Information processing device and program

Abstract

To inform a user that an access point may be automatically switched when connection to a device that executes processing is performed via an access point.SOLUTION: When connection to a first access point that can perform connection to the device executing a process in a case in which the setting to automatically switch a connection destination access point according to the radio wave reception strength of the access point is turned on, when it is possible to perform connection to another access point that has a higher radio wave reception strength than the first access point and is unable to connect to the device, a processor outputs information indicating that the access point may be switched.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A device that executes a process (for example, a printer) may be connected via an access point and a request may be made to the device to execute the process.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes a device that displays an image on a display unit based on information about the degree of radio wave interference in communication with an electronic device using a first wireless communication method and information about the distance to the electronic device calculated based on a beacon signal received using a second wireless communication method.

[0004] Patent document 2 describes a system that sequentially sends connection requests to a mobile terminal at predetermined intervals on the communication channels used by each wireless AP of the signage, measures the radio wave strength of the connection responses sequentially returned from the corresponding wireless APs, compiles the radio wave strength of each connection response in chronological order, estimates the movement status relative to the signage based on the aggregation results, and controls the connection with the wireless AP based on the estimation results. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-149663 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-070135 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] After connecting to a device that executes a process via an access point, the access point may automatically switch to another access point, which may cause the device to be unable to execute the process.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to inform a user that, when connecting to a device that executes processing via an access point, the access point may be automatically switched. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention according to claim 1 includes a processor, and when a setting for automatically switching the access point to be connected to depending on the radio wave reception strength of the access point is turned on, the processor is configured to automatically switch the access point to be connected to a first access point that can be connected to a device that executes processing, and the first access point has a stronger radio wave reception strength than the first access point. It is possible to connect to other access points. , And, based on the information of the access points that can connect to the device, the other access points Unable to connect to said device It is judged to be If the access point is switched, the information processing device outputs information indicating that the access point may be switched.

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor further prompts the user to change settings for automatically switching the access point to be connected to.

[0010] The invention of claim 3 is an information processing device described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processor outputs the information when the difference between the reception strength of the radio waves from the first access point and the reception strength of the radio waves from the other access point is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0011] The invention of claim 4 is an information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor further prompts the user to restrict the user's movements when connecting to the first access point and requesting the device to perform the processing.

[0012] The invention of claim 5 is an information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor further prompts the user to move to a location where the reception strength of the radio waves from the first access point is stronger.

[0013] The invention of claim 6 is an information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device is a printer, the processing is printing print data, and the processor further sends the print data to the printer when requesting the printer to perform printing.

[0014] The invention of claim 7 is an information processing device described in claim 6, wherein the processor further outputs the probability of successful printing based on the capacity of the print data and the relationship between the reception strength of the radio waves from the first access point and the reception strength of the radio waves from the other access point.

[0015] The invention according to claim 8 is a method for automatically switching the access point to be connected to in accordance with the strength of the radio waves of an access point when the setting for the computer to automatically switch the access point to be connected to in accordance with the strength of the radio waves of the access point is turned on, and when the computer connects to a first access point that can be connected to a device to execute a process, the computer automatically switches the access point to a first access point that can be connected to a device to execute a process, and the computer automatically switches the access point to a first access point that has a stronger strength of the radio waves than the first access point. It is possible to connect to other access points. , And, based on the information of the access points that can connect to the device, the other access points Unable to connect to said device It is judged to be If the access point is switched, the program outputs information indicating that the access point may be switched. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the inventions of claims 1, 3, 6 and 8, when connecting to a device that executes a process via an access point, it is possible to notify the user that there is a possibility that the access point will be automatically switched.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 2, when connecting to a device that executes a process via an access point, it is possible to prevent the access point from being automatically switched to another access point.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to prevent the processing from being terminated midway.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to request the device to execute a process in a location where the radio wave reception strength is stronger.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 7, when there is a possibility that the access point will be automatically switched, it is possible to notify the user of the probability of success in printing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the terminal device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a process flow according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An information processing system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment.

[0023] An information processing system according to the embodiment includes, for example, one or more terminal devices 10, one or more devices 12, and one or more access points (AP). In the example shown in Fig. 1, for example, access points 14A and 14B are included in the information processing system. Note that, although Fig. 1 shows one terminal device 10, one device 12, and two access points, these numbers are merely an example, and one or more terminal devices 10, one or more devices 12, and one or more access points are included in the information processing system.

[0024] The terminal device 10 is, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "PC"), a tablet PC, a smartphone, a mobile phone, etc. The terminal device 10 corresponds to an example of an information processing device.

[0025] The device 12 may be, for example, a printer, scanner, copier, facsimile, multifunction device (e.g., a device having functions such as printing, scanning, and copying), PC, display, home appliance (e.g., air conditioner, lighting, refrigerator, etc.), storage device, or other device. These are merely examples of the device 12, and devices other than these may also be included in the information processing system as the device 12. For example, the device 12 may be any device that receives a request to execute a process from a device other than the device 12 via an access point and executes the process in response to the request.

