Programs, communication methods, and communication systems

Abstract

To reduce a possibility that a communication apparatus fails to connect with an access point if an information processing device has the communication apparatus connect with the access point.SOLUTION: An information processing device uses authentication information on an access point to execute a connection process for connecting with the access point. The information processing device transmits the authentication information to the communication apparatus on the basis that an authentication process using the authentication information is executed in the connection process and connection with the access point is made.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program executed by an information processing apparatus that performs wireless communication with a communication device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a technology for sharing devices such as a printer as a communication device among a plurality of information processing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as PCs) via a LAN (Local Area Network) connected to the Internet. In addition, the LAN may be constructed as a wireless network, and in this case, there is an advantage that the installation location of the device is not restricted compared to a wired network. However, the settings for allowing a device such as a printer to participate in a wireless network may be difficult for the user.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes the following technology for easily allowing a printer to participate in an already constructed LAN. The PC and the printer are Peer to Peer connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable connection. And it is described that the PC transmits information for connecting the printer to a specific access point to the printer via the USB cable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a device such as a printer attempts to connect to a specific access point using connection information, that information may not be valid. In this case, as described above in Patent Document 1, even if an information processing device such as a PC transmits that information to the device and attempts to connect it to the access point, the device may fail to connect. In this case, the process by which the device such as a printer attempted to connect to the specific access point may be wasted.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to reduce the number of cases in which a communication device fails to connect to an access point when an information processing device connects the communication device to an access point. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A predetermined application program, the computer of the information processing device, receives predetermined instructions from a user on a screen displayed by the predetermined application program, and performs a display control process on the information processing device to display a selection screen on the information processing device in which the user can select one or more access points, based on the fact that the predetermined instructions have been received on the screen displayed by the predetermined application program, and the information used to connect with the selected access point on the selection screen is provided via Bluetooth Low The information processing device is characterized by the following steps: a transmission step of transmitting to a communication device via energy-based communication; a search step of searching for the communication device via an access point to which the information processing device is connected after the information used to connect to the selected access point has been transmitted to the communication device; and a processing step of performing processing based on the detection of the communication device by the search. The information processing device then performs a connection process using authentication information entered by the user based on the selection of an access point on the displayed selection screen. The connection process attempts to establish a connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device after the selection screen is displayed and before the information processing device transmits the information used to connect to the selected access point to the communication device. Based on the success of the connection process in establishing a connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device, the information used to connect to the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device by the predetermined application program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when an information processing device connects a communication device to an access point, the number of cases in which the communication device fails to connect to the access point can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the system configuration in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the PC and printer in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of the process by which a printer executes wireless settings instructed by a PC. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of a process for performing a connection check from a PC in advance. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a screen for selecting an access point. [Figure 6] This diagram shows various message screens displayed on a PC. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of a process for checking for the existence of an SSID on a PC. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of the process for checking SSID settings on a PC. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the process for checking printer specifications on a PC. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in these embodiments are essential to the solution of the present invention. Hereafter, a printer for printing images will be used as an example of a communication device in these embodiments. However, the processing in these embodiments may be applied to various devices such as PCs, smartphones, and digital cameras. Similarly, a PC will be used as an example of an information processing device in these embodiments. However, the processing in these embodiments may be applied to various devices such as smartphones and digital cameras.

[0011] In this embodiment, the PC sends information to the printer regarding the access point to which the printer should connect, and the printer connects to that access point. For example, the PC automatically identifies the access point to which the printer was previously connected from among the access points to which the printer can connect, and sends information regarding that access point to the printer. The printer then uses that information to connect to that access point. The information regarding the access point includes access point identification information (such as SSID) and authentication information used in the access point's authentication process (such as password).

[0012] However, consider a scenario where, for example, a PC is connected to an access point using the 5GHz frequency band, while the printer only supports wireless LAN communication on the 2.4GHz frequency band. In this case, the wireless profile of the access point to which the printer should connect is not stored on the PC. Therefore, in this situation, the user needs to specify the access point information, such as the SSID and password, on the PC for the access point of their choice.

[0013] However, if the user enters the password incorrectly, the printer, having received the password, will fail to connect to the access point, resulting in a connection error. Therefore, the user will only realize they entered the wrong password after the printer displays a connection error. Furthermore, once the printer displays a connection error, the user will need to go to the printer and perform actions to resolve the error or prepare the printer for reconnection. Passwords are often complex to ensure security, and as described above, it is easy for users to enter them incorrectly.

[0014] Therefore, in this embodiment, before the PC sends the SSID and password entered by the user to the printer, the PC attempts to connect to the access point using that SSID and password. Based on the success of the connection, the PC then notifies the printer of the SSID and password. If the connection fails, the PC notifies the user of the error. This allows the printer to fail to connect to the access point and result in a connection error due to reasons such as incorrect password entry on the PC. This reduces the need for the user to perform operations such as clearing errors on the printer, and allows the user to be notified of errors such as incorrect password entry more quickly. The embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0015] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the system configuration in this embodiment. The system in this embodiment includes a PC, a printer and other devices, and one or more access points.

[0016] In FIG. 1(a), the PC 100 is wirelessly connected to the SSID1 of the access point 102. Also, the printer 101 is also connected to the SSID1 of the access point 102. That is, the PC 100 is in a state where it can communicate with the printer 101 via the access point 102. The method of connecting via an access point like this is called infrastructure connection (hereinafter referred to as infra connection). In an infra connection, a PC can construct a network environment in which it can communicate with two or more devices mutually.

[0017] On the other hand, there is a connection method called wireless Ad-hoc connection that enables communication only between two devices. The PC 100 and the printer 101 can also perform Peer to Peer connection (hereinafter referred to as P2P connection) by wireless Ad-hoc connection. However, while in wireless Ad-hoc connection, since both the PC 100 and the printer 101 are using the wireless LAN dongle for wireless Ad-hoc connection, they cannot communicate with devices other than each other's devices. Therefore, wireless Ad-hoc connection is often used as a temporary connection.

