First communication device, second communication device, and computer program for the first communication device

Abstract

To provide novel techniques for establishing a wireless connection between an access point and a communication device.SOLUTION: A first communication device comprises: a first establishment unit that establishes, with a second communication device via a first wireless interface, a first wireless connection according to Wi-Fi standards, in which the first communication device operates as a master station of a first wireless network and the second communication device operates as a slave station of the first wireless network; and a first wireless setting transmission unit that uses the first wireless connection, if established, to transmit, to the second communication device via the first wireless interface, the first wireless setting, which is information for causing a communication device as a transmission destination to establish a particular wireless connection with a first access point different from the first communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present specification relates to techniques for establishing a wireless connection between an access point and a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system including an access point and a plurality of image forming apparatuses. A first image forming apparatus operates as an access point using an initial setting SSID when a connection with a target access point is not established. A second image forming apparatus establishes a connection with a target access point when an initial setting SSID is found when a connection with a target access point is not established. Then, the second image forming apparatus establishes a connection with the first image forming apparatus operating as an access point using an initial setting SSID, and transmits wireless setting information for establishing a connection with the target access point to the first image forming apparatus. When the first image forming apparatus receives the wireless setting information from the second image forming apparatus, it establishes a connection with the target access point using the wireless setting information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-042189 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-152430 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-010139 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional technology only discloses that the second image forming device acting as a slave station transmits wireless setting information to the first image forming device acting as a master station (i.e., the first image forming device acting as an access point using the initial setting SSID). This specification provides a new technology for establishing a wireless connection between an access point and a communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first communication device disclosed in this specification may include one or more wireless interfaces for performing wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, a first establishment unit that establishes a first wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with a second communication device different from the first communication device via a first wireless interface among the one or more wireless interfaces, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network, and a first wireless setting transmission unit that, when the first wireless connection is established, uses the first wireless connection to transmit a first wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface, the first wireless setting being information for causing a destination communication device to establish a specific wireless connection with a first access point different from the first communication device.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the first communication device establishes a first wireless connection with the second communication device for the first communication device to operate as a parent station and the second communication device to operate as a child station, and transmits a first wireless setting to the second communication device using the first wireless connection. Therefore, the second communication device can establish a wireless connection with the first access point using the first wireless setting.

[0007] The second communication device disclosed in this specification includes one or more wireless interfaces for performing wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, and a first establishment unit that establishes a first wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with a first communication device different from the second communication device via a first wireless interface of the one or more wireless interfaces, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network, and a first establishment unit that establishes the first wireless connection with a first communication device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard via a first wireless interface of the one or more wireless interfaces, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network. the wireless setting receiver receives a wireless setting from the first communication device via the first wireless interface using the first wireless connection when the second communication device is connected to the first communication device, the wireless setting being information for causing the second communication device to establish a specific wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with an access point different from the first communication device; and a second establishment unit, when the wireless setting is received from the first communication device, uses the wireless setting to establish a wireless connection with the access point via a second wireless interface among the one or more wireless interfaces.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the second communication device establishes a first wireless connection with the first communication device for the first communication device to operate as a parent station and the second communication device to operate as a child station, and receives wireless settings from the first communication device using the first wireless connection. For this reason, the second communication device can establish a wireless connection with an access point using the wireless settings.

[0009] A computer program for the above-mentioned first communication device, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the first communication device are also novel and useful. Also, a computer program for the above-mentioned second communication device, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the second communication device are also novel and useful. Also, a communication system including the first communication device and the second communication device is novel and useful. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] The outline of this embodiment is shown below. [Diagram 2] The hardware configuration of the printer is shown below. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of a shipping preparation process executed at a shipping factory. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a continuation of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram of a wireless connection process performed in an office. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a continuation of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a continuation of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of an access point switching process executed in an office. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (Outline of this embodiment; FIG. 1) An overview of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a setting process is executed for establishing a Wi-Fi connection with an access point (hereinafter, referred to as "AP") for three printers 10A to 10C stored in a shipping factory of a printer 10 vendor, the three printers 10A to 10C are shipped to an office, and then, when the three printers 10A to 10C are installed in the office, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the three printers 10A to 10C and the AP in the office.

[0012] A plurality of printers, including three printers 10A to 10C, are stored in the shipping factory. An operator at the shipping factory receives an order request for, for example, the three printers 10A to 10C from an operator in the office. In a modified example, the order request may be for two printers, or may be for four or more printers.

[0013] When the worker at the shipping factory receives the order request, he / she executes a setting process for the three printers 10A to 10C using the terminal 100. The setting process is a process for easily establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the three printers 10A to 10C and an AP in the office after the three printers 10A to 10C are installed in the office, and is a process for registering the printers 10A to 10C in a service providing server (hereinafter simply referred to as an "SP (short for Service Providing) server") 200 on the Internet 6. The SP server 200 is installed on the Internet 6 by the vendor of the printer 10. In a modified example, the SP server 200 may be installed on the Internet 6 by a business entity other than the vendor. The SP server 200 is a server that provides a service related to the printer 10. In this embodiment, the SP server 200 provides a shipping service for shipping cartridges to the user of the printer 10.

[0014] An operator at a shipping factory selects one printer 10A from among the three printers, and causes the terminal 100 to extract the public key of the printer 10A and the MAC address (hereinafter, referred to as the "MAC address for the parent station") used for the printer 10A to operate as a parent station (for example, SoftAP) of a wireless network. As a result, various communications according to the DPP (abbreviation of Device Provisioning Protocol) method are performed between the printer 10A and the terminal 100, and the printer 10A stores information for establishing a Wi-Fi connection in which the printer 10A operates as a parent station (SoftAP in this embodiment). In addition, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10A and the terminal 100. The terminal 100 receives a PIN code from the SP server 200. The PIN code is information used when registering the printer 10 in the SP server 200. The terminal 100 transmits the PIN code to the printer 10A using the Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10A.

[0015] Thereafter, the worker at the shipping factory causes the terminal 100 to extract the public key of the printer 10B and the MAC address (hereinafter, "MAC address for the slave station") used for the printer 10B to operate as a slave station of the wireless network. As a result, various communications according to the DPP method are performed between the printers 10A and 10B and the terminal 100, and the printer 10B stores information for establishing a Wi-Fi connection in which the printer 10B operates as a slave station. Also, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printers 10A and 10B. The printer 10A transmits a PIN code to the printer 10B using the Wi-Fi connection. Thereafter, the worker at the shipping factory causes the printer 10A, the printer 10C and the terminal 100 to perform the same process. After completing these setting processes, the worker at the shipping factory ships the three printers 10A to 10C to the office.

[0016] APs 8 and 9 are installed in the office. The APs 8 and 9 form a wireless LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network) 4. The APs 8 and 9 are connected to the Internet 6. When the printers 10A and 10B are turned on by an office worker, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10A operating as a SoftAP and the printer 10B not operating as a SoftAP by using information for establishing a Wi-Fi connection stored in the printers 10A and 10B in a setting process. Next, the office worker establishes a Wi-Fi connection between the printer 10A and the AP8, in which the printer 10A operates as a slave station. When the Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 is established, the printer 10A transmits a PIN code to the SP server 200 via the AP8. As a result, the printer 10A is registered in the SP server 200. Thereafter, the printer 10A uses the Wi-Fi connection established with the printer 10B to send wireless settings (SSID (abbreviation of Service Set Identifier) ​​and password) for establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 to the printer 10B. Next, the Wi-Fi connection between the printers 10A and 10B is disconnected, and the printer 10B uses the wireless settings received from the printer 10A to establish a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8. Next, the printer 10B sends a PIN code to the SP server 200 via the AP8. This causes the printer 10B to be registered in the SP server 200. After that, the office worker executes the same process between the printers 10A, 10C, and the SP server 200. As a result, all of the three printers 10A to 10C are connected to the wireless network formed by the AP8, and all of the three printers 10A to 10C are registered in the SP server 200.

