Information Processing Apparatus, Communication Apparatus, Control Method, and Program

Abstract

To appropriately execute processing for establishing a connection between a communication device and an access point.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to perform a first transmission step of transmitting a first command for causing a communication device to search for a predetermined access point based on acceptance of a predetermined operation, using at least one communication channel including a communication channel used by the predetermined access point to which an information processing device was connected at least when the predetermined operation was accepted among a plurality of communication channels available to the communication device, and without using at least one other communication channel other than the at least one communication channel among the plurality of communication channels available to the communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A technique for executing network setting processing for establishing a connection between a communication device and an access point is known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, as devices for executing processing for establishing a connection between a communication device and an access point become widespread, there is a demand for more appropriately executing the processing for establishing a connection between the communication device and the access point.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to appropriately execute processing for establishing a connection between a communication device and an access point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the program of the present invention Causing a computer of an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a communication device to execute: a reception step of receiving a predetermined operation from a user; a determination step of determining whether a communication channel used by a predetermined access point to which the information processing apparatus was connected when at least the predetermined operation was received is available for use by the communication device; a first transmission step of transmitting, based on the reception of the predetermined operation, a command including information regarding the communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point when it is determined that the communication channel used by the predetermined access point is available for use by the communication device; based on the reception of the command including the information regarding the communication channel used by the predetermined access point and the identification information of the predetermined access point by the communication device, causing the communication device to execute a first search, the first search being a process of searching for the predetermined access point using at least one communication channel including the communication channel used by the predetermined access point without using at least one other communication channel other than the at least one communication channel among a plurality of communication channels available for use by the communication device .

[0007] Further, the communication device of the present invention is a communication device capable of communicating with an information processing device, a receiving means for receiving, from the information processing device, information regarding a predetermined access point to which the information processing device was connected when at least the information processing device received a predetermined operation from a user, When information regarding the predetermined access point is received, among the plurality of communication channels available to the communication device, at least one communication channel including the communication channel used by the predetermined access point is used, and without using at least one other communication channel other than the at least one communication channel among the plurality of communication channels available to the communication device, a first search means for executing a first search process for searching for the predetermined access point; When the predetermined access point is not found by the first search process, a second search means for executing a second search process for searching for at least one access point around the communication device using at least the at least one other communication channel; When the predetermined access point is found by the first search process, a connection between the predetermined access point and the communication device is established, and when the predetermined access point is not found by the first search process, a connection between the communication device and any one of the at least one access point found by the second search process is established. An establishing means; characterized by having.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the process of establishing a connection between a communication device and an access point can be appropriately executed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] 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 present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in this embodiment are essential for the solution means of the present invention.

[0011] (First Embodiment) The information processing device and the communication device included in the communication system of this embodiment will be described. As the information processing device, a PC is exemplified in this embodiment, but it is not limited thereto. As the information processing device, various devices such as a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, etc. can be applied. Also, as the communication device, a printer is exemplified in this embodiment, but it is not limited thereto, and various devices can be applied as long as they can perform wireless communication with the information processing device. For example, if it is a printer, it can be applied to an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam printer, a monochrome printer, etc. Also, it can be applied not only to printers but also to copiers, facsimile devices, mobile terminals, smartphones, PCs, tablet terminals, PDAs, digital cameras, music playback devices, TVs, etc. In addition, it can also be applied to a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a FAX function, and a printing function.

[0012] First, the configuration of the information processing device of this embodiment and the communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device of this embodiment will be described. Also, in this embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example, but this embodiment is applicable to devices capable of communicating with a communication device, and does not particularly limit the functions as shown in this figure.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present embodiment. The information processing apparatus 102 is the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment. The communication apparatus 101 is the communication apparatus of the present embodiment. The access point (AP) 103 is an external apparatus existing outside the information processing apparatus 102 and outside the communication apparatus 101. Note that the external apparatus may be an apparatus capable of relaying communication other than an access point. Specifically, the AP 103 is, for example, a device such as a wireless LAN router.

[0014] The information processing apparatus 102 and the communication apparatus 101 can be connected to the AP 103. Then, the information processing apparatus 102 can communicate with the communication apparatus 101 via the AP 103. The method in which the terminal apparatus and the communication apparatus are connected via the AP in this way is generally called infrastructure (hereinafter referred to as infra) connection. In the infra connection, a network environment in which a plurality of devices can communicate with each other can be constructed. On the other hand, the method in which the terminal apparatus and the communication apparatus are directly connected only between two devices (that is, without going through the AP) is called direct connection.

[0015] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the infra connection and the direct connection between the information processing apparatus 102 and the communication apparatus 101 are connections by a communication method based on the IEEE802.11 series standard. The communication method based on the IEEE802.11 series standard is specifically Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark). Note that the communication method used for each connection is not limited to this form, and may be, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi Aware, or the like.