[0018] The PC 100 performs processing to connect the printer 101 to the access point 102 by wireless LAN connection. For this purpose, the PC 100 transmits network setting information to the printer 101 using wireless Ad-hoc connection, thereby connecting the printer 101 to the access point 102.

[0019] Figure 2 is a diagram of the communication system including PC100 and printer101. PC100 has a CPU201, ROM202, RAM206, display device207, and input interface (I / F)208. PC100 also has a USB I / F205, wired LAN I / F209, and wireless LAN I / F210. However, PC100 only needs to have at least one of the USB I / F205, wired LAN I / F209, or wireless LAN I / F210. ROM202 stores programs 203 that correspond to various processes, including a program for wireless network setting processing to instruct the printer to configure the wireless network, and wireless profiles 204, which will be described later. Details of the above wireless network setting processing will be described later. The CPU201 can execute various processes, including the above instruction processing, by reading program 203 from ROM202 into RAM206 and executing it. Furthermore, when a network configuration program (application, etc.) is installed on PC100, a unique SSID is also stored in ROM202. This unique SSID is, for example, uniquely determined for each printer manufacturer and model.

[0020] PC100 can communicate with printer 101 via P2P communication through USB cable 220 or wireless ad-hoc connection 223. PC100 can also connect to LAN 221 via Ethernet cable 224, and if printer 101 can also connect to LAN 221, PC100 and printer 101 can communicate with each other on the same LAN 221 environment. Furthermore, PC100 can connect to access point 222 via wireless LAN (infrastructure connection), and access point 222 can connect to LAN 221 via Ethernet cable 225, allowing PC100 to connect to LAN 221.

[0021] Here, the wireless profile 204 contains information such as specific information (SSID, etc.) of the access point 222 connected via the wireless LAN I / F 210, and authentication information (password, etc.) used in the authentication process. The wireless profile 204 is stored and managed by the CPU 201 executing an OS (Operating System) not shown, which is contained in the ROM 202.

[0022] The printer 101 includes a CPU 242, ROM 243, RAM 247, display device 248, input I / F 249, printing unit 250, USB I / F 241, and wireless LAN I / F 246. ROM 243 stores programs 244 and wireless profiles 245, etc. The CPU 242 reads program 244 from ROM 243 into RAM 247 and executes it, thereby performing various controls on the printer 101. Note that the printer 101 does not necessarily need to have a USB I / F 241.

[0023] Printer 101 can communicate with PC 100 via P2P communication through a USB cable 220 or via a wireless Ad-hoc connection 223. Furthermore, printer 101 connects to access point 222 via wireless LAN (infrastructure connection), and when access point 222 connects to LAN 221 via Ethernet cable 225, printer 101 can connect to LAN 221. Here, wireless profile 245 contains information including the SSID and authentication information (password, etc.) of access point 222 connected via wireless LAN interface 246. Wireless profile 245 is stored and managed by the CPU 242 executing program 244 contained in ROM 243.

[0024] Furthermore, ROM243 also stores the unique SSID mentioned above, which is stored in ROM202 of PC100. The wireless LAN I / F246 of printer 101 can then operate as an access point corresponding to this unique SSID.

[0025] In this embodiment, the P2P communication via the wireless Ad-hoc connection 223 may be a communication method that does not use an access point, or the PC 100 or printer 101 may operate as an access point. For example, the wireless LAN interface 246 may operate as an access point corresponding to the unique SSID mentioned above. In this case, the wireless LAN interface 210 is connected to the wireless LAN interface 246, which is an access point corresponding to the unique SSID. With this method, the PC 100 can directly connect to the printer 101 using the same connection process as the external access point 222. Therefore, even if the PC 100 cannot perform the processing for Ad-hoc connection without an access point, P2P communication with the printer 101 is possible.

[0026] Figure 2 shows an example of the division of labor between PC100 and printer101 as described above, but other configurations are also acceptable.

[0027] In this embodiment, the printer 101 allows the user to connect the printer 101 to a desired access point by following the instructions displayed on the display device 248. For example, the user can connect the printer 101 to a desired access point by entering the SSID and password corresponding to that access point on the display device 248 of the printer 101.

[0028] However, the display device 248 of the printer 101 can take various forms depending on the type of printer 101, such as a small LCD display, a segment display LCD, or a blinking LED display. For example, if the display device 248 of the printer 101 only blinks an LED, it may be more difficult to connect the printer 101 to the desired access point compared to an LCD display that can display information sufficiently.

[0029] Therefore, in this embodiment, the PC 100 performs wireless network configuration processing on the printer 101 to connect it to a predetermined access point. This makes it easy for users unfamiliar with operating the printer 101 to connect it to the desired access point. In particular, if it is difficult to perform the operation to connect the printer 101 to the desired access point using the display device 248 as described above, the user can easily perform the operation according to the display on the PC 100's display.

[0030] However, as a result of PC100 performing wireless network configuration, printer 101 may not be able to connect to the access point. For example, if the SSID of the designated access point uses the 5GHz frequency band, but printer 101 only supports the 2.4GHz frequency band, printer 101 may not be able to connect to that designated access point. In this case, the wireless network configuration process performed by PC100 on printer 101, and the printer 101's attempts to connect to the access point, will be wasted.

[0031] Therefore, in this embodiment, when PC100 connects printer 101 to a predetermined access point, PC100 first determines whether printer 101 can connect to the predetermined access point. Then, after determining that printer 101 can connect, PC100 performs wireless network configuration processing to connect printer 101 to the predetermined access point. This will be explained in detail below.

