Computer Program for Terminal Device, Terminal Device, and Control Method

Abstract

To provide a technique for an OS program to use transmission processing of transmitting a wireless profile in a memory of a terminal device to a communication device.SOLUTION: An application program searches for one or more communication devices present on the periphery of a terminal device through a wireless interface, receives, from each of the one or more communication devices, device information indicating the communication device, supplies target device information indicating a target communication device to an OS program when the target communication device is selected from the one or more communication device searched for, and supplies target access point information to the OS program when the target access point information is selected from one or more pieces of access point information indicating one or more access points. The OS program establishes target connection through the wireless interface with the target communication device indicated by the target device information, and executes transmission processing using the target access point information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a technology related to a terminal device capable of transmitting a wireless profile to a communication device.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, an information processing device such as a smartphone transmits information (for example, SSID, password) of an external access point to a communication device via a short-range wireless communication unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A smartphone stores an application program and an OS program. Here, information of an external access point may be stored in the smartphone by the OS program. In this case, the use of the information of the external access point by the application program may be restricted by the OS program. On the other hand, in recent years, a technology has emerged in which the OS program transmits information of an external access point to the outside.

[0005] This specification provides a technology for using a transmission process in which an OS program transmits a wireless profile in the memory of a terminal device to a communication device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses an application program for a terminal device. The OS program of the terminal device includes a storage process of storing, in the memory of the terminal device, a wireless profile for connecting to a wireless network formed by an access point, an establishment process of establishing a connection via the wireless interface of the terminal device with an external communication device, and a transmission process of transmitting the wireless profile in the memory to the communication device using the connection via the wireless interface, and is capable of executing the above processes. The application program causes the computer of the terminal device to function as the following respective parts: a first receiving unit that searches for one or more communication devices existing around the terminal device via the wireless interface and receives device information indicating the communication device from each of the one or more communication devices; a first supplying unit that supplies the device information of the target communication device indicating the target communication device to the OS program when the target communication device is selected from among the one or more searched communication devices, and the OS program executes the establishment process using the device information of the target, including establishing the connection of the target via the wireless interface with the target communication device indicated by the device information of the target; a second supplying unit that supplies the target access point information to the OS program when the target access point information is selected from among one or more pieces of access point information indicating one or more access points, and the OS program executes the transmission process using the target access point information, and the transmission process using the target access point information includes acquiring, from the memory, the target wireless profile for connecting to the target wireless network formed by the target access point indicated by the target access point information, and transmitting the acquired target wireless profile to the target communication device using the established connection of the target.

[0007] According to such a configuration, the application program searches for one or more communication devices and supplies the device information of the target selected from the search results to the OS program. Further, the application program supplies the target access point information to the OS program. The OS program uses the target device information to establish a target connection with the target communication device, and uses the target access point information to acquire the target wireless profile from the memory. Then, the OS program uses the established target connection to transmit the acquired target wireless profile to the target communication device. With such an application program, the OS program can utilize the transmission process of transmitting the wireless profile in the memory of the terminal device to the communication device.

[0008] The above-mentioned terminal device itself, the control method for realizing the above-mentioned terminal device, and the computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] (First Embodiment) (Configuration of Communication System 2; Figure 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a terminal device 10, a multifunction machine 100 (hereinafter, the multifunction machine is referred to as an "MFP (abbreviation for Multifunction Peripheral)"), and three access points 50, 52, 54 (hereinafter, the access point is referred to as an "AP"). The terminal device 10 is a portable terminal such as a tablet PC or a smartphone. In a modified example, the terminal device 10 may be a terminal device such as a desktop PC or a notebook PC.

[0011] Each of APs 50 to 54 forms a wireless LAN (abbreviation for Local Area Network). The terminal device 10 and the MFP (for example, 100) can be connected to the wireless LAN formed by each of APs 50 to 54. Each AP stores an SSID (abbreviation for Service Set Identifier) and a password. For example, AP50 stores the SSID "ap01" and the password "xxxx".

[0012] (Configuration of MFP100; FIG. 2) The MFP100 is a peripheral device (for example, a peripheral device of the terminal device 10) capable of executing multiple functions including a printing function, a scanning function, and a facsimile function. The MFP100 includes a display unit 112, an operation unit 114, a wireless LAN interface 120, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 122, a print execution unit 124, and a control unit 130. Each of the units 112 to 130 is connected to a bus line (reference numeral omitted). The print execution unit 124 includes a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method. Hereinafter, an interface is referred to as an "I / F". Also, Bluetooth is referred to as "BT".

[0013] The display unit 112 is a display for displaying various information. The operation unit 114 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the MFP100 by operating the operation unit 114. The display unit 112 functions as a touch panel (i.e., the operation unit 114) for receiving instructions from the user. In a modified example, the display unit 112 does not have to function as a touch panel.

