Information processing method and program

Abstract

To easily connect an electronic apparatus to an external network without causing an event that makes a user feel uncomfortable, such as an error.SOLUTION: An information processing method includes a presentation step ST2, an acquisition step ST3, and a connection step ST4. In the presentation step ST2, candidate information on candidates for an access point 1 having a communication standard that can be adapted by an electronic apparatus 2 is presented to a user through a terminal device 3 communicable with the electronic apparatus 2. In the acquisition step ST3, information for connection to be used for radio communication connection with the access point 1 corresponding to one connection destination candidate selected among one or more connection destination candidates based on the candidate information through the terminal device 3 by the user is acquired from the terminal device 3. In the connection step ST4, the information for connection acquired in the acquisition step ST3 is used to establish radio communication connection with the access point 1 corresponding to the one connection destination candidate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing method, a program, an electronic device, an information processing system, and a terminal device for connecting an electronic device to an external network. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a process for connecting a device that does not have a wide range of input interfaces, such as a printing device, to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-143156 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an information processing method and the like that allows an electronic device to easily connect to an external network without causing an event such as an error that causes annoyance to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method for connecting an electronic device to an external network by establishing a wireless communication connection with an access point connected to the external network. The information processing method includes a presenting step, an acquiring step, and a connecting step. In the presenting step, candidate information regarding candidate access points having a communication standard compatible with the electronic device is presented to a user via a terminal device capable of communicating with the electronic device. In the acquiring step, connection information to be used for a wireless communication connection with an access point corresponding to one candidate connection destination selected by the user on the terminal device from one or more candidate connection destinations based on the candidate information is acquired from the terminal device. In the connecting step, a wireless communication connection with the access point corresponding to the one candidate connection destination is established using the connection information acquired in the acquiring step.

[0006] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the information processing method.

[0007] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an electronic device that connects to an external network by establishing a wireless communication connection with an access point connected to the external network. The electronic device includes an output unit, an acquisition unit, and a connection unit. The output unit outputs candidate information regarding candidate access points having a communication standard compatible with the electronic device to a terminal device with which the electronic device can communicate. The acquisition unit acquires, from the terminal device, connection information to be used for a wireless communication connection with the access point corresponding to one candidate connection destination selected by a user on the terminal device from one or more candidate connection destinations based on the candidate information. The connection unit establishes a wireless communication connection with the access point corresponding to the one candidate connection destination using the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0008] An information processing system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the electronic device and the terminal device having a communication unit that communicates with the electronic device.

[0009] A terminal device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication unit, a presentation unit, an input reception unit, and a processing unit. The communication unit communicates with the electronic device. The presentation unit presents the candidate information acquired from the electronic device. The input reception unit receives input from the user to select one connection destination candidate. The processing unit transmits the connection information to be used for a wireless communication connection with the access point corresponding to the one connection destination candidate received by the input reception unit to the electronic device via the communication unit. When there is an access point with which another device other than the electronic device has already established a wireless communication connection, the presentation unit preferentially presents the connection destination candidate corresponding to the access point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The information processing method and the like disclosed herein have the advantage of making it easy to connect an electronic device to an external network without causing an error or other problem that annoys the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of an information processing system of the comparative example. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system including an electronic device and a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a list screen of connection destination candidates displayed by a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a confirmation screen displayed by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a password entry acceptance screen displayed by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) First, the inventor's point of view will be explained below.

[0013] Conventionally, electronic devices that can be connected to an external network such as the Internet, such as so-called IoT (Internet of Things) devices, are known. Such electronic devices may include, for example, household appliances such as washing machines, air conditioners, and cooking appliances. In addition to being directly connected to an external network, such electronic devices may also be connected to the external network via an access point connected to the external network, such as a wireless LAN router.

[0014] The procedure for connecting the above-described electronic device to an external network will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (information processing method) of an information processing system 100A of a comparative example. The information processing system 100A includes an electronic device 2A and a terminal device 3A.

[0015] The electronic device 2A is, for example, a home appliance, and is a device to be connected to an external network. The electronic device 2A can connect to the external network via the access point 1A by establishing a wireless communication connection with the access point 1A connected to the external network. Here, it is assumed that the electronic device 2A has not yet established a wireless communication connection with the external network.

[0016] The terminal device 3A is, for example, a smartphone, and is an information processing device carried by a user. The terminal device 3A is capable of communicating with the electronic device 2A, and functions as a user interface in place of the electronic device 2A when performing a connection operation to establish a wireless communication connection between the electronic device 2A and the access point 1A. In other words, the following description is given assuming that the electronic device 2A does not have a user interface for performing the connection operation. The following connection operation is started, for example, when the user executes a dedicated application installed on the terminal device 3A, or performs a specific operation while the application is running (for example, by selecting a specific icon, etc.).