[0032] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process by which a printer executes wireless settings instructed by a PC. The processing by PC100 is achieved by CPU201 executing program203, and similarly, the processing by printer101 is achieved by CPU242 executing program244. There is a method for instructing printer101 to configure its wireless settings from PC100, and Figure 3 illustrates the processing flow of this method. Here, it is assumed that PC100 is already connected to an external access point 102, and that the SSID password of access point 102 is stored in wireless profile 204.

[0033] On PC100, a network configuration processing program (application, etc.) included in program 203 displays a predetermined screen on the display device 207. On that screen, the user gives a predetermined instruction to connect PC100 to the printer, and PC100 starts processing for wireless configuration instructions (S300). First, PC100 disconnects the wireless connection with access point 102 (S301). Next, PC100 searches for printer 101 which is in wireless configuration mode (S302) and determines the detection result (S303). Specifically, it searches for an access point corresponding to the unique SSID mentioned above and determines whether the search was successful. If it is determined in S303 that a printer in wireless configuration mode has been detected (an access point with the unique SSID has been detected), PC100 establishes a wireless Ad-hoc connection with printer 101 (S304). Specifically, PC100 connects the wireless LAN I / F 210 to the access point with the unique SSID.

[0034] Next, PC100 requests information from printer101 and receives a response from printer101, thereby receiving the SSID list (S305). This SSID list shows the access points that printer101 has searched. Details will be described later. Also in S305, PC100 receives the printer101's identification information (MAC address, etc.) from printer101.

[0035] Next, PC100 refers to wireless profile 204 (S306) and obtains a wireless profile that includes the SSID of access point 102, which was connected at the start of the process shown in Figure 3 and whose wireless connection was disconnected in S301. PC100 checks whether the SSID of access point 102 obtained in S306 is included in the SSID list obtained in S305 (S307). In this embodiment, the process in S307 is called pre-check process 1.

[0036] Based on the results of the pre-check process 1 in S307, PC100 determines whether to connect printer 101 to the designated access point (S308). In S308, if it is confirmed in S307 that the SSID of access point 102 exists in the SSID list, it is determined to connect printer 101 to the designated access point. If it is determined in S308 to connect printer 101 to the designated access point, PC100 sends information to printer 101 instructing it to configure wireless settings (S309). Specifically, in S309, PC100 sends the wireless profile of access point 102 (including SSID and password) to printer 101. Next, PC100 disconnects the wireless Ad-hoc connection with printer 101 and reconnects to access point 102 (S310). Since the wireless profile 204 of access point 102 is stored in ROM202 within PC100, S310 can reconnect to access point 102 with PC100 without requiring the user to re-enter passwords or other information.

[0037] Next, PC100 deletes any wireless profiles that temporarily remain from the wireless Ad-hoc connection (S311). The process in S311 is performed to prevent wireless profiles from remaining for connections unintended by the user. After that, PC100 searches for printer 101 via the infrastructure connection through access point 102 (S312) and determines whether printer 101 was found (S313). Specifically, in S312, PC100 receives identification information (MAC address, etc.) from devices connected to access point 102. Then, it is determined whether the received identification information contains identification information that matches the identification information obtained from printer 101 in S305.

[0038] If the PC 100 determines in S313 that the printer 101 has been detected, the PC 100 displays a setup success screen 600 on the display device 207 as shown in Figure 6(a) (S314). When the user presses the "Next" button 601 on the setup success screen 600, the PC 100 terminates the wireless setup instruction process (S315). The PC 100 may connect to the printer 101 at the time the PC 100 determines that the printer 101 has been detected in S313, or it may connect to the printer 101 at the time the "Next" button 601 is pressed.

[0039] On the other hand, if the process in S303, S308, or S313 determines that the wireless setup on the printer 101 has failed, the PC 100 displays a setup failure screen 610 as an error message, as shown in Figure 6(b) (S316). When the user presses the "Next" button 611 on the setup failure screen 610, the PC 100 terminates the wireless setup instruction process (S315).

[0040] Next, the wireless setup process for printer 101 will be explained. The wireless setup process is started when the user gives a predetermined instruction on the printer 101's display device 248 (S350). When the wireless setup process is started, printer 101 enters wireless setup mode. In this wireless setup mode, PC 100 operates the wireless LAN I / F 246 as an access point for the unique SSID mentioned above. Note that the wireless setup mode may be started only when the user gives an instruction to switch to wireless setup mode as the predetermined instruction mentioned above, or it may be started under other conditions. For example, the printer 101 may be configured to temporarily switch to wireless setup mode if it is not connected wirelessly when powered on, or if it is the first time it is powered on after purchase.

[0041] Before switching to wireless setup mode, printer 101 first searches for surrounding SSIDs (passive scan) and creates an SSID list including the detected SSIDs (S351). Then, printer 101 switches to wireless setup mode and completes preparation for wireless Ad-hoc connection (S352). Specifically, it operates the wireless LAN I / F246 as an access point for the unique SSID mentioned above. When PC 100 executes processes S302 to S304 in this state, printer 101 starts P2P communication in response to a connection request from PC 100. Printer 101 checks if there has been an information acquisition request from PC 100 (S353), and if it determines that there has been a request (S354), it performs information transmission processing (S355) and the process returns to S353. In S355, printer 101 sends the SSID list and printer 101's identification information (MAC address, etc.) to PC 100.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined in S354 that there is no request for information acquisition, the printer 101 checks whether there is a wireless setup instruction from the PC 100 (S356), and if it is determined that there is no wireless setup instruction (No in S357), the process returns to S353. If the printer 101 determines in S357 that there is a wireless setup instruction, it performs a connection process to the access point 102 specified by the PC 100 (S358). Specifically, in S358, the printer 101 performs a connection process to the access point 102 using the SSID and password included in the wireless profile received from the PC 100. The printer 101 then determines whether the connection process was successful (S359), and if it is determined to have failed, it displays a setup failure error (not shown) on the printer 101's display device 248 (S360). When the user performs an operation to clear the setup error (not shown) displayed on the printer 101's display device 248, the printer 101 terminates the wireless setup process (S361). If the connection process is determined to be successful in S359, the printer 101 terminates the wireless setup process (S361).

