Information processing device, control method, and program

Abstract

To appropriately execute a process to connect a communication device capable of using a plurality of frequency bands and an external device.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to execute a transmission step to send a communication device connection information used for radio connection with an external device and frequency band information on a frequency band used for radio connection with the external device in response to reception of an execution instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique for executing a process of connecting a communication device such as a printer to an external device such as an access point by using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a smartphone. Patent Document 1 describes that a communication device and an external device are connected by a communication partner device transmitting AP information (SSID, etc.) that identifies the external device to the communication device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-72728 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, communication devices that can use multiple frequency bands (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) have become widespread. Even if such communication devices receive information about an external device from an information processing device, they cannot specify which frequency band should be used to connect to the external device. This poses a problem that the information processing device may not properly execute a process to connect the communication device to the external device.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to appropriately execute a process for connecting a communication device capable of using a plurality of frequency bands to an external device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a program of the present invention is a program for a computer of an information processing device that can communicate with a communication device that can use at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band, the program comprising: The information processing device executes A list of access points found by the search The first list is Display No. 1 A display step; a second display step of displaying a second list which is a list of access points found by the search executed by the communication device; The above No. 1 Utilized to establish a wireless connection with a first access point selected by a user from the list. No. 1 Setting information and a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the first access point No. 1 Frequency band information, No. 1 to transmit the selection from the list to the communication device, which is a device external to the information processing device, which is a device that has accepted the selection from the list. No. 1 a first control step of executing a control; a second control step of executing a second control for transmitting second setting information used for wirelessly connecting to a second access point selected by a user from the second list and second frequency band information related to a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the second access point to the communication device, which is an external device of the information processing device, which is a device that has accepted the user's selection from the second list; Run the command, The first frequency band information to be transmitted to the communication device is identified based on information acquired by the information processing device from the first access point, whereas the second frequency band information to be transmitted to the communication device is identified based on information acquired by the information processing device from the communication device; The first frequency band and the second frequency band transmitted to the communication device No. 1 Frequency band information or the second frequency band information The communication device uses a frequency band corresponding to No. 1 Configuration information Or the second setting information The feature of the present invention is that the present invention is characterized by connecting to an access point corresponding to the above. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately execute a process for connecting a communication device capable of using a plurality of frequency bands to an external device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a communication device and an information processing device. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing a network setting process executed by the information processing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is an example of an access point selection screen. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a network setting process executed by an information processing device in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process in which an information processing device specifies an access point to which a communication device is to be connected. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a network setting process executed by an information processing device in the third embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is an example of a manual setting screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0010] (First embodiment) An information processing device and a communication device included in the communication system of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a personal computer (PC) is exemplified as the information processing device, but is not limited thereto. Various devices such as a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a digital camera can be applied as the information processing device. In addition, in the present embodiment, a printer is exemplified as the communication device, but is not limited thereto, and various devices that can perform wireless communication with the information processing device can be applied. For example, the printer can be applied to an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam printer, a monochrome printer, and the like. In addition to printers, the present invention can also be applied to copiers, facsimile machines, mobile terminals, smartphones, PCs, tablet terminals, PDAs, digital cameras, music playback devices, televisions, and the like. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to multifunction machines having multiple functions such as a copying function, a FAX function, and a printing function.

[0011] First, the configuration of the information processing device of this embodiment and the configuration of the communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device of this embodiment will be described. In addition, the following configuration will be described as an example in this embodiment, but this embodiment is applicable to devices capable of communicating with the communication device, and the functions are not particularly limited to those shown in this figure.

[0012] The hardware configuration of the communication device 101 and the information processing device 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0013] The information processing device 102 includes an input I / F (interface) 202, a CPU 203, a ROM 204, a RAM 205, an external storage device 206, an output I / F (interface) 207, a display unit 208, a keyboard 209, a mouse 210, etc. Furthermore, the information processing device 102 includes a network interface (first communication unit) 211, a USB interface (second communication unit) 212, etc.

[0014] An input I / F (interface) 202 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from a user by operating a mouse 210 and a keyboard 209 .

[0015] The CPU 203 is a system control unit, and is a processor that controls the entire information processing device 102 .

[0016] The ROM 204 stores fixed data such as control programs and data tables executed by the CPU 203, and embedded operating system (hereinafter, referred to as OS) programs. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 204 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 204.

[0017] The RAM 205 is composed of a static random access memory (SRAM) that requires a backup power source. The RAM 205 holds data using a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, so that important data such as program control variables can be stored without volatilization. The RAM 205 also includes a memory area for storing setting information for the information processing device 102, management data for the information processing device 102, and the like. The RAM 205 is also used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 203.

[0018] The external storage device 206 stores an application that provides a print execution function, a print job generation program that generates a print job that can be interpreted by the communication device 101, and the like. The external storage device 206 also stores various programs, such as an information transmission / reception control program that is transmitted to and received from the communication device 101 connected via a network interface 211 or a USB interface 212, and various information used by these programs. It is to be noted that a setup program, which will be described later, is also stored in the external storage device 206.

