JP7016838B2 - Communication equipment, control methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to communication devices, control methods and programs.

A technique for executing a network setting process for wirelessly connecting a communication device such as a printing device and an external device such as an access point is known.

Patent Document 1 describes a technique for connecting an access point and a wireless communication device by transferring a wireless parameter including a frequency channel from the access point to the wireless communication device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-259372

By the way, in recent years, communication devices that can use a plurality of frequency bands (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) have become widespread. The communication device also receives information (frequency band information) regarding the frequency band used for connection with the external device in the network setting process, and connects to the external device. However, conventionally, when the communication device receives a plurality of frequency band information corresponding to a plurality of different frequency bands as frequency band information in the network setting process, the appropriate frequency band among the plurality of frequency bands is used. No consideration was given to the controls for connecting to external devices.

Therefore, in the present invention, when a communication device that can use a plurality of frequency bands receives a plurality of frequency band information corresponding to a plurality of different frequency bands, it is appropriate for the communication device among the plurality of frequency bands. The purpose is to connect to an external device by using a different frequency band.

In order to solve the above problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention is used.
A wireless connection that can execute wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and a 5 GHz frequency band and becomes a slave station that does not determine the communication channel to be used, and a wireless connection that becomes a master station that determines the communication channel to be used. Is a printing device that can maintain in parallel,
A reception means that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in processing for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving means for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving means.
Based on the setting information, using at least one of the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band, a connection means for establishing a wireless connection between the external device and the printing device to the slave station. ,
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the 2.4 GHz frequency band is based on the setting information. When established, the slave station is controlled so that the wireless connection of the printing device and the operation of the printing device at the master station are maintained in parallel, and the printing device is operated at the master station. When the predetermined operation is accepted in the operating state and a wireless connection for the printing device to the slave station is established based on the setting information using the frequency band of 5 GHz, the slave station is connected to the slave station. A control means for controlling the wireless connection of the printing device and the operation of the printing device at the master station so as not to be maintained in parallel.
A job receiving means for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A printing means that executes printing based on the print job, and
It is characterized by having.
Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is
It is possible to carry out wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band, and the first wireless connection via an external device with the first information processing device and the external with the second information processing device. A printing device that can maintain a direct second wireless connection, not through the device, in parallel.
A reception means that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in processing for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving means for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving means.
A connection means for establishing a wireless connection with the external device using at least one of the 5 GHz frequency band and the 2.4 GHz frequency band based on the setting information.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in the state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device is made using the 2.4 GHz frequency band. When established based on the setting information, the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection is controlled to be maintained in parallel with the first wireless connection. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device is performed using the frequency band of 5 GHz. When established based on the setting information, the control means for controlling so that the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection is not maintained in parallel. When,
A job receiving means for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A printing means that executes printing based on the print job, and
It is characterized by having.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is
A wireless connection that can execute wireless communication in the first frequency band and the second frequency band and becomes a slave station that does not determine the communication channel to be used, and a wireless connection that becomes a master station that determines the communication channel to be used. Is a printing device that can maintain in parallel,
A reception means that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in processing for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving means for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving means.
Based on the setting information, at least one of a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band is used to make the external device and the printing device at the slave station. Connection means to establish a connection and
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the first frequency band is based on the setting information. When established, it is controlled so that the wireless connection of the printing device to the slave station and the operation of the printing device at the master station are maintained in parallel, and the printing device operates at the master station. When the predetermined operation is accepted and a wireless connection for the printing device to the slave station is established based on the setting information using the second frequency band, the slave station is connected to the predetermined operation. A control means for controlling the wireless connection of the printing device and the operation of the printing device at the master station so as not to be maintained in parallel.
A job receiving means for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A printing means that executes printing based on the print job, and
Have,
When wirelessly connected to the external device by the second frequency band, it is used in the wireless connection by the second frequency band between the external device and the printing device by the Dynamic Peripheral Selection or the Transmit Power Control. It is characterized in that the channel being used can be changed to another channel.
Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is
It is possible to carry out wireless communication in the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and the first wireless connection with the first information processing device via an external device and the external with the second information processing device. A printing device that can maintain a direct second wireless connection, not through the device, in parallel.
A reception means that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in processing for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving means for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving means.
A connection means for establishing a wireless connection with the external device by using at least one of a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band based on the setting information.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the first frequency band is described. When established based on the setting information, the first wireless connection and the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection are controlled to be maintained in parallel. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the second frequency band is described. When established based on the setting information, the control means for controlling so that the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection is not maintained in parallel. When,
A job receiving means for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A printing means that executes printing based on the print job, and
Have,
When wirelessly connected to the external device by the second frequency band, it is used in the wireless connection by the second frequency band between the external device and the printing device by the Dynamic Peripheral Selection or the Transmit Power Control. It is characterized in that the channel being used can be changed to another channel.

According to the present invention, when a communication device that can use a plurality of frequency bands receives a plurality of frequency band information corresponding to a plurality of different frequency bands, it is appropriate for the communication device among the plurality of frequency bands. It is possible to connect to an external device by using a frequency band.

It is a schematic diagram of a communication system. It is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal. It is a schematic block diagram of a printing apparatus. This is an example of a wireless connection profile. It is a flowchart which shows the network setting process by the automatic setting method executed by a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the network setting process by the automatic setting method executed by a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the network setting process using the terminal apparatus executed by a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the network setting process using the terminal apparatus executed by a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the network setting process using the terminal apparatus executed by a printing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail exemplary with reference to the drawings. However, the relative arrangement of the components, the display screen, and the like described in the present embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone unless otherwise specified.

(First Embodiment)
The information processing device and the communication device included in the communication system of the present embodiment will be described. As the information processing device, a personal computer (PC) is exemplified in this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. As the information processing device, various devices such as a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a digital camera can be applied. Further, as the communication device, a printer is exemplified in this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various devices can be applied as long as they can perform wireless communication with the information processing device. For example, if it is a printer, it can be applied to an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam printer, a monochrome printer, and the like. Further, it can be applied not only to printers but also to copiers, facsimile machines, mobile terminals, smartphones, PCs, tablet terminals, PDAs, digital cameras, music playback devices, televisions and the like. In addition, it can be applied to a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a fax function, and a printing function.

First, the configuration of the information processing device of the present embodiment and the communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device of the present embodiment will be described. Further, in the present embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example, but the present embodiment is applicable to a device capable of communicating with a communication device, and particularly limits the functions as shown in this figure. is not it.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the terminal device 200, which is the information processing device of the present embodiment.

The terminal device 200 has a main board 201 that controls the main of the device.

In the main board 201, the CPU 202 is a system control unit and controls the entire terminal device 200. The ROM 203 stores various programs such as a control program executed by the CPU 202 and an embedded operating system (hereinafter, OS) program. In the present embodiment, the control program stored in the ROM 203 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the control of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 203. The RAM 204 is composed of a memory such as an SRAM (static RAM), stores program control variables, setting values registered by the user, management data of the terminal device 200, and the like, and is provided with various work buffer areas. Note that these setting information data may be stored in another storage area such as ROM 203 or non-volatile memory 205 instead of RAM 204.

The non-volatile memory 205 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and stores data to be retained even when the power is turned off. Specifically, the non-volatile memory 205 contains network information such as passwords and authentication information for connecting to the network, and setting information of the terminal device 200 such as a list of communication devices connected in the past such as MAC address and SSID. It will be remembered. Further, in the present embodiment, connection information for the simple connection mode, which will be described later, is also stored. Note that these data may be stored in another storage area such as ROM 203 or RAM 204 instead of the non-volatile memory 205. Further, the CPU 202 may expand the setting information stored in the ROM 303 or the non-volatile memory 205 into the RAM 204 to perform processing using the stored data.

The image memory 206 is composed of a memory such as a DRAM (dynamic RAM), and stores various data such as image data received via the wireless LAN unit 211 and the like and image data processed by the code decoding processing unit 210.

The memory configuration of the terminal device 200 is not limited to this form, and the number, characteristics, storage capacity, and the like can be appropriately changed depending on the intended use and purpose. For example, the image memory 206 and the RAM 204 may be shared. Further, the image memory 206 is composed of a DRAM or the like, but is not limited to this, and may be composed of a hard disk (hereinafter, HDD), a non-volatile memory, or the like.

The data conversion unit 207 generates data such as a page description language (PDL), and performs data conversion such as color conversion and image conversion for image data.

The operation unit 208 and the display unit 209 accept various inputs to the terminal device 200 and display various information related to the terminal device 200.

The code decoding processing unit 210 performs various processes such as code decoding processing and enlargement / reduction processing on the image data.

