Communication devices, computer programs for communication devices, and application programs for terminal devices.

Abstract

To provide a technology for improving convenience for a user in establishing Wi-Fi connection according to DPP.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus may include: a DPP processing execution unit which executes DPP processing according to DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of Wi-Fi standard, the DPP processing comprising processing to receive an authentication request using a bootstrapping key of the communication apparatus, from a terminal device, processing to transmit an authentication response to the terminal device when receiving the authentication request from the terminal device, processing to receive, from the terminal device, first connection information after the authentication response is transmitted to the terminal device; a confirmation information transmission unit which transmits confirmation information to the terminal device when a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication apparatus and a first access point, the confirmation information being used by the terminal device for executing continuity check.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0001] This specification discloses a technique for establishing a wireless connection between a communication device and an access point.

Background Art

[0002] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between a device and an access point using a terminal device in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol). In particular, this technique discloses a technique for notifying the terminal device of the execution result of DPP.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This specification provides a technique for improving user convenience in a situation where a Wi-Fi connection is established in accordance with DPP.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This specification discloses a communication device. The communication device includes a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, and a DPP processing execution unit for performing DPP processing in accordance with the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of the Wi-Fi standard, wherein the DPP processing includes: receiving an authentication request from a terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the bootstrapping key of the communication device; sending an authentication response to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when the authentication request is received from the terminal device; and receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been sent to the terminal device, wherein the first connection information is the Wi-Fi input between the communication device and a first access point. The DPP processing execution unit includes the processing, which is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection via a interface; and the confirmation information transmission unit transmits confirmation information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, wherein the confirmation information is information used by the terminal device to perform a continuity check, which is to confirm whether or not Wi-Fi communication via the first access point is possible between the communication device and the terminal device.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the communication device sends confirmation information to the terminal device when a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point. As a result, the terminal device can use the confirmation information to perform a continuity check. This improves user convenience.

[0007] This specification also discloses an application program for a terminal device. The terminal device may include a Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, and a computer. The application program controls the computer to perform the following parts: a DPP processing execution unit for performing DPP processing in accordance with the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of the Wi-Fi standard, wherein the DPP processing includes: sending an authentication request using the bootstrapping key of the communication device to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface; receiving an authentication response from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface when the authentication request is sent to the communication device; and sending connection information to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been received from the communication device, wherein the connection information is used to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the access point via the Wi-Fi interface. The DPP processing execution unit may include the processing, which is information used by the device; the confirmation information receiving unit which receives confirmation information from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface when the first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the access point, wherein the confirmation information is information used by the terminal device to perform a continuity check, which is to confirm whether or not Wi-Fi communication is possible between the communication device and the terminal device via the access point; and the continuity check execution unit which performs the continuity check using the confirmation information when the confirmation information is received from the communication device.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the terminal device receives confirmation information from the communication device when a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the access point. As a result, the terminal device can use the confirmation information to perform a continuity check. This improves user convenience.

[0009] A computer-readable recording medium for storing a computer program for the above-mentioned communication device, and a method executed by the communication device, are also novel and useful. Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium for storing an application program for the above-mentioned terminal device, a terminal device implemented by the application program, and a method executed by the terminal device are also novel and useful. In addition, a communication system comprising the above-mentioned communication device and the above-mentioned terminal device is also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This shows the configuration of the communication system. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the sequence of processes performed by each device. [Figure 3] The sequence diagram for Case A of the first embodiment is shown. [Figure 4] The sequence diagram following Figure 3 is shown. [Figure 5] The sequence diagram for Case B of the first embodiment is shown. [Figure 6] The sequence diagram following Figure 5 is shown. [Figure 7] The sequence diagram for Case C of the first embodiment is shown. [Figure 8] The sequence diagram for Case D of the first embodiment is shown. [Figure 9] The sequence diagram for the second embodiment, case E, is shown. [Figure 10] The sequence diagram for the second embodiment, case F, is shown. [Figure 11] The sequence diagram for the second embodiment, case G, is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (First embodiment) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 2 comprises two APs (Access Points) 6a and 6b, a printer 10, and a terminal 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the terminal 100 is used to establish a wireless connection (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi connection") between the printer 10 and an AP (for example, AP6a) in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard.

[0012] When a Wi-Fi connection is established between terminal 100 and AP6a, and also between printer 10 and AP6a, terminal 100 and printer 10 can communicate with each other via AP6a. However, even if a Wi-Fi connection is established between each device 100 and AP6a, there may be cases where communication between terminal 100 and printer 10 via AP6a is not possible, for example, due to poor radio wave conditions for AP6a. Therefore, in this embodiment, a continuity check is performed to confirm whether or not communication between terminal 100 and printer 10 via AP6a is possible.

[0013] (Printer 10 configuration) The printer 10 is a peripheral device (for example, a peripheral device of terminal 100) capable of performing printing functions. In a modified example, the printer 10 may be a multi-function device capable of performing scanning functions, fax functions, etc., in addition to printing functions. The printer 10 comprises an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a Wi-Fi interface 16, a print execution unit 18, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (symbol omitted). Hereafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F".

[0014] The control unit 12 is equipped with multiple keys. By operating the control unit 12, the user can input various instructions to the printer 10. The display unit 14 is a display for showing various information. The display unit 14 is a touch panel and also functions as the control unit 12. The print execution unit 18 is equipped with a printing mechanism such as an inkjet or laser printer.

[0015] Wi-Fi I / F 16 is a wireless I / F for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard. The Wi-Fi standard is a wireless communication standard for performing wireless communication in accordance with, for example, the 802.11 standard of IEEE (abbreviation for The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) and standards conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, etc.). In particular, Wi-Fi I / F 16 supports DPP (abbreviation for Device Provisioning Protocol) formulated by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Details of DPP are described in the specification document " Wi-Fi Easy Connect Specification Version 2.0 " created by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

[0016] Wi-Fi I / F 16 further supports WFD (abbreviation for Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) formulated by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Details of WFD are described in the specification document "Wi-Fi Direct Specification Version 1.9" created by the Wi-Fi Alliance. In WFD, a Group Owner state (hereinafter referred to as "G / O state") is defined. The G / O state is a state of operating as a master station in a wireless connection established in accordance with WFD. Hereinafter, a Wi-Fi connection established in accordance with WFD is referred to as a "WFD connection".

[0017] Also, the printer 10 can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the AP 6 in accordance with a normal Wi-Fi method different from DPP and WFD (hereinafter, it may be described as "supporting a normal Wi-Fi method"). Specifically, in the normal Wi-Fi method, the printer 10 can establish a Wi-Fi connection with the AP by using the SSID (abbreviation for Service Set Identifier) and password of the wireless network formed by the AP (for example, AP 6a). Hereinafter, the password is referred to as "PW".

[0018] The Wi-Fi I / F16 is physically a single interface (i.e., a single IC chip). However, the Wi-Fi I / F16 is assigned two MAC addresses, MACpr1 and MACpr2. MAC address MACpr1 is the MAC address used for direct communication with the target device (i.e., communication without other devices). MAC address MACpr2 is the MAC address used for communication between the target device and other devices. MAC address MACpr1 is used, for example, in WFD. MACpr2 is used, for example, in DPP, the normal Wi-Fi method, etc. Therefore, the Wi-Fi I / F16 can simultaneously perform both WFD communication using MAC address MACpr1 and non-WFD communication using MAC address MACpr2. In a modified example, MAC address MACpr1 may be used in DPP in addition to WFD. In another modified example, MAC address MACpr1 may be used in the SoftAP method instead of WFD. The SoftAP method is a method in which the printer 10 acts as the base station (i.e., SoftAP) of the Wi-Fi network to establish a Wi-Fi connection with other devices (e.g., terminal 100).

[0019] The control unit 30 comprises a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to the program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.

