JP4957682B2 - Wireless setting system and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless setting for a printing apparatus capable of wireless communication to perform wireless communication (connection) with an external apparatus constituting a wireless network.

  Recently, wireless LAN (Local Area Network / hereinafter, wireless LAN is also referred to as “wireless network”) has become widespread. In order to connect to a wireless network, it is necessary to perform wireless settings for the device connected to the wireless network. For example, a digital camera that can be connected to a wireless network has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a digital camera and an information processing apparatus are connected by USB (Universal Serial Bus), the digital camera is set to a special mode for wireless setting, and then the wireless setting is performed on the digital camera from the information processing apparatus side. Techniques to do are disclosed. Note that the user needs to operate the digital camera in order to set the digital camera to a special mode for wireless setting.

  By the way, when a predetermined apparatus is USB-connected to an information processing apparatus in which an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) is installed, the information processing apparatus becomes a host and emulation occurs with the predetermined apparatus. Then, the information processing apparatus can acquire the type of a predetermined apparatus and recognize what kind of apparatus it is (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In Patent Document 2, when a data control device capable of starting and reading an application such as spreadsheet software is connected to a host computer, a host computer (information processing device) A technique for recognizing a connected data control device as a mass storage and storing a predetermined file in an internal storage using a mass storage driver incorporated in an OS is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-81738 (for example, FIG. 5) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-244415 (for example, paragraphs 0033, 0034, and 0042 and FIG. 1)

  Unlike the case of wired connection, the wireless LAN does not require wiring, and therefore has a high degree of freedom in installation and is an attractive tool for users. However, in order to use this, a special wireless setting must be performed for a device connected to the wireless LAN, and wireless communication with an external device cannot be realized unless this processing is performed. In this case, if another technique capable of smoothly performing the wireless setting process can be provided, the options for the wireless setting process can be increased.

  Note that the printing function included in the printing apparatus is a function that can be used by the information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus via USB. Therefore, when the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus are connected by USB, the information processing apparatus recognizes the printing apparatus as the printing apparatus as a result of negotiation (emulation). On the other hand, the function provided by the application cannot be used even when the information processing apparatus is USB-connected to a device that can start the application. If it can be used, the application can be used from an external device connected via USB. Therefore, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, it is quite natural that the host computer recognizes the data control device as mass storage.

  The present invention performs wireless setting easily and efficiently, particularly when wireless setting for a printing apparatus that prints print data received by wireless communication with an external apparatus is performed from an information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus via USB. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless setting system that can perform the above and a printing apparatus that can configure the system.

  The present invention, which has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, responds to an inquiry about the type of apparatus made from an information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus via USB as the printing apparatus is a storage unit. When the wireless setting file created by the information processing apparatus recognized as the storage unit is stored in the storage unit included in the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus transmits the setting value data included in the wireless setting file to the external apparatus wirelessly. This is stored as a setting.

  A first problem-solving means that reflects the present invention is a printer that receives print data by wireless communication with an external device that constitutes a wireless network, and that is capable of printing the print data, and is connected to the printer by USB. An information processing apparatus capable of specifying wireless settings used when the printing apparatus wirelessly communicates with an external apparatus for the printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus stores the wireless settings A wireless setting storage means; a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the external device using the wireless settings stored in the wireless setting storage means; and a first interface for USB connection with the information processing apparatus; A storage means capable of storing a wireless setting file including setting value data, and a device type inquiry for inquiring about the type of a USB connected device. Inquiry reception control means for controlling the first interface, and when the first interface receives a device type inquiry, a notification indicating that the own device is a storage means is transmitted to the information processing device. When the wireless setting file is stored in the storage means and the notification transmission control means for controlling the first interface, the setting value data included in the wireless setting file is acquired, and the acquired setting value data is Wireless setting storage control means for storing in the wireless setting storage means as wireless settings, and the information processing apparatus is a second means for USB connection between the editor means for creating the wireless setting file and the printing apparatus. A second detecting means for detecting a USB connection between the interface and the printing apparatus via the second interface; And, when the second detection means detects a USB connection with the printing apparatus, the apparatus type inquiry control means for controlling the second interface so as to transmit the apparatus type inquiry to the printing apparatus, A notification reception control unit that controls the second interface so as to receive the notification, and when the second interface receives the notification, the printing device is recognized as a storage unit and is created by the editor unit. And a USB mass storage control means for controlling storage of the wireless setting file in the storage means. According to this, when the printing apparatus is connected to the information processing apparatus that specifies the wireless setting by USB, the printing apparatus notifies the information processing apparatus that the storage apparatus is not a device having a printing function, and the information processing apparatus The apparatus recognizes the printing apparatus as the storage means, and can easily store the wireless setting file in the storage means by recognizing the printing apparatus as the storage means. In other words, the printing apparatus can be set as the wireless setting. Setting value data to be set can be easily acquired, and wireless setting from the information processing apparatus to the USB-connected printing apparatus can be executed efficiently.

