pre-stored by the first application is not limited to a string common to multiple models, but may also be a common string for each model or an individual string. In this disclosure, the first application does not have to pre-store at least a portion of the strings of the SSID. Specifically, the first application may accept input of at least a portion of the strings of the SSID from the user, recognize the input string itself, and notify the OS of the string itself.

[0056] Furthermore, the AP used for connection setup may not have an encryption method set, and a password may not be required to connect to the AP. In connection setup mode, the communication device 151 may connect to the terminal device 101 via Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) instead of normal Wi-Fi. That is, the communication device 151 may operate as a Group Owner and receive setup commands from the terminal device 101 via WFD communication. In connection setup mode, the communication device may enable communication other than Wi-Fi communication, such as BLE communication. That is, the communication device 151 may perform the connection setup process using a communication method other than Wi-Fi.

[0057] <Regarding registration of communication devices to the app> In this embodiment, the first application can register the communication device 151 with the first application by obtaining information about the communication device 151 from the communication device 151. Information about the communication device 151 includes, for example, the capability information of the communication device 151, the identification information of the communication device 151 (MAC address, etc.), and the model information of the communication device 151. Specifically, the capability information of the communication device 151 includes a list of information about the functions that the communication device 151 supports, information about consumables (ink, paper) that can be used with the communication device 151, and information indicating the printing method of the communication device 151. The first application then selects one device from among the one or more communication devices 151 registered with the first application to be the communication partner of the first application. Hereinafter, the communication device 151 currently selected as the communication partner of the first application will be referred to as the selected communication device 151. The selection of the device to communicate with by the first application may be performed by accepting a selection from the user from one or more communication devices 151 registered in the first application, or it may be performed automatically by the first application according to predetermined criteria. Furthermore, the change of the device to communicate with by the first application may be performed, for example, by accepting a selection from the user from one or more communication devices 151 registered in the first application. In this embodiment, the first application sends various jobs, such as print jobs and scan jobs, to the selected communication device 151. In other words, the selected communication device 151 is the device to which various jobs are sent.

[0058] <Problems to be solved by this embodiment> As described above, in order to perform the connection setup process, the terminal device 101 needs to establish a connection with the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setup mode. However, if the radio wave strength of the wireless communication between the communication device 151 operating in connection setup mode and the terminal device 101 is weak, the connection may be easily disconnected even after it has been established. As a result, there was a problem that the connection setup process could be interrupted midway and could not be continued (Problem 1). To solve this problem, in this embodiment, a process is performed to suppress the disconnection of the connection between the communication device 151 operating in connection setup mode and the terminal device 101. Specifically, after the connection is established, the first application obtains the RSSI value (Received Signal Strength Indicator value), which is a value related to the radio wave strength of the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. Then, based on the instruction given by the first application to the OS to convert the RSSI value to a signal level value, the first application obtains the signal level value from the OS. In this process, the signal level refers to a value related to the radio wave strength of the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. Furthermore, the signal level in this process is a value represented by the OS converting the received RSSI value using an API based on the program code "calculateSignalLevel" called by the first application. In this embodiment, the signal level related to the radio wave strength of the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 is referred to as the first radio wave strength. Based on its determination that the first radio wave strength is below the first threshold, the first application displays a notification screen corresponding to the first radio wave strength being below the first threshold. More specifically, the notification screen displays text indicating that the first radio wave strength is weak and prompting the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together. The first threshold is a value based on 50% of the maximum value of the first radio wave strength. Details of the first radio wave strength will be described later.

[0059] Furthermore, in order to connect the communication device 151 to the AP through the connection setup process, the terminal device 101 receives a list of APs that the communication device 151 can connect to from the communication device 151. Alternatively, the terminal device 101 can be configured so that the user selects an AP from the APs shown in the list to which the communication device 151 can connect, and then transmits the selected AP to the communication device 151. However, in the above configuration, the user may mistakenly select an AP with weak signal strength from the AP list. As a result, the connection between the communication device 151 and the AP selected from the AP list may be easily disconnected, leading to a problem where the establishment of the connection may fail (Problem 2). To solve this problem, in this embodiment, a process is executed to suppress the disconnection of the connection between the communication device 151 and the AP selected from the AP list. Specifically, the first application obtains the signal level from the communication device 151, which is a value relating to the signal strength of the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the AP selected from the AP list. In this process, the signal level is a value relating to the signal strength of the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the AP selected from the AP list. In this embodiment, the signal level relating to the radio wave strength of the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the selected AP is referred to as the second radio wave strength. Based on the determination that the second radio wave strength is below the second threshold, a notification screen corresponding to the fact that the second radio wave strength is below the second threshold is displayed. More specifically, the notification screen displays text indicating that the second radio wave strength is weak and prompting the user to bring the communication device 151 and the selected AP closer together.

[0060] Furthermore, in order to connect the communication device 151 to the AP through the connection setup process, the terminal device 101 sends a password to the communication device 151 that will be used to connect to the AP. The communication device 151 then connects to the AP using the received password. The password sent from the terminal device 101 to the communication device 151 in this process may be the password entered by the user into the terminal device 101. In this case, the user needs to recognize the correct password and enter it into the terminal device 101. Conventionally, in order for the user to recognize the correct password and enter it into the terminal device 101, there is a form in which the first application displays a screen on the screen displayed by a specific application on the terminal device 101 that shows how to verify the correct password. Note that the specific application is an application different from the designated application, and is an application that is pre-installed on the terminal device 101 without being installed on the terminal device 101 by a store application. The specific application is a settings application for performing various settings on the terminal device 101, and is capable of performing various settings, including settings related to the Wi-Fi connection of the terminal device 101. In the following, the screen used to configure the Wi-Fi connection settings of the terminal device 101, among the various settings that the second application can execute, will be referred to as the Wi-Fi settings screen. Also, in the following, a specific application will be referred to as the second application. The second application can display a list of access points in the vicinity of the terminal device 101 on the Wi-Fi settings screen. If a password is required to connect to an access point selected from the list, the second application can accept password input from the user on the Wi-Fi settings screen. If the connection using that password is successful, the second application saves and manages various information about the access point to which the terminal device 101 connected using that password. Specifically, this information includes, for example, passwords, SSIDs, and security information. In other words, the second application has a management function that saves and manages information about the access point to which the terminal device 101 is currently connected, and information about access points to which the terminal device 101 has connected in the past.In the management function, the second application can display the password for the access point that terminal device 101 is currently connected to, as well as the passwords for access points that terminal device 101 has previously connected to, on the Wi-Fi settings screen. The user can verify the correct password for the access point by checking the password displayed by the second application. In order for the second application to display the password as described above, several operations are required on the screen displayed by the second application. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, a screen is displayed that presents the operations required to display the password by the second application. However, in the conventional configuration, only AP passwords stored by terminal device 101 could be checked on the Wi-Fi settings screen, or depending on the model of the terminal device, it was not possible to check the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen at all. Furthermore, if the AP password could not be checked on the Wi-Fi settings screen, there was a problem in that it was necessary to try a method other than the method by which the first application sends the setting information to the communication device 151 (another connection method) (Problem 3). To solve these problems, in this embodiment, terminal device 101 displays a screen that presents a method for checking the password using a method different from the method of checking the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen. Specifically, terminal device 101 displays a screen showing how to check the AP password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router's manual.

[0061] Furthermore, this disclosure does not have to solve all of the above-mentioned problems; it is sufficient if it solves any of them. In other words, it does not have to perform all of the processes that solve the above-mentioned problems; it is sufficient if it performs any of the processes that solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0062] In other words, if the system displays a notification screen corresponding to the first signal strength being below the first threshold in order to solve problem 1, then it is not necessary to display a notification screen corresponding to the second signal strength being below the second threshold in order to solve problem 2. Furthermore, if the system is configured as described above to solve problem 1, then it is not necessary to display a screen on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router manual that shows how to check the AP password in order to solve problem 3. Also, if the system is configured to display a notification screen corresponding to the second signal strength being below the second threshold in order to solve problem 2, then it is not necessary to display a notification screen corresponding to the first signal strength being below the first threshold in order to solve problem 1. Furthermore, if the system is configured as described above to solve problem 2, then it is not necessary to display a screen on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router manual that shows how to check the AP password in order to solve problem 3. Also, if the system is configured to display a screen on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router manual that shows how to check the AP password in order to solve problem 3, then it is not necessary to display a notification screen corresponding to the first signal strength being below the first threshold. Furthermore, if the configuration is designed to solve problem 3 as described above, it is not necessary to display a notification screen corresponding to the fact that the second radio wave strength is below the second threshold in order to solve problem 2.

[0063] <Regarding the processing performed by the first application in this embodiment> Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the terminal device 101 using the first application in this embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 3 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it. The flowchart of Figure 3 is started based on an operation to perform connection setting processing on the screen displayed by the first application. The flowchart of Figure 3 may also be started in response to the launch of the first application.

[0064] In S301, the first application obtains information about the AP to which the selected communication device 151 is currently connected via Wi-Fi from a storage area managed by the first application. When the first application registers the communication device 151, which has infrastructure information configured, it performs a process to confirm communication with the communication device 151, which has infrastructure information configured. During this communication confirmation, the first application obtains information about the AP to which the communication device 151 is currently connected via Wi-Fi from the communication device 151 and stores it in a storage area managed by the first application. Hereafter, the AP to which the selected communication device 151 is currently connected via Wi-Fi will be referred to as the specific AP. The information of the specific AP obtained here includes the SSID and password. The information of the specific AP can be obtained, for example, via the infrastructure connection or direct connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151. Furthermore, if terminal device 101 is not currently able to communicate with the selected communication device 151, or if the selected communication device 151 is not currently connected to an AP via Wi-Fi, information about the specific AP will not be acquired. Note that the timing at which information about the specific AP is acquired is not limited to this timing. For example, information about the specific AP may be acquired at a time before the flowchart in Figure 3 starts, based on the launch of the first application, in which case the processing of S301 is skipped.

[0065] In S302, the first application obtains and saves information about the AP to which terminal device 101 is currently connected via Wi-Fi from the OS. In other words, the AP to which terminal device 101 is currently connected via Wi-Fi is the AP to which terminal device 101 is connected when the process that triggered the start of the flowchart in Figure 3 is executed. The process that triggered the start of the flowchart in Figure 3 is the acceptance of an operation to execute the connection setting process or the launch of the first application. Hereafter, the AP to which terminal device 101 is connected via Wi-Fi at the time of S301 will be referred to as the predetermined AP. The AP information obtained here is information that the first application can obtain from the OS from among various AP-related information, specifically, for example, the SSID. If terminal device 101 is not currently connected to an AP via Wi-Fi, the information of the predetermined AP is not obtained.

[0066] In S303, the first application executes a process to establish a connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, and the terminal device 101. Specifically, the first application instructs the OS to establish a connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, and the terminal device 101. More specifically, the first application sets at least a portion of the SSID of the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, as an argument. Then, while setting at least a portion of the SSID of the communication device 151 as an argument, the first application executes a predetermined API (Application Programming Interface) to establish a connection with the terminal device 101. The OS then searches for a device with an SSID containing the string and establishes a connection between the found device (i.e., the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode) and the terminal device 101. The communication device 151 to which the terminal device 101 connects through this process is the first communication device 151 found by the search performed in the process of S303. However, the system is not limited to this form. The first application may display multiple communication devices 151 discovered by the search performed by the S303 process, and the user may select one of the displayed communication devices 151. The communication device 151 to which the terminal device 101 connects through this process may be the communication device 151 selected by the user. While a connection is established between the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101, communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 shall be performed through that connection.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first application for iOS® or iPadOS® controls the connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, and the terminal device 101 to become a Type 2 connection. Specifically, in S303, the first application for iOS executes a predetermined API while setting a flag to instruct the OS to establish a Type 2 connection. As a result, the OS establishes a Type 2 connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, and the terminal device 101. This prevents the connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, and the terminal device 101 from being disconnected even after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the first application started running in the background. If the OS of the terminal device 101 is Android OS®, all connections to the terminal device 101 established by the instructions of the first application will be Type 2 connections. Therefore, if the first application is an application for Android OS, it is not necessary to set a flag to instruct the OS to establish a Type 2 connection.

[0068] In S304, the first application performs a process to check the signal strength of the AP for connection configuration. The AP for connection configuration is the AP activated by the communication device 151 operating in connection configuration mode. Details of the process in S304 will be described later.

[0069] In S305, the first application obtains information from the communication device 151 regarding a list of APs discovered by a search performed by the communication device 151. APs discovered by a search performed by the communication device 151 are APs that the communication device 151 can connect to. APs that the communication device 151 can connect to are APs located within the communication range of the communication device 151 and corresponding to the capabilities of the communication device 151. For example, if the communication device 151 can perform 2.4GHz communication but not 5GHz communication, the list of APs indicated by the obtained information will include APs that support 2.4GHz communication but will not include APs that support 5GHz communication. The information obtained by the first application in this process includes the SSID and signal strength of each AP discovered by the search performed by the communication device 151. The signal strength of each AP discovered by the search performed by the communication device 151 refers to the signal strength of the wireless communication between each AP discovered by the search performed by the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. Furthermore, the value related to radio wave strength obtained from the communication device 151 in this process is the second radio wave strength value, which is an integer value within the range of 0 to 100. The second radio wave strength value is a value indicated based on the conversion performed by the communication device 151 of the RSSI value received by the communication device 151. The first application stores the information obtained in this process in a storage area accessible to the first application.

[0070] In S306, the first application determines whether the AP indicated by the information saved in S302 (the specified AP) is included in the list of APs indicated by the information obtained in S305. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S307; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S310.

[0071] In S307, the first application displays information about a designated AP and shows a confirmation screen to the user asking whether to set the communication device 151 to connect to the designated AP. The information displayed here is the information saved in S302, for example, the SSID of the designated AP.

[0072] In S308, the first application determines whether or not to send information about a predetermined AP to the communication device 151. In other words, this determination determines whether the user has confirmed that the communication device 151 will connect to the predetermined AP. Therefore, if an input indicating that the communication device 151 will connect to the predetermined AP is given on the confirmation screen, the determination is YES, and the predetermined AP is identified as the communication device 151's connection target. If an input indicating that the communication device 151 will not connect to the predetermined AP is given on the confirmation screen, the determination is NO. If the first application determines YES, it proceeds to S309; ​​if it determines NO, it proceeds to S314.