[0016] The hardware configurations of the information processing apparatus 102 and the communication apparatus 101 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the following configurations are described as examples, but the functions are not particularly limited as shown in this figure.

[0017] The information processing apparatus 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, and the like. The computer of the information processing apparatus 102 is formed by the CPU 203, the ROM 204, and the RAM 205. Further, the information processing apparatus 102 includes a network interface (first communication unit) 211 and a USB interface (second communication unit) 212, and the like.

[0018] The input I / F (interface) 202 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user when the mouse 210 or the keyboard 209 is operated.

[0019] The CPU 203 is a system control unit and is a processor that controls the entire information processing apparatus 102.

[0020] The ROM 204 stores fixed data such as control programs executed by the CPU 203, data tables, and embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) programs. In the present 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.

[0021] The RAM 205 is composed of an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like that requires a backup power supply. Since the data in the RAM 205 is held by a primary battery for data backup (not shown), important data such as program control variables can be stored without being volatile. Also, a memory area for storing the setting information of the information processing apparatus 102 and the management data of the information processing apparatus 102 is also provided in the RAM 205. Further, the RAM 205 is also used as the main memory and the work memory of the CPU 203.

[0022] The external storage device 206 stores an application that provides a printing execution function, a print job generation program that generates a print job interpretable by the communication device 101, and the like. Further, the external storage device 206 stores various programs such as an information transmission / reception control program for transmitting and receiving information to and from the communication device 101 connected via the network interface 211 and the USB interface 212, and various information used by these programs. It is assumed that the setup program described later is also stored in the external storage device 206.

[0023] The output I / F (interface) 207 is an interface that controls the display unit 208 to display data and notify the state of the information processing device 102.

[0024] The display unit 208 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays data and notifies the state of the information processing device 102. Note that an operation unit such as a numerical input key, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key may be installed on the display unit 208 to receive input from the user via the display unit 208.

[0025] The network interface 211 controls communication via wireless and communication processing via a wired LAN cable. Specifically, the network interface 211 is configured to connect to an external device outside the communication device 101 and the information processing device 102 and outside the communication device 101 via wireless or wired LAN to perform data communication. For example, the network interface 211 can be connected to an access point (not shown) within the communication device 101. When the network interface 211 is connected to the access point within the communication device 101, the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 can communicate with each other. Note that the network interface 211 may communicate directly with the communication device 101 via wireless communication, or may communicate via an external device existing outside the information processing device 102 or the communication device 101. The external device includes an external access point and a device capable of relaying communication other than the access point. In this embodiment, the IEEE 802.11 series standard (Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)) is used, but for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) etc. may be used. Examples of the wireless communication method include Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Examples of the external access point include devices such as router devices. In this embodiment, the 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 the direct connection method. Also, the method in which the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 are connected via an external access point is called the infrastructure connection method. Note that the information processing device 102 may have a plurality of network interfaces 211 in order to communicate by a plurality of communication methods. Specifically, the information processing device 102 may have an interface for communicating by a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi Aware, etc. Also, the information processing device 102 may not have the network interface 211 for wireless communication.That is, the information processing apparatus 102 may have, for example, only the network interface 211 for wired communication and the USB interface 212 described later as an interface for communicating with other apparatuses.

[0026] The USB interface 212 controls USB connection via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. Specifically, the USB interface 212 is configured to connect to apparatuses such as the communication apparatus 101 and an external access point via USB and execute data communication.

[0027] The communication apparatus 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. A computer of the communication apparatus 101 is formed by the CPU 255, the RAM 253, and the ROM 254.

[0028] The network interface 252 controls communication via wireless and communication processing 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. Note that the access point can be connected to the network interface 211 of the information processing device 102. Note that the network interface 252 may communicate directly with the information processing device 102 by wireless communication or may communicate via an external access point. That is, the network interface 252 may operate not only as an access point by itself but also as a slave device connected 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. Also, the network interface 252 may include hardware that functions as an access point, or may operate as an access point by software for causing it to function as an access point. Note that the communication device 101 may have a plurality of network interfaces 252 in order to perform communication by a plurality of communication methods. Specifically, for example, the communication device 101 may further have an interface for communicating by a short-range wireless communication method such as BLE, NFC, or WiFi Aware.

[0029] The RAM 253 is composed of an SRAM or the like that requires a backup power supply. Note that since the data in the RAM 253 is held by a primary battery for data backup (not shown), important data such as program control variables can be stored without being volatile. Also, a memory area for storing the setting information of the communication device 101, the management data of the communication device 101, etc. is also provided in the RAM 253. Also, the RAM 253 is used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 255, and stores a reception buffer for temporarily storing the print information received from the information processing device 102 and various types of information.