[0017] First, a user operates the terminal device 3A to establish a communication connection between the terminal device 3A and the electronic device 2A (S101). The communication standard for communication between the electronic device 2A and the terminal device 3A is, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), but is not limited to these communication standards. The electronic device 2A executes a connection process using the identification information and security information acquired from the terminal device 3A. This establishes a communication connection between the terminal device 3A and the electronic device 2A, and thereafter the terminal device 3A can function as a user interface in place of the electronic device 2A.

[0018] Next, the user operates the terminal device 3A to display a list of one or more connection destination candidates among the access points 1A with which the terminal device 3A can communicate on the display unit of the terminal device 3A (S102). The number of connection destination candidates depends on the number of access points 1A with which the terminal device 3A can communicate, and may be one or more.

[0019] Next, when the user operates the terminal device 3A to select one of the one or more connection destination candidates, the terminal device 3A transmits connection information to be used for wireless communication connection with the access point 1A corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate to the electronic device 2A (S103). The connection information includes identification information (e.g., SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​etc.) of the access point 1A corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate and security information (e.g., password etc.).

[0020] Then, when the electronic device 2A acquires the connection information from the terminal device 3A (S104), it executes a connection process using the connection information to establish a wireless communication connection with the access point 1A (S105), thereby connecting the electronic device 2A to the external network via the access point 1A.

[0021] In the information processing system 100A of the comparative example, the one or more connection destination candidates presented to the user are connection destination candidates for the access point 1A with which the terminal device 3A can communicate. In other words, the one or more connection destination candidates may include connection destination candidates for the access point 1A with which the electronic device 2A cannot communicate.

[0022] As an example, assume that terminal device 3A supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, while electronic device 2A supports only the 2.4 GHz frequency band. In this case, the one or more connection destination candidates include both connection destination candidates for the 2.4 GHz band and connection destination candidates for the 5 GHz band. Therefore, if a user selects a connection destination candidate for the 5 GHz band, a wireless communication connection between electronic device 2A and access point 1A corresponding to this connection destination candidate cannot be established, resulting in an error. Therefore, there is a problem in that the user may feel annoyed because an error occurs even though the connection destination candidate is presented in the list of connection destination candidates. In addition, in this case, the user may feel annoyed because he or she must again select another connection destination candidate from the list of connection destination candidates.

[0023] One possible solution to the above problem is to warn the user to connect the terminal device 3A to the access point 1A corresponding to the connection destination candidate for the 2.4 GHz band beforehand when performing the connection operation. However, this solution depends on the user's comprehension or attention. Therefore, depending on the user's comprehension, the warning may be meaningless, or the user may overlook the warning depending on the user's attention, making it an insufficient solution.

[0024] In view of the above, the inventors have come up with the present disclosure.

[0025] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following explanation and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0026] The inventors have provided the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0027] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system 100 including an electronic device 2 and a terminal device 3 according to an embodiment. The information processing system 100 includes the electronic device 2 and a terminal device 3 having a communication unit 31 that communicates with the electronic device 2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, there are multiple electronic devices 2, but the following description focuses on one of the multiple electronic devices 2. Therefore, electronic devices 2 other than the focused electronic device 2 correspond to other devices 4 that are different from the (focused) electronic device 2. Note that, from the perspective of the focused electronic device 2, the terminal device 3 also corresponds to other devices 4.

[0028] The electronic device 2 is installed in a facility 200 such as a residence. In the embodiment, it is assumed that the facility 200 is a residence and the user of the terminal device 3 is a resident. The facility 200 is not limited to a residence, and may be a residential facility such as an apartment building, an educational facility such as an elementary school, a junior high school, a high school, or a university, a public facility such as a community center or a library, a store, or a commercial facility. In addition to the electronic device 2, an access point 1 is installed in the facility 200. In the embodiment, the access point 1 is not included in the information processing system 100, but it may be included.

[0029] The access point 1 is, for example, a wireless LAN router having a router function, and is connected to an external network N1 such as the Internet. Note that the access point 1 does not necessarily have a router function, and may be connectable to the external network N1 via a router installed separately from the access point 1. The access point 1 may be connected to the external network N1 by wired communication using, for example, an optical fiber line. The access point 1 may also be connected to the external network N1 by wireless communication using, for example, 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation).

[0030] The electronic device 2 is a device that connects to the external network N1 by establishing a wireless communication connection with the access point 1. In the embodiment, the electronic device 2 is a device that cannot connect to the external network N1 by itself. That is, in the embodiment, the electronic device 2 has a communication function for connecting to the external network N1 via the access point 1, but does not have a user interface such as a display required for performing a connection operation to connect to the external network N1. Note that the electronic device 2 has an interface such as a button or switch for performing its own unique functions, but this interface does not correspond to the above-mentioned user interface. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the electronic device 2 is a device that does not have a function for transferring a screen that a user uses to perform a connection operation to connect the electronic device 2 to the external network N1. That is, in the embodiment, the electronic device 2 does not have a function for creating a screen that a user uses to perform a connection operation and transferring it to the terminal device 3, or for reading a screen that a user uses to perform a connection operation from a memory and transferring it to the terminal device 3.