[0073] In S309, the first application determines whether a given AP matches a specific AP. If the given AP matches a specific AP, the first application holds the password for the given AP. Therefore, this determination determines whether the first application holds the password for the given AP. In other words, this determination determines whether the password for the given AP is stored in a storage area accessible to the first application. If the first application determines YES, it proceeds to S313 and sends the information of the given AP to the communication device 151; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S321 and displays the password input screen.

[0074] In S309, it is not necessary to determine whether the specified AP matches a specific AP. The determination performed in S309 may be a process to determine whether the specified AP is the AP corresponding to information held in a storage area accessible by the first application. In this configuration, a case where the determination is YES is, for example, a case in which, in a connection setup process previously performed by the first application, a password for connecting to the specified AP was entered by the user into the first application and sent to the communication device 151. In this configuration, a case where the determination is NO is, for example, a case in which, in a connection setup process previously performed by the first application, a password for connecting to the specified AP was never entered by the user into the first application.

[0075] In S310, which is executed when the result of S306 is NO, the first application determines whether the AP indicated by the information saved in S301 (a specific AP) is included in the list of APs indicated by the information obtained in S305. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S311; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S314.

[0076] In S311, the first application displays information about a specific AP and shows a confirmation screen to the user asking whether to set the communication device 151 to connect to that specific AP. The information displayed here is information saved in S301, such as the SSID of the specific AP.

[0077] In S312, the first application determines whether or not to send information about a specific AP to the communication device 151. In other words, this determination determines whether the user has confirmed that the communication device 151 will connect to a specific AP. Therefore, if the confirmation screen indicates that the communication device 151 will connect to a specific AP, the determination is YES, and the specific AP is identified as the communication device 151's connection target. If the confirmation screen indicates that the communication device 151 will not connect to a specific AP, the determination is NO. If the first application determines YES, it proceeds to S313; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S314.

[0078] In S313, the first application transmits information to the communication device 151 for connecting to the AP identified as the target of the communication device 151. The information transmitted here includes the SSID of the AP identified as the target of the communication device 151 and the password for connecting to the AP identified as the target of the communication device 151. In this process, the AP identified as the target of the communication device 151 is a predetermined AP that matches a specific AP, or a specific AP. That is, the password transmitted here is the password for the specific AP, and is the password obtained from the communication device 151 in S301. In other words, the password transmitted here is the password held by the first application (the password held in a storage area accessible to the first application). Therefore, after the target of the communication device 151 is identified, the first application transmits the password to the communication device 151 without accepting password input from the user. After information for connecting to the AP identified as the target for connection to the communication device 151 is sent to the communication device 151, the communication device 151 exits connection setting mode and uses the received information to connect to the AP identified as the target for connection to the communication device 151. When connection setting mode is exited, the connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 is also disconnected. The terminal device 101 reconnects to the predetermined AP, which is the AP to which the terminal device 101 was connected before connecting to the communication device 151, using the OS's reconnection function. After that, the first application proceeds to S331. However, the application is not limited to proceeding to S331; it may also proceed to a process such as S710 described later, which displays a screen for searching for the communication device 151 on the Wi-Fi network to which the terminal device 101 is connected.

[0079] S314 is executed if the result of the judgment in S308 is NO, or if the result of the judgment in S310 is NO, or if the result of the judgment in S312 is NO.

[0080] Even if the communication device 151 is not found through this search, the first application may display a screen for password verification using the second method and prompt the user to verify the AP password again. Specifically, the first application displays screen 1800 shown in Figure 18 based on the fact that the communication device 151 is not found through this search. Screen 1800 includes the SSID of the AP selected from the AP list and an area 1801 for displaying the password for the AP entered by the user. Screen 1800 also includes a button 1802 for password verification using the first method, a button 1803 for password verification using the second method, a button 1804 for other connections, a yes button 1805, and a no button 1806. Based on the operation of button 1803, the first application displays screen 1100 and prompts the user to verify the password using the second method. Furthermore, if the first application receives a password from the user to connect to an AP identified as the target of the communication device 151 and sends the password to the communication device 151, it displays screen 1800. The first application then displays screen 1100 based on the user's operation of button 1803. The first application may also be controlled so that if it sends the password to the communication device 151 without receiving a password input from the user, based on the fact that the password is saved, it does not display screens 1800 and 1100.

[0081] Then, in S314, the first application displays a list of APs indicated by the information acquired in S305. In this process, the first application uses the signal level value corresponding to each AP acquired in S305 to sort the APs in order of signal strength. Then, it displays a list of APs sorted in order of signal strength. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 16(a). Screen 1600 (list screen) includes an area 1601 showing a list of APs, an area 1602 showing the signal strength of each AP, and buttons 1603 that guide the user to other connection methods or direct connection. In area 1601, APs with strong signal strength are displayed at the top, and APs with weak signal strength are displayed at the bottom. That is, the AP displayed at the top of the list in area 1601 is the AP with the strongest signal strength among the APs displayed in the list. Also, the AP displayed at the bottom of the list in area 1601 is the AP with the weakest signal strength among the APs displayed in the list. Area 1602 includes a diagram showing the signal strength of each AP displayed in the list. Details of the diagram showing the signal strength of each AP displayed in the list are shown in Figures 16(b), (c), and (d). Figure 16(b) shows that the signal strength acquired in S305 corresponds to a signal strength between 81 percent and 100 percent of the maximum signal strength acquired in S305, which is 100. Figure 16(b) is displayed adjacent to the SSID of an AP whose signal strength value acquired in S305 was an integer value within the range of 81 to 100. Figure 16(c) shows that the signal strength acquired in S305 corresponds to a signal strength between 50 percent and 80 percent of the maximum signal strength acquired in S305, which is 100. That is, Figure 16(c) is displayed adjacent to the SSID of an AP whose signal strength value acquired in S305 was an integer value within the range of 50 to 80. Figure 16(d) shows that the radio wave intensity acquired in S305 corresponds to a radio wave intensity between 0 percent and 49 percent of the maximum radio wave intensity of 100 acquired in S305.In other words, Figure 16(d) is a diagram displayed adjacent to the SSIDs of APs whose signal strength values ​​acquired in S305 were integer values ​​within the range of 0 to 49. The first application is aware that the minimum value of the signal level acquired from the communication device 151 is 0 and the maximum value is 100. Therefore, it is possible to calculate what percentage the signal strength of each AP acquired in S305 represents of the maximum signal strength of 100 acquired in S305. If the AP that the user desires to connect to the communication device 151 is not in the list, the user operates button 1603.

[0082] In S315, the first application determines whether the direct connection button 1603 has been operated. If the first application determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S316; otherwise, it proceeds to S319.

[0083] In S316, the first application executes a process to establish a direct connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. Specifically, the first application first sends direct configuration information to the communication device 151. Then, it obtains connection information from the communication device 151 to establish a direct connection with the communication device 151. The first application then instructs the OS to establish a connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in direct connection mode, and the terminal device 101. More specifically, the first application identifies the SSID of the communication device 151, which is operating in direct connection mode, from the received connection information. The first application then executes a predetermined API to establish a connection with the terminal device 101, setting at least a part of the identified SSID string as an argument. The OS then searches for a device with an SSID containing that string and displays a confirmation screen asking whether to establish a direct connection between the found device (the communication device 151 operating in direct connection mode) and the terminal device 101. Furthermore, if the first application is an iOS application, the first application may, in this process, execute a predetermined API while setting a flag to instruct the OS to establish a connection that will not be disconnected even if the first application transitions to the background. In other words, a direct connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 may be established as a Type 2 connection. However, the process is not limited to this form, and the first application may, in this process, execute a predetermined API without setting the flag, and a direct connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 may be established as a Type 1 connection.

[0084] In S317, the first application determines whether a user action indicating the establishment of a direct connection has been performed on the confirmation screen displayed by the OS in S316. This determination is made when the first application receives a notification from the OS indicating which action has been performed on the confirmation screen displayed by the OS. If a user action indicating the establishment of a direct connection is performed, the OS establishes the direct connection; however, if a user action indicating not to establish a direct connection is performed, the OS does not establish the direct connection. If the first application determines the result is YES, it proceeds to S318; if it determines the result is NO, it proceeds to S331.

[0085] In S318, the first application displays a screen for direct connection. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 4. Screen 400 includes an SSID display area 401, a password display area 402, a password copy area 403, and a complete button 404. The SSID display area 401 is the area that displays the SSID of the communication device 151 operating in direct connection mode. The password display area 402 is the area that displays the password of the communication device 151 operating in direct connection mode. When area 403 is operated, the first application copies the password of the communication device 151 operating in direct connection mode and saves it to the clipboard of the terminal device 101. With the password of the communication device 151 operating in direct connection mode copied, the user can easily enter the password in the second application, and the second application can establish a direct connection. Screen 400 may also include messages prompting the user to establish a direct connection using the Wi-Fi settings screen displayed by the second application, and messages prompting the user to operate the complete button 404 once the direct connection has been established. If the complete button 404 is operated, the first application proceeds to S331. However, it is not limited to proceeding to S331; it may also proceed to a process such as S710 described later, which displays a screen for searching for the communication device 151 on the Wi-Fi network to which the terminal device 101 is connected.

[0086] In S319, which is executed when the result of S315 is NO, the first application determines whether any AP has been selected by the user from the displayed list of APs. If the first application determines it is YES, it identifies the selected AP as the target for connection to the communication device 151 and proceeds to S320. If it determines it is NO, it returns to S315 and waits for any operation to be accepted. Details of the processing in S320 will be described later.

[0087] In S321, the first application displays a password input screen to accept input of a password for connecting to the AP identified as the connection target of the communication device 151. The password input screen may also be displayed as a pop-up on the top of the AP list. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 5. The password input screen 500 includes an SSID display area 501, a password input box 502, and a button 503 for password confirmation using the first method. The password input screen 500 also includes a button 504 for password confirmation using the second method, a button 505 for other connection methods, an OK button 506, and a Cancel button 507. The SSID display area 501 is an area that displays the SSID of the AP identified as the connection target of the communication device 151. The password input box 502 is an area that accepts input from the user of the password for the AP identified as the connection target of the communication device 151. The button 503 for password confirmation using the first method is a button for confirming the password using the first method. The first method is to check the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen displayed by the second application. Button 504 for password confirmation using the second method is a button for checking the password using the second method. The second method is to check the AP password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router's manual. Button 505 for other connection methods is a button for displaying manuals for other connection methods. In this embodiment, other connection methods refer to connection methods other than the method by which the first application establishes a connection between the communication device 151 and other devices by sending configuration information to the communication device 151. In other words, other connection methods are methods by which the first application establishes a connection between the communication device 151 and other devices without sending configuration information to the communication device 151. As described above, the first application accepts input of the AP password from the user on screen 500. However, if the user does not know the password, the user cannot enter the password on screen 500.Therefore, in this embodiment, the screen 500 displays buttons 503, 504, and 505.

[0088] Depending on the OS version of terminal device 101, the second application may not be able to display the password for the AP to which terminal device 101 is currently connected, or the passwords for APs that terminal device 101 has connected to in the past, on the Wi-Fi settings screen. For example, if the OS of terminal device 101 is an OS version lower than the version described below, the second application cannot display the above password on the Wi-Fi settings screen. Specifically, for example, if the OS of terminal device 101 is an Android version lower than 10, an iOS version lower than 16, or an iPadOS version lower than 16, the second application cannot display the above password on the Wi-Fi settings screen. Therefore, in S321, the first application may identify the OS version of terminal device 101 and determine whether the identified version is one to which the second application cannot display the above password on the Wi-Fi settings screen. If the result of the determination is YES, the first application displays a password input screen that does not include the button 503 for password confirmation. Furthermore, if the first application's determination result is NO, it may display a password input screen including a button 503 for password confirmation. The password input screen that does not include the button 503 for password confirmation shall include other buttons and areas on screen 500. In other words, the button 504 for password confirmation using the second method and the button 504 for other connection methods shall be displayed regardless of the OS version. For example, if the first application only supports OS versions that allow the second application to display the above password on the Wi-Fi settings screen, it is not necessary to perform version determination or control to switch the display screen based on the version determination result.

[0089] In S322, the first application determines whether it has received a user response to the cancel button 507. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S314 to display a list of applications; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S323.

[0090] In S323, the first application determines whether it has received a user input to button 503 for password verification using the first method. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S324; otherwise, it proceeds to S325. Details of the processing in S324 will be described later.

[0091] In S325, which is executed when the result of S323 is NO, the first application determines whether or not it has received a user action on button 504 for password verification using the second method. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S326; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S327. Details of the process in S326 will be described later.

[0092] In S327, which is executed when the result of S325 is NO, the first application determines whether or not it has received a user input for button 505 for another connection method. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S328; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S329. Details of the processing in S328 will be described later.

[0093] In S329, the first application determines whether it has received a user input to the OK button 506 with a password entered in the password input box 502. The user can then confirm the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen according to the text displayed on the screen shown in Figure 6, based on their operation of the password confirmation button 503 using the first method. Alternatively, they can confirm the password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router's manual according to the text displayed on the screen shown in Figure 11, described later, based on their operation of the password confirmation button 504 using the second method. After confirming the password, the user can then enter the password into the password input box 502. If the user has copied the password from the Wi-Fi settings screen and saved it to the clipboard, they can also enter the password by pasting the saved password into the password input box 502. If the first application determines the result is YES, it proceeds to S330; if it determines the result is NO, it returns to S322 and waits for the user to perform any action on the password input screen 500.

[0094] In S330, the first application sends information to the communication device 151 for connecting to the AP identified as the target of the communication device 151. Specifically, the information sent includes the password entered in the password input box 502 and the SSID of the AP identified as the target of the communication device 151. After the information for connecting to the AP identified as the target of the communication device 151 is sent to the communication device 151, the communication device 151 exits connection setup mode and uses the received information to connect to the AP identified as the target of the communication device 151. As the connection setup mode is exited, the connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 is also disconnected. The terminal device 101 reconnects to the predetermined AP, which is the AP to which the terminal device 101 was connected before connecting to the communication device 151, using the OS's reconnection function. After that, the first application proceeds to S331.