[0030] The ROM 254 stores fixed data such as control programs executed by the CPU 255, data tables, and OS programs. 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 the embedded OS stored in the ROM 254.

[0031] The CPU 255 is a system control unit and is a processor that controls the entire communication device 101.

[0032] The print engine 256 executes an image forming process of forming an image on a recording medium by adding a recording agent such as ink onto the recording medium such as paper based on the information stored in the RAM 253 and the print job received from the information processing device 102 or the like, and outputs the print result. Note that the print job is a job for causing the communication device 101 to execute the image forming process.

[0033] 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 standards. The communication device 101 has communication channels corresponding to the 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 within 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 within the 5 GHz frequency band.

[0034] Here, as an example, the processing sharing between the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 is shown as above, but it is not limited to this sharing form and other forms may be used.

[0035] <Regarding Wi-Fi Communication (Infrastructure Mode)> In order to establish an infrastructure - mode connection (hereinafter referred to as an infrastructure connection) in Wi - Fi communication, the communication device 101 of the present embodiment is assumed to operate in infrastructure mode. In the present embodiment, the infrastructure connection refers to a form in which an external device that manages a network such as AP103 operates as a master device, and the communication device 101 and the information processing device 102 are connected via the master device. The communication device 101 operating in infrastructure mode operates as a slave device within the network to which the communication device 101 belongs.

[0036] In the infrastructure mode, the communication device 101 and the information processing device 102 are connected via AP103, and communication between the communication device 101 and the information processing device 102 via AP103 becomes possible. Note that the channel used for communication in the infrastructure mode here may be a frequency band other than 2.4 GHz (such as the 5.0 GHz band).

[0037] <Regarding network setting process> In the present embodiment, the information processing device 102 executes network setting (connection setting) for operating the communication device 101 in infrastructure mode using wireless communication with the communication device 101. The information processing device 102 executes network setting processing using an application program (setup program) for executing the CLS installed in the information processing device 102. Note that the network setting process may be executed using a wired connection instead of a wireless connection.

[0038] When the information processing device 102 connects the AP103 and the communication device 101 and operates the communication device 101 in infrastructure mode, the information processing device 102 transmits an infrastructure setting command for operating the communication device 101 in infrastructure mode to the communication device 101. The infrastructure setting command is, for example, information about AP103. And the information about AP103 is, for example, the SSID (Service Set Identifier) of AP103, the password for connecting to AP103, and the like.

[0039] In this embodiment, for transmitting the infrastructure setting command in the network setting process, a P2P (Peer to Peer) connection for network setting between the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 is used. And in this embodiment, as the P2P connection for network setting, there are two types: a connection by Wi-Fi (connection by the communication unit 110 and the communication unit 156), and a connection by BLE (connection by the short-range communication unit 111 and the short-range communication unit 157). Note that, as the P2P connection for network setting, communication methods other than Wi-Fi and BLE, such as Classic Bluetooth, may be used.

[0040] After an infrastructure connection or a P2P connection by Wi-Fi is established between the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 through the network setting process, communication becomes possible between the information processing device 102 and the communication device 101 through the established connection. Specifically, for example, the information processing device 102 can transmit a print job for causing the communication device 101 to execute printing or a scan job for causing the communication device 101 to execute scanning to the communication device 101 through the established connection.

[0041] By the way, in the network setting process, the following methods can be considered as a method for specifying the access point to be the connection destination of the communication device 101. For example, the communication device 101 is made to search for one or a plurality of access points existing around the communication device 101 using each communication channel available to the communication device 101, and the connection destination of the communication device 101 is specified from the access points discovered by this search. In this method, the communication device 101 performs a plurality of searches by using each of the plurality of communication channels available to the communication device 101 one by one. However, since this search takes time, as a result, there is a problem that it takes time until the network setting process is completed.

[0042] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a form capable of suppressing the time required for completion of network setting processing will be described.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing network setting processing executed by the information processing apparatus 102. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is realized, for example, by the CPU 203 reading out a program stored in the ROM 204, the external storage device 206, etc. into the RAM 205 and executing it. Specifically, the processing shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is realized by a setup program. Further, the processing shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is started when a user operation (an execution instruction for network setting processing) that triggers network setting processing is performed on the screen displayed by the setup program. Also, for example, the processing shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is started in response to the startup of the setup program.