[0014] The wireless LAN I / F 120 is an I / F for performing communication via a wireless LAN. Communication via the wireless LAN is, for example, communication conforming to the Wi-Fi method (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi communication"). The Wi-Fi method is a wireless communication method for performing wireless communication in accordance with, for example, the IEEE (abbreviation for The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and standards conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, etc.).

[0015] The BT I / F 122 is an I / F for performing wireless communication conforming to the BT method (hereinafter referred to as "BT communication"). The BT method is a wireless communication method based on, for example, the IEEE802.15.1 standard and standards conforming thereto. More specifically, the BT I / F 122 supports BLE (abbreviation for Bluetooth Low Energy). BLE is a standard implemented in versions 4.0 and later of the BT method. The BT I / F 122 is capable of performing wireless communication conforming to BLE (hereinafter referred to as "BLE communication"). The BT I / F 122 stores a device ID "dv1" for identifying the BT I / F 122.

[0016] The differences between the Wi-Fi method and the BT method will be described. The communication speed of Wi-Fi communication (for example, the maximum communication speed is 600 Mbps) is faster than the communication speed of BT communication (for example, the maximum communication speed is 24 Mbps). The frequency of the carrier wave in Wi-Fi communication is in the 2.4 GHz band or the 5.0 GHz band. The frequency of the carrier wave in BT communication is in the 2.4 GHz band. That is, when the 5.0 GHz band is adopted as the frequency of the carrier wave in Wi-Fi communication, the frequency of the carrier wave in Wi-Fi communication is different from the frequency of the carrier wave in BT communication. Also, the maximum distance at which Wi-Fi communication can be performed (for example, about 100 m) is greater than the maximum distance at which BT communication can be performed (for example, about several tens of m).

[0017] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The CPU 132 executes various processes according to a program 140 stored in the memory 134. The memory 134 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like.

[0018] The model name of the MFP 100 is "MF1", and a MAC address MA1 is assigned to the MFP 100. The model name "MF1" and the MAC address MA1 are stored in the memory 134.

[0019] (Configuration of the terminal device 10; FIG. 2) The terminal device 10 includes a display unit 12, an operation unit 14, a wireless LAN I / F 20, a BT I / F 22, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (reference numerals omitted).

[0020] The display unit 12 is a display for displaying various information, and the operation unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel. The operation unit 14 can receive various instructions.

[0021] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to programs 40 and 42 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The OS (abbreviation for Operating System) program 40 (hereinafter referred to as "OS 40") is a program for executing basic processes of the terminal device 10. The application program 42 (hereinafter referred to as "app 42") is a program for connecting the MFP (e.g., 100) to a wireless LAN.

[0022] OS40 is capable of executing a process of connecting to a wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as "LAN connection process") and a process of establishing pairing with an external device via BTI / F22 (hereinafter referred to as "pairing establishment process"). The LAN connection process includes a process of executing communication for connecting to a wireless LAN via the wireless LAN I / F20 and a process of storing a wireless profile for connecting to the wireless LAN in the memory 34.

[0023] Also, OS40 is capable of executing a process of transmitting a wireless profile in the memory 34 to an external device using pairing via BTI / F22 (hereinafter referred to as "profile transmission process"). Here, the process of providing all of the wireless profiles in the memory 34 to an application (for example, 42) is restricted by OS40. For example, the application 42 cannot acquire a wireless profile from OS40 and transmit the wireless profile to an external device. Note that the process of providing the SSID among the wireless profiles in the memory 34 to an application is not restricted by OS40.

[0024] In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 is currently connected to a wireless LAN formed by the AP50 (hereinafter referred to as "the wireless LAN of the AP50"). Also, the terminal device 10 has a record of having been connected in the past to a wireless LAN formed by the AP52 (hereinafter referred to as "the wireless LAN of the AP52"). In the memory 34, wireless profiles (that is, SSID (abbreviation for Service Set Identifier) and password) for connecting to the wireless LANs of the APs 50 and 52 are stored.

[0025] (Process of connecting the MFP to a wireless LAN; FIGS. 3 and 4) With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the processes realized by the communication system 2 will be described. Specifically, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a case where the MFP100 is connected to a wireless LAN formed by the AP50 using the terminal device 10.

[0026] In the following, from the perspective of ease of understanding, the processing executed by the CPU 32 of the terminal device 10 in accordance with the OS 40 will be described mainly from the perspective of the OS 40 without describing the CPU 32 as the main body. Also, the processing executed by the CPU 32 in accordance with the application 42 will be described mainly from the perspective of the application 42. Further, the processing executed by the CPU 132 of the MFP 100 will be described mainly from the perspective of the MFP 100 without describing the CPU 132 as the main body.

[0027] In the initial stage of this case, the power of the MFP 100 is already on. Triggered by the power-on, the MFP 100 starts to broadcast an Advertise signal in accordance with BLE via the BTI / F122. The Advertise signal includes the device ID "dv1" that identifies the BTI / F122 and the model name "MF1" of the MFP 100.