[0019] An output I / F (interface) 207 is an interface that controls a display unit 208 to display data and to notify the status of the information processing device 102 .

[0020] The display unit 208 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) and an LCD (liquid crystal display), and displays data and notifies the status of the information processing device 102. Note that by providing operation units such as numeric input keys, mode setting keys, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key on the display unit 208, input from the user may be accepted via the display unit 208.

[0021] The network interface 211 controls communication via wireless communication and communication via a wired LAN cable. Specifically, the network interface 211 is configured to connect to the communication device 101 or an external device that is external to the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 via wireless or wired LAN to execute data communication. For example, the network interface 211 can be connected to an access point (not shown) in the communication device 101. By connecting the network interface 211 to the access point in the communication device 101, the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 can communicate with each other. The network interface 211 may directly communicate with the communication device 101 by wireless communication, or may communicate via an external device that exists outside the information processing device 102 or the communication device 101. The external device includes an external access point and a device that can relay communication other than an access point. In this embodiment, the IEEE 802.11 series standard (Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)) is used, but for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like may be used. Examples of the wireless communication method include Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Also, examples of the external access point include devices such as a router device. In this embodiment, a method in which the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 are directly connected without going through an external access point is called a direct connection method. Also, a method in which the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 are connected through an external access point is called an infrastructure connection method. In addition, the information processing device 102 may have a plurality of network interfaces 211 in order to communicate by a plurality of communication methods. Specifically, for example, the information processing device 102 may further include an interface for communicating by a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, or WiFi Aware. Furthermore, the information processing device 102 may not include the network interface 211 for wireless communication. In other words, the information processing device 102 may include only the network interface 211 for wired communication and the USB interface 212 described below as interfaces for communicating with other devices.

[0022] The USB interface 212 controls a USB connection via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. Specifically, the USB interface 212 is configured to connect to the communication device 101, an external access point, or other device via USB and execute data communication.

[0023] The communication device 101 includes a network I / F (interface) (communication unit) 252, a RAM 253, a print engine 256, a ROM 254, a CPU 255, a USB interface 257, and the like.

[0024] The network interface 252 controls communication via wireless and communication via a wired LAN cable. Specifically, the network interface 252 has an access point for connecting to devices such as the information processing device 102 as an access point inside the communication device 101. The access point can be connected to the network interface 211 of the information processing device 102. The network interface 252 may directly communicate with the information processing device 102 by wireless communication, or may communicate via an external access point. That is, the network interface 252 may not only operate as an access point itself, but also operate as a child device that connects to an external access point. In this embodiment, the IEEE 802.11 series standard (Wi-Fi) is used, but for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like may be used. The network interface 252 may have hardware that functions as an access point, or may operate as an access point by software that functions as an access point. The communication device 101 may have a plurality of network interfaces 252 in order to communicate by a plurality of communication methods. Specifically, for example, the communication device 101 may further include an interface for communicating using a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, or WiFi Aware.

[0025] The RAM 253 is composed of an SRAM or the like that requires a backup power source. Since the RAM 253 holds data using a primary battery for data backup (not shown), important data such as program control variables can be stored without volatilization. The RAM 253 also has a memory area for storing setting information for the communication device 101 and management data for the communication device 101. The RAM 253 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 255, and stores a reception buffer for temporarily storing print information received from the information processing device 102, etc., and various types of information.

[0026] The ROM 254 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU 255. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 254 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of an embedded OS stored in the ROM 254.

[0027] The CPU 255 is a system control unit and is a processor that controls the entire communication device 101 .

[0028] The print engine 256 executes an image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper by applying a recording agent such as ink to the recording medium based on information stored in the RAM 253 or a print job received from the information processing device 102, etc., and outputs the print result. Note that a print job is a job for causing the communication device 101 to execute an image forming process.

[0029] In this embodiment, the communication device 101 uses at least one of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands for wireless connection based on the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. The communication device 101 has communication channels corresponding to available frequency bands. For example, if the 2.4 GHz frequency band is available, the communication device 101 has 14 communication channels assigned to a predetermined frequency band of the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Also, for example, if the 5 GHz frequency band is available, the communication device 101 has 19 communication channels assigned to a predetermined frequency band of the 5 GHz frequency band.

[0030] Although the above-mentioned division of processing load between the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 is shown as an example here, the division is not limited to this and may be in another form.

[0031] 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to this embodiment. An information processing device 102 is connected to an access point 103 via a wired LAN or wireless LAN. The access point 103 is a router device. A router device is a device that relays data communication between devices (for example, between an information processing device and a communication device). In this embodiment, the router device serves as an access point and relays data communication between devices connected to the access point of the router device. Note that the communication method used by the router device may be a wireless communication method, a wired communication method, or both, but in this embodiment, the router device is assumed to have at least a wireless LAN router function that allows communication via a wireless communication method.

[0032] Furthermore, the communication device 101 is connected to the access point 103 via a wireless LAN. That is, the information processing device 102 is in a state in which it can communicate with the communication device 101 via the access point 103. Such a method of connection via an access point is generally called infrastructure connection. By establishing an infrastructure connection, the communication device 101 and the information processing device 102 can communicate with devices belonging to a network formed by the access point 103. Furthermore, if the access point 103 is connected to the Internet, the communication device 101 and the information processing device 102 can also use the Internet via the access point 103.

