Terminal device, program, and communication control method

Abstract

To provide a terminal device and the like that can improve user convenience when establishing a communication connection with an electronic apparatus compatible with a plurality of wireless communication connection methods.SOLUTION: A terminal device 100 includes a wireless communication unit 120 that wirelessly connects with an electronic apparatus 200, and a processing unit 110 that controls communication of the wireless communication unit 120. The electronic apparatus 200 can activate a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method. When the first connection information on the first internal access point is received from the electronic apparatus 200, the processing unit 110 performs a communication connection with the first internal access point based on the first connection information. The processing unit 110 performs notification processing when the second connection information on the second internal access point is received from the electronic apparatus 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, a program, a communication control method, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which a PC and a printing device establish wireless communication for a temporary connection, the PC transmits setting information for the main connection to the printing device via the wireless communication for the temporary connection, and the printing device establishes wireless communication for the main connection with an access point based on the received setting information for the main connection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-154130 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an electronic device supports multiple connection methods for wireless communication for temporary connections, the connection method used by the terminal device for temporary connection may differ from the connection method selected by the electronic device. In this case, there is a problem of poor usability for the user, for example, the user having to wait until the connection destination search times out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a terminal device that includes a wireless communication unit that establishes a wireless connection with an electronic device and a processing unit that controls communication of the wireless communication unit, wherein the electronic device is capable of activating a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method, and the processing unit, when receiving first connection information of the first internal access point from the electronic device, establishes a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information, and when receiving second connection information of the second internal access point from the electronic device, performs an alarm processing.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a program for controlling a wireless connection with an electronic device that can activate a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method, the program causing a computer to execute the following: when first connection information of the first internal access point is received from the electronic device, establish a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information; and when second connection information of the second internal access point is received from the electronic device, perform an alarm process.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a communication control method for controlling a wireless connection with an electronic device that can activate a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method, the communication control method including: when first connection information of the first internal access point is received from the electronic device, establishing a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information; and when second connection information of the second internal access point is received from the electronic device, performing an alarm process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication connection method for temporary connection. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication connection method for temporary connection. [Figure 3] 10 is a processing flow of communication control in the second system. [Figure 4] 10 is a processing flow of communication control in the first system when the communication control of the present embodiment is not used. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of processing performed by a processing unit of a first terminal device. [Figure 6] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 3 is a processing flow of communication control in the system of the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a process performed by a processing unit of the terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the scope of the claims, and not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential components.

[0010] 1. Wireless communication connection method for temporary connection 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining a wireless communication connection method for temporary connection. In the drawings, an access point is abbreviated as AP where appropriate.

[0011] In the first system shown in Fig. 1, the first terminal device is a terminal device that temporarily connects to the electronic device using a first connection method. In the second system shown in Fig. 2, the second terminal device is a terminal device that temporarily connects to the electronic device using a second connection method that is different from the first connection method. The electronic device makes a final connection with an external access point, but the connection method for this final connection may be the same in both the first and second systems.

[0012] The first terminal device is, for example, a PC, and the second terminal device is, for example, a portable information processing terminal. PC is an abbreviation for Personal Computer. The first terminal device and the second terminal device are not limited to these, and may be any terminal device that supports wireless communication. The electronic device is, for example, a printing device, but may be any electronic device that has a wireless communication access point. Hereinafter, an access point built into an electronic device will be referred to as an internal access point, and an access point provided outside the electronic device will be referred to as an external access point. The electronic device in FIG. 1 and the electronic device in FIG. 2 are assumed to be, for example, the same model, but may be any electronic device that can activate the same internal access point. An external access point is, for example, an access point built into a router or the like that relays between networks.