[0043] In this way, by sending the wireless profile of the access point 102, which the PC 100 is already connected to, to the printer 101, the printer 101 and the access point 102 can be connected without requiring the printer 101 to enter a password or other information.

[0044] However, as a result of the judgment (S308) in pre-check process 1 (S307), the wireless setup process shown in Figure 3 may fail (S316). For example, PC 100 may not have the wireless profile of the access point to be connected to printer 101. In this case, pre-check process 1 does not determine that the SSID of access point 112 is included in the SSID list (No in S308), and the setup process shown in Figure 3 fails. Figures 1(b) to 1(d) show cases in which the setup process shown in Figure 3 fails for such reasons.

[0045] The case in Figure 1(b) is an example where access point 112 and PC 100 are connected via a wired LAN, and access point 112 and printer 101 are connected via wireless LAN. As shown in the system configuration diagram in Figure 1(b), when PC 100 and access point 112 are connected to the infrastructure network via a wired LAN and can communicate with each other, the wireless profile for access point 112 does not exist on PC 100. In this case, pre-check process 1 does not determine that the SSID of access point 112 is included in the SSID list (No in S308), so the configuration process shown in Figure 3 fails. Even in such a case, it is desirable to connect printer 101 to access point 112 and establish a state where PC 100 can communicate with printer 101 via access point 112. PC 100 also has a wireless LAN I / F 210, and P2P communication with printer 101 via wireless Ad-hoc connection is possible.

[0046] Using Figure 4, we will explain the process of connecting access point 112 and printer 101 via wireless LAN, in the case where access point 112 and PC 100 are connected via wired LANs LAN221, 224, and 225. Pre-check process 2 for PC 100, shown in the flowchart of Figure 4, is performed instead of pre-check process 1 (S307) in Figure 3.

[0047] When PC100 starts pre-check process 2 (S400), it determines whether the wireless profile of access point 112 to which printer 101 will connect is stored in PC100 (S401). If it determines Yes in S401, it determines whether the SSID of access point 112 is present in the SSID list obtained from printer 101 (S402). If the SSID of access point 112 is present in the SSID list, PC100 determines to connect printer 101 to the designated access point (S409). In this case, PC100 terminates pre-check process 2 (S410) and instructs printer 101 to configure wireless settings (S309). The process in S402 is the same as that in pre-check process 1 in S307.

[0048] On the other hand, if S401 determines that the wireless profile for access point 112 is not saved on PC100, the access point selection screen is displayed (S403). As will be described later, the process in S403 is also an input screen display process, which displays an input screen for entering a password. One case in which PC100 does not possess the wireless profile for access point 112 is when PC100 is connected to the infrastructure network via a wired LAN, as shown in Figure 1(b). Figure 5(a) shows the access point selection screen 500 displayed in S403, which has an SSID list 501, a password setting section 503, a WEP key selection section 504, a manual add button 505 (described later), and a "Next" button 506. Also, Figure 5(a) shows that SSID-A is selected in the SSID list 501 and the focus 502 is displayed. The SSID list 501 displays a list of SSIDs created by printer 101 in S351 and acquired by PC100 in S305. The user selects the SSID of the desired access point 112 from the SSID list 501 and enters the password (letters or numbers) for access point 112 in the password setting unit 503. In other words, the screen shown in Figure 5(a) is both the access point (SSID) selection screen and the password input screen. When the PC 100 obtains the SSID list (S305), it obtains the encryption method and channel (frequency band) information for each SSID from the printer 101. More specifically, when the printer 101 performs a passive scan, it stores the SSID, encryption method, and channel information from the beacon information transmitted from each access point. Then, in S305, the PC 100 obtains this information from the printer 101 along with the SSID list. If the SSID selected in the SSID list 501 is encrypted with WEP, the PC 100 activates the WEP key selection unit 504 and prompts the user to select a WEP key.

[0049] When the user presses the "Next" button 506 shown in Figure 5(a), PC100 closes the access point selection screen 500. At this time, PC100 determines the SSID that was selected in the SSID list 501 as the SSID of the access point to which the printer 101 will connect, based on the wireless setting instruction in S309. Then, in S404, S405, and S406, PC100 determines whether it is possible for the printer 101 to connect to the access point based on the information entered by the user. If it is determined that it is not impossible for the printer 101 to connect to the access point, the process moves to S407. If the processing in S404 to S407 does not determine that it is possible to instruct the printer 101 to perform wireless settings, various error screens shown in Figures 6(c) to (h) are displayed. The processing in S404, S405, and S406 will be described later.

[0050] In S407, PC100 performs a connection check before sending the SSID selected on the access point selection screen 500 to the printer 101. In other words, the access point to which the printer 101 will connect is selected on the access point selection screen 500, and in S407, PC100 performs a connection test on that access point (S407). In the connection test in S407, the PC executes a process to connect to the access point using the password entered by the user. This process causes the access point to perform an authentication process using this password. Then PC100 determines whether the connection in S407 was successful (S408). If the password entered by the user matches the password of the access point, the above authentication process is successful and PC100 and the access point are connected. In S408, if PC100 and the access point are connected, the connection is determined to be successful. If the connection is determined to be successful in S408, PC100 decides to connect printer 101 to the designated access point (S409) and terminates pre-check process 2 (S410).

[0051] Furthermore, the wireless profile created by the connection performed in S407 is deleted by the processing in S311. This prevents profiles created by PC100 unintentionally from remaining in ROM202.

