Communication device, method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide a mechanism for more suitable communication using a predetermined communication method. [Solution] The communication device has a first communication means for communicating via an external access point via wireless LAN communication, a second communication means for communicating directly with an external terminal device via wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point, and a control means for controlling the second communication means to perform specific processing to disconnect the connection with the external terminal device when establishing a connection with the external access point for which communication using a first communication method via multiple external access points by the first communication means is enabled, while a connection with the external terminal device is established by the second communication means.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device capable of performing wireless communication, a method, a program, and a storage medium executed in the communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the increase in the amount of data being communicated has led to the development of communication technologies such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The IEEE802.11 standard series is known as the main communication standard for wireless LAN. The IEEE802.11 standard series includes standards such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a communication device compatible with IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. Also, a mechanism for Multi-AP communication in which multiple access points (APs) cooperate to transmit data to a station (STA) is being studied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-50133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In multi-AP communication, there is room for improvement in favorable communication and usability. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for more favorable communication using a predetermined communication method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication device of the present invention is characterized by having a first communication means for communicating via an external access point via wireless LAN communication, a second communication means for communicating directly with an external terminal device via wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point, and a control means for controlling the second communication means to perform specific processing to disconnect the connection with the external terminal device when establishing a connection with the external access point for which communication using a first communication method via multiple external access points by the first communication means is enabled, while a connection with the external terminal device is established by the second communication means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, communication can be performed more preferably using a predetermined communication method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an access point. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram between a STA and an AP in multi-AP communication. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between a communication device and an access point. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the hidden terminal problem. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between a communication device and an access point. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] (System Configuration) Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. In one example, this system is a wireless communication system in which multiple communication devices can communicate with each other wirelessly. The system in Fig. 1 includes an MFP 100, which is a communication device, a mobile terminal device 101, a multi-AP group 110 including multiple access points (APs), a DHCP server 114, a DNS server 115, and a network 120. The multi-AP group 110 will be described as including AP 111, AP 112, and AP 113, but the multi-AP group 110 may include more APs.

[0011] The mobile terminal device 101 is a device having a wireless communication function such as a wireless LAN. Note that hereinafter, wireless LAN may be referred to as WLAN. The mobile terminal device 101 may be a personal information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone terminal (smartphone), a tablet terminal, a digital camera, a personal computer, etc.

[0012] The MFP 100 is a printing device having a printing function, and may also have a reading function (scanner), a fax function, and a telephone function. The MFP 100 of this embodiment also has a communication function that enables wireless communication with a mobile terminal device 101. While the present embodiment describes a case in which the MFP 100 is used as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a scanner device, a projector, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, a music playback device, a television, a smart speaker, or the like, each having a communication function, may be used instead of the MFP 100. Note that MFP is an acronym for Multi-Function Peripheral.

[0013] The AP 111 is provided separately (externally) from the mobile terminal device 101 and the MFP 100, and operates as a WLAN base station device. A communication device having a WLAN communication function can communicate in WLAN infrastructure mode via the AP 111. The infrastructure mode is also sometimes called a "wireless infrastructure mode." The AP 111 performs wireless communication with a communication device that has been authorized to connect to the AP 111 (that has been authenticated), and relays wireless communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The AP 111 is also connected to, for example, a wired communication network, and can relay communication between a communication device connected to the wired communication network and another communication device wirelessly connected to the AP 111.

[0014] The APs 112 and 113 have the same hardware configuration as the AP 111. The APs 111, 112, and 113 are APs that support multi-AP communication, which will be described later, and operate cooperatively by forming a group (multi-AP group 110).

[0015] The DHCP server 114 connects to the MFP 100 via the AP 111 and the network 120, and provides services to the MFP 100 by responding to requests from the MFP 100. Note that, although the configuration in Fig. 1 has been described in which the DHCP server 114 is connected as a separate device from the APs 111, 112, and 113, the APs 111, 112, and 113 may each have a DHCP server function.

[0016] The DNS server 115 is connected to the MFP 100 and the mobile terminal device 101 via the AP 111 and the network 120, and provides a name resolution service by responding to requests from the MFP 100 and the mobile terminal device 101. Here, the network 120 may be the so-called Internet, or may be a closed network within a company or a mobile phone network.

[0017] (MFP external configuration) FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the external configuration of MFP 100. MFP 100 has, for example, a platen 201, a platen cover 202, a print paper insertion slot 203, a print paper ejection slot 204, and an operation display unit 220. Platen 201 is a stand on which a document to be read is placed. Platen cover 202 is a cover that holds down the document placed on platen 201 and prevents light from irradiating the document during reading (scanning) from leaking to the outside. Print paper insertion slot 203 is an insertion slot that allows paper of various sizes to be set. Print paper ejection slot 204 is an ejection slot through which paper after printing is ejected. Paper set in print paper insertion slot 203 is transported one sheet at a time to the printing unit, where it is printed and then ejected from print paper ejection slot 204. Operation display unit 220 includes a touch panel display and is configured to accept user input to activate various MFP functions and operate various settings. The operation display unit 220 may also be configured to include physical operation keys such as character input keys, cursor keys, a decision key, and a cancel key, as well as an LED, an LCD, and the like.

[0018] The MFP 100 has a wireless communication function using WLAN, and although it does not necessarily need to be visible from the exterior, it is configured to include a wireless communication antenna 206 for that wireless communication. Like the mobile terminal device 101, the MFP 100 can perform wireless communication using WLAN.

[0019] (MFP configuration) 2(b) shows an example of the configuration of MFP 100. MFP 100 includes a main board 211 that performs main control of the device itself, and a wireless unit 250, which is a communication module that performs WLAN communication using at least one antenna. MFP 100 may also include, for example, a wired LAN unit for performing wired LAN communication.

[0020] The main board 211 includes, for example, a CPU 212 (central processing unit), a ROM 213, a RAM 214, a nonvolatile memory 215, an image memory 216, a reading control unit 217, a data conversion unit 218, a reading unit 219, and an encoding / decoding processing unit 221. The main board 211 also includes, for example, a printing unit 222, a paper feeding unit 223, a printing control unit 224, and an operation display unit 220. These functional units within the main board 211 are connected to each other via a system bus 230 managed by the CPU 212. The main board 211 and the wireless unit 250 are also connected, for example, via a dedicated bus 225.

[0021] The CPU 212 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire MFP 100. In one example, the processing of the MFP 100 described below is realized by the CPU 212 executing programs stored in the ROM 213. Dedicated hardware for each process may be provided. The ROM 213 is a non-volatile memory that stores control programs executed by the CPU 212, embedded OS programs, and the like. In this embodiment, the CPU 212 loads each control program stored in the ROM 213 into the RAM 214 and executes them under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 213, thereby performing software control such as scheduling and task switching.

[0022] The RAM 214 is a volatile memory configured from an SRAM or the like. The RAM 214 stores data such as program control variables, setting values ​​registered by the user, and management data for the MFP 100. The RAM 214 can also be used as a buffer for various types of work. The non-volatile memory 215 is configured from a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the power to the MFP 100 is turned off. The image memory 216 is configured from a memory such as a DRAM. The image memory 216 accumulates image data received via the wireless unit 250, image data processed by the encoding / decoding processing unit 221, and the like. Note that the memory configuration of the MFP 100 is not limited to the configuration described above. The data conversion unit 218 analyzes data in various formats and converts image data into print data.

[0023] The reading control unit 217 controls the reading unit 219 (for example, a CIS (contact image sensor)) to optically read (scan) the document placed on the document table 201. The reading control unit 217 converts the image obtained by optically reading the document into electrical image data (image signals) and outputs the converted data. At this time, the reading control unit 217 may output the image data after performing various image processes such as binarization and halftoning.

[0024] The operation display unit 220 includes a touch panel display that displays images based on display control by the CPU 212, and performs operations such as generating signals in response to user operations on the touch panel display or physical operation keys.

[0025] The encoding / decoding processor 221 performs encoding and decoding processes on image data (JPEG, PNG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100, as well as scaling processes.

[0026] The paper feed unit 223 holds paper for printing. The paper feed unit 223 can supply the set paper under the control of the print control unit 224. The paper feed unit 223 may include multiple paper feed units in order to hold multiple types of paper in one device, and under the control of the print control unit 224, it can control which paper feed unit to use to feed paper.

[0027] The print control unit 224 performs various image processing such as smoothing, print density correction, and color correction on the image data to be printed, and outputs the processed image data to the print unit 222. The print unit 222 is configured to be able to perform, for example, inkjet printing, and ejects ink supplied from an ink tank from a print head to record an image on a recording medium such as paper. Note that the print unit 222 may also be configured to be able to perform other printing processes such as electrophotography. The print control unit 224 may also periodically read information from the print unit 222 and update status information stored in RAM 214, including the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank and the state of the print head.