[0017] (Hardware configuration of printers 10A to 10C; Fig. 2) Next, the hardware configuration of the printers 10A to 10C will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The printer 10A is a peripheral device (such as a PC) capable of executing a printing function. In a modified example, the printer 10 may be a multi-function device capable of executing a scanning function, a FAX function, and the like in addition to the printing function. The printer 10A includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a chip 18A, and a control unit 30. The printer 10A is assigned a device ID "DVa" that identifies the printer 10A.

[0018] The operation unit 12 has a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the printer 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The print execution unit 16 has a printing mechanism such as an inkjet type or a laser type.

[0019] The chip 18A includes a Wi-Fi interface (hereinafter, the interface is simply referred to as "I / F") I / F 20A. The Wi-Fi I / F 20A is a wireless interface for performing communication according to the Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi standard is a standard for performing wireless communication according to, for example, the IEEE (abbreviation of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and standards equivalent thereto (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). The Wi-Fi I / F 20A supports both the DPP method established by the Wi-Fi Alliance and the WFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) method. The DPP method is a wireless communication method described in the specification "Device Provisioning Protocol Technical Specification Version 1.1" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD method is a wireless communication method described in the standard "Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The Wi-Fi I / F20A is assigned the MAC address "CHa" for the child station and the MAC address "PAa" for the parent station.

[0020] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The memory 34 stores the public key "PPK1" of the printer 10A from the shipping stage of the printer 10A (i.e., before the printer 10A is stored at the shipping factory). The memory 34 further stores a connection table 38. In the connection table 38, a MAC address is associated with a connection flag. The connection flag indicates either "ON" indicating that a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer having the MAC address associated with the flag and the AP, or "OFF" indicating that a Wi-Fi connection is not established between the printer having the MAC address associated with the flag and the AP.

[0021] The printer 10B is assigned a device ID of "DVb". The printer 10B has a similar configuration to the printer 10A, except that the MAC address for the child station and the MAC address for the parent station assigned to the Wi-Fi I / F 20B of the chip 18B are different. The Wi-Fi I / F 20B is assigned a MAC address for the child station of "CHb" and a MAC address for the parent station of "PAb". The printer 10C is assigned a device ID of "DVc". The printer 10C has a similar configuration to the printer 10A, except that the MAC address for the child station and the MAC address for the parent station assigned to the Wi-Fi I / F 20C of the chip 18C are different. The Wi-Fi I / F 20C is assigned a MAC address for the child station of "CHc" and a MAC address for the parent station of "PAc".

[0022] (Shipping preparation process in the shipping factory; Figure 3) Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a shipping preparation process executed in a shipping factory will be described. In the initial state of FIG. 3, account information AC1 is registered in the memory (not shown) of the SP server 200. The account information AC1 is information for authenticating an office worker. In the following, the printer 10A executes communication using either the MAC address for the slave station "CHa" or the MAC address for the master station "PAa", and the printers 10B and 10C execute communication only using the MAC addresses for the slave stations "CHb" and "CHc". For this reason, to make it easier to understand, the communication in which the printer 10A uses the MAC address for the slave station "CHa" is represented by a thick line, the communication in which the printer 10A uses the MAC address for the master station "PAa" is represented by a thin line, and the communication in which the printers 10B and 10C use the MAC addresses for the slave stations "CHb" and "CHc" is represented by a thin line. The communication of the printer 10 is executed via the Wi-Fi I / F 20. For this reason, in the following, the description of "via Wi-Fi I / F 20" will be omitted. Also, in the following, in order to facilitate understanding, the processes executed by the CPU (CPU 32) of each device (e.g., printer 10) will be described with each device (e.g., printer 10A) as the subject, rather than with each CPU as the subject.

[0023] When the printer 10A receives a power-on operation from an operator at a shipping factory at T10, it operates as a SoftAP at T12 and displays a QR code (registered trademark) at T14. The QR code is obtained by encoding the public key "PPK1" of the printer 10A and the parent station MAC address "PAa".

[0024] When the terminal 100 receives a camera start operation from a worker at the shipping factory in T20, the terminal 100 starts up its camera (not shown), and in T22, captures an image of the QR code displayed on the printer 10A. Then, in T24, the terminal 100 decodes the captured QR code and acquires the public key "PPK1" and the parent station MAC address "PAa". In other words, the processes of T22 and T24 are DPP-based Bootstrapping (hereinafter referred to as "BS") executed between the terminal 100 and the printer 10A.

[0025] When BS ends, the terminal 100 executes DPP authentication (hereinafter referred to as "Auth") with the printer 10A at T30. Specifically, the terminal 100 first generates a shared key using the public key "PPK1" and the terminal 100's private key (not shown), and generates encrypted data using the shared key. The terminal 100 then transmits an Auth Request including the encrypted data and the terminal 100's public key (not shown) to the printer 10A. The Request is a signal requesting the printer 10A to execute authentication, and further includes information indicating that the terminal 100 operates as a Configurator. Hereinafter, the Request will be referred to as "Req."

[0026] When the printer 10A receives an Auth Req from the terminal 100 (T30), it authenticates the encrypted data included in the Auth Req. If the authentication is successful, the printer 10A sends an Auth Response indicating success to the terminal 100. The Response includes information indicating that the printer 10A operates as an Enrollee. Hereinafter, the Response will be referred to as "Res." By executing Auth, it is determined that the terminal 100 operates as a Configurator and the printer 10A operates as an Enrollee. In the Configuration of the DPP method, the Configurator refers to a device that transmits a Configuration Object to the Enrollee. Hereinafter, the Configuration and the Configuration Object will be referred to simply as "Config" and "CO," respectively. In the Config, the Enrollee refers to a device that receives a CO from the Configurator.

[0027] When the printer 10A transmits the Auth Res to the terminal 100 (T30), in T32 it executes a DPP-based Config with the terminal 100. Specifically, the printer 10A, which is the Enrollee, transmits a Config Req to the terminal 100, which is the Configurator. The Req is a signal requesting the terminal 100 to transmit a CO for SoftAP. The CO for SoftAP is information used by the printer 10A operating as a SoftAP to establish a Wi-Fi connection.

[0028] When the terminal 100 receives a Config Req from the printer 10 (T32), it generates a CO for SoftAP. The CO for SoftAP includes a Signed-Connector for SoftAP (hereinafter, referred to as "SC"). Then, the terminal 100 transmits a Config Res including the CO for SoftAP to the printer 10A (T32).

[0029] When the printer 10A receives the Config Res from the terminal 100 (T32), it stores the SoftAP CO in the memory 34 in T34.

[0030] Next, at T40, the terminal 100 executes DPP-based Network Access (hereinafter simply referred to as "NA") with the printer 10A. In the NA, the terminal 100 generates a terminal CO including a terminal SC. Next, the terminal 100 transmits a DPP Peer Discovery Req including the terminal CO to the printer 10A. The Req is a signal requesting the printer 10A to execute authentication. Hereinafter, DPP Peer Discovery will be simply referred to as "Discovery."

[0031] When the printer 10A receives a Discovery Req from the terminal 100 (T40), it performs authentication using the terminal CO included in the Req. If the authentication is successful, the printer 10A generates a connection key and transmits to the terminal 100 a Discovery Res including a SoftAP SC in the SoftAP CO.

[0032] When the terminal 100 receives a Discovery Res from the printer 10A, it executes authentication using the SC for SoftAP included in the Res. If the authentication is successful, the terminal 100 generates a connection key. The connection key generated here is the same as the connection key generated by the printer 10A. This allows the connection key to be shared between the terminal 100 and the printer 10A.