[0028] Also, in the initial stage of this case, the application 42 is already started. The user inputs an instruction to set up the connection to the wireless LAN at the T10 to the operation unit 14 of the terminal device 10. Thereby, the application 42 searches for MFPs existing around the terminal device 10 via the BTI / F22. Specifically, the application 42 monitors receiving an Advertise signal from the outside via the BTI / F22. In this case, since the power of the MFP 100 is on, the application 42 receives an Advertise signal from the MFP 100 via the BTI / F22 at the T12. Note that in a modified example, the application 42 may monitor receiving other signals (for example, a Scan request) in accordance with BLE.

[0029] At the T14, the application 42 causes the display unit 12 to display a screen SC1 including a list of search results of surrounding MFPs. The list includes one or more model names included in one or more Advertise signals received from the outside. In this case, the application 42 receives one Advertise signal from one MFP 100. The list includes the model name "MF1" of the MFP 100.

[0030] In T20, the application 42 receives an instruction to select the model name "MF1" from the list within the screen SC1 via the operation unit 14.

[0031] In T22, the application 42 supplies the device ID "dv1" included in the Advertise signal corresponding to the model name "MF1" selected in T20 to the OS 40 by using the API (abbreviation for Application Programming Interface) of the OS 40. For example, the provider of the OS 40 publishes the codes for LAN connection processing, pairing establishment processing, and profile transmission processing as the API of the OS 40. In T22, the code for pairing establishment processing is used.

[0032] In T22, when the OS 40 acquires the device ID "dv1" from the application 42, in T24 to T30, the OS 40 executes pairing establishment processing using the device ID "dv1".

[0033] In T24, the OS 40 unicasts a Scan request conforming to BLE, with the BTI / F122 of the MFP 100 indicated by the device ID "dv1" acquired in T22 as the destination, via the BTI / F22. As a result, in T26, the OS 40 receives a Scan response to the Scan request from the BTI / F122 of the MFP 100 via the BTI / F22.

[0034] In T28, the OS 40 executes authentication using a PIN code or the like via the BTI / F22 to establish pairing with the BTI / F122 of the MFP 100.

[0035] In T30, the OS 40 supplies a pairing establishment notification indicating that the pairing has been completed to the application 42.

[0036] On the one hand, when the pairing with the terminal device 10 is established at T28, the MFP100 searches for APs existing around the MFP100. In this case, there are three APs 50 to 54 existing around the MFP100. Therefore, at T40A to T40C, the MFP100 receives beacon signals from each of the three APs 50 to 54 via the wireless LAN I / F 120. The beacon signal is a signal transmitted by the AP for broadcast and includes the SSID of the AP (for example, the SSID "ap01" of AP50).

[0037] When the application 42 obtains a pairing establishment notification from the OS 40 at T30, at T50, the application 42 uses the API of the OS 40 to supply a Read request using the pairing at T28 to the OS 40. As a result, at T52, the OS 40 transmits a Read request to the MFP100 to request the search results at T40A to T40C using the pairing at T28 via the BT I / F 22.

[0038] At T54, the OS 40 receives the SSID list, which is the search result, from the MFP100 as a response to the Read request at T52 via the BT I / F 22 and supplies the SSID list to the application 42. The SSID list includes the three SSIDs "ap01", "ap02", and "ap03" of the three APs 50 to 54.

[0039] In this case, in the memory 34 of the terminal device 10, two SSIDs "ap01" and "ap02" are stored as wireless profiles, and the SSID "ap03" is not stored. The application 42 excludes the SSID "ap03" that is not stored in the memory 34 as a wireless profile from the SSID list obtained at T54. Then, at T56, the application 42 causes the display unit 12 to display a screen SC2 including the list of the two SSIDs "ap01" and "ap02". That is, the list of the SSIDs of the two APs 50 and 54 that have a connection record with the terminal device 10 among the three APs 50 to 56 around the terminal device 10 is displayed.

[0040] For example, a comparative example is assumed in which the processing of T40A to T54 is not executed, and the application 42 displays a screen including a list of two SSIDs, "ap01" and "ap02", in the memory 34. In this comparative example, for example, in a situation where the AP 52 does not exist around the MFP 100, the SSID "ap02" of the AP 52 is displayed. In this case, if the SSID "ap02" is selected, the connection of the MFP 100 to the wireless LAN may fail because the AP 52 does not exist around the MFP 100. On the other hand, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the application 42 receives the search result of the MFP 100 from the MFP 100 (T54), and uses the search result to display the screen SC2 (T56). That is, the SSID of the AP that does not exist around the MFP 100 is not displayed. It is possible to suppress the failure of the connection of the MFP 100 to the wireless LAN. In a modification, the configuration of the above comparative example may be adopted.