[0028] The wireless unit 250 is a unit that can provide a WLAN communication function, and can provide, for example, the same function as the wireless unit 401 of the mobile terminal device 101. That is, the wireless unit 250 converts data into packets in accordance with the WLAN standard and transmits the packets to other devices, and also restores packets from other external devices to the original data and outputs the data to the CPU 212.

[0029] The wireless unit 250 is capable of communication as a station (hereinafter referred to as STA) or access point (AP) conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard series. Specifically, communication conforming to the IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be / bn standards is possible. The wireless unit 250 includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing a program.

[0030] The communication control unit 240 is a unit that controls the communication functions of the MFP 100, and controls the wireless unit 250. The processing of the communication control unit 240 is realized by the CPU 212 executing a control program stored in the ROM 213. The communication control unit 240 and the wireless unit 250 are connected to each other via, for example, a system bus 230 or a dedicated bus 225.

[0031] (MFP operation display section) FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen display on a display (touch panel display) included in operation display unit 220 of MFP 100. In FIG.

[0032] FIG. 3(a) shows an example of a home screen displayed when the MFP 100 is powered on and no operations such as printing or scanning are being performed (idle state, standby state). Area 310 at the top of the home screen is a basic menu area, displaying menu items to be selected when issuing a copy or scan instruction. In FIG. 3(a), area 310 displays a list of icons 311 to 313 corresponding to copy, scan, and print, respectively, as menu items (display items) of the basic menu. When a menu item of the basic menu is selected, a corresponding detailed menu is displayed, and the MFP 100 can execute the operation or function (copy or scan) corresponding to the selected menu item. By performing an operation to display another page of the basic menu (such as sliding area 310 left or right), menu items other than icons 311 to 313 can be displayed in area 310. For example, an icon corresponding to the cloud can be displayed. The cloud is a menu item related to cloud functions using Internet communication.

[0033] The network display area 321 is an area that displays an icon indicating the network status. In the example shown, an icon indicating that both Wireless Infrastructure and Wireless Direct are disabled is displayed in the network display area 321. Furthermore, by touching the network display area 321, a communication setting menu can be displayed.

[0034] Icon 322 is an operation icon that accepts an instruction to set up on a PC / smartphone. When icon 322 is touched, the same operation as when "Set up on PC / smartphone" in Figure 3(d) described below is selected is performed.

[0035] Icon 323 is an operation icon that is selected when changing the settings of MFP 100 or when performing maintenance.

[0036] Fig. 3(b) is an example of a display of a communication settings menu screen that is displayed when the network display area 321 is touched on the home screen of Fig. 3(a). The communication settings menu screen displays the following menu items (options): "Wireless LAN," "Wired LAN," "Wireless Direct," "Bluetooth," and "Common Settings." "Wireless LAN," "Wired LAN," and "Wireless Direct" are menu items for configuring LAN settings, and these items allow you to configure settings such as wired connection settings, enable / disable wireless infrastructure mode, and enable / disable P2P modes such as WFD and soft AP mode.

[0037] Figure 3(c) is an example of the wireless LAN setting menu screen that is displayed when the "Wireless LAN" item is selected on the screen in Figure 3(b). The wireless LAN setting menu screen displays the following menu items (options): "Enable / Disable Wireless LAN," "Wireless LAN Setup," and "Display Wireless LAN Settings." By selecting the "Enable / Disable Wireless LAN" item, the wireless infrastructure mode can be switched between enabled and disabled. When the "Wireless LAN Setup" item is selected, the wireless LAN setup menu in Figure 3(d) is displayed. When "Display Wireless LAN Settings" is selected, a details screen (wireless LAN setting display screen) is displayed that displays details such as the current wireless LAN settings and communication status.

[0038] Figure 3(d) is an example of the wireless LAN setup menu screen that is displayed when the "Wireless LAN Setup" item is selected on the screen in Figure 3(c). The wireless LAN setup menu screen displays the following menu items (options): "Set up with PC / smartphone," "Set up by entering a password," and "Set up with router buttons." These options allow you to perform wireless LAN setup using the network setup mode (described below), by entering a password, or by using the push button method.

[0039] (External configuration of mobile terminal device) FIG. 4(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the external configuration of the mobile terminal device 101. In this embodiment, as an example, the mobile terminal device 101 is a general-type smartphone. The mobile terminal device 101 includes, for example, a display unit 420, an operation unit 418, and a power key 404. The display unit 420 is a display including a display mechanism such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) type or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type. The display unit 420 may display information using, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The mobile terminal device 101 may also have a function to output information by voice in addition to or instead of the display unit 420. The operation unit 418 includes hard keys such as keys and buttons, a touch panel, and the like for detecting user operations. In this example, the display unit 420 displays information and the operation unit 418 receives user operations using a common touch panel display, so the display unit 420 and the operation unit 418 are implemented by a single device. In this case, for example, button icons and a software keyboard are displayed using the display function of display unit 420, and the touch of the user on those locations is detected by the operation reception function of operation unit 418. Note that display unit 420 and operation unit 418 may be separated, and hardware for display and hardware for operation reception may be provided separately. Power key 404 is a hardware key for receiving a user operation to turn on or off the power of mobile terminal device 101.

[0040] The mobile terminal device 101 includes a wireless unit 401 that provides WLAN communication functionality, although it does not necessarily need to be visible from the exterior. The wireless unit 401 is configured to be able to perform data (packet) communication in a WLAN system that complies with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard series (IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be / bn). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wireless unit 401 may also be able to perform communication in a WLAN system that complies with other standards. In this example, the wireless unit 401 is capable of communication in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wireless unit 401 may also be capable of communication in one or more frequency bands including the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. The wireless unit 401 is also capable of communication based on WFD, communication in soft AP mode, communication in wireless infrastructure mode, etc. Operation in these modes will be described later.

[0041] (Configuration of mobile terminal device) FIG. 4(b) shows an example configuration of the mobile terminal device 101. In one example, the mobile terminal device 101 includes a main board 411 that performs main control of the device itself and a wireless unit 429 that performs WLAN communication. The main board 411 includes, for example, a CPU 412, a ROM 413, a RAM 414, an image memory 415, a data conversion unit 416, a telephone unit 417, a GPS 419, a camera unit 421, a non-volatile memory 422, a data storage unit 423, a speaker unit 424, and a power supply unit 425. Here, CPU is an acronym for Central Processing Unit, ROM is an acronym for Read Only Memory, RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory, and GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. The mobile terminal device 101 also includes a display unit 420 and an operation unit 418. These functional units within the main board 411 are connected to each other via a system bus 428 managed by the CPU 412. Furthermore, the main board 411 and the wireless unit 429 (the wireless unit 401 described above) are connected via a dedicated bus 426, for example.

[0042] The CPU 412 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire mobile terminal device 101. In one example, the processing of the mobile terminal device 101 described below is realized by the CPU 412 executing a program stored in the ROM 413. Dedicated hardware for each process may be provided. The ROM 413 stores control programs, such as a control program and an embedded operating system (OS) program, executed by the CPU 412. In this embodiment, the CPU 412 executes each control program stored in the ROM 413 under the management of an embedded OS also stored in the ROM 413, thereby performing software control such as scheduling and task switching.

[0043] The RAM 414 is configured with a static RAM (SRAM) or the like. The RAM 414 stores data such as program control variables, setting values ​​registered by the user, and management data for the mobile terminal device 101. The RAM 414 can also be used as a buffer for various types of work. The image memory 415 is configured with a memory such as a dynamic RAM (DRAM). The image memory 415 temporarily stores image data received via the wireless unit 429 and image data read from the data storage unit 423 for processing by the CPU 412. The nonvolatile memory 422 is configured with a memory such as a flash memory, and continues to store data even when the mobile terminal device 101 is powered off. Note that the memory configuration of the mobile terminal device 101 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the image memory 415 and the RAM 414 may be shared, or data may be backed up using the data storage unit 423. In this embodiment, although a DRAM is given as an example of the image memory 415, other storage media such as a hard disk or nonvolatile memory may also be used.

[0044] The data conversion unit 416 analyzes data in various formats and performs data conversion such as color conversion and image conversion. The telephone unit 417 controls telephone lines and realizes telephone communication by processing audio data input and output via a speaker unit 424. The GPS 419 receives radio waves transmitted from satellites and acquires location information such as the current latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal device 101.

[0045] The camera unit 421 has the function of electronically recording and encoding an image input through a lens. Image data obtained by capturing an image with the camera unit 421 is stored in a data storage unit 423. The speaker unit 424 controls the input and output of audio for telephone functions, as well as other functions such as alarm notification. The power supply unit 425 is, for example, a portable battery, and controls the supply of power to the device. Power supply states include, for example, a dead battery state in which there is no remaining battery power, a power-off state in which the power key 404 is not pressed, a running state in which the device is normally running, and a power-saving state in which the device is running but is in power-saving mode.