[0026] The access points 14A and 14B are devices (e.g., wireless devices) that connect devices such as the terminal device 10 and the device 12 to each other via wireless communication. The access points 14A and 14B may connect devices to a communication path such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet via wireless communication, or may connect a wired LAN to a wireless LAN. A device having both router and access point functions, such as a wireless LAN router, may be used as the access points 14A and 14B. A device that operates as a client in wireless communication may have access point functions at the software level and be used as the access points 14A and 14B. While the wireless communication is exemplified by Wi-Fi (registered trademark), wireless communication technologies other than Wi-Fi may also be used. The wireless communication standard (e.g., communication bandwidth, etc.) is not particularly limited, and any standard may be used.

[0027] For example, the terminal device 10 connects to the device 12 by wireless communication via an access point and transmits information indicating a request to execute a process to the device 12. The device 12 receives the information indicating the request to execute a process from the terminal device 10 via the access point and executes the process in response to the request. In this way, the device 12 receives the information indicating the request to execute a process from the terminal device 10 via the access point and executes the process.

[0028] The hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 10.

[0029] The terminal device 10 includes, for example, a communication device 16, a UI 18, a memory 20, and a processor 22.

[0030] The communication device 16 is a communication interface having a communication chip, a communication circuit, etc., and has the function of transmitting information to other devices and the function of receiving information transmitted from other devices. The communication device 16 has a wireless communication function, connects to an access point by wireless communication, and communicates with other devices via the access point. The communication device 16 may also have a wired communication function.

[0031] The UI 18 is a user interface and includes a display and an operation device. The display is a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like. The operation device is a keyboard, a mouse, input keys, an operation panel, or the like. The UI 18 may be a UI such as a touch panel that combines a display and an operation device. The UI 18 may also include a microphone and a speaker.

[0032] The memory 20 is a device that configures one or more storage areas for storing data. The memory 20 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), various types of memory (e.g., RAM, DRAM, ROM, etc.), other storage devices (e.g., optical disks, etc.), or a combination thereof. One or more memories 20 are included in the terminal device 10.

[0033] The processor 22 is configured to control the operation of each unit of the terminal device 10. The processor 22 may include a memory.

[0034] The terminal device 10 has a function of automatically switching the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected, depending on the reception strength of radio waves from the access point in the terminal device 10. Hereinafter, the function of automatically switching the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected, depending on the reception strength of radio waves from the access point, will be referred to as the "automatic switching function."

[0035] When the automatic switching function is set to ON, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 automatically switches the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected, depending on the reception strength of radio waves from the access point in the terminal device 10. When the automatic switching function is set to OFF, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 does not automatically switch the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected, depending on the reception strength of radio waves from the access point in the terminal device 10. The automatic switching function is set to ON / OFF, for example, by the user. The automatic switching function may be set to ON or OFF in advance, and may be switched ON and OFF by the user.

[0036] When the terminal device 10 is connected to a certain access point 14, even if it receives radio waves from another access point, it will not connect to that other access point unless the access point to which it is connected is switched to that other access point. For example, when the terminal device 10 is connected to access point 14A, even if it receives radio waves from access point 14B, it will not connect to access point 14B unless the access point to which it is connected is switched to access point 14B, and will continue to be connected to access point 14A.

[0037] The automatic switching function is a function that switches the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected to, for example, the access point with the strongest radio wave reception in the terminal device 10. In this case, when the automatic switching function is set to on, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to the access point with the strongest radio wave reception in the terminal device 10.

[0038] To explain this by way of example, assume that the terminal device 10 is already connected to the access point 14A. In this case, if the radio wave reception strength of the access point 14B in the terminal device 10 is higher than the radio wave reception strength of the access point 14A to which the terminal device 10 is currently connected, and the automatic switching function is set to on, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 switches the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected from the access point 14A to the access point 14B. For example, if the terminal device 10 connects to the access point 14A at a certain location, but the user carrying the terminal device 10 subsequently moves, the radio wave reception strength of the access point 14B in the terminal device 10 may become higher than the radio wave reception strength of the access point 14A. In this case, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 switches the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected from the access point 14A to the access point 14B.

[0039] The automatic switching function may be a function of switching the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected to the access point that has the highest radio wave reception strength continuously for a predetermined period of time or more in the terminal device 10, or a function of switching the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected to the other access point when the difference between the radio wave reception strength of the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected and the radio wave reception strength of another access point that has higher reception strength than the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected is equal to or greater than a threshold, or a function of switching the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected to the other access point when the radio wave reception strength of the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected is equal to or less than a lower threshold and the difference between the radio wave reception strength of the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected and the radio wave reception strength of the other access point is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0040] In the embodiment, when the automatic switching function is set to on, if the terminal device 10 connects to a first access point that can be connected to the device 12 that executes the process, and if the terminal device 10 can connect to another access point that has a stronger radio wave reception strength than the first access point in the terminal device 10 and cannot be connected to the device 12, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 outputs information indicating that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected may be switched. Hereinafter, the information indicating that the access point may be switched is referred to as "warning information."