[0041] Also, the application 42 uses the pairing of T28 to receive the search result of the MFP 100 from the MFP 100 (T54). The pairing of T28 is the pairing used in the pro-transmission process of the OS 40. In this embodiment, the pairing used in the pro-transmission process of the OS 40 can also be diverted to the use of receiving the search result of the MFP 100.

[0042] In T70 of FIG. 4 that follows, the application 42 receives an instruction to select the SSID "ap01" of the AP 50 from the list in the screen SC2 via the operation unit 14.

[0043] In T72, the application 42 supplies the SSID "ap01" selected in T70 to the OS 40 using the code of the pro-transmission process among the APIs of the OS 40.

[0044] When the OS 40 acquires the SSID "ap01" from the application 42 in T72, the OS 40 executes a pro-transmission process using the SSID "ap01" in T74 to T94.

[0045] In T74, the OS 40 causes the display unit 112 to display a screen SC3 for prompting the user to confirm the execution of the professional transmission process. The screen SC3 includes an input field for the user to enter a password for the OS 40 to authenticate the user. In a modified example, the screen SC3 may include a message requesting the execution of biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint authentication, face authentication, etc.).

[0046] In T80, the OS 40 receives, via the operation unit 14, an operation of entering a password into the input field in the screen SC3. In this case, at T82, the authentication of the password entered at T80 is successful. When the authentication of the password is successful, the OS 40 executes the processes after T84. If the authentication of the password fails, the OS 40 does not execute the processes after T84. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the professional transmission process from being executed against the user's intention.

[0047] In T84, the OS 40 obtains from the memory 34 a wireless profile including the SSID "ap01" acquired at T72.

[0048] In T90, the OS 40 transmits, via BTI / F22, a Write request including the wireless profile (i.e., SSID "ap01" and password "xxxx") acquired at T84 to the MFP 100 using the pairing of T28 in FIG. 3. As a result, at T92, the MFP 100 establishes a wireless connection with the AP 50 using the wireless profile received at T90. That is, the MFP 100 is connected to the wireless LAN formed by the AP 50.

[0049] When the MFP 100 establishes a wireless connection with the AP 50 at T92, at T94, the MFP 100 transmits, via BTI / F122, a connection completion notification indicating that the MFP 100 is connected to the wireless LAN of the AP 50 to the terminal device 10 using the pairing of T28 in FIG. 3. The connection completion notification is supplied to the application 42 via the OS 40.

[0050] When the application 42 obtains a connection establishment notification from the OS 40 at T94, it executes the process of T100. T100 is the same as T50 and T52, except that a Read request for requesting the IP address and MAC address MA1 of the MFP 100 is used. The IP address is assigned to the MFP 100 by the AP 50 at T92.

[0051] At T104, the application 42 receives the IP address and MAC address MA1 of the MFP 100 from the MFP 100 as a response to the Read request of T102 by using the pairing of T28 in FIG. 3 via the BTI / F22 and the OS 40. According to such a configuration, the pairing used in the pro-transmission process of the OS 40 can be diverted to the reception of the IP address and MAC address MA1 of the MFP 100.

[0052] At T110, the application 42 transmits a search signal for searching for the MFP 100 connected to the wireless LAN formed by the AP 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 by using the API of the OS 40. The search signal includes the information obtained at T104 (i.e., the IP address and MAC address MA1 of the MFP 100). The search signal is received by the MFP 100 by using the wireless connection between the terminal device 10 and the AP 50 and the wireless connection between the MFP 100 and the AP 50. The search signal is transmitted as a unicast.

[0053] At T112, the application 42 receives a response signal to the search signal of T110 from the MFP 100 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 and the OS 40. The search signal includes the model name "MF1" of the MFP 100.

[0054] In T114, the application 42 stores in the memory 34, as information indicating the MFP 100 to be controlled, the information received in T104 (i.e., the IP address of the MFP 100 and the MAC address MA1) and the model name "MF1" received in T112. Then, the application 42 causes the display unit 12 to display a screen SC4 for receiving an instruction to execute functions such as printing and scanning. The screen SC4 includes the model name "MF1" indicating the MFP 100 to be controlled.

[0055] When the application 42 receives the selection of the "Print" button in the screen SC4, in T120, it supplies print data indicating the image to be printed to the OS 40 using the API of the OS 40. Thereby, the OS 40 transmits the print data indicating the image to be printed to the MFP 100 using the wireless LAN formed by the AP 50 via the wireless LAN I / F 20 and the AP 50.

[0056] When the MFP 100 receives the print data from the terminal device 10 via the AP 50 and the wireless LAN I / F 120 in T120, in T122, it causes the print execution unit 124 to execute the printing of the image indicated by the print data.