[0020] Memory 34 also stores the public key PKpr, the MAC addresses MACpr1 and MACpr2 mentioned above, and the PIN code "1234". Although not shown in the diagram, memory 34 also stores the private key corresponding to the public key PKpr. The public key PKpr and the private key are used when performing authentication according to DPP. The PIN code "1234" is authentication information used when establishing a WFD connection with terminal 100.

[0021] A QR code (registered trademark) QR1, obtained by encoding the public key PKpr, MAC address MACpr2, and PIN code "1234", is affixed to the casing 50 of the printer 10. As will be described in detail later, when the QR code QR1 is scanned, various processes in accordance with DPP are executed between the printer 10 and the terminal 100. In a modified example, the QR code QR1 does not need to be affixed to the casing 50 of the printer 10. In this case, for example, the QR code QR1 may be displayed on the display unit 14 when the printer 10 is powered on, or when the printer 10 receives a predetermined operation or signal (for example, an operation (or signal) to start the process of establishing a Wi-Fi connection to the printer 10). Thus, the QR code QR1 affixed to the casing 50 of the printer 10 (or the QR code QR1 displayed on the display unit 14) is obtained by encoding information including the PIN code "1234". For this reason, the user can establish a WFD connection between the printer 10 and the terminal 100 by scanning the QR code QR1.

[0022] (Configuration of terminal 100) Terminal 100 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), PDA, or tablet PC. In a modified example, terminal 100 may be a stationary PC, notebook PC, or the like. Terminal 100 comprises an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a Wi-Fi interface 116, a camera 118, and a control unit 130. Each unit 112 to 130 is connected to a bus line (symbols omitted).

[0023] The operation unit 112 is an interface for inputting various instructions to the terminal 100. The display unit 114 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 114 is a so-called touch panel and also functions as the operation unit 112. The camera 118 is a device for photographing objects. In this embodiment, the camera 118 is used to photograph the QR code of AP6a and the QR code of printer 10. The Wi-Fi interface 116 is the same as the Wi-Fi interface 16 of printer 10. That is, the Wi-Fi interface 116 supports DPP, WFD, and the normal Wi-Fi method.

[0024] The control unit 130 comprises a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The CPU 132 executes various processes according to programs 136 and 138 stored in the memory 134. The memory 134 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.

[0025] The OS (Operating System) program 136 is a program that enables the basic operation of terminal 100. The application 138 is a program that establishes a Wi-Fi connection between terminal 100 and AP (e.g., AP6a), and between printer 10 and AP. Hereafter, the OS program and the application will be referred to as "OS" and "app," respectively. The app 138 is installed on terminal 100 from, for example, a server on the Internet provided by the vendor of printer 10 (not shown) or a server on the Internet provided by the vendor of OS 136 (not shown).

[0026] Furthermore, application 138 can cause OS 136 to execute various processes or cause other applications to execute various processes via OS 136 by supplying instructions to OS 136. Therefore, each process executed by OS 136 or other applications in response to instructions from application 138 can be said to be a process implemented by application 138 (i.e., the CPU 132 functions as the execution unit that executes the said process).

[0027] (Configuration of AP6a and 6b) AP6a is not a WFD G / O device, but a regular AP called a wireless access point or wireless LAN router. AP6a supports both DPP and standard Wi-Fi methods. AP6a relays communication between a pair of devices belonging to a Wi-Fi network on which AP6a acts as the master station. AP6a remembers the SSID "S1" that identifies the Wi-Fi network. AP6a supports DPP.

[0028] Although not shown in the diagram, AP6a stores its public key PKApa, the private key corresponding to the public key PKApa, and the MAC address of AP6a's Wi-Fi interface (not shown). A QR code, obtained by encoding information including the public key PKApa and AP6a's MAC address, is affixed to the AP6a's casing.

[0029] AP6b has the same configuration as AP6a, except that various pieces of information (SSID, public key, etc.) are different.

[0030] (Establishment of a Wi-Fi connection between terminal 100 and AP6a according to the DPP method; Figure 2) Next, referring to Figure 2, the process for establishing a Wi-Fi connection between terminal 100 and AP6a according to DPP will be explained. In the following explanation of Figure 2, for ease of understanding, the operations performed by the CPU of each device (e.g., CPU 32, 132, etc.) will be described from the perspective of each device (e.g., printer 10, terminal 100, etc.) rather than from the perspective of the CPU. Also, all communication performed by printer 10 and terminal 100 is performed via Wi-Fi I / F 16, etc. Therefore, in the following explanation of communication, the phrase "via Wi-Fi I / F" will be omitted. The same applies to the explanations of Figures 3 to 11.

[0031] Terminal 100 accepts a user command to launch application 138 in T10. As a result, application 138 is launched, and camera 118 is activated.

[0032] At T12, terminal 100 receives an operation from the user to photograph the QR code attached to the AP6a's casing using camera 118. In this case, at T14, terminal 100 decodes the photographed QR code to obtain the public key PKapa and the AP6a's MAC address. The processes at T12 and T14 correspond to DPP's Bootstrapping.

[0033] When terminal 100 obtains the public key PKapa and MAC address at T14, it sends an Authentication Request using the public key PKapa to AP6a at T20, with the MAC address as the destination. Hereafter, Authentication will be referred to as "Auth" and Request as "Req".

[0034] The Auth Req is a signal requesting authentication from the sending terminal 100. Specifically, terminal 100 first generates a shared key using terminal 100's private key (not shown) and AP6a's public key PKapa, ​​and then generates encrypted data by encrypting a random value using the shared key. Then, terminal 100 sends the Auth Req to AP6a, which includes terminal 100's public key (not shown), the encrypted data, and terminal 100's Capability. Terminal 100's Capability includes a value indicating that it can only operate as a DPP Configurator.

[0035] When AP6a receives an Auth Request from terminal 100 at T20, it performs authentication of the encrypted data contained in the Auth Request at T21. Specifically, AP6a generates a shared key using the public key of terminal 100 and AP6a's private key contained in the Auth Request, and uses the shared key to decrypt the encrypted data. If the decryption of the encrypted data is successful, AP6a determines that authentication has been successful and proceeds with processing from T22 onwards.

[0036] AP6a sends an Auth Response, including AP6a's Capability, to terminal 100 at T22. Hereafter, the Response will be referred to as "Res". AP6a's Capability includes a value indicating that it can operate only as a DPP Enrollee.

[0037] When terminal 100 receives an Auth Res from AP6a at T22, it determines that there is no conflict between AP6a's Capability (i.e., Enrollee) included in the Auth Res and terminal 100's own Capability (i.e., Configurator). Then, at T23, terminal 100 sends an Auth Confirm to AP6a. The Auth Confirm contains information indicating that terminal 100 will act as a Configurator and AP6a will act as an Enrollee. As a result, at T24, terminal 100 decides to act as a Configurator. The Configurator is a device that is responsible for sending the Configuration Object (hereinafter referred to as "CO") to the Enrollee.

[0038] Furthermore, at T26, AP6a decides to act as the Enrollee. The Enrollee is the device responsible for receiving the CO from the Configurator. The processing from T20 to T26 corresponds to DPP authentication.

[0039] AP6a sends a Configuration Request to terminal 100 at T30. Hereafter, Configuration will be referred to as "Config". The Config Request is a signal requesting the transmission of a CO.

[0040] When terminal 100 receives a Config Request from AP6a at T30, it generates an AP-specific CO. Specifically, terminal 100 first generates an AP-specific Signed Connector (hereinafter referred to as "SC"), which is information that AP6a should use to establish a Wi-Fi connection. The AP-specific SC includes, for example, a group ID, which is an identifier that identifies the wireless network. Then, terminal 100 generates an AP-specific CO including the AP-specific SC, and at T32, sends a Config Request including the AP-specific CO to AP6a.