[0013] A temporary connection is a wireless communication connection temporarily used by a terminal device to set up a permanent connection with an electronic device. Here, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is assumed as the wireless communication, but any wireless communication in which a terminal device connects to an access point identified by ID information or the like may be used. In Wi-Fi, the ID information is the SSID. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier. "Different connection methods" mean that the internal access points to which the terminal device connects are different. As will be described later, internal access points are implemented by software APs, and the internal access points differ depending on which of multiple software APs the electronic device activates. The first connection method is, for example, a method of establishing communication using an SSID and a password, while the second connection method is, for example, a method of establishing communication using an SSID without a password. The password is also called an encryption key. The first and second connection methods are not limited to the above, and may be different as long as the internal access points to which the terminal device connects are different.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a processing flow of communication control in the second system of FIG. 2. The electronic device is configured to be able to activate the first internal access point or the second internal access point, and when the device is first turned on, the second internal access point is activated by default. The second internal access point is an access point for establishing a temporary connection using the second connection method. The electronic device transmits a beacon signal including SSID_B from the second internal access point. SSID_B is an SSID that identifies the second internal access point.

[0015] When the second terminal device starts the temporary connection procedure of the second connection method, it first searches for SSID_B. For example, if the second terminal device is a portable information processing terminal, application software for controlling electronic devices from the portable information processing terminal is installed on the portable information processing terminal. When the user starts the application software and performs an operation to start the wireless communication setting procedure, the application software starts the temporary connection procedure.

[0016] When the second terminal device finds SSID_B transmitted from the electronic device, it establishes a temporary wireless connection with the second internal access point. The second terminal device transmits the SSID and password of the external access point to the electronic device via the temporary wireless connection. When the electronic device receives the SSID and password of the external access point, it disconnects the temporary connection and establishes a permanent connection with the external access point using the received SSID and password. In this connection, the electronic device becomes the terminal side. By establishing a permanent connection with the external access point, the electronic device can connect to an external network such as the Internet.

[0017] The second terminal device is also connected to the external access point via wireless communication. After the electronic device is fully connected to the external access point, the second terminal device and the electronic device can communicate with each other via the external access point, and each of them can connect to an external network via the external access point.

[0018] Fig. 4 shows a processing flow of communication control in the first system of Fig. 1 when the communication control of this embodiment is not used. Below, problems that arise when the communication control of this embodiment is not used will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0019] The first terminal device is different from the second terminal device and is a terminal device that establishes a temporary connection using the first connection method. When the first terminal device starts the temporary connection procedure using the first connection method, it first searches for SSID_A. SSID_A is an SSID that identifies the first internal access point. For example, if the first terminal device is a PC, software for controlling electronic devices from the PC is installed on the PC. When a user starts the software and performs an operation to start the wireless communication setting procedure, the software starts the temporary connection procedure.

[0020] When the electronic device is first turned on, it activates the second internal access point by default and transmits a beacon signal including SSID_B from the second internal access point. The first terminal device cannot find SSID_A and continues searching for SSID_A until the search times out.

[0021] When the search times out, the first terminal device notifies the user to manually switch the internal access point, for example. The user manually switches the electronic device from the second internal access point to the first internal access point. The first internal access point is an access point for establishing a temporary connection using the first connection method. The electronic device activates the first internal access point and transmits a beacon signal including SSID_A from the first internal access point.

[0022] The first terminal device re-searches for SSID_A, and when it finds SSID_A transmitted from the electronic device, it establishes a temporary wireless connection with the first internal access point. The first terminal device transmits the SSID and password of the external access point to the electronic device via the temporary wireless connection. When the electronic device receives the SSID and password of the external access point, it terminates the temporary connection and establishes a permanent connection with the external access point using the received SSID and password.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the process performed by the processing unit of the first terminal device in the process flow of FIG.

[0024] In step S1, the processing unit starts a loop process of searching for SSID_A. In step S2, the processing unit searches for SSID_A. Specifically, the processing unit searches for whether SSID_A is included in a beacon signal received from an electronic device. In step S3, the processing unit determines whether SSID_A has been found and whether the search has timed out.

[0025] If SSID_A is not found and the search has not timed out, the processing unit returns to step S2 and continues the loop. If SSID_A is found or the search has timed out, the processing unit ends the search loop in step S4.

[0026] In step S5, the processing unit determines whether SSID_A is found in the loop processing. If SSID_A is found, the processing unit proceeds to step S7. If SSID_A is not found, in step S6, the processing unit guides the user to manually switch to the first internal access point, and then proceeds to step S7.