[0041] A first access point that can be connected to device 12 that executes a process is an access point to which device 12 is connected. Other access points that cannot be connected to device 12 that executes a process are access points to which device 12 is not connected. Terminal device 10 can connect to device 12 via the first access point and request device 12 to execute a process, but cannot connect to device 12 via the other access points and cannot request device 12 to execute a process via the other access points.

[0042] The case where the terminal device 10 connects to the first access point may be, for example, when the terminal device 10 is already connected to the first access point (i.e., when the terminal device 10 is currently connected to the first access point), when the first access point is selected by the user as the access point to connect to when the terminal device 10 is not connected to the first access point, when the user gives an instruction to connect to the first access point when the terminal device 10 is not connected to the first access point, or when the user selects a device 12 connected to the first access point as the device 12 to execute the processing requested by the user.

[0043] A case in which the terminal device 10 is able to connect to another access point is, for example, a case in which the terminal device 10 receives radio waves from the other access point, or a case in which the terminal device 10 is in a location where it can receive radio waves from the other access point.

[0044] Examples of cases in which the access point to which terminal device 10 is connected may be switched include when terminal device 10 is able to connect to another access point with a stronger radio wave reception strength than the first access point, when the difference between the radio wave reception strength of the first access point and the radio wave reception strength of another access point with a stronger reception strength is greater than a threshold, or when the radio wave reception strength of the first access point is less than a lower threshold.

[0045] Outputting warning information means, for example, displaying a message indicating the warning information on the display of the terminal device 10, emitting the message indicated by the warning information as audio from the speaker of the terminal device 10, emitting a sound such as a warning tone from the speaker of the terminal device 10, emitting vibrations corresponding to the warning from the terminal device 10, emitting light corresponding to the warning from the terminal device 10, or a combination of these techniques.

[0046] For example, suppose that the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to the access point 14A in order to have the device 12 connected to the access point 14A (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the device 12 connected to the access point 14A will be referred to as "device 12A") execute a process. Under this circumstance, if the automatic switching function is set to on and there is a possibility that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected will be switched (for example, if the radio wave reception strength of the access point 14B in the terminal device 10 is stronger than the radio wave reception strength of the access point 14A), the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 automatically switches the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected from the access point 14A to the access point 14B. If the device 12A is not connected to the access point 14B, when the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected is switched to the access point 14B, the terminal device 10 will not be able to connect to the device 12A via the access point 14A and request the device 12A to execute a process. For example, there is a possibility that the access point to which the user has connected may be automatically switched from access point 14A to access point 14B before the user, who has requested device 12A to execute a process, realizes that the access point to which the user has connected may be automatically switched from access point 14A to access point 14B.

[0047] According to the embodiment, when the automatic switching function is set to ON, if there is a possibility that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected will be automatically switched, warning information is output. This gives the user an opportunity to recognize that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected will be automatically switched. For example, it is conceivable that the user, upon receiving the warning information, changes the setting of the automatic switching function from ON to OFF.

[0048] The hardware configuration of the device 12 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the device 12.

[0049] The device 12 includes, for example, a communication device 24 , a UI 26 , a memory 28 , a processing unit 30 , and a processor 32 .

[0050] The communication device 24 is a communication interface having a communication chip, a communication circuit, etc., and has the function of transmitting information to other devices and the function of receiving information transmitted from other devices. The communication device 24 has a wireless communication function, connects to an access point by wireless communication, and communicates with other devices via the access point. The communication device 24 may also have a wired communication function.

[0051] The UI 26 is a user interface and includes a display and an operation device. The display is a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like. The operation device is a keyboard, a mouse, input keys, an operation panel, or the like. The UI 26 may be a UI such as a touch panel that combines a display and an operation device. The UI 26 may also include a microphone and a speaker.

[0052] The memory 28 is a device that configures one or more storage areas for storing data. The memory 28 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), various types of memory (e.g., RAM, DRAM, ROM, etc.), other storage devices (e.g., optical disks, etc.), or a combination thereof. One or more memories 28 are included in the device 12.

[0053] The memory 28 pre-stores device identification information for identifying the device 12 (e.g., information indicating the name of the device 12, a MAC address, etc.) and connection information for connecting to the device 12 (e.g., an IP address of the device 12, etc.).

[0054] The processing unit 30 executes processing realized by the functions of the device 12, which is its own device.