The wireless LAN unit 211 is a unit for realizing wireless LAN communication conforming to a standard such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark). The wireless LAN unit 211 has functions such as beacon detection processing and authentication processing for establishing a wireless LAN connection, and transmission of a print job to a communication device for which a wireless LAN connection has been established. Further, the wireless LAN unit 211 is connected to the system bus 213 via the bus cable 212. The CPU 202 can control the wireless LAN unit 211 to operate the access point (AP) in the terminal device 200.

Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal device 200 transmits a print job for causing the printing device 300 to perform printing via the wireless LAN unit 211. The job to be transmitted is not limited to the print job. For example, it may be a scan job for causing the printing apparatus 300 to perform scanning, a copy job for causing the printing apparatus 300 to perform copying, a setting command for changing the setting of the printing apparatus 300, or the like. Further, if the communication device of the present embodiment is a storage or the like, data (image data, moving image data, etc.) to be stored in the communication device may be transmitted in addition to the job. When the scan job is transmitted to the printing device 300, the image data generated by scanning the original based on the scan job is transmitted to the terminal device 200.

The wireless LAN unit 211 may communicate directly with the printing device 300 by wireless communication, or may communicate via an external device existing outside the terminal device 200 or the printing device 300. The external device includes an access point which is a device such as a router device and a device capable of relaying communication other than the access point.

In the present embodiment, the wireless LAN unit 211 uses the IEEE 802.11 series standard (Wi-Fi), but for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like may be used. In the present embodiment, a method in which the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 are directly connected without an external device is referred to as a direct connection method. Further, a method in which the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 are connected via an external device is referred to as an infrastructure (hereinafter referred to as infrastructure) connection method. Further, in the present embodiment, the connection via the access point is executed by the wireless LAN unit 211.

The various components 202 to 212 are connected to each other via the system bus 213 managed by the CPU 202.

The terminal device 200 may include a communication unit other than the wireless LAN unit 211. Further, the terminal device 200 may be provided with a plurality of communication units and may be capable of communicating by a plurality of types of communication methods. The communication may be performed directly by wireless communication, or may be performed via an access point outside the terminal device 200 installed on the network. Examples of the communication method include Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication; ISO / IEC IS18092), Wi-Fi Area and the like. Moreover, you may communicate by wire instead of wireless.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printing device 300, which is the communication device of the present embodiment.

The printing apparatus 300 has a main board 301 that controls the main of the apparatus.

In the main board 301, the CPU 302 is a system control unit and controls the entire printing apparatus 300. The ROM 303 stores various programs such as a control program executed by the CPU 302 and an embedded OS program. In the present embodiment, the control program stored in the ROM 303 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the control of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 303. The RAM 304 is composed of a memory such as an SRAM, stores program control variables, setting values registered by the user, management data of the printing device 300, setting information of mode change conditions described later, and is provided with various work buffer areas. ing. Note that these data may be stored in another storage area such as ROM 303 or non-volatile memory 305 instead of RAM 304.

The non-volatile memory 305 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and stores data to be retained even when the power is turned off. Specifically, it prints network information such as passwords and authentication information for connecting to the network, a list of external devices connected in the past such as MAC address and SSID, menu items such as print mode, and correction information of the recording head. The setting information of the device 300 and the like are stored. Note that these setting information data may be stored in another storage area such as ROM 303 or RAM 304 instead of the non-volatile memory 305. Further, the CPU 302 may expand the setting information stored in the ROM 303 or the non-volatile memory 305 into the RAM 304 to perform processing using the setting information.

The image memory 306 is composed of a memory such as a DRAM, and stores various data such as image data received via the wireless LAN unit 316 and the like, and image data processed by the code decoding processing unit 312.

The memory configuration of the printing device 300 is not limited to this form, and the number, characteristics, storage capacity, and the like can be appropriately changed depending on the intended use and purpose. For example, the image memory 306 and the RAM 304 may be shared. Further, the image memory 306 is composed of a DRAM or the like, but is not limited to this, and may be composed of a hard disk (hereinafter, HDD), a non-volatile memory, or the like.

The data conversion unit 307 performs various image processing such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction on the image data included in the received job via the image processing control unit (not shown). By executing these processes, the data conversion unit 307 converts the image data to be printed into high-definition print data, and outputs the converted print data to the recording unit 314.

The reading unit 310 optically reads the original by a CIS image sensor (contact type image sensor) or the like. The reading control unit 308 outputs high-definition image data by performing various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing on the image signal read by the reading unit 310.

The operation unit 309 and the display unit 311 accept various inputs to the printing device 300 and display various information about the printing device 300.

The code decoding processing unit 312 performs various processing such as code decoding processing and enlargement / reduction processing on the image data.

The paper feed unit 313 holds a recording medium for printing, and supplies the recording medium to the recording unit 314 under the control of the recording control unit 315. It is assumed that the paper feed unit 313 has a plurality of paper feed cassettes.

The recording control unit 315 controls from which portion of the plurality of paper cassettes the paper is fed. The recording control unit 315 also plays a role of updating the information of the RAM 304 by periodically reading out various information such as the status of the recording unit 314. Specifically, the recording control unit 315 updates information such as the state of the device such as in use, sleep, and error occurrence, and the remaining amount of the ink tank.

The recording unit 314 forms (prints) an image on a recording medium with a recording agent such as ink based on the print data output from the data conversion unit 307 and the print setting information included in the print job (printing). Process) is executed.

The wireless LAN unit 316 is a unit for realizing wireless LAN communication conforming to a standard such as Wi-Fi. The wireless LAN unit 316 is responsible for functions such as transmission information transmission processing and authentication processing for establishing a wireless LAN connection, and reception of jobs from a terminal device that has established a wireless LAN connection. Further, the wireless LAN unit 316 is connected to the system bus 318 via the bus cable 317. The CPU 302 can control the wireless LAN unit 211 to operate the access point in the printing device 300. That is, it is possible to operate the printing device 300 as a Group Owner or a soft AP. Further, in the present embodiment, the connection via the access point is executed by the wireless LAN unit 316.

The various components 302 to 317 are connected to each other via a system bus 318 managed by the CPU 302.

The printing device 300 may include a communication unit other than the wireless LAN unit 316. The communication may be performed directly by wireless communication, or may be performed via an access point outside the printing device 300 installed on the network. In the present embodiment, when communicating directly, the printing device 300 operates as a Group Owner or a soft AP. Examples of the communication method include Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi Area and the like. Further, the printing device 300 may perform wired communication not only by wireless communication but also by wired LAN or the like, and the printing device 300 can perform jobs from other external devices such as the terminal device 200 via a network using these communication methods. accept. In the present embodiment, in the direct communication, the printing apparatus 300 does not use the channel corresponding to the frequency band of 5 GHz, but uses the channel corresponding to the frequency band of 2.4 GHz. However, it is not limited to this form. For example, the printing device 300 performs direct communication using a channel corresponding to a frequency band of 5 GHz that is not switched by DFS (a channel that is not used by a specific device such as a weather radar), which will be described later. May be. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 300 uses at least one frequency band of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for wireless connection based on the standard of the IEEE 802.11 series. The printing device 300 has a communication channel corresponding to an available frequency band. For example, if a 2.4 GHz frequency band is available, the printer 300 has 13 communication channels assigned to a predetermined frequency band of the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Further, for example, if a frequency band of 5 GHz is available, the printing apparatus 300 has 24 communication channels assigned to a predetermined frequency band among the frequency bands of 5 GHz.

FIG. 1 shows the communication system of the present embodiment. The communication system of this embodiment includes a terminal device 200, a printing device 300, and an access point 400. The printing device 300 and the terminal device 200 can be connected to each other via a wireless LAN via an access point 400 outside the respective devices and can communicate with each other. Further, the printing device 300 and the terminal device 200 can operate as an access point by enabling the access point in each device. Therefore, for example, if one of the devices becomes an access point and the other device connects to the access point, the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 can be directly connected to the wireless LAN without going through the access point 400. Is. Further, since both the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300 have a wireless LAN function, peer-to-peer (hereinafter, P2P) communication is possible by performing mutual authentication.

The access point 400 is a router device. A router device is a device that relays data communication between devices (for example, between an information processing device and a communication device). In the present embodiment, the router device serves as an access point and relays data communication between devices connected to the access point of the router device. The communication method used by the router device may be a wireless communication method, a wired communication method, or both, but in the present embodiment, the router device can communicate by at least a wireless communication method. It is assumed that it has a wireless LAN router function.