  A second problem solving means includes: a wireless setting storage unit that stores wireless settings used for wireless communication with an external device that configures a wireless network; and a wireless setting stored in the wireless setting storage unit. A wireless communication means for executing the wireless communication, and when the wireless communication means receives print data by wireless communication with the external device, for the USB connection between the printing means for printing the print data and the information processing apparatus Of the first interface, storage means created in the information processing apparatus and capable of storing a wireless setting file including setting value data, and a device transmitted from the information processing apparatus and connected to the information processing apparatus via USB Inquiry reception control means for controlling the first interface so as to receive a device type inquiry for inquiring a type, and the first interface When the interface receives the device type inquiry, the notification transmission control means for controlling the first interface so as to transmit a notification indicating that the own device is a storage means to the information processing device, and according to the notification When the information processing apparatus that recognizes its own device as the storage unit stores the wireless setting file in the storage unit, the information processing apparatus acquires setting value data included in the wireless setting file, and the acquired setting value data is stored in the wireless setting file. And a wireless setting storage control unit that stores the setting in the wireless setting storage unit as a setting. According to this, when the printing apparatus is connected to an information processing apparatus that designates wireless settings by USB, the printing apparatus notifies the information processing apparatus that the storage apparatus is not a device having a printing function, and wireless settings are made. Since the setting value data to be set as can be easily acquired from the information processing apparatus, wireless setting for the own apparatus can be performed efficiently.

  The third problem solving means is the printing apparatus of the second problem solving means, wherein the wireless setting storage control means cannot obtain the set value data when the set value data cannot be obtained. The first error data shown is added to the wireless setting file, and the setting value data is not acquired from the wireless setting file including the first error data. According to this, it is possible to prevent wireless setting for a wireless setting file that does not include setting value data necessary for performing wireless setting.

  The fourth problem solving means is the printing apparatus of the second or third problem solving means, and the wireless setting storage control means cannot obtain the setting value data when the setting value data cannot be obtained. Is added to the file name of the wireless setting file, and the setting value data is not acquired from the wireless setting file including characters indicating that the setting value data is inappropriate as the file name. And According to this, it is possible to easily identify a wireless setting file that does not include necessary data as setting value data for performing wireless setting, and to prevent wireless setting for this.

  The fifth problem solving means is the printing apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth problem solving means, wherein the setting value data acquired by the wireless setting storage control means is inappropriate as the wireless setting The wireless setting storage control means includes second error data indicating that appropriate setting value data could not be acquired when the determination means determines that the determination means is inappropriate. In addition to being added to the setting file, the setting value data is not acquired from the wireless setting file including the second error data. According to this, it is possible to prevent wireless setting for a wireless setting file that includes inappropriate data as setting value data for performing wireless setting.

  The sixth problem solving means is the printing apparatus of the fifth problem solving means, and the determination means determines that the setting value data is inappropriate when the setting value data is an unsupported wireless setting in the own apparatus. It is characterized by that. According to this, it is possible to prevent wireless settings that cannot be handled by the printing apparatus.

  The seventh problem solving means is a printing apparatus according to the fifth or sixth problem solving means, wherein the wireless setting includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier) for identifying a wireless network, and the setting value data is: Including the data stored as the SSID, the wireless communication unit transmits the SSID that the wireless setting storage control unit stores as wireless setting in the wireless setting storage unit by wireless communication, and the same SSID as the transmitted SSID It is possible to receive a response from an external device using the device, and the determination unit determines that the response is inappropriate when the wireless communication unit cannot receive the response. According to this, it is possible to prevent a wireless setting for a wireless network that does not exist from being performed.

  The eighth problem solving means is a printing apparatus according to any one of the fifth to seventh problem solving means, wherein the wireless setting storage control means sets the determination when the determination means is inappropriate. A character indicating that the value data is inappropriate is added to the file name of the wireless setting file, and the setting value data from the wireless setting file including a character indicating that the setting value data is inappropriate as the file name It is characterized by not acquiring. According to this, it is possible to easily identify a wireless setting file containing inappropriate data as setting value data for performing wireless setting, and to prevent wireless setting for this.

  A ninth problem solving means is the printing apparatus of any one of the second to fourth problem solving means, wherein the setting value data acquired by the wireless setting storage control means is inappropriate as the wireless setting The wireless setting storage control means, when the determining means determines that the setting value data is inappropriate, the wireless setting storage control means displays a character indicating that the setting value data is inappropriate as the file name of the wireless setting file. And the setting value data is not acquired from a wireless setting file including characters indicating that the setting value data is inappropriate as a file name. According to this, it is possible to easily identify a wireless setting file containing inappropriate data as setting value data for performing wireless setting, and to prevent wireless setting for this.

  A tenth problem solving means is a printing apparatus according to any one of the second to ninth problem solving means, wherein the first detection means detects a USB connection with the information processing apparatus via the first interface. Monitoring means for monitoring storage of the wireless setting file in the storage means when the first detection means detects a USB connection with the information processing apparatus, and the wireless setting storage control means comprises: When the monitoring unit detects that the wireless setting file is stored in the storage unit, the monitoring unit acquires setting value data included in the wireless setting file, and uses the acquired setting value data as the wireless setting. It is stored in setting storage means. According to this, when the wireless setting file is not stored, execution of processing such as monitoring whether the wireless setting file is stored can be prevented. In other words, the processing load of the printing apparatus is reduced and efficiency compared to a configuration that constantly monitors the storage of wireless setting files in the storage unit (for example, all periods when the printing apparatus is powered on). Thus, processing for wireless setting can be performed.