[0033] The terminal 100 uses the connection key to execute 4-way-handshake communication with the printer 10A. As a result, in T42, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the terminal 100 and the printer 10A. When the terminal 100 accepts a login operation including the input of the account information AC1 in T50, the terminal 100 transmits a login request including the account information AC1 to the SP server 200 in T52. In this embodiment, the worker at the shipping factory is informed of the account information AC1 in advance by the worker at the office in order to execute the setting process. In a modified example, the account information AC1 may be information generated by the worker at the shipping factory. In this modified example, the worker at the shipping factory communicates the account information AC1 to the worker at the office by telephone, email, or the like after the setting process is completed.

[0034] When the SP server 200 receives a login request from the terminal 100 in T52, it determines that the login has been successful because the account information AC1 in the request has already been stored, and transmits top page data to the terminal 100 in T54.

[0035] When the terminal 100 receives the top screen data from the SP server 200 in T54, it displays the top screen represented by the top screen data. The top screen is a screen for setting information about the user who uses the account information AC1, and includes a PIN code generation button for requesting the generation of a PIN code. When the terminal 100 accepts a PIN code generation button operation from a worker at the shipping factory in T60, it transmits a PIN code request to the SP server 200 in T62.

[0036] When the SP server 200 receives a PIN code request from the terminal 100 in T62, it generates a PIN code "P1" in T64, and stores the logged-in account information AC1 and the generated PIN code "P1" in association with each other in T66. Next, the SP server 200 transmits the PIN code "P1" to the terminal 100 in T68.

[0037] When the terminal 100 receives the PIN code "P1" from the SP server 200 in T68, in T70, the terminal 100 transmits the PIN code "P1" to the printer 10A by using the established Wi-Fi connection (see T42).

[0038] When the printer 10A receives the PIN code "P1" from the terminal 100 in T70, the printer 10A stores the PIN code "P1" in T72. In this way, the printer 10A can obtain the PIN code "P1" from the SP server 200 via the terminal 100 even in a situation where the printer 10A cannot access the SP server 200.

[0039] Next, when the printer 10B receives a power ON operation from an operator at the shipping factory at T110 in FIG. 4, it operates as a SoftAP at T112 and displays a QR code at T114. The QR code is obtained by encoding the public key "PPK2" of the printer 10B and the MAC address for the parent station "PAb". Next, when the printer 10B receives a SoftAP stop operation from the operator at the shipping factory at T116, it stops operating as a SoftAP at T118 and redisplays the QR code at T120. The QR code is obtained by encoding the public key "PPK2" of the printer 10B and the MAC address for the child station "CHb".

[0040] T130 and T132 are similar to T20 and T22 in FIG. 3, respectively, except that the acquired information is the public key "PPK2" and the MAC address for the slave station "CHb". T140 is similar to T30, except that the communication target is the printer 10B. T142 is similar to T32, except that the communication target is the printer 10B and that the CO generated by the terminal 100 is a CO for the second printer. The CO for the second printer includes an SC for the second printer. When the printer 10B receives a Config Res including the CO for the second printer from the terminal 100 (T142), it stores the CO for the second printer in T144.

[0041] T150 and T152 are the same as T40 and T42 in FIG. 3, respectively, except that the communication targets are the printers 10A and 10B, and that the SC for the SoftAP and the SC for the second printer are used. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established for the printer 10A to operate as a parent station (i.e., SoftAP) of a wireless network (hereinafter, "SoftAPNW") and the printer 10B to operate as a child station of the SoftAPNW. That is, a Wi-Fi connection is established using the parent station MAC address "PAa" of the printer 10A and the child station MAC address "CHb" of the printer 10B. When communication for establishing a Wi-Fi connection is performed, the printer 10A receives the child station MAC address "CHb" from the printer 10B, and stores the child station MAC address "CHb" in the connection table 38 in T154. Next, in T160, printer 10A uses the established Wi-Fi connection to send the device ID "DVa" and the PIN code "P1" to printer 10B.

[0042] When the printer 10B receives the device ID "DVa" and the PIN code "P1" from the printer 10A in T160, the printer 10B stores the device ID "DVa" and the PIN code "P1" in T162.

[0043] After that, when an operator at the shipping factory turns on the power supply of the printer 10C, the same processes as those in T110 to T162 are executed between the printers 10A, 10C, and the terminal 100. As a result, the printer 10C stores the third printer CO including the third printer SC generated by the terminal 100 (T144). In addition, the printer 10A operates as a parent station of the SoftAPNW, and a Wi-Fi connection is established for the printer 10C to operate as a child station of the SoftAPNW (T152). That is, a Wi-Fi connection is established using the parent station MAC address "PAa" of the printer 10A and the child station MAC address "CHc" of the printer 10C. In this case, the printer 10C participates as a child station in the same SoftAPNW as the wireless network formed in T152 of FIG. 4. Note that "the wireless network is the same" means that the SSID of the parent station of the wireless network is the same. Furthermore, the printer 10A stores the slave MAC address "CHc" of the printer 10C in the connection table 38 (T154), and the printer 10C stores the device ID "DVa" and the PIN code "P1" (T162).

[0044] Thereafter, an operator at the shipping factory turns off the power to the printers 10A to 10C, thereby turning off the power to the printers 10A to 10C. After that, the operator at the shipping factory ships the three printers 10A to 10C to the company office.

[0045] (Wi-Fi connection process in the office; Figures 5 to 7) Next, a Wi-Fi connection process executed in an office will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. In the initial state of Fig. 5, the printer 10A, the printer 10B, and the printer 10C store a CO for SoftAP, a CO for the second printer, and a CO for the third printer, respectively. The printer 10A stores a PIN code "P1", and the printers 10B and 10C store a device ID "DVa" and a PIN code "P1". The connection table 38 of the printer 10A stores MAC addresses "CHb" and "CHc" for child stations, and each MAC address is associated with a connection flag "OFF".

[0046] When the printer 10A receives a power-on operation from an office worker in T210, the printer 10A operates as a SoftAP in T212. The printer 10A determines that a SoftAP CO is stored in the memory 34, and executes the processes from S230 onward without displaying a QR code.

[0047] Furthermore, when the printer 10B receives a power ON operation from the office worker in T220, it determines that the second printer CO is stored in the printer 10B, and displays a notification screen in T222. If the second printer CO is not stored in the printer 10B, the printer 10B executes the processes of T110 to T114 in FIG. 4. The notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10A having the device ID "DVa" stored in the printer 10B will be established. This allows the office worker to know that a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10A will be established. In addition, it is possible to suppress the notification screen from being displayed in a situation where a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10A is not established. The notification screen is erased when a predetermined time has passed since the screen was displayed. In a modified example, the notification screen may include an OK button, and the notification screen may be erased when the OK button is selected.

[0048] T230 and T232 are the same as T150 and T152 in FIG. 4. In T232, the SoftAP SC of the printer 10A and the second printer SC of the printer 10B are used, and a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10A and the printer 10B for the printer 10A to operate as a parent station (i.e., SoftAP) of the SoftAPNW and the printer 10B to operate as a child station of the SoftAPNW. That is, a Wi-Fi connection is established using the parent station MAC address "PAa" of the printer 10A and the child station MAC address "CHb" of the printer 10B. In this way, the printer 10A establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B using the SoftAP SC and the second printer SC generated by the terminal 100. Therefore, the printer 10A establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B without receiving an operation for establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B. This improves the convenience of the office worker.