In the present embodiment, the printing device 300 is connected to the access point 400 by a wireless LAN. That is, the terminal device 200 is in a state of being able to communicate with the printing device 300 via the access point 400. That is, the terminal device 200 is connected to the printing device 300 by an infrastructure connection. By constructing the infrastructure connection, the printing device 300 and the terminal device 200 can communicate with each other with the devices belonging to the network formed by the access point 400. Further, when the access point 400 is connected to the Internet, the printing device 300 and the terminal device 200 can also use the Internet via the access point 400.

In this embodiment, a mode for executing a setting process (network setting process) for connecting the printing device 300 and the access point 400 in order to construct the above-mentioned infrastructure connection will be described.

Specifically, as a method of network setting processing, for example, there is a method in which a terminal device 200 connects a printing device 300 and an access point 400 by transmitting network setting information to the printing device 300. Here, the network setting information is, for example, connection information (Service Set Identifier (hereinafter, SSID), password, etc.) used for connecting to the access point 400 to which the printing device 300 is connected. The connection information is transmitted from the printing device 300 to the access point 400 when the printing device 300 requests the access point 400 to connect. Further, for example, as a method of network setting processing, there is also a method called AOSS (AirStation One-Touch System System), easy wireless start, and WPS (Wi-Fi ProtectedStep). These methods are methods in which the printing device 300 directly receives network setting information from the access point 400 without going through the terminal device 200 to connect the printing device 300 and the access point 400. Hereinafter, these methods are automatically performed. Called the setting method.

By the way, a wireless connection is a connection made using a specific frequency band. In recent years, as a printing apparatus 300, an apparatus capable of using a plurality of frequency bands (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) has appeared. It is assumed that the printing apparatus 300 in the present embodiment can also execute wireless connection using a plurality of frequency bands. When connecting to an access point, the printing apparatus 300 first searches for an access point (AP search) using a communication channel corresponding to a usable frequency band. After that, the printing device 300 wirelessly connects to the access point by transmitting a connection request to the access point corresponding to the connection information received as described above using the communication channel corresponding to the available frequency band. ..

Such a printing device 300 cannot connect to the access point unless it knows which frequency band should be used for wirelessly connecting to the access point. For example, as a form of the printing apparatus 300, even if it is not known which frequency band should be used, an AP search may be executed using a frequency band that can be used by itself to try to connect to an access point. .. However, in general, the printing apparatus 300 cannot use a plurality of frequency bands at the same time. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 300 uses the frequency bands that can be used by itself one by one. In that case, the printing device 300 may attempt to connect using a frequency band other than the frequency band for connecting to the access point. That is, even in the above-described embodiment, the printing device 300 may take a long time to connect to the access point or may execute unnecessary processing.

For this reason, in the network setting process, it is preferable that the printing device 300 is notified of information (frequency band information) regarding a frequency band that can be used by the access point to be connected. The frequency band information is also information about a frequency band used for connection with the access point to be connected.

However, the frequency band information may not be notified depending on the method of network setting processing, the model of the access point to be connected and the type of installed software, the model of the terminal device 200 that executes the network setting processing, and the type of installed software. Specifically, for example, in WPS, whether or not the frequency band information is notified to the printing device 300 depends on the model on the access point side, so that the information may not be notified to the printing device 300. be. Further, for example, depending on the type of OS included in the terminal device 200, the terminal device 200 may not be able to acquire the frequency band information, so that the information may not be notified to the printing device 300. This causes a problem that the printing apparatus 300 may not be able to specify which frequency band should be used in the network setting process.

Further, for example, when the access point to be connected supports a plurality of frequencies, a plurality of frequency band information may be notified. Specifically, for example, as frequency band information, both information corresponding to 2.4 GHz and information corresponding to 5 GHz may be notified. In this case as well, the printing apparatus 300 has a problem that it may not be possible to specify which frequency band should be used among the plurality of frequency bands in the network setting process.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a mode of attempting to connect to the access point using an appropriate frequency band even when the frequency band information is not notified to the printing device 300 in the network setting process will be described.

Further, in the present embodiment, even when a plurality of information regarding the frequency band that can be used by the access point to be connected is notified to the printing device 300 in the network setting process, the appropriate frequency band is used with the access point. The form of attempting a connection will be described.

Specifically, in the above case, the printing apparatus 300 tries to connect to the access point by giving priority to 2.4 GHz over 5 GHz. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the reason why the printing apparatus 300 tries to connect to the access point by giving priority to 2.4 GHz over 5 GHz will be described.

In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 300 operates simultaneously (in parallel) in a mode of communicating by an infrastructure connection (infrastructure communication mode) and a mode of communicating by a direct connection (direct communication mode (P2P mode)). Shall be possible. Therefore, the printing apparatus 300 can establish and maintain the infrastructure connection and the direct connection at the same time (in parallel).

The direct connection is a connection in a wireless network constructed in which the printing device 300 or the terminal device 200 becomes the AP (that is, the master station) and the device that is not the AP becomes the client (that is, the slave station). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the printing device 300 serves as an AP in the direct connection to construct a wireless network. The direct communication mode includes a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) mode in which the printing device 300 operates as a Group Owner, and a soft AP mode in which the printing device 300 operates as a soft AP. It is assumed that the SSID and password of the AP enabled by the printing apparatus 300 are different in each mode.

The infrastructure connection is a connection in the wireless network constructed by the access point 400. The infrastructure connection is a connection in a wireless network constructed by the access point 400 as an AP (that is, a master station) and the printing device 300 as a client (that is, a slave station).

Further, thereafter, establishing an infrastructure connection and a direct connection at the same time (in parallel) and operating the infrastructure connection and the direct connection via the infrastructure connection and the direct connection at the same time (in parallel) is referred to as simultaneous operation. In the simultaneous operation, the terminal device 200 to which the printing device 300 is connected by the direct connection and the terminal device 200 to which the printing device 300 is connected by the infrastructure connection are different from each other. That is, the printing device 300 can be connected to a plurality of devices by simultaneous operation.

Communication by infrastructure connection and communication by direct connection are performed using a specific frequency band (specific channel). Therefore, in both the communication by infrastructure connection and the communication by direct connection, it is necessary to first determine the channel used for communication / connection between each device before the communication is started. In the form of allocating a plurality of channels to one wireless IC chip at the same time for communication, the configuration of each device for communication and the processing executed by each device become complicated. Therefore, for example, when the printing devices 300 operate simultaneously, it is desirable that a common channel is used for communication in each mode. That is, it is desirable that the printing apparatus 300 uses only one channel even when the printing apparatus 300 is operating simultaneously. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wireless LAN unit 316 has only one wireless IC chip that realizes communication by a predetermined channel, and the printing device 300 does not communicate using a plurality of channels at the same time.

If the printing device 300 is operating as a Group Owner or a soft AP, the printing device 300, which is the master station, can freely determine the channel used for the direct connection. However, the channel used for the infrastructure connection is determined by the access point 400, which is the master station in the infrastructure connection. Therefore, when the printing apparatus 300 operates simultaneously, it is preferable that the channel used for the infrastructure connection determined by the access point 400 is determined as the channel used for the direct connection.

However, in the direct connection using the channel corresponding to 5 GHz, the function called DFS described below is applied. Due to the existence of this function, depending on the device configuration, the printing apparatus 300 cannot execute a direct connection using a channel corresponding to 5 GHz, and it is not preferable to execute a direct connection using a channel corresponding to 5 GHz. There is. Specifically, for example, the wireless IC chip included in the wireless LAN unit 316 may not be able to operate as a Group Owner or a soft AP (that is, a master station) using a channel corresponding to 5 GHz, or may not be preferable. Hereinafter, DFS will be described.

A device that operates as a Group Owner or a soft AP, or a master station such as an access point, must execute a technique called DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) in communication using a specific frequency band such as 5 GHz. DFS is a technology for controlling communication between devices so as not to affect a weather radar or the like. When a specific device such as a weather radar uses a specific frequency, an interference wave is generated by the specific frequency. DFS is also a technique for switching the frequency (channel) used by the master unit within a specific frequency band including the specific frequency. Specifically, when the master unit detects an interference wave at the frequency used by the master unit, it first stops communication in the specific frequency band for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute). Whether the printing device 300 can use a new channel to be used after the communication stop is released while the communication is stopped (whether a specific device such as a weather radar is using the frequency corresponding to the channel). To confirm. After confirming that the channel is available, the master unit releases the suspension of communication and resumes communication on the new channel. It should be noted that the detection of the interference wave by the master unit at the frequency used for communication by the master unit means that the frequency used by the master unit for communication is used by a specific device such as a weather radar. Corresponds to the fact that the master unit identifies that. Further, a technique called TPC (Transmit Power Control) is also a technique similar to DFS.
When it is detected that a specific device such as a weather radar is using the communication channel in use, it is the master unit in the communication system that must execute the control to switch the communication channel in use. be. The slave unit follows this process when the communication channel being used is switched by the master unit. That is, even in the infrastructure connection using 5 GHz, when the access point switches the channel by DFS, the printing device 300 follows the channel switch.