[0057] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the application 42 searches for one or more MFPs and supplies the device ID "dv1" indicating the MFP 100 selected from the search results to the OS 40 (T22 in FIG. 3). Further, the application 42 supplies the SSID "ap01" indicating the AP 50 to be connected to the OS 40 (T72 in FIG. 4). The OS 40 establishes pairing with the MFP 100 using the device ID "dv1" acquired from the application 42 (T28 in FIG. 3), and acquires the wireless profile of the AP 50 from the memory 34 using the SSID "ap01" acquired from the application 42 (T84 in FIG. 4). Then, the OS 40 transmits the acquired wireless profile of the AP 50 to the MFP 100 using the established pairing. With the application 42 of this embodiment, the pro-transmission process provided by the OS 40 can be utilized.

[0058] Also, in the above embodiments, the application 42 receives destination information (i.e., the IP address and the MAC address MA1) indicating the destination of the MFP100 that operates as a wireless LAN slave station of the AP50 via the BTI / F22 (T104 in FIG. 4). Then, after executing the pro-transmission process, the application 42 uses the destination information to execute communication with the MFP100 via the wireless LAN I / F20 (T110, T120). For example, a comparative example where the process of T104 is not executed is assumed. In this comparative example, the application 42 broadcasts a signal for searching for a wireless LAN slave station of the AP50 via the wireless LAN I / F20, for example, to receive the destination information from the MFP100. In this embodiment, the destination information can be obtained without executing the search via the wireless LAN I / F20. Note that in a modification, the configuration of the above comparative example may be adopted.

[0059] (Other effects of this embodiment; FIGS. 5 and 6) (Concept of comparative example; FIG. 5) Before explaining other effects of this embodiment, a comparative example using the pro-transmission process of the OS40 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The application 942 of the terminal device 900 in the comparative example supplies a search code among the APIs of the OS40 to the OS40 at Y1. Here, the search code is a code for causing the OS40 to execute a search for an Advertise signal via the BTI / F22 and obtain information in the Advertise signal from the OS40.

[0060] At Y2, the OS40 receives an Advertise signal including the device ID "dv1" from the MFP100 according to the search code at Y1. Here, the acquisition of information by the search code is permitted only for devices authenticated by the OS40. In this comparative example, at Y3, the authentication of the device ID "dv1" in the Advertise signal is successful. As a result, at Y4, the application 942 obtains the device ID "dv1" from the OS40. Note that if the authentication of the device ID "dv1" in the Advertise signal fails, the processes after Y4 are not executed.

[0061] In Y5, the application 942 supplies the device ID "dv1" obtained in Y3 to the OS 40 by using the pair establishment process of the API of the OS 40. In Y6, the OS 40 executes a pair establishment process using the device ID "dv1" obtained in Y5 to establish pairing with the MFP 100. In Y7, the OS 40 executes a profile transmission process using the pairing established in Y6 to transmit the wireless profile in the memory 34 to the MFP 100.

[0062] As shown in Y3, in this comparative example, due to the failure of authentication of the device ID "dv1", the transmission of the wireless profile to the MFP 100 may fail.

[0063] (Concept of the embodiment; FIG. 6) In this embodiment, the application 42 does not execute the process of Y1 in FIG. 5. That is, in T1, the application 42 executes a search for an Advertise signal via the BTI / F22 (see T12 in FIG. 3). In T2, the application 42 supplies the device ID "dv1" obtained in the search of T1 to the OS 40 by using the code of the pair establishment process of the API of the OS 40 (see T22 in FIG. 3). In T3, the OS 40 executes a pair establishment process using the device ID "dv1" (see T28 in FIG. 3). In T4, the OS 40 executes a profile transmission process using the pairing established in T3 to transmit the wireless profile in the memory 34 to the MFP 100 (T90 in FIG. 4). According to the configuration of this embodiment, the profile transmission process of the OS 40 can be used without executing the process of Y3 in the comparative example of FIG. 5. The failure of transmission of the wireless profile in the memory 34 to the MFP 100 can be suppressed.

[0064] (Corresponding relationship) The terminal device 10, the application 42, the OS 40, the memory 34, and the BTI / F22 are examples of a "terminal device", an "application program", an "OS program", a "memory", and a "wireless interface", respectively. The LAN connection process, the pairing process, and the program transmission process are examples of a "storage process", an "establishment process", and a "transmission process", respectively. The MFP 100 is an example of "one or more communication devices (target communication devices)". The device ID "dv1" is an example of "device information (target device information)". The APs 50 to 54 are examples of "one or more access points". The SSIDs "ap01" to "ap03" are examples of "one or more access point information". The wireless LAN formed by the SSID "ap01" and the AP 50 is an example of "target access point information" and a "target wireless network", respectively. The SSID "ap01" and the password "xxxx" are examples of a "target wireless profile". The pairing of T28 is an example of a "target connection". The wireless connection of T92 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "specific connection". The IP address and the MAC address MA1 are examples of "destination information". The operation of T80 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "predetermined operation".