  An eleventh problem solving means is a printing apparatus according to any one of the second to tenth problem solving means, wherein the wireless setting includes first information and second information and is included in the wireless setting file. The set value data to be configured includes first set value data and second set value data, and the wireless setting storage control unit converts the first set value data included in the wireless setting file stored in the storage unit to the first set value data. And the second setting value data is stored as the second information in the wireless setting storage means. According to this, it is possible to cope with complicated wireless settings.

  The printing apparatus of the third to tenth problem solving means can be adopted as a printing apparatus constituting the wireless setting system of the first problem solving means. In such a case, the wireless setting system is as described above. The same function (action) can be exhibited.

  According to the present invention, when wireless setting for a printing apparatus that prints print data received by wireless communication with an external apparatus is performed from an information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus via USB, the wireless setting is easily and efficiently performed. A wireless setting system that can perform the printing and a printing apparatus that can configure the system can be obtained.

  Embodiments for implementing the above problem solving means reflecting the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the said subject solution means is not limited to the structure as described below, A various structure is employable in the same technical idea.

(System configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the entire system including a wireless setting system and a wireless LAN system. In FIG. 1, the overall system 1 includes a wireless setting system 10 surrounded by a one-dot chain line and a wireless LAN system 20 surrounded by a broken line. The printing apparatus 12 belongs to both the wireless setting system 10 and the wireless LAN system 20.

  First, the wireless LAN system 20 will be described. The wireless LAN system 20 includes a printing device 12, an information processing device (personal computer) 24, and a wireless relay device (access point) 22. Note that the wireless relay device 22 and the information processing device 24 configuring the wireless LAN 20 are the same devices as the wireless relay device and the information processing device that have been conventionally used, and a description of the configuration (functional block) is omitted. .

  Here, the printing device 12 and the information processing device 24 perform wireless communication directly or via the wireless relay device 22. The form of wireless communication by the former (see reference numeral 28 in FIG. 1) is referred to as an ad hoc mode, and the form of wireless communication by the latter (see reference numerals 26a and 26b in FIG. 1) is referred to as an infrastructure mode. The flow of data (for example, print data) in both wireless communication modes will be briefly described. In the case of the ad hoc mode, the printing apparatus 12 receives print data directly from the information processing apparatus 24. In the case of the infrastructure mode, the printing apparatus 12 receives the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 24 from the wireless relay apparatus 22.

  Regardless of the type of wireless communication, it is necessary to perform appropriate wireless settings corresponding to each in the printing apparatus 12. For example, it is necessary to set an SSID for identifying a wireless network as a wireless setting of the printing apparatus 12, and apparatuses sharing the same SSID can perform wireless communication. In the infrastructure mode, each device that can be connected to the wireless network formed by the wireless relay device 22 stores the same SSID as the wireless relay device 22 as a wireless setting.

  Next, the wireless setting system 10 will be described. The wireless setting system 10 includes a printing device 12 to be wirelessly set and an information processing device (personal computer) 14 that designates wireless settings for the printing device 12. The printing apparatus 12 and the information processing apparatus 14 are USB connected via a USB cable 16.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration (functional block) of both devices constituting the wireless setting system 10. The printing apparatus 12 includes a CPU 120 that controls the apparatus itself, a ROM 122 that stores various programs, and a RAM 124 that serves as a work area. Various processes are executed by the CPU 120 executing programs stored in the ROM 122. At that time, various data are held in the RAM 124, and the CPU 120 accesses the RAM 124. Therefore, the CPU 120 executes various programs stored in the ROM 122 on the RAM 124, thereby executing various processes, thereby configuring various control means. The printing apparatus 12 includes a wireless communication unit 126, a wireless setting storage unit 128, a storage 130, and a USB interface (described as “USB I / F” in FIG. 2) 132.

  The wireless communication unit 126 performs wireless communication in the infrastructure mode with the wireless relay device 22 and wireless communication in the ad hoc mode with the information processing device 24. Print data transmitted from the wireless relay device 22 or the like is received by the wireless communication unit 126. The wireless setting storage unit 128 is a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM) that can store wireless settings used when the wireless communication unit 126 performs wireless communication. The storage 130 is a flash memory that is recognized as a storage area outside the information processing apparatus 14 and can be accessed from the information processing apparatus 14 by negotiation executed by the information processing apparatus 14 as a host side. A wireless setting folder (folder name: WirelessSetup) 1300 is created in the storage 130, and a wireless setting file (file name: WirelessSettings.txt) 1302 is stored in the wireless setting folder by the information processing apparatus 14. The wireless setting folder 1300 is a folder for storing the wireless setting file 1302. The wireless setting file 1302 describes setting value data corresponding to the wireless setting stored in the wireless setting storage unit 128, and the information processing apparatus 14 stores the wireless setting file 1302 in the wireless setting storage unit 128. Specify the wireless settings to be stored. The set value data to be described will be described later. The USB interface 132 of the printing apparatus 12 is an interface that realizes a USB connection with the information processing apparatus 14, and transmits and receives various data to and from the information processing apparatus 14 according to the USB protocol. The printing unit 134 prints the print data received by the wireless communication unit 126.

