JP2003050677A - Printer, print system, print system communication equipment and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer, a print system, and a print system communication equipment and method capable of easily judging a communication environment between a printer and information terminal equipment, and setting the communication environment as not less than a prescribed reference, level and making the communication environment vary according to situations. SOLUTION: This print system is constituted of a printer 1 and information terminal equipment 2. The printer 1 transmits data for testing a communication environment to the information communication terminal 2, and receives a frame returned from the information communication terminal 2. A bit error rate BER1 is calculated based on the different number of bits between the transmitted data and the received data, and when the calculated BER1 exceeds a prescribed value, a communication channel is changed, and when the BER1 is not more than the prescribed value, a display part 7 displays a message that the communication environment is satisfactory.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, a print system, and a print system communication apparatus and method, and more particularly to a printer, a print system, which transmits and receives print data and the like to and from an information terminal apparatus by wireless communication.
And a printing system communication device and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there have been remarkable developments in computer technology and communication technology, and portable information terminal devices have become widespread, and further, information terminal devices have become widespread not only in offices but also at home. When using a portable information terminal device or installing an information terminal device or printer in a home, a wireless communication means that can be easily connected without a special cable is demanded as a communication means. ing. On the other hand, standardization of various wireless communication systems is being promoted.

To give an example of standardization of a method of transmitting and receiving packetized data by wireless communication using electromagnetic waves, the IEEE Standards Committee uses the name IEEE std 802.11 for a physical layer and a media access control layer of a wireless LAN ( (Hereinafter abbreviated as “MAC layer”), and further standardizes higher-speed physical layer and MAC layer under the names IEEE std 802.11b and IEEE std 802.11a. Here, IEEE std 802.11 includes use of infrared rays as well as electromagnetic waves. In contrast, IEEE std 802.11b and IE
EE std 802.11a is currently an electromagnetic wave only.

In addition, IEEE std 802.11 and IEEE std 802.
The frequency band of electromagnetic waves used in 11b is the 2.4 GHz (gigahertz) band that does not require the user to obtain a license.

In IEEE std 802.11, the communication speed is 1 Mbi
The transmission speed is from t / sec (megabits per second) to 2 Mbit / sec. In IEEE std 802.11b, the communication speeds of 5.5 Mbit / sec and 11 Mbit / sec are added to the above. IEEE
In std 802.11a, although the frequency band of electromagnetic waves used is different, a communication speed of 6 Mbit / sec to 54 Mbit / sec is specified.

A wireless communication system using electromagnetic waves is IEEE std 8
In 02.11, both direct spread method (DS) method and frequency hopping method (FH method) are adopted, and IEEE std 802.1
1b adopts DS method, IEEE std 802.11a uses OFD
A method called M (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) is adopted.

On the other hand, in order to print out a desired file (document, image, etc.) from the information terminal device to the printer, it is necessary to install the driver software of the printer in the information terminal device. When the above-mentioned wireless LAN is constructed with at least one information terminal device and at least one printer, the information terminal device having the file to be printed out and the printer to be printed out from the file have electromagnetic waves transmitted from each other. It must be within reach.

As an example of diagnosing the communication state in the case of performing print output processing while wirelessly communicating, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-2.
There is a printing system of Japanese Patent No. 05224. This printing system includes an external device and a printing device that wirelessly communicate with each other via a wireless communication device, the printing device has a transmitting / receiving unit, and the external device wirelessly communicates with the printing device via the wireless communication device. Causes the printing device to perform printing processing. The printing device stores a predetermined communication test data, and a communication state diagnosis for diagnosing the communication state while mutually communicating the communication test data stored in the storage device between the transmitting / receiving means and the wireless communication device. And means.

[0009]

However, the above-described printer, print system, and print system communication system have some problems. That is, if print data is transmitted from the information terminal device to the printer without checking the communication environment, depending on the communication environment, nothing is printed out from the printer, communication errors frequently occur, and too much time is spent. In many cases, it became impossible to continue communication during print output, and an attempt was made to print inadequately, and a desired printout could not be obtained.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-205224 discloses a proposal for solving such a problem, but it is only an abstract description and a concrete "communication state diagnosis means" will be described. Neither it is described, nor is it described about the improvement measures in the case of "abnormal".

An object of the present invention is to easily determine the communication environment between the printer and the information terminal device, to make the communication environment more than a predetermined standard, and to set the communication environment according to the situation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a different printer, a printing system, and a printing system communication apparatus and method.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to claim 1 transmits / receives print data to / from at least one information terminal device in packet or frame units by wireless communication, and In a printer for printing out print data received from at least one information terminal device, storage means for storing communication environment test data, read means for reading out the stored communication environment test data from the storage means, It is characterized by further comprising a transmitting means for transmitting the read communication environment test data to the information terminal device by wireless communication.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to the first aspect, the transmission means issues a command instructing the information terminal device to return the communication environment test data. It is characterized in that it is added before or after the transmission data and transmitted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to the first aspect, the transmitting means instructs the information terminal device to return the data received by wireless communication thereafter to the printer. The command is transmitted in advance by wireless communication.

A printer according to a fourth aspect is the printer according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the communication environment test data is received back from the information terminal device, and the return reception is performed. It is characterized by further comprising a comparison means for comparing the communication environment test data and the transmitted communication environment test data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to the fourth aspect, the first calculating means for calculating an error rate of the print data from the comparison result by the comparing means and the calculated error rate are set in advance. And a first discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate.

