JP2020074532A - Information processing unit, control method and program for information processing unit, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing unit capable of simplifying the time and effort of operation without the need of reconnection operation performed irregularly by a user.SOLUTION: In an information processing unit, after connection with a portable terminal 110 at a wireless link layer level has been established, it is determined whether or not the number of external devices connected at an IP layer level reaches the maximum connection number of a DHCP when there is an IP address distribution request from the portable terminal 110. As the results of the determination, when the number reaches the maximum connection number of a DHCP, a DHCP server function is controlled so as not to distribute an IP address to the portable terminal 110, and when the number does not reach the maximum connection number of a DHCP, a connection with the portable terminal 110 at an IP layer level is allowed to be established by controlling the DHCP server function so as to distribute the IP address to the portable terminal 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus control method and program, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus that directly performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal, an information processing apparatus control method, program, and storage. Regarding the medium.

  Among information processing apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals and printers, those having a wireless LAN function are increasing. Such an information processing device receives print data from an external device such as a PC or a mobile terminal via an access point, and executes print processing based on the received print data.

  Further, among such information processing devices, there are those that directly perform wireless communication with an external device without using an access point. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus that directly wirelessly communicates with a mobile terminal using Wi-Fi Direct.

  When performing direct wireless communication in this way, it is common to limit the number of terminals that can be connected. This is because if the connection is permitted indefinitely, there will be problems such as insufficient memory and reduced performance of the information processing device. In order to prevent such a problem from occurring, the maximum number of connected external devices is defined as a predetermined value in the information processing device, and control is performed so that no more external devices are connected. The thing is known (for example, refer patent document 2).

  When the information processing apparatus performs Wi-Fi Direct communication with a mobile terminal, conventionally, a connection is established in the sequence shown in FIG.

  First, the user manually inputs a SSID or KEY on the mobile terminal 710, or performs a wireless connection preparation operation such as executing a handover operation by NFC touch (step S701). When such an operation is performed, the mobile terminal 710 makes a connection request to the information processing device 700 to establish a connection at the wireless link layer level (steps S702, S703). Next, the mobile terminal 710 makes an IP address request to the information processing apparatus 700, and when the IP address is distributed from the information processing apparatus 700, the mobile terminal 710 establishes a connection at the IP layer level and is ready for print processing. (Steps S704 and 705).

JP, 2013-205982, A JP, 2003-101551, A

  However, the maximum number of external devices connected to the information processing device 700 may be reached. In such a case, when the connection request of step S702 is received from the mobile terminal 710, the information processing apparatus 700 transmits a connection result indicating that the connection is rejected at the wireless link layer level to the mobile terminal 710 in response to the connection request ( Step S703).

  If the mobile terminal 710 tries to connect to the information processing apparatus 700 again after the connection result is transmitted, the wireless connection preparation operation such as the manual input and the handover operation in step S701 must be performed again from the beginning. The trouble was complicated.

  Further, since the user does not know when the maximum number of connections of the information processing apparatus 700 has become available (whether it is in an empty state) thereafter, the wireless connection preparation operation in step S701 must be retried (retry) irregularly. I won't. Further, as a result of the retry of the wireless connection preparation operation, the user's operation becomes useless unless the information processing device 700 is in the idle state.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method of the information processing apparatus and a program, and a storage medium that can simplify the labor of the operation without requiring the user to perform the reconnection operation irregularly.

  The information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that establishes a wireless network with an external apparatus to perform wireless communication, and is connected to the information processing apparatus at a wireless link layer level. And a distribution unit that distributes an IP address to the first external device so that the first external device that has made a request for IP address distribution and the information processing device can perform wireless communication at the IP layer level, Setting means for setting a first number of connections, which indicates the number of external devices connectable at the IP layer level, based on a numerical value input through a setting screen, and connection with the information processing device at the IP layer level If the number of external devices that are operating has reached the first number of connections, and if the number of external devices has reached the first number of connections as a result of the determination by the determination means, IP to one external device The distribution unit is controlled so as not to distribute the dress, and the distribution unit is arranged to distribute the IP address to the first external device when the result of the judgment by the judgment unit is that the first number of connections has not been reached. And a control means for controlling.