[0055] For example, if the device 12 is a printer, the processing unit 30 forms an image or document to be printed on a recording medium such as paper. As a result, the image or document to be printed is printed on the recording medium. Any printing method may be used. For example, inkjet printing, electrophotography, thermal printing, or thermal transfer printing may be used. For example, print data including the image or document to be printed and printing conditions is sent from the terminal device 10 to the device 12 via an access point. The processing unit 30 receives the print data and prints the image or document on the recording medium.

[0056] The device 12 may also include a scanner. In this case, the processing unit 30 may perform scanning to generate an image or make a copy. The image generated by scanning may be transmitted from the device 12 to the terminal device 10 via an access point. The device 12 may also include a facsimile.

[0057] Here, the case where the device 12 is a printer or a multifunction peripheral has been described as an example, but the device 12 may be a device other than a printer or a multifunction peripheral. For example, if the device 12 is an air conditioner, the processing unit 30 controls air conditioning such as cooling or heating in accordance with a request transmitted from the terminal device 10 via an access point. For example, the processing unit 30 controls the power on / off, temperature, wind direction, etc. Other home appliances are also controlled in a similar manner.

[0058] The processor 32 is configured to control the operation of each part of the device 12. The processor 32 may include a memory.

[0059] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with specific examples.

[0060] In the following description, as an example, the device 12 is a printer and is connected to the access point 14A. As described above, the device 12 connected to the access point 14A is referred to as the "device 12A." For example, the device 12A is connected to the same LAN as the access point 14A. By connecting to the access point 14A, the terminal device 10 can connect to the device 12A via the access point 14A and request the device 12A, which is a printer, to execute printing.

[0061] The device 12A is not connected to the access point 14B. Therefore, even if the terminal device 10 connects to the access point 14B, it cannot connect to the device 12A via the access point 14B.

[0062] The access point 14A may be included in the device 12A. In other words, the device 12A may be a device in which the access point 14A is built.

[0063] The access point 14A corresponds to an example of a first access point, and the access point 14B corresponds to an example of another access point.

[0064] The warning information will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 describes a screen displayed on the terminal device 10. Screen 34 is a warning screen on which the warning information is displayed, and is displayed on the display of the terminal device 10 as the output of the warning information.

[0065] For example, the automatic switching function is set to ON in the terminal device 10. In this case, when connecting to access point 14A that can be connected to device 12A, if the terminal device 10 can connect to access point 14B that cannot be connected to device 12A and that has a stronger radio wave reception strength than access point 14A, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 causes a screen 34 to be displayed on the display of the terminal device 10. The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays warning information on the screen 34 indicating that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected may be switched from access point 14A to access point 14B.

[0066] For example, a message is displayed on the screen 34 indicating that the print may fail if the access point is switched during the print execution.

[0067] Furthermore, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may prompt the user to change the setting for automatically switching the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected. That is, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may prompt the user to change the setting of the automatic switching function. For example, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays a message on the screen 34 prompting the user to change the setting of the automatic switching function from on to off. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a message indicating that it may be possible to avoid a print failure by changing the setting of the operating system (OS) (specifically, the setting of the automatic switching function) is displayed on the screen 34. This message corresponds to an example of a message prompting the user to change the setting of the automatic switching function.

[0068] Furthermore, a settings button 36 and a close button 38 are displayed on the screen 34. The settings button 36 is a button for issuing an instruction to display the settings screen. The settings screen is a screen for setting an automatic switching function. The close button 38 is a button for issuing an instruction to close the screen 34. When the settings button 36 is pressed by the user (for example, when a touch, click, or tap is performed), the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays the settings screen on the display of the terminal device 10. In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the settings button 36 is pressed by the user's finger 42, the settings screen is displayed. When the close button 38 is pressed by the user, the screen 34 is no longer displayed.

[0069] Additionally, a print button 40 is displayed on the display of the terminal device 10. When the print button 40 is pressed by the user, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 transmits print data to the device 12A via the access point 14A and requests the device 12A to execute printing.

[0070] 5 shows a setting screen 44 for setting the automatic switching function. For example, the setting screen 44 is a screen for setting whether the Wi-Fi automatic switching function is on or off. A setting button 46 is displayed on the setting screen 44, and by operating the setting button 46, the automatic switching function can be switched on and off.

[0071] When the user operates the setting button 46 to set the automatic switching function to ON, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 executes the automatic switching function to automatically switch the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected.

[0072] When the user operates the setting button 46 to set the automatic switching function to OFF, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 does not execute the automatic switching function.

[0073] Each example of the embodiment will be described below.

[0074] Example 1 The process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating the flow of the process according to the first embodiment.

[0075] First, the user starts up print application software installed on the terminal device 10 (S01). For example, print application software for issuing print execution instructions to the device 12 and controlling printing is pre-installed on the terminal device 10. When executing printing using the device 12, the user starts up the print application software on the terminal device 10.