[0041] When AP6a receives a Config Res from terminal 100 at T32, it sends a Config Result to terminal 100 at T34. The Config Result contains information indicating that the configuration was successful. The processes from T30 to T34 correspond to the DPP configuration. Hereafter, the DPP bootstrapping, authentication, and configuration may be collectively referred to as "DPP processing".

[0042] Next, terminal 100 generates a terminal SC, which is information to be used by terminal 100 to establish a Wi-Fi connection. The terminal SC contains the same group ID as the AP SC. Then, terminal 100 sends a Discovery Request containing the terminal SC to AP6a at T40. The Discovery Request is a signal requesting the other party to send their SC.

[0043] When AP6a receives a Discovery Request from terminal 100 at T40, it uses the AP SC to authenticate the terminal SC included in the Discovery Request. If the authentication of the terminal SC is successful, AP6a generates a connection key. Then, at T42, AP6 sends the Discovery Request, including the AP SC, to terminal 100.

[0044] When terminal 100 receives Discovery Res from AP6a at T42, it uses its terminal SC to authenticate the AP SC included in Discovery Res. If the authentication of the AP SC is successful, terminal 100 generates a connection key. The connection key generated here is the same as the connection key generated by AP6a. In other words, the connection key is shared between terminal 100 and AP6a. The processing at T40 and T42 corresponds to DPP-based Network Access.

[0045] Next, terminal 100 uses a connection key to perform a 4-way handshake with AP6a. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between terminal 100 and AP6a in T50. This forms a wireless network in which AP6a acts as the master station, and terminal 100 belongs to this wireless network as a slave station.

[0046] (Case A; Figures 3 and 4) Next, referring to Figures 3 and 4, we will explain Case A, in which a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and AP6a. Case A is a case in which the continuity check is successful after the Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and AP6a. In the initial state shown in Figure 3, various processes according to DPP (see Figure 2) have already been performed between terminal 100 and AP6a. Also, as mentioned above, a QR code QR1 is attached to the casing 50 of the printer 10.

[0047] In T100, when the user performs the operation to turn on the power of the printer 10, in T102, the power of the printer 10 is turned on. In this case, in T104, the printer 10 displays the QR code QR1 on the display unit 14. This QR code QR1 is the same as the QR code QR1 affixed to the casing 50 of the printer 10. In the modified example, the process in T104 can be omitted.

[0048] Terminal 100 accepts an operation from the user at T110 to take a picture of QR code QR1 (i.e., the QR code attached to the casing 50 of printer 10, or the QR code already displayed at T104) with camera 118. In this case, terminal 100 decodes QR code QR1 at T112 to obtain the public key PKpr, MAC address MACpr, and PIN code "1234".

[0049] The processing of T120 to T134 is the same as the processing of T20 to T34 in Figure 2, except that the various communications are performed between the printer 10 and the terminal 100, and the information used in the various communications (e.g., the public key PKpr and MAC address MACpr) is different. In T132, the printer CO is communicated instead of the AP CO. Furthermore, the processing of T140 to T150 is the same as the processing of T40 to T50 in Figure 2, except that the various communications are performed between the printer 10 and AP6a, and the information used in the various communications (e.g., the printer SC) is different. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and AP6a.

[0050] When a Wi-Fi connection is established between printer 10 and AP6a, printer 10 is assigned the IP address IPpr by AP6a. Printer 10 receives the IP address IPpr from AP6a at T152 and stores the received IP address IPpr at T154.

[0051] Printer 10 sends a Status Query Result (hereinafter referred to as "Result") to terminal 100 at T156. The Result includes information indicating that a Wi-Fi connection has been established between printer 10 and AP6a.

[0052] (Continuation of Figure 3; Figure 4) When a Wi-Fi connection is established at T150 in Figure 3, printer 10 transitions to the G / O state at T160 in Figure 4. In the Wi-Fi network formed by printer 10 operating in the G / O state, the IP address IPpr (see T152 and T154 in Figure 3), which is assigned to printer 10, is used as the SSID.

[0053] When terminal 100 receives a Result from printer 10 at T156 in Figure 3, it broadcasts a Probe Req at T162 in Figure 4. The Probe Req is a signal for searching for devices present in the vicinity of terminal 100.

[0054] When printer 10 receives a Probe Request from terminal 100 at T162, it sends a Probe Res to terminal 100 at T164. The Probe Res includes the SSID "IPpr". In this way, printer 10 can send the IP address IPpr assigned by AP6a to terminal 100.

[0055] When terminal 100 receives Probe Res from printer 10 at T162, terminal 100 sends a continuity check signal at T166 that includes the IP address IPpr, which matches the received SSID "IPpr", as the destination address. As a result, the continuity check signal is sent from terminal 100 to printer 10 via AP6a.

[0056] At T166, printer 10 receives a continuity confirmation signal from terminal 100 via AP6a. In this case, at T168, printer 10 sends a continuity OK signal to terminal 100 via AP6a, indicating that the continuity confirmation signal has been received.

[0057] Terminal 100 receives a continuity OK signal from printer 10 via AP6a at T168. In this case, terminal 100 displays notification screen SC1 on display unit 114 at T170. Notification screen SC1 includes a message indicating that communication with printer 10 via AP6a was successful. By viewing notification screen SC1, the user can recognize that terminal 100 and printer 10 can communicate with each other via AP6a.

[0058] Furthermore, if, after the printer 10 sends a continuity OK signal to the terminal 100 at T168, a predetermined time elapses without receiving a WFD connection establishment request from the terminal 100, the printer 10 stops the G / O state (i.e., the state in which it operates as the master station of the Wi-Fi network) at T172. As a result, the printer 10 transitions to a state in which it does not operate as the master station of the Wi-Fi network, and the Wi-Fi network formed by the printer 10 disappears. This reduces the processing load on the printer 10.

[0059] (Case B; Figures 5 and 6) Next, referring to Figures 5 and 6, we will explain Case B, in which a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and the AP6a. In Case B, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and the AP6a, but the continuity check fails. Figure 5 is a continuation of Figure 3. That is, in the initial state of Figure 5, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and the AP6a.

[0060] The processing of T260 to T264 is the same as the processing of T160 to T164 in Figure 4. In T266, terminal 100 sends a continuity confirmation signal to printer 10 that includes the IP address IPpr as the destination address. However, in this case, due to the poor radio environment of AP6a, AP6a does not receive the continuity confirmation signal. As a result, printer 10 does not receive a continuity confirmation signal from terminal 100.

[0061] Printer 10 does not receive a continuity check signal from terminal 100, and therefore does not send a continuity OK signal. Consequently, terminal 100 does not receive a continuity OK signal from printer 10. If terminal 100 does not receive a continuity OK signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the continuity check signal, it determines that the continuity check has failed and executes the process from T270 onwards. As a variation, it is conceivable that the continuity check signal is properly sent from terminal 100 to printer 10, but the continuity OK signal is not sent from printer 10 to terminal 100 due to poor radio wave conditions of AP6a. In this case as well, terminal 100 determines that the continuity check has failed and executes the process from T270 onwards.

[0062] Terminal 100 sends a WFD connection establishment request to printer 10 at T270 using the acquired PIN code "1234" (see T112 in Figure 3). As a result, a WFD connection is established between terminal 100 and printer 10 at T272. With this WFD connection, terminal 100 and printer 10 can then use it to send queries and receive responses, as described later.

[0063] Terminal 100, using the established WFD connection at T274, sends an inquiry to printer 10. This inquiry is a signal requesting printer 10 to send a response regarding continuity confirmation.