[0033] In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the information processing device 102 executes a setting process (network setting process) for establishing an infrastructure connection by the communication device 101, the information processing device 102, and the access point 103. Specifically, the information processing device 102 connects the communication device 101 and the access point 103 by transmitting network setting information to the communication device 101.

[0034] Note that the communication device 101 may be able to connect to the access point 103 by operating the communication device 101 body, even if it does not receive network setting information from the information processing device 102. However, there are cases where the display unit and operation unit of the communication device 101 are small, or the communication device 101 does not have a display unit or operation unit in the first place. In such cases, it is difficult to connect the communication device 101 and the access point 103 by operating the communication device 101 body. Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication device 101 and the access point 103 are connected via the information processing device 102.

[0035] Specifically, as a network setting process, the information processing device 102 transmits network setting information to the communication device 101 connected wirelessly or by wire. Here, the network setting information is, for example, connection information (Service Set Identifier (hereinafter, SSID), password, etc.) used to connect to the access point 103 to which the communication device 101 is to connect. Note that the connection information is transmitted from the communication device 101 to the access point 103 when the communication device 101 requests a connection to the access point 103. The information processing device 102 transmits such information to the communication device 101, thereby wirelessly connecting the communication device 101 and the access point 103.

[0036] Incidentally, a wireless connection is a connection made using a specific frequency band. In recent years, devices capable of using multiple frequency bands (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) have appeared as the communication device 101. The communication device 101 in this embodiment is also capable of performing wireless connections using multiple frequency bands. When connecting to an access point, the communication device 101 first searches for an access point (AP search) using a communication channel corresponding to an available frequency band. Thereafter, the communication device 101 wirelessly connects to the access point by transmitting a connection request to the access point corresponding to the connection information received as described above, using a communication channel corresponding to the available frequency band.

[0037] Even if such a communication device 101 receives connection information as described above, there is a problem in that it cannot connect to an access point unless it knows which frequency band to use for wirelessly connecting to the access point.

[0038] For example, the communication device 101 may perform an AP search using a frequency band that it can use and attempt to connect to an access point even if it does not know which frequency band to use. However, since the communication device 101 generally cannot use multiple frequency bands simultaneously, in the above embodiment, the communication device 101 uses the frequency bands that it can use one by one in sequence. In that case, the communication device 101 may attempt to connect using a frequency band other than the frequency band for connecting to the access point. That is, even in the above embodiment, there are problems such as the communication device 101 taking a long time to connect to an access point or performing unnecessary processing.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication device 101 is caused to identify which frequency band should be used to wirelessly connect to an access point, and then the communication device 101 is caused to attempt connection to the access point.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the network setting process executed by the information processing device 102 in the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 3 is realized, for example, by the CPU 203 reading a program stored in the ROM 204, the external storage device 206, etc., into the RAM 205 and executing it. Specifically, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 3 is realized by a setup program, which is a program for executing the network setting process. The process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 3 is started when a user operation (an instruction to execute the network setting process) that triggers the network setting process is performed on a screen displayed by the setup program. For example, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 3 is started in response to the start of the setup program.

[0041] First, in S301, the CPU 203 identifies a device to be a target of the network setting process. Specifically, the CPU 203 acquires information on devices around the information processing device 102 using an API (Application Program Interface) of the OS included in the information processing device 102. More specifically, the CPU 203 acquires information on devices searched for by the network interface 211 and devices connected by the USB interface 212. Then, the CPU 203 uses the acquired information to display a list of devices connected to the interfaces included in the information processing device 102 on the display unit 208. The devices searched for by the network interface 211 are, for example, devices operating as access points and devices belonging to the network to which the information processing device 102 belongs. Note that in this embodiment, when a user executes a network setting process for the communication device 101, the user operates the communication device 101 main body to operate the communication device 101 in a predetermined mode called a setup mode. The setup mode is a mode in which the communication device 101 can accept a network setting process and is a mode in which the communication device 101 operates as a predetermined access point having a predetermined SSID. When the communication device 101 is operating in the setup mode, the communication device 101 is found by a search using the network interface 211, and is therefore displayed in the list. Note that there are cases where the information processing device 102 does not have a network interface 211 for wireless communication, or where the network interface 211 for wired communication is not connected to any device. In such cases, only devices connected via the USB interface 212 are displayed in the list. When the user selects the communication device 101 in the displayed list, the CPU 203 specifies the communication device 101 as a device to be subjected to network setting processing.

[0042] Next, in S302, the CPU 203 uses the API of the OS included in the information processing device 102 to obtain information as to whether or not the information processing device 102 has a network interface 211 for wireless communication.

[0043] Then, in S303, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the information processing device 102 has a network interface 211 for wireless communication based on the information acquired in S302. If the CPU 203 determines that the information processing device 102 has a network interface 211 for wireless communication, the process proceeds to S304. On the other hand, if the CPU 203 determines that the information processing device 102 does not have a network interface 211 for wireless communication, the process proceeds to S313.