[0065] The processes realized by T12 and T22 in FIG. 3 and T72 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes realized by a "first receiving unit", a "first supply unit", and a "second supply unit", respectively.

[0066] As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0067] (Modification Example 1) The "communication device" is not limited to the MFP 100, and may be a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, or the like.

[0068] (Modification Example 2) The "communication interface" is not limited to BTI / F22, and may be, for example, a wireless LAN I / F20. In the modification example where the "communication interface" is a wireless LAN I / F20, the application 42 may receive the device ID "dv1" from the MFP 100 via the wireless LAN I / F20. Also, instead of pairing, the OS 40 may establish a wireless connection according to Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) and transmit a wireless profile to the MFP 100 using the wireless connection.

[0069] (Modification Example 3) The process of T54 in FIG. 3 may not be executed. In this modification example, the "second receiving unit" can be omitted.

[0070] (Modification Example 4) In the process of T54 in FIG. 3, the pairing of T28 may not be used. For example, the application 42 may receive a list of SSIDs from the MFP 100 using a pairing different from the pairing of T28, or a Scan response to a Scan request, etc.

[0071] (Modification Example 5) The processes of T110 to T120 in FIG. 4 may not be executed. In this modification example, the "communication execution unit" can be omitted.

[0072] (Modification Example 6) The process of T104 in FIG. 4 may not be executed. In this modification example, the "third receiving unit" can be omitted.

[0073] (Modification Example 7) In the process of T104 in FIG. 4, the pairing of T28 may not be used. For example, the application 42 may receive an IP address and the MAC address MA1 from the MFP 100 using a pairing different from the pairing of T28, or a Scan response to a Scan request, etc.

[0074] (Modification Example 8) "The predetermined operation" is not limited to inputting a password. For example, in the modification example shown in FIG. 4, the screen SC3 may include an "OK" button that accepts permission from the user instead of an input field for inputting a password. In this modification example, the operation of selecting the "OK" button is an example of the "predetermined operation".

[0075] (Modification Example 9) The processes of T74 and T80 in FIG. 4 do not have to be executed. In this modification example, the "predetermined operation" can be omitted.