A printer according to a sixth aspect is the printer according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the communication environment test data is received back from the information terminal device, and the communication is received back. It is characterized by further comprising: detection means for detecting the reception power of the environmental test data; and second determination means for determining whether or not the detected reception power is smaller than a predetermined reception power. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to the fifth or sixth aspect, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or the detected received power is predetermined. When the received power is smaller than the received power, switching means for switching the communication channel of the wireless communication to another communication channel is provided, and the transmitting means retransmits the communication environment test data on the other communication channel. Characterize.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or the detected error rate is detected. When the received power is smaller than the predetermined received power, the wireless communication system further comprises a switching means for switching the communication speed of the wireless communication to a lower communication speed, and the transmitting means includes the communication environment test at the lower communication speed. The data is transmitted again.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or the detected error rate is detected. When the received power is lower than the predetermined received power, the communication device includes means for switching the communication mode and means for searching the access point, and when the communication mode is the ad hoc mode, the searching means searches for the access point. When an access point is found, a mode is provided in which the communication environment test data is retransmitted by changing to a so-called infrastructure mode for communicating with the information terminal device via the access point.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to any one of the fifth to ninth aspects, the printer is provided with setting means for presetting the predetermined error rate.

The printer according to claim 11 is the printer according to claim 10.
In the printer, the setting means includes selection means for selecting the predetermined error rate from two or more values.

A printer according to a twelfth aspect is the printer according to any one of the fifth to eleventh aspects, wherein the error rate is a bit error rate or a packet error rate.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to a thirteenth aspect comprises at least one information terminal device and at least one printer according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects. Characterize.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to claim 14 is at least one information terminal device, storage means for storing communication environment test data, and the stored communication environment test data from the storage means. Read-out means for reading out data, the print data being transmitted / received to / from the at least one information terminal device in units of packets or frames by wireless communication, and the print data received from the at least one information terminal device being printed out. In a communication device of a print system including one printer, there is provided a transmission means for transmitting the read communication environment test data to the information terminal device by wireless communication.

A communication device according to claim 15 is the communication device according to claim 14.
In the communication device, the transmitting means adds a command instructing the information terminal device to return the communication environment test data before or after the communication environment test data and transmits the command. And

A communication device according to claim 16 is the communication device according to claim 14.
In the communication device, the transmitting means transmits in advance to the information terminal device a command instructing the information terminal device to return the data received by wireless communication to the printer and transmit the data to the printer. Is characterized by.

A communication device according to claim 17 is the communication device according to claim 14.
The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the receiving means receives the communication environment test data back from the information terminal device, the communication environment test data received back, and the communication environment test transmitted. And a comparison means for comparing the data.

The communication device according to claim 18 is the communication device according to claim 17.
In the communication device described above, first calculating means for calculating an error rate of the print data from the comparison result by the comparing means, and determining whether the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or not. And a first discriminating means for carrying out.

A communication device according to claim 18 is the communication device according to claim 14.
17. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising: a receiving unit that loops back and receives the communication environment test data from the information terminal device; and a detecting unit that detects the received power of the loopback received communication environment test data. And a second discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the detected received power is smaller than a predetermined received power.

The communication device according to claim 20 is the communication device according to claim 18.
Or, in the communication device according to 19, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate, or when the detected received power is smaller than a predetermined received power, the wireless communication Equipped with a switching means for switching a communication channel to another communication channel,
The transmitting means retransmits the communication environment test data on the other communication channel.

A communication device according to claim 21 is the communication device according to claim 18.
21. In the communication device according to any one of items 20 to 20, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate, or when the detected received power is smaller than a predetermined received power. And a switching means for switching the communication speed of the wireless communication to a lower communication speed, and the transmitting means retransmits the communication environment test data at the lower communication speed.

A communication device according to claim 22 is the communication device according to claim 18.
21. In the communication device according to any one of items 20 to 20, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate, or when the detected received power is smaller than a predetermined received power. In, comprising a means for switching the communication mode and a means for searching for an access point, when the communication mode is an ad hoc mode, searching for the access point by the searching means,
When an access point is found, a means for changing to a so-called infrastructure mode for communicating with the information terminal device via the access point and retransmitting the communication environment test data is provided.

A communication device according to claim 23 is the communication device according to claim 18.
22. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 21, further comprising: a setting unit configured to preset the predetermined error rate.

A communication device according to claim 24 is the communication device according to claim 23.
In the communication device as described above, the setting means comprises selection means for selecting the predetermined error rate from two or more values.

A communication device according to claim 25 is the communication device according to claim 18.
25. The communication device according to any one of items 24 to 24, wherein the error rate is a bit error rate or a packet error rate.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, claim 26
The described communication method includes at least one information terminal device,
Storage means for storing communication environment test data, read means for reading out the stored communication environment test data from the storage means, and wireless communication of print data in packet or frame units with the at least one information terminal device. In a communication device of a printing system, the communication device including: a printer for transmitting and receiving the print data received from the at least one information terminal device; and a printer for printing out the print data received from the at least one information terminal device. It is characterized by comprising a transmitting step of transmitting to the information terminal device.

A communication method according to claim 27 is a communication method according to claim 26.
In the communication method described above, the transmitting step may include adding a command instructing the information terminal device to return the communication environment test data before or after the communication environment test data and transmitting the command. Characterize.

A communication method according to claim 28 is the communication method according to claim 26.
In the communication method described above, the transmitting unit transmits, to the information terminal device in advance, by wireless communication, a command instructing to return data received by wireless communication to the printer. .

The communication method according to claim 29 is the method according to claim 26.
29. In the communication method according to any one of claims 28 to 28, a receiving unit that receives the communication environment test data back from the information terminal device, the communication environment test data that is received back, and the communication environment test that is transmitted. And a comparison step of comparing with the data.

The communication method according to claim 30 is the method according to claim 29.
In the communication method, a first calculating step of calculating an error rate of the print data from the comparison result of the comparing step, and determining whether the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate. It is characterized in that it is provided with the discrimination step 1.

The communication method according to claim 31 is the communication method according to claim 26.
30. In the communication method according to any one of claims 29 to 29, a receiving step of returning the communication environment test data from the information terminal device, and a detecting step of detecting the reception power of the return received communication environment test data. And a second determining step of determining whether or not the detected received power is smaller than a predetermined received power.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the thirtieth aspect of the communication method.
Or in the communication method according to 31, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate, or when the detected reception power is lower than a predetermined reception power, the wireless communication A switching process for switching a communication channel to another communication channel is provided,
In the transmitting step, the communication environment test data is retransmitted on the other communication channel.