[0076] For example, when a user uses the terminal device 10 to instruct the print application software to display a list of devices 12 registered in the terminal device 10, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 causes the list of devices 12 registered in the terminal device 10 to be displayed on the display of the terminal device 10. The user selects a device 12 to print from the list. Here, as an example, device 12A is selected by the user as the device to print from.

[0077] For example, device identification information for identifying the device 12 (e.g., information indicating the name of the device 12), connection information for connecting to the device 12 (e.g., the IP address of the device 12), and AP identification information for identifying an access point 14 that can connect to the device 12 are associated with each other and managed by the print application software as registration information for the device 12. Registration information is created and managed for each device 12. The registration information for each device 12 may be stored in the memory 20 of the terminal device 10, or may be stored in another device such as a server.

[0078] An access point (AP) is assigned AP identification information for identifying the access point. For example, the AP identification information is stored in the access point. The AP identification information is, for example, a service set identifier (SSID), a basic service set identifier (BSSID), or an extended service set identifier (ESSID) in wireless Wi-Fi. Furthermore, if a password for using the access point is set in the access point, the AP identification information may include the password.

[0079] For example, one or more devices 12 are pre-registered in the print application software, and a list of the registration information of the one or more devices 12 is displayed on the display of the terminal device 10 as a list of devices 12. A list of device identification information included in the registration information may also be displayed.

[0080] If the terminal device 10 has previously connected to the access point 14, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may obtain registration information of each device 12 connected to the access point 14 from each device 12 or the access point 14, and register the information in the print application software or store it in the memory 20 of the terminal device 10.

[0081] The user may manually input the registration information of each device 12 using the terminal device 10, and the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may register the registration information of each device 12 input by the user in the print application software or store it in the memory 20 of the terminal device 10.

[0082] Next, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 checks whether the terminal device 10 is connected to wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi) (S02).

[0083] If the terminal device 10 is not connected to Wi-Fi (S02, No), the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to Wi-Fi (S03). The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may display a message on the display of the terminal device 10 prompting the user to connect to Wi-Fi. If the user manually turns on the connection, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to Wi-Fi.

[0084] If the terminal device 10 is connected to Wi-Fi (S02, Yes), or if the terminal device 10 is connected to Wi-Fi in step S03, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to the access point 14A that can connect to the device 12A selected by the user in step S01 (S04). The registration information of the device 12A includes AP identification information of the access point 14A that can connect to the device 12A. The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to the access point 14A using the AP identification information.

[0085] Next, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 checks the setting of the Wi-Fi automatic switching function (S05). Specifically, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 checks whether the automatic switching function is set to on or off.

[0086] If the automatic switching function is set to OFF (S06, No), the process proceeds to step S12. The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 communicates with the device 12A via the access point 14A (S12). When a user uses the terminal device 10 to instruct the device 12A to execute printing, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 transmits print data including the image or document to be printed to the device 12A via the access point 14A. The device 12A prints according to the print data. As a result, the print object is printed on a recording medium such as paper. Because the automatic switching function is set to OFF, the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected is not automatically switched from the access point 14A to another access point 14A.

[0087] If the automatic switching function is set to ON (S06, Yes), the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 compares the reception strength of radio waves from multiple access points 14 (S07). For example, assume that the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 is receiving radio waves from each of the access points 14A and 14B. In this case, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 compares the reception strength of radio waves from the access point 14A in the terminal device 10 with the reception strength of radio waves from the access point 14B in the terminal device 10.

[0088] If the comparison of the received radio waves indicates that there is no possibility that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected will be switched from access point 14A to another access point 14 (e.g., access point 14B) (S08, No), the process proceeds to step S12. As described above, in step S12, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 communicates with the device 12A via the access point 14A, transmits print data to the device 12A, and causes the device 12A to execute printing.

[0089] If there is a possibility that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected will be switched from the access point 14A to another access point 14 (for example, the access point 14B) (S08, Yes), the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 outputs warning information (S09). For example, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 causes the display of the terminal device 10 to display the screen 34 shown in FIG. 4.

[0090] For example, when the reception strength of radio waves from access point 14B in the terminal device 10 is higher than the reception strength of radio waves from access point 14A, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 outputs warning information. As another example, when the reception strength of radio waves from access point 14B in the terminal device 10 is higher than the reception strength of radio waves from access point 14A, and the difference between the reception strength of radio waves from access point 14A and the reception strength of radio waves from access point 14B with the higher reception strength is equal to or greater than a threshold, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may output warning information. As yet another example, when the reception strength of radio waves from access point 14A is equal to or less than a lower threshold, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may output warning information.