[0049] The printer 10A displays a selection screen in T240. The selection screen includes a message for confirming whether or not to execute a process for establishing a Wi-Fi connection, a YES button, and a NO button. The message is also a message for selecting whether or not to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printers 10B and 10C and the AP. This allows the office worker to select whether or not to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printers 10B and 10C and the AP. In a modified example, the printer 10A may display the selection screen after T210 or T212. Next, when the printer 10A accepts the selection of the YES button from the office worker in T242, it displays an input screen for inputting the SSID and password of the wireless network formed by the AP to which the Wi-Fi connection is to be established in T244. When the printer 10A accepts, in T246, from the office worker, input of the SSID "ap8" and password "pw8" of the wireless network formed by the AP8 (hereinafter, referred to as the "first APNW"), the printer 10A establishes, in T248, a Wi-Fi connection using the input SSID "ap8" and password "pw8" for the AP8 to operate as the parent station of the first APNW and the printer 10A to operate as a child station of the first APNW. That is, a Wi-Fi connection is established using the child station MAC address "Cha" of the printer 10A. This allows the printer 10A to access the Internet 6 via the AP8.

[0050] The printer 10A identifies the PIN code "P1" stored in the memory 34, and at T250, sends an authentication request including the device ID "DVa" and the PIN code "P1" to the SP server 200. The authentication request is a signal for requesting the SP server 200 to perform authentication using the PIN code in the request.

[0051] When the SP server 200 receives an authentication request from the printer 10A in T250, it determines that the PIN code "P1" in the request is stored, that is, the authentication using the PIN code "P1" is successful. In this case, the SP server 200 generates a token tk1 in T252, and transmits the token tk1 to the printer 10A in T254. The SP server 200 also identifies the account information AC1 associated with the PIN code "P1" in the SP server 200, and stores the device ID "DVa" in association with the account information AC1. As a result, the printer 10A is registered in the SP server 200.

[0052] When the printer 10A receives the token tk1 from the SP server 200 in T254, the printer 10A establishes an XMPP (short for eXtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) connection with the SP server 200 using the token tk1 in T256. The XMPP connection is a so-called constant connection, and is a connection that remains established until the power of the printer 10A is cut off. By using the XMPP connection, the SP server 200 can transmit a request to the printer 10 beyond the firewall of the wireless LAN 4 to which the printer 10 belongs, even if the SP server 200 does not receive a request from the printer 10. This allows the SP server 200 to provide a shipping service to the printer 10A. Specifically, the SP server 200 receives remaining amount information of the cartridge installed in the printer 10A from the printer 10A every time a predetermined time has elapsed, and ships a new cartridge when the remaining amount information is equal to or less than a threshold value.

[0053] 6, the printer 10A transmits the SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" to the printer 10B using a Wi-Fi connection in which the printer 10A operates as a parent station (i.e., a SoftAP). In this manner, the printer 10A transmits the SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" to the printer 10B after the Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 is established. Therefore, the Wi-Fi connection between the printer 10B and the AP8 can be reliably established.

[0054] When the printer 10B receives the SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" from the printer 10A in T260, the printer 10B disconnects the Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10A. This allows the printer 10B to establish a Wi-Fi connection using the MAC address "CHb" for the child station. Next, the printer 10B establishes a Wi-Fi connection in T270 using the SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" received in T260 so that the AP8 operates as a parent station of the first APNW and the printer 10B operates as a child station of the first APNW. That is, a Wi-Fi connection using the MAC address "CHb" for the child station of the printer 10B is established. This allows the printer 10B to access the Internet 6 via the AP8.

[0055] In T272, the printer 10A uses the Wi-Fi connection in which the printer 10A operates as a child station to transmit a confirmation signal to the printer 10B via the AP 8, with the MAC address "CHb" as the transmission destination. In this embodiment, the printer 10A has already received the MAC address "CHb" from the printer 10B before the Wi-Fi connection of T232 is established. Therefore, the time required for the wireless connection process can be shortened compared to a configuration in which the printer 10A receives the MAC address "CHb" from the printer 10B after the Wi-Fi connection of T232 is established.

[0056] Because a Wi-Fi connection has already been established between printer 10B and AP 8, printer 10A receives a response signal to the confirmation signal from printer 10B via AP 8 in T274. As a result, printer 10A is able to know that a Wi-Fi connection has been established between printer 10B and AP 8. In this case, printer 10A updates the connection flag associated with the slave station MAC address "CHb" in the connection table 38 from "OFF" to "ON" in T276.

[0057] 5, except that the communication target is printer 10B, and that the device ID "DVb" and token tk2 are used. As a result, the device ID "DVb" of printer 10B is registered in the SP server 200, and printer 10B is registered in the SP server 200.

[0058] In T290 in FIG. 7, when the printer 10C receives a power-on operation from an office worker, it determines that the third printer CO is stored in the printer 10C, and displays a notification screen in T292. T300 and T302 are similar to T230 and T232 in FIG. 5, respectively, except that the communication target is the printer 10C. As a result, the printer 10A operates as a parent station (i.e., SoftAP) of the SoftAPNW, and a Wi-Fi connection is established for the printer 10C to operate as a child station of the SoftAPNW. That is, a Wi-Fi connection is established using the parent station MAC address "PAa" of the printer 10A and the child station MAC address "CHc" of the printer 10C.

[0059] T310 to T324 are the same as T260 to T274 in FIG. 6, except that the communication target is the printer 10C. In addition, in T322, the printer 10A uses the Wi-Fi connection in which the printer 10A operates as a child station to transmit a confirmation signal to the printer 10C via the AP8, with the MAC address "CHc" as the transmission destination. As described above, the printer 10A transmits the same SSID "ap8" and password "pw8" to the printers 10B and 10C (T260 in FIG. 5 and T310 in FIG. 7). This allows the printers 10B and 10C to participate as child stations in the same wireless network (i.e., the first APNW).

[0060] When the printer 10A receives a response signal from the printer 10C via the AP 8 in T324, the printer 10A updates the connection flag associated with the child station MAC address "CHc" in the connection table 38 from "OFF" to "ON" in T326. Next, the printer 10A determines that the connection flags corresponding to all MAC addresses stored in the connection table 38 are "ON", and ends operation as a SoftAP in T328. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption of the printer 10 compared to a configuration in which the printer 10A maintains operation as a SoftAP.

[0061] 5, except that the communication target is the printer 10C, and the device ID "DVc" and token tk3 are used. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the AP8 and the three printers 10A to 10C, and all three printers 10A to 10C are registered in the SP server 200.

[0062] As described above, printers 10B and 10C receive PIN code "P1" from printer 10A (T160 in FIG. 4), and therefore can register device IDs "DVb" and "DVc" in the SP server 200 (T280 to T286 in FIG. 6, T330 to T336 in FIG. 7) without receiving input of PIN code "P1" from the office worker. This improves the convenience of the office worker. Furthermore, printer 10A can register device ID "DVa" in the SP server 200 (T250 to T256 in FIG. 5) without receiving input of a PIN code from the office worker. This further improves the convenience of the office worker.

[0063] Furthermore, printer 10A transmits the PIN code "P1" to printers 10B and 10C (T160 in FIG. 4) using the Wi-Fi connection of T152 in FIG. 4, which is established prior to the Wi-Fi connection of T232 in FIG. 5. Therefore, the time required to register device IDs "DVb" and "DVc" in SP server 200 can be reduced, compared to a configuration in which printer 10A transmits the PIN code "P1" to printers 10B and 10C using the Wi-Fi connection of T232 in FIG. 5.

[0064] Furthermore, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10A and the AP8 (T248 in FIG. 5), and a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10B and the AP8 (T270 in FIG. 6). Therefore, the printers 10A and 10B can perform wireless communication via the AP8.