The communication method according to claim 33 is the method according to claim 30.
33. In the communication method according to any one of items 1 to 32, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate, or when the detected received power is lower than a predetermined received power. And a switching step of switching the communication speed of the wireless communication to a lower communication speed, wherein the transmitting step retransmits the communication environment test data at the lower communication speed.

A communication method according to claim 34 is the communication method according to claim 30.
33. In the communication method according to any one of items 1 to 32, when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate, or when the detected received power is lower than a predetermined received power. In, including the step of switching the communication mode and the step of searching for an access point, when the communication mode is an ad hoc mode, search the access point by the searching step,
When an access point is found, the method further comprises the step of changing to a so-called infrastructure mode for communicating with the information terminal device via the access point and retransmitting the communication environment test data.

A communication method according to a thirty-fifth aspect is the thirtieth aspect.
34. The communication method according to any one of items 33 to 33, further comprising a setting step of presetting the predetermined error rate.

A communication method according to a thirty-sixth aspect is the communication method according to the fifth aspect, wherein the setting step includes a selecting step of selecting the predetermined error rate from two or more values. .

A communication method according to a thirty-seventh aspect is the thirtieth aspect.
37. The communication method according to any one of items 1 to 36, wherein the error rate is a bit error rate or a packet error rate.

[0049]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the printer 1 is the printer 1.
Central control unit 101 for controlling each part of the
(Read Only Memory) unit 102, RAM (Random Acces
memory unit 103, timer 104, print engine unit 105, power comparison unit 117, switch unit 106, display unit 107, MAC (Medium Access Control) layer control unit 108, which are mutually connected via an internal bus 118. It is connected.

The printer 1 further includes a MAC layer control unit 1
08, the baseband processing unit 109, IF (In
termediate frequency signal modem unit 11
0, an RF (Radio Frequency) / IF converter 111, and an RF transmitter / receiver 112, which are connected in series with each other. An antenna 113 is connected to the RF transmitting / receiving unit 112, the output of the RF transmitting / receiving unit 112 is connected to the power comparing unit 117, and the input is connected to the MAC layer control unit 108. In addition, the printer 1
It has a ROM section 114 and a RAM section 115, which are
It is connected to the MAC layer control unit 108 via the memory bus 116.

The ROM section 102 is a storage medium in which a program command code or the like read by the central control unit 101 to control each section as needed is stored in advance. The RAM unit 103 writes or reads data as necessary by the central control unit 101, buffers print data received from the information terminal device, status information of the printer 1, and the like in response to a request from the information terminal device. The status information is buffered for transmission. The timer 104 starts timing under the control of the central control unit 101 and notifies the central control unit 101 of the set time lapse.

The print engine unit 105 includes the printer 1
When the printer 1 is an inkjet printer, the print engine unit 105 detects a print head, an ink cartridge, a paper feed mechanism, a paper discharge mechanism, a unit for detecting the presence or absence of print paper, and a jam of print paper. Means, means for detecting the presence or absence of remaining ink, and the like are provided.

The switch section 106 is a section in which switches operated by the user are arranged. When the switch section 106 is operated, the switch section 106 is notified to that effect or the central control apparatus 101 periodically. It is configured to monitor the status of the switch. The display unit 107 is an LED (Lig for displaying) under the control of the central control unit 101.
ht Emitting Diode) etc.

The MAC layer control unit 108 uses the IEEE std 802.1
It is a part that operates according to 1b and assembles and disassembles frames to be transmitted and received wirelessly, generates control frames, controls acquisition of wireless communication channels, and controls communication speed. The baseband processor 109 modulates / demodulates and encodes / frames the frame.
Performs decoding, analog / digital conversion, etc. The IF signal modem unit 110 performs filtering of the transmission IF signal and the reception IF, 4-phase modulation / demodulation, and the like. IF signal is IE
In EE std 802.11, the center frequency is 374 MHz and 1
It has a band of 7 MHz.

The RF / IF converter 111 receives the IF signal output from the IF signal modem 110 and receives 2.4 GHz signals.
It is for converting into a band RF (Radio Frequency) signal, outputting it to the RF transmission / reception unit 112, and outputting it from the antenna 113 via the RF transmission / reception unit 112. Conversely, the RF signal received by the antenna 113 is RF transmission / reception. When the signal is input via the unit 112, it is converted into an IF signal and output to the IF signal modem unit 110. The RF transmitting / receiving unit 112 uses the RF
Amplification of signals and switching of transmission / reception are performed according to an instruction from the MAC layer control unit 108. The antenna 113 outputs the electric signal output from the RF transmitter / receiver 112 as an electromagnetic wave and converts the received electromagnetic wave into an electric signal which is an RF signal. The baseband processing unit 109 to the antenna 113 form a physical layer compliant with IEEE std 802.11b. IEEE std
In the 802.11b-1999 Edition, frequencies as shown in FIG. 4 described later are assigned to each communication channel.

In FIG. 4, the frequency 24 of the communication channel 1
1 from 12MHz to 2484MHz of communication channel 14 frequency
The frequencies corresponding to the four communication channels are listed.

The MAC layer control unit 108 may have a built-in microcontroller. The ROM section 114 is a MAC
It is a storage medium in which program instruction codes and the like read by the microcontroller in the layer control unit 108 are stored in advance. The RAM unit 115 is for the microcontroller in the MAC layer control unit 108 to write and read data as needed, and to buffer data to be transmitted and received wirelessly. The memory bus 116 is M
AC layer control unit 108, ROM unit 114, and RAM unit 11
5 is connected.