[0027] If SSID_A is not found in the loop process, the loop process does not end until a timeout occurs, and therefore step S6 is executed only when the search times out.

[0028] In step S7, the processing unit performs connection settings for the electronic device. Specifically, the processing unit executes the same processes as steps S1 to S5. Because the electronic device has activated the first internal access point due to manual switching, SSID_A is discovered in the loop processing. The processing unit establishes a temporary connection using SSID_A and transmits the SSID and password for the main connection to the electronic device via the temporary connection.

[0029] As described above, if the first connection method used by the first terminal device for temporary connection differs from the second connection method selected by the electronic device, user convenience will be adversely affected. In the above example, the first terminal device searches for the first internal access point, but the user is unaware that the electronic device has activated the second internal access point, so the user ends up having to wait until the search times out.

[0030] 2. Systems, terminal devices and electronic devices 6 shows an example of the configuration of the system 10 according to this embodiment. The system 10 includes a terminal device 100, an electronic device 200, and an external access point 300.

[0031] The terminal device 100 performs wireless communication as a terminal with the first internal access point of the electronic device 200 in the temporary connection, and performs wireless communication as a terminal with the external access point 300 in the permanent connection. That is, the terminal device 100 corresponds to the first terminal device out of the first terminal device using the temporary connection of the first connection method described in FIG. 1 and the second terminal device using the temporary connection of the second connection method described in FIG. 2. The terminal device 100 is an information processing device, a portable information processing terminal, or the like. The terminal device 100 includes a processing unit 110, a wireless communication unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a display unit 140.

[0032] The storage unit 130 is a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic storage device. The semiconductor memory may be a volatile memory such as a RAM, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, or both. RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. The storage unit 130 stores a communication control program 135. The storage unit 130 may also function as a working memory for the processing unit 110.

[0033] The wireless communication unit 120 performs wireless communication with the external access point 300 and the internal access point of the electronic device 200. The wireless communication unit 120 is also called a wireless communication circuit or a wireless communication device. The wireless communication unit 120 includes, for example, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna. The transmitter includes, for example, a modulation circuit that modulates a carrier wave based on transmission data, and a drive circuit that drives the antenna with the modulated carrier wave. The receiver includes, for example, a receiver circuit that receives a received signal from the antenna, and a demodulator circuit that demodulates the received signal into received data. Here, the wireless communication is assumed to be Wi-Fi, but it may be any wireless communication in which a terminal device connects to an access point identified by ID information or the like.

[0034] The processing unit 110 executes the communication control program 135 to control wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 120 communicates with an access point based on the communication control from the processing unit 110. The processing unit 110 is also called a processing circuit or a processing device. The processing unit 110 is a processor such as a CPU, a microcomputer, or a DSP. Alternatively, the processing unit 110 may be an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. DSP stands for Digital Signal Processor. ASIC stands for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array.

[0035] The display unit 140 displays an image based on the display data transmitted from the processing unit 110. For example, when the processing unit 110 performs a notification process for the user, it causes the display unit 140 to display an image including the notification content. Note that the notification method is not limited to image display, and may be sound, light, vibration, or the like. The display unit 140 is also called a display or a monitor.

[0036] The electronic device 200 functions as an internal access point for the temporary connection, and also performs wireless communication as a terminal with the external access point 300 for the permanent connection. The electronic device 200 includes a processing unit 210, a wireless communication unit 220, a storage unit 230, and an operation unit 250.

[0037] The storage unit 230 is a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic storage device. The storage unit 230 stores a first software AP 231 and a second software AP 232. The storage unit 230 may also function as a working memory for the processing unit 210. The first software AP 231 is a program in which the functions of the first internal access point are described, and the second software AP 232 is a program in which the functions of the second internal access point are described.

[0038] The wireless communication unit 220 performs wireless communication with the external access point 300 and the wireless communication unit 120 of the terminal device 100. The wireless communication unit 220 includes, for example, a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and an antenna that are configured similarly to the wireless communication unit 120. The wireless communication unit is also called a wireless communication circuit or a wireless communication device.