[0095] In S331, the first application searches for the communication device 151 on the Wi-Fi network to which the terminal device 101 is connected. For example, if the AP identified as the connection target for the communication device 151 is a predetermined AP, both the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 will connect to the predetermined AP, and the communication device 151 will be found through this search. The cases in which the communication device 151 will not be found through this search are as follows: Firstly, for example, if the AP identified as the connection target for the communication device 151 is not a predetermined AP, and the communication device 151 connects to an AP that is not a predetermined AP. Secondly, for example, if the entered password was incorrect and the communication device 151 failed to connect to the AP. If the communication device 151 is found through this search, the application obtains information about the communication device 151 from the communication device 151 via the Wi-Fi network to which the terminal device 101 is connected, and registers the communication device 151 with the first application. At this time, the first application may automatically set the newly registered communication device 151 as the selected communication device 151. After that, the first application terminates its processing and displays its home screen.

[0096] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the terminal device 101 using the first application in this embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 12 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it. The processing in this flowchart corresponds to the processing in S304.

[0097] In S1201, the first application obtains the first radio signal strength, which is the strength of the radio waves from the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, in S303, using the first method. In this embodiment, the first radio signal strength is a signal level, which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of the wireless communication between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 to which the terminal device 101 is connected at the timing of S304. The first radio signal strength is a value obtained by the terminal device 101 by converting the strength of the radio waves received from the communication device 151 into a signal level. The communication device 151 to which the terminal device 101 is connected at the timing of S304 corresponds to the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. The details of the process for obtaining the first radio signal strength using the first method will be described below.

[0098] The first method involves the first application calling a first API to obtain information corresponding to the communication device 151 to which the terminal device 101 is connected at the timing of S304. The first API is an API called by the first application based on the program code "getConnectionInfo". By calling this API, the first application obtains information corresponding to the communication device 151 from the OS. This information includes, for example, the RSSI value, SSID, password, and frequency band information. RSSI is a value related to radio wave strength, and its unit is dBm. Once the first application obtains the information corresponding to the communication device 151 from the OS, it calls a second API to refer to the RSSI value contained in that information. The second API is an API called by the first application based on the program code "getRssi", and is a different API from the first API. The first application can then refer to the RSSI value contained in the information corresponding to the communication device 151 obtained from the OS. The first application, upon referencing the RSSI value contained in the information corresponding to the communication device 151, calls a third or fourth API to instruct the OS to convert the RSSI value referenced by the first application into a signal level value. First, the third API will be explained. The third API is an API that the first application can call based on the fact that the OS of the terminal device 101 is Android OS 11 or higher, and is an API based on the program code "calculateSignalLevel". Note that the third API is a different API from the first API and the second API. When the first application calls the third API, the OS converts the RSSI value referenced by the first application into a signal level value. The first application then obtains the signal level value from the OS. Hereinafter, this signal level will be referred to as the first signal strength. When the first application calls the third API, the value of the first signal strength will be an integer value within a range from 0, which indicates the weakest signal strength, to a predetermined value, which indicates the strongest signal strength.In other words, the minimum value of the first radio wave intensity is 0, and the maximum value is a predetermined value. The predetermined value is a non-negative integer value set by the OS.

[0099] Next, the fourth API will be explained. The fourth API is called by the first application based on the fact that the OS of the terminal device 101 is less than Android OS 11, and is an API based on the program code "calculateSignalLevel". However, the fourth API can also be called by the first application even if the OS of the terminal device 101 is Android OS 11 or higher. Furthermore, the fourth API is a different API from the first API, the second API, and the third API. When the first application calls the fourth API, the OS converts the RSSI value referenced by the first application into a signal level value. Then, the first application obtains the signal level value from the OS. When the first application calls the fourth API, the value of the first signal strength will be an integer value within a range from 0, which indicates the weakest signal strength, to a specific value, which indicates the strongest signal strength. That is, the minimum value of the first signal strength is 0, and the maximum value is a specific value. The specific value is a non-negative integer value arbitrarily set by the first application.

[0100] As mentioned above, when the first application calls the third API, the predetermined value that is the maximum value of the first signal strength is an integer value set by the OS, so the user cannot arbitrarily change the maximum value of the first signal strength. On the other hand, when the fourth API is called, the specific value that is the maximum value of the first signal strength is an integer value arbitrarily set by the first application, so the user can arbitrarily change the maximum value of the first signal strength. This difference is the main difference between the third API and the fourth API.

[0101] In this embodiment, the first application is controlled to call either the third or fourth API based on the result of determining the Android OS version. However, this disclosure is not limited to this form, and the application may call only the fourth API regardless of the OS version without determining the Android OS version.

[0102] In S1202, the first application determines whether the first signal strength is less than the first threshold.

[0103] The first threshold is a value arbitrarily set by the first application, and is based on 50% of the predetermined value or a specific value mentioned above. If the first application calls the third API in S1201, it obtains a predetermined value from the OS before performing the threshold determination in this process. If the first application determines that the first signal strength is less than the first threshold, it determines YES and proceeds to S1203. If the first application determines that the first signal strength is not less than the first threshold, it determines NO and proceeds to S1207.

[0104] In S1203, the first application displays a notification screen to inform the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 13(a). Screen 1300 is a notification screen to inform the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together. In other words, screen 1300 is a notification screen to inform the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together. Screen 1300 includes an area 1301 that displays text to inform the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together, a button 1302 for reconfirming the radio wave conditions, and a button 1303 for continuing the connection setting process. Area 1301 displays text to indicate that the first radio wave strength is weak and to prompt the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together and then reconfirm the radio wave conditions. In this process, the radio wave conditions refer to the radio wave conditions in the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. The button 1302 for reconfirming the radio wave conditions is operated by the user when they want to reconfirm the radio wave conditions in the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. In other words, the button 1302 is an item that accepts instructions to reacquire the value related to the radio wave strength of the communication device 151, which is the communication partner of the terminal device 101. Hereafter, the button 1302 may also be referred to as the button for reconfirming the radio wave conditions in the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. The button 1302 may also be referred to as the button for reacquiring the radio wave strength of the communication device 151. In this embodiment, if the first radio wave strength acquired in S1201 is less than the first threshold, the radio wave conditions are considered to be poor. In other words, this corresponds to the first radio wave strength being weak. If the user wants to reconfirm the radio wave conditions again, they operate the button 1302 for reconfirming the radio wave conditions. Furthermore, if the user wishes to continue the connection setup process without rechecking the radio wave conditions, they can operate button 1303 to continue the connection setup process.

[0105] In S1204, the first application determines whether the button 1302 for reconfirming the radio signal strength has been pressed. If the first application determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S1205; otherwise, it proceeds to S1206.

[0106] In S1205, the first application displays a screen for reconfirming the radio wave conditions. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 13(b). Screen 1310 includes text and a diagram indicating that the radio wave conditions are being reconfirmed. After displaying screen 1310, the first application returns to S1201 and executes the process of acquiring the first radio wave strength again.

[0107] In S1206, which is executed when the result of S1204 is NO, the first application determines whether the button 603 for continuing the connection setup process has been operated. If the first application determines it is YES, it terminates the process of this flowchart. If the first application determines it is NO, it returns to S1204 and determines whether the button 1302 for reconfirming the radio wave conditions has been operated.

[0108] In S1207, which is executed when the result of S1202 is NO, the first application determines whether it has displayed a notification screen to notify the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together. This notification screen is the screen displayed by the first application in S1203 when the first application determines in S1201 that the first radio wave strength is below the first threshold. If the first application determines YES, it proceeds to S1208; if it determines NO, it terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0109] In S1208, the first application displays a screen to notify the user that the signal strength is strong. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 13(c). Screen 1320 includes an area 1321 indicating that the signal strength is strong and an OK button 1322.

[0110] Area 1321 displays a message indicating that the radio signal strength has been improved. The first application terminates the process of this flowchart when the OK button 1322 is pressed.

[0111] Furthermore, the first application may continue to acquire the first signal strength while the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101 are connected. In this case, screen 1300 may not include a button 1302 for reconfirming the signal strength, and may show the strength of the continuously acquired first signal strength in a diagram, updating the diagram each time the value of the first signal strength is acquired while screen 1300 is displayed. While the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101 are connected, the first application may display 1320 each time the acquired signal strength exceeds the first threshold, and display screen 1300 each time the signal strength falls below the first threshold. In addition, the first application may set the signal strength threshold in stages and display a message corresponding to each stage on screen 1300.

[0112] In this embodiment, the process for checking the signal strength of the connection setting AP is performed at some point between the time the OS searches for the communication device 151 and the time the AP password is entered. This is because if the signal strength of the connection setting AP is weak, the connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 may be easily disconnected, which could lead to a problem where the terminal device 101 cannot send AP information to the communication device 151. Also, if the first application checks the signal strength of the connection setting AP after the AP password has been entered by the user, it may not be able to send AP information to the communication device 151 due to the low signal strength of the connection setting AP, even though the user has entered the password. In this embodiment, in order to avoid the above situation, the process for checking the signal strength of the connection setting AP is performed at the timing described above.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first application obtains a first signal strength from the OS and determines whether the obtained first signal strength is less than a first threshold, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the first application may obtain the RSSI value received by the OS and use that RSSI value to determine the threshold, or it may determine whether the first signal strength is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

[0114] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the terminal device 101 using the first application in this embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 14 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it. The processing in this flowchart corresponds to the processing in S320.

[0115] In S1401, the first application obtains the second signal strength. The second signal strength is the signal strength of the wireless communication between the AP selected from the list of APs displayed in S314 and the communication device 151, and corresponds to the signal level. The second signal strength is the radio wave emitted by the selected AP and is a value relating to the strength of the radio wave received by the communication device 151. Hereinafter, the AP selected from the list of APs displayed in S314 will be referred to as the selected AP.

[0116] First, the first application in S305 accesses the information stored in the storage area accessible to the first application, and from that storage area obtains the second signal strength, which is a value relating to the signal strength from the selected AP and is the signal level.

[0117] In S1402, the first application determines whether the second signal strength is less than the second threshold. The second threshold is a value arbitrarily set by the first application, and specifically, it is a value based on 50% of the maximum value of 100 obtained in S305.

[0118] If the first application determines the result is YES, it proceeds to S1403; if it determines the result is NO, it terminates the process in this flowchart.

[0119] In S1403, the first application displays a notification screen to inform the user to bring the selected AP and the communication device 151 closer together. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 15. Screen 1500 includes text to inform the user to bring the selected AP and the communication device 151 closer together, and a button 1501 to continue the connection setup process. The text may indicate that the radio wave conditions between the selected AP and the communication device 151 are poor, or it may prompt the user to recheck the radio wave conditions after bringing the selected AP and the communication device 151 closer together. In this process, radio wave conditions refer to the radio wave conditions in the wireless communication between the selected AP and the communication device 151. In this embodiment, if the second radio wave strength obtained in S305 is less than the second threshold, the radio wave conditions are considered poor. In other words, this corresponds to the second radio wave strength being weak. Screen 1500 may also include a button to obtain the second radio wave strength again. Based on the operation of this button, the first application determines whether the second signal strength is below the second threshold, and if it is below the second threshold, it displays screen 1500 again. Note that screen 1500 may also include a button to allow the user to re-select the AP to which the communication device 151 will connect from the AP list. Based on the operation of this button, the first application displays screen 1500 again.

[0120] In this embodiment, the process for checking the signal strength of the selected AP is displayed at some point between the time the connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 is established and the time the setting information corresponding to any AP is transmitted to the communication device.

[0121] In S1404, the first application determines whether button 1303 for continuing the connection setup process has been pressed. If the first application determines YES, it terminates the process in this flowchart; if it determines NO, it returns to S1404 and waits for the user to make any operation on screen 1500. Alternatively, if the first application determines YES in this process, it may not terminate the process in this flowchart, but instead continuously acquire the second signal strength during the connection setup process, and display screen 1500 each time the second signal strength falls below the second threshold.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first application obtains a second signal strength from the communication device 151 in S305 and determines whether the obtained second signal strength is less than the second threshold, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the first application may obtain the RSSI value of the selected AP from the communication device 151 and use that RSSI value to determine the threshold. Alternatively, the first application may perform a process to convert the RSSI value obtained from the communication device 151 into a signal level and use that signal level to determine the threshold.

[0123] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the terminal device 101 using the first application in this embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 9 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it. The processes in this flowchart correspond to processes S324 and S1003.

[0124] In S901, the first application displays a screen for password verification using the first method. In this embodiment, the screen for password verification using the first method is a predetermined screen that shows a method for verifying the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen displayed by the second application. Examples of screens displayed in this process are shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). In this embodiment, the screen for password verification using the first method, and the screen for password verification using the second method described later, are not web pages displayed via internet communication by a web browser. That is, they are screens displayed on the first application based on information that the first application already possesses. A web browser is, for example, an internal browser of the first application or a browser of a browser application different from the first application. However, the form is not limited to this, and the screen for password verification may be a web page displayed by a web browser. Also, the screen for password verification may be displayed as a pop-up at the top of the AP list.

[0125] Here, we will describe the process when the OS of terminal device 101 is Android OS. Figure 6(a) is a password confirmation screen that is displayed when the OS of terminal device 101 is Android OS and the first application is an application for Android OS. Screen 600 includes an area 601 that shows a method for checking the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen displayed by the second application compatible with Android OS (hereinafter referred to as the first password confirmation method). Screen 600 also includes a button 602 for displaying the Wi-Fi settings screen by the second application, a button 603 for password confirmation using the second method, a button 604 for other connection methods, and an OK button 605. Area 601 displays text indicating the first password confirmation method, which shows the operation for checking the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen compatible with Android OS. Specifically, for example, text is displayed that shows how to open the Wi-Fi settings screen and how to select the wireless LAN router (Wi-Fi router) that has the AP identified as the connection target of communication device 151 running. Furthermore, for example, text is displayed indicating that the user should tap the share button to display the password of the selected router on the Wi-Fi settings screen. Area 601 may also display the SSID of the AP identified as the connection target of the communication device 151. In other words, the SSID of the AP identified as the connection target of the communication device 151 is the SSID of the AP corresponding to the password to be checked on the Wi-Fi settings screen. Area 601 also displays text indicating that the user should copy the password displayed on the Wi-Fi settings screen and paste the copied password back into the first app. Area 601 may also display text prompting the user to return to the first app (bring the first app back to the foreground) after checking the password. Note that depending on the type of terminal device 101 (type of Android device), the function to check the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen may not be available. Also, depending on the type of terminal device 101, the function to copy the password displayed on the Wi-Fi settings screen may not be available.Therefore, screen 600 may include a message indicating this. Also, screen 600 may include a message prompting the user to check the password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router's manual if the password could not be found on the Wi-Fi settings screen. Also, screen 600 may include a message prompting the user to try other connection methods. As described above, the first app shows on screen 600 how to check the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen. However, if the user is unable to check the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen according to the text displayed on screen 600, the user will not be able to recognize the AP password and will not be able to enter the password on screen 500. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to area 601, screen 600 displays a button 603 and a button 604 for other connections.