[0044] In S304, the CPU 203 acquires information indicating whether the information processing device 102 is connected to the access point 103, using the API of the OS included in the information processing device 102.

[0045] In S305, the CPU 203 determines, based on the information acquired in S304, whether or not the information processing device 102 is wirelessly connected to the access point 103. If the CPU 203 determines that the information processing device 102 is wirelessly connected to the access point 103, the process proceeds to S306, and if the CPU 203 determines that the information processing device 102 is not wirelessly connected to the access point 103, the process proceeds to S308.

[0046] In S306, the CPU 203 specifies the access point 103 to which the information processing device 102 is wirelessly connected as an access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected. Then, the CPU 203 makes an inquiry to the access point 103 to which the information processing device 102 is wirelessly connected, and acquires setting information related to the access point 103. The setting information related to the access point 103 is, for example, setting information (SSID, etc.) for connecting to the access point 103, and information related to the frequency band and encryption method used by the access point 103. Note that in this embodiment, the access point 103 has a communication channel corresponding to at least one of the frequency bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and the communication channel is used for wireless connection.

[0047] In S307, the CPU 203 performs a process of generating a setting packet based on the setting information acquired in S306. The setting packet corresponds to the network setting information and is information for connecting the communication device 101 to the access point 103. If the communication device 101 is connected to the access point 103 to which the information processing device 102 is wirelessly connected, an infrastructure connection between the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 is established. Therefore, here, a setting packet for connecting the communication device 101 to the access point 103 to which the information processing device 102 is wirelessly connected is generated. Specifically, the setting packet includes setting information (SSID, password) for connecting to the access point 103, information on the frequency band used by the access point 103, information on the encryption method, etc. The frequency band used by the access point 103 is a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the access point 103. After S307, the CPU 203 proceeds to S312.

[0048] On the other hand, in S308, the CPU 203 searches for access points around the information processing device 102 (AP search (search process)) through the network interface 211. The AP search is executed by a well-known discovery process based on (in compliance with) the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. Specifically, the AP search is executed by passive scanning.

[0049] In S309, CPU 203 inquires of the access points found by the search in S308 and acquires setting information related to the access points. Details of the setting information are as described above. Note that here, CPU 203 acquires setting information related to all access points found by the search in S308.

[0050] In S310, the CPU 203 displays a list of access points found by the search in S308 on the display unit 208 based on the setting information acquired in S309. Specifically, an access point selection screen 401 as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display unit 208. The access point selection screen displays the SSID and encryption method of the access point found by the search in S308. Note that the present invention is not limited to this form, and for example, information on the frequency band used for wireless connection by the access point found by the search in S308 may be displayed. The CPU 203 allows the user to select one of the access points from the list, and specifies the selected access point (here, the access point 103) as the access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected. Note that at this time, the CPU 203 also displays a cancel button 402 for canceling the network setting process together with the list. If the cancel button 402 is selected, the CPU 203 ends the process. On the other hand, when the set button 403 is selected, the CPU 203 displays a password (passphrase) input screen 404 as shown in Fig. 4(b) on the display unit 208. The user inputs a password for using the selected access point in an input area 407. When the cancel button 405 is selected, the CPU 203 ends the process. On the other hand, when the set button 406 is selected, the CPU 203 proceeds to S311.

[0051] In S311, the CPU 203 performs processing for generating a setting packet based on the setting information acquired from the access point selected in S310 and the password input in S310. The details of the setting packet are as described above.

[0052] In S312, the CPU 203 wirelessly connects the setting target device identified in S301 (here, the communication device 101) to the information processing device 102. If another device such as the access point 103 is wirelessly connected to the information processing device 102 at this time, the CPU 203 stores setting information related to the other device and then temporarily disconnects the connection between the other device and the information processing device 102. Thereafter, the CPU 203 wirelessly connects the communication device 101 to the information processing device 102. After S312, the CPU 203 proceeds to S319.

[0053] In S313, the CPU 203 detects the device (here, the communication device 101) identified in S301 that is connected via the USB interface 212 or the network interface 211 for wired communication, using the API of the OS included in the information processing device 102. At this time, the CPU 203 acquires information from the communication device 101 as to whether or not the communication device 101 has a network interface 252 for wireless communication. If there is no device connected via the USB interface 212 or the network interface 211 for wired communication, the CPU 203 ends the process.

[0054] In S314, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the communication device 101 has a network interface 252 for wireless communication, based on the information acquired in S313. If the CPU 203 determines that the communication device 101 has the network interface 252 for wireless communication, the process proceeds to S315. On the other hand, if the CPU 203 determines that the communication device 101 does not have the network interface 252 for wireless communication, the process ends.

[0055] The communication device 101 can also search for access points (perform an AP search) in the vicinity of the communication device 101 by using the network interface 252 for wireless communication. Therefore, in S315, the CPU 203 requests the communication device 101 to send the results of the AP search performed by the communication device 101.