Note that DFS and TPC are applied to communication in a specific frequency band such as 5 GHz, and are not applied to communication in a frequency band such as 2.4 GHz. That is, the printing device 300 does not switch the channel used for communication in the frequency band of 2.4 GHz according to the communication status of a specific device such as a weather radar. This is because a specific device such as a weather radar performs communication using a frequency band of 5.0 GHz, but does not perform communication using a frequency band of 2.4 GHz. That is, when communication between devices is performed using a frequency band of 5 GHz, channel switching is performed by DFS or TPC. At this time, as described above, when the channel is switched by DFS, the channel is switched between the channels corresponding to the frequency band of 5 GHz.
When the printing device 300 uses a wireless chip that does not support DFS, the communication channel being used cannot be switched by DFS when it is a master unit, and direct connection at 5 GHz cannot be executed. Further, as described above, in the simultaneous operation, the channels used for the infrastructure connection and the direct connection are shared. The printing apparatus 300, which cannot execute a direct connection using 5 GHz, has a problem that simultaneous operation cannot be executed if 5 GHz is used in the infrastructure connection.

Further, the printing apparatus 300 uses a wireless chip compatible with DFS, and even if a direct connection at 5 GHz can be executed, there are the following problems. As mentioned above, DFS may change the channel used for direct connection. However, as described above, in the simultaneous operation, the channel used for the infrastructure connection and the direct connection is shared, and the channel used for the infrastructure connection cannot be determined on the printing apparatus 300 side. That is, even if the channel used for the direct connection is changed by DFS during the simultaneous operation, the channel used for the infrastructure connection cannot be changed on the printing apparatus 300 side, so that the channel used for the infrastructure connection and the direct connection can be shared. become unable. Therefore, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to maintain the infrastructure connection and the direct connection in parallel.

Therefore, even if the printing apparatus 300 can use both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, it is preferable to preferentially use 2.4 GHz in consideration of simultaneous operation.

Further, even in the printing apparatus 300 that does not execute the simultaneous operation, the following problems may occur when the infrastructure connection is performed using 5 GHz. As described above, when channel switching occurs due to DFS, communication between the devices is stopped for a predetermined time. Therefore, for example, delay and packet loss may occur in communication between devices using 5 GHz.

Therefore, when the frequency band information is not notified to the printing device 300 in the network setting process, the printing device 300 of the present embodiment tries to connect to the access point by preferentially using 2.4 GHz over 5 GHz. Further, in the network setting process, when a plurality of information regarding the frequency band that can be used by the access point to be connected is notified to the printing device 300, 2.4 GHz is preferentially used over 5 GHz to be used as the access point. Attempt to connect.

On the other hand, there is also a merit of using 5 GHz. For example, in general, communication at 5 GHz is faster than communication at 2.4 GHz. Further, in general, communication at 5 GHz is more stable than communication at 2.4 GHz. Further, although the access point supports 5 GHz, it may not support 2.4 GHz. Therefore, the printing device 300 of the present embodiment tries to connect to the access point using 5 GHz when only the information of 5 GHz is notified as the frequency band information or when the user or the like instructs to use 5 GHz. ..

First, the network setting process by the automatic setting method will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a network setting process by the automatic setting method executed by the printing apparatus 300 in the present embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is realized, for example, by the CPU 302 reading a program stored in the ROM 303, the non-volatile memory 305, or the like into the RAM 304 and executing the program. Further, the process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is started when a user operation (instruction to execute the network setting process) that triggers the network setting process by the automatic setting method is performed. Specifically, the user operation that triggers the network setting process by the automatic setting method is an operation of pressing a predetermined button of the printing apparatus 300.

In S501, the CPU 302 operates the printing device 300 as an automatic setting mode. The automatic setting mode is a mode in which the network setting process is executed by the automatic setting method. If S501 is executed while the printing device 300 is operating in the direct connection mode, the printing device 300 temporarily stops its operation as an AP. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the information regarding the operation mode of the printing apparatus 300 is stored in the operation mode storage area in a predetermined memory. Then, even if S501 is executed while the printing apparatus 300 is operating in the direct connection mode, information indicating that the direct connection mode is valid is continuously stored in the operation mode storage area. And.

The network setting process by the automatic setting method is executed in a state where not only the printing device 300 but also the access point to be connected to the printing device 300 is operating as the automatic setting mode. Similar to the printing device 300, the access point starts operating as an automatic setting mode when a predetermined button is pressed by the user.

When the printing device 300 and the access point start operating in the automatic setting mode, they emit a signal indicating that they are operating in the automatic setting mode. By acquiring those signals between the devices, each device discovers the device to be the target of the network setting process by the automatic setting method. Then, each device makes a connection in order to exchange information (wireless connection profile) for executing the network setting process by the automatic setting method.

In S502, the CPU 302 determines whether or not it is connected to the access point in the automatic setting mode. The CPU 302 proceeds to S503 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S504 if the determination is NO.

In S505, the CPU 302 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (timed out) since the printing device 300 started the operation as the automatic setting mode. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 considers that an error has occurred and ends the process. On the other hand, if the determination is NO, the CPU 302 performs the processing of S502 again.

The access point connected to the printing device 300 operating as the automatic setting mode transmits the wireless connection profile to the printing device 300. The wireless connection profile is information including connection information used for connection with an access point. When the access point has a plurality of SSIDs, the wireless connection profile includes a plurality of profiles corresponding to each SSID. FIG. 4A is an example of a wireless connection profile acquired by AOSS. The wireless connection profile acquired by AOSS includes up to 8 profiles. FIG. 4B is an example of a wireless connection profile acquired by easy wireless start. Up to two profiles are included in the wireless connection profile acquired by Easy Wireless Start. 4 (c) and 4 (d) are examples of wireless connection profiles acquired by WPS. The wireless connection profile acquired by WPS contains up to 6 profiles.

As shown in FIG. 4, one profile is composed of "SSID", "frequency", "authentication method", "encryption method", and "passphrase". By using each information contained in one profile, the printing device 300 can be connected to the access point. Specifically, for example, the printing apparatus 300 has a frequency band of 2.4 GHz in order to connect to the access point having the wireless connection profile shown in FIG. 4A by using the SSID of "AOSS-1". Use. The information included in the "frequency" is not the information indicating the frequency corresponding to each SSID, but may be, for example, the information indicating the channel corresponding to each SSID. As described above, the wireless connection profile acquired by WPS may not include information on "frequency" (FIG. 4 (d)), so that information on the frequency band in which the access point can be used is included. The printing device 300 may not be notified.

In S503, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the wireless connection profile has been received from the connected access point. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 proceeds to S504. The wireless connection profile received from the access point includes a plurality of profiles. Therefore, when the CPU 302 receives the wireless connection profile, the CPU 302 specifies the number n of the profiles included in the wireless connection profile. Then, if the determination is NO, the CPU 302 proceeds to S506.

In S506, the CPU 302 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (timed out) since the printing device 300 started the operation as the automatic setting mode. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 considers that an error has occurred and ends the process. On the other hand, if the determination is NO, the CPU 302 performs the process of S503 again.

In S504, the CPU 302 initializes the wireless connection profile counter variable m. Specifically, 1 is substituted for the wireless connection profile counter variable m. The wireless connection profile counter variable m is information stored in the non-volatile memory 305 or the like.

In S505, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the m-th profile among the n profiles is a profile indicating that the access point to be connected corresponds to 2.4 GHz. Specifically, the CPU 302 includes information indicating "2.4 GHz" and information indicating "channel corresponding to 2.4 GHz" in the "frequency" region of the mth profile among the n profiles. Judge whether or not. The CPU 302 proceeds to S508 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S511 if the determination is NO.

In S511, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the mth profile among the n profiles is a profile indicating that the access point to be connected corresponds to 5 GHz. Specifically, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the "frequency" region in the mth profile among the n profiles includes information indicating information indicating "5 GHz" or "channel corresponding to 5 GHz". judge. The CPU 302 proceeds to S512 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S513 if the determination is NO.

When S507 is NO-determined and S511 is NO-determined, the m-th profile among the n profiles does not include information on the frequency band. That is, the frequency band information is not notified depending on the mth profile among the n profiles. As described above, in this embodiment, 2.4 GHz is preferentially used in such a case.