[0031] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the electronic device 2 is a home appliance such as an air conditioner, an air purifier, a washing machine, a television receiver, an automatic vacuum cleaner, a recording device, a refrigerator, or a cooking appliance such as a microwave oven. Note that the electronic device 2 may also be a device other than a home appliance, such as a lighting device.

[0032] Furthermore, the electronic device 2 has a function of directly communicating with the terminal device 3. In the embodiment, the electronic device 2 has a function of wirelessly communicating with the terminal device 3. The communication standard for communication between the electronic device 2 and the terminal device 3 is, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), but is not limited to these communication standards. Note that the communication between the electronic device 2 and the terminal device 3 may be wired communication by connecting them to each other with, for example, a wired cable.

[0033] The electronic device 2 includes an output unit 21, a search unit 22, an acquisition unit 23, and a connection unit 24. The electronic device 2 further includes a function unit 25 that performs a function specific to each electronic device 2. For example, if the electronic device 2 is an air conditioning device, the function unit 25 can perform air conditioning functions such as cooling operation or heating operation. The electronic device 2 includes a processor and memory (not shown), and the functions of the above-mentioned units are performed by the processor executing a program stored in the memory, for example.

[0034] The output unit 21 outputs candidate information related to candidates for access points 1 having a communication standard supported by the electronic device 2 to the communicable terminal device 3. The operation of the output unit 21 is included as part of a presentation step ST2 in the information processing method. In the embodiment, the communication standard complies with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11, which is a communication standard for wireless LANs. Specifically, the communication standard may include IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, or the like for the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Furthermore, the communication standard may include IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, or the like for the 5 GHz frequency band. Note that the communication standard is not limited to communication standards for the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band, and may include communication standards for other frequency bands.

[0035] The candidate information may include, for example, one or more connection destination candidates of the access point 1 with which the electronic device 2 can communicate. In the embodiment, the connection destination candidates are SSIDs (especially ESSIDs (Extended Service Status Identifiers)). Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, even an ESSID will be referred to as an "SSID." For example, if the electronic device 2 supports only communication standards for the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the one or more connection destination candidates may include an SSID that supports the communication standard for the 2.4 GHz band of the access point 1. In the embodiment, the output unit 21 outputs the search result by the search unit 22 to the terminal device 3 as candidate information.

[0036] The search unit 22 searches for one or more connection destination candidates as candidate information. The search unit 22 is an entity that executes a search step ST1 in the information processing method. That is, in the search step ST1, the electronic device 2 (search unit 22) searches for one or more connection destination candidates as candidate information before the presentation step ST2 (before the output unit 21 outputs the candidate information).

[0037] Specifically, the access point 1 periodically transmits radio waves conforming to a communication standard supported by the access point 1. The search unit 22 executes a radio wave reception process, and if the search unit 22 can receive the radio waves transmitted by the access point 1, it includes the SSID corresponding to the radio waves as a connection destination candidate. For example, if the electronic device 2 supports three communication standards in the 2.4 GHz band, namely, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, and IEEE802.11n, the search unit 22 will search for three SSIDs corresponding to the three communication standards of the access point 1, respectively, as one or more connection destination candidates.

[0038] The acquisition unit 23 acquires, from the terminal device 3, connection information to be used for wireless communication connection with the access point 1 corresponding to one connection destination candidate selected by a user on the terminal device 3 from among one or more connection destination candidates based on the candidate information. The acquisition unit 23 is an entity that executes acquisition step ST3 in the information processing method.

[0039] As will be described in detail later, on the terminal device 3, a user performs an operation to select one connection destination candidate (SSID) from one or more connection destination candidates (SSID). As a result, the terminal device 3 transmits connection information including the one connection destination candidate (SSID) and security information (password) corresponding to the one connection destination candidate (SSID) to the electronic device 2. By receiving the connection information transmitted from the terminal device 3, the acquisition unit 23 acquires the connection information corresponding to the one connection destination candidate selected by the user.

[0040] The connection unit 24 uses the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit 23 (acquired in acquisition step ST3) to establish a wireless communication connection with the access point 1 corresponding to one of the connection destination candidates. The connection unit 24 is the entity that executes connection step ST4 in the information processing method. For example, if one of the connection destination candidates is an SSID of the access point 1 that corresponds to IEEE802.11b, the connection unit 24 executes a connection process using the SSID and a password corresponding to the SSID, thereby establishing a wireless communication connection between the electronic device 2 and the access point 1. As a result, the electronic device 2 is subsequently connected to the external network N1 via the access point 1.

[0041] The terminal device 3 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and is a device carried by a user. The terminal device 3 may be a desktop personal computer, a laptop personal computer, or the like. In this embodiment, the terminal device 3 is a smartphone.

[0042] The terminal device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a presentation unit 32, an input reception unit 33, a processing unit 34, and a display unit 35. The terminal device 3 includes a processor and a memory (not shown), and the functions of the above units are realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory, for example.