[0046] The display unit 420, under the control of the CPU 412, performs various input operations and displays the operating status and status of the MFP 100. Upon receiving a user operation, the operation unit 418 executes control such as generating an electrical signal corresponding to the operation and outputting it to the CPU 412.

[0047] The mobile terminal device 101 performs wireless communication using the wireless unit 429 to perform data communication with other devices such as the MFP 100. The wireless unit 429 converts data into packets and transmits the packets to other devices. The wireless unit 429 also restores packets from other external devices to the original data and outputs the data to the CPU 412. The wireless unit 429 is a unit for realizing communication compliant with the WLAN standard. The wireless unit 429 can operate in parallel in at least two communication modes, including a wireless infrastructure mode and a P2P (WLAN) mode. Note that the frequency bands used in these communication modes may be limited by the functionality and performance of the hardware.

[0048] (Access point configuration) 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an AP 111 having a wireless LAN access point function. The AP 111 is configured to include a main board 510 that controls the AP 111, a wireless LAN unit 516, a wired LAN unit 518, and an operation button 520.

[0049] A microprocessor-type CPU 511 mounted on the main board 510 operates according to a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 513 connected via an internal bus 512 and the contents of a RAM-type data memory 514. The CPU 511 controls a wireless LAN unit 516 via a wireless LAN communication control unit 515 to perform wireless LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. Specifically, the wireless LAN unit 516 is configured to be capable of performing data (packet) communication in a WLAN system compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard series (IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be / bn) as wireless LAN communication. The wireless LAN unit 516 is also capable of communication as an AP compatible with multi-AP communication, which will be described later. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wireless LAN unit 516 may also be capable of communication in a WLAN system compliant with other standards. In this example, the wireless LAN unit 516 is capable of communication in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wireless LAN unit 516 may be capable of communication in one or more frequency bands including the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band.

[0050] The CPU 511 also controls a wired LAN unit 518 via a wired LAN communication control unit 517 to perform wired LAN communication with other communication devices. The CPU 511 controls an operation unit control circuit 519 to accept operations from a user via an operation button 520. The CPU 511 includes at least one processor.

[0051] The AP 111 also includes an interference wave detection unit 521 and a channel change unit 522. The interference wave detection unit 521 performs processing to detect interference waves when wireless communication is being performed in a band where DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) is implemented. If an interference wave is detected when wireless communication is being performed in a band where DFS is implemented, the channel change unit 522 performs processing to change the channel to be used when it is necessary to immediately change to an available channel.

[0052] The AP 112 and AP 113 have the same configuration as the AP 111.

[0053] (P2P mode (direct mode)) Next, we will outline the P2P (WLAN) communication method, which allows devices to communicate directly with each other wirelessly without going through an external access point. P2P (WLAN) communication can be realized using multiple methods. For example, a communication device can support multiple modes for P2P (WLAN) communication and selectively use one of the multiple modes to perform P2P communication (WLAN).

[0054] The following two P2P modes are envisioned:

[0055] Soft AP mode Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) mode A communication device capable of P2P communication may be configured to support at least one of these modes, but even a communication device capable of P2P communication does not have to support all of these modes and may be configured to support only some of them.

[0056] A communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 101) having a WFD communication function receives user operations via its operation unit, and calls a (possibly dedicated) application for realizing the communication function. The communication device then displays a UI (user interface) screen provided by the application to prompt the user to perform an operation, and can execute WFD communication based on the received user operations.

[0057] ●Soft AP mode In the soft AP mode, a communication device (e.g., the mobile terminal device 101) operates as a client that requests various services. The other communication device (e.g., the MFP 100) operates as a soft AP that can execute the functions of a WLAN AP through software configuration. Note that commands and parameters transmitted and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the soft AP are sufficient if they are specified in the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, and therefore will not be described here. Furthermore, the MFP 100 operating in the soft AP mode determines the frequency band and frequency channel as a master station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use from 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0058] WFD mode The MFP 100 may be configured to be permanently activated as a master station in WFD mode (Autonomous Group Owner). In this case, GO negotiation processing to determine the role is not required. In addition, in this case, the MFP 100 determines the frequency band and frequency channel as the master station. Therefore, the MFP 100 can select which frequency band to use, 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0059] (Wireless infrastructure mode) In the wireless infrastructure mode, communication devices (for example, the mobile terminal device 101 and the MFP 100) that communicate with each other are connected to an external AP (for example, the AP 111) that controls the network, and communication between the communication devices is performed via that AP. In other words, communication between the communication devices is performed via a network established by the external AP. The mobile terminal device 101 and the MFP 100 each find the AP 111, send a connection request to this AP 111, and connect, thereby enabling communication between these communication devices via the AP 111 in the wireless infrastructure mode. Note that when multiple communication devices are connected separately, The AP 111 may be connected to an AP other than the AP 111. In this case, data transfer between the APs enables communication between the communication devices. Commands and parameters transmitted and received during communication between the communication devices via the access point may be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. In this case, the AP 111 determines the frequency band and frequency channel. Therefore, the AP 111 can select which frequency band to use from 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 6 GHz, and which frequency channel to use within that frequency band.

[0060] (Multi-AP News) The IEEE802.11be standard specifies multi-link communication in which one AP (Access Point) establishes multiple links with one STA (Station) via multiple different frequency channels, and communicates in parallel.

[0061] In addition, the IEEE802.11bn standard, which is the successor to the IEEE802.11be standard, is being considered as a method for improving usability by using multi-AP communication.

[0062] For example, there is distributed MIMO technology, which is based on a technology called MIMO (multi-user multi-output), which uses multiple transmit and receive antennas simultaneously on the same channel. In distributed MIMO, in an environment where multiple APs and multiple STAs exist, the APs form groups to share information about the communication status and the status of each AP, and data is sent to the STAs in parallel from multiple APs at the same time. By using joint transmission from multiple APs, the number of spatial streams can be increased compared to the case of a single AP, which is expected to improve throughput.

[0063] Another example is a technology in which multiple APs transmit data to STAs at different times using time division, thereby improving the reception quality at the STAs by taking advantage of the effects of time diversity and space diversity.

[0064] This type of communication technology, in which multiple APs form a group and operate cooperatively, is called Multi-AP communication, and the APs are classified into a single Coordinator AP that manages all APs, and Coordinated APs that operate under the management of the Coordinator AP.

[0065] Hereinafter, in Multi-AP communication, an AP that manages APs will be referred to as a "Coordinator AP" or a "Sharing AP." An AP that operates under the management of a Coordinator AP will be referred to as a "Coordinated AP" or a "Shared AP." The Coordinator AP and the Coordinated AP can send and receive signals to each other. Each of the multiple APs, including APs 111 to 113, may be connected wirelessly to perform wireless LAN communication, or may be connected wired to perform wired LAN communication. APs 111 to 113 are capable of Multi-AP communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, and support a configuration in which multiple APs cooperate to communicate with a common STA.

[0066] Multi-AP communication methods include Co-OFDMA and Joint-TX. Co-OFDMA (Coordinated-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) separates available frequency resources among multiple BSSs (Basic Service Sets). For example, the frequency resources used by the AP 112 and the MFP 100 (STA) are separated so that they do not overlap with the frequency resources used by the AP 113 and the MFP 100 (STA). This prevents mutual interference between BSSs. If a STA is capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving data on multiple frequency bands (multiple resource units within the same channel or across different channels, multiple channels, or multiple frequencies in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands), multiple APs can cooperatively transmit and receive data to the same STA. This data includes content data such as image data, audio data, document data, and print data. In this case, for example, transmission of packet 1 of content A from AP 112 to MFP 100 (STA) and transmission of packet 2 of content A from AP 113 to MFP 100 (STA) can be performed in parallel.

[0067] In the Joint-TX (Joint-Transmission) method, the same signal is transmitted and received between multiple APs and one STA. In this case, the radio waves output from the multiple APs are amplified by interference, and the STA receives a combined multiplexed wave (superimposed radio waves, multiplexed radio waves, composite wave). This allows the STA to receive a stronger signal (amplified signal) than a signal from a single AP. For example, the same signal is multiplexed and transmitted between the AP 112 and the MFP 100 (STA) and between the AP 113 and the MFP 100 (STA) so that it is amplified at the MFP 100 (STA). For example, packet 1 of content A is transmitted from the AP 112 to the MFP 100 (STA) and packet 1 of content A is transmitted from the AP 113 to the MFP 100 (STA) at the same time. The radio waves of content A are transmitted so that they are multiplexed at the MFP 100 (STA). This improves the reliability (connectivity) of communication between the STA and the AP and the speed of data transmission and reception.

[0068] 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in which AP 111 operates as a Coordinator AP, and APs 112 and 113, which are Coordinated APs, cooperate to transmit and receive data to and from MFP 100 (STA). In this sequence, the processes executed by each device are realized by the CPU of each device reading various programs stored in memory such as ROM into RAM and executing them.