[0065] Also, the printer 10A can simultaneously establish both a Wi-Fi connection using the parent station MAC address "PAa" (for example, T232 in FIG. 5) and a Wi-Fi connection using the child station MAC address "CHa" (for example, T248 in FIG. 6). The operation of the printer of the comparative example that cannot simultaneously establish both a Wi-Fi connection using the parent station MAC address and a Wi-Fi connection using the child station MAC address will be described. After establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8, the printer of the comparative example disconnects the Wi-Fi connection with the AP8. After establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B, the printer of the comparative example transmits the SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" to the printer 10B and disconnects the Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B. Then, the printer of the comparative example establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8. In this way, the printer of the comparative example needs to repeatedly establish and disconnect a Wi-Fi connection. On the other hand, in the state where the printer 10A of this embodiment has established a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8, the printer 10A can use the Wi-Fi connection established with the printer 10B to send the SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" to the printer 10B. Therefore, the time required to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printers 10A, 10B and the AP8 can be reduced.

[0066] (Access point switching process; Figure 8) Next, an access point switching process for switching the AP to which the Wi-Fi connections are established with the three printers 10A to 10C will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows the state after Fig. 7.

[0067] In this case, for example, it is assumed that the power supply of the AP 8 is turned off. In this case, the Wi-Fi connections between the three printers 10A to 10C and the AP 8 are disconnected.

[0068] When the printer 10A detects that the Wi-Fi connection with the AP 8 has been disconnected, in T410, the printer 10A starts up as a SoftAP, and in T412, the printer 10A updates the connection flags associated with the MAC addresses for the child stations "CHb" and "CHc" in the connection table 38 from "ON" to "OFF." The printer 10A determines that the CO for the SoftAP is stored in the memory 34, and executes the processes from S430 onward without displaying the QR code.

[0069] Furthermore, when the printer 10B detects that the Wi-Fi connection with the AP 8 has been disconnected, it determines that the second printer CO is stored in the printer 10B, and displays a notification screen in T420.

[0070] T430 to T444 are the same as T230 to T244 in Fig. 5. When the printer 10A accepts the input of the SSID "ap9" and password "pw9" of the wireless network formed by the AP9 (hereinafter, referred to as the "second APNW") in T446, the printer 10A establishes a Wi-Fi connection in T448 using the input SSID "ap9" and password "pw9" so that the AP9 operates as a parent station of the second APNW and the printer 10A operates as a child station of the second APNW. That is, a Wi-Fi connection is established using the child station MAC address "Cha" of the printer 10A.

[0071] 6 are executed between the printer 10A, the printer 10B, and the AP9. At T260, the printer 10A transmits the SSID "ap9" and the password "pw9" to the printer 10B. As a result, as shown in T578, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10B and the AP9 for the AP9 to operate as a parent station of the second APNW and for the printer 10B to operate as a child station of the second APNW.

[0072] 6 are executed between the printer 10A, the printer 10C, and the AP9. At T310, the printer 10A transmits the SSID "ap9" and the password "pw9" to the printer 10C. As a result, as shown at T588, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10C and the AP9 so that the AP9 operates as a parent station of the second APNW and the printer 10C operates as a child station of the second APNW. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the AP9 and the three printers 10A to 10C.

[0073] As described above, when the Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10A is disconnected from the AP8 (FIG. 8) after the Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B is disconnected (Wi-Fi connection disconnection after T260), the printer 10A establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B using the SC for SoftAP and the SC for the second printer (T432 in FIG. 8). Then, when the Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B is re-established (T432 in FIG. 8), the printer 10A transmits the SSID "ap9" and the password "pw9" to the printer 10B. Therefore, the printer 10B can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the AP9 after the Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 is disconnected.

[0074] Furthermore, when the Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 is to be disconnected (FIG. 8) after the Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B is disconnected (Wi-Fi connection disconnection after T260), the printer 10A displays a selection screen (T440). This allows the office worker to know that the Wi-Fi connection between the printer 10B and the AP8 has been disconnected, and allows the worker to select whether or not to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer 10B and the AP9.

[0075] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, the printer 10A establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B so that the printer 10A operates as a parent station (i.e., a SoftAP) and the printer 10B operates as a child station (T232 in FIG. 5), and uses the Wi-Fi connection to transmit the SSID "ap9" and password "pw9" used in the first APNW formed by the AP8 to the printer 10B (T260 in FIG. 6). For this reason, the printer 10B can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 using the SSID "ap9" and the password "pw9" (T270).

[0076] Furthermore, the printer 10B establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B so that the printer 10A operates as a parent station (i.e., a SoftAP) and the printer 10B operates as a child station (T232 in FIG. 5), and receives the SSID "ap9" and password "pw9" used in the first APNW formed by the AP8 from the printer 10A using the Wi-Fi connection (T260 in FIG. 6). For this reason, the printer 10B can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 using the SSID "ap9" and the password "pw9" (T270).

[0077] (Correspondence) In one aspect, the printer 10A, the printer 10B, and the printer 10C are examples of a "first communication device," a "second communication device," and a "third communication device," respectively. The terminal 100 and the SP server 200 are examples of a "terminal device" and a "server," respectively. The AP8 and the AP9 are examples of a "first access point" and a "second access point," respectively. The Wi-Fi I / F 20A using the parent station MAC address "PAa" is an example of a "first wireless interface" of the "first communication device." The Wi-Fi I / F 20A using the child station MAC address "CHa" is an example of a "second wireless interface" of the "first communication device." The parent station MAC address "PAa" and the child station MAC address "CHa" are examples of a "first MAC address" and a "second MAC address," respectively. The chip 18A is an example of a "chip" of the "first communication device."

[0078] The Wi-Fi connection of T232 in FIG. 5 is an example of the "first wireless connection". The Wi-Fi connection of T302 in FIG. 7 is an example of the "second wireless connection". The Wi-Fi connection of T152 in FIG. 4 is an example of the "third wireless connection". The Wi-Fi connection of T152 in FIG. 4 corresponding to the printer 10C is an example of the "fourth wireless connection". The Wi-Fi connection of T248 in FIG. 5 is an example of the "fifth wireless connection". SoftAPNW is an example of the "first wireless network", "second wireless network", "third wireless network", and "fourth wireless network". The SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" are examples of the "first wireless setting". The device code "DVa", the device code "DVb", and the device code "DVc" are examples of the "first device information", "second device information", and "third device information", respectively. The PIN code "P1" is an example of the "registration code". The slave MAC address "CHb" of printer 10B is an example of "identification information of a second communication device." The SC for the SoftAP and the SC for the second printer are examples of "first connection information" and "second connection information," respectively. The selection screen of T240 in FIG. 5 and the selection screen of T440 in FIG. 8 are examples of "first selection screen" and "second selection screen," respectively. The SSID "ap9" and password "pw9" are examples of "second wireless settings."

[0079] The processes executed in T232 in FIG. 5 and T260 in FIG. 6 are examples of processes executed by a "first establishing unit" and a "first wireless setting transmitting unit", respectively.

[0080] From another perspective, printer 10A and printer 10B are examples of a "first communication device" and a "second communication device", respectively. AP8 is an example of an "access point". Wi-Fi I / F 20B, which uses the child station MAC address "CHb", is an example of a "first wireless interface" and a "second wireless interface" of the "second communication device". The child station MAC address "CHb" is an example of a "first MAC address" and a "second MAC address".

[0081] The Wi-Fi connection of T232 in FIG. 5 is an example of a "first wireless connection." The Wi-Fi connection of T152 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "second wireless connection." SoftAPNW is an example of a "first wireless network" and a "second wireless network." The SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" are examples of "wireless settings." The SC for the second printer is an example of "connection information." The device ID "DVa" of the printer 10A is an example of "identification information of a first communication device."

[0082] The processes executed at T232 in FIG. 5 and at T260 and T370 in FIG. 6 are examples of processes executed by the "first establishment unit", the "wireless setting receiving unit", and the "second establishment unit", respectively.