[0043] The communication unit 31 communicates with the electronic device 2. Specifically, the communication unit 31 has a function of directly communicating wirelessly with the electronic device 2 without going through the external network N1. As already mentioned, the communication standard for communication between the communication unit 31 and the electronic device 2 is, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), but is not limited to these communication standards. Furthermore, the communication between the communication unit 31 and the electronic device 2 may be wired communication by connecting them to each other with, for example, a wired cable.

[0044] In the embodiment, the communication unit 31 may or may not establish a wireless communication connection with the access point 1.

[0045] The presentation unit 32 presents the candidate information acquired from the electronic device 2. The operation of the presentation unit 32 is included as part of the presentation step ST2 in the information processing method. That is, the operation of the output unit 21 of the electronic device 2 and the operation of the presentation unit 32 of the terminal device 3 correspond to the presentation step ST2. As already described, in the embodiment, the output unit 21 of the electronic device 2 outputs, as candidate information, one or more connection destination candidates that are the search results of the search unit 22. Therefore, the presentation unit 32 presents the candidate information to the user by causing the display unit 35 to display a list of the one or more connection destination candidates acquired from the electronic device 2.

[0046] 3A is a diagram showing a list screen 351 of connection destination candidates displayed by the terminal device 3 in the embodiment. When there are multiple connection destination candidates acquired from the electronic device 2, the presentation unit 32 causes the display unit 35 to display the list screen 351 as shown in FIG. 3A. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the list screen 351 displays four connection destination candidates divided into four lines. In each line, a character string A1 indicating the connection destination candidate (SSID) and a first icon B1 indicating the reception strength of the radio wave corresponding to the connection destination candidate are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction. Note that the number of characters in the character string A1 shown in FIG. 3A does not represent the number of characters in the actual SSID.

[0047] The input receiving unit 33 receives an input from the user to select one of the connection destination candidates. In the embodiment, since the display unit 35 is configured with a touch panel as described below, the input receiving unit 33 receives, as the user's input, a touch operation, a slide operation, or the like, performed by the user on the display unit 35. For example, when the list screen 351 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display unit 35, the user can select one of the connection destination candidates by performing a touch operation on a character string A1 indicating one of the connection destination candidates (SSID).

[0048] 3B is a diagram showing a confirmation screen 352 displayed by the terminal device 3 in the embodiment. The confirmation screen 352 is displayed on the display unit 35 when the user selects one connection destination candidate. Note that, when there is only one connection destination candidate acquired from the electronic device 2, the confirmation screen 352 is displayed on the display unit 35 without the user selecting one connection destination candidate. In this case, the presentation unit 32 does not display the list screen 351 on the display unit 35.

[0049] In the example shown in Fig. 3B, a message C1 is displayed to ask the user whether it is OK to connect the electronic device 2 (here, a washing machine) to an access point 1 (here, a wireless LAN router) corresponding to one of the connection destination candidates, as well as a second icon B2 containing the character string "connect" and a third icon B3 containing the character string "change." When the user selects the second icon B2, an input acceptance screen 353 shown in Fig. 4 is displayed on the display unit 35. On the other hand, when the user selects the third icon B3, the list screen 351 is displayed again on the display unit 35.

[0050] If there is only one connection destination candidate acquired from the electronic device 2, the character string of the third icon B3 on the confirmation screen 352 is changed to, for example, the character string "Cancel." In this case, if the user selects the third icon B3, the connection work by the user to establish a wireless communication connection between the electronic device 2 and the access point 1 ends without being completed.

[0051] 4 is a diagram showing a password input acceptance screen 353 displayed by the terminal device 3 in the embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the input acceptance screen 353 displays a text box D1 for inputting a password, a fourth icon B4 including the character string "Connect," and a fifth icon B5 including the character string "Cancel." When the user selects the fourth icon B4 after inputting the password corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate (SSID) in the text box D1, the user's connection process is completed and terminated. On the other hand, when the user selects the fifth icon B5, the user's connection process is terminated without being completed.

[0052] Here, the connection work performed by the user will be explained by listing the following first to fifth connection examples.

[0053] In the first connection example, a list screen 351 as shown in Fig. 3A is first displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3. When the user selects one connection destination candidate from the multiple connection destination candidates displayed on the list screen 351, a confirmation screen 352 as shown in Fig. 3B is then displayed on the display unit 35. When the user selects the second icon B2 on the confirmation screen 352, an input acceptance screen 353 as shown in Fig. 4 is then displayed on the display unit 35. When the user inputs the password corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate in the text box D1 on the input acceptance screen 353 and selects the fourth icon B4, the user's connection operation is completed.

[0054] In the second connection example, a list screen 351 as shown in Fig. 3A is first displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3. When the user selects one connection destination candidate from the multiple connection destination candidates displayed on the list screen 351, an input acceptance screen 353 as shown in Fig. 4 is then displayed on the display unit 35. In other words, in the second connection example, the confirmation process for the user is omitted. When the user inputs the password corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate in text box D1 on the input acceptance screen 353 and selects the fourth icon B4, the user's connection process is completed.