[0069] In S601, the APs 111 to 113 perform a multi-AP setup process, in which the APs exchange capability information and parameters with each other and form a group for performing multi-AP communication.

[0070] In S602, a Multi-AP coordination process is performed between the APs 111 to 113. For example, the Multi-AP communication method is determined, the role of the AP (Coordinator AP or Coordinated AP) is determined, and parameters and network information are exchanged between the APs. The Multi-AP communication method and the role of the AP are determined by exchanging and comparing parameters between the APs 111 to 113. At this time, the Coordinator AP (AP 111) notifies the Coordinated APs (APs 112 and 113) of network information to be used in common (such as the SSID to be used in common and the BSSID (Basic Service Set color ID) to be used in common). Note that the BSSID to be used in common is notified in the case of the Joint-TX method.

[0071] In S603, the AP 112 and AP 113 transmit Beacon frames (information that the APs transmit periodically and autonomously) according to the network information notified in S602. The Beacon frames include information indicating to the connected STA that multi-AP communication is possible and information indicating the multi-AP communication method. A Beacon frame transmitted by an AP that supports multi-AP communication may include a Multi-AP Information Element (IE). The Multi-AP IE includes at least one of the following information (one or more of the following information):

[0072] SSID used by multiple Coordinated APs belonging to the same multi-AP group (ESSID to be used in common, notified in S602) BSSID (BSSID to be used commonly by APs belonging to multi-AP group 110, notified in S602 in the case of Joint-TX method) BSS color value (identifier) ​​for Multi-AP communication Operating wireless channel (in the case of the Joint-TX method, this is a communication channel to be used in common. In the case of the Co-OFDMA method, this is a communication channel and / or resource unit used by the source AP. In the case of the Co-OFDMA method, this may also include communication channels and / or resource units used by other APs in the multi-AP group 110.) Multi-AP communication method (information specifying whether it is a Co-OFDMA method or a Joint-TX method) The storage method and configuration of this information are not limited to this, and similar information may be stored in a similar format and transmitted. Note that the Multi-AP IE may be called a different name such as Multi-AP Element. The Multi-AP IE may also be included in a wireless frame such as the probe response frame of S605 or other action frames.

[0073] In S604, the MFP 100 (STA) starts establishing a connection with the AP in wireless infrastructure mode. The MFP 100 (STA) starts searching for the AP by transmitting a device discovery request (ProbeRequest) frame to determine whether the AP supports Multi-AP communication.

[0074] In S605, the MFP 100 (STA) searches for and finds an AP by receiving a device search response (ProbeResponse) frame or a Beacon frame transmitted from the AP as a response to the AP search.

[0075] In S606, the MFP 100 (STA) performs connection processing with at least one of the Coordinated APs based on the information included in the frame received in S605. In this example, the MFP 100 (STA) transmits a connection request to the AP 112 to perform a connection attempt (connection processing). This connection processing includes processes such as authentication and association defined in IEEE 802.11. The MFP 100 (STA) may add a Multi-AP IE to the Association Request frame it transmits to indicate a request for multi-AP communication. The AP 112, which receives the Association Request frame, transmits an Association Response frame in response. This establishes a wireless LAN connection between the MFP 100 (STA) and the AP 112.

[0076] In S607, when a connection is established between the AP 112 and the MFP 100 (STA), the AP 112 notifies the Coordinator AP (AP 111) of information indicating that a connection state with the MFP 100 (STA) has been established, together with connection parameters related to the connected MFP 100 (STA). The connection parameters related to the connected MFP 100 (STA) include information used during connection processing between the AP 112 and the MFP 100 or information generated during the connection processing (such as a PMK cache, information required for roaming, and authentication information), an STA identifier, etc. Note that when the AP 113 and the MFP 100 (STA) are connected, the AP 113 similarly notifies the Coordinator AP (AP 111) that a connection state has been established.

[0077] After S607, the AP 111 transmits the connection parameters related to the MFP 100 (STA) transmitted in S607 to the AP 113. The AP 113 may perform processing to establish a connection with the MFP 100 using the transmitted connection parameters related to the MFP 100 (STA). However, in the case of the Joint-TX method, data can also be transmitted from an AP with which a connection has not been established. In other words, an AP with which a connection has not been established can also be the source of multiplexed radio waves. Therefore, processing to establish a connection between the AP 113 and the MFP 100 does not need to be performed.

[0078] In S608, the Coordinator AP (AP 111) determines transmission parameters (information necessary to determine the transmission timing and transmission output power of each Coordinated AP and each antenna, and / or resource unit allocation information, etc.) based on the connection parameters (parameters received in S607) of the Coordinated AP that has established a connection state with the MFP 100 (STA), and allocates subsequent transmission data. Information on the determined transmission parameters is notified to each Coordinated AP using a Multi-AP Trigger frame. AP 112 and AP 113 set their own transmission parameters (transmission timing, transmission output power, resource units to be used) based on the notified information. Note that the Multi-AP Trigger frame may be called something different. Also, the Multi-AP Trigger frame may be an extension of the Trigger frame of the IEEE 802.11ax / be standard.

[0079] In S609, the Coordinator AP (AP 111) transmits data to be sent to the MFP 100 (STA) (for example, content data such as image data, document data, and print data) to the Coordinated AP.

[0080] In S610, when the Coordinated APs (APs 112 and 113) receive data to be transmitted from the Coordinator AP (AP 111), they cooperatively transmit the data to the MFP 100. Furthermore, when the Coordinated APs (APs 112 and 113) receive data from the MFP 100 (STA), they transmit the received data to the Coordinator AP (AP 111). Note that this order of data transmission and reception is an example, and for example, data may be received from the STA before data is transmitted to the STA.

[0081] The Coordinator AP may also directly transmit and receive signals with the STA. For example, the AP 111 may function as both the Coordinator AP and the Coordinated AP. In this case, for example, the AP 111 may transmit and receive wireless frames between itself and the STA while issuing instructions to the AP 112 or AP 113 to transmit and receive wireless frames between the AP 112 or AP 113 and the STA. When the Coordinator AP causes the Coordinated AP to transmit wireless frames, the Coordinator AP may transmit data to be transmitted to the Coordinated AP. However, this is not limited thereto, and the Coordinated AP may obtain the data to be transmitted directly from, for example, the Internet. The Coordinator AP may also receive data received from the STA from the Coordinated AP, but the Coordinated AP may forward the data received from the STA to the STA's partner device without forwarding it to the Coordinator AP.

[0082] Any AP in the same network can operate as a Coordinator AP, and it may be determined based on some criteria which AP will operate as the Coordinator AP. The Coordinator AP may not operate as an AP that transmits Beacon frames, but may only perform the role of the Coordinator AP, such as sending instructions to each AP. Each AP may have multiple wireless LAN communication control units 515 and operate as multiple Coordinated APs. The Coordinator AP may be realized as a logical function, and one physical AP may operate as one or more Coordinated APs while also operating as a Coordinator AP.

[0083] In this embodiment, the wireless unit 250 of the MFP 100 is assumed to be equipped with only one antenna and one analog front end. Furthermore, during simultaneous connections in which both an infrastructure connection and a P2P connection are established in parallel, switching occurs between an infrastructure mode in which communication is performed via the infrastructure connection and a P2P mode in which communication is performed via the P2P connection in a time-division manner for each unit time. This switching is controlled by the CPU of the wireless unit 250 or the CPU 212. A setting value for the ratio (duty) of communication on the infrastructure connection side to communication on the P2P connection side is stored in advance in the ROM 213, and the CPU 212 performs switching based on this setting value. The setting value can be set by issuing a command from outside the wireless unit 250. An analog front end (AFE) is a circuit system that converts an analog signal from an antenna into a digital signal, and can improve signal quality and accuracy by amplifying, filtering, and removing noise from the signal. In the following description, the wireless unit 250 of the MFP 100 is assumed to be equipped with only one antenna and one analog front end.

[0084] Also, when AP111, AP112, and AP113 do not perform Multi-AP communication, they are assumed to manage only specific BSSs. For example, AP111 manages only BSS1, AP112 manages only BSS2, and AP113 manages only BSS3. For example, AP111 and AP112 respectively manage resource allocation and communication timing in OFDMA communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11ax standard in BSS1 and BSS2, and AP113 manages resource allocation and communication timing in OFDM communication in BSS3.

[0085] <Processing when starting a P2P connection during Co-OFDMA mode infrastructure connection> Next, the processing when starting a P2P connection during Co-OFDMA mode infrastructure connection will be described.