[0126] In S902, a designated application determines whether the button 602, which is used to display the Wi-Fi settings screen by the second application, has been pressed. If the first application determines the answer is YES, it proceeds to S903; if it determines the answer is NO, it proceeds to S904.

[0127] In S903, the designated application launches the second application and executes a process to display the Wi-Fi settings screen in the second application. When the Wi-Fi settings screen is displayed, the first application moves to the background. If the back button on the terminal device 101 is pressed on the screen displayed by the second application, the first application moves back to the foreground and returns to S901 to display the password verification screen using the first method.

[0128] In S904, which is executed when the result of S902 is NO, the first application determines whether the button 603 for password verification using the second method has been operated. Note that button 603 is the same button as the button 504 for password verification using the second method included in the password input screen 500. If the first application determines that the result is YES, it proceeds to S905; if it determines that the result is NO, it proceeds to S906. Details of the processing in S905 will be described later. Note that S905 is the same processing as S326 and will be described later.

[0129] In S906, which is executed when the result of S904 is NO, the first application determines whether button 604 for other connection methods has been operated. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S907; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S908. Note that the same process is executed in S907 and S328. The details of the process in S907 are the same as in S328 and will be described later.

[0130] In S908, which is executed when the result of S906 is NO, the first application determines whether the OK button 605 has been pressed. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S321; if it determines it is NO, it returns to S901 and displays a screen for password verification using the first method.

[0131] Next, we will describe the process when the OS of terminal device 101 is iOS or iPadOS. Figure 6(b) is a password confirmation screen that is displayed when the OS of terminal device 101 is iOS or iPadOS and the first application is an application for iOS or an application for iPadOS. Screen 610 includes an area 611 that shows a method for checking the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen displayed by a second application compatible with iOS or iPadOS (hereinafter referred to as the second password confirmation method). Screen 610 also includes a button 612 for password confirmation using the second method and an OK button 613. Area 611 displays text indicating the second password confirmation method, which shows the operation for checking the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen compatible with iOS or iPadOS. Screen 610 may also display the SSID of the AP identified as the connection target of the communication device 151. Area 611 may also display text prompting the user to return to the first application (bring the first application back to the foreground) after confirming the password.

[0132] A user who has seen the document launches the second application from the home screen of terminal device 101 and performs the operations indicated in the document to confirm the password. After confirming the password, the user runs the first application in the foreground again, operates button 613, and enters the password on the password input screen 500 displayed by the first application. Note that all terminal devices equipped with a specified version or higher of iOS or iPadOS are equipped with a function to confirm the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen. Therefore, unlike screen 600, screen 610 does not include buttons for other connection methods. Thus, in this embodiment, if the OS of terminal device 101 is iOS or iPadOS, the process proceeds to S908 without executing processes for other connection methods such as S906 and S907. However, the embodiment is not limited to this form, and screen 610 may also include buttons for other connection methods, and processes S906 and S907 may be executed. Also, on terminal devices equipped with iOS or iPadOS, the second application cannot be launched by instructions from the first application. Therefore, unlike screen 600, screen 610 does not include a button to display the Wi-Fi settings screen. Thus, in this embodiment, if the OS of the terminal device 101 is iOS or iPadOS, the process to display the Wi-Fi settings screen is not executed by the second app, such as S902 and S903, and the process proceeds to S904. However, this embodiment is not limited to this form, and even in terminal devices equipped with iOS or iPadOS, if it is possible to launch the second app by instruction from the first app, screen 610 may also include a button to display the Wi-Fi settings screen. Alternatively, the processes of S902 and S903 may be executed. In this embodiment, the text indicating the first password confirmation method and the text indicating the second password confirmation method are different, but this embodiment is not limited to this form, and the text indicating the first password confirmation method and the text indicating the second password confirmation method may be the same. As described above, the first app shows a method for checking the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen on screen 610.However, if the user is unable to confirm the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen by following the instructions displayed on screen 600, the user will not be able to recognize the AP password and will not be able to enter the password on screen 500. Therefore, in this embodiment, screen 600 displays an area 611 showing how to confirm the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen, as well as a button 612 for checking the password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router's manual.

[0133] In S904, where the process in S902 and S903 is not executed, the first application determines whether the button 612 for password verification using the second method has been operated. Note that button 603 is the same button as the button 504 for password verification using the second method included in the password input screen 500 and the button 603 for password verification using the second method included in the password verification screen 600. If the first application determines the answer is YES, it proceeds to S905; if it determines the answer is NO, it proceeds to S906. Details of the process in S905 will be described later.

[0134] In S908, where the processes S906 and S907 are not executed, the first application determines whether the OK button 613 has been pressed. If the first application determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S321; otherwise, it returns to S901 and displays a screen for password verification using the first method.

[0135] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the terminal device 101 using the first application in this embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 10 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it. The processes in this flowchart correspond to processes S326 and S905.

[0136] In S1001, the first application displays a screen for password verification using the second method. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 11. The screen 1100 for password verification using the second method includes an area 1101 that shows how to check the AP password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router manual (hereinafter referred to as the router verification method). The screen 1100 also includes a button 1102 for password verification using the first method, a button 1103 for other connection methods, and an OK button 1104. Area 1101 displays text that shows how to check the password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router manual. Specifically, for example, it displays text indicating that the initial password for the AP is written on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router manual, and the name of the initial password as written on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router manual. Furthermore, a diagram showing the location of the initial password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router manual is displayed. Area 1101 should indicate that the initial password can be checked on the Wi-Fi router and in the Wi-Fi router's manual, at least one of the two. Area 1101 may also display text prompting the user to press the OK button and enter the password on the password input screen 500 after checking the password. Area 1101 may also include a message prompting the user to check the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen if the password could not be found on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router's manual. Area 1101 may also include a message prompting the user to try other connection methods. As described above, the first app shows on screen 1100 how to check the AP password on the Wi-Fi router and in the Wi-Fi router's manual. However, if the user is unable to check the password on the Wi-Fi router or in the Wi-Fi router's manual according to the text displayed on screen 1100, the user will not be able to know the AP password.Furthermore, the user cannot enter a password on screen 500. Therefore, in this embodiment, screen 1100 displays an area 1101 showing how to check the AP password on the Wi-Fi settings screen, as well as a button 1102 for checking the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen and a button 1103 for other connections.

[0137] In S1002, the specified application determines whether the button 1102 for password verification using the first method has been operated. Note that button 1102 is the same as the button 503 for password verification using the first method included in the password input screen 500. If the first application determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S1003; if it determines that the answer is NO, it proceeds to S1004. The details of the process in S1003 are the same as in S324 and are shown in Figure 9.

[0138] In S1004, which is executed when the result of S1002 is NO, the first application determines whether the button 1103 for other connection methods has been operated. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1005; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S1006. The details of the process in S1005 are the same as in S328 and S907, and will be described later.

[0139] In S1006, which is executed when the result of S1004 is NO, the first application determines whether the OK button 1104 has been pressed. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S321; if it determines it is NO, it returns to S1001 and displays a screen for password verification using the second method.

[0140] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the terminal device 101 using the first application in this embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 7 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it. The processes in this flowchart correspond to processes S328, S907, and S1005.

[0141] In S701, the first application sends information to the communication device 151 instructing it to terminate operation in connection setting mode. As a result, the communication device 151 terminates connection setting mode and restarts operation in the mode it was in before operating in connection setting mode. When connection setting mode is terminated, the connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 is also disconnected. The terminal device 101 then uses the OS's reconnection function to reconnect with the designated AP, which is the AP to which the terminal device 101 was connected before connecting with the communication device 151.

[0142] In S702, the first application displays a confirmation screen to ask the user whether the initial setup operation for the communication device 151 has been completed. The initial setup operation for the communication device 151 is an operation performed when the communication device 151 is powered on for the first time (upon arrival). In this embodiment, the initial setup operation includes, for example, the following: • Removal of the orange tape from communication device 151 • Attaching the print head to the communication device 151 • Replenishing recording material (ink or toner) to the communication device 151 • Replenishing paper in communication device 151 • Setting the date and time for the communication device 151

[0143] Furthermore, the initial setup process, which is the process performed by the communication device 151 in conjunction with the initial setup operation, includes, for example, the following: • Printhead cleaning process • Paper detection • Registration process (register adjustment process) is a process used to adjust the placement of ink droplets on the paper during printing. • Start of operation in connection setting mode

[0144] Therefore, the confirmation screen can also be described as a screen that confirms to the user whether or not the initial setup process by the communication device 151 has been completed. Note that the operations included in the initial setup operation and the processes included in the initial setup process are not limited to this form and may differ depending on the type of communication device 151, the printing method, etc. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 8. Screen 800 includes a message 801, a no button 802, and a yes button 803. Message 801 includes a message notifying the user that the initial setup operation for the communication device 151 must be completed in order to try other connection methods, and a message to confirm whether or not the initial setup operation for the communication device 151 has been completed. If the initial setup operation for the communication device 151 has been completed, the user presses the yes button 803, and if the initial setup operation for the communication device 151 has not been completed, the user presses the no button 802.

[0145] In S703, the first application determines whether or not it has received a user response to the Yes button 803. If a user response to the No button 802 has been received, the result of this determination is NO. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S707; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S704.

[0146] In S704, the first application determines whether the terminal device 101 is connected to the internet. As described above, when the connection between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 is disconnected in S701, the OS of the terminal device 101 performs a reconnection process. However, operations on the confirmation screen may be performed before the reconnection with the Wi-Fi AP is completed. In other words, operations on the confirmation screen may be performed while the terminal device is not connected to the internet via the Wi-Fi AP. In this case, the web page cannot be displayed in the process of S706. This determination is performed in the process of S705 in order to display the web page correctly. Specifically in this process, the first application executes an API to check whether the terminal device 101 is connected to the internet and receives a notification from the OS indicating whether the terminal device 101 is connected to the internet. The first application then performs this determination based on the content of the received notification. The notification from the OS indicates that the terminal device 101 is connected to the internet when the terminal device 101 is connected to the internet via the Wi-Fi AP. Furthermore, the notification from the OS may indicate that terminal device 101 is connected to the internet even if terminal device 101 is not connected to the internet via Wi-Fi connection to an AP, but is connected to the internet via mobile data communication. Also, the processing in this determination is not limited to the above-described form. For example, depending on the OS of terminal device 101, it may not be possible to receive a notification from the OS indicating whether terminal device 101 is connected to the internet or not. Specifically, for example, the first application can receive the notification if the OS of terminal device 101 is iOS or iPadOS, but it cannot receive the notification if the OS of terminal device 101 is Android OS. Therefore, in this determination, if the first application is an application for Android OS, the first application calls an API to check the SSID of the AP to which terminal device 101 is currently connected. The first application may then receive a notification from the OS indicating the SSID of the AP to which terminal device 101 is currently connected.Furthermore, the first app may determine YES in this determination if the received notification indicates an SSID different from the SSID of the AP enabled by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. Alternatively, the first app may determine NO in this determination if the received notification indicates an SSID of the AP enabled by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. In other words, this determination may also determine whether the terminal device 101 is currently connected to an AP different from the AP enabled by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. This determination may be performed even if the first app is an iOS app or an iPadOS app. Also, the first app may determine YES in this determination if the received notification indicates the SSID of a predetermined AP, and NO in this determination if the received notification indicates a different SSID. If the first app determines YES, it proceeds to S706; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S705.

[0147] In S705, the first application determines whether the time elapsed since the operation on the confirmation screen displayed in S702 was accepted has exceeded a predetermined threshold. That is, the first application determines whether the time elapsed since the operation on the confirmation screen displayed in S702 was accepted has timed out. The predetermined threshold is, for example, 10 seconds. If the first application determines YES, it proceeds to S706; if it determines NO, it returns to S704.

[0148] In S706, the first application executes a process to display a manual for initial setup operations for the communication device 151. Specifically, the first application uses its internal browser (in-app browser) to display a web page containing the manual for initial setup operations for the communication device 151. The information required to display this web page is obtained from a predetermined server via an internet connection. Therefore, if the communication device 151 is connected to the internet, the web page is successfully displayed. If the communication device 151 is not connected to the internet, the web page is not displayed successfully, and a screen notifying the user that the communication device 151 is not connected to the internet is displayed by the browser. In this embodiment, by displaying the web page using the internal browser of the first application, the first application can continue to operate in the foreground. The manual for initial setup operations for the communication device 151 includes content that sequentially explains to the user the specific operation methods for each operation to be performed as part of the initial setup operations for the communication device 151. The first application may also display a web page for selecting the model of the communication device 151 before displaying the web page containing the manual for initial setup operations for the communication device 151. Furthermore, once a model is selected on that page, a manual for initial setup procedures corresponding to the selected model may be displayed. The manual for initial setup procedures for the communication device 151 may be displayed by an external browser of the first application, rather than the internal browser of the first application. In that case, the external browser displaying the manual will move to the foreground, and the first application will move to the background. Also, the manual for initial setup procedures for the communication device 151 may be displayed by the first application without using a browser, as content pre-installed by the first application, rather than being displayed as a web page obtained via the internet. The screen displayed by the internal browser of the first application can be closed by the user operating the close button on that screen.Furthermore, the screen displayed by the internal browser of the first application is displayed on top of the confirmation screen shown in S702. Therefore, when the screen displayed by the internal browser of the first application is closed, the terminal device 101 becomes able to accept operations on the confirmation screen again. For this reason, after this process, the process returns to S703.

[0149] In the above description, the process proceeds to S706 only if the result of S705 is YES. However, the process is not limited to this configuration. If the result of S705 is YES, the first application may, without attempting to display a web page via a browser, display a message on the first application's screen indicating that the communication device 151 is not connected to the internet.

[0150] In S707, which is executed when the result of S703 is YES, the first application determines whether the terminal device 101 is connected to the internet. This process is the same as in S704. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S709; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S708.

[0151] In S708, the first application determines whether the time elapsed since the operation on the confirmation screen displayed in S702 was accepted exceeds a predetermined threshold. This process is the same as in S705. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S709; if it determines it is NO, it returns to S707.