[0056] In S316, CPU 203 acquires the result of the AP search by communication device 101 (setting information of the access point discovered by the AP search by communication device 101) from communication device 101. Note that communication device 101 may execute the AP search when it accepts the request in S315, or may execute the AP search at any timing, such as when communication device 101 is powered on.

[0057] In S317, the CPU 203 displays a list of access points discovered by the communication device 101 on the display unit 208 based on the setting information acquired in S316. Specifically, an access point selection screen 401 as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display unit 208. The access point selection screen displays the SSID and encryption method of the access points discovered by the communication device 101. Note that the present invention is not limited to this form, and for example, information on the frequency band used for wireless connection by the access points discovered by the communication device 101 may be displayed. The CPU 203 allows the user to select any one of the access points from the list, and specifies the selected access point (here, the access point 103) as the access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected. Note that at this time, the CPU 203 also displays a cancel button 402 for canceling the network setting process together with the list. If the cancel button 402 is selected, the CPU 203 ends the process. On the other hand, when the set button 403 is selected, the CPU 203 displays a password (passphrase) input screen 401 as shown in Fig. 4(b) on the display unit 208. The user inputs a password for using the selected access point in an input area 407. When the cancel button 405 is selected, the CPU 203 ends the process. On the other hand, when the set button 406 is selected, the CPU 203 proceeds to S318.

[0058] In S318, the CPU 203 performs processing for generating a setting packet based on the setting information acquired from the access point selected in S317 and the password input in S317. The details of the setting packet are as described above. Note that, here, information regarding the frequency band used for wireless connection by the access point selected in S317 does not need to be included in the setting packet. This is because the communication device 101 recognizes which access point uses which frequency band when it executes the AP search.

[0059] In S319, the CPU 203 transmits the created setting packet to the communication device 101 identified in S301. Specifically, the CPU 203 transmits the setting packet using SNMP (Sinmple Network Management Protocol). SNMP is a protocol for monitoring and controlling devices (including the communication device 101) on the network to which the information processing device 102 belongs. The CPU 203 can acquire and set information in a database called MIB (Management Information Base) of the device to be monitored and controlled by communicating using SNMP. When the communication device 101 receives the setting packet, it identifies the device to be connected (the access point 103) and the frequency band used by the device to be connected for wireless connection (the frequency band corresponding to the information on the frequency band included in the setting packet) based on the setting packet. Then, the communication device 101 uses the identified frequency band preferentially to search for a device having the SSID included in the setting packet. Specifically, the communication device 101 only performs a search using the identified frequency band, and does not perform a search using a frequency band other than the identified frequency band. This search is performed by a known discovery process based on the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. Specifically, the communication device 101 searches for a device having the SSID included in the setting packet by active scanning using a frequency band identified based on the setting packet. Specifically, the communication device 101 broadcasts using communication channels corresponding to the frequency bands identified based on the setting packet in order, and waits for a response from a device having the SSID included in the setting packet. The communication device 101 discovers a device having the SSID included in the setting packet by receiving a response to the broadcast. Then, the communication device 101 transmits a connection request to the device thus discovered using the password included in the setting packet. As a result, the communication device 101 connects to the access point 103, and when the information processing device 102 connects to the access point 103, an infrastructure connection is established between the communication device 101 and the information processing device 102.

[0060] In S320, CPU 203 returns the connection state of information processing device 102 to the connection state before the network setting process. Specifically, if CPU 203 wirelessly connects communication device 101 and information processing device 102 after disconnecting the connection between other device and information processing device 102 in S312, CPU 203 reconnects other device and information processing device 102 using the setting information saved at that time. Note that if the connection state of information processing device 102 is the same as the connection state before the network setting process, CPU 203 omits the process of S320.

[0061] As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 203 identifies the frequency band used by the access point 103 based on the acquired setting information, and then transmits a setting packet including information on the identified frequency band to the communication device 101. By adopting such a configuration, the communication device 101 can identify which frequency band should be used to wirelessly connect to the access point 103, and can quickly connect to the access point 103 using the setting packet. Second embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Specifically, the second embodiment is a form in which a device discovered by the communication device 101 is preferentially specified as a device to which the communication device 101 is to be connected, over a device to which the information processing device 102 is connected or a device discovered by the information processing device 102. Specifically, the second embodiment is a form in which, when access points using different frequency bands have the same SSID, which one is to be used by the communication device 101 with priority, is determined. Note that, in the second embodiment, a communication system similar to that in the first embodiment is used, and parts not specifically described are similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0062] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a network setting process executed by the information processing device 102 in the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is realized, for example, by the CPU 203 reading a program stored in the ROM 204, the external storage device 206, etc., into the RAM 205 and executing it. Specifically, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is realized by a setup program. Also, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is started when a user operation that triggers the network setting process is performed on a screen displayed by the setup program. Also, for example, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is started in response to the start of the setup program.

[0063] S301 to S320 are the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0064] In this embodiment, the CPU 203 first executes the processes of S313 and S314 before executing the processes of S301, S302, and S303.