[0052] Furthermore, if PC100 successfully connects to the access point during the connection test in S407, PC100 may maintain the connection and proceed with the printer search in S312 without establishing a connection to the access point in S310. Alternatively, the connection to the access point may be disconnected when pre-verification process 2 is completed, and a connection to the access point may be re-established in S310. In the latter case, even if the wireless setting instruction to printer 101 in S309 could not be issued, it is possible to prevent PC100 from continuing to connect to the access point specified by the user.

[0053] If a connection failure is detected in S408, PC100 displays an error screen indicating a password mismatch (S411). Figure 6(c) shows the password mismatch error screen 620 displayed in S411. By displaying the error screen 620, PC100 notifies the user that the connection to access point 112 has failed and that the password entered by the user is incorrect. When the "Back" button 621 on the error screen 620 is pressed, PC100 closes the error screen 620 and displays the access point selection screen 500 again in S403, prompting the user to re-enter the password.

[0054] The processes shown in S407 and S408 allow PC100 to send a connection command to printer 101 even for SSIDs for which it does not have a wireless profile. Furthermore, PC100 can verify the connection to the access point before sending the access point's wireless profile, including the SSID and password, to printer 101.

[0055] This prevents the password from being transmitted to the printer 101 if the user enters the wrong password. If the pre-check process 2 shown in Figure 4 is not performed and only the pre-check process 1 (S307) is performed, the PC 100 will instruct the printer 101 to connect using the incorrect password (S309). As a result, the printer 101 will fail to connect to the access point and will display a connection failure error (S360). The PC 100 will also display a setting failure message (S316). In this case, since the connection process by the printer 101 and the printer search by the PC 100 have already been performed before these messages are displayed, it will take some time for the user to realize that the connection has failed. In addition, in order to retry the wireless setup of the printer 101, the user may need to clear the error on the printer 101 and return it to wireless setup mode. Therefore, by applying the pre-check process 2 shown in Figure 4 to S307 in Figure 3, the user can find out about the password entry error before the printer 101 displays a connection failure error.

[0056] Furthermore, another case in which PC100 does not retain the wireless profile of the access point to be connected to printer 101 will be explained using Figure 1(c) as an example. In the case shown in Figure 1(c), access points 122 and 123 are bridged. Specifically, access point 123, which is set to bridge mode, is relayed to access point 122, and access points 122 and 123 are connected on the same subnet. Bridged connections are used, for example, when you want to build a wireless network environment on the same subnet across multiple rooms. In the system configuration shown in Figure 1(c), PC100 is connected to access point 122 (SSID1) via wireless LAN I / F210, and printer 101 is connected to access point 123 (SSID2) via wireless LAN I / F246. PC100 and printer 101 can communicate with each other via access points 122 and 123. To build such an infrastructure network environment, PC 100 uses wireless Ad-hoc communication to send wireless settings to printer 101 so that printer 101 can connect to access point 123. For example, if the distance between PC 100 and printer 101 is not close enough for wireless Ad-hoc communication, it is expected that the user will temporarily move PC 100 closer to printer 101 to configure the printer's wireless settings.

[0057] However, in the case shown in Figure 1(c), PC100 is not connected to access point 123 and has not saved access point 123's SSID2 or other configuration information as a wireless profile. Even in this case, according to the process shown in Figure 4, the user can connect printer 101 to access point 123 by selecting SSID2 on the access point selection screen 500. In addition, by performing a prior connection check by PC100 in S407, it is possible to prevent sending an incorrect password to printer 101 even in a bridge connection environment.

[0058] Figure 1(d) illustrates another case where PC100 does not retain the wireless profile of the access point (SSID) to be connected to printer 101. Access point 132 supports two or more SSIDs in different frequency bands. Even access points used in home environments that support the 5GHz frequency band, such as the 802.11ac standard, are commercially available. Connecting in the 5GHz frequency band makes it possible to avoid the interference issues of the 2.4GHz band that has been widely used in the past.

[0059] In the system configuration diagram shown in Figure 1(d), PC100 is connected to access point 132 via wireless LAN interface 210, specifically to SSID1, which supports the 5GHz frequency band. However, if printer 101's wireless LAN interface 246 does not support the 5GHz frequency band, printer 101 will not be able to connect to SSID1 even if PC100 issues a connection command to SSID1. Furthermore, because PC100 is connected to SSID1 using the 5GHz frequency band, it saves the wireless profile for SSID1, but may not save the wireless profile for SSID2. Therefore, in S403, the access point selection screen 500 is displayed, and the user may select SSID2, which supports the 2.4GHz frequency band that printer 101 can connect to. In this case, by issuing a connection command (S309) from PC100 to printer 101, printer 101 will be able to connect to access point 132. Furthermore, since the process in S408 is performed before the connection instruction (S309) is executed, it is possible to prevent sending an incorrect password to the printer 101.

[0060] In the above explanation, Figure 1(d) was used to describe the case where the PC 100 does not retain the wireless profile of the access point to be connected to the printer 101. On the other hand, there are cases where the SSID2 of the desired access point 132 is not displayed on the access point selection screen 500. In other words, there are cases where SSID2 is not detected by the printer 101's SSID search process (S351). Specifically, this occurs when stealth mode is set on the access point 132. Stealth mode may be set with a more secure setting in mind, and it is possible to set the access point so that the SSID name is not displayed on the beacon it transmits to the surrounding area, or so that it does not transmit a beacon to the surrounding area. Therefore, when stealth mode is set, the SSID2 of access point 132 is not detected by the printer 101's SSID search process and is not displayed in the SSID list 501.