The power comparison unit 117 receives the reception power input via the antenna 113 and the RF transmission / reception unit 112,
The central control device 101 has a function of comparing the electric power value input by the central control device 101 and notifying the central control device 101.
The power value input by 01 is converted from digital to analog,
It is input to an internal comparator and compared with an analog signal input from the RF transceiver.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer including the information terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the information terminal device 2 is, for example, a notebook personal computer main body 201, and a wireless communication means connected to the personal computer main body 201 via a PCMCIA interface (I / F) unit 203, for example. The wireless LAN card 202 conforming to IEEEstd 802.11b is provided. The PCMCIA interface unit 203 is the personal computer main body 2
01 is an example of an interface for connecting 01 and the wireless LAN card 202.

The wireless LAN card 202 is a PCMCIA
The MAC layer control unit 204, the baseband processing unit 205, the IF signal modem unit 206, the IF / RF conversion unit 207, and the RF reception unit 20 which are connected to the interface unit 203.
8 are connected in series with each other. R
An antenna 209 is connected to the F transmission / reception unit 208, and a ROM unit 210 and a RAM unit 211 are connected to the MAC layer control unit 204.

The MAC layer control unit 204 uses the IEEE std 802.1
It operates according to 1b, and is responsible for frame assembly / disassembly, control frame generation, wireless communication channel acquisition control, communication speed control, etc. The baseband processing unit 205 performs modulation / demodulation of frames, encoding / decoding, analog / digital conversion, and the like. An IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal transmission / reception unit 206 performs filtering of the transmission IF signal and the reception IF, 4-phase phase modulation / demodulation, and the like. The RF / IF conversion unit 207 inputs the IF signal output from the IF transmission / reception unit 206, converts the IF signal into an RF (Radio Frequency) signal, outputs the RF signal to the RF transmission / reception unit 208, and outputs from the antenna 209 via the RF transmission / reception unit 208. And vice versa, antenna 209
When the RF signal received by the baseband controller 2 is input via the RF transceiver 208, the baseband controller 2 converts the IF signal into an IF signal.
Output to 05. The RF transmission / reception unit 208 performs switching between transmission / reception and the like according to amplification of the RF signal and an instruction from the MAC layer control unit 204. The antenna 209 outputs the output signal of the RF transmitting / receiving unit as an electromagnetic wave and converts the received electromagnetic wave into an electric signal which is an RF signal. MAC layer control unit 2
04 may have a built-in microcontroller. R
The OM unit 210 is a storage medium in which program instruction codes read by the microcontroller in the MAC layer control unit 204 are stored in advance. The RAM section 211 is an MA
The microcontroller in the C layer control unit 204 writes or reads data as necessary, and buffers data to be transmitted and received wirelessly.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a print system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the print system according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises the printer 1 of FIG. 1, the information terminal device 2 of FIG. 2, and other similar information terminal devices 3 and 4. Each of the information terminal devices 2, 3 and 4 can transmit print data to the printer 1 by wireless communication and print out the print data. The configuration of FIG. 3 is also applied to the print systems according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention described below.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a communication control procedure executed by the print system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, first, when it is detected that the switch section 106 of the printer 1 has performed an operation for conducting a communication environment test with the information terminal device 2 (step S10).
1), the printer 1 sets the communication channel to the channel number 1 in the correspondence table shown in FIG. 4 and the communication speed to the IEEE std 80
2.11b-11 Mbit / sec, which is the maximum speed specified in 1999 Edition (hereinafter, Mbit / sec is referred to as "Mb
(abbreviated as "ps"), the communication mode is set to the ad hoc mode for directly communicating with the information terminal device (step S102). In this case, it is assumed that the information terminal device 2 has the same setting, or if communication is possible, the printer 1 negotiates and requests the information terminal device 2 to make the same setting.

Subsequently, the central control unit 101 of the printer 1
Reads out a command code from the ROM 102 for instructing the information terminal device 2 to send back the content of a frame received thereafter to the printer 1 and sends it to the MAC layer control unit 108, and the MAC layer control unit 108. The frame is converted into a frame and is transmitted to the information terminal device 2 through the baseband processing unit 109, the IF signal modem unit 110, the RF / IF conversion unit 111, the RF transmission / reception unit 112, and the antenna 113 (step S103). At this time, the communication channel is channel number 1, the communication speed is 11 Mbps, and the communication mode is the ad hoc mode.

In the following step S104, a response is received as follows. That is, in the information terminal device 2, the MAC layer control unit 204 transmits the above frame to the antenna 209 and RF.
Received via the transmission / reception unit 208, IF / RF conversion unit 207, IF signal modem unit 206, and baseband processing unit 205, temporarily store this frame in the RAM unit 211,
It is disassembled according to the procedure stored in the ROM section 210 as a program code, and the contents of the above frame are analyzed by PCMCIA.
It is sent to the personal computer 201 via the interface unit 203. The personal computer 201 sends the command code indicating that the above command code has been accepted to the PC.
It is sent to the MAC layer control unit 204 via the MCIA interface unit 203, and the MAC layer control unit 204 converts the frame into a response frame and the baseband processing unit 20.
5, IF signal modem unit 206, IF / RF conversion unit 20
7, the RF transmission / reception unit 208, and the antenna 209 to transmit to the printer 1. Channel number 1 is used as the communication channel at this time, the communication speed is 11 Mbps, and transmission is performed in the ad hoc mode. Personal computer 2
01 further instructs the MAC layer control unit 204 to send back the contents of the frame received from the printer 1 thereafter to the printer 1. The printer 1 transmits the response frame to the antenna 113, the RF transmission / reception unit 112, and the IF.
The MAC layer control unit 108 receives via the / RF conversion unit 111, the IF signal modem unit 110, and the baseband processing unit 109, and the MAC layer control unit 108 temporarily R
The frame is decomposed according to the procedure stored in the AM section 115 and stored in the ROM section 114 as a program code, and the contents of the frame are notified to the central control unit 101.

When the response reception as described above is completed (YES in step S104), the central control unit 101 sends the RO
The communication environment test data is read from the M unit 102 (storage unit) (reading unit), passed to the MAC layer control unit 108, framed by the MAC layer control unit, and baseband processing unit 109, IF signal modem unit 110, RF / IF converter 1
11, transmission to the information terminal device 2 through the RF transmitting / receiving unit 112 and the antenna 113 (transmission means) (step S1
05). This communication environment test data may be the number of bytes that fits in one frame, but when calculating the packet error rate, it is necessary that the data has a large number of bytes so as to be a plurality of frames.