[0065] Specifically, first, in S313, the CPU 203 detects a device (here, the communication device 101) connected via the USB interface 212 or the network interface 211 for wired communication, using the API of the OS included in the information processing device 102. At this time, the CPU 203 acquires information from the communication device 101 as to whether or not the communication device 101 has a network interface 252 for wireless communication. Note that if there is no device connected via the USB interface 212 or the network interface 211 for wired communication, the CPU 203 proceeds to S301.

[0066] Then, in S314, if the CPU 203 determines that the communication device 101 has the network interface 252 for wireless communication, the process proceeds to S315. On the other hand, if the CPU 203 determines that the communication device 101 does not have the network interface 252 for wireless communication, the process proceeds to S301.

[0067] Also, in 303, if the CPU 203 determines that the information processing device 102 has the network interface 211 for wireless communication, the process proceeds to S304. If the CPU 203 determines that the information processing device 102 does not have the network interface 211 for wireless communication, the process ends.

[0068] In this embodiment, the CPU 203 executes the process of S501 after executing the process of S317. In addition, in S317, when access points using different frequency bands but having the same SSID are included in the list, the CPU 203 displays them as one access point on the access point selection screen 401 instead of displaying them separately. The case in which access points using different frequency bands but having the same SSID are included in the list is as follows. That is, a case in which one wireless LAN router compatible with multiple frequency bands enables access points using different frequency bands by the band steering function. In this way, multiple access points using different frequency bands are enabled by the band steering function, but the password for connecting to each access point is the same. When the input of the password is completed in the process of S317, the CPU 203 proceeds to S501.

[0069] In S501, the CPU 203 identifies an access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected. Details of the process in S501 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0070] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a process in which the information processing device 102 specifies an access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected. The flowchart shown in Fig. 6 is realized, for example, by the CPU 203 reading a program stored in the ROM 204, the external storage device 206, etc., into the RAM 205 and executing the program. Specifically, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 6 is realized by a setup program. Moreover, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 6 is executed as the process of S501 in Fig. 3.

[0071] In S601, the CPU 203 identifies the number of access points discovered by the communication device 101 based on the setting information acquired from the communication device 101 in S316.

[0072] In S602, the CPU 203 determines whether the SSID of the ith access point among the access points discovered by the communication device 101 is the same as the SSID of the access point selected by the user in S317. The initial value of the setting value i is 1, and is incremented each time the process of S602 is repeated. If the CPU 203 determines that they are the same, the process proceeds to S603, where the CPU 203 adds the ith access point to the same AP list. On the other hand, if the CPU 203 determines that they are not the same, the process proceeds to S602 again after incrementing i. If the incremented setting value i exceeds the number specified in S601, the process proceeds to S604.

[0073] By this process, if the access point selected by the user is the only access point having the SSID of the access point selected by the user, only one access point is added to the same AP list. On the other hand, if there are multiple access points having the SSID of the access point selected by the user among the access points discovered by the communication device 101, multiple access points are added to the same AP list.

[0074] In S604, the CPU 203 automatically (without user operation) selects one access point from among the access points added to the same AP list. Incidentally, an access point emits a beacon including its own SSID, etc. The communication device 101 searches for access points around the communication device 101 by searching for beacons emitted by the access points (performs an AP search). At this time, the stronger the radio wave strength of the beacon received by the AP search, the closer the access point that emitted the beacon is to the communication device 101. In addition, the stronger the radio wave strength of the received beacon, the faster the communication device 101 can communicate with the access point that emitted the beacon. Therefore, in S604, the CPU 203 selects the access point that emitted the beacon with the strongest radio wave strength from among the access points added to the same AP list. In this embodiment, the setting information of an access point includes information on the radio wave intensity of a beacon emitted by the access point, and the CPU 203 executes the process of S604 by referring to the information. The CPU 203 specifies the access point selected in this manner as the access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected. After that, the CPU 203 ends the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 and proceeds to S318.

[0075] In this embodiment, even if the communication device 101 discovers a plurality of access points that use different frequency bands but have the same SSID, the access points are displayed as one access point in the list. This reduces the number of access points displayed in the list, improving the visibility of the list. In addition, when the user selects one access point as described above, one of the access points that use different frequency bands but have the same SSID is automatically selected according to the radio wave strength of the beacon. That is, it is automatically selected which frequency band information is added to the setting packet. By adopting such a form, it is possible to improve usability in selecting an access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected. <Third embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Specifically, in the third embodiment, when the information processing device 102 does not have a network interface 211 for wireless communication, the user manually sets an access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected.

[0076] In the third embodiment, the same communication system as in the first embodiment is used, and the parts not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0077] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a network setting process executed by the information processing device 102 in the third embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is realized, for example, by the CPU 203 reading a program stored in the ROM 204, the external storage device 206, etc., into the RAM 205 and executing it. Specifically, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is realized by a setup program. Also, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is started when a user operation that triggers the network setting process is performed on a screen displayed by the setup program. Also, for example, the process shown in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is started in response to the start of the setup program.

[0078] S301 to S312, S319, and S320 are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] If the CPU 203 determines in S303 that the information processing apparatus 102 does not have a network interface 211 for wireless communication, the process proceeds to S701.