[0055] In the third connection example, a confirmation screen 352 as shown in Fig. 3B is first displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3. That is, in the third connection example, there is only one connection destination candidate, and the process of the user selecting one of the multiple connection destination candidates is omitted. When the user selects the second icon B2 on the confirmation screen 352, an input acceptance screen 353 as shown in Fig. 4 is then displayed on the display unit 35. When the user inputs the password corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate in text box D1 on the input acceptance screen 353 and selects the fourth icon B4, the user's connection process is completed.

[0056] In the fourth connection example, a confirmation screen 352 as shown in Fig. 3B is first displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3. That is, in the fourth connection example, as in the third connection example, there is only one connection destination candidate, and the process of the user selecting one of the connection destination candidates is omitted. When the user selects the second icon B2 on the confirmation screen 352, the connection operation by the user is completed. That is, in the fourth connection example, the terminal device 3 has already stored a password corresponding to one connection destination candidate, and the process of the user inputting the password corresponding to one connection destination candidate is omitted.

[0057] In the fifth connection example, a list screen 351 as shown in Fig. 3A is first displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3. When the user selects one connection destination candidate from the multiple connection destination candidates displayed on the list screen 351, the user's connection work is completed. In other words, in the fifth connection example, all of the multiple connection destination candidates use an open encryption method and do not require password entry, so the process of confirming with the user and the process of the user entering the password corresponding to the selected one connection destination candidate are omitted.

[0058] The processing unit 34 transmits, via the communication unit 31, to the electronic device 2, connection information used for wireless communication with the access point 1 corresponding to the one connection destination candidate accepted by the input accepting unit 33. As already described, the connection information includes the one connection destination candidate (SSID) accepted by the input accepting unit 33 and security information (password) corresponding to the one connection destination candidate (SSID). When the input accepting unit 33 accepts a password input by the user, the processing unit 34 includes the password in the security information of the connection information. Note that, when a password corresponding to the one connection destination candidate selected by the user is already stored in the memory of the terminal device 3, the processing unit 34 reads the password from the memory and includes the read password in the security information of the connection information. In this case, the input accepting screen 353 is not displayed on the display unit 35.

[0059] The display unit 35 is a display configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel. The display unit 35 displays, for example, the above-mentioned list screen 351, confirmation screen 352, or input reception screen 353. As already mentioned, the display unit 35 is a touch panel, and also serves as an interface for receiving operation inputs from the user, i.e., it also functions as the input reception unit 33.

[0060] [2. Operation] The operation (information processing method) of the information processing system 100 configured as above will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 100 in the embodiment. The following connection work is started, for example, when the user executes a dedicated application installed in the terminal device 3, or when the user performs a specific operation while the application is running (for example, by selecting a specific icon, etc.).

[0061] First, a user operates the terminal device 3 to establish a communication connection between the terminal device 3 and the electronic device 2 (S1). The electronic device 2 executes a connection process using the identification information and security information acquired from the terminal device 3. This establishes a communication connection between the terminal device 3 and the electronic device 2, and thereafter the terminal device 3 can function as a user interface in place of the electronic device 2.

[0062] Next, the searching unit 22 of the electronic device 2 searches for one or more connection destination candidates (S2). Process S2 corresponds to searching step ST1. Process S2 may be executed automatically when a communication connection between the electronic device 2 and the terminal device 3 is established, for example, or may be executed in response to a command from the terminal device 3. In the latter case, the command is transmitted to the electronic device 2 by a user operating the terminal device 3. Then, the output unit 21 of the electronic device 2 transmits candidate information including the one or more connection destination candidates searched for by the searching unit 22 to the terminal device 3 (S3). Process S3 is included in presentation step ST2.

[0063] In the terminal device 3, the communication unit 31 receives the candidate information, thereby acquiring the candidate information (S4). Processing S4 is included in presentation step ST2. Then, the presentation unit 32 of the terminal device 3 presents the candidate information to the user by displaying a list of one or more connection destination candidates acquired from the electronic device 2 on the display unit 35 (S5). Processing S5 is included in presentation step ST2.

[0064] Next, when the user operates the terminal device 3 to select one connection destination candidate from one or more connection destination candidates, the processing unit 34 of the terminal device 3 transmits connection information to be used for wireless communication connection with the access point 1 corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate to the electronic device 22 via the communication unit 31 (S6). The connection information includes identification information (here, SSID) and security information (here, password) of the access point 1 corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate.

[0065] Here, the work performed by the user by operating the terminal device 3 is a connection work in any one of the connection examples from the first to fifth connection examples described above. For example, in the case of the second connection example, a list screen 351 as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3 by processing S5. When the user operates the terminal device 3 to select one connection destination candidate from the multiple connection destination candidates displayed on the list screen 351, an input acceptance screen 353 as shown in FIG. 4 is then displayed on the display unit 35. In other words, in the second connection example, the user confirmation process is omitted. The user enters the password corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate in text box D1 on the input acceptance screen 353 and selects the fourth icon B4.