Therefore, in S513, the CPU 302 searches for an access point having an SSID corresponding to the m-th profile among the n profiles using a channel corresponding to 2.4 GHz.

In S514, the CPU 302 determines whether or not an access point having an SSID corresponding to the m-th profile among the n profiles has been found by the search in S513. The CPU 302 proceeds to S508 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S515 if the determination is NO.

In S515, the CPU 302 searches for an access point having an SSID corresponding to the m-th profile among the n profiles using a channel corresponding to 5 GHz.

In S516, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the access point having the SSID corresponding to the m-th profile among the n profiles is found by the search in S515. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 proceeds to S512, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 302 considers that an error has occurred and ends the process.

As described above, in the present embodiment, 2.4 GHz is preferentially used by executing the search in S513 (search using 2.4 GHz) before the search in S515 (search using 5 GHz). Has been realized.

In S508, the CPU 302 is the m-th storage area (2.4GHz storage area) of the connection information of the access point which is a storage area in a predetermined memory such as the non-volatile memory 305 and can be connected by 2.4GHz. Save your profile.

In S512, the CPU 302 stores the m-th profile in a storage area in a predetermined memory such as a non-volatile memory 305 and in a storage area (storage area for 5 GHz) of connection information of an access point that can be connected by 5 GHz. do.

In S509, the CPU 302 increments the wireless connection profile counter variable m.

In S510, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the incremented wireless connection profile counter variable m exceeds the number n of profiles included in the wireless connection profile. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 proceeds to S517, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to S507 again. By repeating the process in this way, each of the profiles included in the wireless connection profile is stored in the 2.4 GHz storage area or the 5 GHz storage area.

The processing after S517 will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is realized, for example, by the CPU 302 reading a program stored in the ROM 303, the non-volatile memory 305, or the like into the RAM 304 and executing the program.

In S517, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the information is stored in the 2.4 GHz storage area. That is, it is determined whether or not the access point to be connected is an access point that can be connected by 2.4 GHz. The CPU 302 proceeds to S518 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S523 if the determination is NO.

In S518, the CPU 302 attempts to connect to the access point to be connected by using the information stored in the 2.4 GHz storage area and the channel corresponding to 2.4 GHz. At this time, if a plurality of profiles are stored in the 2.4 GHz storage area, the connection is attempted by using them in order. The order of the profiles used at this time is not particularly limited, but for example, a profile of an authentication method or an encryption method having a high security level may be preferentially used. Specifically, for example, the profile of the authentication method of the "WPA2-PSK" method may be used with priority over the profile of the authentication method of the "OPEN" method. Specifically, for example, the priority of the encryption method may be set to "AES"> "TKIP"> "WEP128"> "WEP64". Further, the CPU 302 attempts to connect to the access point to be connected by using a plurality of channels corresponding to 2.4 GHz one by one until the connection is successful, but the order of the channels used is not particularly limited.

In S519, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the connection with the access point to be connected is successful by S518. The CPU 302 proceeds to S520 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S523 if the determination is NO.

In S520, the CPU 302 stores the profile used for the successful connection in a predetermined memory such as the non-volatile memory 305. Further, at this time, since the connection between the printing device 300 and the access point at 2.4 GHz is completed and the infrastructure connection at 2.4 GHz can be constructed, the CPU 302 operates the printing device 300 as the infrastructure connection mode at 2.4 GHz. Let me.

In S521, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the operation mode storage area contains information indicating that the direct connection mode is valid. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 proceeds to S522, and if the determination is NO, the process ends.

In S522, the CPU 302 operates the printing device 300 as a direct connection mode. At this time, if the printing apparatus 300 is operating in the infrastructure connection mode, simultaneous operation is executed. As described above, the channels used in the simultaneous operation are the channels used in the infrastructure connection mode. Even if the channel used in the direct connection mode before the network setting process is executed and the channel used in the infrastructure connection mode are different, in the direct connection mode after the network setting process is executed, The latter is used.

If the determination in S517 is NO, the profile is included in the storage area for 5 GHz. Therefore, in S523, the CPU 302 attempts to connect to the access point to be connected by using the information stored in the storage area for 5 GHz and the channel corresponding to 5 GHz. At this time, if a plurality of profiles are stored in the storage area for 5 GHz, the connection is attempted by using them in order. The order of the profiles used at this time is not particularly limited, but for example, a profile of an authentication method or an encryption method having a high security level may be preferentially used. Further, the CPU 302 attempts to connect to the access point to be connected by using a plurality of channels corresponding to 2.4 GHz one by one until the connection is successful, but the order of the channels used is not particularly limited.

In S524, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the connection with the access point to be connected is successful by S523. The CPU 302 proceeds to S525 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S521 if the determination is NO.

In S525, the CPU 302 stores the profile used for the successful connection in a predetermined memory such as the non-volatile memory 305. Further, at this time, since the connection between the printing device 300 and the access point at 5 GHz is completed and the infrastructure connection at 5 GHz can be constructed, the CPU 302 operates the printing device 300 as the infrastructure connection mode at 5 GHz.

In S526, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the operation mode storage area contains information indicating that the direct connection mode is valid. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 proceeds to S527, and if the determination is NO, the process ends.

In S527, the CPU 302 disables the direct connection mode. That is, the information contained in the operation mode storage area is rewritten with the information indicating that the direct connection mode is invalid. This is because, as described above, simultaneous operation using 5 GHz causes some problems. At this time, the CPU 302 may display a screen for notifying the user that the direct connection mode is invalidated on the display unit 311.

The printing device 300 can operate in the direct connection mode by directly receiving a predetermined operation from the user via the operation unit 309. However, in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 300 does not operate as the direct connection mode (that is, does not execute simultaneous operation) when operating as the infrastructure connection mode by 5 GHz. Therefore, when the predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device 300 is operating in the infrastructure connection mode of 5 GHz, the CPU 302 displays a screen for confirming whether the infrastructure connection mode may be canceled. It may be displayed in the unit 311. Then, when it is confirmed by the user operation that the infrastructure connection mode may be canceled, the CPU 302 cancels the infrastructure connection mode by 5 GHz and operates the printing apparatus 300 as the direct connection mode. Canceling the 5 GHz infrastructure connection mode corresponds to disconnecting the connection with the 5 GHz access point. Further, instead of such a form, for example, when operating as an infrastructure connection mode by 5 GHz, a configuration may be configured in which a predetermined operation for operating the printing apparatus 300 as a direct connection mode is not accepted.

Next, the network setting process using the terminal device 200 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a network setting process using the terminal device 200 executed by the printing device 300 in the present embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is realized, for example, by the CPU 302 reading a program stored in the ROM 303, the non-volatile memory 305, or the like into the RAM 304 and executing the program. Further, the process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is started when a user operation (instruction to execute the network setting process) that triggers the network setting process using the terminal device 200 is performed on the printing device 300. To.

In S701, the CPU 302 operates the printing device 300 in a predetermined mode called a setup mode based on the user operation that triggers the network setting process. The setup mode is a mode for the printing device 300 to accept the network setting process. If S701 is executed while the printing device 300 is operating in the direct connection mode, the printing device 300 temporarily stops its operation as an AP. Then, even if S701 is executed while the printing apparatus 300 is operating in the direct connection mode, information indicating that the direct connection mode is valid is continuously stored in the operation mode storage area. The user operation that triggers the network setting process is, for example, an operation on a predetermined screen for operating the printing device 300 in the setup mode, or changing the printing device 300 in the initial setting state from the power off state to the power on state. It is an operation to migrate. The initial setting state is a state in which the printing device 300 has never executed the network setting process.

In S702, the CPU 302 executes an AP search, which is a process of searching for access points existing around the printing device 300, using a channel corresponding to 2.4 GHz. As a result, access points that can be connected by 2.4 GHz are searched.

In S703, the CPU 302 executes the AP search using the channel corresponding to 5 GHz. As a result, access points that can be connected by 5 GHz are searched.

In S704, the CPU 302 stores the result of the AP search by S702 and S703 in a memory such as a RAM 304. The result of the AP search is, for example, a list of access points found by the AP search, connection information for connecting to the access point, frequency and channel information used for searching the access point, and the like. Thereby, the CPU 302 can specify which access point was discovered using which frequency or channel. That is, the CPU 302 can specify the frequencies and channels that can be used by the access point found by the AP search.

In S705, the CPU 302 activates a predetermined access point in the printing apparatus 300, which is valid only in the setup mode. The predetermined access point has an SSID including a predetermined character string.

The network setting process using the terminal device 200 is executed by using the setup program, which is a program for executing the network setting process, by the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 searches for the predetermined access point when a user operation (instruction to execute the network setting process) that triggers the network setting process is performed on the screen displayed by the setup program. Then, when the terminal device 200 finds the predetermined access point, the terminal device 200 directly connects to the printing device 300 by Wi-Fi via the predetermined access point using the connection information stored in advance in the setup program. ..