[0152] In S709, the first application executes a process to display a manual on other connection methods. Specifically, the first application displays a web page containing a manual on other connection methods using its internal browser (in-app browser). The information required to display this web page is obtained from a predetermined server via an internet connection. Therefore, if the communication device 151 is connected to the internet, the web page is successfully displayed. If the communication device 151 is not connected to the internet, the web page is not displayed successfully, and a screen notifying the user that the communication device 151 is not connected to the internet is displayed by the browser. In this embodiment, by displaying the web page using the internal browser of the first application, the first application can continue to operate in the foreground. The manual on other connection methods includes content that explains specific operating procedures for establishing a connection between the communication device 151 and the AP using other connection methods. Specifically, other connection methods include, for example, a method in which the communication device 151 displays a list of APs discovered by the communication device 151 through a search on the screen of the communication device 151, and establishes a Wi-Fi connection between the communication device 151 and the AP selected by the user from the displayed list. Other connection methods include, for example, establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the AP and the communication device 151 using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). Other connection methods also include, for example, establishing a wired LAN connection between the AP and the communication device 151 using a wired LAN cable. The first application may display a web page for selecting the model of the communication device 151 before displaying a web page displaying a manual for initial setup operations for the communication device 151. Once a model is selected on that page, a manual for other connection methods corresponding to the selected model may be displayed. The manual for other connection methods for the communication device 151 may be displayed by an external browser of the first application, rather than by the internal browser of the first application.In that case, the external browser displaying the manual will move to the foreground, and the first application will move to the background. Furthermore, manuals for other connection methods may be displayed by the first application without using a browser, rather than being displayed as web pages retrieved via the internet, as content already present in the first application.

[0153] In S710, the first application displays a search screen for searching for communication devices 151 on the Wi-Fi network to which terminal device 101 is connected. The display of the search screen is performed in the background of the internal browser while a web page is being displayed by the internal browser. Therefore, if the internal browser is closed by pressing the close button, the search screen will be displayed. The search screen includes a button to instruct the system to start searching for communication devices 151 on the Wi-Fi network to which terminal device 101 is connected. When this button is pressed, the first application searches for communication devices 151 on the Wi-Fi network to which terminal device 101 is connected. The application then displays a list of communication devices 151 found through the search. The first application displays only the communication device 151 that corresponds to the first application from among the multiple communication devices 151 found through the search. The communication device 151 that corresponds to the first application is the communication device 151 provided by the vendor that provides the first application. Furthermore, the search may be performed in a manner that only communication devices 151 provided by the vendor providing the first application are found, and communication devices 151 provided by other vendors are not found. If any communication device 151 is selected from the displayed list, the first application obtains information about the selected communication device 151 from the selected communication device 151 via the Wi-Fi network to which the terminal device 101 is connected. The first application then registers the selected communication device 151 with the first application. After that, the process of this flowchart ends.

[0154] <Second Embodiment> In the present embodiment, the terminal device 101 switches the method of acquiring the value related to the radio wave intensity between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 based on whether the terminal device 101 is a terminal device that supports the STA / STA function. Note that in the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is a terminal device 101-a that supports the STA / STA function, and a terminal device 101-b that does not support the STA / STA function. That is, it is assumed that the terminal device supporting the STA / STA function and the terminal device not supporting the STA / STA function are different terminal devices. In the present embodiment, the communication device 151 is the same as that in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0155] <Regarding the STA / STA Function> A Wi-Fi compatible terminal that can execute the first application to perform connection setting processing may support the Wi-Fi STA / STA Concurrency function (hereinafter referred to as the STA / STA function). The STA / STA function is a function introduced in Android 12, which enables a Wi-Fi compatible terminal to simultaneously (in parallel) establish multiple connections to Wi-Fi networks in which the terminal itself operates and functions as a slave unit. Here, the slave unit is a station (STA). In other words, the STA / STA function is a function that allows a Wi-Fi compatible terminal to simultaneously maintain connections with a plurality of access points. In order to use the STA / STA function, not only the OS version but also the hardware of the information processing apparatus equipped with the OS needs to support the STA / STA function. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 101 is a terminal compatible with the STA / STA function.

[0156] Even if a Wi-Fi-enabled device establishes multiple connections to Wi-Fi networks simultaneously using the STA / STA function, it cannot simultaneously communicate with multiple Wi-Fi networks as a single application. In other words, when a Wi-Fi-enabled device has established multiple connections to Wi-Fi networks simultaneously using the STA / STA function, it can use one of the multiple Wi-Fi networks for communication by a single application. However, when a Wi-Fi-enabled device has established multiple connections to Wi-Fi networks simultaneously using the STA / STA function, it operates in a state where it cannot use other Wi-Fi networks among those multiple networks. Note that the state in which a Wi-Fi-enabled device has established multiple connections to Wi-Fi networks simultaneously is equivalent to the state in which the Wi-Fi-enabled device belongs to multiple Wi-Fi networks at the same time.

[0157] By the way, the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode is a network that is not connected to the Internet. A network that is not connected to the Internet will be referred to as a local network below. In other words, the terminal device 101 cannot perform Internet communication via the local network.

[0158] When multiple Wi-Fi networks are simultaneously established via the STA / STA function, the OS determines which network to use for communication for a particular application. When multiple Wi-Fi networks are simultaneously established via the STA / STA function, the first network set by the user on the Wi-Fi settings screen of the terminal device 101 is called the primary network. When multiple Wi-Fi networks are simultaneously established via the STA / STA function, the second network connected to after receiving a connection instruction from a particular application is called the secondary network. Let's assume that the OS has not received any instructions from a particular application regarding the network to be used for communication. In this state, the OS prioritizes the network connected to the internet over the network not connected to the internet as the network to be used for communication related to that application. In other words, the default network used for communication set by the OS is the network connected to the internet. Therefore, the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode will not be set as the network to be used for communication related to the first application if the following conditions are met. The following state refers to a situation where multiple Wi-Fi networks are simultaneously established via the STA / STA function, and the OS is not receiving instructions from the first application regarding the network to be used for communication. In other words, when multiple Wi-Fi networks are simultaneously established via the STA / STA function, the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode must be set as the network to be used for communication by the first application.

[0159] In this embodiment, the number of networks that can maintain a connection simultaneously using the STA / STA function is assumed to be two. Furthermore, the networks that can maintain a connection simultaneously using the STA / STA function are assumed to be a combination of two local networks, or a local network and a network connected to the Internet. In other words, a combination of two networks connected to the Internet cannot maintain a connection simultaneously using the STA / STA function. However, the embodiment is not limited to this form. The number of networks that can maintain a connection simultaneously using the STA / STA function may be two or more, and a combination of two networks connected to the Internet may be maintained simultaneously.

[0160] <Problems to be solved by this embodiment> In the conventional system, when an application instructs a network connection, the OS associates the application that initiated the connection with the network (secondary network) it is instructed to connect to and stores this association. When the OS receives a request for information about signal strength from an application, it notifies the requesting application of information about the network corresponding to the requesting application based on the stored association (the association between the application and the secondary network). If the association between the application and the secondary network is not established for some reason, the OS may notify the application of the signal strength of the primary network. As a result, the application may display a notification regarding the signal strength of a different communication device than the one it intended to send information to (Problem 4).

[0161] To address these challenges, the first application performs a process that allows it to obtain the signal strength of the communication device to which it wants to send information from the OS, regardless of whether it is the primary or secondary network, when the terminal device is connected to multiple networks.

[0162] Furthermore, if the terminal device supports STA / STA functionality, the application may not be able to obtain updated secondary network signal strength values ​​from the OS even if it issues an instruction to the OS to reacquire the values ​​related to the secondary network signal strength. The secondary network is a network formed by a communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, which is connected to the terminal device 101 by a connection instruction from the application. In this case, the first application displayed a button to accept an instruction to reacquire the values ​​related to the secondary network signal strength. In other words, the first application was accepting an unnecessary operation from the user by having them press the button (Problem 5). Therefore, the first application executes a process to control whether or not to accept an instruction to reacquire the signal strength based on whether or not the terminal device supports STA / STA functionality.

[0163] Furthermore, this disclosure does not have to solve all of the above-mentioned problems; it is sufficient if it solves any of them. In other words, it does not have to perform all of the processes that solve the above-mentioned problems; it is sufficient if it performs any of the processes that solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0164] <Regarding the processing performed by the first application in this embodiment> In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the first application executes the processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 3. The first application may be executed on either terminal device 101-a or terminal device 101-b. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 3 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it. The flowchart of Figure 3 is started based on an operation performed on the screen displayed by the first application to execute the connection setting process. The flowchart of Figure 3 may also be started in response to the launch of the first application.

[0165] In this embodiment, the details of the processes S303 and S304 executed by the first application differ from those in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the processes S301, S302, and S305-S331 executed by the first application are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the explanation of the processes S301, S302, and S305-S331 is omitted. The details of the processes S303 and S304 executed in this embodiment will now be explained.

[0166] In S303, the first application executes a process to establish a connection between the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, and the terminal device 101. If the terminal device 101 supports STA / STA functionality and is connected to AP131, the first application establishes a connection between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 while maintaining the connection between the terminal device 101 and AP131. If the information processing device 101 does not support STA / STA functionality and is connected to AP131, the first application disconnects the information processing device 101 from AP131 and establishes a connection between the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151. After the connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 is completed in this process, the first application executes settings related to the network to be used for communication. Specifically, the first application sets the network formed by the communication device 151 as the network to be used for communication by the first application. Here, the details of this setting will be explained using Figure 19.

[0167] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the first application after the connection between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 is established in S303. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 19 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it.

[0168] In S1901, the first application determines whether the OS of terminal device 101 is Android. If it is determined that the OS of terminal device 101 is Android, it then determines whether the OS version of terminal device 101 is 12 or higher. If the first application performing this determination is Android-only, the determination of whether the OS of terminal device 101 is Android may be omitted. The reason for determining whether the OS version of terminal device 101 is 12 or higher in this process is that in S1902, described later, an API that can only be called on Android OS 12 or higher is used. If the OS of terminal device 101 is Android and the OS version of terminal device 101 is 12 or higher, the first application performs the process in S1902; otherwise, it terminates the process in this flowchart and proceeds to S304.

[0169] In S1902, the first application determines whether the hardware of terminal device 101 supports STA / STA functionality. Specifically, if the first application is running on terminal device 101-a, the result in this process is YES. On the other hand, if the first application is running on terminal device 101-b, the result in this process is NO. In particular, in this process, the first application calls an API to obtain information on whether the hardware of terminal device 101 supports STA / STA functionality. The first application then obtains information from the OS on whether the hardware of terminal device 101 supports STA / STA functionality. If the first application determines that the hardware of terminal device 101 supports STA / STA functionality, it performs the process in S1903. If the first application determines that the hardware of terminal device 101 does not support STA / STA functionality, it terminates the process in this flowchart and executes S304.

[0170] In this embodiment, the determinations in S1901 and S1902 are separated, but they may be performed simultaneously as a single determination process.

[0171] In S1903, the first application acquires network information for all networks to which the terminal device 101 is connected. Network information refers to the identifiers of the access points that constitute the network and are the communication partners of the terminal device 101. Hereafter, the identifiers of these access points will also be referred to as network identifiers. In this embodiment, the network identifier is the identification information assigned by the OS for each network formed by the access points. If the terminal device 101 supports STA / STA functionality and is connected to multiple networks, multiple network information corresponding to each network will be acquired.

[0172] In S1904, the first application determines whether the terminal device 101 is connected to multiple networks based on the network information obtained in S1903. If the terminal device 101 is connected to multiple networks, the process in S1905 is performed. If the terminal device 101 is connected to only one network, the process in this flowchart is terminated and S304 is executed.

[0173] Furthermore, when terminal device 101 is connected to multiple networks, it corresponds to the case where terminal device 101 maintains a connection with communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and a connection with other access points. When terminal device 101 is connected to only one network, it corresponds to the case where terminal device 101 maintains only a connection with communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode.

[0174] In S1905, the first application selects (identifies) one network information from among the multiple network information pieces it has acquired. In other words, it selects (identifies) the Nth network information from among the multiple network information pieces it has acquired. In doing so, the first application may prioritize selecting the network information corresponding to the network currently set as primary. It may also prioritize selecting the network information acquired earlier, or the network information corresponding to the network established earlier. The maximum value of N is assumed to be the number of network information pieces acquired by the first application in S1903. The initial value of N is assumed to be 1.

[0175] In S1906, the first application determines whether the selected network information (the Nth network information) corresponds to the local network. As mentioned above, the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode is the local network. Furthermore, even if a network is formed by an access point outside the communication device 151, if it is not connected to the internet, it is determined to be the local network. This determination can be achieved, for example, by using an API provided to Android developers. If the first application determines that the selected network information corresponds to the local network, it performs the process in S1907; otherwise, it performs the process in S1909.

[0176] In S1907, the first application determines whether the selected network information satisfies predetermined conditions. In other words, the first application determines whether the selected network information corresponds to a network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. Specifically, for example, the first application determines whether the information that can identify the network corresponding to the selected network information includes predetermined information that corresponds to a network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. The predetermined information is, for example, an IP address, SSID, BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier), or MAC address. The predetermined information is assumed to be something that the first application has in advance without obtaining it from the communication device 151. In this embodiment, at least a part of the string of an IP address is used as the predetermined information. At least a part of the string of an IP address is, for example, a string that is common among communication devices provided by a predetermined vendor. Specifically, at least a part of the string of an IP address is the string that constitutes the network portion of the IP address. Furthermore, before performing the determination, the first application obtains information that can identify the network corresponding to the selected network information from the OS. The identifiable information includes, for example, the IP address assigned by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, or the SSID, BSSID, and MAC address of the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. In this embodiment, the network-identifiable information is the IP address assigned by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. The first application then determines whether the IP address obtained from the OS contains the string that constitutes the network portion of the IP address held by the first application. In other words, in this determination, if it is determined that the selected network information satisfies the predetermined conditions, it means that the network-identifiable information corresponding to the selected network information contains the predetermined information described above.Furthermore, the condition that the selected network information satisfies predetermined conditions is when it is determined that the selected network information corresponds to the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. In other words, the first application performs the process in S1908 if the selected network information corresponds to the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, and performs the process in S1909 otherwise.

[0177] Furthermore, in cases where the selected network information corresponds to network information formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, the determination in S1906 does not need to be performed. However, the determination in S1906 can be completed faster than the determination in S1907. Therefore, in cases where the selected network information does not correspond to network information of the local network, the presence of the determination in S1906 allows the process to proceed faster. For this reason, in this embodiment, both the determination in S1906 and the determination in S1907 are performed. However, the system is not limited to this configuration, and the determination in S1906 may be omitted, resulting in the determination in S1907 being performed after S1905 or S411.