  An information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that establishes a wireless network with an external apparatus and performs wireless communication, and connects with the information processing apparatus at a wireless link layer level. And a distribution unit that distributes an IP address to the first external device so that the first external device that has made a request for IP address distribution and the information processing device can perform wireless communication at the IP layer level, Setting means for setting a first number of connections, which indicates the number of external devices connectable at the IP layer level, according to a user operation via a setting screen, and an external device connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level. If the number of devices has reached the first number of connections, the determining means determines whether the number of devices has reached the first number of connections, and if the number of devices has reached the first number of connections, the first external device To the IP address The distribution means so as not to distribute the IP address, and the distribution means is controlled to distribute the IP address to the first external device if the number of connections is not reached as a result of the judgment by the judgment means. The setting means includes a first numerical value that is one or more numerical values and a second numerical value that is greater than the first numerical value according to a user operation via the setting screen. One of the plurality of numerical values is set as the first number of connections.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a user does not need to perform a reconnection operation | movement irregularly, and can simplify operation time and effort.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network containing the printing device as an information processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the printing apparatus of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the number of external devices connected to the printing device at the IP layer level reaches the maximum number of connections of DHCP. It is a figure which shows the setting screen which sets the maximum number of connections of DHCP in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram when an IP address is distributed from the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the mobile terminal 100. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the number of external devices connected to the printing device at the IP layer level reaches the maximum number of connections of DHCP. It is a figure which shows the connection sequence of a prior art.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

(First embodiment)
First, the network configuration in this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network including a printing apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral that performs Wi-Fi Direct communication with a mobile terminal 110 that is an external device and another mobile terminal 140. The printing apparatus 100 serves as a server for Wi-Fi Direct communication, accepts a connection request, and distributes an IP address by the DHCP server function. The mobile terminal 110 and the other mobile terminal 140 serve as clients of Wi-Fi Direct communication, transmit connection requests, and serve as DHCP clients to set the distributed IP addresses to their own terminals and operate.

  In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 100, which is a multi-function peripheral, is illustrated as the information processing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is an information processing apparatus that distributes an IP address to a DHCP client as a DHCP server. Instead, for example, it may be a printer or a facsimile device that does not have a scanner function.

  Further, although the mobile terminal 110 and the other mobile terminal 140 are illustrated as the external terminals in the present embodiment, the invention is not limited to this as long as it is a device capable of wirelessly communicating with the printing apparatus 100 as a DHCP client. It may be a PC.

  Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus 100 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printing apparatus 100 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the CPU 202 reads the control program stored in the ROM 204 and executes various processes such as a DHCP server function for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus 100. The ROM 204 stores a control program. The RAM 203 is used as a main memory of the CPU 202 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 212 stores various data such as print data and scan images.

  Note that in the case of the printing apparatus 100, one CPU 202 executes each process shown in a flowchart described later, but other modes may be used. For example, a plurality of CPUs may cooperate with each other to execute each process shown in a flowchart described later.

  The printer 207 executes print processing for printing on a sheet based on print data received from the mobile terminal 110 or another mobile terminal 140, a scan image generated by the scanner 209, and the like. The scanner 209 reads a document and generates a scan image (read image data). The scan image generated by the scanner 209 is printed by the printer 207 or stored in the HDD 212. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the print processing is exemplified as the data processing of the data received from the mobile terminal 110, but the data processing of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the data received from the mobile terminal 110 can be processed. It may be a process of performing FAX transmission from an FAX transmission / reception unit (not shown) to an external facsimile device.

  The operation unit 211 includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function and a keyboard, and displays various screens described below. The user can input instructions and information to the printing apparatus 100 via the operation unit 211.

  The wireless LAN I / F 201 executes wireless communication based on Wi-Fi Direct with an external device such as the mobile terminal 110 or another mobile terminal 140.

  Next, a process executed when the number of external devices connected to the printing device 100 at the IP layer level in the printing device 100 reaches the maximum number of connections (first connection number) of DHCP will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a procedure of processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the number of external devices connected to the printing apparatus 100 at the IP layer level reaches the maximum number of connections of DHCP.

  Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is processed by the CPU 202 loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 204 into the RAM 203 and executing the control program.

  After the power of the printing apparatus 100 is turned on (step S300), when the CPU 202 determines that the Wi-Fi Direct connection request is received from the mobile terminal 110 (YES in step S301), the process proceeds to step S302. This connection request is made by the user inputting the SSID or the like on the mobile terminal 110 side.

  In step S302, the CPU 202 determines that the number of external devices connected to the printing apparatus 100 at the wireless link layer level is the maximum number of connections at the wireless link layer level (the number of external devices connectable at the wireless link layer level: the second connection). Number) is reached. It should be noted that the maximum number of connections at the wireless link layer level cannot be changed in this embodiment because the wireless chip or the firmware in the printing apparatus 100 determines a unique value.