Then, in step S106, the following return reception is performed. That is, in the information terminal device 2, the MAC layer control unit 204 transmits the frame including the received communication environment test data to the antenna 209, the RF transmission / reception unit 208, the IF / RF conversion unit 207, the IF signal modem unit 2
06, the frame is received via the baseband processing unit 205, the frame is temporarily stored in the RAM unit 211, and the ROM unit 21
The frame is decomposed according to the procedure stored in the program code 0, the destination address is changed to the printer 1, and the frame is reframed. The baseband processing unit 205, the IF signal modem unit 206, the IF / RF conversion unit 207, the RF transmission / reception unit 208. , To the printer 1 via the antenna 209. The printer 1 receives the frame transmitted back by the information terminal device.

When the return reception as described above is completed (YES in step S106), the bit error rate BER1 is received when the number of frames transmitted by itself is received.
Is calculated (step S107). As a method at this time, the received frame is decomposed by the MAC layer control unit 108, and the contents therein are transferred to the RAM unit 103. When a plurality of frames are received, frame decomposition and transfer to the RAM unit 103 are repeated one after another. However, it is necessary to set the RAM address when transferring to the RAM section so that the frame contents are connected.

Next, when the central control unit 101 detects that the transmission of the communication environment test data is completed and the reception from the information terminal device 2 is also completed, the communication environment test data in the ROM section 102 and the RAM section are detected. MAC layer control unit 1 in 103
08 compares the data transferred from the received frame as described above, and calculates the bit error rate BER1 from the different number of bits and the total number of bits of the communication environment test data (step S107).

In the following step S108, it is determined whether or not the calculated BER1 is a preset allowable bit error rate of BER2 or less. If BER1 is BER2 or less (NO in step S108). ), It is determined that the communication environment under the conditions in this case is good, and the fact that the communication environment is good is displayed on the display unit 107 (step S109).
The process ends. After that, normally, when a frame including print data is received from the information terminal device, the print data may be given to the print engine unit 105 to perform printout processing.

As a result of the determination in step S108, BER1 is BE
When it becomes larger than R2 (YE in step S108)
S), M to change the communication channel to channel number 2
The AC layer control unit 108 is instructed to frame the command so that the communication terminal (ChNo.) Is also incremented by 1 to the information terminal device 2 so that the command is framed and transmitted (step S110). If the BER1 is BER2 or more as a result of the determination in step S108 again as a result of the determination in step S108 again, the display unit 107 displays that the communication environment is good (step S109), and BER1 is greater than BER2 in channel number 2. When also becomes big,
The channel number is changed to 3 (step S111), and the process returns to step S103.

Similarly, the channel number is changed by +1 (step S110), and when BER1 becomes BER2 or less, the display section 107 displays that the communication environment is good at that time (step S109), and the channel number is changed. The same process is performed up to 14, and when BER1 is not equal to or lower than BER2 (YES in step S111), the fact that the communication environment is bad is displayed on the display unit 107 (step S112), and this process is ended.

It is generally said that TCP / IP can operate when the bit error rate is 10 −5 or less. This preset BER2 may be this value, and a smaller value may be considered as the BER2 for the purpose of printing an image with high definition. In the case of printing just as a memo, if you set a larger value as BER2,
The step S108 tends to be NO, and the step S109 is likely to proceed.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the communication environment can be judged from the bit error rate,
When the communication channel interferes with another wireless communication device or the like, it is possible to find a communication channel that avoids the interference and perform communication.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a communication control procedure executed by a print system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the bit error rate BE
This relates to the case where the communication environment is judged using the packet error rate PER as a parameter instead of R.

The processing of steps S201 to S206 of FIG. 6 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S106 of FIG.

In step S207 of FIG. 6, the packet error rate PER1 is calculated when the number of frames transmitted by itself is received. As a method at this time, the received frame is decomposed by the MAC layer control unit 108, and the contents therein are transferred to the RAM unit 103. When a plurality of frames are received, frame decomposition and transfer to the RAM unit 103 are repeated one after another. However, RA when transferring to RAM
The address of M needs to be set so that the contents of the frame are connected.

When the central control unit 101 detects that the transmission of the communication environment test data has been completed and the reception from the information terminal device 2 has also been completed, the communication environment test data in the ROM section 102 and the RAM section 103 The MAC layer control unit 108 compares the data transferred from the received frame as described above, and based on the number of frames including different bits and the total number of frames when the communication environment test data is transmitted, the packet error rate PER1 Is calculated (step S20
7).

In the following step S208, it is determined whether or not the calculated PER1 is a preset allowable packet error rate of PER2 or less. If PER1 is PER2 or less (NO in step S208). Then, it is determined that the communication environment under the condition in this case is good, and the fact that the communication environment is good is displayed on the display unit 107 (step S209),
This process ends. After that, normally, when a frame including print data is received from the information terminal device, the print data may be given to the print engine unit 105 to perform printout processing.

As a result of the determination in step S208, PER1 is PE
When the value becomes larger than R2 (Y in step S208)
ES), a command to instruct the MAC layer control unit 108 to change the communication channel to the channel number 2 and also to the information terminal device 2 to change the communication channel (ChNo.) To +1 by changing the communication channel (ChNo.) To +1. Is framed and transmitted (step S210), and the processes after step S203 are repeated. The procedure after step S210 is shown in FIG.
This is the same as step S110 and subsequent steps.

In the above description, frame and packet are treated synonymously.

The packet error rate PER1 may be calculated by the MAC layer control unit 108 instead of the central control unit 101. It may be the role of the central controller 101 to notify the central controller 101 of the calculated PER1 and to compare it with the preset PER2, and the MAC layer controller 108 may also be responsible for the comparison with PER2. .