[0044] First, in S301, the CPU 203 identifies the device to be subject to network setting processing. Specifically, the CPU 203 searches for candidates for the device to be subject to network setting processing by acquiring information on devices around the information processing apparatus 102 using the API (Application Program Interface) of the OS provided in the information processing apparatus 102. More specifically, the CPU 203 acquires information on devices searched by the network interface 211 and devices connected by the USB interface 212. The search executed by the network interface 211 is a process of searching for access points around the information processing apparatus 102, called an AP search. Note that the information acquired at this time is information regarding the frequency band, encryption method, communication channel, etc. used by the device. Then, the CPU 203 uses the acquired information to display a list of candidates for the device to be subject to network setting processing on the display unit 208. The device searched by the network interface 211 is, for example, a device operating as an access point having specific identification information. In the present embodiment, when the user executes network setting processing on the communication apparatus 101, the user operates the communication apparatus 101 main body to operate the communication apparatus 101 in a predetermined mode called a setup mode. The setup mode is a mode in which the communication apparatus 101 can accept network setting processing and is a mode in which the communication apparatus 101 operates as a predetermined access point having a predetermined SSID. When the communication apparatus 101 is operating in the setup mode, the communication apparatus 101 is discovered by the search by the network interface 211, and thus the communication apparatus 101 is displayed in the list. By the user selecting the communication apparatus 101 in the displayed list, the CPU 203 identifies the communication apparatus 101 as the device to be subject to network setting processing. Note that the search for candidates for the device to be subject to network setting processing may be executed by Wi-Fi or by BLE. Also, only devices having a predetermined SSID among the discovered candidates may be displayed in the list.Also, when only one device having a predetermined SSID is included in the discovered candidate, the device to be subject to the network setting process may be specified without displaying the candidate.

[0045] Next, in S302, the CPU 203 inquires of the AP 103 to which the information processing apparatus 102 is wirelessly connected, and acquires setting information regarding the AP 103. The setting information regarding the AP 103 is, for example, setting information (SSID, password) for connecting to the AP 103, information regarding the frequency band used by the AP 103, the encryption method, the communication channel, and the like. At this time, the AP 103 to which the information processing apparatus 102 is wirelessly connected is, that is, the access point to which the information processing apparatus 102 was connected at least when the execution instruction of the network setting process was given. Also, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the AP 103 has a communication channel corresponding to at least one of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, and that communication channel is used for wireless connection.

[0046] In S303, the CPU 203 wirelessly connects the communication apparatus 101 specified in S301 and the information processing apparatus 102. The wireless connection established at this time may be Wi-Fi or BLE. When the CPU 203 establishes a wireless connection by Wi-Fi at this time, it is necessary to disconnect the Wi-Fi wireless connection with the AP 103. Therefore, after the CPU 203 saves the setting information regarding the AP 103, it switches the connection destination of the wireless connection by Wi-Fi from the AP 103 to the communication apparatus 101. When establishing a wireless connection by BLE at this time, it is not necessary to disconnect the Wi-Fi wireless connection with the AP 103. Also, when the communication apparatus 101 is a device to which the information processing apparatus 102 is connected by wire, this process is omitted.

[0047] In S304, the CPU 203 specifies the AP 103 that is the connection destination of the communication apparatus 101. The details of this process will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for identifying an AP 103 that becomes a connection destination of the communication device 101, which is executed by the information processing device 102. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed as the process of S304 in the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0049] First, in S401, the CPU 203 acquires information regarding the specifications of the communication device 101 from the communication device 101. The information regarding the specifications of the communication device 101 includes information such as the frequency band and communication channel that the communication device 101 can use, the destination information of the communication device 101, and information regarding the current setting status of the communication device 101. Note that the information regarding the specifications of the communication device 101 may be acquired from the communication device 101 or may be acquired from a server outside the communication device 101.

[0050] In S402, the CPU 203 determines whether the communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S302 can be used by the communication device 101. Specifically, the CPU 203 determines whether the communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S302 is included in the communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S401. Note that the communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S302 is a communication channel available to the AP 103 to which the information processing device 102 was (or is) connected. The communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S401 is a communication channel available to the communication device 101. For example, assume that the communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S302 is a communication channel corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, and the communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S401 is a communication channel corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band. In this case, the result of this determination is NO. On the other hand, if both the communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S302 and the communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S401 are communication channels corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, the result of this determination is YES. Here, note that the determination may be made regarding the frequency bands available to each device instead of the communication channels available to each device. If the determination by the CPU 203 is YES, it proceeds to S403, and if the determination is NO, it proceeds to S406 without executing the processes of S403 to S405.

[0051] In S403, the CPU 203 transmits an AP search execution command to the communication device 101 to cause the communication device 101 to execute a search for the AP 103 around the communication device 101.

[0052] Note that it is also possible to add condition information regarding the AP search execution process to the AP search execution command. Specifically, for example, the CPU 203 can cause the communication device 101 to execute an AP search using only the specified communication channel or frequency band by specifying the communication channel or frequency band to be used for the search. If the communication channel or frequency band to be used for the search is not specified, the communication device 101 is caused to execute an AP search using all the communication channels it has. Generally, the more communication channels used for the search, the longer the search time. Therefore, the time taken for the AP search executed when the communication channel or frequency band to be used for the search is specified is shorter than the time taken for the AP search executed when the communication channel or frequency band to be used for the search is not specified.