In S705, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the printing device 300 is directly connected to the terminal device 200 via the predetermined access point. The CPU 302 proceeds to S707 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S708 if the determination is NO.

In S708, the CPU 302 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (timed out) since the printing device 300 started the operation as the setup mode. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 considers that an error has occurred and ends the process. On the other hand, if the determination is NO, the CPU 302 performs the process of S706 again.

In S707, the CPU 302 transmits the AP search result to the terminal device 200.

In S709, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the network setting information has been received from the terminal device 200. The network setting information transmitted from the terminal device 200 may be information for connecting to the access point included in the AP search result transmitted by the printing device 300. Further, it may be information for connecting to an access point included in the AP search result executed by the terminal device 200. Further, it may be information for connecting to an access point designated by the user via the terminal device 200. Further, the printing apparatus 300 may receive the network setting information in a plurality of times instead of receiving the network setting information all at once. The CPU 302 proceeds to S711 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S710 if the determination is NO. In the present embodiment, the network setting information transmitted from the terminal device 200 includes information indicating a channel used by the access point to be connected as frequency band information. The CPU 302 can specify whether the channel corresponds to the 2.4 GHz frequency band or the 5 GHz frequency band by referring to the information about the channel.

In S710, the CPU 302 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (timed out) since the printing device 300 started the operation as the setup mode. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 considers that an error has occurred and ends the process. On the other hand, if the determination is NO, the CPU 302 performs the process of S709 again.

In S711, the CPU 302 invalidates a predetermined access point in the printing apparatus 300, which is valid only in the setup mode. That is, the CPU 302 temporarily disconnects from the terminal device 200.

In S712, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 includes information indicating that the frequency used by the access point to be connected is 2.4 GHz. The CPU 302 proceeds to S713 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S714 if the determination is NO.

In S713, the CPU 302 stores the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 in the storage area for 2.4 GHz.

In S714, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 includes information indicating that the frequency used by the access point to be connected is 5 GHz. The CPU 302 proceeds to S715 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S716 if the determination is NO.

In S715, the CPU 302 stores the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 in the storage area for 5 GHz.

When the determination in S712 is NO and the determination in S714 is NO, the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 does not include the information regarding the frequency used by the access point to be connected. As described above, in the present embodiment, 2.4 GHz is preferentially used in such a case. Therefore, in S716, the CPU 302 specifies that the frequency used by the access point to be connected is 2.4 GHz. ..

The processing after S717 will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is realized, for example, by the CPU 302 reading a program stored in the ROM 303, the non-volatile memory 305, or the like into the RAM 304 and executing the program.

In S717, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the network setting information is stored in the 2.4 GHz storage area. That is, it is determined whether or not the access point to be connected is an access point that can be connected by 2.4 GHz. The CPU 302 proceeds to S718 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S724 if the determination is NO.

In S718, the CPU 302 stores the network setting information stored in the 2.4 GHz storage area in a predetermined memory such as the non-volatile memory 305.

In S719, the CPU 302 attempts to connect to the access point to be connected by using the network setting information stored in the 2.4 GHz storage area and the channel corresponding to 2.4 GHz. As described above, in the present embodiment, the frequency band information is information indicating a channel, so that among the channels corresponding to 2.4 GHz, the channel indicated by the information is used to connect to the access point to be connected. Try.

In S720, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the connection with the access point to be connected is successful by S719. The CPU 302 proceeds to S721 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S722 if the determination is NO. If the connection to the access point to be connected is successful, the connection between the printing device 300 and the access point at 2.4 GHz is completed, and an infrastructure connection at 2.4 GHz can be constructed. Therefore, the CPU 302 operates the printing device 300 as an infrastructure connection mode using 2.4 GHz.

In S722, the CPU 302 displays a screen on the display unit 311 indicating that the connection with the access point to be connected has failed. At this time, the CPU 302 may transmit information to the terminal device 200 for displaying a screen indicating that the connection with the access point to be connected has failed on the display unit 209. Further, the CPU 302 may proceed to S725 and try to connect to the access point to be connected by using the channel corresponding to 5 GHz. Further, the CPU 302 may try to connect to the access point to be connected by using a channel other than the channel used in S719 among the channels corresponding to 2.4 GHz.

In S721, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the operation mode storage area contains information indicating that the direct connection mode is valid. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 proceeds to S723, and if the determination is NO, the process ends.

In S723, the CPU 302 operates the printing device 300 as a direct connection mode. This process is the same as S522.

When the determination in S717 is NO, the network setting information is included in the storage area for 5 GHz. Therefore, in S724, the CPU 302 stores the network setting information stored in the storage area for 5 GHz in a predetermined memory such as the non-volatile memory 305.

In S725, the CPU 302 attempts to connect to the access point to be connected by using the network setting information stored in the storage area for 5 GHz and the channel corresponding to 5 GHz. In the present embodiment, as described above, the frequency band information is information indicating a channel, and therefore, among the channels corresponding to 5 GHz, the channel indicated by the information is used to try to connect to the access point to be connected.

In S726, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the connection with the access point to be connected is successful by S725. The CPU 302 proceeds to S727 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S728 if the determination is NO. If the connection to the access point to be connected is successful, the connection between the printing device 300 and the access point at 5 GHz is completed, and an infrastructure connection at 5 GHz can be constructed. Therefore, the CPU 302 operates the printing device 300 as an infrastructure connection mode at 5 GHz.

In S728, the CPU 302 displays a screen on the display unit 311 indicating that the connection with the access point to be connected has failed. At this time, information for displaying a screen indicating that the connection with the access point to be connected has failed on the display unit 209 may be transmitted to the terminal device 200. Further, the CPU 302 may proceed to S719 and try to connect to the access point to be connected by using the channel corresponding to 2.4 GHz. Further, the CPU 302 may try to connect to the access point to be connected by using a channel other than the channel used in S728 among the channels corresponding to 5 GHz.

In S727, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the operation mode storage area contains information indicating that the direct connection mode is valid. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 proceeds to S729, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 302 ends the process.

In S729, the CPU 302 disables the direct connection mode. This process is the same as S522.

Next, a mode in which the network setting process via the terminal device 200 is appropriately executed by a method different from the above-described mode will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a network setting process executed by the printing apparatus 300 in the present embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is realized, for example, by the CPU 302 reading a program stored in the ROM 303, the non-volatile memory 305, or the like into the RAM 304 and executing the program. Further, the process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is started when a user operation (instruction to execute the network setting process) that triggers the network setting process is performed on the printing device 300.

Since S901 to S916 are the same as S701 to S716, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the determination in S914 is NO, the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 does not include the frequency band information. Therefore, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the AP search result saved in S904 includes the information included in the network setting information received from the terminal device 200. The information included in the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 is, for example, an SSID, an authentication method, an encryption method, a MAC address, and the like. The CPU 302 proceeds to S918 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S916 if the determination is NO. If the determination is YES, the CPU 302 specifies the frequency information corresponding to the information included in the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 from the AP search result.

In S918, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the frequency information corresponding to the information included in the network setting information received from the terminal device 200 identified from the AP search result is 2.4 GHz. The CPU 302 proceeds to S913 if the determination is YES, and proceeds to S915 if the determination is NO.

Since the processing after S913 and S915 is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 8, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the above description, the mode of receiving the network setting information for setting the infrastructure connection mode from the terminal device 200 has been described, but the network setting information for setting the direct connection mode may be received. In that case, the printing device 300 notifies the terminal device 200 of the connection information for connecting to the access point in the printing device 300, which is enabled in the direct connection mode, and then activates the access point to enable the terminal device 200. Direct connection with.

Further, it is preferable that the terminal device 200 transmits information for connecting to the access point to which the terminal device 200 was connected before the network setting process as the network setting information for setting the infrastructure connection mode. As a result, the printing device 300 connects to the access point, and if the terminal device 200 reconnects to the access point, an infrastructure connection is established between the terminal device 200 and the printing device 300.

With the above mode, if the frequency band information is not notified to the printing device 300 in the network setting process, 2.4 GHz can be preferentially used over 5 GHz to try to connect to the access point. .. Further, in the network setting process, when a plurality of information regarding the frequency band that can be used by the access point to be connected is notified to the printing device 300, 2.4 GHz is preferentially used over 5 GHz to be used as the access point. You can try to connect.

(Other embodiments)
In the above description, the printing apparatus 300 is assumed to correspond to at least one of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, but is not limited to this form. That is, the frequency band supported by the printing apparatus 300 may be a frequency band other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Further, the printing apparatus 300 may correspond to three or more frequency bands.