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to judge the communication environment based on the packet error rate, and avoid the interference when the communication channel interferes with other wireless communication devices. Channels can be found and communicated.

An error occurs in a frame (packet) when an error occurs during communication, and a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Code) or FCS (Frame Ch
eckSequence) is often added, and the receiving side calculates the CRC or FCS from the data in the frame (packet) and the actual received CR.
By comparing the values of the C section and the FCS section, it can be determined whether or not the frame (packet) is in error. This method is generally used, and since the MAC layer control unit 108 is often provided with the above-described function, a frame (packet) in which a CRC or FCS error occurs rather than calculating a bit error rate separately. It is easier to calculate the packet error rate PER1 by counting and dividing by the total number of received frames (packets).

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a communication control procedure executed by a print system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment relates to the case of using the received power as a parameter to judge the communication environment.

The processing of steps S301 to S306 of FIG. 7 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S106 of FIG.

In step S307 of FIG. 7, step S307
In 306, the electromagnetic wave received by the antenna 113 is converted into an electric signal, and the received power POWER1 of the RF signal received by the RF transmission / reception unit 112 is compared with the preset power value POWER2 by the power comparison unit 117.

In the following step S308, if the calculated POWER1 is equal to or higher than the preset electric green area POWER2 (NO in step S308), it is determined that the communication environment under the conditions in this case is good, and it is good. Display section 10
7 is displayed (step S309), and this processing ends. After that, normally, when a frame including print data is received from the information terminal device, the print data may be given to the print engine unit 105 to perform printout processing.

As a result of the determination in step S308, POWER1
When the value is smaller than POWER2 (step S308
YES), the MAC layer control unit 108 is instructed to change the communication channel to the channel number 2, and the information terminal device 2 is also commanded to change the channel number 2 by incrementing the communication channel (ChNo.) By one. Is framed and transmitted (step S310), and the processes after step S303 are repeated. The procedure after step S310 is the same as that after step S110 in FIG.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to judge the communication environment from the received power, and avoid the interference when the communication channel interferes with other wireless communication devices. Can find and communicate.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a communication control procedure executed by the print system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment relates to the case where the communication speed is changed instead of the communication channel as compared with the first embodiment.

The processing of steps S401 to S409 of FIG. 8 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S109 of FIG.

In step S408 of FIG. 8, BER1 is
When the value becomes larger than BER2 (YES in step S408), it is determined whether or not the communication speed exceeds 1 Mbps (step S410).
01 instructs the MAC layer control unit 108 to reduce the communication speed from 11 Mbps to 5.5 Mbps, and also frame the command to the information terminal device 2 so as to change the communication speed to 5.5 Mbps. And send (step S4
11), and the processes after step S403 are repeated.

As a result of performing the processing up to step S408 at the communication speed of 5.5 Mbps, if BER1 becomes equal to or lower than BER2 (NO in step S408), display that the communication environment is good is displayed on the display unit 107 (step). In step S409, this process ends, but if BER1 becomes greater than BER2, the communication speed is further reduced to 2 Mbps and the same process is performed. BER1 is B
When the communication speed becomes 1 Mbps in the state of being larger than ER2 (YES in step S410), the fact that the communication environment is bad is displayed on the display unit 107 (step S412), and this processing ends.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the bit error rate is larger than a desired value, the communication speed is reduced to obtain a bit error rate higher than the desired bit error rate. In general, the faster the communication speed, the shorter the communicable distance, and the slower the communication speed, the longer the communicable distance.
This is effective when there is a certain distance between the information terminal device 2 and the information terminal device 2.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a print system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 9, the print system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention comprises the printer 1 of FIG. 1, the information terminal device 2 of FIG. 2, the access point 6, and the network terminal devices 71 and 72. Each network terminal device 71, 72 is connected to the access point 6 via the priority network 7. Assessment point 6 in general
Has a function of connecting to a wired network and has a function of relaying wireless communication.

Since an antenna having a higher performance than the antenna 209 of the PC card type wireless communication section as shown in FIG. 2 is often used, the printer 1 and the information terminal device 2 are used.
Even if the electromagnetic wave does not directly reach between the printer 1 and the information terminal device 2, communication is often possible by passing through the access point 6, which is effective.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a communication control procedure executed by the print system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment relates to the case of changing the communication mode instead of the communication channel as compared with the first embodiment. In this embodiment, when the bit error rate is higher than a desired value, the ad hoc mode is changed to the infrastructure mode, and the communication environment test is performed in the form of the print system shown in FIG.

The processing of steps S501 to S509 in FIG. 10 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S109 in FIG.

In step S508 of FIG. 10, BER1 is BE.
When the value is larger than R2 (Y in step S508)
ES), since the central control unit 101 is currently in the ad hoc mode (NO in step S510), it instructs the MAC layer control unit 108 to search for an access point,
The MAC layer control unit 108 includes a baseband processing unit 109,
IF signal modem section 110, RF / IF conversion section 111, R
When a predetermined signal for searching for an access point is transmitted through the F transmitter / receiver 112 and the antenna 113 (step S411) and the access point 3 shown in FIG. Then, the mode is changed to the infrastructure mode for communicating with the information terminal device 2 (step S511). Since the printer 1 sends a command instructing the information terminal device 2 to search for an access point, or the access point 6 exists, it is confirmed whether the information terminal device 2 can also communicate with the access point 6. Whether or not it is possible to communicate between the information terminal device 2 and the access point 6 by instructing the access point 6 to check whether communication with the information terminal device 2 is possible or not. Ask them to confirm. If the information terminal device 2 and the access point 6 can communicate with each other, the information terminal device 2 is also changed to the infrastructure mode (step S511), and the processes from step S503 are repeated. As a result, if BER1 becomes less than or equal to BER2, the process proceeds to step S509 and ends the process.
Is larger than BER2, the fact that the communication environment is bad is displayed on the display unit 107 (step S512), and this processing ends.