[0039] The processing unit 210 executes the first software AP 231 to cause the wireless communication unit 220 to function as a first internal access point. The processing unit 210 executes the second software AP 232 to cause the wireless communication unit 220 to function as a second internal access point. The wireless communication unit 220 functions as either the first internal access point or the second internal access point depending on the software selected by the processing unit 210, but cannot function as both the first internal access point and the second internal access point simultaneously. The processing unit 210 automatically activates the internal access point for a temporary connection when the connection settings for the actual connection have not been configured, such as when the power is turned on for the first time. In the default setting, the processing unit 210 activates the second internal access point.

[0040] In this connection, the processing unit 210 causes the wireless communication unit 220 to function as a terminal-side communication unit for the external access point 300. The processing unit 210 is also called a processing circuit or a processing device. The processing unit 210 is a processor such as a CPU, a microcomputer, or a DSP. Alternatively, the processing unit 210 may be an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like.

[0041] The external access point 300 is a device for transmitting and receiving radio waves for wireless communication, and is built into or connected to a router that relays between networks. The router relays between a LAN to which the terminal device 100 and the electronic device 200 are connected and an external network such as the Internet. LAN stands for Local Area Network. By connecting wirelessly to the external access point 300, the terminal device 100 and the electronic device 200 can access the external network via the router.

[0042] The operation of the terminal device 100 in this embodiment will be described below. More detailed operation will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0043] The terminal device 100 includes a wireless communication unit 120 that establishes a wireless connection with the electronic device 200, and a processing unit 110 that controls communication of the wireless communication unit 120. The electronic device 200 is capable of activating a first internal access point of a first connection method, or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method. When the processing unit 110 receives first connection information of the first internal access point from the electronic device 200, the processing unit 110 establishes a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information. When the processing unit 110 receives second connection information of the second internal access point from the electronic device 200, the processing unit 110 performs notification processing.

[0044] According to this embodiment, when the electronic device 200 activates the second internal access point, i.e., when the first connection method used by the first terminal device for temporary connection differs from the second connection method selected by the electronic device, a notification process is performed for the user. This allows the user to take measures such as manually switching the internal access point without waiting for a timeout, thereby improving user convenience. Specifically, even when the second internal access point is activated by default settings, such as when the electronic device 200 is first powered on, the notification process allows the user to take measures such as manually switching.

[0045] The first connection method is, for example, a method of establishing communication using an SSID and a password, and the second connection method is, for example, a method of establishing communication using an SSID without using a password. However, the connection methods are distinguished by the wireless communication standard, the radio wave band used for communication, the communication speed, whether encryption is used, the encryption method, etc. In other words, the second connection method only needs to differ from the first connection method in at least one of the wireless communication standard, the radio wave band used for communication, the communication speed, whether encryption is used, the encryption method, etc.

[0046] The first connection information is information used when the wireless communication unit 120 establishes a communication connection with a first internal access point. The second connection information is information used when the wireless communication unit 120 establishes a communication connection with a second internal access point. The connection information includes ID information such as an SSID that identifies the internal access point. The connection information may also include information on the wireless communication standard, information on the encryption method, etc.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the notification process is a process of prompting the electronic device 200 to change the connection method to the first connection method. Alternatively, the notification process may be a process of notifying that the second connection information has been received.

[0048] According to this embodiment, the user can manually switch from the first connection method to the second connection method by receiving a notification prompting the user to change to the first connection method or a notification indicating that the second connection information has been received.

[0049] The connection method is switched by a user operating an operation unit 250 provided in the electronic device 200. The operation unit 250 is also called an operation device. For example, a button may be provided as the operation unit 250, and the processing unit 210 of the electronic device 200 may activate the first internal access point when it detects a long press of the button. Alternatively, a touch panel may be provided as the operation unit 250 together with a display, and the processing unit 210 of the electronic device 200 may activate the first internal access point when it detects a switching operation via the touch panel.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, after performing the first notification process, which is the above-mentioned notification process, the processing unit 110 performs a second notification process to notify that the connection is successful when a communication connection is made to the first internal access point based on the first connection information received from the electronic device 200.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the user is notified that the temporary connection has been successful, so that the user can know that the internal access point has been correctly switched by the user's manual switching operation, and that the terminal device 100 has been able to establish wireless communication with the electronic device 200 via a temporary connection.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after establishing a communication connection with the first internal access point, the processing unit 110 transmits connection information of the external access point 300 to the electronic device 200 by wireless communication of the first connection method. Note that the connection information of the external access point 300 is information used when the wireless communication unit 220 of the electronic device 200 establishes a communication connection with the external access point 300.