[0066] This completes the connection operation by the user in the second connection example. The processing unit 34 of the terminal device 3 executes process S6 by transmitting connection information, including the SSID of the access point 1 corresponding to the one connection destination candidate selected in the connection operation and the password entered in the connection operation, to the electronic device 22 via the communication unit 31.

[0067] Furthermore, for example, in the case of the third connection example, a confirmation screen 352 as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3 by processing S5. That is, in the third connection example, there is one connection destination candidate, and the process in which the user selects one connection destination candidate from multiple connection destination candidates is omitted. When the user operates the terminal device 3 to select the second icon B2 on the confirmation screen 352, an input acceptance screen 353 as shown in FIG. 4 is then displayed on the display unit 35. The user inputs the password corresponding to the selected connection destination candidate in text box D1 on the input acceptance screen 353, and selects the fourth icon B4.

[0068] This completes the connection operation by the user in the third connection example. The processing unit 34 of the terminal device 3 executes process S6 by transmitting connection information, including the SSID of the access point 1 corresponding to the one connection destination candidate selected in the connection operation and the password entered in the connection operation, to the electronic device 22 via the communication unit 31.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, in the case of the fourth connection example, a confirmation screen 352 as shown in Fig. 3B is displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3 by processing S5. That is, in the fourth connection example, as in the third connection example, there is only one connection destination candidate, and the process of the user selecting one of the connection destination candidates is omitted. When the user operates the terminal device 3 to select the second icon B2 on the confirmation screen 352, the connection work by the user is completed. That is, in the fourth connection example, the terminal device 3 has already stored a password corresponding to one connection destination candidate, and the process of the user inputting the password corresponding to one connection destination candidate is omitted.

[0070] The processing unit 34 of the terminal device 3 executes process S6 by transmitting connection information including the SSID of the access point 1 corresponding to one of the connection destination candidates selected in the above connection operation and the stored password to the electronic device 22 via the communication unit 31.

[0071] The acquisition unit 23 of the electronic device 2 acquires the connection information by receiving the connection information transmitted from the terminal device 3 (S7). Process S7 corresponds to acquisition step ST3. Then, the connection unit 24 of the electronic device 2 executes connection processing using the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit 23, thereby establishing a wireless communication connection with the access point 1 (S8). Process S8 corresponds to connection step ST4. As a result, the electronic device 2 is connected to the external network N1 via the access point 1.

[0072] [3. Effects, etc.] The advantages of the information processing system 100 (information processing method) according to the embodiment will be described below.

[0073] As already mentioned, in the information processing system 100A (information processing method) of the comparative example, one or more connection destination candidates presented to the user are connection destination candidates for access points 1A with which the terminal device 3A can communicate, and may also include connection destination candidates for access points 1A with which the electronic device 2A cannot communicate. Therefore, in the information processing system 100A of the comparative example, depending on the connection destination candidate selected by the user, it may not be possible to establish a wireless communication connection between the access point 1A and the electronic device 2A, and an error may occur. This causes a problem in that the user may feel uncomfortable because an error occurs even though the access point 1A is presented in the list of connection destination candidates.

[0074] In contrast, in the information processing system 100 (information processing method) according to the embodiment, the one or more connection destination candidates presented to the user are connection destination candidates for access points 1 with which the electronic device 2 can communicate, and do not include connection destination candidates for access points 1 with which the electronic device 2 cannot communicate. Therefore, in the information processing system 100 according to the embodiment, the above-mentioned errors are unlikely to occur, and the user is less likely to feel uncomfortable. In other words, the information processing system 100 according to the embodiment has the advantage that it is easy to connect the electronic device 2 to the external network N1 without causing an event such as an error that would cause discomfort to the user.

[0075] (Variation) As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0076] Therefore, modifications of the embodiment will be exemplified below.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the access point 1 may be a repeater different from a wireless LAN router. For example, the access point 1 may be a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) peripheral. In this case, the communication standard for communication between the access point 1 and the electronic device 2 may be a communication standard that complies with BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). In this case, the connection information may include a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) passkey as security information instead of a password.

[0078] In the above embodiment, when there is an access point 1 with which another device 4 different from the electronic device 2 has already established a wireless communication connection, the presentation unit 32 (in presentation step ST2) may preferentially present a connection destination candidate (hereinafter referred to as a "priority candidate") corresponding to the access point 1. For example, the other device 4 is the terminal device 3. Also, for example, the other device 4 is another electronic device 2.

[0079] Specifically, when the list screen 351 is displayed on the display unit 35, the presentation unit 32 presents the priority candidates preferentially by displaying the priority candidates at the top of the screen or highlighting them by changing the font of the character strings or the like corresponding to the priority candidates.