  The information processing apparatus 14 includes a CPU 140, a ROM 142, a RAM 144, a hard disk (described as “HDD” in FIG. 2; hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 146, a monitor 148, an operation unit 150 including a keyboard or a mouse, and a USB interface. 152 is provided. The HDD 146 stores an OS, a USB mass storage class (a general-purpose driver program for recognizing a connected USB device as an external storage area, and controlling storage of a file therein) and other various driver programs and application programs. The CPU 140 executes various programs (including the OS) stored in the ROM 142 and the HDD 146 on the RAM 144, thereby executing various processes, thereby configuring various control means. For example, a wireless setting file is created (including editing) based on the execution of the application program. In addition, negotiation is executed as a function of the OS. Further, the wireless setting file 1302 is stored in the storage 130 in the printing apparatus 12 based on the execution of the USB mass storage class. Note that details of each component are the same as those of a personal computer that has been conventionally used, and are omitted.

(negotiation)
As described above, the negotiation is a process executed when the printing apparatus 12 and the information processing apparatus 14 are connected via USB and the information processing apparatus 14 becomes the host side. FIG. 3 shows data transmission / reception performed between the printing apparatus 12 and the information processing apparatus 14 in this processing.

  For example, when one end of the USB cable 16 is connected to the USB interface 152 of the information processing apparatus 14 and the other end is connected to the USB interface 132 of the printing apparatus 12, the CPU 140 of the information processing apparatus 14 A USB connection is detected (see (a)). At this time, the information processing apparatus 14 side cannot recognize which apparatus is connected by USB. The CPU 140 that has detected the USB connection controls the USB interface 152 to recognize the type of the USB-connected device, and transmits a device type query to the printing device 12 (see (b)). The CPU 120 of the printing apparatus 12 that has received this device type query detects that the received query is a device type query, and sends a notification that it is a storage to the information processing device 14 (see (c)). ). The ROM 122 of the printing apparatus 12 stores a program that transmits a notification that the storage is in the storage when a device type inquiry is received via the USB interface 132. The CPU 120 executes the process (c) based on this program stored in the ROM 122. In the information processing apparatus 14, the notification (c) is received by the USB interface 152 controlled by the CPU 140. The CPU 140 recognizes the printing apparatus 12 as the storage 130 based on this notification (see (d)), and activates the USB mass storage class to control the storage in the storage 130 (see (d)).

  As a result, the USB connection between the information processing device 14 and the printing device 12 is established, and the wireless setting file 1302 can be stored in the wireless setting folder 1300 created in the storage 130 from the information processing device 14 side. Become.

(Printer side processing related to wireless settings)
4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a mass storage monitoring flow, which is a process executed by the printing apparatus 12 regarding the wireless setting. This mass storage monitoring flow is a process for performing wireless setting used by the wireless communication unit 126 for wireless communication in accordance with the wireless setting file. After the execution of the above-described negotiation, the process is started on the condition that the USB connection between the information processing apparatus 14 and the printing apparatus 12 is established, and is executed while the USB connection is established. In the following description, SSID, authentication method, encryption method, and network key will be described as examples of wireless settings.

  First, the mass storage monitoring flow will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 120 determines whether or not the wireless setting folder 1300 having the folder name “WirelessSetup” is stored in the mass storage 130 (S100). If the wireless setting folder 1300 exists as a result of the determination in S100 (S100: No), the CPU 120 executes S104. If the wireless setting folder 1300 does not exist (S100: Yes), a wireless setting folder 1300 having a folder name “WirelessSetup” is newly created in the storage 130 (S102), and S104 is executed. In S <b> 104, the CPU 120 determines whether or not a wireless setting file 1302 whose file name is “WirelessSettings.txt” is stored in the wireless setting folder 1300. Note that “.txt” in the file name is an extension indicating that the wireless setting file 1302 is in text format. The wireless setting file 1302 may have a format other than the text format, or may be a file without an extension.

  FIG. 6 shows setting value data included in the wireless setting file 1302 whose file name is “WirelessSettings.txt”. As wireless settings, in addition to the SSID described above, an authentication method (described as “Auth” in FIG. 6), an encryption method (described as “Encr” in FIG. 6), and a network key (described as “Nkey” in FIG. 6). (Others are omitted in the present embodiment), and the setting value data is described in the wireless setting file 1302 in association with these setting items. “Mode: Infrastructure” on the first line indicates that the wireless setting based on the wireless setting 1302 is the infrastructure mode. In the case of the ad hoc mode, “Mode: Adhoc” is set (see FIG. 7). “SSID: ACCESSPOINT1” on the second line describes a character string designated as an SSID, “Auth: WPA-PSK” on the third line designates WPA-PSK as an authentication method, and “ “Encr: AES” specifies AES as an encryption method, and “Nkey: ABCDEFGHIJK” on the fifth line describes a character string specified as a network key.

  If the wireless setting file 1302 is not stored in the wireless setting folder 1300 as a result of the determination in S104 (S104: Yes), the CPU 120 proceeds to S100 until the wireless setting file 1302 is stored in the wireless setting folder 1300. , S100 and S104 are continuously executed. On the other hand, when the wireless setting file 1302 is stored in the wireless setting folder 1300 (S104: No), the CPU 120 determines whether or not an error message is described in the first line of the stored wireless setting file 1302. Is determined (S106). The error message is described in S110, S114, S120, S124, S130, S134, S138, S142, S146, S150, S154 and S160 described later.