Furthermore, the judgment by the bit error rate, the judgment by the packet error rate, and the judgment by the received power described in the first to third embodiments,
A method of changing the communication channel described in the first embodiment when the communication environment is not determined to be good in the first comparison, and a method of changing the communication speed described in the fourth embodiment, As a combination with the method of changing from the ad hoc mode to the infrastructure mode described in the fourth embodiment, a combination of a method of judging a packet error rate and a method of changing a communication speed, a method of judging a packet error rate and ad hoc There are possible combinations with the method of changing from the mode to the infrastructure mode, the combination with the method of judging the reception power and the communication speed, and the combination of the judgment with the reception power and the method of changing from the ad hoc mode to the infrastructure mode. , Detailed description is omitted.

Although the wireless communication section of the printer 1 in FIG. 1 is described as being built-in, it may be attached to the printer 1 as a separate unit such as a PC card.

On the contrary, the information terminal device 2 of FIG. 2 uses the PCM between the personal computer 201 and the wireless communication section 202.
Although it is assumed that the CIA interface 203 is used for connection, the wireless communication unit 202 is not connected to the personal computer 201.
May be built in, and there is no problem even if the interface is other than the PCMCIA interface.
The printer 1 may be an inkjet printer or another type of printer such as a thermal transfer printer or a page printer. Further expanding, the present invention is not limited to the printer, and the present invention can be applied to other peripheral devices such as a scanner (image reading device).

As the parameters for judging the communication environment, the above description has been made for each case using the bit error rate, the packet error rate and the received power. However, by combining these three parameters, it is judged from any two or all three. You may do it.

Needless to say, other parameters may be used. Further, when the desired result is not obtained even after the change of the communication channel is finished, the communication speed may be changed subsequently, and further, the ad hoc mode may be changed to the infrastructure mode in combination. . In this case, the order of change is any of the communication channel, the communication speed, the ad hoc mode, and the infrastructure mode, which are within the scope of the present invention.

The display indicating that the communication environment is good may be, for example, lighting or blinking the green LED, and the display indicating that the communication environment is bad may be, for example, lighting or blinking the red LED. If it has, it is possible to display it easily with words and pictures. Further, the information may be displayed not only on the printer side but also on the information terminal device side. As the communication environment test data, it is conceivable to use the data for the printout test stored in the memory inside the printer, which is used in the shipping test of the printer or the like, without being specially created.

The wireless communication methods are IEEE std 802.11, IEEE std
It may be a communication method compliant with either d 802.11a or IEEE std 802.11b, or may be another method under consideration by IEEE.
Also, a method based on another communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or HomeRF (registered trademark) may be used.

[0118]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the communication environment can be confirmed without actually printing out the information terminal device to the printer. Therefore, it is possible to avoid wasting print paper, ink, etc. by executing printout in a poor communication environment, and avoiding waste of time.

Further, even if the criterion is once worse than the criterion, by changing the conditions such as the communication channel, the communication speed, and the communication mode, there is an effect that the possibility that the desired criterion can be obtained becomes great.

Further, it is possible to make the judgment standard set in advance differently in the case of obtaining a high-definition image output or in the printout instead of the memo, and the judgment standard suitable for each case can be set. There is an effect that it is possible to determine whether or not the communication environment is the same.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer including the information terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a print system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a correspondence table of numbers and frequencies of each communication channel described in IEEE std 802.11b-1999 Edition.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a communication control procedure executed by the print system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a communication control procedure executed by the print system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a communication control procedure executed by the print system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a communication control procedure executed by the print system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a printing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a communication control procedure executed by the print system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 printer 2,3,4,5 Information terminal equipment 6 access points 7 Wired network 71,72 Wired network terminal device 101 Central control unit 102 ROM section 103 RAM section 104 timer 105 Print engine section 106 Switch part 107 display 108, 204 MAC layer control unit 109, 205 Baseband processing unit 110,206 IF I / Q modem section 111,207 RF / IF converter 112, 208 RF transceiver 113,209 antenna 114, 210 ROM section 115,211 RAM section 116 memory bus 117 Power comparison unit 118 internal bus 201 personal computer 202 wireless communication unit 203 PCMCIA interface

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04B 7/26 H04B 7/26 K H04Q 7/36 105D B41J 29/00 EF term (reference) 2C061 AQ05 CG02 CG15 HJ08 HQ06 HQ20 HV13 HV14 5B021 BB00 BB01 NN06 5B089 GA23 GB02 HA11 JB10 JB22 KA12 KE02 MC12 5K067 AA23 AA41 BB21 DD11 EE02 EE10 JJ12 LL01 LL11

Claims (37)