[0080] In this case, for example, if the user selects a priority candidate as one of the connection destination candidates, the terminal device 3 can use, as connection information, the information used when establishing a wireless communication connection between the other device 4 and the access point 1, which has the advantage of facilitating the process of establishing a wireless communication connection between the electronic device 2 and the access point 1. In addition, in this case, the user does not need to enter security information (here, a password), which has the advantage of simplifying the connection process.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the electronic device 2 is a device that cannot connect to the external network N1 by itself, but this is not limited to this. For example, the electronic device 2 may be a device that can connect to the external network N1 by itself, for example, by providing a user interface such as a display required for performing connection work to connect to the external network N1. Even in this case, by using the information processing system 100 (information processing method) in the embodiment, connection work can be performed at a location away from the electronic device 2, which has the advantage of eliminating the need to go all the way to the location where the electronic device 2 is installed.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the electronic device 2 executes the search step ST1 to search for one or more connection destination candidates with which the electronic device 2 can communicate, but this is not limited to this. For example, the electronic device 2 may output information indicating the communication standards with which the electronic device 2 can communicate to the terminal device 3 as candidate information. In this case, the terminal device 3, having acquired the candidate information, presents to the user one or more connection destination candidates with which the electronic device 2 can communicate and with which the electronic device 2 can communicate based on the candidate information. For example, assume that the electronic device 2 outputs candidate information indicating that the electronic device 2 can communicate only in the 2.4 GHz frequency band to the terminal device 3 as candidate information. In this case, the terminal device 3 presents to the user only connection destination candidates that are compatible with the 2.4 GHz frequency band, out of the connection destination candidates that are compatible with both the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band with which the electronic device 2 can communicate. In the above embodiment, the search step ST1 is unnecessary.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the electronic device 2 may be distributed on the market as a standalone device, rather than as a component of the information processing system 100. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the terminal device 3 may be distributed on the market as a standalone device, rather than as a component of the information processing system 100.

[0084] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, all or some of the components included in information processing system 100 in the present disclosure may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or semiconductor memory.

[0085] Furthermore, the components included in the information processing system 100 of the present disclosure may be configured with one or more electronic circuits. Each of the one or more electronic circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0086] The one or more electronic circuits may include, for example, a semiconductor device, an integrated circuit (IC), or a large scale integration (LSI). The IC or LSI may be integrated on a single chip or on multiple chips. Although the IC or LSI is referred to here as an IC or LSI, the name may vary depending on the degree of integration, and may be called a system LSI, a very large scale integration (VLSI), or an ultra large scale integration (ULSI). Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, can be used for the same purpose.

[0087] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, device, method, integrated circuit, or computer program. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as an optical disc, HDD, or semiconductor memory, on which the computer program is stored. For example, the present disclosure may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method of the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the program may be recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, or may be distributed via a communication channel, such as the Internet.

[0088] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and for that purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided.

[0089] Therefore, the components shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only essential components for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are shown in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0090] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0091] (summary) As described above, the information processing method in the embodiment is an information processing method for connecting the electronic device 2 to the external network N1 by establishing a wireless communication connection with the access point 1 connected to the external network N1. The information processing method includes a presentation step ST2, an acquisition step ST3, and a connection step ST4. In the presentation step ST2, candidate information regarding candidate access points 1 having a communication standard compatible with the electronic device 2 is presented to the user via the terminal device 3 that can communicate with the electronic device 2. In the acquisition step ST3, connection information to be used for a wireless communication connection with the access point 1 corresponding to one connection destination candidate selected by the user on the terminal device 3 from one or more connection destination candidates based on the candidate information is acquired from the terminal device 3. In the connection step ST4, a wireless communication connection with the access point 1 corresponding to the one connection destination candidate is established using the connection information acquired in the acquisition step ST3.

[0092] This has the advantage that it is easy to connect the electronic device 2 to the external network N1 without causing an error or other problem that would cause discomfort to the user.

[0093] Also, for example, the information processing method further includes a search step ST1 in which the electronic device 2 searches for one or more connection destination candidates as candidate information before the presentation step ST2.

[0094] This has the advantage that it becomes easier to more accurately present to the user connection destination candidates with which the electronic device 2 can establish a wireless communication connection.

[0095] Also, for example, in the information processing method, the electronic device 2 is a device that cannot connect to the external network N1 by itself.

[0096] This has the advantage that the manufacturing costs of the electronic device 2 can be easily reduced because the electronic device 2 does not need to be provided with a user interface such as a display that is required when performing connection work to connect to the external network N1.

[0097] Also, for example, in the information processing method, the electronic device 2 is a device that does not have a function of transferring a screen for a user to perform a connection operation for connecting the electronic device 2 to the external network N1.

[0098] This has the advantage that the manufacturing costs of the electronic device 2 can be easily reduced because the electronic device 2 does not need to be provided with a user interface such as a display that is required when performing connection work to connect to the external network N1.

[0099] Also, for example, in the information processing method, the electronic device 2 is a home appliance.

[0100] This has the advantage that the manufacturing costs of the home appliances can be reduced because the home appliances do not need to be equipped with a user interface such as a display that is required when performing connection work to connect to the external network N1.