[0053] Furthermore, in the case where the above-described notification process has been performed, after performing the notification process, the processing unit 110 establishes a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information when it receives the first connection information from the electronic device 200. Then, after establishing a communication connection to the first internal access point, the processing unit 110 transmits the connection information of the external access point 300 to the electronic device 200 by wireless communication of the first connection method.

[0054] According to the present embodiment, connection information of the external access point 300 is transmitted from the terminal device 100 to the electronic device 200 via a temporary connection of the first connection method. This allows the electronic device 200 to establish a communication connection with the external access point 300 using the connection information.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first connection information includes a first identifier of the first internal access point, and the second connection information includes a second identifier of the second internal access point. The processing unit 110 performs a search process for the first identifier and the second identifier.

[0056] According to this embodiment, the processing unit 110 can determine whether or not first connection information of a first internal access point has been received from the electronic device 200 by searching for the first identifier. Furthermore, the processing unit 110 can determine whether or not second connection information of a second internal access point has been received from the electronic device 200 by searching for the second identifier. Then, the processing unit 110 can determine whether the first internal access point or the second internal access point is activated in the electronic device 200 by simultaneously searching for the first identifier and the second identifier. This allows the processing unit 110 to notify the user when the second internal access point is activated in the electronic device 200.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the processing unit 110 finds a second identifier in the search process, it performs the notification process even before the search process times out.

[0058] According to this embodiment, when the second internal access point is activated in the electronic device 200, the processing unit 110 notifies the user before the search process times out, so that the user does not have to wait until the timeout occurs, improving user convenience.

[0059] In this embodiment, when the processing unit 110 finds a first identifier in the search process, it establishes a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information.When the processing unit 110 finds a second identifier in the search process, it establishes a communication connection to the second internal access point based on the second connection information.

[0060] According to this embodiment, when the processing unit 110 finds a first identifier, it determines that it has received first connection information of a first internal access point, and can establish a communication connection with the first internal access point. Also, when the processing unit 110 finds a second identifier, it determines that it has received second connection information of a second internal access point, and can perform notification processing.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first connection method is Wi-Fi Direct, and the second connection method is a connection method different from Wi-Fi Direct.

[0062] Suppose that a first terminal device that uses Wi-Fi Direct for temporary connection and a second terminal device that uses a connection method other than Wi-Fi Direct for temporary connection are mixed, and the electronic device has activated a second internal access point that uses a connection method other than Wi-Fi Direct. According to this embodiment, even in such a case, when the terminal device 100 corresponding to the first terminal device receives the second connection information of the second internal access point, a notification process is performed, so that the user can take measures such as manual switching.

[0063] Wi-Fi Direct is a type of Wi-Fi communication in which an electronic device uses a software AP to act as an access point, enabling wireless communication between a terminal device and the electronic device. Wi-Fi Direct uses an SSID, which is an identifier, and a password, which is an encryption key, as connection information. The second connection method, for example, is a type of Wi-Fi communication that uses a software AP like Wi-Fi Direct, but is a communication method that uses only an SSID without a password.

[0064] The above-described embodiments can also be implemented as a program as follows. That is, the program controls a wireless connection with the electronic device 200 that can activate a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method. The program causes a computer to execute the following: when first connection information of the first internal access point is received from the electronic device 200, establish a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information. The program also causes the computer to execute the following: when second connection information of the second internal access point is received from the electronic device 200, perform a notification process. In FIG. 6, the communication control program 135 corresponds to this program.

[0065] The program can be stored in a non-transitory information storage medium that is a computer-readable medium. The information storage medium can be realized, for example, by an optical disk, a memory card, a hard disk drive, or a semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory can be, for example, a ROM or a non-volatile memory. The processing unit 110 of the terminal device 100 performs various processes of this embodiment based on the program and data stored in the information storage medium.