[0061] In such cases, the user can manually add an SSID by pressing the manual add button 505 included in the access point selection screen 500. The user manually adds SSID2 of access point 132 via the access point manual add screen 520 shown in Figure 5(b), which is displayed when the manual add button 505 is pressed. Even if stealth mode is set, access point 132 will respond if the SSID name is specified for the search (active scan). The access point manual add screen 520 includes an SSID input section 521, an encryption method selection section 522, an encryption method setting section 523, an OK button 524, and a Cancel button 525. The encryption method setting section 523 switches the selectable settings depending on the encryption method selected in the encryption method selection section 522. For example, the items displayed in the encryption method setting section 523 are switched depending on whether WEP or WPA / WPA2 is selected in the encryption method selection section 522. When the OK button 524 or Cancel button 525 is pressed, the PC100's pre-check process 2 returns to the access point selection screen 500. If the OK button 524 is pressed, the PC100's pre-check process 2 adds the SSID name entered in the SSID input section 521 of the access point manual addition screen to the SSID list 501. If the SSID was discovered by the SSID search process (passive scan) S351, the PC100 can obtain wireless setting information such as the encryption method and channel information for determining the frequency band in advance. However, if the SSID was entered using the access point manual addition screen 520, this wireless setting information is not retained, so it is necessary to prompt the user to enter various wireless setting information. However, it is possible that the user may not correctly select and enter an SSID that supports the encryption method and frequency band compatible with the printer 101. Considering this, in Figure 4, the existence of the SSID is checked in S404.

[0062] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the process for checking the existence of an SSID, which is performed in S404.

[0063] When the "Next" button 506 shown in Figure 5(a) is pressed, the PC 100 starts the SSID existence check process (S700). Here, it is assumed that SSID2 (SSID-D) of access point 132, which was entered on the manual access point addition screen 520, is selected on the access point selection screen 500, and then the "Next" button 506 is pressed.

[0064] PC100 performs a search process (active scan) (S701) to determine if the specified SSID2 exists and determines whether it has been detected (S702). If PC100 determines in S702 that SSID2 has been detected, PC100 terminates the SSID existence confirmation process (S703) and moves on to the next SSID information confirmation process (S405). If SSID2 is detected in S702, the wireless configuration information of the access point of SSID2 obtained in the search in S701 is stored in ROM202. This wireless configuration information is used in the processes in S405 (shown in Figure 8) and S406 (shown in Figure 9), which will be described later.

[0065] On the other hand, if S702 determines that SSID2 of access point 132 was not detected, PC100 displays the SSID not detected warning screen 670 shown in Figure 6(h) as an error message (S704). This notifies PC100 that SSID2 could not be found. On the SSID not detected warning screen 670, PC100 displays a "Next" button 672 and a "Back" button 671, asking the user whether to re-select the access point on the access point selection screen 500. PC100 then determines which button the user pressed on the SSID not detected warning screen 670 (S705). If the user pressed the "Back" button 671, i.e., wished to re-select the SSID, PC100 closes the SSID not detected warning screen 670. PC100 then terminates the SSID existence confirmation process (S706), and the process returns to S403. If the user presses the "Next" button 672, PC100 closes the SSID not detected warning screen 670. Then, PC100 finishes the SSID existence check process (S707) and determines that printer 101 should be connected to the designated access point (S409). Therefore, the wireless settings entered on the access point selection screen 500 or the manual access point addition screen 520 are used to instruct printer 101 to configure wireless settings.

[0066] One possible scenario in Figure 6(h) where the user selects the "Back" button 671 is when they have entered the wrong SSID name. Another possible scenario where the user selects the "Next" button 672 is when the access point 132 is located in a position where it cannot be detected by the PC 100. In the latter case, it is possible that the access point 132 can be detected by the printer 101, even if it cannot be detected by the PC 100. In this case, for example, the user might move the PC 100 closer to the access point 132 after the printer 101 has connected to it. Therefore, displaying the screen shown in Figure 6(h) prompts the user to move the PC 100 closer to the access point 132. Alternatively, it is possible that the PC 100 and the access point 132 are connected by a wired connection, and the access point 132 is located in a position where it cannot be detected by the PC 100. In this case, since the PC 100 and the access point 132 do not need to be connected wirelessly, the user may decide that it is not a problem even if the SSID of the access point 132 is not detected by the PC 100. In this case, the user might select the "Next" button 672.

[0067] By selecting the "Next" button 672 in this way, the user can prevent unintentionally encountering a setup failure error (S316) if the access point 132 is not detected by the PC 100, and will be able to perform wireless settings on the printer 101.

[0068] In the above explanation, the case in which SSID2 of the desired access point 132 is not displayed on the access point selection screen 500 was given as the case where stealth mode is set for access point 132. Another case is when there is a limit to the size of the SSID list that the printer 101 can hold. If the size of the printer 101's ROM 243 is small, it is possible that the user-requested SSID2 may not be stored in the list when the SSID list is created (S351). For example, in an apartment building or similar location with many access points nearby, if there are many SSIDs to be included in the SSID list, the user-requested SSID may not be included in the SSID list. In addition, for example, in cases where a large channel number is assigned, the user-requested SSID may not be included in the SSID list. The SSID list stores SSIDs that are detected sequentially in S351. Therefore, in these cases, the number of SSIDs that can be stored in the SSID list is exceeded before the user-requested SSID2 is detected, and SSID2 is omitted from the SSID list.

[0069] Next, we will explain the SSID information verification in S405 of Figure 4 using Figure 8. The process in Figure 8 is executed when, in the process of S404 shown in Figure 7, the PC100 detects an SSID selected by the user from the list or an SSID entered manually (Yes in S702 of Figure 7).

[0070] When PC100 starts the SSID verification process (S800), it retrieves the wireless configuration information of the access point for SSID2, which was stored in ROM202 when it performed a specified search for SSID2 (S701) (S801). The wireless configuration information includes, for example, the authentication method, encryption method, frequency band (channel), and wireless standard used by the access point. For example, the following method is used to obtain the frequency band used by the access point. In S701, PC100 performs a search on multiple frequency bands, and the frequency band used when SSID2 is detected is stored in ROM202 as wireless configuration information, representing the frequency band supported by the access point for SSID2. Other information in the wireless configuration information is obtained, for example, from the access point for SSID2 during the search in S701.