[0076] (Modification Example 10) In each of the above embodiments, the processes in FIGS. 3 and 4 are realized by software (for example, each program 40, 42, 140, etc.), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0077] Also, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Further, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of these purposes itself has technical utility. The features of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below. (Item 1) An application program for a terminal device, wherein the OS program of the terminal device performs a storage process of storing in the memory of the terminal device a wireless profile for connecting to a wireless network formed by an access point, an establishment process of establishing a connection via the wireless interface of the terminal device with an external communication device, and a transmission process of transmitting the wireless profile in the memory to the communication device using the connection via the wireless interface, and is executable, wherein the application program causes the computer of the terminal device to perform the following respective parts, namely, a first receiving unit that searches for one or more communication devices existing around the terminal device via the wireless interface and receives device information indicating the communication device from each of the one or more communication devices, a first supplying unit that supplies the device information of the target communication device indicating the target communication device to the OS program when the target communication device is selected from among the one or more searched communication devices, wherein the OS program executes the establishment process using the device information of the target, including establishing the connection of the target via the wireless interface with the target communication device indicated by the device information of the target, the first supplying unit, a second supplying unit that supplies the target access point information to the OS program when the target access point information is selected from among one or more access point information indicating one or more access points, wherein the OS program executes the transmission process using the target access point information, the transmission process using the target access point information includes obtaining from the memory a target wireless profile for connecting to a target wireless network formed by a target access point indicated by the target access point information, and transmitting the obtained target wireless profile to the target communication device using the established connection of the target, the second supplying unit, An application program that functions as such. (Item 2) The one or more access points are searched by the target communication device, The application program further causes the computer to function as a second receiving unit that receives the one or more access point information from the target communication device via the wireless interface, the application program according to item 1. (Item 3) The second receiving unit of the application program according to item 2 receives the one or more access point information from the target communication device using the connection of the target. (Item 4) After the transmission process using the target access point information is executed, the target wireless profile is used to establish a specific connection between the target communication device and the target access point. The application program further causes the computer to function as a communication execution unit that executes communication with the target communication device using the connection between the terminal device and the target access point and the specific connection between the target communication device and the target access point, the application program according to any one of items 1 to 3. (Item 5) The application program further causes the computer to function as a third receiving unit that receives destination information indicating the destination of the target communication device from the target communication device via the wireless interface, The communication execution unit of the application program according to item 4 executes the communication with the target communication device using the received destination information. (Item 6) The connection of the target is maintained even after the one or more access point information is received from the target communication device. After the transmission process using the target access point information is executed, the target wireless profile is used to establish a specific connection between the target communication device and the target access point. The application program further causes the computer to a third receiving unit that receives destination information indicating the destination of the target communication device from the target communication device using the connection of the target via the wireless interface after the specific connection is established between the target communication device and the target access point A communication execution unit that executes communication with the target communication device indicated by the received destination information by using the connection between the terminal device and the target access point and the specific connection between the target communication device and the target access point. The application program according to any one of Items 1 to 3, which functions as. (Item 7) The application program according to any one of Items 1 to 6, wherein the transmission process using the target access point information is executed triggered by a predetermined operation for user authentication being input in the terminal device. (Item 8) The wireless interface is an interface for executing wireless communication according to Bluetooth (registered trademark). The application program according to any one of Items 1 to 7, wherein the first receiving unit receives an Advertise signal according to Bluetooth including the device information from each of the one or more communication devices. (Item 9) A terminal device, A memory that stores an OS program and an application program, A computer, Comprising, The OS program, A storage process of storing a wireless profile for connecting to a wireless network formed by an access point in the memory of the terminal device, An establishment process of establishing a connection via the wireless interface of the terminal device with an external communication device, A transmission process of transmitting the wireless profile in the memory to the communication device by using the connection via the wireless interface, Is executable, The application program causes the computer to perform the following units, namely, A first receiving unit that searches for one or more communication devices existing around the terminal device via the wireless interface and receives device information indicating each of the one or more communication devices from each of the one or more communication devices, A first supply unit that supplies the target device information indicating the target communication device to the OS program when a target communication device is selected from among the one or more searched communication devices, The first supply unit, wherein the OS program executes the establishment process using the target device information, including establishing the target connection via the wireless interface with the target communication device indicated by the target device information. When target access point information is selected from one or more pieces of access point information indicating one or more access points, a second supply unit that supplies the target access point information to the OS program, The OS program executes the transmission process using the target access point information, The transmission process using the target access point information, acquiring, from the memory, a target wireless profile for connecting to a target wireless network formed by a target access point indicated by the target access point information; the second supply unit including transmitting the acquired target wireless profile to the target communication device using the established target connection; A terminal device that functions as. (Item 10) A control method for a terminal device, The OS program of the terminal device, a storage process of storing, in the memory of the terminal device, a wireless profile for connecting to a wireless network formed by an access point; an establishment process of establishing a connection via the wireless interface of the terminal device with an external communication device; a transmission process of transmitting the wireless profile in the memory to the communication device using the connection via the wireless interface; is executable, The control method, a first reception step of searching for one or more communication devices existing around the terminal device via the wireless interface and receiving, from each of the one or more communication devices, device information indicating the communication device; a first supply step of supplying, to the OS program, target device information indicating the target communication device when the target communication device is selected from among the one or more searched communication devices, the first supply step in which the OS program executes the establishment process using the target device information, including establishing the target connection via the wireless interface with the target communication device indicated by the target device information; a second supply step of supplying, to the OS program, target access point information when the target access point information is selected from among one or more pieces of access point information indicating one or more access points, the OS program executes the transmission process using the target access point information, The transmission process using the access point information of the target includes: obtaining, from the memory, the target wireless profile for connecting to the target wireless network formed by the target access point indicated by the access point information of the target; the second supply step including transmitting the obtained target wireless profile to the target communication device using the established connection of the target; A control method including the above.

Explanation of Symbols

[0078] 2: Communication system, 10: Terminal device, 12: Display unit, 14: Operation unit, 20: Wireless LAN I / F, 22: BT I / F, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 40: OS, 42: Application, 50 - 54: AP, 100: MFP, 112: Display unit, 114: Operation unit, 120: Wireless LAN I / F, 122: BT I / F, 124: Printing execution unit, 130: Control unit, 132: CPU, 134: Memory, 140: Program, MA1: MAC address, SC1 - SC4: Screen

Claims

1. An application program for a terminal device, wherein the OS program of the terminal device has a storage process of storing in the memory of the terminal device a wireless profile for connecting to a wireless network formed by an access point, an establishment process of establishing a connection via the wireless interface of the terminal device with an external communication device, and a transmission process of transmitting the wireless profile in the memory to the communication device using the connection via the wireless interface, and causes the computer of the terminal device to execute, the application program causes the computer to perform the following respective parts, that is, a first receiving unit that searches for one or more communication devices existing around the terminal device via the wireless interface and receives device information indicating the communication device from each of the one or more communication devices, a first supply unit that supplies the target device information indicating the target communication device to the OS program when a target communication device is selected from among the one or more searched communication devices, wherein the OS program causes the computer to execute the establishment process using the target device information, including establishing the target connection via the wireless interface with the target communication device indicated by the target device information, and the first supply unit, a second supply unit that supplies the target access point information to the OS program when target access point information indicating one or more access points is selected from among the one or more access point information, the target connection is maintained even after the one or more access point information is received from the target communication device, the OS program causes the computer to execute the transmission process using the target access point information, the transmission process using the target access point information includes acquiring from the memory a target wireless profile for connecting to a target wireless network formed by a target access point indicated by the target access point information, and transmitting the acquired target wireless profile to the target communication device using the established target connection. After the transmission process using the access point information of the target is executed, the wireless profile of the target is used for establishing a specific connection between the communication device of the target and the access point of the target, the second supply unit, After the specific connection is established between the communication device of the target and the access point of the target, through the wireless interface, using the connection of the target, a third receiving unit that receives destination information indicating the destination of the communication device of the target from the communication device of the target, A communication execution unit that executes communication with the communication device of the target indicated by the received destination information by using the connection between the terminal device and the access point of the target and the specific connection between the communication device of the target and the access point of the target, An application program that functions as.