  If an error message is described in the first line as a result of the determination in S106 (S106: Yes), the CPU 120 proceeds to S100 until the wireless setting file 1302 that does not include the error message is stored in the wireless setting folder 1300. , S100 to S106 are continuously executed. On the other hand, when the error message is not described (S106: No), the CPU 120 reads the “SSID:” line of the wireless setting file 1302 (S108). When the CPU 120 can read the “SSID:” line (S108: success), the CPU 120 reads the “Mode:” line (S112). When the CPU 120 can read the line again (S112: success), the CPU 120 reads it at S112. It is determined whether the description of the line that can be put out is an ad hoc mode (S116).

  When the line “SSID:” cannot be read in S108 (S108: fail), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] No SSID Setting” at the top of the wireless setting file 1302 (S110), and proceeds to S126. To do. Similarly, when the “Mode:” line cannot be read in S112 (S112: fail), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] No Mode Setting” at the top of the wireless setting file 1302 (S114). The process proceeds to S126. In addition, as a case where each line cannot be read in S108 and S112, for example, the case where the line itself is not described, or the case where the line itself exists but the corresponding setting value data is not described is assumed.

  As a result of the determination in S116, when the description of the line read in S112 is the ad hoc mode (S116: Yes), the CPU 120 proceeds to S128 (see FIG. 5) and executes this process. If it is not the ad hoc mode (S116: No), it is determined whether or not it is the infrastructure mode (S118). If the infrastructure mode is not determined as a result of the determination (S118: No), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] Invalid Mode Setting” at the head of the wireless setting file 1302 (S120), and proceeds to S126. Note that, in cases where the determination is denied in S116 and S118 (S116 and S118: No), the line specifying the wireless communication mode is described, but the description regarding both the ad hoc mode and the infrastructure mode is also included. It is assumed that this is not done, and that it is described but erroneous.

  In contrast, in the infrastructure mode (S118: Yes), the CPU 120 can connect to the wireless relay device 22 (described as “AP” in the description of S122 in FIG. 4) 22 using the SSID read out in S108. Is determined (S122). Here, the CPU 120 performs the determination in S122 as follows. That is, the wireless communication unit 126 broadcasts and transmits the SSID read in S108, and makes a determination based on the response from the wireless relay device 22 that uses the same SSID as the transmitted SSID. Specifically, when there is a response from the wireless relay device 22 using the same SSID, it is determined that the connection is possible (S122: Yes), the process proceeds to S128 (see FIG. 5), and this is executed. If there is no response, it is determined that the connection is impossible (S122: No), and S124 is executed.

  In S <b> 124, the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] Accesspoint Connection Fail” at the top of the wireless setting file 1302. In S126, the CPU 120 changes the file name of the wireless setting file 1302. Specifically, “WirelessSettings.txt” is changed to “WirelessSettings_fail.txt”. The file name change in S126 is used as a determination condition in S104, and the addition of each error message in S110, S114, S120, and S124 is used as a determination condition in S106.

  Next, a mass storage monitoring flow will be described with reference to FIG. In S <b> 128, the CPU 120 reads the “Auth:” line of the wireless setting file 1302. When the data cannot be read (S128: fail), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] No Authentication Setting” at the head of the wireless setting file 1302, and proceeds to S162. When the “Auth:” line of the wireless setting file 1302 can be read (S128: success), the CPU 120 determines whether or not the own apparatus supports the authentication method specified in the line read in S128. (S132). As a result of the determination, if not supported (S132: No), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] Unsupported Authentication Setting” at the head of the wireless setting file 1302, and proceeds to S162. When the authentication method is supported (S132: Yes), the CPU 120 reads the “Encr:” line of the wireless setting file 1302 (S136). When the data cannot be read (S136: fail), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] No Encryption Setting” at the head of the wireless setting file 1302, and proceeds to S162. When the “Encr:” line of the wireless setting file 1302 can be read (S136: success), the CPU 120 determines whether or not the own apparatus supports the encryption method specified in the line read in S136. (S140). As a result of the determination, if not supported (S140: No), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] Unsupported Encryption Setting” at the top of the wireless setting file 1302, and proceeds to S162. If the encryption method is supported (S140: Yes), the CPU 120 is a valid combination of the communication mode, the authentication method, and the encryption method specified in the rows read in S128 and S136. It is determined whether or not (S144). As a result of the determination, if the combination of the two is not valid (invalid) (S144: No), an error message “[Error] Invalid Security Setting” is described at the top of the wireless setting file 1302, and the process proceeds to S162. On the other hand, if it is valid (S144: Yes), the CPU 120 continues to execute S148.

  Here, the determination of S132, S140, and S144 will be specifically described. As a premise, the authentication method supported by the printing apparatus 12 is, for example, open, shared key, WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) -PSK (Pre-Shared Key), and WPA2-PSK. None, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol), and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). Table 1 shows the relationship between an authentication method, an encryption method, an authentication method, a network key length (number of characters) that can be adopted in the encryption method, and a compatible communication mode. In Table 1, “authentication method: OPEN” indicates “no authentication”, and “encryption method: NONE” indicates “no encryption”. In the infrastructure mode, all the authentication methods described in Table 1 can be used, while in the ad hoc mode, only “shared key” or “no authentication” can be used as the authentication method.