[0064] When printer 10 receives an inquiry from terminal 100 at T274, it sends a response to the inquiry to terminal 100 at T276 using the WFD connection. In this case, since printer 10 has not received the continuity confirmation signal, the response includes information indicating that the continuity confirmation signal has not been received. In this way, terminal 100 can send an inquiry and receive a response using the WFD connection when the continuity confirmation fails. In the above modified example where AP6a does not receive the continuity OK signal from printer 10, the response includes information indicating that the continuity confirmation signal has been received and the continuity OK signal has been sent. Furthermore, as will be described in more detail later, if there is a problem with the Wi-Fi I / F 16 of printer 10, the response will also include information indicating the problem with the Wi-Fi I / F 16.

[0065] When terminal 100 receives a response from printer 10 at T276, it analyzes the information in the response. In this case, the response includes information indicating that the continuity confirmation signal has not been received, but does not include information indicating a malfunction of the Wi-Fi I / F 16. Therefore, terminal 100 determines that the inability to perform Wi-Fi communication between printer 10 and terminal 100 via AP6a is due to AP6a. In this case, terminal 100 displays notification screen SC2 on display unit 114 at T278. Notification screen SC2 includes a message indicating that communication with printer 10 via AP6a has failed, and a message indicating a method for connecting to another AP (e.g., AP6b). By viewing notification screen SC2, the user can learn the countermeasures for performing Wi-Fi communication with printer 10 (i.e., connecting to another AP).

[0066] (Continuation of Figure 5; Figure 6) At T280 in Figure 6, terminal 100 receives input from the user for AP6b's SSID "S2" and PW "P2". In this case, terminal 100 first disconnects the Wi-Fi connection with AP6a at T282. Next, at T284, terminal 100 sends a Wi-Fi connection establishment request to AP6b using SSID "S2" and PW "P2". As a result, at T286, a Wi-Fi connection is established between terminal 100 and AP6b. Then, at T290, terminal 100 uses a WFD connection (see T272 in Figure 5) to send SSID "S2" and PW "P2" to printer 10.

[0067] When printer 10 receives the SSID "S2" and PW "P2" from terminal 100 at T290, it sends a Wi-Fi connection establishment request including the SSID "S2" and PW "P2" to AP6b at T292. As a result, a Wi-Fi connection is established between terminal 100 and AP6b at T294. Consequently, both terminal 100 and printer 10 belong to the Wi-Fi network formed by AP6b. Therefore, terminal 100 and printer 10 can communicate with each other via AP6b.

[0068] When printer 10 establishes a Wi-Fi connection with AP6b at T294, it sends an establishment notification to terminal 100 at T296 using WFD connection to indicate that a Wi-Fi connection with AP6b has been established. Although not shown in the diagram, when a Wi-Fi connection is established between printer 10 and AP6b at T294, printer 10 is assigned an IP address by AP6b. The establishment notification may include this IP address. Terminal 100 may then use this IP address to perform a continuity check (i.e., the same process as T166 and T168 in Figure 4).

[0069] When terminal 100 receives an establishment notification from printer 10 at T296, it sends a G / O stop command to printer 10 at T298 using the WFD connection. As a result, printer 10 stops the G / O state at T299. Consequently, the Wi-Fi network formed by printer 10 disappears. Therefore, the processing load on printer 10 can be reduced.

[0070] (Case C; Figure 7) Next, we will explain Case C with reference to Figure 7. In Case C, the reason for the failure of the continuity check is different from that in Case B. Specifically, in Case C, the continuity check fails due to a malfunction in the Wi-Fi I / F 16 of the printer 10. Figure 7 is a continuation of Figure 3. That is, in the initial state of Figure 7, a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and AP6a. The processing of T360 to T374 is the same as the processing of T260 to T274 in Figure 5.

[0071] When printer 10 receives an inquiry from terminal 100 at T374, it sends a response to the inquiry to terminal 100 at T376 using the WFD connection. In this case, since printer 10 has not received the continuity confirmation signal, the response includes information indicating that the continuity confirmation signal has not been received. Furthermore, since there is a malfunction in printer 10's Wi-Fi I / F 16, the response also includes information indicating the malfunction of the Wi-Fi I / F 16. In the modified version, the response may include only information indicating the malfunction of the Wi-Fi I / F 16. The processing at T380 and T382 is the same as the processing at T298 and T299 in Figure 6.

[0072] Furthermore, when terminal 100 receives a response from printer 10 at T376, it analyzes the information in the response. In this case, the response includes information indicating a malfunction in the Wi-Fi I / F 16. Therefore, terminal 100 determines that the inability to perform Wi-Fi communication between printer 10 and terminal 100 via AP6a is due to the printer 10's Wi-Fi I / F 16. In this case, terminal 100 displays notification screen SC3 on display unit 114 at T384. Notification screen SC3 includes a message indicating that communication with printer 10 via AP6a has failed, and a message indicating that the user should contact the support center. By viewing notification screen SC3, the user can learn what measures to take to perform Wi-Fi communication with printer 10 (i.e., that they should contact the support center).

[0073] (Case D; Figure 8) Next, we will explain Case D with reference to Figure 8. Case D is a case in which the DPP processing between terminal 100 and printer 10 fails. The initial state in Figure 8 is the same as the initial state in Figure 3. The processing of T400 to T421 is the same as the processing of T100 to T121 in Figure 3.

[0074] Terminal 100 sends an Auth Request to printer 10 at T420, which contains a value indicating that terminal 100 can operate only as a DPP Configurator (see T20 in Figure 2). In this case, printer 10 can also operate only as a Configurator. Therefore, printer 10 determines that there is a role conflict between printer 10 and terminal 100, and sends an Auth Request to terminal 100 at T422, which contains the code "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE". This code indicates a role conflict. In other words, in this case, the DPP processing between terminal 100 and printer 10 fails due to a failure in role assignment between terminal 100 and printer 10.

[0075] When printer 10 sends an Auth Res to terminal 100 at T422 (i.e., when the DPP process fails), it transitions to the G / O state at T430. In the Wi-Fi network formed by printer 10 operating in the G / O state, a string matching the above code "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE" is used as the SSID.

[0076] When terminal 100 receives an Auth Res from printer 10 at T422 (i.e., when the DPP process fails), it broadcasts a Probe Req at T432.

[0077] When printer 10 receives a Probe Request from terminal 100 at T432, it sends a Probe Res to terminal 100 at T434. The Probe Res includes the SSID "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE". In this way, printer 10 sends a Probe Res containing the code "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE" to terminal 100, so it can send information to terminal 100 indicating that the DPP process failed.

[0078] Furthermore, when terminal 100 receives a Probe Res from printer 10 at T434, it sends a G / O stop instruction to printer 10 at T436. As a result, printer 10 stops the G / O state at T438. Consequently, the Wi-Fi network formed by printer 10 disappears. Therefore, the processing load on printer 10 can be reduced.

[0079] Furthermore, when terminal 100 receives Probe Res from printer 10 at T434, it displays notification screen SC4 on display unit 114 at T440. Notification screen SC4 includes a message indicating that the DPP process with printer 10 failed, and the code "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE" included in the Probe Res. By viewing notification screen SC4, the user can learn that the DPP process with printer 10 failed and the reason for it (i.e., a role conflict).

[0080] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the above configuration, when a Wi-Fi connection is established between printer 10 and AP6a (see T150 in Figure 3), printer 10 sends a Probe Res to terminal 100 that includes the printer's IP address IPpr as the SSID (T164 in Figure 4). As a result, terminal 100 can perform a connectivity check using the IP address IPpr. This improves user convenience.

[0081] (Correspondence) Printer 10, terminal 100, AP6a, and AP6b are examples of "communication device," "terminal device," "first access point (and access point)," and "second access point," respectively. The display unit 14 of printer 10 is an example of an "output unit." Wi-Fi I / F 16 and Wi-Fi I / F 116 are examples of the "Wi-Fi interface" of the "communication device" and the "Wi-Fi interface" of the "terminal device," respectively. The public key PKpr and PIN code "1234" of printer 10 are examples of "bootstrapping key" and "authentication information," respectively. QR code QR1 is an example of "output information (and code image)."