[0178] In S1908, the first application executes a process to configure the network formed by the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, as the network that the first application will use for communication. That is, the first application uses the network formed by the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode and corresponds to the network information selected, for communication by the first application. The first application then operates the terminal device 101 without using any other network different from the network corresponding to the network information selected. This process is performed while multiple Wi-Fi networks are simultaneously established by the STA / STA function. Specifically, in this process, for example, the first application instructs the OS to configure the network formed by the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, as the network that the first application will use for communication. After that, the process of this flowchart ends and S304 is executed.

[0179] In S1909, the first application determines whether N is the maximum value. In other words, the first application determines whether all of the multiple networks corresponding to the multiple network information acquired have been selected in S1905. If all of the multiple networks have been selected, the first application performs the process in S410; otherwise, it performs the process in S1911.

[0180] In S1910, the first application notifies the user that there is no network information corresponding to the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. Cases that proceed to S1910 include, for example, cases where the connection establishment between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 in S303 failed and the connection between the communication device and the communication unit 111 was not established. Alternatively, this process may be omitted, and the network settings used by the current first application for communication may be maintained without modification. After that, the first application terminates the processing of this flowchart and executes S304. After terminating the processing of this flowchart, the first application may also terminate the processing of the flowchart in Figure 3 and interrupt the connection setting process. The first application may also execute a notification prompting the user to establish a connection between the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101.

[0181] In S1911, the first application increments N by 1. Then the first application performs the processing from S1905 onwards.

[0182] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of S304 in this embodiment. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 20 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it.

[0183] Since S2001 is the same process as S1901, the explanation of this process is omitted here. Note that if the first application determines YES in this process, it proceeds to S2002; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S2007.

[0184] The process in S2002 is the same as the process in S1902, so its explanation is omitted here. Note that if the first application is running on terminal device 101-a, the result in this process is determined to be YES. On the other hand, if the first application is running on terminal device 101-b, the result in this process is determined to be NO. If the first application determines YES in this process, it proceeds to S2003; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S2007. The first application may also save the result of the S1901 and S1902 processes performed in the network settings used by the first application for communication, using the network formed by the communication device 151. By referring to this saved result, the S2001 and S2002 processes may be omitted when executing the flowchart in Figure 20.

[0185] In S2003, the first application executes a process to obtain the signal strength of the connection setting AP. The connection setting AP is an AP that is activated internally within the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. In this process, the first application obtains information from the OS regarding the signal strength of the radio waves emitted by the AP activated internally within the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, and received by the terminal device 101. Details of this process will be described later using Figure 21.

[0186] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of S2003. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 21 is realized, for example, by the CPU 103 loading the first application stored in memory such as ROM 104 into RAM 105 and executing it.

[0187] In S2101, the first application obtains network information for all networks to which the terminal device 101 is connected. Note that this process is the same as the process in S1903, so the explanation of this process is omitted here.

[0188] In S2102, the first application selects (identifies) one of the acquired network information. Since this process is the same as in S1905, a detailed explanation of this process is omitted here.

[0189] In S2103, the first application determines whether the selected network information satisfies predetermined conditions. In other words, the first application determines whether the selected network information corresponds to network information formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. Note that this process is the same as that in S1907, so the explanation of this process is omitted here. If the first application determines YES in this process, it proceeds to S2104; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S2105.

[0190] In S2104, the first application obtains information regarding the signal strength of the network corresponding to the selected network information from the OS using the second method. In this embodiment, the network corresponding to the selected network information is the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode.

[0191] The second method involves specifying an identifier corresponding to network information included in the network information acquired in S2101 and determined to satisfy predetermined conditions in S2103, and calling an API to acquire network capability information corresponding to the specified identifier. This acquires network capability information corresponding to the specified identifier. The API used in this embodiment to acquire network capability information corresponding to the specified identifier is called "getNetworkCapabilities". In other words, the first application acquires network capability information from the OS in this process, which is formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. In this embodiment, the network capability information includes information on radio wave strength corresponding to the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. Specifically, this information on radio wave strength is, for example, the RSSI value. The radio wave strength corresponding to the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode is information on radio wave strength in communication between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. Furthermore, the information regarding radio wave strength in communication between the terminal device 101 and the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode specifically refers to information indicating the received strength of radio waves received by the terminal device 101 from the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode.

[0192] Next, the first application references information regarding the radio wave strength corresponding to the network formed by the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, from the network capability information of the communication device 151. Specifically, the first application calls an API based on the program code "getSignalStrength". By calling this API, the first application references the RSSI value as information regarding the radio wave strength corresponding to the network formed by the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, from the network capability information.

[0193] Furthermore, the first application executes a process to convert the RSSI value referenced by the first application to a signal level value. Specifically, it calls an API to instruct the OS to convert the RSSI value referenced by the first application to a signal level value. The API for instructing the OS to convert the RSSI value referenced by the first application to a signal level value is the third API or the fourth API shown in the first embodiment. The process for converting the RSSI value to a signal level value using the third API or the fourth API is shown in S1201, so the explanation is omitted here. In this embodiment, the first application is controlled to call the third API or the fourth API based on the result of determining the Android OS version. However, this disclosure is not limited to this form, and the fourth API may be called regardless of the OS version without determining the Android OS version. The first application obtains from the OS the signal level value corresponding to the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode, as information regarding the radio wave strength of the network.

[0194] Furthermore, if the S1908 process saves network information configured for use by the first application for communication, the RSSI value of the saved information may be obtained and converted to a signal level. In this case, the S2101-S2103 processes may be omitted.

[0195] As described above, the S2104 process retrieves information about the network specified by the application from among the multiple networks to which the terminal device 101 is currently connected. In other words, the application specifies the network identifier.

[0196] In S2105, which is executed when the result of S2103 is NO, the first application determines whether all of the multiple networks corresponding to the multiple network information acquired have already been selected in S2102 and S2107. Note that this process is the same as S1909, so the explanation is omitted here. If the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S2106; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S2107.

[0197] In S2106, the first application sets an abnormal value for the signal strength. Here, an abnormal value is one that will prevent the signal strength from falling below a threshold in the subsequent S2004 process. Specifically, the abnormal value is one that is greater than or equal to the first threshold, which is a value based on 50% of the predetermined value or a specific value as shown in the first embodiment.

[0198] In S2107, which is executed when the result of S2105 is NO, the first application increments N by 1, similar to S1911. After that, the first application performs the processing from S2102 onwards.

[0199] In S2004, the first application determines whether the signal strength obtained in S2104 is less than the first threshold. The signal strength obtained in S2104 is the signal level value converted based on the RSSI value referenced by the first application. The first threshold is the same as the first threshold shown in the first embodiment. That is, the first threshold is a value arbitrarily set by the first application, and is a value based on 50% of the predetermined value mentioned above. This process is the same as in S1202, so the explanation is omitted here. If the first application determines that the first signal strength is less than the first threshold, it determines YES and proceeds to S2005. If the first application determines that the first signal strength is not less than the first threshold, it determines NO and terminates this flowchart. In this embodiment, the first application performs threshold determination using the signal level value, but is not limited to this form. That is, the first application may perform threshold determination using the RSSI value. Furthermore, the first application may, after referencing the RSSI value, convert the referenced RSSI value into a signal level value. The first application may then perform threshold determination using the converted signal level value.

[0200] In S2005, the first application displays a notification screen to inform the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 22. Screen 2200 is a notification screen to inform the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together. Screen 2200 includes an area 2201 that displays text to inform the user to bring either the communication device 151 or the terminal device 101 closer together, and a button 2202 for continuing the connection setup process. Area 2201 displays text indicating that the first radio wave strength is weak and prompting the user to bring either the communication device 151 or the terminal device 101 closer together before continuing the connection setup process. In this process, the radio wave conditions refer to the radio wave conditions in the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. In this embodiment, if the first radio wave strength acquired in S2104 is less than the first threshold, the radio wave conditions are considered to be poor. In other words, if the first radio wave strength obtained in S2104 is less than the first threshold, it corresponds to the first radio wave strength being weak. If the user wishes to continue the connection setup process, they operate the button 2202 to continue the connection setup process. Note that the notification screen 1300 shown in the first embodiment, which notifies the user to bring the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101 closer together, includes a button 1302 for reconfirming the radio wave conditions in the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. On the other hand, the notification screen 2200 shown in this embodiment does not include a button for reconfirming the radio wave conditions in the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101. In other words, the notification screen 2200 does not include a button for obtaining the radio wave strength of the communication device 151 again. Note that the button for obtaining the radio wave strength of the communication device 151 again is an item that accepts instructions to obtain again the value related to the radio wave strength of the communication device 151, which is the communication partner of the terminal device 101, similar to the button 1302. The reason why the notification screen 2200 does not include a button to reacquire the signal strength of the communication device 151 is explained below.In the first embodiment, since the terminal device 101 does not support the STA / STA function, the network formed by the communication device 151 in connection setting mode connected to the terminal device 101 is set as the primary network. In this case, each time the first application issues an instruction to the OS to obtain a value related to the signal strength of the primary network, the OS can obtain the updated value.

[0201] On the other hand, in the second embodiment, since the terminal device 101 supports the STA / STA function, the network formed by the communication device 151 in connection setting mode connected to the terminal device 101 is set as a secondary network. In this case, when the first application executes an instruction to obtain a value related to the radio wave strength of the secondary network from the OS for the first time, it can obtain that value. However, even if the first application makes a similar instruction thereafter, it cannot obtain the updated value from the OS, and the same value as the one obtained from the OS the first time is returned. In other words, even if a button for the first application to obtain a value related to the radio wave strength of the secondary network from the OS is provided on the screen 2200, the first application cannot obtain the updated radio wave strength value from the OS in response to user operation. As a result, even if the first application accepts user operation, it will not be able to obtain the updated information desired by the user. In order to prevent the user from performing unnecessary operations in such a situation, the screen 2200 does not have a button for reconfirming the radio wave conditions in the wireless communication between the communication device 151 and the terminal device 101.

[0202] In other words, based on the fact that terminal device 101 does not support the STA / STA function, a button to reacquire the signal strength of communication device 151 is displayed on the screen shown by the first application. On the other hand, based on the fact that terminal device 101 supports the STA / STA function, control is made so that the button to reacquire the signal strength of communication device 151 is not displayed on the screen shown by the first application.

[0203] In S2006, the first application determines whether button 2202 for continuing the connection setup process has been pressed. If the first application determines that the answer is YES, it terminates this flowchart. If the answer is NO, it returns to S2104 and waits on screen 2200 for the user to press button 2202 for continuing the connection setup process.

[0204] Furthermore, although S2101 only acquired the signal strength of the network of the communication device 151, the signal strength of all networks to which the terminal device 101 is connected may also be acquired. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the STA / STA terminal can connect to two Wi-Fi networks.

[0205] S2007 is the same as the process shown in Figure 12 above. Note that the process of S1201 is the process of obtaining information about the currently connected network, as described above in the first embodiment, and the network identifier is not specified by the application.

[0206] Figure 23 shows the process in S304 when the signal strength of all networks to which the terminal device 101 is connected is acquired.

[0207] The processing in S2301 and S2302 is the same as in S1901 and S1902, so the explanation of this processing is omitted here. In S2301, if the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S2302; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S2304. Also, in S2302, if the first application determines it is YES, it proceeds to S2303; if it determines it is NO, it proceeds to S2304. In S2304, the processing is the same as in the flowchart shown in Figure 12, so the explanation is omitted here.

[0208] In S2303, processing is performed to obtain values ​​related to the signal strength of the first application and multiple networks to which the terminal device 101 is connected. The details of this processing will be explained using Figure 24.

[0209] The processing in S2401 to S2407 is the same as that in S1903, S1905, S1907, S2104, S1909, S2106, and S1911, so the explanation of this processing is omitted here.

[0210] In S2408, the first application excludes network information that meets predetermined conditions and then selects (specifies) one network information from among the multiple network information acquired. In other words, the first application excludes network information that meets predetermined conditions and then selects (specifies) the Nth network information from among the multiple network information acquired other than the excluded network information. Specifically, the first application selects (specifies) one network information from among the network information other than the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. If a network that meets predetermined conditions is found in S2403, the first application decreases the maximum value of N by 1 in this process. If no network that meets predetermined conditions is found in S2403, the first application does not decrease the maximum value of N by 1 in this process. The initial value of N is assumed to be 1.

[0211] In S2409, the first application checks if there are other Wi-Fi networks connected to the terminal device 101. Specifically, the first application checks whether the network information selected by the first application from among the network information other than the network formed by the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode is a Wi-Fi network. Specifically, it uses an API called "hasTransport" to check whether the network is Wi-Fi. In this process, if the first application determines that it is Wi-Fi, it proceeds to process S2414; if it determines that it is not Wi-Fi, it proceeds to S2410. Note that the network determined to be Wi-Fi in this process is, for example, the network formed by AP131 to which the terminal device 101 is connected.

[0212] The processing in S2410 and S2411 is the same as that in S1909 and S1911, so the explanation of this process is omitted here. Note that in S2410, if the first application determines YES, it proceeds to S2413; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S2411.

[0213] In S2412, the first application transitions to S2408. In S2408, the first application selects (identifies) the Nth network information from among the multiple network information acquired, excluding the excluded network information.

[0214] In S2413, which is executed when the result of S2410 is YES, the first application sets an abnormal value as the signal strength of the network formed by the Wi-Fi router. The abnormal value here can be any value that does not result in the signal strength being determined to be below the threshold in the subsequent S2305 process. Specifically, the abnormal value should be a value greater than or equal to the predetermined value shown above in the first embodiment, or a first threshold value which is 50% of a specific value. Alternatively, a value greater than or equal to a threshold different from the first threshold may be used.

[0215] In S2414, the first application obtains a value related to the signal strength from the Wi-Fi network from the OS. In this embodiment, the signal strength from the Wi-Fi network is defined as the signal strength from AP131. Specifically, the signal strength from AP131 is the strength of the radio waves emitted by AP131 that are received by the terminal device 101. The value related to the signal strength obtained from the OS is referred to as the third signal strength. In this embodiment, the first application obtains the signal level from the OS, but is not limited to this form. That is, the first application may also obtain the RSSI value, which is a value related to the signal strength from AP131, from the OS. The method of obtaining the signal strength here is the same as in S2104, only the specified network is different, so the explanation is omitted.