[0086] Consider a case where MFP100 is in a situation where Multi-AP communication in the Co-OFDMA mode is possible as wireless communication in infrastructure mode, and MFP100 connects as the master station of a P2P connection to an external mobile terminal device (slave station). That is, consider a case where simultaneous connection of infrastructure connection and P2P connection is established in MFP100. In this case, the communication parameters on the infrastructure connection side need to be adjusted to the communication parameters specified by the Coordinating AP, but those communication parameters are not necessarily communication parameters that are easy to switch to the wireless communication on the P2P connection side. Therefore, the decrease in communication efficiency due to time-division switching between the infrastructure mode and the P2P mode can be significant.

[0087] Furthermore, in the Co-OFDMA system, during a designated time period as the transmission timing in a designated frequency band (RU) designated by the Coordinator AP, the MFP 100, which is an STA, also needs to wait for reception in that designated frequency band. That is, during the designated time period, the MFP 100 needs to occupy the designated frequency band designated by the Coordinator AP on the infrastructure connection side. In other words, during that designated time period, the MFP 100, which is an STA, cannot perform wireless communication on the P2P connection side in the designated frequency band even if no data transmission or reception is actually occurring on the infrastructure connection side, and must wait for data transmission or reception on the P2P connection side. This results in a corresponding decrease in communication efficiency on the P2P connection side.

[0088] In this embodiment, when wireless communication is performed on the P2P connection side, wireless communication is performed on the infrastructure connection side using a method other than Co-OFDMA. This makes it possible to prevent a significant decrease in communication efficiency when performing wireless communication on the infrastructure connection side and wireless communication on the P2P connection side, as described above. This processing is particularly effective in devices that use only one antenna and AFE for wireless LAN communication, establish infrastructure connection and P2P connection simultaneously, and are equipped with a wireless communication unit that switches between infrastructure mode and P2P mode using frequency time division multiplexing.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sequence between devices when a P2P connection is established in the MFP 100 after an infrastructure connection has been established. The infrastructure connection state refers to a state in which the MFP 100 has established an infrastructure connection with the multi-AP group 110, in which Multi-AP communication using Co-OFDMA is enabled. The P2P connection state refers to a case in which the MFP 100 establishes a P2P connection over a wireless LAN with the mobile terminal device 102 (not shown in FIG. 1). In this sequence, the processes executed by each device are realized by the CPU of each device reading various programs stored in a computer-readable memory, such as a ROM, into RAM and executing them. Here, the mobile terminal device 102 is a device that communicates with the MFP 100 via a P2P connection, but is not a device that communicates with the MFP 100 via an AP (via an infrastructure connection). Therefore, it is a different device from the mobile terminal device 101 in FIG. 1, which communicates with the MFP 100 via an AP (via an infrastructure connection), and is therefore designated by a different reference numeral. However, the configuration of the mobile terminal device 102 is assumed to be the same as that of the mobile terminal device 101 shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0090] In S701, AP 111, AP 112, and AP 113 form a multi-AP group 110 using the Co-OFDMA method. The processing of S701 corresponds to the processing of S601 and S602 in Fig. 6. Here, it is assumed that the multi-AP communication method is the Co-OFDMA method, AP 111 is determined as the Coordinator AP, and APs 112 and 113 are determined as the Coordinated APs.

[0091] In S702, an infrastructure connection is established between the MFP 100 and the AP 112, with Multi-AP communication using the Co-OFDMA system enabled. The processing in S702 corresponds to the processing in S603 to S606 in Fig. 6. Note that in S702, the MFP 100 notifies the AP 112 that the MFP 100 is connectable using the Co-OFDMA system. This notification is made using, for example, a Probe Request frame or an Association Request frame.

[0092] In S703, the AP 111, AP 112, AP 113, and MFP 100 adjust the operating parameters of Co-OFDMA under the initiative of the AP 111. The processing of S703 corresponds to the processing of S608 in Fig. 6. Examples of adjustments include adjusting the frequency band between the AP to which the STA is connected, adjusting the RU and transmission timing when transmitting data from each AP, and adjusting the RU and transmission timing when transmitting data from the STA.

[0093] In S704, data is transmitted and received based on the adjusted RU and communication timing between the AP 112 and the MFP 100, and between the AP 113 and the MFP 100. The processing in S704 corresponds to the processing in S610 in FIG.

[0094] In S705, CPU 212 of MFP 100 determines whether a P2P connection trigger has occurred. If it is determined that a P2P connection trigger has occurred, processing in S706 is executed. An example of a P2P connection trigger is when MFP 100 receives a P2P connection request from mobile terminal device 102, which is the connection partner of the P2P connection, while the P2P connection is enabled. Another example of a P2P connection trigger is when MFP 100 accepts an instruction operation for a P2P connection with mobile terminal device 102 as the connection partner. However, this is not limited to this. For example, a P2P connection trigger may be when P2P connection is enabled in MFP 100. In this case, once P2P connection is enabled, processing in S706 is executed before receiving a P2P connection request or accepting an instruction operation for a P2P connection with mobile terminal device 102 as the connection partner. For example, when the "Wireless Direct" item in FIG. 3(b) is selected and an operation to change the setting from "disabled" to "enabled" is accepted, the P2P connection is enabled. Furthermore, when the MFP 100 is powered on with the "Wireless Direct" item set to "enabled," the P2P connection is enabled. When the P2P connection is enabled, the MFP 100 transmits a beacon (wireless signal) indicating that a P2P connection is available, and the MFP 100 becomes discoverable from surrounding devices as a P2P connection target. When the mobile terminal device 102 receives a beacon indicating that a P2P connection is available from the MFP 100 and an operation is performed to instruct a P2P connection with the MFP 100 as a connection partner, a P2P connection request is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 102 to the MFP 100. Furthermore, P2P communication may be enabled in the mobile terminal device 102 even if no operation is performed to instruct a P2P connection with the MFP 100 as a connection partner in the mobile terminal device 102. In such a case, it is also possible for the MFP 100 to transmit a P2P connection request to the mobile terminal device 102 by receiving a beacon transmitted by the mobile terminal device 102 .In this case, in response to receiving an instruction operation for a P2P connection with the mobile terminal device 102 that is the other party in the P2P connection, the MFP 100 transmits a connection request for the P2P connection to the mobile terminal device 102 .

[0095] In S706, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 executes P2P connection processing with the mobile terminal device 102. For example, connection processing is executed using Wi-Fi Direct. In this case, connection processing using Wi-Fi Direct is executed between the MFP 100 and the mobile terminal device 102 so that the MFP 100 becomes the Group Owner. The connection processing in S706 is executed using a method that does not use OFDMA.

[0096] In S707, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 requests the AP 112 to disconnect the infrastructure connection. Specifically, the CPU 212 transmits a De-authentication frame to request disconnection (disconnection) of the Co-OFDMA connection. Note that this request is not limited to being transmitted to the AP 112, and may be transmitted to any one of the multiple APs that make up the multi-AP group. That is, for example, the request may be transmitted to the AP 113.

[0097] In S708, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 controls the AP 112 to re-establish an infrastructure connection using a method other than Co-OFDMA. This control is performed automatically after S705, even if there is no user operation to establish an infrastructure connection. For example, the CPU 212 transmits a Probe Request frame or an Association Request frame including information indicating that the AP 112 is not compatible with Co-OFDMA to the AP 112, which is the connection partner with which the infrastructure connection is to be re-established. The CPU 212 then controls the AP 112 to connect after notifying the AP 112 that the Co-OFDMA method is not supported. Alternatively, the CPU 212 controls the AP 112 to connect after notifying the AP 112 that the MFP 100 is not compatible with Co-OFDMA by not transmitting a specific frame specified by IEEE 802.11bn to the AP 112. When an infrastructure connection is established using a method other than the Co-OFDMA method, the MFP 100 connects to the AP 112 using a method that does not support multi-AP communication, or a multi-AP communication method other than the Co-OFDMA method (e.g., the Joint-TX method). Note that although the connection destination of the MFP 100 in S707 has been described as AP 112, this is not limited thereto, and the MFP 100 may connect to another AP as long as it belongs to the same network as the AP to which the MFP 100 was connected in S702. This is because an AP belonging to the same network can communicate with the same communication destination (e.g., the mobile terminal device 101) that was able to communicate via infrastructure connection when the MFP 100 was connected in S702. An example of an AP that belongs to the same network is an AP (e.g., AP 113) that belongs to the same multi-AP group 110 as the AP 112. Note that if it is not necessary to be able to communicate with the same communication destination (e.g., the mobile terminal device 101) that was able to communicate via infrastructure connection when the MFP 100 was connected in S702, the MFP 100 may connect to an AP that belongs to another network. For example, at the time of S707, the MFP 100 may connect to the AP with the best radio wave conditions among the connectable APs. Such processing enables the MFP 100 to communicate without being restricted by the adjustment of the operating parameters initiated by the AP 111 in S703.