[0080] In S701, the CPU 203 displays a manual setting screen on the display unit 208. The manual setting screen is a screen for a user to input setting information of an access point to which the communication device 101 is to connect. The CPU 203 displays a screen 800 shown in Fig. 8 on the display unit 208 as the manual setting screen. The screen 800 includes, for example, areas 801 to 806. The area 801 is an area where the SSID of the access point to which the communication device 101 is to connect is input. Area 802 is an area where the encryption method (WEP, WPA, etc.) used for connection is input. Area 803 is an area where the password (passphrase) used for connection is input. Area 804 is an area where the frequency band used for connection is input. Area 805 is a setting button that is pressed when input is complete. Area 806 is a cancel button for canceling the network settings. When the cancel button is selected, CPU 203 ends the process. On the other hand, when the setting button is selected after input has been completed in areas 801 to 804, CPU 203 proceeds to S702.

[0081] In S702, a setting packet is created based on information input by the user via the manual setting screen. Specifically, the setting packet includes information on the SSID, encryption method, password, and frequency band input by the user via the manual setting screen. Thereafter, the CPU 203 proceeds to S319 and transmits the setting packet to the communication device 101.

[0082] By receiving the setting packet created as described above, the communication device 101 can connect to an access point corresponding to the information input by the user. In addition, since the setting packet includes information about a frequency band, the communication device 101 can identify which frequency band to use to connect to the access point corresponding to the information input by the user. <Fourth embodiment> In the above description, the communication device 101 is assumed to support at least one of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, but is not limited to this. That is, the frequency band supported by the communication device 101 may be any frequency band. Also, the communication device 101 may support three or more frequency bands.

[0083] Furthermore, the CPU 203 may execute AP search result acquisition processing of S315 and S316 before S306 and S307. Then, the CPU 203 may execute S306 and S307 when the acquired AP search result includes information on the access point 103 to which the information processing device 102 is wirelessly connected. In that case, first, before S306 and S307, the CPU 203 wirelessly connects to the communication device 101 in S312, and executes the AP search result acquisition processing. Furthermore, if the acquired AP search result does not include information about the access point 103 to which the information processing device 102 is wirelessly connected, the CPU 203 may not execute S307 and may instead display an access point selection screen as in S317. Then, the CPU 203 may specify the access point selected via the access point selection screen as the access point to which the communication device 101 is to be connected.

[0084] Also, CPU 203 may execute AP search result acquisition processing of S315 and S316 instead of the processing of S308 and S309, and display information based on the setting information acquired in the AP search result acquisition processing on the access point selection screen in S310. In this case as well, before S308 and S309, wireless connection is established with communication device 101 in S312, and the AP search acquisition processing is executed. Also, by executing S701 and S702 instead of S308 to S310, a setting packet may be generated based on information manually input by the user.

[0085] The object of the present invention can also be achieved by the following embodiment: A recording medium on which a software program for implementing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment is recorded is supplied to a system or device, and a computer (including a CPU or MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the storage medium on which the program is stored constitutes the present invention.

[0086] Examples of storage media for supplying the program include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs.

[0087] The functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. However, the present invention also includes not only this form, but also a form in which the OS running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by this processing.

[0088] First, a program read from a storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on instructions from the program, a CPU or the like provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment are realized by this processing. Such forms are also included in the present invention.

Claims

1. A computer of an information processing device capable of communicating with a communication device capable of using at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band, a first display step of displaying a first list which is a list of access points found by a search executed by the information processing device; a second display step of displaying a second list, which is a list of access points found by the search performed by the communication device; a first control step of executing a first control for transmitting first setting information used for wirelessly connecting to a first access point selected by a user from the first list and first frequency band information related to a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the first access point to the communication device which is an external device of the information processing device which is a device that has accepted the user's selection from the first list; a second control step of executing a second control for transmitting second setting information used for wirelessly connecting to a second access point selected by a user from the second list and second frequency band information related to a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the second access point to the communication device, which is an external device of the information processing device, which is a device that has accepted the user's selection from the second list; Run the command, The first frequency band information to be transmitted to the communication device is identified based on information acquired by the information processing device from the first access point, whereas the second frequency band information to be transmitted to the communication device is identified based on information acquired by the information processing device from the communication device, A program characterized in that a frequency band corresponding to the first frequency band information or the second frequency band information transmitted to the communication device is used among the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and the communication device connects to an access point corresponding to the first setting information or the second setting information transmitted to the communication device.

2. a second control step of executing, when the information processing device is connected to an access point at a predetermined timing, a third control for transmitting to the communication device third setting information used for wirelessly connecting to a third access point, which is the access point to which the information processing device is connected at the predetermined timing, and third frequency band information regarding a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the third access point, as a control executed based on the information processing device being connected to an access point; Then, The program according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the information processing device is not connected to an access point at the specified timing, the first control is executed as control that is executed based on the information processing device not being connected to an access point.

3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first control step is executed when the communication device does not have a network interface for wireless communication, and the second control step is executed when the communication device has a network interface for wireless communication.