[0216] In S2305, the first application first determines whether the signal strength from the network of the communication device 151, which is operating in connection setting mode, is below a threshold. Note that this process is the same as in S2004, so the explanation is omitted here. In this process, if the first application determines YES, it proceeds to S2306; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S2308.

[0217] Since S2306 is the same as S2005, its explanation will be omitted here.

[0218] In S2307, the first application determines whether button 2202 for continuing the connection setup process has been pressed. If the first application determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S2308; otherwise, it proceeds to S2307.

[0219] In S2308, the first application determines whether the signal strength from the Wi-Fi network acquired in S2414 is below a threshold. If it is YES, it proceeds to S2309; otherwise, it proceeds to S2313. The threshold used in this determination may be the first threshold used in the determinations in S1202 and S2305, or a different third threshold may be used.

[0220] In S2309, the first application displays a notification screen to inform the user to bring AP131 and terminal device 101 closer together. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 25(a). Screen 2500 is a notification screen to inform the user to bring AP131, terminal device 101 and communication device 151 closer together. Screen 2500 includes an area 2501 that displays text to inform the user to bring AP131, terminal device 101 and communication device 151 closer together, and a button 2502 to continue the connection setup process. Area 2501 displays text indicating that the third radio wave strength is weak and prompting the user to bring AP131, communication device 151 and terminal device 101 closer together before continuing the connection setup process. In this process, radio wave conditions refer to the radio wave conditions in wireless communication between AP131 and terminal device 101. Furthermore, the reason for notifying the user to also bring the communication device 151 closer is that bringing the AP 131 and the terminal device 101 closer together may increase the distance to the communication device 151, potentially worsening the radio wave conditions. In this embodiment, if the third radio wave strength acquired in S2502 is less than the first threshold or the third threshold, the radio wave conditions are considered poor. In other words, this corresponds to a weak third radio wave strength. If the user wishes to continue the connection setup process, they operate the button 2502 to continue the connection setup process.

[0221] Furthermore, since the signal strength can be updated for the network that is primarily connected, a notification screen 2510 with a reacquisition button, as shown in Figure 25(b), may be displayed. Screen 2510 includes an area 2511 that displays text to notify the user to bring AP131, terminal device 101, and communication device 151 closer together, a button 2512 for reconfirming the signal strength, and a button 2513 for continuing the connection setup process. Area 2511 displays text indicating that the first signal strength is weak and prompting the user to bring AP131, communication device 151, and terminal device 101 closer together and then reconfirm the signal strength. If the user wants to reconfirm the signal strength, they operate the button 2512 for reconfirming the signal strength.

[0222] In S2310, the first application determines whether the button 2512 for reconfirming the radio signal strength has been pressed. If the first application determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S2311; otherwise, it proceeds to S2312. Furthermore, if the button 2512 for reconfirming the radio signal strength has not been pressed (i.e., Figure 25(a) is displayed), the process in S2310 is skipped and the process proceeds to S2312.

[0223] In S2311, the first application reacquires the signal strength of AP131. The process here is the same as executing the process in S2414. Regarding the network specification, the network information specified in the S2414 process should be stored within the application. In other words, the network capability information is reacquired from the stored network information, and the signal strength is referenced. Alternatively, the network information may not be stored within the application, and the signal strength may be reacquired by executing S2303 again.

[0224] In S2312, the first application determines whether button 2502 or 2513 has been pressed to continue the connection setup process. If the first application determines the answer is YES, it terminates this flowchart. If it determines the answer is NO, it returns to S2310.

[0225] In S2313, the first application determines whether screen 2500 or screen 2510 has already been displayed. If it is YES, it proceeds to S2314; otherwise, it terminates this flowchart. If screen 2500, which does not have a re-acquisition button, is displayed, the processes in S2310, S2311, S2313, and S2314 are skipped.

[0226] In S2314, the first application displays a screen notifying the user that the signal strength of AP131 has improved. An example of the screen displayed in this process is shown in Figure 25(c). Screen 2520 is a notification screen to inform the user that the signal strength between AP131 and terminal device 101 has improved. Screen 2520 includes an area 2521 that displays text to inform the user that the signal strength between AP131 and terminal device 101 has improved, and a button 2522 for continuing the connection setup process. If the user wishes to continue the connection setup process, they operate the button 2522 for continuing the connection setup process. If the button 2522 for continuing the connection setup process is pressed, this flowchart is terminated.

[0227] Furthermore, the notification displayed in S2005 may be a notification screen 1300 with a button for rechecking the radio wave conditions. In this case, if the button 1302 for rechecking the radio wave conditions is pressed, the OS's Wi-Fi scan is used to recheck the radio wave conditions. Specifically, the first application first instructs the OS to search for the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. The first application then obtains the search result information from the OS by calling an API based on the program code "getScanResults". Based on the discovery of the communication device 151 from this information, the first application may refer to a value related to the radio wave strength of the communication device 151 from this information. This value is the RSSI value, and when the first application refers to the RSSI value, it calls an API based on the program code "calculatesignallevel" to convert the RSSI value to a signal level value. Note that this value may also be the signal level.

[0228] However, there is a limitation that Wi-Fi scans can only be performed four times every two minutes on Android 9 and later. Therefore, when button 1302 for rechecking the signal strength is pressed, the system first checks whether the aforementioned limit has been exceeded. If the answer is NO, it performs a Wi-Fi scan to obtain the signal strength. If the answer is YES, it executes the process for when the limit has been exceeded. This process might include, for example, displaying a notification screen informing the user that the limit has been exceeded.

[0229] Additionally, the first app may display a screen to wait until the Wi-Fi scan can be performed again.

[0230] Figure 26 shows an example of a notification screen that alerts the user that the limit has been exceeded. Screen 2600 includes an area 2601 indicating that the radio wave conditions cannot be checked because the limit has been exceeded, and a button 2602 for continuing the connection setup process. If the user wishes to continue the connection setup process, they operate the button 2602 for continuing the connection setup process. When the button 2602 for continuing the connection setup process is pressed, this flowchart is terminated.

[0231] The process described above allows the S2101-S2107 process to obtain the signal strength corresponding to the network information that the first application has pre-stored as the recipient of information from among the connected networks, regardless of whether it is the primary or secondary network. For example, even in cases like (1) and (2), the appropriate signal strength can be displayed. (1) The terminal device 101 connects to a secondary network at the instruction of an application other than the first application. Subsequently, even if the first application instructs to connect to the same network, the OS stores the connection instruction associated with the other application that initially instructed the connection, rather than the first application. (2) When an application instructs an application to connect to a network, the conventional mechanism by which the OS associates the application that instructed the application to connect with the network (secondary network) that it instructed the application to connect to and remembers this relationship is no longer available.

[0232] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the method of acquiring signal strength is switched in the S2002, S2003, and S2007 processes depending on whether the terminal device 101 supports the STA / STA function. If the terminal device 101 does not support the STA / STA function, the first application acquires the signal strength corresponding to the Wi-Fi network (the network of the communication device 151) to which the terminal device 101 is connected. On the other hand, if the terminal device 101 supports the STA / STA function, the first application identifies the network of the communication device operating in connection setting mode from among the multiple networks to which the terminal device 101 is connected, and acquires the signal strength of that identified network. In other words, when acquiring signal strength when the terminal device 101 does not support the STA / STA function, it is not necessary to identify the network of the communication device operating in connection setting mode from among the multiple networks. Therefore, if the terminal device 101 does not support the STA / STA function, the method of acquiring signal strength is switched as described above, instead of using the method of acquiring signal strength when the terminal device 101 supports the STA / STA function.

[0233] <Other Embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, the connection between the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101 is Wi-Fi, but the embodiment is not limited to this embodiment. The connection between the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101 may be established by a communication method other than Wi-Fi, such as Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy. In that case, the terminal device 101 may maintain a Wi-Fi connection with a predetermined AP even while the connection between the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101 is being established. That is, in the embodiment where the connection between the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101 is a Wi-Fi connection, the predetermined AP is connected to the terminal device 101 when the processing of the factors that trigger the start of the flowchart in Figure 3 is executed. However, the predetermined AP is not connected to the terminal device 101 at S313 and S326. On the other hand, when the connection between the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode and the terminal device 101 is not Wi-Fi, the designated AP is the AP to which the terminal device 101 is connected when the processing for the aforementioned factors is executed, as well as at S313 and S326. Therefore, the designated AP can be said to be the AP to which the terminal device 101 was connected at least when the processing that triggered the start of the flowchart in Figure 3 was executed.

[0234] In the above embodiment, the process for checking the signal strength of the connection setting AP may be performed before the connection setting AP connects to the terminal device 101. Specifically, the first application first instructs the OS to search for the communication device 151 operating in connection setting mode. The first application then obtains the search result information from the OS by calling an API based on the program code "getscanResults". Based on the discovery of the communication device 151 from this information, the first application may refer to a value related to the signal strength of the communication device 151 from this information. This value is the RSSI value, and when the first application refers to the RSSI value, it calls an API based on the program code "calculateSignalLevel" to convert the RSSI value to a signal level value. Note that this value may also be the signal level.

[0235] In the above-described embodiment, the process for checking the radio wave strength of the AP identified as the connection target of the communication device 151 may be performed after S308 and S312. That is, even if a predetermined AP or a specific AP is identified as the connection target of the communication device 151, the process for checking the radio wave strength of the AP identified as the connection target of the communication device 151 may be performed.

[0236] In the above embodiment, the process of referencing a specific AP does not need to be performed. Specifically, for example, the processes S301 and S309-S313 may be omitted. In this form, if the result of the determination in S306 is NO, S314 is executed. Also, if the result of the determination in S308 is YES, S321 is executed.

[0237] In the above embodiment, it is not necessary for both the process that references a predetermined AP and the process that references a specific AP to be executed. Specifically, for example, processes S301, S302, and S306-S313 may be omitted. In this form, S314 is executed after S305.

[0238] In the embodiment described above, the direct connection button does not need to be displayed on the screen shown in S315. Specifically, for example, the processing in S315 to S318 may be omitted. In this embodiment, S319 is executed after S314.

[0239] In the embodiment described above, the OS of the terminal device 101 is a version that allows the password to be displayed on the Wi-Fi settings screen by the second application. Even in this case, it is not necessary for all three buttons, 503, 504, and 505, to be displayed on the password input screen shown in S321. That is, the password input screen shown in S321 may display at least one of the following: button 503 for password confirmation, button 504 for password confirmation using the second method, and button 505 for other connection methods.

[0240] In the above-described embodiment, a button 503 for password verification by the first method is displayed on the password input screen as an area for password verification by the first method. When this button is operated, a new screen for password verification by the first method is displayed. However, the embodiment is not limited to this form. An area containing text explaining a specific password verification method may also be displayed on the password input screen as an area for password verification by the first method. In other words, the content that was displayed on the screen for password verification by the first method in the above-described embodiment may be displayed on the password input screen. Furthermore, this content may be displayed on a separate screen that is displayed before the password input screen is displayed. In this form, the button 503 for password verification by the first method does not need to be displayed on the password input screen 500.

[0241] In the above-described embodiment, a button 504 for password verification using the second method is displayed on the password input screen, and when this button is operated, a new screen for password verification using the second method is displayed. However, the embodiment is not limited to this embodiment. An area containing text explaining a specific password verification method may be displayed on the password input screen as the area for password verification using the second method. In other words, the content that was displayed on the screen for password verification using the second method in the above-described embodiment may be displayed on the password input screen. Furthermore, this content may be displayed on a separate screen that is displayed before the password input screen is displayed. In this embodiment, the button 504 for password verification using the second method does not need to be displayed on the password input screen 500.

[0242] In the above-described embodiment, the screen for password verification using the first method may include a section for password verification using the second method, in which text explaining the specific password verification method is displayed.

[0243] In the above embodiment, when the connection setup process is performed in a chatbot format, the screen for password verification using the second method may be displayed in the chatbot format shown in Figure 17. Specifically, the first application shows how to verify the password on the Wi-Fi router in area 1701. Then, based on the user's operation of a button indicating that password verification on the Wi-Fi router is not possible, the first application explains how to verify the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen in area 1702. The user is then prompted to select whether or not they were able to verify the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen. If the button indicating successful verification is operated, an area for password input is displayed; if the button indicating unsuccessful verification is operated, the user is guided to another connection method. Note that the explanation of how to verify the password on the Wi-Fi settings screen may be displayed immediately after the explanation of how to verify the password on the Wi-Fi router.

[0244] In the above-described embodiment, a button 505 for other connection methods is displayed on the password input screen as an area for other connection methods, and when this button is operated, a new screen for other connection methods is displayed. However, the embodiment is not limited to this form. An area containing text describing other connection methods may also be displayed on the password input screen as an area for other connection methods. In other words, the content that was displayed on the screen for other connection methods in the above-described embodiment may be displayed on the password input screen. Furthermore, this content may be displayed on a separate screen that is displayed before the password input screen is displayed. In this form, the button 505 for other connection methods does not need to be displayed on the password input screen 500.

[0245] In the above-described embodiment, a button 1102 for password verification using the first method is displayed on the screen for password verification using the second method, serving as an area for password verification using the first method. When the button 1102 is operated, a new screen for password verification using the first method is displayed. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. An area containing text explaining a specific password verification method may also be displayed on the screen for password verification using the second method, serving as an area for password verification using the first method. In other words, the content displayed on the screen for password verification using the first method in the above-described embodiment may also be displayed on the screen for password verification using the second method.

[0246] In the embodiment described above, a button 1103 for other connection methods is displayed on the screen for password verification by the second method, as an area for other connection methods. And, although a form in which a new screen for other connection methods is displayed when button 1103 is operated has been described, the embodiment is not limited to this form. An area containing text describing other connection methods may also be displayed on the screen for password verification by the second method, as an area for other connection methods. In other words, the content that was displayed on the screen for other connection methods in the embodiment described above may also be displayed on the screen for password verification by the second method.

[0247] In the above-described embodiment, the order in which the decisions in S322 to S329 are made is not particularly limited, and the decisions in S322 to S329 may be made in any order.

[0248] In the embodiments described above, the list of APs used in the determinations of S306 and S310, or displayed in S314, is described as a list of APs discovered by a search performed by the communication device 151, but the embodiment is not limited to this embodiment. If the embodiment does not take the form of displaying a notification screen corresponding to the second radio wave strength being less than the second threshold in S320, the list of APs may be a list of APs discovered by a search performed by the terminal device 101. In this embodiment, the processing in S305 may be omitted.