[0098] In this embodiment, the MFP 100 switches between infrastructure mode and P2P mode in a time-division manner based on the operation of the antenna and analog front-end. This switching takes a long time, especially when switching between widely separated frequencies, such as when the infrastructure connection side uses a 2.4 GHz frequency band and the P2P connection side uses a 5 GHz frequency band. Furthermore, the Co-OFDMA method requires a complex modulation process to narrow the frequency band used for data transmission, consuming significant computational resources from the CPU of the wireless unit 250. Therefore, due to the overhead required for switching between wireless communication on the P2P connection side and wireless communication on the infrastructure connection side and the communication processing load on the infrastructure connection side, switching to wireless communication on the P2P connection side may not be easy. This reduces the communication efficiency of the P2P connection side.

[0099] In this embodiment, the connection method on the infrastructure connection side is changed to a method other than the Co-OFDMA method. By such processing, it becomes possible to connect the AP to the infrastructure using connection parameters that can be easily switched to the P2P connection side, regardless of schedule adjustment by the Codinator AP.

[0100] When wireless communication is performed on the P2P connection side in the designated frequency band specified by the CoordinatorAP, the P2P connection side must wait for data transmission and reception even though data is not actually being transmitted or received on the infrastructure connection side.

[0101] In this embodiment, the connection method on the infrastructure connection side is changed to a method other than the Co-OFDMA method. By doing so, the P2P connection side does not need to wait for data transmission and reception, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in communication efficiency on the P2P connection side.

[0102] It has been described that after S705, a P2P connection is established in S706, and then a reconnection is established on the infrastructure connection side using a non-Co-OFDMA scheme in S707 and S708. However, this is not limited to this, and after S705, the processes of S707 and S708 may be executed, and then the process of S706 may be executed.

[0103] The above-mentioned S705 is a process for determining whether or not an event has occurred that will trigger the processes of S707 and S708. Specifically, for example, the following determinations are made.

[0104] (A) With the P2P connection enabled, a determination is made as to whether a P2P connection request has been received from the mobile terminal device 102, which is the other party in the P2P connection. Alternatively, a determination is made as to whether the MFP 100 has accepted an instruction operation for a P2P connection with the mobile terminal device 102 as the other party in the P2P connection. In other words, a determination is made as to whether a trigger for starting a connection process with the other party in the P2P connection has occurred. An example of a trigger for starting a connection process is the receipt of an Association Request or the transmission of an Association Response.

[0105] When the processing of S707 and S708 is executed in response to the determination of (A) being true, the processing of reconnection using the non-Co-OFDMA method on the infrastructure side of S707 and S708 is not executed until the P2P connection is actually established, even after the P2P connection is enabled. Therefore, even after the P2P connection is enabled, wireless communication can be performed on the infrastructure connection side using Multi-AP communication using the Co-OFDMA method until the P2P connection is actually established.

[0106] (B) Determining whether the P2P connection has been enabled in the MFP 100. In other words, determining whether a trigger for starting transmission of a Beacon frame has occurred.

[0107] When the processes of S707 and S708 are executed in response to the determination of (B) being true, the infrastructure connection side can be set to a non-Co-OFDMA system before the P2P connection is established, which allows for more efficient P2P mode wireless communication when accepting a P2P connection request or when establishing a P2P connection.

[0108] Alternatively, the following determination may be made in S705.

[0109] (C) After the P2P connection is established, it is determined whether or not communication for sending and receiving a predetermined type of data (for example, print data) or communication exceeding a predetermined communication volume has started on the P2P connection side.

[0110] If the result of the determination in (C) is true, the reconnection process may be performed in S707 and S708 using the non-Co-OFDMA scheme on the infrastructure connection side.

[0111] Furthermore, even if the determination results of (A) to (C) are true, if the following conditions are met, control may be performed so that the reconnection process using the non-Co-OFDMA method on the infrastructure-connected side in S707 and S708 is not executed. Then, if the following conditions are no longer met, for example, if the following specific communication process is completed, the reconnection process using the non-Co-OFDMA method on the infrastructure-connected side in S707 and S708 may be executed.

[0112] (Condition) The infrastructure connection side is currently executing a communication process to send and receive specific data using the Co-OFDMA method (for example, sending and receiving print data or scan data with the mobile terminal device 101 via the AP, or sending and receiving data for updating the firmware of the MFP).

[0113] In the reconnection process in S708, a request may be made to the AP to establish an infrastructure connection using the same channel as that used for the P2P connection, and control may be exercised so that the infrastructure connection is established using the same channel as that used for the P2P connection. This can further reduce the overhead involved in switching between P2P mode and infrastructure mode by time division.

[0114] Alternatively, in the reconnection process at S708, the AP may be requested to establish an infrastructure connection using a frequency band (RU or communication channel) that does not interfere with the frequency band used by the P2P connection side. This makes it possible to suppress interference between wireless communication on the P2P connection side and wireless communication on the infrastructure connection side. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0115] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining that the so-called hidden node problem occurs when the MFP 100 starts communicating with the AP 112 in S704.

[0116] In communication between the MFP 100 and the AP 113, when the AP 113 transmits a carrier wave, devices within the wireless communication range 801 can detect the carrier wave of the AP 113 by carrier sense. Here, the MFP 100 and the mobile terminal device 102 can detect the carrier wave of the AP 113. Therefore, the mobile terminal device 102 can start outputting its own carrier wave after the carrier wave of the AP 113 has stopped, and the carrier wave of the mobile terminal device 102 and the carrier wave of the AP 113 do not collide, and a decrease in communication efficiency due to collision does not occur.

[0117] On the one hand, when communication between the MFP 100 and the AP 112 is to be carried out at S704, the AP 112 cannot detect the carrier wave of the mobile terminal device 102. Therefore, the AP 112 may transmit its own carrier wave while the carrier wave of the mobile terminal device 102 is being transmitted. The carrier wave of the AP 112 can be received by devices within the wireless communication range 802. At the position of the MFP 100 within the overlapping range of both the wireless communication range 801 and the wireless communication range 802, the carrier wave of the mobile terminal device 102 and the carrier wave of the AP 112 collide. At the time of collision, the MFP 100 cannot correctly receive the communication from the mobile terminal device 102 nor the communication from the AP 112, and retransmission is required both from the mobile terminal device 102 and the AP 112, resulting in a decrease in communication efficiency. As a countermeasure against the hidden terminal problem, there is the RTS (Request To Send) / CTS (Clear To Send) mechanism defined by IEEE802.11. However, when using RTS / CTS, communication waiting time occurs and communication efficiency decreases, and collisions that occur between the wireless communication on the infrastructure connection side, which is a different BSS, and the wireless communication on the P2P connection side cannot be addressed by RTS / CTS. Therefore, it cannot be addressed by the RTS / CTS mechanism.

[0118] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the connection method on the infrastructure connection side is changed to a method other than the Co-OFDMA method. Therefore, in addition to the effects of this embodiment already described, it is possible to avoid a decrease in communication efficiency due to the hidden terminal problem.

[0119] <Processing when starting an infrastructure connection in the Co-OFDMA method during P2P connection> Next, a process will be described in which the MFP 100 initiates an infrastructure connection with APs that constitute a Co-OFDMA Multi-AP group during a P2P connection. If the MFP 100 initiates an infrastructure connection with APs that constitute a Co-OFDMA Multi-AP group during a P2P connection to perform Multi-AP communication, the wireless communication on the infrastructure connection side and the wireless communication on the P2P connection side may interfere with each other, resulting in a decrease in communication efficiency. In particular, this may hinder efficient communication using Multi-AP communication, preventing the full benefit of Multi-AP communication from being realized. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the MFP 100 initiates an infrastructure connection with APs that constitute a Co-OFDMA Multi-AP group during a P2P connection, the MFP 100 prompts the MFP 100 to disconnect the P2P connection or automatically disconnects the P2P connection.

[0120] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence in which MFP 100 establishes a P2P connection over a wireless LAN with mobile terminal device 102 and then establishes an infrastructure connection with Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication enabled. In this sequence, the processes executed by each device are realized by the CPU of each device reading various programs stored in a memory such as a ROM of each device into RAM and executing them. Here, mobile terminal device 102 is a device that communicates with MFP 100 via a P2P connection, but is not a device that communicates with MFP 100 via an AP (infrastructure connection). Therefore, mobile terminal device 102 is a different device from mobile terminal device 101 of FIG. 1, which communicates with MFP 100 via an AP (infrastructure connection), and is therefore assigned a different reference numeral. However, the configuration of mobile terminal device 102 is assumed to be the same as that of mobile terminal device 101 shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0121] In S901, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 establishes a P2P connection with the mobile terminal device 102. The establishment of the P2P connection in S901 is performed using a method other than the OFDMA method. Specifically, for example, the MFP 100 becomes a Wi-Fi Direct Group Owner, and a Wi-Fi Direct connection is established with the mobile terminal device 102.

[0122] In S902, AP 111, AP 112, and AP 113 form a Co-OFDMA multi-AP group 110. This process corresponds to S601 and S602 in Fig. 6. In S902, it is assumed that the multi-AP communication method is Co-OFDMA, AP 111 is determined as the Coordinator AP, and APs 112 and 113 are determined as Coordinated APs.