[Claims] 1. A printer in which print data is wirelessly transmitted / received to / from at least one information terminal device in packet or frame units, and print data received from the at least one information terminal device is printed out. Storage means for storing test data, reading means for reading the stored communication environment test data from the storage means, and the read communication environment test data to the information terminal device by wireless communication. A printer comprising a transmitting unit for transmitting. 2. The transmitting means adds a command instructing the information terminal device to return the communication environment test data before or after the communication environment test data and transmits the command. The printer according to claim 1. 3. The transmitting means transmits in advance to the information terminal device a command instructing to return the data received by wireless communication back to the printer, by wireless communication. The printer according to Item 1. 4. A receiving means for receiving the communication environment test data back from the information terminal device, and a comparing means for comparing the received communication environment test data with the transmitted communication environment test data. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a printer. 5. A first calculation unit for calculating an error rate of the print data from a comparison result by the comparison unit,
The printer according to claim 4, further comprising a first determining unit that determines whether or not the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate. 6. A receiving unit that receives the communication environment test data back from the information terminal device, a detection unit that detects the received power of the communication environment test data that has been received back, and the detected received power is stored in advance. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a second determination unit that determines whether the received power is lower than a predetermined received power. 7. The communication channel of the wireless communication is set when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or when the detected reception power is lower than a predetermined reception power. 7. The printer according to claim 5, further comprising switching means for switching to another communication channel, wherein the transmitting means retransmits the communication environment test data on the other communication channel. 8. The communication speed of the wireless communication is set when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or when the detected received power is lower than a predetermined received power. The switching means for switching to a lower communication speed is provided, and the transmitting means retransmits the communication environment test data at the lower communication speed. The listed printer. 9. Means and access for switching the communication mode when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or when the detected received power is lower than the predetermined received power. A means for searching for a point is provided, and when the communication mode is an ad hoc mode, the searching means searches for an access point, and when an access point is found, communication with the information terminal device is performed via the access point. 8. The printer according to claim 5, further comprising means for changing to a so-called infrastructure mode and retransmitting the communication environment test data. 10. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising setting means for presetting the predetermined error rate.
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. The printer according to claim 10, wherein the setting unit includes a selection unit that selects the predetermined error rate from two or more values. 12. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the error rate comprises a bit error rate or a packet error rate. 13. A printing system comprising at least one information terminal device and at least one of the printers according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. At least one information terminal device, storage means for storing communication environment test data, reading means for reading out the stored communication environment test data from the storage means, and at least one information terminal device. In a communication device of a print system, which comprises transmitting and receiving print data by wireless communication in units of packets or frames between them, and at least one printer that prints out print data received from the at least one information terminal device. A communication device of a print system, comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the communication environment test data that is output to the information terminal device by wireless communication. 15. The transmitting means adds a command instructing the information terminal device to return the communication environment test data before or after the communication environment test data, and transmits the command. The communication device according to claim 14. 16. The transmission means previously transmits to the information terminal device, by wireless communication, a command instructing to return the data received by wireless communication thereafter to the printer. Item 14. The communication device according to item 14. 17. Receiving means for returning the communication environment test data from the information terminal device, and comparing means for comparing the communication environment test data received back and the transmitted communication environment test data. The communication device according to claim 14, further comprising: a communication device. 18. A first calculating unit for calculating an error rate of the print data from a comparison result by the comparing unit, and whether or not the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate. 18. The communication device according to claim 17, further comprising a first determining unit. 19. Receiving means for receiving the communication environment test data back from the information terminal device, detecting means for detecting received power of the communication environment test data received back, and the detected received power in advance. The communication device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising a second determination unit that determines whether or not the received power is lower than a predetermined reception power. 20. When the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate, or when the detected reception power is lower than a predetermined reception power, the communication channel of the wireless communication is set. The transmission means comprises a switching means for switching to another communication channel,
20. The communication device according to claim 18, wherein the communication environment test data is retransmitted through the other communication channel. 21. When the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or when the detected reception power is lower than a predetermined reception power, the communication speed of the wireless communication is set. The switching means for switching to a lower communication speed is provided, and the transmitting means retransmits the communication environment test data at the lower communication speed. The communication device described. 22. Means and access for switching communication modes when the calculated error rate is greater than a predetermined error rate or when the detected received power is less than a predetermined received power. A means for searching for a point is provided, and when the communication mode is an ad hoc mode, the searching means searches for an access point, and when an access point is found, communication with the information terminal device is performed via the access point. 21. The communication device according to claim 18, further comprising means for changing to a so-called infrastructure mode and retransmitting the communication environment test data. 23. A setting means for presetting the predetermined error rate is provided.
22. The printer according to any one of 8 to 21. 24. The communication device according to claim 23, wherein the setting unit includes a selection unit that selects the predetermined error rate from two or more values. 25. The communication device according to claim 18, wherein the error rate comprises a bit error rate or a packet error rate. 26. At least one information terminal device, storage means for storing communication environment test data, read means for reading the stored communication environment test data from the storage means, and the at least one information terminal device. In a communication device of a print system, which comprises transmitting and receiving print data by wireless communication in units of packets or frames between them, and at least one printer that prints out print data received from the at least one information terminal device. A communication method for a print system, comprising: a transmission step of transmitting the communication environment test data issued to the information terminal device by wireless communication. 27. The transmitting step adds a command instructing the information terminal device to return the communication environment test data before or after the communication environment test data, and transmits the command. The communication method according to claim 26. 28. The transmission means transmits, to the information terminal device in advance, by wireless communication, a command for instructing the information terminal device to return the data received by wireless communication to the printer. Item 27. The communication method according to Item 26. 29. Receiving means for returning the communication environment test data from the information terminal device, and a comparing step for comparing the received communication environment test data with the transmitted communication environment test data. 29. The communication method according to claim 26, further comprising: 30. A first calculating step of calculating an error rate of the print data from the comparison result of the comparing step, and determining whether or not the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate. 30. The communication method according to claim 29, further comprising a first determining step. 31. A reception step of receiving the communication environment test data by returning from the information terminal device, a detecting step of detecting the reception power of the communication environment test data received by the returning operation, and the detected reception power in advance. The communication method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, further comprising a second determination step of determining whether the received power is lower than a predetermined received power. 32. When the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or when the detected reception power is lower than a predetermined reception power, a communication channel of the wireless communication is set. The method further comprises a switching step of switching to another communication channel, and the transmitting step includes
The communication method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the communication environment test data is retransmitted through the other communication channel. 33. When the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate or when the detected received power is lower than a predetermined received power, the communication speed of the wireless communication is set. 33. The method according to claim 30, further comprising a switching step of switching to a lower communication speed, wherein the transmitting step retransmits the communication environment test data at the lower communication speed. The communication method described. 34. A step and access for switching a communication mode when the calculated error rate is higher than a predetermined error rate, or when the detected received power is lower than the predetermined received power. A step of searching for a point, searching the access point by the searching step when the communication mode is an ad hoc mode, and communicating with the information terminal device via the access point when the access point is found 33. The communication method according to claim 30, further comprising a step of changing to a so-called infrastructure mode and retransmitting the communication environment test data. 35. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a setting step of presetting the predetermined error rate.
The communication method according to any one of 0 to 33. 36. The communication method according to claim 35, wherein the setting step includes a selecting step of selecting the predetermined error rate from two or more values. 37. The communication method according to claim 30, wherein the error rate comprises a bit error rate or a packet error rate.