[0091] Next, if the user does not set the automatic switching function (S10, No), the process proceeds to step S12. For example, if the user presses the close button 38 on the screen 34, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 closes the screen 34 and executes the process of step S12. As described above, in step S12, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 communicates with the device 12A via the access point 14A and transmits print data to the device 12A. Because the automatic switching function is set to ON, there is a possibility that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected will be automatically switched from the access point 14A to another access point 14 (e.g., access point 14B).

[0092] If the user sets the automatic switching function (S10, Yes), the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays a setting screen for setting the automatic switching function on the display of the terminal device 10 (S11). For example, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays the setting screen 44 shown in FIG. 5 on the display of the terminal device 10. The user sets the automatic switching function on the setting screen 44. For example, the user switches the automatic switching function from on to off. Of course, the user may keep the automatic switching function on. After step S11, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0093] As described above, in step S12, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 communicates with the device 12A via the access point 14A and transmits print data to the device 12A. When the automatic switching function is switched from on to off on the setting screen 44, the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected is less likely to be automatically switched from the access point 14A to another access point 14 (e.g., access point 14B) compared to when the automatic switching function remains on.

[0094] Example 2 Hereinafter, a description will be given of Example 2. In Example 2, the probability of success in the execution of a process by the device 12 is presented to the user.

[0095] For example, assume that terminal device 10 is connected to access point 14A, which is a first access point, and is receiving radio waves from access point 14A as well as from another access point, access point 14B. In this case, processor 22 of terminal device 10 outputs a probability of success in executing the process based on the amount of data to be transmitted to device 12 that executes the process and the relationship between the reception strength of radio waves from access point 14A and access point 14B in terminal device 10. For example, information indicating the success probability is displayed on the display of terminal device 10.

[0096] The higher the reception strength of radio waves from a first access point (e.g., access point 14A) in the terminal device 10, the higher the success probability. The higher the reception strength of radio waves from another access point (e.g., access point 14B) in the terminal device 10, the lower the success probability. The larger the data volume, the lower the success probability.

[0097] That is, the higher the reception strength of radio waves from the first access point in the terminal device 10, the higher the probability that data transmission from the terminal device 10 to the destination device 12 will be completed, and therefore the higher the success probability. Also, the higher the reception strength of radio waves from another access point in the terminal device 10, the higher the possibility that the access point to which the terminal device 10 is connected will be switched to that other access point, and therefore the lower the success probability. The larger the amount of data to be transmitted to the device 12 executing the process, the higher the possibility that the data transmission will fail, for example, because the data transmission will be terminated midway, and therefore the lower the success probability. The success probability is calculated based on these reasons.

[0098] For example, the success probability is calculated according to the following formula (1). Success probability [%] = 50 + a × (connected AP strength - other AP strength) - b × (data capacity) (1) The number "50" is a predetermined value and may be changed based on the history of the actual success probability, actual measurements, empirical values, etc. The currently connected AP strength is the received strength of radio waves from the first access point to which the terminal device 10 is currently connected. The other AP strength is the reception strength of radio waves from other access points. The amount of data is the amount of data sent to the device 12 that executes the processing. a and b are constant values, and are determined, for example, based on the history of the actual success probability, actual measurements, empirical values, etc.

[0099] The success probability may be calculated by the processor 22 of the terminal device 10, by the device 12, or by a device such as a server.

[0100] In addition, when there are multiple other access points, that is, when the terminal device 10 receives radio waves from multiple other access points, the "other AP strength" may be the average value of the reception strength of the radio waves from the multiple other access points, or it may be the reception strength of the radio waves from the access point with the highest reception strength among the multiple other access points.

[0101] For example, when sending print data to device 12A, which is a printer, to print, processor 22 of terminal device 10 calculates the success probability according to the above formula (1) and displays information indicating the success probability on the display of terminal device 10. The "data capacity" in formula (1) may be the capacity of data such as an image or document to be printed, or may be the capacity of print data including the data such as an image or document to be printed and the printing conditions.

[0102] 7 shows an example of a display of the success probability. For example, when a user uses terminal device 10 to select device 12A to be printed and the image or document to be printed, processor 22 of terminal device 10 calculates the success probability according to the above formula (1). That is, processor 22 of terminal device 10 calculates the success probability according to the above formula (1) based on the radio wave reception strength of access point 14A currently connected to device 12A and capable of connecting to device 12A, the radio wave reception strength of other access points (e.g., access point 14B), and the size of the print data including the image or document to be printed.

[0103] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 causes a screen 48 to be displayed on the display of the terminal device 10, and displays information indicating the calculated success probability on the screen 48. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the success probability of printing, which is an example of processing, is displayed on the screen 48. In this example, the success probability is 62%. A graph corresponding to the success probability may also be displayed.

[0104] Also displayed on the screen 48 are a settings button 50 and a close button 52. The settings button 50 is a button for issuing an instruction to display the settings screen 44 shown in Fig. 5. The close button 52 is a button for issuing an instruction to close the screen 48. When the settings button 50 is pressed by the user, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 causes the settings screen 44 to be displayed on the display of the terminal device 10.