[0101] Also, for example, in the information processing method, in the presentation step ST2, if there is an access point 1 to which another device 4 different from the electronic device 2 has already established a wireless communication connection, the connection destination candidate corresponding to that access point 1 is presented preferentially.

[0102] In addition, for example, in the information processing method, the other device 4 is the terminal device 3.

[0103] Also, for example, in the information processing method, the other device 4 is the other electronic device 2.

[0104] This has the advantage that, for example, if a user selects a priority candidate as one of the connection destination candidates, the terminal device 3 can use the information used when establishing a wireless communication connection between another device 4 (terminal device 3 or another electronic device 2) and the access point 1 as connection information, making it easier to execute the process of establishing a wireless communication connection between the electronic device 2 and the access point 1.

[0105] Also, for example, in the information processing method, in the presentation step ST2, information indicating the communication standards with which the electronic device 2 itself can communicate is acquired as candidate information output from the electronic device 2, and one or more connection destination candidates with which the terminal device 3 can communicate and with which the electronic device 2 can communicate based on the acquired candidate information are presented to the user.

[0106] This has the advantage that the processing load on the electronic device 2 can be reduced because the electronic device 2 does not need to execute a process of searching for one or more connection destination candidates as candidate information.

[0107] Furthermore, the program in the embodiment causes one or more processors to execute the information processing method.

[0108] This has the advantage that it is easy to connect the electronic device 2 to the external network N1 without causing an error or other problem that would cause discomfort to the user.

[0109] Moreover, the electronic device 2 in the embodiment is an electronic device 2 that is connected to the external network N1 by establishing a wireless communication connection with an access point 1 connected to the external network N1. The electronic device 2 includes an output unit 21, an acquisition unit 23, and a connection unit 24. The output unit 21 outputs candidate information regarding candidates for access points 1 having a communication standard that the electronic device 2 can support to a terminal device 3 with which the electronic device 2 can communicate. The acquisition unit 23 acquires, from the terminal device 3, connection information to be used for a wireless communication connection with an access point 1 corresponding to one connection destination candidate selected by a user on the terminal device 3 from one or more connection destination candidates based on the candidate information. The connection unit 24 establishes a wireless communication connection with the access point 1 corresponding to the one connection destination candidate, using the connection information acquired by the acquisition unit 23.

[0110] This has the advantage that it is easy to connect the electronic device 2 to the external network N1 without causing an error or other problem that would cause discomfort to the user.

[0111] Moreover, the information processing system 100 according to the embodiment includes the electronic device 2 and a terminal device 3 having a communication unit 31 for communicating with the electronic device 2.

[0112] This has the advantage that it is easy to connect the electronic device 2 to the external network N1 without causing an error or other problem that would cause discomfort to the user.

[0113] Moreover, the terminal device 3 in the embodiment includes a communication unit 31, a presentation unit 32, an input reception unit 33, and a processing unit 34. The communication unit 31 communicates with the electronic device 2. The presentation unit 32 presents candidate information acquired from the electronic device 2. The input reception unit 33 receives an input from a user to select one of the connection destination candidates. The processing unit 34 transmits, via the communication unit 31, connection information to be used for a wireless communication connection with an access point 1 corresponding to the one of the connection destination candidates received by the input reception unit 33 to the electronic device 2. When there is an access point 1 with which another device 4 other than the electronic device 2 has already established a wireless communication connection, the presentation unit 32 preferentially presents the connection destination candidate corresponding to the access point 1.

[0114] This has the advantage that it is easy to connect the electronic device 2 to the external network N1 without causing an error or other problem that would cause discomfort to the user. [Industrial Applicability]

[0115] The present disclosure is applicable to an information processing system used when connecting an electronic device to an external network. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1 Access Point 2 Electronic equipment 21 Output section 23 Acquisition Department 24 Connection 3 Terminal Devices 31 Communications Department 32 Presentation section 33 Input reception section 34 Processing section 4 Other equipment 100 Information Processing Systems N1 External Network ST1 Search step ST2 Presentation step ST3 Acquisition step ST4 Connection Steps

Claims

1. An information processing method for connecting an electronic device to an external network by establishing a wireless communication connection between the electronic device and an access point connected to the external network, comprising: a presentation step in which the electronic device searches for the access points having a communication standard compatible with the electronic device as connection destination candidates, and transmits candidate information regarding the searched access points to a terminal device that can communicate with the electronic device, and the terminal device displays the received candidate information and presents it to a user; an acquisition step in which the terminal device transmits connection information to the electronic device to be used for wireless communication connection with the access point corresponding to one of the candidate information items selected by the user from the displayed candidate information items, and the electronic device acquires the connection information; a connection step of the electronic device using the connection information acquired in the acquisition step to establish a wireless communication connection with the access point corresponding to one of the candidate information; In the presenting step, when there is an access point corresponding to the candidate information with which another device different from the electronic device has already established a wireless communication connection, the candidate information corresponding to the access point is presented preferentially. Information processing methods.

2. the other device is the terminal device, The information processing method according to claim 1 .

3. one or more processors, Executing the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, program.

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