4. a receiving step of receiving, from a user, fourth setting information used for wirelessly connecting to any one of the access points and fourth frequency band information related to a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the any one of the access points; a fourth control step of executing a fourth control for transmitting the fourth setting information and the fourth frequency band information corresponding to the received input to the communication device; 2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. The program according to claim 4, characterized in that the first control step is executed when the information processing device has a network interface for wireless communication, and the fourth control step is executed when the information processing device does not have a network interface for wireless communication.

6. 6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first control step is not executed when the information processing device does not have a network interface for wireless communication.

7. 7. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first setting information and the first frequency band information are transmitted by wireless communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards.

8. 8. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first frequency band information is information about a communication channel corresponding to a frequency band used for wireless connection with the first access point.

9. 9. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first setting information includes at least one of an SSID of the first access point and a password used to connect to the first access point.

10. when one of the first setting information and the second setting information and one of the first frequency band information and the second frequency band information are transmitted, a frequency band among the first frequency band and the second frequency band, which corresponds to the one of the first frequency band information and the second frequency band information transmitted to the communication device, is preferentially used, and an access point corresponding to the one of the first setting information and the second setting information transmitted to the communication device is searched for by the communication device; A program as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a frequency band used in a search to discover an access point corresponding to one of the first setting information and the second setting information transmitted to the communication device is used, and the access point discovered by the communication device and the communication device are connected using one of the first setting information and the second setting information.

11. 11. The program according to claim 1, wherein, when one of the first setting information and the second setting information and one of the first frequency band information and the second frequency band information are transmitted, a frequency band out of the first frequency band and the second frequency band corresponding to the one of the first frequency band information and the second frequency band information transmitted to the communication device is used to search for an access point corresponding to the one of the first setting information and the second setting information transmitted to the communication device, and when a frequency band out of the first frequency band and the second frequency band other than a frequency band corresponding to the one of the first frequency band information and the second frequency band information transmitted to the communication device is used, the communication device does not search for an access point corresponding to the one of the first setting information and the second setting information transmitted to the communication device.

12. 12. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first frequency band is a 2.4 GHz frequency band, and the second frequency band is a 5 GHz frequency band.

13. 13. The program according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a printing device capable of performing printing using ink.

14. further executing a determination step of determining whether the information processing device is connected to an access point; the control that is executed based on the information processing device being connected to an access point is control that is executed based on the information processing device being determined to be connected to an access point, The program according to claim 2, characterized in that the control executed based on the information processing device not being connected to an access point is control executed based on the information processing device being determined to be not connected to an access point.

15. 15. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first control includes control of generating a packet including the first setting information and the first frequency band information.

16. 16. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first control includes control of transmitting a packet including the first setting information and the first frequency band information.

17. 17. The program according to claim 1, further comprising control for transmitting encryption method information relating to an encryption method used by the first access point.

18. A method for controlling an information processing device capable of communicating with a communication device capable of using at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band, comprising: a first display step of displaying a first list which is a list of access points found by a search executed by the information processing device; a second display step of displaying a second list, which is a list of access points found by the search performed by the communication device; a first control step of executing a first control for transmitting first setting information used for wirelessly connecting to a first access point selected by a user from the first list and first frequency band information related to a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the first access point to the communication device which is an external device of the information processing device which is a device that has accepted the user's selection from the first list; a second control step of executing a second control for transmitting second setting information used for wirelessly connecting to a second access point selected by a user from the second list and second frequency band information related to a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the second access point to the communication device, which is an external device of the information processing device, which is a device that has accepted the user's selection from the second list; having The first frequency band information to be transmitted to the communication device is identified based on information acquired by the information processing device from the first access point, whereas the second frequency band information to be transmitted to the communication device is identified based on information acquired by the information processing device from the communication device, a frequency band corresponding to the first frequency band information or the second frequency band information transmitted to the communication device is used, and the communication device connects to an access point corresponding to the first setting information or the second setting information transmitted to the communication device.

19. An information processing device capable of communicating with a communication device capable of using at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band, a first display means for displaying a first list which is a list of access points found by a search executed by the information processing device; a second display means for displaying a second list which is a list of access points found by the search executed by the communication device; a first control means for executing a first control for transmitting first setting information used for wirelessly connecting to a first access point selected by a user from the first list and first frequency band information related to a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the first access point to the communication device which is an external device of the information processing device which is a device that has accepted the user's selection from the first list; a second control means for executing a second control for transmitting second setting information used for wirelessly connecting to a second access point selected by a user from the second list and second frequency band information related to a frequency band used for wirelessly connecting to the second access point to the communication device which is an external device of the information processing device which is a device that has accepted the user's selection from the second list; having The first frequency band information to be transmitted to the communication device is identified based on information acquired by the information processing device from the first access point, whereas the second frequency band information to be transmitted to the communication device is identified based on information acquired by the information processing device from the communication device, An information processing device characterized in that a frequency band corresponding to the first frequency band information or the second frequency band information transmitted to the communication device is used among the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and the communication device connects to an access point corresponding to the first setting information or the second setting information transmitted to the communication device.

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