  The determination in S132 is denied if a shared key, WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK, or a character string indicating “no authentication” is described as setting value data in the “Auth:” line of the wireless setting file 1302. (S132: No), if described, affirmative (S132: Yes). The determination in S140 is negative if a character string indicating WEP, TKIP, AES, or “no encryption” is described as setting value data in the “Encr:” line of the wireless setting file 1302 (S140: No). If yes, affirmative (S140: Yes). The determination in S144 is made based on the relationship shown in Table 1 above. For example, when the shared key is described as the setting value data in the “Auth:” line of the wireless setting file 1302 and “AES” is described in the “Encr:” line, it is denied regardless of the communication mode. (S144: No). In addition, when the communication mode is the ad hoc mode, WPA-PSK is described as setting value data in the “Auth:” line of the wireless setting file 1302, and “TKIP” is described in the “Encr:” line. Is also denied (S144: No). On the other hand, for example, when WPA-PSK is described as setting value data in the “Auth:” line of the wireless setting file 1302 and “TKIP” is described in the “Encr:” line, or When WPA2-PSK is described as setting value data in the “Auth:” line and “AES” is described in the “Encr:” line, the determination is affirmative (S144: Yes).

In S <b> 148, the CPU 120 reads the “Nkey:” line of the wireless setting file 1302. When the data cannot be read (S148: fail), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] No Network key Setting” at the head of the wireless setting file 1302, and proceeds to S162. When the line “Nkey:” of the wireless setting file 1302 can be read (S148: success), the CPU 120 proceeds to S152. Here, in the case of “OPEN (no authentication)” and “NONE (no encryption)”, no network key is necessary, and this point is taken into consideration in the determination of S148. For example, when both “authentication” and “encryption” are “none” (OPEN / NONE), and a configuration in which a character string indicating the authentication is described in the “Nkey:” line is adopted, if this character string can be read, S148 Is affirmed (S148: Yes). In addition, if both “authentication” and “encryption” are “none”, if a configuration in which nothing is described in the “Nkey:” line is adopted, the determination of S148 is affirmed even if this character string cannot be read (S148: Yes). )
In S152, the CPU 120 determines whether or not the line description (number of characters) read in S148 conforms to the number of characters in the network key shown in Table 1 in relation to the authentication method and encryption method read in S128 and S136. Is determined (S152). As a result of the determination, if it does not conform (S152: No), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] Invalid Network key Setting” at the top of the wireless setting file 1302 (see S154 / FIG. 7), and then in S162. Transition. On the other hand, if it conforms (S156: Yes), the CPU 120 writes the set value data described in the wireless setting file 1302 as a wireless setting in the wireless setting storage unit 128, and based on the written wireless setting, the wireless communication unit 126 performs wireless communication with the wireless relay device 22 (in the infrastructure mode) or the information processing device 24 (ad hoc mode) (S156).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the wireless setting file 1302 in which an error message is described in S154. In the case of S110 or the like, an error message is additionally described at the top of the wireless setting file, as in the case of S154.

  As a result of executing the wireless communication, if the wireless communication fails (S156: fail), the CPU 120 describes an error message “[Error] Invalid Security Setting” at the top of the wireless setting file 1302. Then, the CPU 120 adds “_fail” to the file name of the wireless setting file 1302, and specifically changes the file name of the wireless setting file 1302 from “WirelessSettings.txt” to “WirelessSettings_fail.txt” (S162). S100 is executed again. In addition, as a case where the wireless communication fails, for example, the description method (number of characters) of the network key is appropriate, but it is different from the network key set in the wireless relay device 22 or the like, or the wireless relay device 22 or the like It is assumed that the encryption method set in is different. When the wireless communication is successful (S156: success), the CPU 120 adds “_success” to the file name of the wireless setting file 1302, specifically, the file name of the wireless setting file 1302 is changed from “WirelessSettings.txt” to “WirelessSettings_success”. .txt "(S158), and this mass storage monitoring flow is terminated. In this case, the wireless communication unit 126 uses the wireless setting written in the wireless setting storage unit 128 in S156, and thereafter performs wireless communication.

(Information processing device side processing related to wireless settings)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a wireless setting application operation flow that is processing executed by the information processing apparatus 14 regarding wireless setting. In this wireless setting application operation flow, the wireless communication unit 126 creates wireless settings used for wireless communication on the information processing apparatus 14 side, and prints wireless settings based on the wireless setting file 1302 including the created wireless setting value data. It is a process to specify. The wireless setting application installed in the HDD 146 of the information processing apparatus 14 is started on the condition that the user has started by operating the mouse constituting the operation unit 150.

  The CPU 140 accesses the root directory of the current storage identified by the drive letter, reads the folder name belonging thereto (S200), and determines whether or not the wireless folder 1300 having the folder name “WirelessSetup” exists. (S202). If the wireless setting folder 1300 does not exist as a result of the determination (S202: No), the CPU 140 determines whether there is another storage identified by the drive letter (S204). As a result, if another storage exists (S204: Yes), the storage is changed to the current storage (S206), and the folder name stored therein is read again (S200). When there is no other storage (S204), the CPU 140 displays a message to the effect that the USB cable 16 is connected to the printing apparatus 12 in the dialog (S208), and the process is terminated. If the user makes a USB connection with the printing apparatus 12 according to this display, the above-described negotiation is started.