[0071] Next, PC100 compares the authentication method and encryption method set on the access point manual addition screen 520 with the authentication method and encryption method included in the wireless configuration information obtained by S801 (S802). Then, PC100 determines whether both the authentication method and encryption method match (S803).

[0072] If a match is determined in S803, the SSID verification process is terminated (S804). On the other hand, if a match is not determined in S803, the PC100 displays an authentication method / encryption method mismatch error as shown in Figure 6(d) (S805). The display shown in Figure 6(d) notifies the user that at least one of the authentication method and encryption method set for SSID2 of access point 132 does not match the one entered on the access point manual addition screen 520. When the "Back" button 631 is pressed, the PC100 closes the authentication method / encryption method mismatch error screen 630 and terminates the SSID verification process (S806, S412). The PC100 then displays the access point selection screen 500 again, prompting the user to reconfigure. This allows the user to know that the input of the authentication method / encryption method was incorrect before the wireless setting instruction (S309) is given to the printer 101. In other words, it becomes possible to prevent printer 101 from encountering a connection failure error (S360). The user can then re-enter the authentication method and encryption method by pressing the "back" button 631.

[0073] On the other hand, if the SSID verification process is completed in S804, the PC100 performs the printer specification verification process as the next verification process (S406). The process in S406 will be explained using Figure 9.

[0074] In the process shown in Figure 9, printer capability information is used. When PC100 performs the process of acquiring information from the printer (S305), it obtains the capability information of printer 101 through the printer 101's information transmission process (S355). The printer capability information includes various wireless information supported by printer 101, such as supported channel information for determining the frequency band, supported authentication method / encryption method information, and supported wireless standard information.

[0075] When PC100 starts the printer specification check process (S900), it checks the specifications of printer 101 (S901). In S902, it determines whether printer 101 supports the frequency band supported by access point 132's SSID2 (i.e., whether it can be used by printer 101). In the determination in S902, the frequency bands supported by the access point, which are included in the wireless setting information stored in ROM202 in S701 and acquired in S801, are compared with the frequency bands included in the capabilities information of printer 101.

[0076] If S902 determines "Yes," PC100 performs the next determination (S903). In S903, PC100 determines whether printer 101 supports (can use) the authentication method and encryption method set for access point 132's SSID2 (S903). In the determination in S903, the authentication method and encryption method supported by the access point, as included in the above wireless setting information, are compared with the authentication method and encryption method included in the printer 101's capability information.

[0077] If S903 determines Yes, PC100 performs the next determination (S904). In S904, PC100 determines whether printer 101 supports (is usable by printer 101) the wireless standard (802.11b / g / n, etc.) on which access point 132's SSID2 is operating (S904). In the determination in S904, the wireless standard supported by the access point, which is included in the above wireless setting information, is compared with the wireless standard included in the capabilities information of printer 101. If S904 determines Yes, PC100 terminates the specification check process (S905).

[0078] On the other hand, if S902, S903, or S904 determines that printer 101 is not supported, various error screens are displayed. If S902 determines that it is not supported, PC100 displays the frequency band unsupported error screen (640) shown in Figure 6(e) (S906). This notifies the user to select another SSID. If S903 determines that it is not supported, PC100 displays the authentication method / encryption method unsupported error screen (650) shown in Figure 6(f) (S907). The display in S907 prompts PC100 to select another SSID or change the settings of SSID2 on access point 132. If S904 determines that it is not supported, PC100 displays the wireless standard unsupported error screen (660) shown in Figure 6(g) (S908). This notifies the user to select another SSID. Furthermore, by pressing the "Back" button (641, 651, 661) on each error screen, PC100 will close the error screen and terminate the process (S909, S412). In other words, it is possible to prevent printer 101 from encountering a connection failure error (S360).

[0079] According to the above embodiment, the processes shown in S407 and S408 allow the PC 100 to verify the connection to the access point before sending the access point's wireless profile, including the SSID and password, to the printer 101. For example, if the user enters the password incorrectly, the PC 100 can be notified as shown in Figure 6(c) before sending the wireless profile to the printer 101. Furthermore, the processes shown in S404 to S407 allow the PC 100 to be notified if the SSID, authentication method, or encryption method entered by the user is incorrect, or if the wireless communication capability information of the desired access point and the printer 101 does not match.

[0080] Furthermore, if a notification is given to the user as part of a confirmation process prior to the wireless setup instruction to printer 101 (S309), the displayed content will differ depending on the cause of the notification (confirmation step), as shown in Figures 6(c) to 6(h). Therefore, when the user needs to re-enter various information or re-select an access point, they can re-enter the information for the appropriate items and re-select the appropriate access point. Note that if the screen is redisplayed in S403 after S411, the characters, numbers, and selected content that the user had entered before the error screen shown in Figure 6(c) was displayed will be displayed.

[0081] Furthermore, in the process shown in Figure 4, after the SSID existence check process in S404, a connection test to the AP is performed in S407. If S404 determines that the SSID does not exist, the error display shown in Figure 6(h) is displayed without the processing in S407 being performed. In other words, if an error is detected in S404, the error display is displayed without waiting for the authentication process at the access point, which is performed by the processing in S407. Therefore, the user can be notified of the error more quickly.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, wireless Ad-hoc connection via wireless LAN was described as an example of a technology for connecting the printer 101 and the PC 100 via P2P. Other short-range wireless communication technologies such as USB connection, Ethernet cable connection, and NFC (Near Field Radio Communication) may also be applied as the above-mentioned wireless Ad-hoc connection. In addition, P2P connections such as Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) connection may also be applied as the wireless Ad-hoc connection in this embodiment.