  When it is determined that the maximum number of wireless link layer connections has been reached (YES in step S302), the CPU 202 transmits a connection refusal response to the mobile terminal 110 (step S303), and ends this processing. In this case, the mobile terminal 110 displays an error notification such as “Failed to connect to the printing device” on the UI, and the SSID that the user has made on the mobile terminal 110 side for the Wi-Fi Direct connection request. Reset the input such as. Therefore, after the error notification, when the user makes a Wi-Fi Direct connection request again from the mobile terminal 110, the user needs to re-enter the SSID and the like. Although the mobile terminal 110 promptly displays the error notification when it receives the connection refusal response in step S303, the mobile terminal 110 retries the Wi-Fi Direct connection request a certain number of times without displaying the error notification. It may be. In this case, the user does not need to re-input the SSID and the like on the side of the mobile terminal 110 at the time of the retry, but if there is no vacancy at the wireless link layer level during the certain number of retries, the retry is performed. The above error notification is displayed after a timeout.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the maximum number of connections at the wireless link layer level has not been reached (NO in step S302), the CPU 202 sends a connection permission response to the mobile terminal 110 and establishes a connection at the wireless link layer (step). S304). After the connection is established in the wireless link layer, the mobile terminal 110 requests the printing apparatus 100 to distribute the IP address by DHCP. Therefore, in step S305, the CPU 202 determines whether the IP address distribution request is received. .. When the CPU 202 determines that the IP address distribution request is received (YES in step S305), the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the CPU 202 determines whether the maximum number of DHCP connections (the number of external devices that can be connected to the printing apparatus 100 at the IP layer level: the first number of connections) has been reached.

  Here, as the maximum number of connections of DHCP, a numerical value input by the user operation of the system administrator who manages the network of FIG. 1 on the setting screen (input means) 401 of FIG. 4 is set.

  However, when the numerical value input by the system administrator on the setting screen 401 is larger than the maximum number of connections of the wireless link layer, the CPU 202 displays the numerical value on the setting screen 401 on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 211. Display an error notification that encourages you to keep the number of connections below the level. Here, the determination as to whether or not the numerical value on the setting screen 401 is larger than the maximum number of wireless link layer connections is specifically performed as follows. First, when the system administrator inputs an arbitrary numerical value on the setting screen 401, the CPU 202 inquires a driver of a wireless chip (not shown) in the printing apparatus 100 about capability information. By this inquiry, the CPU 202 obtains the value of the maximum number of connections in the wireless link layer, and makes this determination by comparing the obtained value with the numerical value on the setting screen 401.

  With such a configuration, the maximum number of connections of DHCP can be reliably set to a value less than or equal to the maximum number of connections of the wireless link layer, and the maximum number of connections of external devices is a fixed value and cannot be changed at the maximum level of the wireless link layer. The number of connections is not the number of connections, but the maximum number of connections at the IP layer level that can be variably set by the system administrator on the setting screen 401. As a result, the usability of the system administrator who manages the network of FIG. 1 can be improved.

  More specifically, this management sets the maximum number of connections at the wireless link layer level to a fixed value that does not result in Yes in step S302 in normal network use, and sets the maximum number of connections for DHCP set by the user described above. The number of external devices that can be connected to the printing apparatus 100 is substantially limited.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when it is determined that the maximum number of connections of DHCP has not been reached (NO in step S306), the CPU 202 distributes the IP address to the mobile terminal 110 by the DHCP server function, and the mobile terminal 110 at the IP layer level. After making the connection possible (step S307), this processing ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the maximum number of DHCP connections has been reached (YES in step S306), the CPU 202 controls the DHCP server function so as to reject the IP address distribution request (step S308). In such a case, the mobile terminal 110 promptly displays an error notification such as "Could not connect to the printing device" on the UI.

  Note that the mobile terminal 110 may be configured to retry the IP address distribution request a certain number of times in such a case, and try to reconnect. However, even during the retry, when the user issues a print instruction on the mobile terminal 110 after making the IP address distribution request, an error notification such as “Print NG” is promptly displayed on the UI. Therefore, unlike the case of the connection refusal in step S303, the user is not stressed due to the delay in displaying the error notification. Further, since the connection of the wireless link layer is maintained even after the display of the error notification, the user decides to make an IP address distribution request from the portable terminal 110 to the printing apparatus 100 again after a while. However, unlike the case of the connection refusal in step S303, it is not necessary to re-input the SSID and the like necessary for the Wi-Fi Direct connection request, and therefore the operation labor can be simplified.

  Although the CPU 202 rejects the IP address distribution request in step S308 in the present embodiment, the DHCP server function may be controlled so that the IP address distribution request is ignored and no response is made. In such control, if it is determined in step S306 that the maximum number of connections has been reached, the DHCP server function is operating, but the DHCP server function does not respond to the IP address distribution request. Done.