[0083] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0084] (First Modification) The "parent station" is not limited to SoftAP, and may be a G / O of the WFD method. In this modification, for example, the printer 10A spontaneously transitions to a G / O of the WFD method at T212 in FIG. 5 after receiving a power-on operation, and at T232, the printer 10A operates as a G / O of the WFD method and establishes a Wi-Fi connection for the printer 10B to operate as a client of the WFD method. Note that in another modification, the printer 10A may be configured to operate as a G / O in response to the execution of G / O negotiation between the printer 10A and the printer 10B.

[0085] (Second Modification) Printer 10A may transmit different SSIDs and passwords to printers 10B and 10C. For example, printer 10A may transmit SSID "ap8" and password "pw8" to printer 10B, and transmit SSID "ap9" and password "pw9" to printer 10C.

[0086] 5, the wireless network to which printer 10A and printer 10B belong may be different from the wireless network to which printer 10A and printer 10C belong in T234. For example, a wireless network in which printer 10A operates as a SoftAP may be formed in T232, and a wireless network in which printer 10B operates as a G / O of a WFD may be formed in T234. That is, the "first wireless network" and the "second wireless network" may be different.

[0087] (Fourth Modification) SP server 200 can be omitted. In this modification, T50 to T72 in Fig. 3, T160 and T162 in Fig. 4, T280 to T286 in Fig. 6, and T330 to T336 in Fig. 7 can be omitted. In this modification, the "acquisition unit", "first registration code transmission unit", and "second registration code transmission unit" of the "first communication device" can be omitted. Furthermore, T250 to T256 in Fig. 5 can be omitted. In this modification, the "registration unit" of the "first communication device" can be omitted.

[0088] (Fifth Modification) The PIN code "P1" may be pre-stored in the printer 10A. In this modification, T50 to T72 in FIG. 3 may be omitted. In another modification, after T248 in FIG. 5, processing similar to T50 to T68 in FIG. 3 may be executed between the printer 10A and the SP server 200. In this modification, the "acquisition unit", "third establishment unit", and "fourth establishment unit" of the "first communication device" may be omitted.

[0089] (Sixth Modification) It is possible to omit T248 in Fig. 5. In this modification, it is possible to omit the "fifth establishment unit" of the "first communication device".

[0090] (Seventh Modification) Instead of T248, the printer 10A may establish a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 after T260 in FIG. 6, that is, after the SSID "ap8" and the password "pw8" are transmitted to the printer 10B.

[0091] (Eighth Modification) The printer 10A may be configured not to simultaneously establish a Wi-Fi connection using the parent station MAC address "PAa" and a Wi-Fi connection using the child station MAC address "CHa". Also, one MAC address may be assigned to the Wi-Fi I / F 20A of the printer 10A. In these modifications, when establishing a Wi-Fi connection between the printer 10B and the AP8, the printer 10A executes T240 to T248 without executing T230 and T232 in FIG. 5, and then disconnects the Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 and executes T260 in FIG. 6. Next, the printer 10A disconnects the Wi-Fi connection with the printer 10B, and then establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the AP8 and executes T272 to T276.

[0092] (Ninth Modification) The printer 10A may include a chip having a Wi-Fi I / F to which the master station MAC address "PAa" is assigned, and a chip having a Wi-Fi I / F to which the slave station MAC address "CHa" is assigned. In other words, the "first wireless interface" and the "second wireless interface" may be configured by separate chips.

[0093] (Tenth Modification) Printer 10A does not need to send a confirmation signal. In this modification, T152 and T154 in FIG. 4, T272 and T274 in FIG. 6, and T322, T324, and T328 in FIG. 7 can be omitted. In this modification, the "stop unit", "identification information receiving unit", and "confirmation unit" of the "first communication device" can be omitted. In this modification, printer 10A may stop operating as a SoftAP when it receives an operation to stop operating as a SoftAP from an office worker.

[0094] (Eleventh Modification) After T232 in Fig. 5, the printer 10A may receive the MAC address for the slave station "CHb" from the printer 10B by using the Wi-Fi connection established at T232. In another modification, the printer 10A may receive the MAC address for the slave station "CHb" from the printer 10B by using the Wi-Fi connection established at T152.

[0095] (Twelfth Modification) Instead of the confirmation signal of T272, the printer 10A may transmit a confirmation signal that does not include the destination MAC address "CHb" by broadcast, and in T274, receive a response signal in response to that signal from one or more devices belonging to the wireless LAN 4. In this modification, when the printer 10A receives a response signal that includes the child station MAC address "Chb", the printer 10A determines that a Wi-Fi connection has been established between the printer 10B and the AP 8.

[0096] (Thirteenth Modification) Information for establishing a Wi-Fi connection with printer 10B may be stored in advance in printer 10A. In this modification, the processes in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 may be omitted. In this modification, the "connection information receiving unit" of the "first communication device" may be omitted.

[0097] (14th Variation) Printer 10A does not need to display the selection screen T240 in FIG. 5. In this variation, the "first display control unit" of the "first communication device" can be omitted. In another variation, the selection screen T440 in FIG. 8 can be omitted. In this variation, the "second display control unit" of the "first communication device" can be omitted.

[0098] (Fifteenth Modification) The process of FIG. 8 can be omitted. In this modification, the "fifth establishment unit", "disconnection unit", "re-establishment unit", and "third wireless setting transmission unit" of the "first communication device" can be omitted. In this modification, for example, printer 10A executes the process of FIG. 8 when it receives an operation to switch APs from an office worker.

[0099] (16th Variation) The MAC address of the Wi-Fi I / F 20B of printer 10B used in the Wi-Fi connection established at T232 in FIG. 5 may be different from the MAC address of the Wi-Fi I / F 20B of printer 10B used in the Wi-Fi connection established at T270 in FIG. 6.

[0100] (Seventeenth Modification) The printer 10B does not need to display the notification screen of T222 in Fig. 5. In this modification, the "display control unit" of the "second communication device" can be omitted.

[0101] (18th Modification) The device ID "DVa" of printer 10A may be stored in advance in printer 10B. In this modification, T152 and T160 in FIG. 4 may be omitted. In this modification, the "third establishment unit" and "identification information receiving unit" of the "second communication device" may be omitted. In addition, the "identification information" is not limited to the device ID, and may be, for example, the serial number of printer 10A.

[0102] (19th Modification) The "master station" is not limited to a SoftAP, and may be a G / O of a WFD.