[0082] Auth Req and Auth Res are examples of "authentication request" and "authentication response," respectively. Probe Req and Probe Res are examples of "probe request" and "probe response," respectively. The printer CO, AP6b's SSID "S2" and PW "P2" are examples of "first connection information" and "second connection information," respectively. The IP address IPpr is an example of "confirmation information." The code "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE" is an example of "error information." The G / O state and the state of not operating as a master station of the Wi-Fi network are examples of "master station state" and "non-master station state," respectively. The SSID used when printer 10 operates in the G / O state is an example of "network identification information." The Wi-Fi connection established at T150 in Figure 3 and the WFD connection established at T272 in Figure 5 are examples of "first Wi-Fi connection" and "second Wi-Fi connection," respectively. The WFD connection establishment request at T270 in Figure 5 is an example of an "establishment request." The G / O stop instruction sent by T298 in Figure 6 is an example of a "master station stop instruction." The message included in the notification screen SC2, which shows how to connect to another AP (e.g., AP6b), is an example of "countermeasure information."

[0083] The process at T104 in Figure 3 is an example of a process executed by the "output control unit" of the "communication device". The processes at T120 to T132 in Figure 3 are examples of processes executed by the "DPP processing execution unit" of the "communication device". In particular, the processes at T120, T122, and T132 are examples of the "process for receiving an authentication request", the "process for sending an authentication response to the terminal device", and the "process for receiving the first connection information", respectively, which are executed by the "communication device". The processes at T160 in Figure 4 (and T430 in Figure 8), T164, and T172 are examples of processes executed by the "first state transition unit", "confirmation information transmission unit", and "second state transition unit" of the "communication device", respectively. The processes at T270, T272, T274, and T276 in Figure 5 are examples of processes executed by the "first establishment request receiving unit", "establishment unit", "inquiry receiving unit", and "response transmission unit" of the "communication device", respectively. The processes T282 and T299 in Figure 6 are examples of processes executed by the "connection information receiving unit" and the "third state transition unit" of the "communication device," respectively. The process T434 in Figure 8 is an example of a process executed by the "error information transmission unit" of the "communication device."

[0084] The processes T120 to T132 in Figure 3 are examples of processes executed by the "DPP processing execution unit" of the "application program". In particular, processes T120, T122, and T132 are examples of processes executed by the "application program" such as "processing to send an authentication request to the communication device", "processing to receive an authentication response", and "processing to send first connection information to the communication device". Processes T162, T164, T166, and T168 in Figure 4 are examples of processes executed by the "probe request transmission unit", "confirmation information reception unit", and "continuity confirmation execution unit" of the "application program". Processes T270, T272, T274, T276, and T278 in Figure 5 are examples of processes executed by the "first establishment request transmission unit", "establishment unit", "query transmission unit", "response reception unit", and "display control unit" of the "application program".

[0085] (Second example) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the method of transmitting the IP address IPpr (or code "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE") of the printer 10 to the terminal 100. Also, in the second embodiment, the QR code affixed to the casing 50 of the printer 10 is QR code QR2. QR code QR2 is a code image obtained by encoding various information contained in QR code QR1 (i.e., the public key PKpr, MAC address MACpr2, and PIN code "1234") and a predetermined SSID "S3". SSID "S3" is the SSID used in the Wi-Fi network formed by the printer 10 operating in the G / O state.

[0086] (Case E; Figure 9) First, let's explain Case E, referring to Figure 9. Case E is a case where the continuity check is successful. Figure 9 is a continuation of Figure 3. That is, in the initial state of Figure 9, a Wi-Fi connection is established between printer 10 and AP6a. Note that in T104 of Figure 3, which precedes Figure 9, QR code QR2 is displayed instead of QR code QR1.

[0087] The processing for T560 to T564 is the same as that for T160 to T164 in Figure 4, except that the SSID used is "S3". The processing for T570 and T572 is the same as that for T270 and T272 in Figure 5.

[0088] Terminal 100, using WFD connection on T574, sends a DPP success / failure confirmation to printer 10.

[0089] When printer 10 receives a DPP success / failure confirmation from terminal 100 at T574, it determines that the DPP process between terminal 100 and printer 10 has been successful. Therefore, at T576, printer 10 uses the WFD connection to send a signal to terminal 100 indicating that the DPP process was successful. This signal includes the IP address IPpr of printer 10. In this way, printer 10 can send the IP address IPpr assigned by AP6a to terminal 100.

[0090] When terminal 100 receives a signal containing the IP address IPpr from printer 10 at T576, it sends a continuity confirmation signal at T580 that includes the received IP address IPpr as the destination address. The processing at T580 and T582 is the same as the processing at T166 and T168 in Figure 4. The processing at T584 and T586 is the same as the processing at T298 and T299 in Figure 6. Also, the processing at T588 is the same as the processing at T170 in Figure 4. Similar to Case A of the First Embodiment, the user can recognize that terminal 100 and printer 10 can communicate with each other via AP6a by viewing the notification screen SC1.

[0091] (Case F; Figure 10) Next, we will explain Case F with reference to Figure 10. Case F is a case in which a Wi-Fi connection is established between printer 10 and AP6a, but the continuity check fails. The initial state in Figure 10 is the same as the initial state in Figure 9. In Case F, first, the same process as T560~T576 in Figure 9 is executed.

[0092] Terminal 100, using T678, sends a continuity check signal to printer 10, including the printer's IP address IPpr as the destination address. However, in this case, due to poor radio wave conditions at AP6a, AP6a does not receive the continuity check signal. As a result, printer 10 does not receive the continuity check signal from terminal 100. In other words, in this case, terminal 100 determines that the continuity check has failed because it has not received a continuity OK signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the continuity check signal.

[0093] The processing of T684 to T688 is the same as the processing of T274 to T278 in Figure 5. As a result, the user can learn the necessary steps to perform Wi-Fi communication with the printer 10 (i.e., connect to another AP) by viewing the notification screen SC2. Subsequently, the same processing as in Figure 6 is performed, and the terminal 100 and the printer 10 can communicate with each other via AP6b.

[0094] (Case G; Figure 11) Next, we will explain Case G with reference to Figure 11. Case G is a case in which the DPP processing between terminal 100 and printer 10 fails. The initial state in Figure 11 is the same as the initial state in Figure 8, except that the QR code attached to the casing of printer 10 is QR2.

[0095] In case G, the same process as T400-T422 in Figure 8 is performed first. That is, in case G as well, the DPP process between terminal 100 and printer 10 fails. The process of T760-T764 is the same as the process of T430-T434 in Figure 8, except that the SSID used is "S3". The process of T770-T774 is the same as the process of T570-T574 in Figure 9.

[0096] When printer 10 receives a DPP success / failure confirmation from terminal 100 at T774, it determines that the DPP process between terminal 100 and printer 10 has failed (see Figure 8). Therefore, at T776, printer 10 uses the established WFD connection to send a signal to terminal 100 indicating that the DPP process has failed. This signal includes the code "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE" (see T422 in Figure 8). In this way, printer 10 can send information to terminal 100 indicating that the DPP process has failed. The processing at T778-T780 is the same as the processing at T436-T440 in Figure 8. In this case as well, the user can learn that the DPP process with printer 10 has failed and the reason for it (i.e., a role conflict) by viewing the notification screen SC4.

[0097] (Effects of the second embodiment) According to the above configuration, when a Wi-Fi connection is established between the printer 10 and AP6a (see T150 in Figure 3), the printer 10 sends a signal including the printer's IP address IPpr to the terminal 100 (T576 in Figure 9). As a result, the terminal 100 can use the IP address IPpr to perform a continuity check. This improves user convenience.