[0066] The following describes in detail the operation of the system 10. Fig. 7 shows a processing flow of communication control in the system 10 of this embodiment.

[0067] The processing unit 210 of the electronic device 200 activates the second internal access point by default when the electronic device 200 is first powered on. The wireless communication unit 220 functioning as the second internal access point transmits a beacon signal including SSID_B. SSID_B is a second identifier.

[0068] When the processing unit 110 of the terminal device 100 starts the procedure for temporary connection using the first connection method, it searches for SSID_A and SSID_B. SSID_A is a first identifier. The wireless communication unit 120 receives a beacon signal including SSID_B. When the processing unit 110 confirms that SSID_B has been received, it performs notification processing.

[0069] Upon receiving the notification, the user manually switches from the second internal access point to the first internal access point on the electronic device 200. The processing unit 210 of the electronic device 200 activates the first internal access point. The wireless communication unit 220, functioning as the first internal access point, transmits a beacon signal including SSID_A.

[0070] The processing unit 110 of the terminal device 100 re-searches for SSID_A. The wireless communication unit 120 receives a beacon signal including SSID_A. When the processing unit 110 confirms receipt of SSID_A, it establishes wireless communication for a temporary connection with the first internal access point. The processing unit 110 transmits the SSID and password of the external access point 300 to the electronic device 200 through wireless communication for the temporary connection. When the processing unit 210 of the electronic device 200 receives the SSID and password of the external access point 300, it terminates the temporary connection and establishes a permanent connection with the external access point 300 using the received SSID and password.

[0071] The terminal device 100 is also similarly connected by wireless communication to the external access point 300. After the electronic device 200 has been fully connected to the external access point 300, the terminal device 100 and the electronic device 200 can communicate with each other via the external access point 300, and each of them can connect to an external network via the external access point 300.

[0072] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the processing performed by the processing unit 110 of the terminal device 100 in the processing flow of FIG.

[0073] In step S11, the processing unit 110 starts a loop process of searching for SSID_A. In step S12, the processing unit 110 searches for SSID_A. Specifically, the processing unit 110 searches for whether or not SSID_A is included in the beacon signal received from the electronic device 200. In step S13, the processing unit 110 searches for SSID_B. Specifically, the processing unit 110 searches for whether or not SSID_A is included in the beacon signal received from the electronic device 200. In step S14, the processing unit 110 determines whether or not SSID_A has been found, whether or not SSID_B has been found, and whether or not the search has timed out.

[0074] If SSID_A is not found, SSID_B is not found, and the search has not timed out, the processing unit 110 returns to step S12 and continues the loop. If SSID_A is found, SSID_B is found, or the search has timed out, the processing unit 110 ends the search loop process in step S25.

[0075] In step S16, the processing unit 110 determines whether or not SSID_A has been found in the loop processing. If SSID_A has been found, the processing unit 110 proceeds to step S18. If SSID_A has not been found, in step S17, the processing unit 110 prompts the user to manually switch to the first internal access point, and proceeds to step S18.

[0076] If SSID_A is not found in the loop, either SSID_B is found or the search times out. In other words, if SSID_B is found in the loop, the user is prompted to manually switch without having to wait for the search to time out. This is achieved by searching for both SSID_A and SSID_B in the loop.

[0077] In step S18, the processing unit 110 performs connection settings for the electronic device 200. Specifically, the processing unit 110 executes the same processes as steps S11 to S16. Because the electronic device has activated the first internal access point due to manual switching, SSID_A is discovered in the loop processing. The processing unit 110 establishes a temporary connection using SSID_A, and transmits the SSID and password for the main connection to the electronic device 200 via the temporary connection.

[0078] The terminal device of the present embodiment described above includes a wireless communication unit that establishes a wireless connection with an electronic device and a processing unit that controls communication of the wireless communication unit. The electronic device is capable of activating a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method. When the processing unit receives first connection information for the first internal access point from the electronic device, it establishes a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information, and when the processing unit receives second connection information for the second internal access point from the electronic device, it performs notification processing.