  If the result of the determination in S202 is that there is a wireless folder 1300 whose folder name is “WirelessSetup”, the CPU 140 displays a wireless setting dialog (S210). Here, the wireless setting system 1 according to the present embodiment creates, when the wireless setting folder 1300 having the folder name “WirelessSetup” does not exist in the storage on the printing apparatus 12 side (S100: Yes) ( S102) is adopted, and the information storage device 14 sequentially changes the current storage (S206), and adopts a configuration in which the process of S202 is executed on the folder belonging to the root directory of the current storage. Therefore, if the printing apparatus 12 and the information processing apparatus 14 are appropriately connected with the USB cable, the determination in S202 is affirmed at some point (S202: Yes).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing this wireless setting dialog. The wireless setting dialog is configured to allow input of an SSID, wireless communication mode (Mode), authentication method (Autentication), encryption method (Encryption), and network key (Network Key) described as setting value data in the wireless setting file 1302 have. Arbitrary character strings are input to the SSID and network key via the operation unit 150. The wireless communication mode, the authentication method, and the authentication method are input by selecting each set value data displayed in the pull-down menu (AES is selected in “Encryption” in FIG. 9). Note that S210 can be performed by an editor capable of editing a text file (corresponding to the description of the wireless setting file 1302 as an example of a text file) instead of input by the wireless setting dialog as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, the user directly inputs the contents shown in FIG. 6 including the description about the setting item such as “SSID:” via the keyboard constituting the operation unit 150.

  When the “OK” button is selected (clicked) by the user's mouse operation while the wireless setting dialog of S210 is displayed, the CPU 140 sets each setting input to the wireless setting dialog in the wireless setting folder 1300. In accordance with the value data, a wireless setting file 1302 is created, stored in the wireless setting folder 1300 (212), and the process ends.

(Advantageous effects based on the configuration of the embodiment)
The advantageous effects based on the above-described configuration (processing) will be listed.
(1) In S104, when a file with a predetermined file name, specifically, a wireless setting file 1302 having a file name (including extension) “WirelessSettings.txt” is stored, A configuration for executing processing was adopted. According to this, it is determined that the file other than the predetermined file name, for example, the setting value data described in the wireless setting file 1302 is inappropriate, and the file name is changed to “WirelessSettings_fail.txt” in S126 and S162. It is possible to prevent the process of shifting to S106 from being performed on the wireless setting file 1302.

  (2) In S106, when an error message is described in the wireless setting file 1302, a configuration is adopted in which subsequent processing is not executed. According to this, with respect to the wireless setting file 1302 in which the predetermined wireless setting value data could not be read and the wireless setting file 1302 in which inappropriate setting value data was described in the processing after S108 executed previously. Again, it is possible to prevent the processing after S108 from being executed. In the above-described embodiment, since the configuration (1) is adopted, it is considered that the process of S106 is unnecessary. However, the file name can be easily changed, specifically, “_fail” can be deleted from the file name (the file name can be changed to “WirelessSettings.txt”). There is an advantageous effect in that it can cope.

  (3) As a result of processing for the wireless setting file 1302 stored by the information processing apparatus 14, the file name of the wireless setting file 1302 is changed to “WirelessSettings_success.txt” or “WirelessSettings_fail.txt”, and this is subsequently stored in the storage 130. (S126, S158 and S162). According to this, these files are accessed from the information processing device 14 and opened by an editor that can edit the text file installed in the information processing device 14, for example, so that the setting value data described therein can be changed. Can be recognized. More specifically, the user can understand the current wireless settings by “WirelessSettings_success.txt”. In addition, “WirelessSettings_fail.txt” makes it possible to understand inappropriate setting value data.

  (4) In principle, the error message described in the wireless setting file 1302 adopts a configuration in which the content differs for each cause that has been described. According to this, the user can be made to recognize the cause.

  (5) In S122, the wireless communication unit 126 broadcast-transmits the SSID read in S108, and adopts a configuration in which a determination is made based on a response from the wireless relay device 22 that uses the same SSID as the transmitted SSID in response to this transmission. did. According to this, even when the wireless relay device 22 is set in a so-called stealth mode so as not to transmit the SSID to the outside, the existence of the wireless relay device 22 sharing the same SSID is confirmed. Can do.

  (6) When the wireless communication mode is the infrastructure mode, a configuration is adopted in which each process after S128 is executed on the condition that the determination in S122 is affirmed (S122: Yes). According to this, after confirming in advance the existence of the wireless relay device 22 that is the partner of the wireless communication, the processing (mass storage monitoring flow) for wireless setting used for communication with the wireless relay device 22 is executed. Therefore, the process can be executed efficiently.

  (7) The configuration of the wireless setting file 1302 in the information processing apparatus 14 is configured by a wireless setting dialog. According to this, it is possible to recognize at a glance that there is non-input wireless setting data at the time of input, and input leakage can be prevented.