[0123] In S903, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 determines whether a trigger for establishing an infrastructure connection with Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication enabled has occurred. If it is determined that the trigger has occurred, the process of S904 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the trigger has not occurred, the processes from S904 onwards are not executed. The trigger for establishing an infrastructure connection with Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication enabled is, for example, any of the following:

[0124] - When connection information to a Coordinated AP belonging to a multi-AP group that performs Co-OFDMA multi-AP communication is stored in the MFP 100, the setting status of the "Enable / Disable Wireless LAN Settings" item in the wireless LAN setting menu of Figure 3(c) is changed from disabled to enabled. The connection information to the Coordinated AP includes, for example, the SSID and password.

[0125] The power was turned on while the setting status of the "Enable / Disable Wireless LAN Settings" item in the Wireless LAN Settings menu in Figure 3(c) was enabled and while connection information to a Coordinated AP belonging to a multi-AP group that performs Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication was saved in the MFP100.

[0126] - The setting status of the "Enable / Disable Wireless LAN Settings" item in the Wireless LAN Settings menu in Figure 3(c) is enabled, and connection information to a Coordinated AP belonging to a multi-AP group performing Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication is stored in the MFP100, and the MFP100 moves from a range where it cannot receive radio waves from the Coordinated AP to a range where it can.

[0127] After selecting the "Wireless LAN Setup" item in the Wireless LAN settings menu in Figure 3(c), an operation was performed to instruct a Wireless LAN connection to communicate with a Coordinated AP belonging to a multi-AP group that performs Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication, using a method corresponding to one of the Wireless LAN Setup items in Figure 3(d).

[0128] In S904, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 establishes an infrastructure connection with the AP 112, with Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication enabled. This process corresponds to S603 to S606 in Fig. 6. In S904, the MFP 100 notifies the AP 112 that the MFP 100 is connectable using Co-OFDMA. This notification is made using, for example, a Probe Request frame or an Association Request frame.

[0129] In S905, the AP 111, AP 112, AP 113, and MFP 100 adjust the Co-OFDMA operating parameters under the initiative of the AP 111. This process corresponds to S608 in Fig. 6. Examples of adjustment of the Co-OFDMA operating parameters include adjustment of the frequency band between the AP to which the STA is connected, adjustment of the RU and transmission timing when transmitting data from each AP, and adjustment of the RU and transmission timing when transmitting data from the STA.

[0130] In S906, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 displays a confirmation dialog screen (confirmation screen) on the operation display unit 220.

[0131] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation dialog screen displayed in S906. The confirmation dialog screen 1001 displays a message saying, "Disconnecting the direct connection will improve the communication efficiency of the wireless LAN. Do you want to disconnect the direct connection?" In this embodiment, disconnecting the P2P connection can prevent the wireless communication on the infrastructure connection side and the wireless communication on the P2P connection side from interfering with each other, thereby hindering efficient communication using Multi-AP communication. Therefore, the confirmation dialog screen is displayed in S906 to prompt the user to disconnect the established P2P connection. The confirmation dialog screen 1001 has a "Yes" button 1002 for receiving an instruction to disconnect the P2P connection and a "No" button 1003 for receiving an instruction to maintain the P2P connection (i.e., not disconnect).

[0132] In S907, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 determines whether the "Yes" button 1002, which accepts an instruction to disconnect the P2P connection, has been selected, or whether the "No" button 1003 has been selected. If it is determined that the "Yes" button 1002 has been selected, the processing of S908 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the "No" button 1003 has been selected, the processing from S908 onwards is not executed, and the P2P connection is maintained without being disconnected.

[0133] In S908, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 performs control to disconnect the P2P connection with the mobile terminal device 102. Specifically, for example, the CPU 212 transmits a De-authentication frame to the mobile terminal device 102 and disconnects the Wi-Fi Direct connection.

[0134] In S909, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 executes transmission and reception of data between the AP 112 and the AP 113 based on the operating parameters adjusted in S905, such as the RU and communication timing. This process corresponds to S610 in FIG.

[0135] According to the process of Fig. 9, when a trigger for establishing an infrastructure connection in which Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication is enabled occurs in S903, a confirmation dialog screen prompting the user to terminate the P2P connection is displayed in S906. If an instruction to terminate the P2P connection is received in the confirmation dialog screen, the P2P connection is terminated. This configuration makes it possible to enjoy the benefits of Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication without interfering with wireless communication on the P2P connection side. Furthermore, according to the process of Fig. 9, the hidden node problem described in Fig. 8 can be suppressed.

[0136] In step S908, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 may change the communication ratio of wireless communication on the infrastructure connection side so that the communication ratio is higher than the communication ratio on the P2P connection side, instead of disconnecting the P2P connection.

[0137] Furthermore, if a trigger for establishing an infrastructure connection with Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication enabled occurs in S903 and an infrastructure connection with Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication enabled is established, other processing may be performed. For example, in this case, the P2P connection may be terminated in S908 without executing the processing of S906 and S907. That is, the P2P connection may be automatically terminated without receiving an instruction to terminate the P2P connection from the user. For example, the CPU 212 of the MFP 100 may determine the amount of wireless communication traffic on the P2P connection side, and if the amount of communication traffic is less than a predetermined amount, execute the processing of S906, but if the amount of communication traffic is greater (i.e., equal to or greater than the predetermined amount), not execute the processing of S906 to S908. In this case, if the amount of wireless communication traffic on the P2P connection side changes to less than the predetermined amount after the infrastructure connection with Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication enabled is established, the CPU 212 may control the processing of S906 to S908.

[0138] Furthermore, the configuration for performing the processes of S906 to S908 when it is determined in S903 that a trigger for establishing an infrastructure connection in which Co-OFDMA Multi-AP communication is enabled has occurred is not limited to the sequence shown in FIG. For example, when an infrastructure connection is established and the infrastructure connection side recognizes that data transmission / reception satisfying a predetermined condition will be performed, the processes of S906 to S908 may be performed at the start of transmission / reception of the data that satisfies the predetermined condition. The recognition of data transmission / reception may be, for example, job detection. Here, transmission / reception of data that satisfies the predetermined condition may be, for example, transmission or reception of a predetermined volume or more. Furthermore, transmission / reception of data that satisfies the predetermined condition may be, for example, transmission or reception of a predetermined type of data. Specifically, for example, transmission / reception of print data or scan data with the mobile terminal device 101 via the AP, or transmission / reception of data for firmware update of the MFP 100.

[0139] In this embodiment, the process described for the Co-OFDMA method of multi-AP communication may be applied to the OFDMA method of IEEE802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6). That is, when a P2P connection is initiated while the MFP 100 is in an infrastructure connection with one external AP and capable of communication using the OFDMA method of IEEE802.11ax, the infrastructure connection capable of communication using the OFDMA method of IEEE802.11ax may be temporarily disconnected as shown in FIG. 7, and the infrastructure connection may be re-established using a method that does not support the OFDMA method of IEEE802.11ax. Furthermore, when an infrastructure connection using the OFDMA method of IEEE802.11ax is initiated during a P2P connection, the user may be prompted to disconnect the P2P connection, or the P2P connection may be automatically disconnected as shown in FIG. 9. That is, the Co-OFDMA method of multi-AP communication in this embodiment may be replaced with the OFDMA method of IEEE802.11ax, and various controls may be performed. Even in this case, the same effects as those described in this embodiment can be achieved.

[0140] The various controls described above as being performed by the CPU of each device may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0141] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0142] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to an MFP as an example. However, this is not limited to this example and can be applied to any wireless device capable of Multi-AP communication. Specifically, the present invention can be applied to various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as personal computers, PDAs, tablet devices, mobile phone devices such as smartphones, music players, game consoles, e-book readers, smartwatches, and thermometers and hygrometers. The present invention can also be applied to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, network cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones. The present invention can also be applied to video output devices, audio output devices (e.g., smart speakers), media streaming players, and wireless LAN adapters (adapters) that can be connected to USB or LAN cable terminals. Video output devices include devices such as set-top boxes, which acquire (download) videos and still images from the Internet identified by a URL specified by a communication device and output them to a connected display device via a video output terminal such as HDMI (registered trademark). This enables streaming playback on the display device and mirroring display (displaying the content displayed on the communication device on the display device). Furthermore, video output devices include media players such as televisions, hard disk recorders, Blu-ray recorders, and DVD recorders, head-mounted displays, projectors, televisions, display devices (monitors), signage devices, etc. The present invention is also applicable to Wi-Fi-connectable devices known as smart home appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, lighting equipment, heating equipment, and cooling equipment.