[0103] (20th Modification) In the above embodiment, the processes in FIGS. 3 to 8 are realized by software (eg, program 36), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0104] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. The following items are elements of the claims as originally filed: (Item 1) A first communication device, one or more wireless interfaces for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a first establishment unit that establishes a first wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with a second communication device different from the first communication device via a first wireless interface among the one or more wireless interfaces, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network; a first wireless setting transmission unit that transmits a first wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface by using the first wireless connection when the first wireless connection is established, the first wireless setting being information for causing a destination communication device to establish a specific wireless connection with a first access point different from the first communication device; A first communication device comprising: (Item 2) The first communication device further comprises: a second establishment unit that establishes a second wireless connection conforming to the Wi-Fi standard with a third communication device different from the second communication device via the first wireless interface, the second wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a second wireless network and the third communication device to operate as a child station of the second wireless network; A first communication device as described in item 1, comprising: a second wireless setting transmission unit that, when the second wireless connection is established, uses the second wireless connection to transmit the first wireless setting already transmitted to the second communication device to the third communication device via the first wireless interface. (Item 3) 3. The first communication device of claim 2, wherein the second wireless network is the same as the first wireless network. (Item 4) The first communication device further comprises: An acquisition unit that acquires a registration code generated by the server; a first registration code transmission unit configured to transmit the registration code to the second communication device via the first wireless interface, where when the registration code is transmitted to the second communication device, the registration code is transmitted from the second communication device to the server via the first access point in order to register second device information of the second communication device in the server; A first communication device as described in item 2 or 3, comprising: a second registration code transmission unit that transmits the registration code to the third communication device via the first wireless interface, and when the registration code is transmitted to the third communication device, the registration code is transmitted from the third communication device to the server via the first access point in order to register third device information of the third communication device in the server. (Item 5) The first communication device further comprises: 5. The first communication device according to item 4, further comprising a registration unit that transmits first device information of the first communication device and the registration code to the server and registers the first device information to the server. (Item 6) The first communication device further comprises: a third establishment unit that establishes a third wireless connection with the second communication device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard via the first wireless interface before the first wireless connection is established, the third wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a third wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the third wireless network; the first registration code transmission unit transmits the registration code to the second communication device using the third wireless connection; The first communication device further comprises: a fourth establishment unit that establishes a fourth wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with the second communication device via the first wireless interface before the second wireless connection is established, the fourth wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a fourth wireless network and the third communication device to operate as a child station of the fourth wireless network; 6. The first communication device according to item 4 or 5, wherein the second registration code transmission unit transmits the registration code to the third communication device using the fourth wireless connection. (Item 7) The first communication device described in any one of items 4 to 6, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the registration code by receiving the registration code from the terminal device via the first wireless interface when the registration code is transmitted from the server to a terminal device other than the first communication device. (Item 8) The first communication device further comprises: A first communication device described in any one of items 1 to 7, comprising a fifth establishment unit that uses the first wireless setting to establish a fifth wireless connection with the first access point in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard via a second wireless interface among the one or more wireless interfaces. (Item 9) The first communication device described in item 8, wherein after the fifth wireless connection is established, the first wireless setting transmission unit uses the first wireless connection to transmit the first wireless setting used when establishing the fifth wireless connection to the second communication device via the first wireless interface. (Item 10) The first communication device according to item 8 or 9, wherein the first communication device is configured to be capable of simultaneously establishing both the first wireless connection via the first wireless interface and the fifth wireless connection via the second wireless interface. (Item 11) the first wireless interface is assigned a first MAC address; a second MAC address different from the first MAC address is assigned to the second wireless interface; 11. The first communication device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface are configured by a single chip. (Item 12) The first communication device further comprises: A first communication device described in any one of items 8 to 11, comprising a stopping unit that stops operation as the parent station of the first wireless network when the first communication device is able to communicate with the second communication device via the second wireless interface and the first access point using the fifth wireless connection after the first wireless setting is sent to the second communication device. (Item 13) The first communication device further comprises: an identification information receiving unit that receives identification information of the second communication device from the second communication device via the first wireless interface before the first wireless connection is established; The first communication device described in item 12, further comprising a confirmation unit that uses the identification information to confirm whether the first communication device is capable of communicating with the second communication device via the second wireless interface and the first access point using the fifth wireless connection. (Item 14) The first communication device further comprises: A display unit; a first display control unit that causes a first selection screen to be displayed on the display unit to allow a user to select whether or not to establish a wireless connection between the second communication device and the first access point when the first communication device is powered on in a state in which first connection information used for establishing the first wireless connection is stored in the first communication device, The first communication device described in any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the first wireless setting transmission unit transmits the first wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface using the established first wireless connection when the user selects on the first selection screen to establish a wireless connection between the second communication device and the first access point. (Item 15) The first communication device further comprises: a connection information receiving unit that receives first connection information from a terminal device via the first wireless interface; the first establishment unit establishes the first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first wireless interface by using the first connection information and the second connection information; 15. The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second connection information is information transmitted from the terminal device to the second communication device. (Item 16) The first communication device further comprises: a fifth establishment unit that establishes a fifth wireless connection with the first access point by using the first wireless setting; a disconnection unit that disconnects the first wireless connection after the first wireless setting is transmitted to the second communication device; a re-establishment unit that re-establishes the first wireless connection via the first wireless interface by using the first connection information and the second connection information when the fifth wireless connection is disconnected after the first wireless connection is disconnected; Item 16. The first communication device described in item 15, further comprising: a third wireless setting transmission unit that, when the first wireless connection is re-established, uses the first wireless connection to transmit a second wireless setting, different from the first wireless setting, to the second communication device via the first wireless interface, wherein the second wireless setting is information for causing a destination communication device to establish a wireless connection with a second access point, different from the first access point. (Item 17) The first communication device further comprises: A display unit; a second display control unit that, when the fifth wireless connection is disconnected after the first wireless connection is disconnected, causes the display unit to display a second selection screen for allowing a user to select whether or not to establish a wireless connection between the second communication device and the second access point; The first communication device described in item 16, wherein the third wireless setting transmission unit transmits the second wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface using the re-established first wireless connection when the user selects on the second selection screen to establish a wireless connection between the second communication device and the second access point. (Item 18) a second communication device, one or more wireless interfaces for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a first establishment unit that establishes a first wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with a first communication device different from the second communication device via a first wireless interface among the one or more wireless interfaces, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network; a wireless setting receiver that receives wireless settings from the first communication device via the first wireless interface by using the first wireless connection when the first wireless connection is established, the wireless setting being information for causing the second communication device to establish a specific wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with an access point different from that of the first communication device; a second establishment unit that, when the wireless setting is received from the first communication device, establishes a wireless connection with the access point via a second wireless interface of the one or more wireless interfaces by using the wireless setting; A second communication device comprising: (Item 19) the first wireless interface is assigned a first MAC address; Item 19. The second communication device according to item 18, wherein the second wireless interface is assigned a second MAC address that is the same as the first MAC address. (Item 20) The second communication device further comprises: A display unit; 20. The second communication device described in item 18 or 19, further comprising: a display control unit that, when the power of the second communication device is turned on while connection information used to establish the first wireless connection is stored in the second communication device, displays a notification screen on the display unit including identification information of the first communication device, the notification screen being a screen for notifying a user that the first wireless connection will be established with the first communication device identified by the identification information. (Item 21) The second communication device further comprises: a third establishment unit that establishes a second wireless connection with the first communication device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard via the first wireless interface before the first wireless connection is established, the second wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a second wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the second wireless network; an identification information receiving unit that receives the identification information of the first communication device from the first communication device via the first wireless interface by using the second wireless connection when the second wireless connection is established; The second communication device described in item 20, wherein when the power of the second communication device is turned on while the connection information is stored in the second communication device, the display control unit displays the notification screen including the received identification information on the display unit. (Item 22) A computer program for a first communication device, comprising: A computer of the first communication device, a first establishing unit that establishes a first wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with a second communication device different from the first communication device via a first wireless interface among one or more wireless interfaces of the first communication device for performing wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network; a first wireless setting transmission unit that transmits a first wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface by using the first wireless connection when the first wireless connection is established, the first wireless setting being information for causing a destination communication device to establish a specific wireless connection with a first access point different from the first communication device; A computer program that functions as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 4: wireless LAN, 6: Internet, 10: printer, 10A: printer, 10B: printer, 10C: printer, 12: operation unit, 14: display unit, 16: print execution unit, 18A: chip, 18B: chip, 18C: chip, 20A: Wi-Fi I / F, 20B: Wi-Fi I / F, 20C: Wi-Fi I / F, 30: control unit, 32: CPU, 34: memory, 36: program, 38: connection table, 100: terminal, 200: SP server

Claims

1. A first communication device, one or more wireless interfaces for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a memory that stores a first MAC address for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a wireless network, and a second MAC address for a second communication device different from the first communication device to operate as a child station of the wireless network; a first establishment unit that establishes a first wireless connection with the second communication device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard by using the first MAC address and the second MAC address in the memory via a first wireless interface of the one or more wireless interfaces, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network; a first wireless setting transmission unit that transmits a first wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface by using the first wireless connection when the first wireless connection is established, the first wireless setting being information for causing a destination communication device to establish a specific wireless connection with a first access point different from the first communication device; A first communication device comprising:

2. The first communication device further comprises: a second establishment unit that establishes a second wireless connection conforming to the Wi-Fi standard with a third communication device different from the second communication device via the first wireless interface, the second wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a second wireless network and the third communication device to operate as a child station of the second wireless network; The first communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second wireless setting transmission unit that, when the second wireless connection is established, uses the second wireless connection to transmit the first wireless setting that has been transmitted to the second communication device via the first wireless interface to the third communication device.