The figure which shows the whole system in embodiment of this invention 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that configure a wireless setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the negotiation in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the mass storage monitoring flow in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the mass storage monitoring flow in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the wireless setting file in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the wireless setting file with which the error message in embodiment of this invention was described The figure which shows the wireless setting application operation | movement flow in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the wireless setting dialog in embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wireless setting system, 12 ... Printing apparatus, 120 ... CPU, 122 ... ROM, 124 ... RAM, 126 ... Wireless communication part, 128 ... Wireless setting memory | storage part, 130 ... Storage, 132 ... USB interface, 134 ... Printing part, 14 ... Information processing device, 16 ... USB cable, 22 ... Wireless relay device (external device), 24 ... Information processing device (external device)

Claims (11)

A printing device that receives print data by wireless communication with an external device that constitutes a wireless network, and is capable of printing the print data;
An information processing apparatus that is USB-connected to the printing apparatus, and that can specify wireless settings to be used for the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus performs wireless communication with an external apparatus;
A wireless setting system including:
The printing apparatus includes:
Wireless setting storage means for storing the wireless settings;
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the external device using wireless settings stored in the wireless setting storage means;
A first interface for USB connection with the information processing apparatus;
Storage means capable of storing a wireless setting file including setting value data;
Inquiry reception control means for controlling the first interface so as to receive a device type inquiry for inquiring about a type of a USB connected device;
A notification transmission control means for controlling the first interface so that, when the first interface receives a device type query, a notification indicating that the device is a storage device is transmitted to the information processing device;
When the wireless setting file is stored in the storage unit, the setting value data included in the wireless setting file is acquired, and the acquired setting value data is stored in the wireless setting storage unit as the wireless setting Storage control means,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Editor means for creating the wireless setting file;
A second interface for USB connection with the printing device;
Second detection means for detecting a USB connection with the printing apparatus via the second interface;
A device type inquiry control unit for controlling a second interface so that the device type inquiry is transmitted to the printing device when the second detection unit detects a USB connection with the printing device;
Notification reception control means for controlling the second interface so as to receive the notification;
A USB mass storage control means for recognizing the printing apparatus as storage means when the second interface receives the notification, and for controlling storage of the wireless setting file created by the editor means in the storage means; A wireless setting system comprising: Wireless setting storage means for storing wireless settings used for wireless communication with external devices constituting the wireless network;
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the external device using wireless settings stored in the wireless setting storage means;
When the wireless communication means receives print data by wireless communication with the external device, a printing means for printing the print data;
A first interface for USB connection with the information processing apparatus;
Storage means capable of storing a wireless setting file including setting value data created in the information processing apparatus;
Inquiry reception control means for controlling the first interface so as to receive a device type inquiry transmitted from the information processing device and inquiring about a type of device connected to the information processing device via USB;
A notification transmission control means for controlling the first interface so that a notification indicating that the own apparatus is a storage means is transmitted to the information processing apparatus when the first interface receives a device type query;
When the information processing apparatus that recognizes its own device as the storage unit according to the notification stores the wireless setting file in the storage unit, it acquires setting value data included in the wireless setting file, and acquires the acquired setting value data. A wireless setting storage control means for storing the wireless setting in the wireless setting storage means as the wireless setting.   When the setting value data cannot be acquired, the wireless setting storage control unit adds first error data indicating that setting value data could not be acquired to the wireless setting file, and the first error data. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting value data is not acquired from a wireless setting file including   When the wireless setting storage control unit cannot acquire the setting value data, the wireless setting storage control unit adds a character indicating that the setting value data could not be acquired to the file name of the wireless setting file and sets the setting value as a file name. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting value data is not acquired from a wireless setting file including characters indicating that the data is inappropriate. A determination unit that determines whether the setting value data acquired by the wireless setting storage control unit is inappropriate as the wireless setting;
When the determination unit determines that the wireless setting storage control unit is inappropriate, the wireless setting storage control unit adds second error data indicating that appropriate setting value data could not be acquired to the wireless setting file, and 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting value data is not acquired from a wireless setting file including second error data. 6.   The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination unit determines that the setting value data is inappropriate when the setting value data is a wireless setting not supported by the apparatus. The wireless setting includes an SSID that identifies a wireless network, and the setting value data includes data stored as the SSID,
The wireless communication unit can transmit the SSID that the wireless setting storage control unit stores as wireless settings in the wireless setting storage unit by wireless communication, and can receive a response from an external device that uses the same SSID as the transmitted SSID so,
The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination unit determines that the wireless communication unit is inappropriate when the response cannot be received.   When the determination unit determines that the determination unit is inappropriate, the wireless setting storage control unit adds a character indicating that the setting value data is inappropriate to the file name of the wireless setting file, and as a file name The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the setting value data is not acquired from a wireless setting file including characters indicating that the setting value data is inappropriate. A determination unit that determines whether the setting value data acquired by the wireless setting storage control unit is inappropriate as the wireless setting;
When the determination unit determines that the determination unit is inappropriate, the wireless setting storage control unit adds a character indicating that the setting value data is inappropriate to the file name of the wireless setting file, and as a file name 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting value data is not acquired from a wireless setting file including a character indicating that the setting value data is inappropriate. 6. First detection means for detecting a USB connection with the information processing apparatus via the first interface;
Monitoring means for monitoring storage of the wireless setting file in the storage means when the first detection means detects a USB connection with the information processing apparatus;
The wireless setting storage control means acquires setting value data included in the wireless setting file when the monitoring means detects that the wireless setting file is stored in the storage means, and acquires the acquired setting value data. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the wireless setting is stored in the wireless setting storage unit. The wireless setting is composed of first information and second information,
The setting value data included in the wireless setting file includes first setting value data and second setting value data.
The wireless setting storage control unit uses the first setting value data included in the wireless setting file stored in the storage unit as the first information, and the second setting value data as the second information. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus stores the setting in a setting storage unit.