[0143] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0144] The disclosure of this embodiment includes a communication device, a method, a program, and a storage medium. (Item 1) a first communication means for performing communication via an external access point by wireless LAN communication; a second communication means for directly communicating with an external terminal device by wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point; a control means for controlling the second communication means to perform a specific process for disconnecting the connection with the external terminal device when the first communication means establishes a connection with the external access point for which communication in a first communication method via a plurality of external access points is enabled, while the second communication means has established a connection with the external terminal device; A communication device comprising: (Item 2) The communication device described in item 1 is characterized in that the control means controls the communication device so that the specific processing is not performed if a predetermined amount of communication or more is being performed by the second communication means, even when establishing a connection with the external access point for which communication using the first communication method is enabled. (Item 3) The communication device described in item 2 is characterized in that the control means controls the communication device to perform the specific processing based on the fact that the communication volume by the second communication means becomes less than a predetermined volume after establishing a connection with the external access point for which communication using the first communication method is enabled. (Item 4) The communication device described in any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the first communication method is a communication method in which each of multiple access points belonging to a group to which the external access point connected by the first communication means belongs communicates with the communication device using different resource units. (Item 5) The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the first communication method is a Co-OFDMA (Coordinated-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) method in Multi-AP communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 series of standards. (Item 6) the specific processing is processing for displaying a screen for receiving an instruction from a user to disconnect the connection between the external terminal device and the second communication means, When the control means receives the instruction while the screen is displayed, the control means performs control to disconnect the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device. 6. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 5, (Item 7) The communication device described in any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that the specific processing is processing for disconnecting the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device without receiving an instruction from the user to disconnect the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device. (Item 8) 8. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that when a predetermined communication is started by the second communication means in a first state in which the first communication means is connected to the external access point and communication is possible using the first communication method, the control means controls the first communication means to change to a second state in which communication with the external access point is possible using a communication method different from the first communication method. (Item 9) a first communication means for performing communication via an external access point by wireless LAN communication; a second communication means for directly communicating with an external terminal device by wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point; a control means for controlling the second communication means to perform a specific process for disconnecting the connection with the external terminal device when starting to transmit or receive data that satisfies a predetermined condition in the first communication method, in a state in which a connection with the external terminal device has been established by the second communication means and the connection with the external access point for which communication in a first communication method via a plurality of external access points by the first communication means has been enabled; A communication device comprising: (Item 10) The communication device described in item 9, characterized in that the specified condition is at least one of a plurality of conditions including sending or receiving data of a specified volume or more, and sending or receiving data of a specified type. (Item 11) The communication device described in item 9 or 10, characterized in that the first communication method is a communication method in which each of a plurality of access points belonging to a group to which the external access point connected by the first communication means belongs communicates with the communication device using different resource units. (Item 12) The communication device according to any one of items 9 to 11, characterized in that the first communication method is a Co-OFDMA (Coordinated-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) method in Multi-AP communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 series of standards. (Item 13) the specific processing is processing for displaying a screen for receiving an instruction from a user to disconnect the connection between the external terminal device and the second communication means, When the control means receives the instruction while the screen is displayed, the control means performs control to disconnect the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device. 13. The communication device according to any one of items 9 to 12, (Item 14) The communication device described in any one of items 9 to 13, characterized in that the specific processing is processing to disconnect the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device even if an instruction to disconnect the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device is not received from the user. (Item 15) 15. The communication device according to any one of items 9 to 14, characterized in that when a predetermined communication is started by the second communication means in a first state in which the first communication means is connected to the external access point and communication is possible using the first communication method, the control means controls the first communication means to change to a second state in which communication with the external access point is possible using a communication method different from the first communication method. (Item 16) 1. A method performed in a communication device, comprising: a first communication step of communicating via an external access point by wireless LAN communication; a second communication step of directly communicating with an external terminal device via wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point; a control step of performing control so as to perform a specific process for disconnecting the connection with the external terminal device in the second communication step when establishing a connection with an external access point for which communication in a first communication method via a plurality of external access points has been enabled in the first communication step, while the connection with the external terminal device in the second communication step has been established; A method comprising: (Item 17) 1. A method performed in a communication device, comprising: a first communication step of communicating via an external access point by wireless LAN communication; a second communication step of directly communicating with an external terminal device via wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point; a control step of controlling to perform a specific process for disconnecting the connection with the external terminal device in the second communication step when starting to transmit or receive data that satisfies a predetermined condition in the first communication method, in a state in which a connection with the external terminal device has been established in the second communication step and a connection with the external access point for which communication in a first communication method via a plurality of external access points has been enabled in the first communication step; A method comprising: (Item 18) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device described in any one of items 1 to 8. (Item 19) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device described in any one of items 1 to 8. (Item 20) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device described in any one of items 9 to 15. (Item 21) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device described in any one of items 9 to 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 100 Communication device: 101 Mobile terminal device: 111, 112, 113 AP: 212, 412, 511 CPU

Claims

1. a first communication means for performing communication via an external access point by wireless LAN communication; a second communication means for directly communicating with an external terminal device via wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point; a control means for controlling the second communication means to perform a specific process for disconnecting the connection with the external terminal device when the first communication means establishes a connection with the external access point for which communication in a first communication method via a plurality of external access points is enabled, while the second communication means has established a connection with the external terminal device; A communication device comprising:

2. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the communication device so as not to perform the specific processing if a predetermined amount of communication or more is being performed by the second communication means, even when establishing a connection with the external access point for which communication using the first communication method is enabled.

3. The communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means controls the communication device to perform the specific processing based on the fact that the communication volume by the second communication means falls below a predetermined volume after establishing a connection with the external access point for which communication using the first communication method is enabled.

4. The communication device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first communication method is a communication method in which each of multiple access points belonging to a group to which the external access point connected by the first communication means belongs communicates with the communication device using different resource units.

5. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication method is a Co-OFDMA (Coordinated-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) method in Multi-AP communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards.

6. the specific process is a process of displaying a screen for receiving an instruction from a user to disconnect the connection between the external terminal device and the second communication means, When the control means receives the instruction while the screen is displayed, the control means performs control to disconnect the connection between the external terminal device and the second communication means.

2. The communication device according to claim 1.

7. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the specific processing is processing for disconnecting the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device without receiving an instruction from the user to disconnect the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device.

8. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that when a predetermined communication is started by the second communication means in a first state in which the first communication means is connected to the external access point and communication using the first communication method is possible, the control means controls the first communication means to change to a second state in which communication with the external access point is possible using a communication method different from the first communication method.

9. a first communication means for performing communication via an external access point by wireless LAN communication; a second communication means for directly communicating with an external terminal device via wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point; a control means for controlling the second communication means to perform a specific process for disconnecting the connection with the external terminal device when starting to transmit or receive data that satisfies a predetermined condition in the first communication method, in a state in which a connection with the external terminal device has been established by the second communication means and the connection with the external access point has been established and communication in a first communication method via a plurality of external access points by the first communication means is enabled; A communication device comprising:

10. 10. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of a plurality of conditions including transmitting or receiving data of a predetermined volume or more, and transmitting or receiving data of a predetermined type.

11. The communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first communication method is a communication method in which each of a plurality of access points belonging to a group to which the external access point connected by the first communication means belongs communicates with the communication device using different resource units.

12. 10. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein the first communication method is a Co-OFDMA (Coordinated-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) method in Multi-AP communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards.

13. the specific process is a process of displaying a screen for receiving an instruction from a user to disconnect the connection between the external terminal device and the second communication means, When the control means receives the instruction while the screen is displayed, the control means performs control to disconnect the connection between the external terminal device and the second communication means.

10. The communication device according to claim 9.

14. The communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that the specific processing is processing for disconnecting the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device even if an instruction to disconnect the connection between the second communication means and the external terminal device is not received from the user.

15. The communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that when a predetermined communication is started by the second communication means in a first state in which the first communication means is connected to the external access point and communication using the first communication method is possible, the control means controls the first communication means to change to a second state in which communication with the external access point is possible using a communication method different from the first communication method.

16. 1. A method performed in a communication device, comprising: a first communication step of communicating via an external access point by wireless LAN communication; a second communication step of directly communicating with an external terminal device via wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point; a control step of performing control so as to perform a specific process for disconnecting the connection with the external terminal device in the second communication step when establishing a connection with an external access point for which communication in a first communication method via a plurality of external access points has been enabled in the first communication step, while the connection with the external terminal device in the second communication step has been established; A method comprising:

17. 1. A method performed in a communication device, comprising: a first communication step of communicating via an external access point by wireless LAN communication; a second communication step of directly communicating with an external terminal device via wireless LAN communication without going through an external access point; a control step of controlling to perform a specific process for disconnecting the connection with the external terminal device in the second communication step when starting to transmit or receive data that satisfies a predetermined condition in the first communication method, in a state in which a connection with the external terminal device has been established in the second communication step and a connection with the external access point for which communication in a first communication method via a plurality of external access points has been enabled in the first communication step; A method comprising:

18. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

19. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

20. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

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