[0105] Additionally, a print button 54 is displayed on the display of the terminal device 10. When the print button 54 is pressed by the user, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 transmits the print data to the device 12A via the access point 14A and requests the device 12A to execute printing. The user may decide whether or not to execute printing based on the success probability.

[0106] Hereinafter, a process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating the flow of the process according to the second embodiment. In the terminal device 10, the automatic switching function is set to ON.

[0107] First, the user starts the print application software installed in the terminal device 10 (S21). The process of step S21 is the same as the process of step S01 described above, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Here, as an example, the device 12A is selected by the user as the device to print from.

[0108] Next, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 checks whether the terminal device 10 is connected to wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi) (S22).

[0109] If the terminal device 10 is not connected to Wi-Fi (S22, No), the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to Wi-Fi (S23). The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may display a message on the display of the terminal device 10 prompting the user to connect to Wi-Fi. If the user manually turns on the connection, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to Wi-Fi.

[0110] If the terminal device 10 is connected to Wi-Fi (Yes in S22), or if the terminal device 10 is connected to Wi-Fi in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0111] The user selects data to be printed (e.g., an image or a document) using the terminal device 10 (S24). For example, a list of images and documents is displayed on the display of the terminal device 10, and the user selects an image or document to be printed from the list.

[0112] When the user selects the data to be printed, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 measures the size of the data to be printed (e.g., an image or a document) (S25). The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may measure the size of the entire print data including the data to be printed and the print conditions.

[0113] Next, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to the access point 14A that can connect to the device 12A selected by the user in step S21 (S26). The process of step S26 is the same as the process of step S04 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0114] Next, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 compares the reception strength of radio waves from the multiple access points 14 (S27). For example, it is assumed that the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 receives radio waves from each of the access points 14A and 14B. In this case, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 compares the reception strength of radio waves from the access point 14A in the terminal device 10 with the reception strength of radio waves from the access point 14B in the terminal device 10.

[0115] Next, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 calculates the probability of success of printing according to the above formula (1) (S28). Specifically, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 calculates the success probability by substituting the radio wave reception strength of the access point 14A to which the terminal device 10 is connected, the radio wave reception strength of another access point, access point 14B, and the size of the print data into formula (1). As an alternative to the size of the print data, the size of the data, such as a document or image, to be printed, which does not include the print conditions, may be substituted into formula (1).

[0116] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays information indicating the calculated success probability on the display of the terminal device 10 (S29). For example, a screen 48 shown in Fig. 7 is displayed on the display of the terminal device 10. The user may refer to the success probability displayed on the screen 48 to determine whether to execute printing or whether to switch the automatic switching function from on to off.

[0117] Next, if the user does not set the automatic switching function (S30, No), the process proceeds to step S32. For example, if the user presses the close button 52 on the screen 48, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 erases the screen 48 and executes the process of step S32.

[0118] In step S32, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 communicates with the device 12A via the access point 14A, transmits print data to the device 12A, and causes the device 12A to execute printing. For example, when a user uses the terminal device 10 to instruct the device 12A to execute printing, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 transmits print data including the image or document to be printed to the device 12A via the access point 14A. The device 12A prints according to the print data. As a result, the print object is printed on a recording medium such as paper.

[0119] If the user sets the automatic switching function (S30, Yes), the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays a setting screen for setting the automatic switching function on the display of the terminal device 10 (S31). For example, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays the setting screen 44 shown in FIG. 5 on the display of the terminal device 10. The user sets the automatic switching function on the setting screen 44. For example, the user switches the automatic switching function from on to off. Of course, the user may keep the automatic switching function on. After step S31, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0120] The following describes a modified example.

[0121] (Change example 1) In the first modification, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 prompts the user to move to a location where the reception strength of the radio waves from the access point to which the user is connected (for example, the access point 14A) is stronger.

[0122] For example, the reception strength of radio waves from each access point 14 at each location is measured in advance, and the value of the reception strength at each location is stored in advance in each access point 14. The value of the reception strength of each access point 14 at each location may be stored in a device or apparatus 12 such as a server, or may be stored in the memory 20 of the terminal device 10.

[0123] The reception strength of radio waves from an access point 14 to which the terminal device 10 has previously connected, location information indicating the location of the connection (e.g., location information obtained by GPS (Global Positioning System)), and AP identification information of the access point 14 may be associated and stored in the memory 20 of the terminal device 10.

[0124] Location information indicating the location of the terminal device 10 when connection with the device 12 via the access point 14 is successful may be stored in the memory 20 of the terminal device 10 .

[0125] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may measure the radio wave strength of the access point 14 at each location using application software that measures the radio wave strength of the access point 14 at each location.