[0079] According to this embodiment, when the electronic device activates the second internal access point, i.e., when the first connection method used by the first terminal device for temporary connection differs from the second connection method selected by the electronic device, a notification process is performed to the user, which enables the user to take action such as manually switching the internal access point without waiting for a timeout, thereby improving user convenience.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the notification process may be a process of prompting the electronic device to change the connection method to the first connection method.

[0081] According to this embodiment, the user can manually switch from the first connection method to the second connection method by receiving a notification prompting the user to change to the first connection method.

[0082] In addition, in this embodiment, after performing a first notification process, which is a notification process, the processing unit may perform a second notification process to notify of a successful connection when a communication connection is made to the first internal access point based on the first connection information received from the electronic device.

[0083] According to this embodiment, the user is notified that the temporary connection has been successfully established, so that the user can know that the internal access point has been correctly switched by the user's manual switching operation, and that the terminal device has established wireless communication with the electronic device via a temporary connection.

[0084] In this embodiment, the processing unit may transmit connection information of the external access point to the electronic device by wireless communication using the first connection method after establishing a communication connection to the first internal access point.

[0085] According to this embodiment, connection information of the external access point is transmitted from the terminal device to the electronic device via a temporary connection of the first connection method, thereby allowing the electronic device to establish a communication connection with the external access point using the connection information.

[0086] In this embodiment, when the processing unit receives first connection information from the electronic device after performing the notification process, the processing unit may establish a communication connection with the first internal access point based on the first connection information. After establishing a communication connection with the first internal access point, the processing unit may transmit connection information of the external access point to the electronic device via wireless communication using the first connection method.

[0087] According to this embodiment, after the internal access point of the electronic device is switched to the first internal access point, the terminal device is connected to the first internal access point, and connection information of the external access point is transmitted from the terminal device to the electronic device via a temporary connection of the first connection method, thereby enabling the electronic device to establish a communication connection with the external access point using the connection information.

[0088] In this embodiment, the first connection information may include a first identifier of the first internal access point. The second connection information may include a second identifier of the second internal access point. The processing unit may perform a search process for the first identifier and the second identifier.

[0089] According to this embodiment, the processing unit can determine whether the first internal access point or the second internal access point is activated in the electronic device by searching for the first identifier and the second identifier, and thus can notify the user when the second internal access point is activated in the electronic device.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the processing unit finds the first identifier in the search process, the processing unit may establish a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information. When the processing unit finds the second identifier in the search process, the processing unit may perform a notification process.

[0091] According to this embodiment, when the processing unit finds the first identifier, it determines that it has received first connection information of the first internal access point and can establish a communication connection with the first internal access point. Also, when the processing unit finds the second identifier, it determines that it has received second connection information of the second internal access point and can perform notification processing.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the processing unit finds the second identifier in the search process, the processing unit may perform the notification process even before the search process times out.

[0093] According to this embodiment, when the second internal access point is activated in the electronic device, the processing unit notifies the user before the search process times out, so that the user does not have to wait until the timeout, improving user convenience.

[0094] In the present embodiment, the notification process may be a process of notifying that the second connection information has been received.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the user can manually switch from the first connection method to the second connection method by receiving a notification indicating that the second connection information has been received.

[0096] In this embodiment, the first connection method may be Wi-Fi Direct, and the second connection method may be a connection method different from Wi-Fi Direct.

[0097] Suppose a first terminal device that uses Wi-Fi Direct for temporary connection and a second terminal device that uses a connection method other than Wi-Fi Direct for temporary connection are mixed, and the electronic device has activated a second internal access point that uses a connection method other than Wi-Fi Direct. According to this embodiment, even in such a case, when the terminal device of this embodiment corresponding to the first terminal device receives the second connection information of the second internal access point, it performs a notification process, so that the user can take measures such as manual switching.

[0098] The program of this embodiment is a program for controlling wireless connection with an electronic device that can activate a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method. The program causes a computer to perform the following operations when first connection information of the first internal access point is received from the electronic device: establish a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information; and when second connection information of the second internal access point is received from the electronic device: perform a notification process.