[0053] Also, for example, the CPU 203 can cause an AP search for finding an access point having the specified SSID to be executed by specifying the SSID of the access point to be searched. When the SSID of the access point to be searched is specified, Active Scan is executed as the AP search. Active Scan is a method of discovering an access point by broadcasting information for obtaining a response from an access point having the specified SSID and obtaining a response from the access point. On the other hand, when the SSID of the access point to be searched is not specified, Passive Scan is executed as the AP search. Passive Scan is a method of discovering one or more access points transmitting beacons by receiving the beacons transmitted by the access points around the device executing the AP search.

[0054] In this embodiment, in S403, the CPU 203 designates a communication channel indicated by the information acquired in S302 and also indicated by the information acquired in S401 (that is, a communication channel available to both the AP 103 and the communication device 101). Also in S403, the CPU 203 designates the SSID indicated by the information acquired in S302. That is, the CPU 203 causes the communication device 101 to search for the AP 103 to which the information processing device 102 was (or is) connected.

[0055] When the communication device 101 receives the command transmitted in S403, it executes an AP search according to the specified conditions. That is, for example, the communication device 101 uses the specified communication channel among the communication channels available to the communication device 101 and executes the AP search without using communication channels other than the specified communication channel. Since the communication channel to be used is specified, the communication device 101 can complete the AP search executed here in a shorter time compared to an AP search using all communication channels. Specifically, the communication device 101 broadcasts information for obtaining a response from an access point having the specified SSID using the specified communication channel, and determines whether a response has been obtained (the access point has been discovered).

[0056] Note that the conditions for the AP search specified by the command transmitted in S403 are not limited to the above-described form. Here, at least one communication channel including the communication channel used by the access point to which the information processing device 102 was connected when at least an execution instruction for network setting processing was given may be specified. Therefore, for example, a plurality of communication channels corresponding to the frequency band used by the access point to which the information processing device 102 was connected when at least an execution instruction for network setting processing was given may be specified.

[0057] In S404, the CPU 203 acquires from the communication device 101 the result of the AP search executed by the communication device 101 based on the command transmitted in S403.

[0058] In S405, based on the AP search executed by the communication device 101 according to the command transmitted in S403, the CPU 203 determines whether an access point having the SSID specified for the communication device 101 has been discovered, based on the result obtained in S404. If the CPU 203 determines YES, it proceeds to S410; if it determines NO, it proceeds to S406.

[0059] In S406, the CPU 203 transmits an AP search execution command for causing the communication device 101 to execute an AP search using all communication channels available to the communication device 101. Therefore, in transmitting the AP search execution command in S406, the CPU 203 does not specify the frequency band or communication channels to be used. Also, in transmitting the AP search execution command in S406, the CPU 203 does not specify the SSID of the access point to be searched. That is, the CPU 203 transmits an AP search execution command for causing the communication device 101 to execute Passive Scan.

[0060] When the communication device 101 receives the AP search execution command transmitted at this time, it executes Passive Scan using each of all communication channels available to the communication device 101. As a result, each access point existing around the communication device 101 is discovered.

[0061] Note that the conditions for the AP search specified by the command transmitted in S406 are not limited to the above-described form. Here, the conditions may be specified such that the AP search is executed using at least one other communication channel other than the communication channel specified by the command transmitted in S403. Therefore, for example, the conditions may be specified such that the at least one other communication channel is used and the AP search is executed without using the communication channel specified by the command transmitted in S403. In S407, the CPU 203 acquires, from the communication device 101, the result of the AP search executed by the communication device 101 based on the command transmitted in S406. Note that this search result also includes the setting information of the access point discovered by the AP search.

[0062] In S408, the CPU 203 displays, based on the result acquired in S407, the list of access points discovered by the AP search executed by the communication device 101 based on the command transmitted in S406. Then, the CPU 203 accepts a selection of any one of the access points included in the list from the user. An example of the selection screen displayed at this time is shown in FIG. 5. In the access point selection screen 510, a list of access points discovered by the AP search executed by the communication device 101 based on the command transmitted in S406 is displayed in the list area 511. The dashed line 512 is a mark indicating which access point is in the selected state. The input area 513 is an area for accepting the input of the password for connecting to the access point in the selected state. The selection area 514 is an area for accepting the selection of the encryption method to be used for connecting to the access point in the selected state. The add button 515 is a button for adding an access point other than the access points included in the list to the list area 511. When the add button 515 is pressed, an additional screen for inputting the SSID of the access point to be selected is displayed, and the SSID input to the additional screen is added to the list area 511. The CPU 203 proceeds to S409 when the next button 516 is pressed.

[0063] In S409, the CPU 203 specifies, as the access point to be the connection destination of the communication device 101, the access point selected on the access point selection screen 510 in S408. Then, the CPU 203 proceeds to S305.