3. The first communication device of claim 2 , wherein the second wireless network is the same as the first wireless network.

4. The first communication device further comprises: An acquisition unit that acquires a registration code generated by the server; a first registration code transmission unit configured to transmit the registration code to the second communication device via the first wireless interface, where when the registration code is transmitted to the second communication device, the registration code is transmitted from the second communication device to the server via the first access point in order to register second device information of the second communication device in the server; 4. The first communication device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: a second registration code transmission unit that transmits the registration code to the third communication device via the first wireless interface, wherein when the registration code is transmitted to the third communication device, the registration code is transmitted from the third communication device to the server via the first access point in order to register third device information of the third communication device in the server.

5. The first communication device further comprises: The first communication device according to claim 4 , further comprising a registration unit that transmits first device information of the first communication device and the registration code to the server, and registers the first device information in the server.

6. The first communication device further comprises: a third establishment unit that establishes a third wireless connection with the second communication device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard via the first wireless interface before the first wireless connection is established, the third wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a third wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the third wireless network; the first registration code transmission unit transmits the registration code to the second communication device using the third wireless connection; The first communication device further comprises: a fourth establishment unit that establishes a fourth wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with the second communication device via the first wireless interface before the second wireless connection is established, the fourth wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a fourth wireless network and the third communication device to operate as a child station of the fourth wireless network; The first communication device according to claim 4 , wherein the second registration code transmission unit transmits the registration code to the third communication device by using the fourth wireless connection.

7. The first communication device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the registration code by receiving the registration code from the terminal device via the first wireless interface when the registration code is transmitted from the server to a terminal device other than the first communication device.

8. The first communication device further comprises: The first communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a fifth establishment unit that uses the first wireless setting to establish a fifth wireless connection with the first access point in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard via a second wireless interface among the one or more wireless interfaces.

9. The first communication device according to claim 8, wherein after the fifth wireless connection is established, the first wireless setting transmission unit uses the first wireless connection to transmit the first wireless setting used when establishing the fifth wireless connection to the second communication device via the first wireless interface.

10. The first communication device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first communication device is configured to be capable of simultaneously establishing both the first wireless connection via the first wireless interface and the fifth wireless connection via the second wireless interface.

11. the first wireless interface is assigned the first MAC address; a third MAC address different from the first MAC address is assigned to the second wireless interface; The first communication device according to claim 8 , wherein the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface are configured by a single chip.

12. The first communication device further comprises: A first communication device as described in any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a stopping unit that stops operation as the parent station of the first wireless network when the first communication device is able to communicate with the second communication device via the second wireless interface and the first access point using the fifth wireless connection after the first wireless setting is sent to the second communication device.

13. The first communication device further comprises: an identification information receiving unit that receives identification information of the second communication device from the second communication device via the first wireless interface before the first wireless connection is established; The first communication device according to claim 12, further comprising: a confirmation unit that uses the identification information to confirm whether the first communication device is capable of communicating with the second communication device via the second wireless interface and the first access point using the fifth wireless connection.

14. The first communication device further comprises: A display unit; a first display control unit that causes a first selection screen to be displayed on the display unit so that a user can select whether or not to establish a wireless connection between the second communication device and the first access point when the first communication device is powered on in a state in which first connection information used for establishing the first wireless connection is stored in the first communication device, A first communication device as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein when the user selects on the first selection screen to establish a wireless connection between the second communication device and the first access point, the first wireless setting transmission unit transmits the first wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface using the established first wireless connection.

15. The first communication device further comprises: a connection information receiving unit that receives first connection information from a terminal device via the first wireless interface; the first establishment unit establishes the first wireless connection with the second communication device via the first wireless interface by using the first connection information and the second connection information; The first communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the second connection information is information transmitted from the terminal device to the second communication device.

16. The first communication device further comprises: a fifth establishment unit that establishes a fifth wireless connection with the first access point by using the first wireless setting; a disconnection unit that disconnects the first wireless connection after the first wireless setting is transmitted to the second communication device; a re-establishment unit that re-establishes the first wireless connection via the first wireless interface by using the first connection information and the second connection information when the fifth wireless connection is disconnected after the first wireless connection is disconnected; The first communication device according to claim 15, further comprising: a third wireless setting transmission unit that, when the first wireless connection is re-established, uses the first wireless connection to transmit a second wireless setting, different from the first wireless setting, to the second communication device via the first wireless interface, wherein the second wireless setting is information for causing a destination communication device to establish a wireless connection with a second access point, different from the first access point.

17. The first communication device further comprises: A display unit; a second display control unit that causes the display unit to display a second selection screen for allowing a user to select whether or not to establish a wireless connection between the second communication device and the second access point when the fifth wireless connection is disconnected after the first wireless connection is disconnected; The first communication device of claim 16, wherein the third wireless setting transmission unit transmits the second wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface using the re-established first wireless connection when the user selects on the second selection screen to establish a wireless connection between the second communication device and the second access point.

18. a second communication device, one or more wireless interfaces for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a first establishment unit that establishes a first wireless connection with the first communication device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard via a first wireless interface of the one or more wireless interfaces by using a first MAC address and a second MAC address stored in a first communication device different from the second communication device, the first MAC address being information for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a wireless network, the second MAC address being information for the second communication device to operate as a child station of the wireless network, and the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of the first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network; a wireless setting receiver that receives wireless settings from the first communication device via the first wireless interface by using the first wireless connection when the first wireless connection is established, the wireless setting being information for causing the second communication device to establish a specific wireless connection in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard with an access point different from that of the first communication device; a second establishment unit that, when the wireless setting is received from the first communication device, establishes a wireless connection with the access point via a second wireless interface of the one or more wireless interfaces by using the wireless setting; A second communication device comprising:

19. the first wireless interface is assigned the second MAC address; The second communication device of claim 18 , wherein the second wireless interface is assigned a third MAC address that is the same as the second MAC address.

20. The second communication device further comprises: A display unit; The second communication device of claim 18 or 19, further comprising a display control unit that causes a notification screen including identification information of the first communication device to be displayed on the display unit when the power of the second communication device is turned on while connection information used to establish the first wireless connection is stored in the second communication device, the notification screen being a screen for notifying a user that the first wireless connection will be established with the first communication device identified by the identification information.

21. The second communication device further comprises: a third establishment unit that establishes a second wireless connection with the first communication device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard via the first wireless interface before the first wireless connection is established, the second wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a second wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the second wireless network; an identification information receiving unit that receives the identification information of the first communication device from the first communication device via the first wireless interface by using the second wireless connection when the second wireless connection is established; The second communication device according to claim 20, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the notification screen including the received identification information when the power of the second communication device is turned on while the connection information is stored in the second communication device.

22. A computer program for a first communication device, comprising: The first communication device is A computer, one or more wireless interfaces for performing wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi standard; a memory that stores a first MAC address for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a wireless network, and a second MAC address for a second communication device different from the first communication device to operate as a child station of the wireless network, The computer program causes the computer to: a first establishment unit that establishes a first wireless connection with the second communication device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard by using the first MAC address and the second MAC address in the memory via a first wireless interface of the one or more wireless interfaces, the first wireless connection being a wireless connection for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network; a first wireless setting transmission unit that transmits a first wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface by using the first wireless connection when the first wireless connection is established, the first wireless setting being information for causing a destination communication device to establish a specific wireless connection with a first access point different from the first communication device; A computer program that functions as a

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