In the above description, when the frequency band information is not received or a plurality of frequency band information is received in the network setting process, the printing apparatus 300 preferentially uses the channel corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band with the AP. I was connected. However, it is not limited to this form. For example, in the above case, the printing apparatus 300 preferentially selects a channel (a channel that is not used by a specific device such as a weather radar) that is not switched by DFS among the channels corresponding to the frequency band of 5 GHz. It may be used to connect with the AP.

In the above description, in the network setting process using the terminal device 200, the printing device 300 is operating in the setup mode, and the network setting information is input in a state where the printing device 300 and the terminal device 200 are connected by Wi-Fi. The form of receiving was explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode, and for example, when the printing device 300 and the terminal device 200 are connected by a communication method other than Wi-Fi, the setting information is received via a communication method other than Wi-Fi. It may be. That is, for example, in response to the operation that triggers the operation in the setup mode, the printing device 300 starts the operation in a state where it can communicate with the host terminal 102 by a communication method other than WLAN. Is also good. Communication methods other than WLAN are, for example, Bluetooth Classic (registered trademark), BluetoothLow Energy (registered trademark), and NFC.

The above-described embodiment is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. It is a process to do. Further, the program may be executed on one computer or may be executed in conjunction with a plurality of computers. Further, it is not necessary to realize all of the above-mentioned processes by software, and a part or all of the processes may be realized by hardware such as ASIC. Further, the CPU is not limited to one that performs all processing by one CPU, and a plurality of CPUs may perform processing while appropriately coordinating with each other.

200 Terminal device 300 Printing device

Claims (40)