[0064] In S410, the CPU 203 specifies, as the access point to be the connection destination of the communication device 101, the access point discovered by the AP search executed by the communication device 101 based on the command transmitted in S403. When a plurality of access points are discovered by the AP search executed by the communication device 101 based on the command transmitted in S403, the CPU 203 specifies any one of them. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first discovered access point among the plurality of discovered access points is specified, but it is not limited to this form. A list of the plurality of discovered access points may be displayed, any selection may be received from the user, and the selected access point may be specified. Then, the CPU 203 proceeds to S305.

[0065] In S305, the CPU 203 generates setting information regarding the access point specified in S304. Specifically, the setting information generated here is, for example, the SSID of the access point specified in S304, and information regarding the password for connecting to the access point specified in S304. Also, for example, it is information regarding the frequency band and communication channel used by the access point specified in S304, and information regarding the encryption method used for the connection to the access point specified in S304. Note that the CPU 203 generates the setting information based on the information obtained from the OS in S302, the information obtained from the communication device 101 in S407, and the information input on the access point selection screen 510. Note that when the access point connected at the time when the CPU 203 receives an execution instruction for network setting processing from the user is specified in S304, the CPU 203 may acquire the password for connecting to the access point from the OS. Alternatively, the CPU 203 may display a screen for receiving an input of the password from the user by means of a setup program.

[0066] In S306, the CPU 203 transmits the setting information generated in S305 to the communication device 101. The communication device 101 that has received the setting information uses the setting information to establish a Wi-Fi connection with the access point specified in S304. Specifically, the communication device 101 searches for an access point having the SSID specified by the setting information by Active Scan using the frequency band and communication channel specified by the setting information. When an access point is discovered by this search, a Wi-Fi connection with the access point is established using the password and encryption method specified by the setting information.

[0067] In S307, the CPU 203 disconnects from the communication device 101 and returns to the connection state before establishing the connection with the communication device 101. Specifically, based on the information acquired in S302, the CPU 203 re - establishes the connection with the access point to which it was connected when receiving an execution instruction of network setting processing from the user. Note that this process is omitted when the connection with the access point is maintained due to connecting to the communication device 101 via BLE, USB, etc. Thereafter, the CPU 203 completes the network setting processing and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0068] As described above, in this embodiment, the access point that can be discovered by the communication device 101 through AP search is specified as the connection destination of the communication device 101 set by the network setting processing. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the situation where the communication device 101 and the access point cannot be connected even though the process for connecting the communication device 101 and the access point is executed by the network setting processing.

[0069] Also, in this embodiment, when receiving an execution instruction of network setting processing from the user, the CPU 203 causes the communication device 101 to perform an AP search using only the communication channel used by the access point to which the information processing device 102 was connected. And when the access point is discovered by the AP search, the CPU 203 does not cause the communication device 101 to perform an AP search using a plurality of communication channels. Thereby, this embodiment can suppress (shorten) the time required for network installation processing. And when the access point is not discovered by the above - mentioned AP search, the CPU 203 causes the communication device 101 to perform an AP search using a plurality of communication channels. Thereby, when the access point to which the information processing device 102 was connected cannot be set as the connection destination of the communication device 101, more access points that can be candidates for the connection destination of the communication device 101 can be found.

[0070] (Second Embodiment) When the information processing apparatus 102 receives an execution instruction for network setting processing from a user, the wireless router operating as the access point to which the information processing apparatus 102 is connected may be capable of using a plurality of frequency bands. For example, the wireless router may have a second access point (AP2) that has the same SSID and password as the access point (AP1) to which the information processing apparatus 102 is connected but uses a different frequency band. And such a wireless router may have a function of relaying communication between a device connected to AP1 and a device connected to AP2. That is, for example, even when AP1 uses a communication channel in the 5 GHz frequency band and the communication apparatus 101 only supports the 2.4 GHz frequency band, if the communication apparatus 101 connects to AP2, the information processing apparatus 102 and the communication apparatus 101 can communicate with each other.

[0071] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a form for improving the convenience of network setting processing in the case where the communication apparatus 101 cannot use the communication channel used by the access point to which the information processing apparatus 102 is connected will be described.

[0072] In the second embodiment as well, it is assumed that the same communication system as in the first embodiment is used, and parts not particularly described are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0073] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for specifying AP103 which is the connection destination of the communication apparatus 101 and is executed by the information processing apparatus 102. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed as the process of S304 in the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0074] S601 to S610 are the same as S401 to S410, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0075] In S611, the CPU 203 executes an AP search by Passive Scan using a frequency band different from the frequency band used by the access point to which the communication device 101 is available and the information processing device 102 is connected. Note that the frequency band available to the communication device 101 is specified based on the information regarding the specifications of the communication device 101 obtained in S601. Also, the frequency band used by the access point to which the information processing device 102 is connected is specified based on the information obtained in S302. Note that the timing at which this AP search is executed is not particularly limited. For example, in the AP search executed in S301, an AP search using a frequency band different from the frequency band used by the access point to which the communication device 101 is available and the information processing device 102 is connected may be executed.