[0098] (Correspondence) The processes T560, T570, T572 (and T772 in Figure 11), T576, and T586 in Figure 9 are examples of processes executed by the "first state transition unit," "second establishment request receiving unit," "establishment unit," "confirmation information transmission unit," and "third state transition unit" of the "communication device," respectively. The processes T684 and T686 in Figure 10 are examples of processes executed by the "inquiry receiving unit" and "response transmission unit" of the "communication device," respectively. The processes T760, T770, and T776 in Figure 11 are examples of processes executed by the "fourth state transition unit," "third establishment request receiving unit," and "error information transmission unit," respectively.

[0099] The processes T570, T572, T574, T580, and T582 in Figure 9 are examples of processes executed by the "Second Establishment Request Transmission Unit," "Establishment Unit," "Confirmation Information Reception Unit," and "Continuity Confirmation Execution Unit" of the "Application Program," respectively. The processes T684, T686, and T688 in Figure 10 are examples of processes executed by the "Query Transmission Unit," "Response Reception Unit," and "Display Control Unit" of the "Application Program," respectively.

[0100] The specific examples of the technology disclosed herein have been described in detail above, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0101] (Modification 1) At T160 in Figure 4, the printer 10 transitions to the G / O state, and in the Wi-Fi network formed by the printer 10 operating in the G / O state, the printer 10's UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) ​​may be used as the SSID. In this case, the printer 10 may send a Probe Res containing the UUID to the terminal 100 at T164. The terminal 100 may then perform a continuity check using the UUID. In this modification, the printer 10's UUID is an example of "confirmation information".

[0102] (Modification 2) The timing at which the process T160 in Figure 4 is executed is not limited to the embodiment. For example, the printer 10 may transition to the G / O state before sending the Status Query Result to the terminal 100 (see T156 in Figure 3). That is, the timing at which the process T160 is executed is after the printer 10 has stored the IP address IPpr (i.e., after T154 in Figure 3). Also, the timing at which the process T560 in Figure 9 is executed is after a Wi-Fi connection has been established between the printer 10 and AP6a (i.e., after T150 in Figure 3).

[0103] (Modification 3) Instead of transitioning to the G / O state in T160, the printer 10 may start SoftAP. In this case, the IP address IPpr assigned to the printer 10 may be used as the SSID to identify the wireless network formed by SoftAP.

[0104] (Modification 4) Terminal 100 can omit the processing from T270 onwards in Figure 5. That is, terminal 100 does not need to send an inquiry to printer 10 if the continuity check fails. In this case, terminal 100 may display a screen on display unit 14 that contains only a message indicating that communication with printer 10 via AP6a has failed. In this modification, the "inquiry receiving unit," "response sending unit," and "connection information receiving unit" of the "communication device" can be omitted, and the "inquiry sending unit," "response receiving unit," and "display control unit" of the "application program" can be omitted.

[0105] (Modification 5) Terminal 100 can omit the processing of T298 and T299 in Figure 6. In this modification, the "third state transition unit" of the "communication device" can be omitted. In another modification, instead of processing T298, the printer 10 may execute processing T299 when it directly receives a G / O stop instruction from the user via the printer 10's operation unit 12.

[0106] (Modification 6) The printer 10 may have the print execution unit 18 print the QR code QR1 at T104 in Figure 3. In this modification, the print execution unit 18 is an example of an "output unit," and the printing of the QR code QR1 is an example of a process performed by the "output control unit" of the "communication device." In another modification, the printer 10 may supply the public key PKpr, MAC address MACpr2, and PIN code to the NFC (Near Field Communication) I / F (not shown) at T104. In this case, as the terminal 100 is brought closer to the printer 10, the terminal 100 may obtain information such as the public key PKpr via NFC communication. In this modification, various information such as the public key PKpr is an example of "output information," the NFCI / F is an example of an "output unit," and the supply of the public key PKpr and other information to the NFCI / F is an example of a process performed by the "output control unit" of the "communication device." In another modified example, the printer 10 may supply the public key PKpr, MAC address MACpr2, and PIN code to the BT (Bluetooth®) I / F (not shown) at T104. In this case, the terminal 100 may obtain information such as the public key PKpr via BT communication. In this modified example, the BTI / F is an example of an "output unit," and the supply of the public key PKpr and other information to the BTI / F is an example of processing performed by the "output control unit" of the "communication device."

[0107] (Modification 7) QR code QR1 may be a code image obtained by encoding information that does not include the PIN code "1234". In this case, the user may obtain the PIN code "1234" by a means other than photographing QR code QR1 from the printer 10. In another modification, the PIN code "1234" may not be used to establish a WFD connection between terminal 100 and printer 10. In this case, printer 10 may not need to store the PIN code "1234".

[0108] (Modification 8) Terminal 100 and printer 10 can omit the processing from T430 onwards in Figure 8. In this modification, the "error information transmission unit" of the "communication device" can be omitted. In addition, in the above embodiment, the code "STATUS_NOT_COMPATIBLE" was sent in response to a failure in role assignment during DPP processing, but if DPP processing fails for other reasons, printer 10 may send a code indicating the cause to terminal 100. In this modification, the code indicating the cause is an example of "error information".