[0126] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 compares the reception strength of radio waves from the access point 14 at each location with the reception strength of radio waves from the access point 14 at the current location of the terminal device 10, and urges the user to move to a location where the reception strength of radio waves from the destination access point 14A is stronger. For example, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays information indicating the direction and distance the user should move on the display of the terminal device 10.

[0127] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may display, on the display of the terminal device 10, information indicating the direction and distance the user should travel until the user moves to a location where the reception strength of radio waves from the destination access point 14A is equal to or greater than a threshold. The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may display, on the display of the terminal device 10, information indicating the direction and distance the user should travel until the user moves to a location where the reception strength of radio waves from the destination access point 14A is strongest. The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may output the information indicating the direction and distance the user should travel by voice from a speaker. The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may display, on the display of the terminal device 10, a map indicating the direction and distance the user should travel, or may display, on the display of the terminal device 10, an image representing the destination device 12A.

[0128] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may stop prompting the user to move when the print application software is terminated or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the device 12A completed printing. For example, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may not display information indicating the direction or distance the user should move on the display of the terminal device 10.

[0129] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may or may not prompt the user to move, depending on the reception strength of radio waves from the access point 14A in the terminal device 10. For example, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 prompts the user to move when the reception strength of radio waves from the access point 14A in the terminal device 10 is less than a threshold, and does not prompt the user to move when the reception strength is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0130] (Variation 2) In the second modification, when the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 connects to a destination access point (for example, the access point 14A) and requests the device 12A to execute a process, the processor 22 prompts the user to restrict the user's movement.

[0131] For example, when the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 requests printing by sending print data to the device 12A (e.g., a printer) via the access point 14A, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 prompts the user who requested the printing to restrict the user's movement. Specifically, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 displays a message such as "Do not move from that location" or "Do not move from in front of the device 12A" on the display of the terminal device 10. The fact that the user was able to request printing from the device 12A via the access point 14A suggests that the terminal device 10 is properly connected to the access point 14A at the user's current location. If the user moves while carrying the terminal device 10, the reception strength of the signal from the access point 14A at the terminal device 10 may decrease, or the terminal device 10 may be unable to receive a signal from the access point 14A. To prevent this, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 prompts the user to restrict the user's movement.

[0132] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may prompt the user to limit movement until the process (eg, printing) is complete.

[0133] The processor 22 of the terminal device 10 may prompt the user to restrict movement if the reception strength of the signal from the access point 14A at the terminal device 10 at the user's current location is above a threshold, and may prompt the user to move if the reception strength is below the threshold.

[0134] (Variation 3) In Modification 3, when the automatic switching function is set to on, if there is a possibility that the currently connected access point will be switched to an access point with a slower transfer speed, the processor 22 of the terminal device 10 outputs warning information. For example, if the currently connected access point uses the IEEE802.11n standard (fast) and another access point with stronger reception uses the IEEE802.11a standard (slow), if the destination access point is automatically switched to the other access point, it may take a long time to complete the execution of a process such as printing. By outputting the warning information, the user can be aware that it may take a long time to complete the process.

[0135] The functions of the terminal device 10, the device 12, and the access point 14 are realized, for example, by a combination of hardware and software. For example, the processor of each device reads and executes a program stored in the memory of the device, thereby realizing the function of each device. The program is stored in the memory via a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or via a communication path such as a network.

[0136] In the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). Furthermore, the operations of the processor in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 10 terminal device, 12 equipment, 14A, 14B access points.

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: When a setting for automatically switching the access point to be connected to depending on the radio wave reception strength of the access point is turned on, if a device that executes processing is connected to a first access point that can be connected to the device, and if it is determined that another access point with a radio wave reception strength stronger than the first access point is connectable to the device based on information about access points that can be connected to the device, output information indicating that the access point may be switched. Information processing device.

2. The processor further comprises: Prompt the user to change the settings to automatically switch the access point to connect to, The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The processor: outputting the information when a difference between the reception strength of the radio wave from the first access point and the reception strength of the radio wave from the other access point is equal to or greater than a threshold value; 3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

4. The processor further comprises: prompting the user to restrict movement of the user when the device is connected to the first access point and is requested to perform the process; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The processor further comprises: prompting the user to move to a location where the radio wave reception strength of the first access point is stronger; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the device is a printer; the process is printing print data, The processor further comprises: sending the print data to the printer when requesting the printer to execute printing; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The processor further comprises: outputting the probability of success of the printing based on the volume of the print data and the relationship between the reception strength of the radio wave from the first access point and the reception strength of the radio wave from the other access point; The information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. The computer When a setting for automatically switching the access point to be connected to depending on the radio wave reception strength of the access point is turned on, if a device that executes processing is connected to a first access point that can be connected to the device, and if it is determined that another access point with a radio wave reception strength stronger than the first access point is connectable to the device based on information about access points that can be connected to the device, output information indicating that the access point may be switched. A program to make it work like this.

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