[0076] In S612, the CPU 203 determines whether a specific access point is included in the list of access points discovered by the AP search executed in S611. The specific access point is an access point that uses a communication channel different from the communication channel used by the access point to which the information processing device 102 is connected but has the same SSID as the access point to which the information processing device 102 is connected. Note that the SSID of the access point to which the information processing device 102 is connected is specified based on the information obtained in S302. If the determination by the CPU 203 is YES, it proceeds to S612, and if the determination is NO, it proceeds to S606.

[0077] In S613, the CPU 203 transmits an AP search execution command to the communication device 101. Here, as the communication channel to be used for the AP search, the communication channel used by the access point having the same SSID as the access point to which the information processing device 102 is connected is specified. Also, as the SSID to be searched by the AP search, the same SSID as the access point to which the information processing device 102 is connected is specified.

[0078] In S614, the CPU 203 acquires, from the communication device 101, the result of the AP search executed by the communication device 101 based on the command transmitted in S613.

[0079] In S615, based on the result acquired in S614, the CPU 203 determines, according to the AP search executed by the communication device 101 based on the command transmitted in S613, whether an access point having the SSID specified for the communication device 101 has been discovered. Note that if the access point is installed at a location far from the communication device 101 or there are obstacles between the access point and the communication device 101, the access point may not be discovered by the communication device 101. If the determination by the CPU 203 is YES, it proceeds to S616; if the determination is NO, it proceeds to S606. For example, if the wireless router to which the information processing device 102 is connected is a tri-band compatible router and has three or more access points, multiple specific access points may be discovered by the AP search executed by the information processing device 102 in S611. In that case, in S613, the CPU 203 specifies the communication channel used by any one of the multiple specific access points and the SSID of any one of them, and transmits an AP search execution command. If the determination in S615 is NO, the CPU 203 returns to S613, specifies the communication channel used by a specific access point that has not been specified yet and the SSID of the access point, and transmits an AP search execution command.

[0080] In S616, the CPU 203 specifies, as the access point to be the connection destination of the communication device 101, an access point having the same SSID as the access point to which the information processing device 102 was connected. Thereafter, the CPU 203 proceeds to S305.

[0081] For example, assume that a certain wireless router enables both an access point (AP1) using a communication channel in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and an access point (AP2) using a communication channel in the 5 GHz frequency band. And assume that communication device 101 can utilize the 2.4 GHz frequency band but cannot utilize the 5 GHz frequency band. Also assume that information processing device 102 is connected to AP2. In such a situation, in this embodiment, communication device 101 and AP1 can be connected without causing communication device 101 to perform a time-consuming AP search using multiple communication channels.

[0082] (Other Embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The computer may include one or more processors or circuits, and may include a network of multiple separate computers or multiple separate processors or circuits for reading and executing computer-executable instructions.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0083] 101 Printer 102 PC 103 Access Point

Claims

1. In a computer of an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a communication apparatus, a reception step of receiving a predetermined operation from a user; a determination step of determining whether a communication channel used by a predetermined access point to which the information processing apparatus is connected when at least the predetermined operation is received is available for use by the communication apparatus; a first transmission step of transmitting, based on the reception of the predetermined operation, a command including information on a communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point to the communication apparatus when it is determined that the communication channel used by the predetermined access point is available for use by the communication apparatus; to cause the computer to execute; based on the fact that a command including information on a communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point is received by the communication apparatus, a first search is executed by the communication apparatus; The first search is a process of searching for the predetermined access point using at least one communication channel including the communication channel used by the predetermined access point without using at least one other communication channel other than the at least one communication channel among a plurality of communication channels available for use by the communication apparatus. A program characterized by this.

2. Further, in the computer, when it is determined that the communication channel used by the predetermined access point is not available for use by the communication apparatus, a second transmission step of transmitting a command for causing the communication apparatus to execute a second search without transmitting a command including information on the communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point to the communication apparatus is executed; based on the fact that a command for causing the communication apparatus to execute a second search is received by the communication apparatus, the second search is executed by the communication apparatus; The second search is a process of searching for access points around the communication apparatus using at least the at least one other communication channel. The program according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. Further, in the computer, When it is determined that the communication channel used by the predetermined access point is not available to the communication device, a first search step of executing a search process for searching for access points around the information processing device using a communication channel corresponding to a frequency band available to the communication device; A third transmission step of transmitting a command for causing the communication device to execute a third search for searching for an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point when at least one access point found by the search process includes an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point; to execute, When it is determined that the communication channel used by the predetermined access point is not available to the communication device and at least one access point found by the search process does not include an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point, a command for causing the communication device to execute the second search is transmitted. The program according to claim 2, characterized in that when it is determined that the communication channel used by the predetermined access point is not available to the communication device and an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point is found by the third search, the communication device connects to the access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point.

4. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that when it is determined that the communication channel used by the predetermined access point is not available to the communication device and an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point is not found by the third search, a command for causing the communication device to execute the second search is transmitted.

5. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the predetermined access point is not found by the first search, a second search for searching for access points around the communication device using at least the at least one other communication channel is executed by the communication device.

6. The computer further, When the predetermined access point is not found by the first search, execute a processing step of executing a process for connecting any one of at least one access point found by the second search executed by the communication device to the communication device. The program according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. Further to the computer, When the predetermined access point is not found by the first search, a display step of displaying on the display unit a selection screen for selecting any one of at least one access point found by the second search, and The program according to claim 6, characterized in that a process for connecting the access point selected on the selection screen to the communication device is executed.

8. When the predetermined access point is found by the first search, a process for connecting the predetermined access point to the communication device is executed by transmitting information about the predetermined access point to the communication device. When the predetermined access point is not found by the first search, a process for connecting any one of at least one access point found by the second search to the communication device is executed by transmitting information about any one of at least one access point found by the second search to the communication device. The program according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that.

9. Further to the computer, When the predetermined access point is not found by the first search, a fifth transmission step of transmitting a command for causing the communication device to execute the second search, and Execute, Based on the fact that the command for causing the communication device to execute the second search is received by the communication device, the second search is executed by the communication device. The program according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that.

10. Further to the computer, When the predetermined access point is not found by the first search, a second search step of executing a search process for searching for access points around the information processing device using a communication channel corresponding to a frequency band available to the communication device. When at least one access point discovered by the search process includes an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point, a sixth transmission step of transmitting a command for causing the communication device to execute a third search for searching for an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point; to cause to execute; When the predetermined access point is not discovered by the first search and at least one access point discovered by the search process does not include an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point, a command for causing the communication device to execute the second search is transmitted. The program according to claim 9, characterized in that when the predetermined access point is not discovered by the first search and an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point is discovered by the third search, the communication device connects to the access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point.

11. The program according to claim 10, characterized in that when the predetermined access point is not discovered by the first search and an access point having the same identification information as the identification information of the predetermined access point is not discovered by the third search, a command for causing the communication device to execute the second search is transmitted.

12. The program according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the second search is a process of searching for at least one access point around the communication device using all communication channels available to the communication device.

13. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first search uses the communication channel used by the predetermined access point among the plurality of communication channels available to the communication device, and searches for the predetermined access point without using communication channels other than the communication channel used by the predetermined access point among the plurality of communication channels available to the communication device.

14. The first search uses a plurality of communication channels corresponding to a frequency band used by the predetermined access point among the plurality of communication channels available to the communication device, and searches for the predetermined access point without using communication channels other than the plurality of communication channels among the plurality of communication channels available to the communication device. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is a process.

15. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the identification information is a Service Set Identifier (SSID).

16. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the communication device is a printing device capable of executing printing.

17. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a command including information on a communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point is transmitted to the communication device by Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

18. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a command including information on a communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point is transmitted to the communication device by Bluetooth (registered trademark).

19. A control method for an information processing device capable of communicating with a communication device, comprising: a reception step of receiving a predetermined operation from a user; a determination step of determining whether the communication device can use a communication channel used by a predetermined access point to which the information processing device was connected when at least the predetermined operation was received; a first transmission step of transmitting, when it is determined that the communication device can use a communication channel used by the predetermined access point, a command including information on the communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point, based on the reception of the predetermined operation; having Based on the reception of a command including information on a communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point by the communication device, a first search is executed by the communication device. The first search is a process of searching for the predetermined access point without using at least one other communication channel other than the at least one communication channel including the communication channel used by the predetermined access point, using at least one communication channel, and is a control method characterized by this.

20. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a communication device, a reception means for receiving a predetermined operation from a user, a determination means for determining whether the communication device can use a communication channel used by a predetermined access point to which the information processing apparatus was connected when at least the predetermined operation was received, a first transmission means for transmitting, based on the reception of the predetermined operation, a command including information on the communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point when it is determined that the communication device can use the communication channel used by the predetermined access point, and having based on the reception of a command including information on the communication channel used by the predetermined access point and identification information of the predetermined access point by the communication device, a first search is executed by the communication device, The first search is a process of searching for the predetermined access point without using at least one other communication channel other than the at least one communication channel including the communication channel used by the predetermined access point, using at least one communication channel, and is an information processing apparatus characterized by this.

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