A wireless connection that can execute wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and a 5 GHz frequency band and becomes a slave station that does not determine the communication channel to be used, and a wireless connection that becomes a master station that determines the communication channel to be used. Is a printing device that can maintain in parallel,
A reception means that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in processing for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving means for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving means.
Based on the setting information, using at least one of the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band, a connection means for establishing a wireless connection between the external device and the printing device to the slave station. ,
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the 2.4 GHz frequency band is based on the setting information. When established, the slave station is controlled so that the wireless connection of the printing device and the operation of the printing device at the master station are maintained in parallel, and the printing device is operated at the master station. When the predetermined operation is accepted in the operating state and a wireless connection for the printing device to the slave station is established based on the setting information using the frequency band of 5 GHz, the slave station is connected to the slave station. A control means for controlling the wireless connection of the printing device and the operation of the printing device at the master station so as not to be maintained in parallel.
A job receiving means for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A printing means that executes printing based on the print job, and
A printing apparatus characterized by having. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the 2.4 GHz frequency band is based on the setting information. When established, the communication channel used for the wireless connection of the printing device to the slave station established based on the setting information, and the printing at the master station when the predetermined operation is accepted. Even if the communication channel used for the operation of the device is different, the wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station and the operation of the printing device at the master station are performed in parallel using the same communication channel. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is controlled so as to be maintained. When the predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, the operation of the printing device at the master station is stopped.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the 2.4 GHz frequency band is based on the setting information. Based on the establishment, the operation of the printing device at the master station is resumed, and the operation of the printing device is resumed.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection for the printing device to the slave station is established based on the setting information using the frequency band of 5 GHz. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation of the printing apparatus at the master station is not restarted based on the fact that the printing apparatus has been operated. It is possible to carry out wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band, and the first wireless connection via an external device with the first information processing device and the external with the second information processing device. A printing device that can maintain a direct second wireless connection, not through the device, in parallel.
A reception means that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in processing for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving means for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving means.
A connection means for establishing a wireless connection with the external device using at least one of the 5 GHz frequency band and the 2.4 GHz frequency band based on the setting information.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in the state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device is made using the 2.4 GHz frequency band. When established based on the setting information, the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection is controlled to be maintained in parallel with the first wireless connection. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device is performed using the frequency band of 5 GHz. When established based on the setting information, the control means for controlling so that the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection is not maintained in parallel. When,
A job receiving means for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A printing means that executes printing based on the print job, and
A printing apparatus characterized by having. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in the state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device is made using the 2.4 GHz frequency band. When established based on the setting information, the communication channel used for the wireless connection with the external device established based on the setting information and the second wireless connection when the predetermined operation is accepted. Even if the communication channel used for the operation of the printing apparatus in the state for establishing the above is different, the said in the state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the operation of the printing device is controlled so as to be maintained in parallel using the same communication channel. When the predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in the state for establishing the second wireless connection, the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection. Has stopped working,
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in the state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device is made using the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Based on what was established based on the setting information, the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection is resumed, and the operation of the printing device is resumed.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device is set by using the frequency band of 5 GHz. The printing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the operation of the printing apparatus in the state for establishing the second wireless connection is not restarted based on the establishment based on the information. .. A fourth to fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the state for establishing the second wireless connection is at least one of a state for establishing a connection by Wi-Fi Direct and a state for operating as an access point. 6. The printing apparatus according to any one of 6. When the setting information includes the frequency band information corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the frequency band information corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, the 2.4 GHz frequency band is more than the 5 GHz frequency band. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein is preferentially used to establish a wireless connection with the external device. The setting information includes frequency band information corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and frequency band information corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, and is wirelessly connected to the external device by the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The printing device according to claim 8, wherein when the device cannot be connected, the device is wirelessly connected to the external device by the frequency band of 5 GHz. When the setting information includes any one of the frequency band information corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the frequency band information corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, the frequency band information included in the setting information includes. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the printing device is wirelessly connected to the external device according to the frequency band based on the device. When neither the frequency band information corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band nor the frequency band information corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band is included in the setting information, the 2.4 GHz frequency band is used from the 5 GHz frequency band. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the frequency band of the above is preferentially used to wirelessly connect to the external device. When the setting information does not include either the frequency band information corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the frequency band information corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, the external device is used in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. When the external device is not found as a result of searching for the external device in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the external device is searched in the 5 GHz frequency band to obtain the 5 GHz frequency. The printing device according to claim 11, wherein the 2.4 GHz frequency band is preferentially used over the band to wirelessly connect to the external device. The setting information does not include either the frequency band information corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the frequency band information corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band, and the 2.4 GHz frequency band causes the external device. The printing device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein when the device cannot be wirelessly connected to the external device, the device is wirelessly connected to the external device by the frequency band of 5 GHz. When the setting information includes the frequency band information corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the plurality of profile information corresponding to the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the security level of the plurality of profile information is higher. One of claims 1 to 13, wherein a profile having a high authentication method or a profile having a higher security level is preferentially used to establish a wireless connection with the external device. The printing device described in. A wireless connection that can execute wireless communication in the first frequency band and the second frequency band and becomes a slave station that does not determine the communication channel to be used, and a wireless connection that becomes a master station that determines the communication channel to be used. Is a printing device that can maintain in parallel,
A reception means that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in processing for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving means for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving means.
Based on the setting information, at least one of a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band is used to make the external device and the printing device at the slave station. Connection means to establish a connection and
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the first frequency band is based on the setting information. When established, it is controlled so that the wireless connection of the printing device to the slave station and the operation of the printing device at the master station are maintained in parallel, and the printing device operates at the master station. When the predetermined operation is accepted and a wireless connection for the printing device to the slave station is established based on the setting information using the second frequency band, the slave station is connected to the predetermined operation. A control means for controlling the wireless connection of the printing device and the operation of the printing device at the master station so as not to be maintained in parallel.
A job receiving means for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A printing means that executes printing based on the print job, and
Have,
When wirelessly connected to the external device by the second frequency band, it is used in the wireless connection by the second frequency band between the external device and the printing device by the Dynamic Peripheral Selection or the Transmit Power Control. A printing device characterized in that one channel can be changed to another channel. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the first frequency band is based on the setting information. When established, the communication channel used for wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station established based on the setting information, and the printing device at the master station when the predetermined operation is accepted. Even if the communication channel used for the operation of is different, the wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station and the operation of the printing device at the master station are performed in parallel using the same communication channel. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the printing apparatus is controlled so as to be maintained. When the predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, the operation of the printing device at the master station is stopped.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is made to the slave station using the first frequency band is based on the setting information. Based on the establishment, the operation of the printing device at the master station is resumed, and the operation of the printing device is resumed.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is made to the slave station using the second frequency band is based on the setting information. The printing apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the operation of the printing apparatus at the master station is not restarted based on the establishment. It is possible to carry out wireless communication in the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and the first wireless connection with the first information processing device via an external device and the external with the second information processing device. A printing device that can maintain a direct second wireless connection, not through the device, in parallel.
A reception means that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in processing for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving means for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving means.
A connection means for establishing a wireless connection with the external device by using at least one of a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band based on the setting information.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the first frequency band is described. When established based on the setting information, the first wireless connection and the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection are controlled to be maintained in parallel. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the second frequency band is described. When established based on the setting information, the control means for controlling so that the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection is not maintained in parallel. When,
A job receiving means for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A printing means that executes printing based on the print job, and
Have,
When wirelessly connected to the external device by the second frequency band, it is used in the wireless connection by the second frequency band between the external device and the printing device by the Dynamic Peripheral Selection or the Transmit Power Control. A printing device characterized in that one channel can be changed to another channel. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the first frequency band is described. When established based on the setting information, the communication channel used for the wireless connection with the external device established based on the setting information and the second wireless connection when the predetermined operation is accepted. Even if the communication channel used for the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing is different, the printing in the state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection. 18. The printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the operation of the apparatus is controlled to be maintained in parallel using the same communication channel. When the predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in the state for establishing the second wireless connection, the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection. Has stopped working,
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the first frequency band is described. Based on what was established based on the setting information, the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection is resumed, and the operation of the printing device is resumed.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the second frequency band is described. The printing according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the second wireless connection is not restarted based on the establishment based on the setting information. Device. The state for establishing the second wireless connection is at least one of a state for establishing a connection by Wi-Fi Direct and a state for operating as an access point. The printing apparatus according to any one of 20. When the setting information includes the frequency band information corresponding to the first frequency band and the frequency band information corresponding to the second frequency band, the first frequency band is more than the second frequency band. The printing device according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that wireless connection with the external device is established by preferentially using. The setting information includes frequency band information corresponding to the first frequency band and frequency band information corresponding to the second frequency band, and is wirelessly connected to the external device by the first frequency band. The printing device according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein if the device cannot be used, the second frequency band is used to wirelessly connect to the external device. When the setting information includes any one of the frequency band information corresponding to the first frequency band and the frequency band information corresponding to the second frequency band, the frequency band information included in the setting information includes. The printing device according to any one of claims 15 to 23, which is wirelessly connected to the external device according to a frequency band based on the device. When neither the frequency band information corresponding to the first frequency band nor the frequency band information corresponding to the second frequency band is included in the setting information, the first frequency band is referred to from the second frequency band. The printing device according to any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the frequency band of the above is preferentially used to wirelessly connect to the external device. When the setting information does not include both the frequency band information corresponding to the first frequency band and the frequency band information corresponding to the second frequency band, the external device is set in the first frequency band. When the external device is not found as a result of searching and searching for the external device in the first frequency band, the second frequency is searched for by searching for the external device in the second frequency band. The printing device according to claim 25, wherein the first frequency band is preferentially used over the band to wirelessly connect to the external device. The setting information does not include either the frequency band information corresponding to the first frequency band and the frequency band information corresponding to the second frequency band, and the first frequency band allows the external device and the external device. The printing device according to claim 25 or 26, wherein when wireless connection is not possible, wireless connection is made to the external device by the second frequency band. When the setting information includes frequency band information corresponding to the first frequency band and a plurality of profile information corresponding to the first frequency band, the security level is higher among the plurality of profile information. The invention according to any one of claims 15 to 27, wherein the profile of the authentication method or the profile of the encryption method having a higher security level is preferentially used to establish a wireless connection with the external device. Printing equipment. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the setting information is directly received from the external device without going through a device other than the external device. The setting information is received by any one of the setting methods of AirStation One-Touch System System, Easy Wireless Start, and Wi-Fi Protected Setup.
29. The printing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation for starting a setting by any one of the setting methods. The setting information is received from a device other than the external device, and the setting information is received.
The predetermined operation is any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation for operating the printing device in a state for receiving the setting information from a device other than the external device. The printing device described in. The state for receiving the setting information is a state in which the printing device operates as a predetermined access point.
31. The printing device according to claim 31, wherein the setting information is received via a connection between the printing device operating as the predetermined access point and a device other than the external device. The setting information includes connection information for wirelessly connecting to the external device, information on an authentication method used in wireless connection with the external device, and information on an encryption method used in wireless connection with the external device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 32, which comprises at least one. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the frequency band information is information about a communication channel used for wireless connection with the external device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 34, further comprising a printing means for printing on a recording medium with ink. A wireless connection that can execute wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and a 5 GHz frequency band and becomes a slave station that does not determine the communication channel to be used, and a wireless connection that becomes a master station that determines the communication channel to be used. Is a method of controlling a printing device that can maintain in parallel.
A reception step that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in the process for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving step for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving step
Based on the setting information, a connection step of establishing a wireless connection between the external device and the printing device to the slave station using at least one of the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band. ,
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the 2.4 GHz frequency band is based on the setting information. When established, the slave station is controlled so that the wireless connection of the printing device and the operation of the printing device at the master station are maintained in parallel, and the printing device operates at the master station. When the predetermined operation is accepted and a wireless connection for the printing device to the slave station is established based on the setting information using the frequency band of 5 GHz, the printing is performed on the slave station. A control step that controls the wireless connection of the device and the operation of the printing device at the master station so as not to be maintained in parallel.
A job receiving step for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A print step that executes printing based on the print job,
A control method characterized by having. It is possible to carry out wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band, and the first wireless connection via an external device with the first information processing device and the external with the second information processing device. A method of controlling a printing device that can maintain a direct second wireless connection without a device in parallel.
A reception step that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in the process for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving step for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving step
A connection step for establishing a wireless connection with the external device using at least one of the 5 GHz frequency band and the 2.4 GHz frequency band based on the setting information.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in the state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device is made using the 2.4 GHz frequency band. When established based on the setting information, the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection is controlled to be maintained in parallel, and the operation is maintained in parallel. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing a second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the 5 GHz frequency band is the setting information. When established on the basis of, a control step that controls the operation of the printing device in a state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection so as not to be maintained in parallel.
A job receiving step for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A print step that executes printing based on the print job,
A control method characterized by having. A wireless connection that can execute wireless communication in the first frequency band and the second frequency band and becomes a slave station that does not determine the communication channel to be used, and a wireless connection that becomes a master station that determines the communication channel to be used. Is a method of controlling a printing device that can be maintained in parallel.
A reception step that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in the process for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving step for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving step
Based on the setting information, at least one of a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band is used to make the external device and the printing device at the slave station. The connection step to establish the connection and
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating at the master station, and a wireless connection in which the printing device is connected to the slave station using the first frequency band is based on the setting information. When established, it is controlled so that the wireless connection of the printing device to the slave station and the operation of the printing device at the master station are maintained in parallel, and the printing device operates at the master station. When the predetermined operation is accepted in the present state and a wireless connection for the printing device to the slave station is established based on the setting information using the second frequency band, the printing is performed on the slave station. A control step that controls the wireless connection of the device and the operation of the printing device at the master station so as not to be maintained in parallel.
A job receiving step for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A print step that executes printing based on the print job,
Have,
When wirelessly connected to the external device by the second frequency band, it is used in the wireless connection by the second frequency band between the external device and the printing device by the Dynamic Peripheral Selection or the Transmit Power Control. A control method characterized in that one channel can be changed to another channel. It is possible to carry out wireless communication in the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and the first wireless connection with the first information processing device via an external device and the external with the second information processing device. A method of controlling a printing device that can maintain a direct second wireless connection without a device in parallel.
A reception step that accepts a predetermined operation for receiving setting information used in the process for wireless connection with an external device, and
After the predetermined operation is received, the setting receiving step for receiving the setting information and the setting receiving step
A connection step for establishing a wireless connection with the external device using at least one of a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band based on the setting information.
The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in a state for establishing the second wireless connection, and the wireless connection with the external device using the first frequency band is described. When established based on the setting information, the operation of the printing device in the state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection is controlled to be maintained in parallel, and the first. The predetermined operation is accepted while the printing device is operating in the state for establishing the wireless connection of 2, and the wireless connection with the external device using the second frequency band is the setting information. When established on the basis of, a control step that controls the operation of the printing device in a state for establishing the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection so as not to be maintained in parallel.
A job receiving step for receiving a print job via a wireless connection with the external device,
A print step that executes printing based on the print job,
Have,
When wirelessly connected to the external device by the second frequency band, it is used in the wireless connection by the second frequency band between the external device and the printing device by the Dynamic Peripheral Selection or the Transmit Power Control. A control method characterized in that one channel can be changed to another channel. A program for operating a computer as each means of the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 33.

Images