[0083] [Other examples] Furthermore, the functions of this embodiment can also be realized by the following configuration. That is, the functions can also be realized by supplying program code for processing according to this embodiment to a system or device, and having the computer (or CPU or MPU) of that system or device execute the program code. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself realizes the functions of the embodiment described above, and the storage medium that stores the program code also realizes the functions of this embodiment.

[0084] Furthermore, the program code for realizing the functions of this embodiment may be executed on a single computer (CPU, MPU), or it may be executed by multiple computers working together. In addition, the program code may be executed by a computer, or hardware such as circuits may be provided to realize the functions of the program code. Alternatively, part of the program code may be realized by hardware, and the remaining part may be executed by a computer. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 201 CPU 202 ROM 206 RAM

Claims

1. A predetermined application program, In the computer of the information processing device, A reception step in which the application program receives a predetermined instruction from the user on a screen displayed by the application program, An execution step of performing a display control process on the information processing device to display a selection screen on the information processing device in which the user can select one or more access points, based on the fact that a predetermined instruction has been received on the screen displayed by the predetermined application program, A transmission step in which information used to connect with the access point selected in the selection screen is transmitted to a communication device via Bluetooth Low Energy communication, After the information used to connect to the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device, the information processing device searches for the communication device via the connected access point, A processing step that performs processing based on the fact that the communication device was detected by the search, Make it run, Based on the selection of an access point on the displayed selection screen, the information processing device executes a connection process using the authentication information entered by the user. The connection process is a process in which the information processing device attempts to establish a connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device after the selection screen is displayed and before the information processing device transmits the information used to establish a connection with the access point selected on the selection screen to the communication device. Based on the fact that the connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device has been successfully established by the connection process, the information used for connecting to the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device by the predetermined application program. A program characterized by the following features.

2. Further, the display step of displaying an input screen for receiving the authentication information is performed, The information used to connect with the selected access point includes the authentication information entered on the input screen. The program according to feature 1.

3. After an access point is selected on the displayed selection screen, the authentication information is entered by the user into the information processing device. The program according to feature 1 or 2.

4. The information used for connecting to the selected access point includes the SSID of the selected access point and the authentication information. The program according to any one of the features 1 to 3.

5. The information used for connecting to the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device via a peer-to-peer connection between the information processing device and the communication device. The program according to any one of features 1 to 4.

6. If the establishment of a connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device fails due to the connection process, a screen corresponding to the failure to establish a connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device is displayed. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The display control process is executed as a process for transmitting to the communication device information used for connecting to an access point different from the access point to which the information processing device is connected. The program according to any one of features 1 to 6.

8. The display control process is executed while a peer-to-peer connection is established between the information processing device and the communication device. The program according to any one of features 1 to 7.

9. If the search for the communication device is successful, a screen corresponding to the successful search for the communication device is displayed, and if the search for the communication device fails, a display control step is further executed which displays a screen corresponding to the failed search for the communication device. The program according to any one of features 1 to 8.

10. If the establishment of a connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device fails due to the connection process, the information used to establish a connection with the selected access point is not transmitted to the communication device by the predetermined application program. The program according to any one of features 1 to 9.

11. Further, a search step is performed to perform a process for searching for the communication device, Information used to connect with the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device detected by the process of searching for the communication device. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The process of searching for the communication device is a process of searching for an access point corresponding to a predetermined SSID stored in the information processing device when the predetermined application program is installed. The program according to feature 11.

13. The process of searching for the communication device is a process of searching for an access point corresponding to a predetermined SSID that is uniquely determined for the manufacturer or model of the communication device. The program according to feature 11 or 12.

14. The communication device is a printing device. The program according to any one of features 1 to 13.

15. Further perform an acquisition step of obtaining a list of access points that the communication device has searched from the communication device, The aforementioned selection screen is a screen displayed based on the aforementioned list. The program according to any one of features 1 to 14.

16. A control method for an information processing device having a predetermined application program, A reception step in which the application program receives a predetermined instruction from the user on a screen displayed by the application program, An execution step of performing a display control process on the information processing device to display a selection screen on the information processing device in which the user can select one or more access points, based on the fact that a predetermined instruction has been received on the screen displayed by the predetermined application program, A transmission step in which information used to connect with the access point selected in the selection screen is transmitted to a communication device via Bluetooth Low Energy communication, After the information used to connect to the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device, the information processing device searches for the communication device via the connected access point, A processing step that performs processing based on the fact that the communication device was detected by the search, It has, Based on the selection of an access point on the displayed selection screen, the information processing device executes a connection process using the authentication information entered by the user. The connection process is a process in which the information processing device attempts to establish a connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device after the selection screen is displayed and before the information processing device transmits the information used to establish a connection with the access point selected on the selection screen to the communication device. Based on the fact that the connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device has been successfully established by the connection process, the information used for connecting to the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device by the predetermined application program. A control method characterized by the following:

17. An information processing device having a predetermined application program, A receiving means for receiving predetermined instructions from a user on a screen displayed by the aforementioned predetermined application program, An execution means that performs a display control process on the information processing device to display a selection screen on which the user can select one or more access points, based on the fact that a predetermined instruction has been received on a screen displayed by a predetermined application program, A transmission means that transmits information used to connect with the access point selected in the selection screen to a communication device via Bluetooth Low Energy communication, After the information used to connect to the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device, the information processing device searches for the communication device via the connected access point, Processing means for performing processing based on the detection of the communication device by the search, Make it run, Based on the selection of an access point on the displayed selection screen, the information processing device executes a connection process using the authentication information entered by the user. The connection process is a process in which the information processing device attempts to establish a connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device after the selection screen is displayed and before the information processing device transmits the information used to establish a connection with the access point selected on the selection screen to the communication device. Based on the fact that the connection between the access point selected on the selection screen and the information processing device has been successfully established by the connection process, the information used for connecting to the selected access point is transmitted to the communication device by the predetermined application program. An information processing device characterized by the following:

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