[0109] (Modification 9) In the above embodiment, each process in Figures 2 to 11 was implemented by software such as program 36, but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0110] The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself. The following items are elements described in the claims at the time of filing the patent application. (Item 1) A communication device, A Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with Wi-Fi standards, A DPP processing execution unit that performs DPP processing in accordance with the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of the Wi-Fi standard, The aforementioned DPP processing is The process of receiving an authentication request from a terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the bootstrapping key of the communication device, When the authentication request is received from the terminal device, the process includes sending an authentication response to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface. The process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been transmitted to the terminal device, wherein the first connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the first access point via the Wi-Fi interface, and the process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been transmitted to the terminal device wherein the first connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the first access point via the Wi-Fi interface, The DPP processing execution unit includes, A confirmation information transmission unit transmits confirmation information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, wherein the confirmation information is information used by the terminal device to perform a continuity check, which is to confirm whether or not Wi-Fi communication via the first access point is possible between the communication device and the terminal device, A communication device equipped with the following features. (Item 2) The aforementioned communication device further, A first state transition unit, which, when a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, transitions the state of the communication device from a non-master state where the communication device does not operate as the master station of the wireless network to a master state where the communication device operates as the master station of the wireless network, wherein the network identification information that identifies the wireless network includes the confirmation information, the first state transition unit comprises The communication device according to item 1, wherein the confirmation information transmission unit transmits the confirmation information to the terminal device by transmitting a Probe response including the network identification information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when a Probe request is received from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface. (Item 3) The aforementioned communication device further, If the continuity check fails in the terminal device, a first establishment request receiving unit receives an establishment request from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, The communication device according to item 2, further comprising an establishment unit that, when the establishment request is received from the terminal device, establishes a second Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, thereby allowing the terminal device to participate in the wireless network as a slave station. (Item 4) The continuity check includes the transmission of a continuity check signal from the terminal device to the communication device via the first access point. The aforementioned communication device further, The communication device according to item 3, further comprising a second state transition unit that transitions the state of the communication device from the master station state to the non-master station state when a predetermined time has elapsed since the continuity confirmation signal was received from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, without the establishment request being received from the terminal device. (Item 5) The aforementioned communication device further, When a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, a first state transition unit transitions the state of the communication device from a non-master state where the communication device does not operate as the master station of the wireless network to a master state where the communication device operates as the master station of the wireless network. After the state of the communication device transitions to the master station state, a second establishment request receiving unit receives an establishment request from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, When the establishment request is received from the terminal device, the establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, and allows the terminal device to participate in the wireless network as a slave station. Equipped with, The confirmation information transmission unit is a communication device according to item 1, which transmits the confirmation information to the terminal device using the second Wi-Fi connection. (Item 6) The aforementioned communication device further, If the continuity check fails in the terminal device, the inquiry receiving unit receives an inquiry regarding the continuity check from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection, When the inquiry is received from the terminal device, the response transmission unit transmits a response to the inquiry via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection, A communication device comprising any one of items 3 to 5. (Item 7) The aforementioned communication device further, A communication device according to any one of items 3 to 6, comprising a connection information receiving unit that, when the continuity check fails in the terminal device, uses the second Wi-Fi connection to receive second connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a method different from the DPP, wherein the second connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a third Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface between the communication device and a second access point different from the first access point. (Item 8) The aforementioned communication device further, A communication device according to any one of items 3 to 7, comprising a third state transition unit that, when a master station stop instruction is received from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection, transitions the state of the communication device from the master station state to the non-master station state. (Item 9) The aforementioned communication device further, Output section, An output control unit that causes the output unit to output output information obtained using the bootstrapping key and authentication information, wherein the output control unit receives the authentication request from the terminal device when the output information is acquired by the terminal device. The authentication information is information that the terminal device uses to establish the second Wi-Fi connection with the communication device, as described in any one of items 3 to 8. (Item 10) The aforementioned communication device further, A housing to which a code image obtained by encoding the bootstrapping key and authentication information is attached, wherein the housing is configured such that the authentication request is received from the terminal device when the code image is captured by the terminal device. The authentication information is information that the terminal device uses to establish the second Wi-Fi connection with the communication device, as described in any one of items 3 to 9. (Item 11) The aforementioned confirmation information is the IP address of the communication device assigned by the first access point, as described in any one of items 1 to 10. (Item 12) The aforementioned communication device further, A communication device according to any one of items 1 to 11, further comprising an error information transmission unit that transmits error information indicating the failure of the DPP process to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when the DPP process fails. (Item 13) The aforementioned communication device further, A first state transition unit that, in the event that the DPP processing fails, transitions the state of the communication device from a non-master state where the communication device does not operate as a master station of the wireless network to a master state where the communication device operates as the master station of the wireless network, wherein the network identification information that identifies the wireless network includes the error information, the first state transition unit comprises The communication device according to item 12, wherein the error information transmission unit transmits the error information to the terminal device by transmitting a Probe response including the network identification information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when a Probe request is received from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface. (Item 14) The aforementioned communication device further, If the DPP processing fails, a fourth state transition unit transitions the state of the communication device from a non-master state where the communication device does not operate as the master station of the wireless network to a master state where the communication device operates as the master station of the wireless network. When the state of the communication device transitions to the master station state, a third establishment request receiving unit receives an establishment request from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, When the establishment request is received from the terminal device, the establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, and allows the terminal device to participate in the wireless network as a slave station. Equipped with, The communication device according to item 12, wherein the error information transmission unit transmits the error information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection. (Item 15) A computer program for a communication device, The aforementioned communication device is A Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with Wi-Fi standards, Computers and, Equipped with, The aforementioned computer program comprises the following components of the computer, namely: A DPP processing execution unit that performs DPP processing in accordance with the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of the Wi-Fi standard, The aforementioned DPP processing is The process of receiving an authentication request from a terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the bootstrapping key of the communication device, When the authentication request is received from the terminal device, the process includes sending an authentication response to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface. The process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been transmitted to the terminal device, wherein the first connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the first access point via the Wi-Fi interface, and the process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been transmitted to the terminal device wherein the first connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the first access point via the Wi-Fi interface, The DPP processing execution unit includes, A confirmation information transmission unit transmits confirmation information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, wherein the confirmation information is information used by the terminal device to perform a continuity check, which is to confirm whether or not Wi-Fi communication via the first access point is possible between the communication device and the terminal device, A computer program that functions as such. (Item 16) A program for an application for a terminal device, The aforementioned terminal device is A Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with Wi-Fi standards, Computers and, Equipped with, The aforementioned application program controls the computer as follows: A DPP processing execution unit that performs DPP processing in accordance with the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of the Wi-Fi standard, The aforementioned DPP processing is The process involves sending an authentication request using the bootstrapping key of the communication device to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface, When the aforementioned authentication request is transmitted to the communication device, the process includes receiving an authentication response from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface. A process in which, after the authentication response is received from the communication device, connection information is transmitted to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface, wherein the connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the access point via the Wi-Fi interface; The DPP processing execution unit includes, When the first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the access point, a confirmation information receiving unit receives confirmation information from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface, wherein the confirmation information is information used by the terminal device to perform a continuity check, which is to confirm whether or not Wi-Fi communication is possible between the communication device and the terminal device via the access point, the confirmation information receiving unit, When the confirmation information is received from the communication device, a continuity confirmation execution unit performs the continuity confirmation using the confirmation information, An application program that functions as such. (Item 17) The aforementioned application program further uses the computer, When the first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the access point, the device functions as a Probe request transmission unit that transmits a Probe request to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface. The application program described in item 16, wherein the confirmation information receiving unit receives the confirmation information from the communication device, which operates as the master station of the wireless network, by receiving a Probe response from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface, which includes network identification information that identifies the wireless network and includes the confirmation information. (Item 18) The aforementioned application program further uses the computer, If the continuity check fails, a first establishment request transmission unit transmits an establishment request to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface, When the establishment request is transmitted to the communication device, the establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface between the communication device, which operates as the master station of the wireless network, and the terminal device, and participates in the wireless network as a slave station. The application program described in item 17, which functions as such. (Item 19) The aforementioned application program further uses the computer, When the first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the access point, a second establishment request transmission unit transmits an establishment request to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface. When the establishment request is transmitted to the communication device, the establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface between the communication device, which operates as the master station of the wireless network, and the terminal device, and participates in the wireless network as a slave station. To make it function as, The confirmation information receiving unit is an application program as described in item 16, which receives the confirmation information from the communication device using the second Wi-Fi connection. (Item 20) The aforementioned application program further uses the computer, If the continuity check fails, the inquiry transmission unit transmits an inquiry regarding the continuity check to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection. When the aforementioned inquiry is transmitted to the communication device, a response receiving unit receives a response to the inquiry from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection, A display control unit that, when the response is received from the communication device, displays countermeasure information corresponding to the response on the display unit of the terminal device, An application program as described in item 18 or 19, which functions as such. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 2: Communication system, 6a, 6b: AP, 10: Printer, 12, 112: Operation unit, 14, 114: Display unit, 16, 116: Wi-Fi I / F, 18: Print execution unit, 30, 130: Control unit, 32, 132: CPU, 34, 134: Memory, 36: Program, 100: Terminal, 118: Camera, 136: OS program, 138: Application

Claims

1. A communication device, A Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, A DPP processing execution unit that performs DPP processing in accordance with the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of the Wi-Fi standard, ◆DPP processing is, The process of receiving an authentication request from a terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the bootstrapping key of the communication device, When the authentication request is received from the terminal device, the process includes sending an authentication response to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface. The process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been transmitted to the terminal device, wherein the first connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the first access point via the Wi-Fi interface, and the process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been transmitted to the terminal device, and the process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, wherein the first connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the first access point via the Wi-Fi interface, The DPP processing execution unit includes, A confirmation information transmission unit transmits confirmation information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, without going through the first access point, when the first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, wherein the confirmation information is information used by the terminal device to perform a continuity check, which is to confirm whether or not Wi-Fi communication via the first access point is possible between the communication device and the terminal device, A communication device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned communication device further, A first state transition unit, which, when a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, transitions the state of the communication device from a non-master state where the communication device does not operate as the master station of the wireless network to a master station state where the communication device operates as the master station of the wireless network, wherein the network identification information that identifies the wireless network includes the confirmation information, the first state transition unit comprises The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation information transmission unit transmits the confirmation information to the terminal device by transmitting a Probe response including the network identification information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when a Probe request is received from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface.