[0099] The communication control method of this embodiment is a communication control method for controlling a wireless connection with an electronic device that can activate a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method. The communication control method includes, when first connection information of the first internal access point is received from the electronic device, establishing a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information, and when second connection information of the second internal access point is received from the electronic device, performing a notification process.

[0100] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and advantages of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings with a different term having a broader or similar meaning may be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. Furthermore, all combinations of the present embodiment and modifications are also included within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations and operations of the terminal device, electronic device, external access point, system, etc. are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10...system, 100...terminal device, 110...processing unit, 120...wireless communication unit, 130...storage unit, 135...communication control program, 140...display unit, 200...electronic device, 210...processing unit, 220...wireless communication unit, 230...storage unit, 231...first software AP, 232...second software AP, 300...external access point

Claims

1. a wireless communication unit for wirelessly connecting with an electronic device; a processing unit that controls communication of the wireless communication unit; Including, The electronic device includes: a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method; A second internal access point can be activated in a connected manner; The processing unit a search process for first connection information including a first identifier of the first internal access point; and In parallel, a search process for second connection information including a second identifier of a second internal access point is performed; In the process of searching for the first connection information, the first connection information is received from the electronic device. and then establishing a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information; In the search process for the second connection information, the second connection information is received from the electronic device. When the terminal device is in a fault state, the terminal device performs a notification process.

2. 2. The terminal device according to claim 1, The notification process includes: The process is characterized in that it is a process of prompting the electronic device to change the connection method to the first connection method. Terminal device that exhibits the characteristics.

3. 3. The terminal device according to claim 1, The processing unit After the first notification process, which is the notification process, is performed, the first connection information received from the electronic device is When a communication connection is established with the first internal access point based on the information, a notification of successful connection is sent. A terminal device characterized by performing a second notification process.

4. 4. The terminal device according to claim 1, The processing unit After establishing a communication connection to the first internal access point, the first internal access point establishes a wireless communication connection using the first connection method. a terminal device that transmits connection information of an external access point to the electronic device; Place.

5. 4. The terminal device according to claim 1, The processing unit After the notification process is performed, when the first connection information is received from the electronic device, A communication connection is made to the first internal access point based on the first connection information, and the first internal access point After establishing a communication connection to the access point, the external access is performed by wireless communication of the first connection method. A terminal device that transmits point connection information to the electronic device.

6. 2. The terminal device according to claim 1, The processing unit When the first identifier is found in the search process for the first connection information, making a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the information; When the second identifier is found in the search process for the second connection information, the notification process is performed. A terminal device characterized by performing the following.

7. 10. The terminal device according to claim 1, The processing unit When the second identifier is found in the search process for the second connection information, the first connection information a terminal device that performs the notification process even before a timeout of the search process for the notification 。

8. 8. The terminal device according to claim 1, The notification process includes: The terminal device is characterized in that the process notifies that the second connection information has been received.

9. 9. The terminal device according to claim 1, The first connection method is Wi-Fi Direct, The second connection method is A terminal device characterized by using a connection method different from the Wi-Fi Direct.

10. a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method; A processor that controls a wireless connection with an electronic device that can activate a second internal access point of the connection method. It is a program a search process for first connection information including a first identifier of the first internal access point; and and performing a search process for second connection information including a second identifier of the second internal access point in parallel. And, In the process of searching for the first connection information, the first connection information is received from the electronic device. and performing a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information. and, In the search process for the second connection information, the second connection information is received from the electronic device. When the above occurs, performing a notification process; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

11. a first internal access point of a first connection method or a second internal access point of a second connection method different from the first connection method; A communication device that controls a wireless connection with an electronic device that can activate a second internal access point of the connection method. A communication control method, comprising: a search process for first connection information including a first identifier of the first internal access point; and and performing a search process for second connection information including a second identifier of the second internal access point in parallel. And, In the process of searching for the first connection information, the first connection information is received from the electronic device. and performing a communication connection to the first internal access point based on the first connection information. and, In the search process for the second connection information, the second connection information is received from the electronic device. When the above occurs, performing a notification process; A communication control method comprising:

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