[0249] In the above embodiment, it is not necessary to perform a process that checks whether the initial setup operation for the communication device 151 has been completed. Specifically, for example, the processes S702 to S706 may be omitted. In this form, S707 is executed after S701.

[0250] In the above embodiment, even if the terminal device 101 is a terminal device that supports STA / STA functionality, the first API, second API, and third API used in S1201 may also be used.

[0251] Furthermore, the purpose of this disclosure can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium containing program code for software that realizes the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device. In other words, the purpose of this disclosure can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device reading and executing the program code stored on the recording medium. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself realizes the functions of the embodiments described above, and the storage medium containing that program code constitutes the disclosure.

[0252] For storing program code, storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs can be used.

[0253] It goes without saying that this also includes cases where the operating system running on the computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code read by the computer, and the functions of the aforementioned embodiment are realized through that processing.

[0254] Furthermore, the disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.

[0255] (Item 1) A specified application program, A computer in an information processing device equipped with a specified operating system (OS) A first search step involves searching for a communication device using the aforementioned OS, A first acquisition step of obtaining a first value from the OS which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device, A first display control step that displays a first notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, based on the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is less than the predetermined threshold, A second display control step includes displaying a password input screen that accepts the user's input of a password for connecting the information processing device to an external access point, A first transmission step involves transmitting setting information, including at least the password entered by the user on the password input screen, to the communication device via the connection between the information processing device and the communication device. Make it run, The first notification screen is displayed at any time between the execution of the first search step and the display of the password input screen. When the aforementioned configuration information is received by the communication device, the communication device uses the configuration information to connect with the access point. A program characterized by the following features.

[0256] (Item 2) To the aforementioned computer, A first determination step of determining whether the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, To further execute The program described in item 1, characterized by the features described herein.

[0257] (Item 3) A second display control step, based on the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold, displays a second notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold; To further execute A program according to item 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

[0258] (Item 4) The first value mentioned above is, The RSSI value (Received Signal Strength Indicator value) A program as described in item 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

[0259] (Item 5) The predetermined application program calls a first API for acquiring the first value from the OS, a second API for referencing the first value, and a third API or a fourth API for acquiring a signal level from the OS based on the referenced first value, when the predetermined application program calls the third API, the maximum value of the signal level is an integer value set by the OS, when the predetermined application program calls the fourth API, the maximum value of the signal level is an integer value set by the predetermined application program, The program according to item 4, characterized in that.

[0260] (Item 6) The predetermined application program further executes a first control step of controlling whether to call the third API or the fourth API based on a predetermined condition, The program according to item 5, characterized in that.

[0261] (Item 7) The predetermined condition is that the OS included in the information processing apparatus is an OS of a specific version or higher, The predetermined application program calls the third API based on the predetermined condition being satisfied, and calls the fourth API based on the predetermined condition not being satisfied, The program according to item 6, characterized in that.

[0262] (Item 8) The OS included in the information processing apparatus is Android OS (registered trademark), and the specific version is Android OS 11, The program according to item 7, characterized in that.

[0263] (Item 9) The first notification screen is displayed based on the fact that the converted value of the first value is less than the predetermined threshold. The value obtained by converting the aforementioned first value is the signal level. A program according to any one of items 1 to 8, characterized by the above.

[0264] (Item 10) The signal level is the value obtained by the OS from the first value, The value obtained from the aforementioned OS, A program as described in item 8 or 9, characterized by the above.

[0265] (Item 11) The first notification screen includes a button to retrieve the first value again. Based on the operation of the aforementioned button, the first value is acquired again. The first notification screen is displayed again based on whether the first value obtained again or the value obtained by converting the first value is less than the predetermined threshold. A program according to any one of items 1 to 10, characterized by the above.

[0266] (Item 12) The aforementioned predetermined application program, Based on the determination that the reacquired first value or the converted value of the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold, a second notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the converted value of the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold is displayed. The program described in item 11, characterized by the features described herein.

[0267] (Item 13) The aforementioned predetermined application program, The first acquisition step and the first display control step are performed before the connection between the information processing device and the communication device is established. Based on the execution of the first display control step, a connection is established between the information processing device and the communication device. The program according to Item 1, characterized by:

[0268] (Item 14) The predetermined application program: displays, on the first notification screen, a diagram for indicating the strength of the first value or a value obtained by converting the first value, updates the diagram based on continuously acquiring the first value while the first notification screen is being displayed, The program according to any one of Items 1 to 13, characterized by:

[0269] (Item 15) based on the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value not being less than the predetermined threshold, based on continuously acquiring the first value while the first notification screen is being displayed, displays a second notification screen corresponding to the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value not being less than the predetermined threshold, The program according to Item 14, characterized by:

[0270] (Item 16) The predetermined application program: when a plurality of thresholds are set as the thresholds for the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value, determines whether the first value is less than each of the plurality of thresholds, and switches the content displayed on the first notification screen based on the determination, The program according to any one of Items 1 to 15, characterized by:

[0271] (Item 17) The predetermined application program: a second acquisition step of acquiring, from the communication device, information corresponding to access points to which the communication device is connectable; a third display control step of displaying, based on the acquired information, a list screen including a first region for indicating a list of the access points to which the communication device is connectable; is further executed, The acquired information includes the SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​corresponding to the access point and the signal strength corresponding to the access point. Based on the radio wave strength corresponding to the aforementioned access point, the access points are displayed in the first region in order of increasing radio wave strength. A program according to any one of items 1 to 16, characterized by the features described herein.

[0272] (Item 18) The aforementioned predetermined application program, A third acquisition step involves obtaining a second value, which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the access point identified as the connection target of the communication device from the list of access points and the communication device 151. A second determination step of determining whether the above second value is less than a specific threshold, A fourth display control step, based on the determination that the second value is less than the specific threshold, displays a third notification screen corresponding to the fact that the second value is less than the specific threshold; To further execute A program according to any one of items 1 to 17, characterized by the features described herein.

[0273] (Item 19) The first notification screen described above is: The text includes a statement indicating that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is weak. A program according to any one of items 1 to 18, characterized by the above.

[0274] (Item 20) The first notification screen described above is: The text includes a message prompting the user to bring the information processing device and the communication device closer together. A program according to any one of items 1 to 19, characterized by the features described herein.

[0275] (Item 21) A second transmission step is further performed, which involves transmitting at least one of the following to the communication device: a print job causing the communication device to perform printing, and a scan job causing the communication device to perform scanning. A program according to any one of items 1 to 20, characterized by the above.

[0276] (Item 22) The connection between the information processing device and the communication device used to transmit the aforementioned configuration information is a connection based on a communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 series standard. A program according to any one of items 1 to 21, characterized by the above.

[0277] (Item 23) A control method for an information processing device having a predetermined application program and a predetermined operating system (OS), A first search step involves searching for a communication device using the aforementioned OS, A first acquisition step of obtaining a first value from the OS which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device, A first display control step that displays a first notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, based on the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is less than the predetermined threshold, A second display control step includes displaying a password input screen that accepts the user's input of a password for connecting the information processing device to an external access point, A first transmission step of transmitting setting information, including at least the password entered by the user on the password input screen, to the communication device via the connection between the information processing device and the communication device; It has, The first notification screen is displayed at any time between the execution of the first search step and the display of the password input screen. When the aforementioned configuration information is received by the communication device, the communication device uses the configuration information to connect with the access point. A control method characterized by the following:

[0278] (Item 24) An information processing device having a predetermined application program and a predetermined operating system (OS), A first search step involves searching for a communication device using the aforementioned OS, A first acquisition means for acquiring a first value, which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device, from the OS, A first display control means that displays a first notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, based on the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, A second display control step includes displaying a password input screen that accepts the user's input of a password for connecting the information processing device to an external access point, A first transmission means transmits setting information, including at least the password entered by the user on the password input screen, to the communication device via the connection between the information processing device and the communication device. It has, The first notification screen is displayed at any time between the execution of the first search step and the display of the password input screen. When the aforementioned configuration information is received by the communication device, the communication device uses the configuration information to connect with the access point. An information processing device characterized by the following: [Explanation of Symbols]

[0279] 101 Terminal device 151 Communication equipment

Claims

1. A specified application program, A computer in an information processing device equipped with a specified operating system (OS) A first search step involves searching for a communication device using the aforementioned OS, A first acquisition step of obtaining a first value from the OS which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device, A first display control step that displays a first notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, based on the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, A second display control step includes displaying a password input screen that accepts the user's input of a password for connecting the information processing device to an external access point, A first transmission step involves transmitting setting information, including at least the password entered by the user on the password input screen, to the communication device via the connection between the information processing device and the communication device. Make it run, The first notification screen is displayed at any time between the execution of the first search step and the display of the password input screen. When the aforementioned configuration information is received by the communication device, the communication device uses the configuration information to connect with the access point. A program characterized by the following features.

2. To the aforementioned computer, A first determination step of determining whether the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, To make it run further, The program according to feature 1.

3. A second display control step, based on the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold, displays a second notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold, To make it run further, The program according to feature 1.

4. The first value is, This is the RSSI value (Received Signal Strength Indicator value). The program according to feature 1.

5. The aforementioned predetermined application program, A first API for obtaining the first value from the OS, a second API for referencing the first value, and a third or fourth API for obtaining the signal level from the OS based on the referenced first value are called. When the predetermined application program calls the third API, the maximum value of the signal level is an integer value set by the OS. When the predetermined application program calls the fourth API, the maximum value of the signal level is an integer value set by the predetermined application program. The program according to feature 4.

6. The predetermined application program further executes a first control step that controls whether to call the third API or the fourth API based on predetermined conditions. L according to feature 5.

7. The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the OS of the information processing device is an OS of a specific version or higher. The predetermined application program calls the third API based on whether the predetermined conditions are met, and calls the fourth API based on whether the predetermined conditions are not met. L according to feature 6.

8. The OS of the information processing device is Android OS (registered trademark), and the specific version is Android OS 11. The program according to feature 7.

9. The first notification screen is displayed based on the fact that the converted value of the first value is less than the predetermined threshold. The value obtained by converting the first value is the signal level. The program according to feature 1.

10. The signal level is the value obtained by converting the first value by the OS. The value obtained from the aforementioned OS, The program according to feature 8.

11. The first notification screen includes a button to retrieve the first value again. Based on the operation of the aforementioned button, the first value is acquired again. Based on the fact that the first value obtained again or the value obtained by converting the first value is less than the predetermined threshold, the first notification screen is displayed again. The program according to feature 1.

12. The aforementioned predetermined application program, Based on the determination that the first value obtained again or the value obtained by converting the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold, a second notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold is displayed. The program according to feature 11.

13. The aforementioned predetermined application program, The first acquisition step and the first display control step are performed before the connection between the information processing device and the communication device is established. Based on the execution of the first display control step, a connection is established between the information processing device and the communication device. The program according to feature 1.

14. The aforementioned predetermined application program, The first notification screen displays a diagram showing the strength of the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value. The figure is updated based on continuously acquiring the first value while the first notification screen is displayed. The program according to feature 1.

15. Based on the continuous acquisition of the first value while the first notification screen is displayed, and based on the fact that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold, A second notification screen is displayed corresponding to the case where the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is not less than the predetermined threshold. The program according to feature 14.

16. The aforementioned predetermined application program, If multiple thresholds are set as thresholds for the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value, it is determined whether the first value is less than each of the multiple thresholds, and the content displayed on the first notification screen is switched based on the determination. The program according to claim 1, characterized by the features described above.

17. The aforementioned predetermined application program, A second acquisition step involves acquiring information from the communication device that corresponds to the access point to which the communication device can connect. A third display control step of displaying a list screen, which includes a first area for showing a list of access points to which the communication device can connect, based on the acquired information; Let's execute it further, The acquired information includes the SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​corresponding to the access point and the radio wave strength corresponding to the access point. Based on the radio wave strength corresponding to the access point, the access points are displayed in the first region in order of increasing radio wave strength. The program according to feature 1.

18. The aforementioned predetermined application program, A third acquisition step involves obtaining a second value, which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the access point identified as the connection target of the communication device from the list of access points and the communication device 151. A second determination step of determining whether the second value is less than a specific threshold, A fourth display control step, based on the determination that the second value is less than the specific threshold, displays a third notification screen corresponding to the fact that the second value is less than the specific threshold; To make it run further, The program according to feature 1.

19. The first notification screen is, The text includes a statement indicating that the first value or the value obtained by converting the first value is weak, The program according to feature 1.

20. The first notification screen is, The text includes instructions to prompt the user to bring the information processing device and the communication device closer together. The program according to feature 1.

21. A second transmission step is further performed, which involves transmitting at least one of the following to the communication device: a print job causing the communication device to perform printing, and a scan job causing the communication device to perform scanning. The program according to feature 1.

22. The connection between the information processing device and the communication device used to transmit the aforementioned configuration information is a connection based on a communication method based on the IEEE 802.11 series standard. The program according to feature 1.

23. A control method for an information processing device having a predetermined application program and a predetermined operating system (OS), A first search step involves searching for a communication device using the aforementioned OS, A first acquisition step of obtaining a first value from the OS which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device, A first display control step that displays a first notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, based on the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, A second display control step includes displaying a password input screen that accepts the user's input of a password for connecting the information processing device to an external access point, A first transmission step involves transmitting setting information, including at least the password entered by the user on the password input screen, to the communication device via the connection between the information processing device and the communication device. It has, The first notification screen is displayed at any time between the execution of the first search step and the display of the password input screen. When the aforementioned configuration information is received by the communication device, the communication device uses the configuration information to connect with the access point. A control method characterized by the following:

24. An information processing device having a predetermined application program and a predetermined operating system (OS), A first search step involves searching for a communication device using the aforementioned OS, A first acquisition means for acquiring a first value, which is a value relating to the radio wave strength of wireless communication between the communication device and the information processing device, from the OS, A first display control means that displays a first notification screen corresponding to the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, based on the fact that the first value or the value converted from the first value is less than a predetermined threshold, A second display control step includes displaying a password input screen that accepts the user's input of a password for connecting the information processing device to an external access point, A first transmission means transmits setting information, including at least the password entered by the user on the password input screen, to the communication device via the connection between the information processing device and the communication device. It has, The first notification screen is displayed at any time between the execution of the first search step and the display of the password input screen. When the aforementioned configuration information is received by the communication device, the communication device uses the configuration information to connect with the access point. An information processing device characterized by the following:

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