2. The one or more access points are searched by the communication device of the target, The application program further causes the computer to Function as a second receiving unit that receives the one or more access point information from the communication device of the target via the wireless interface, the application program according to claim 1.

3. The second receiving unit receives the one or more access point information from the communication device of the target by using the connection of the target, the application program according to claim 2.

4. The transmission process using the access point information of the target is executed triggered by a predetermined operation for user authentication being input in the terminal device, the application program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The wireless interface is an interface for executing wireless communication according to Bluetooth (registered trademark), The first receiving unit receives the Bluetooth-compliant Advertise signal including the device information from each of the one or more communication devices, the application program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A terminal device, A memory that stores an OS program and an application program, A computer, Comprising, The OS program is A storage process of storing, in the memory of the terminal device, a wireless profile for connecting to a wireless network formed by an access point. An establishment process of establishing a connection via the wireless interface of the terminal device with an external communication device. A transmission process of transmitting the wireless profile in the memory to the communication device using the connection via the wireless interface. To cause the computer to execute. The application program causes the computer to perform the following respective parts, namely: A first receiving unit that searches for one or more communication devices existing around the terminal device via the wireless interface and receives device information indicating the communication device from each of the one or more communication devices. A first supply unit that supplies the target device information indicating the target communication device to the OS program when the target communication device is selected from among the one or more searched communication devices. The OS program causes the computer to execute the establishment process using the target device information, including establishing the target connection via the wireless interface with the target communication device indicated by the target device information. The first supply unit. A second supply unit that supplies the target access point information to the OS program when the target access point information is selected from among one or more access point information indicating one or more access points. The target connection is maintained even after the one or more access point information is received from the target communication device. The OS program causes the computer to execute the transmission process using the target access point information. The transmission process using the target access point information is as follows: Acquiring, from the memory, the target wireless profile for connecting to the target wireless network formed by the target access point indicated by the target access point information. Transmitting the acquired target wireless profile to the target communication device using the established target connection. After the transmission process using the target access point information is executed, the target wireless profile is used for establishing a specific connection between the target communication device and the target access point. The second supply unit. After the specific connection is established between the target communication device and the target access point, a third receiving unit that receives, via the wireless interface, destination information indicating the destination of the target communication device from the target communication device using the target connection; A communication execution unit that executes communication with the target communication device indicated by the received destination information using the connection between the terminal device and the target access point and the specific connection between the target communication device and the target access point; A terminal device that functions as such.

7. A control method for a terminal device, The OS program of the terminal device A storage process of storing, in the memory of the terminal device, a wireless profile for connecting to a wireless network formed by an access point; An establishment process of establishing a connection via the wireless interface of the terminal device with an external communication device; A transmission process of transmitting the wireless profile in the memory to the communication device using the connection via the wireless interface; To be executed by the computer of the terminal device, The control method A first receiving step of searching, via the wireless interface, for one or more communication devices existing around the terminal device and receiving, from each of the one or more communication devices, device information indicating the communication device; A first supply step of supplying the target device information indicating the target communication device to the OS program when the target communication device is selected from among the one or more searched communication devices, The first supply step in which the OS program causes the computer to execute the establishment process using the target device information, including establishing the target connection via the wireless interface with the target communication device indicated by the target device information; A second supply step of supplying the target access point information to the OS program when the target access point information is selected from among one or more access point information indicating one or more access points, The target connection is maintained even after the one or more access point information is received from the target communication device, The OS program causes the computer to execute the transmission process using the target access point information, The transmission process using the access point information of the target includes: obtaining, from the memory, the target wireless profile for connecting to the target wireless network formed by the target access point indicated by the access point information of the target; transmitting the obtained target wireless profile to the target communication device using the established connection of the target; after the transmission process using the access point information of the target is executed, the target wireless profile is used for establishing a specific connection between the target communication device and the target access point, the second supply step; after the specific connection is established between the target communication device and the target access point, a third receiving step of receiving, via the wireless interface, destination information indicating the destination of the target communication device from the target communication device using the connection of the target; a communication execution step of executing communication with the target communication device indicated by the received destination information using the connection between the terminal device and the target access point and the specific connection between the target communication device and the target access point; A control method comprising:

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