3. The aforementioned communication device further, If the continuity check fails in the terminal device, a first establishment request receiving unit receives an establishment request from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, The communication device according to claim 2, further comprising an establishment unit that, when the establishment request is received from the terminal device, establishes a second Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, thereby allowing the terminal device to participate in the wireless network as a slave station.

4. The continuity check includes the transmission of a continuity check signal from the terminal device to the communication device via the first access point. The aforementioned communication device further, The communication device according to claim 3, further comprising a second state transition unit that transitions the state of the communication device from the master station state to the non-master station state when a predetermined time has elapsed since the continuity confirmation signal was received from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, without the establishment request being received from the terminal device.

5. The aforementioned communication device further, When a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, a first state transition unit transitions the state of the communication device from a non-master state where the communication device does not operate as the master station of the wireless network to a master state where the communication device operates as the master station of the wireless network. After the state of the communication device transitions to the master station state, a second establishment request receiving unit receives an establishment request from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, When the establishment request is received from the terminal device, the establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, and allows the terminal device to participate in the wireless network as a slave station. Equipped with, The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation information transmission unit transmits the confirmation information to the terminal device using the second Wi-Fi connection.

6. The aforementioned communication device further, If the continuity check fails in the terminal device, the inquiry receiving unit receives an inquiry regarding the continuity check from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection. When the inquiry is received from the terminal device, the response transmission unit transmits a response to the inquiry via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection, A communication device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, comprising:

7. The aforementioned communication device further, A communication device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, comprising a connection information receiving unit that, when the continuity check fails in the terminal device, uses the second Wi-Fi connection to receive second connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface in accordance with a method different from the DPP, wherein the second connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a third Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface between the communication device and a second access point different from the first access point.

8. The aforementioned communication device further, The communication device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising a third state transition unit that transitions the state of the communication device from the master station state to the non-master station state when a master station stop instruction is received from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection.

9. The aforementioned communication device further, Output section, An output control unit that causes the output unit to output output information obtained using the bootstrapping key and authentication information, wherein the output control unit receives the authentication request from the terminal device when the output information is acquired by the terminal device. The communication device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the authentication information is information for the terminal device to establish the second Wi-Fi connection with the communication device.

10. The aforementioned communication device further, A housing to which a code image obtained by encoding the bootstrapping key and authentication information is attached, wherein the housing is configured such that the authentication request is received from the terminal device when the code image is captured by the terminal device. The communication device according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the authentication information is information for the terminal device to establish the second Wi-Fi connection with the communication device.

11. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the confirmation information is the IP address of the communication device assigned by the first access point.

12. The aforementioned communication device further, The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an error information transmission unit that transmits error information indicating that the DPP processing has failed to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when the DPP processing fails.

13. The aforementioned communication device further, A first state transition unit that, in the event of a failure of the DPP processing, transitions the state of the communication device from a non-master state where the communication device does not operate as a master station of the wireless network to a master state where the communication device operates as the master station of the wireless network, wherein the network identification information that identifies the wireless network includes the error information, the first state transition unit comprises The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the error information transmission unit transmits the error information to the terminal device by transmitting a Probe response including the network identification information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface when a Probe request is received from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface.

14. The aforementioned communication device further, If the DPP processing fails, a fourth state transition unit transitions the state of the communication device from a non-master state where the communication device does not operate as the master station of the wireless network to a master state where the communication device operates as the master station of the wireless network. When the state of the communication device transitions to the master station state, a third establishment request receiving unit receives an establishment request from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, When the establishment request is received from the terminal device, the establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, and allows the terminal device to participate in the wireless network as a slave station. Equipped with, The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the error information transmission unit transmits the error information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection.

15. A computer program for a communication device, The aforementioned communication device is A Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, Computers and, Equipped with, The aforementioned computer program comprises the following components of the computer, namely: A DPP processing execution unit that performs DPP processing in accordance with the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of the Wi-Fi standard, ◆DPP processing is, The process of receiving an authentication request from a terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface using the bootstrapping key of the communication device, When the authentication request is received from the terminal device, the process includes sending an authentication response to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface. The process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been transmitted to the terminal device, wherein the first connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the first access point via the Wi-Fi interface, and the process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been transmitted to the terminal device, and the process of receiving first connection information from the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, wherein the first connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the first access point via the Wi-Fi interface, The DPP processing execution unit includes, A confirmation information transmission unit transmits confirmation information to the terminal device via the Wi-Fi interface, without going through the first access point, when the first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the first access point, wherein the confirmation information is information used by the terminal device to perform a continuity check, which is to confirm whether or not Wi-Fi communication via the first access point is possible between the communication device and the terminal device, A computer program that functions as such.

16. A program for an application for a terminal device, The aforementioned terminal device is A Wi-Fi interface for performing Wi-Fi communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, Computers and, Equipped with, The aforementioned application program controls the computer as follows: A DPP processing execution unit that performs DPP processing in accordance with the DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) of the Wi-Fi standard, ◆DPP processing is, The process involves sending an authentication request using the bootstrapping key of the communication device to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface, When the authentication request is transmitted to the communication device, the process of receiving an authentication response from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface is performed. The process of transmitting connection information to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface after the authentication response has been received from the communication device, wherein the connection information is information used by the communication device to establish a first Wi-Fi connection between the communication device and the access point via the Wi-Fi interface, and the process of transmitting connection information via the Wi-Fi interface to the communication device after the authentication response has been received from the communication device, The DPP processing execution unit includes, When a first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the access point, a confirmation information receiving unit receives confirmation information from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface, without going through the access point, wherein the confirmation information is information used by the terminal device to perform a continuity check, which is to confirm whether or not Wi-Fi communication is possible between the communication device and the terminal device via the access point, and the confirmation information receiving unit When the confirmation information is received from the communication device, a continuity confirmation execution unit performs the continuity confirmation using the confirmation information, An application program that functions as such.

17. The aforementioned application program further uses the computer, When the first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the access point, the device functions as a Probe request transmission unit that transmits a Probe request to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface. The application program according to claim 16, wherein the confirmation information receiving unit receives the confirmation information from the communication device, which operates as the master station of the wireless network, by receiving a Probe response from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface, which includes network identification information that identifies the wireless network and includes the confirmation information.

18. The aforementioned application program further uses the computer, If the continuity check fails, a first establishment request transmission unit transmits an establishment request to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface. When the aforementioned establishment request is transmitted to the communication device, the establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface between the communication device, which operates as the master station of the wireless network, and the terminal device, and participates in the wireless network as a slave station. The application program according to claim 17, which functions as such.

19. The aforementioned application program further uses the computer, When the first Wi-Fi connection is established between the communication device and the access point, a second establishment request transmission unit transmits an establishment request to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface. When the aforementioned establishment request is transmitted to the communication device, the establishment unit establishes a second Wi-Fi connection via the Wi-Fi interface between the communication device, which operates as the master station of the wireless network, and the terminal device, and participates in the wireless network as a slave station. To make it function as, The application program according to claim 16, wherein the confirmation information receiving unit receives the confirmation information from the communication device using the second Wi-Fi connection.

20. The aforementioned application program further uses the computer, If the continuity check fails, the inquiry transmission unit transmits an inquiry regarding the continuity check to the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection. When the aforementioned inquiry is transmitted to the communication device, the response receiving unit receives a response to the inquiry from the communication device via the Wi-Fi interface using the second Wi-Fi connection, When the response is received from the communication device, a display control unit causes the terminal device to display countermeasure information corresponding to the response on its display unit. An application program according to claim 18 or 19, which functions as such.

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