  In this way, when the DHCP server function is controlled so as to ignore the IP address distribution request and not respond to anything, the mobile terminal 110 retries the IP address distribution request a fixed number of times and tries reconnection.

  However, even during the retry, when the user issues a print instruction on the mobile terminal 110 after making the IP address distribution request, an error notification such as “Print NG” is promptly displayed on the UI. Therefore, unlike the case of the connection refusal in step S303, the stress on the user due to the delay of the display of the error notification until the retry times out does not occur. Further, since the connection of the wireless link layer is maintained even after the display of the error notification, the user decides to make an IP address distribution request from the portable terminal 110 to the printing apparatus 100 again after a while. However, unlike the case of the connection refusal in step S303, it is not necessary to re-input the SSID and the like necessary for the Wi-Fi Direct connection request, and therefore the operation labor can be simplified.

  After the processing of step S308, when the CPU 202 determines that the Wi-Fi Direct communication with the other mobile terminal 140 is finished and the number of connected devices becomes available (YES in step S309), the CPU 202 functions as the mobile terminal 110. In step S307, the IP address is distributed, and the connection in the IP layer is made possible (step S307), and then the present process ends.

  On the other hand, there may be a case where the wireless connection is disconnected on the side of the mobile terminal 110 while the number of connected devices remains empty (NO in step S309). For example, when the retry of the IP address distribution request by the mobile terminal 110 has timed out, or the user explicitly cancels the IP address distribution request on the mobile terminal 110 side based on the error notification such as the above “print NG”. This is the case. In this case, the CPU 202 detects the disconnection of the wireless link layer (step S310) and ends this processing.

  According to the present embodiment, when the maximum number of DHCP connections is reached when the IP address distribution request is received from mobile terminal 110, the distribution of the IP address to mobile terminal 110 is rejected, and the maximum number of DHCP connections is reached. If it has not reached, the IP address is distributed to the mobile terminal 110. As a result, the problem of memory shortage and performance degradation of the printing apparatus 100 due to connection of the IP address to a large number of external devices does not occur, and the user does not need to perform reconnection operation irregularly, which saves time and effort. Can be simplified. Further, it is possible to reduce the stress on the user due to the delay of error notification.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram when an IP address is distributed from the printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the mobile terminal 100.

  First, when the user performs a wireless connection preparation operation on the mobile terminal 110 side (step S501), the mobile terminal 110 makes a connection request to the printing apparatus 100 (step S502). When the printing apparatus 100 responds to the connection in response to this request (step S503), the connection between the printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 110 in the wireless link layer is completed.

  After that, in step S504, the mobile terminal 110 transmits a DHCP IP address distribution request to the printing apparatus 100. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the number of external devices connected to the printing apparatus 100 reaches the maximum number of DHCP connections at the time when this IP address distribution request is made. Therefore, the CPU 202 rejects the IP address distribution request and does not carry out the IP address distribution (step S505). The mobile terminal 110 periodically retransmits the IP address distribution request to the printing apparatus 100 after step S506. When a vacancy occurs in the Wi-Fi Direct communication connection made in the printing apparatus 100 during the periodic retransmission of the IP address distribution request (step S508), the CPU 202 distributes the IP address by the DHCP server function to the mobile terminal. This is performed for 110 (step S509).

  After that, after the mobile terminal 110 establishes a connection at the IP layer level with the printing apparatus 100 using the IP address distributed in step S509, a print processing request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 110 to the printing apparatus 100. The printing apparatus 100 performs the print processing according to the print processing request (step S510).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CPU 202 of the printing apparatus 100 first makes a connection with the mobile terminal 110 on the wireless link layer. Next, when an IP address distribution request is issued from the mobile terminal 110, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the external device connected to the printing device 100 has reached the maximum number of DHCP connections and the IP address by the DHCP server function. Is distributed to the mobile terminal 110. As a result, even when the IP address distribution request is retransmitted, the user on the side of the mobile terminal 110 only needs to perform the wireless connection preparation operation once, so that the operation load can be reduced. That is, after the connection between the mobile terminal 110 and the printing apparatus 100 is completed at the wireless link layer level, the user only has to wait until the connection between the mobile terminal 110 and the printing apparatus 100 is automatically performed at the IP layer level. Since it is good, usability can be improved.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the CPU 202 rejects or ignores the IP address distribution request when the maximum number of DHCP connections has been reached in the printing apparatus 100 when the IP address distribution request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 110. Controlled the DHCP server function. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the CPU 202 DHCP server function is stopped if the maximum number of DHCP connections is reached in the printing apparatus 100 when the connection with the mobile terminal 110 in the wireless link layer is established. As a result, the CPU 202 controls the DHCP server function so that no response is made to the IP address distribution request transmitted from the mobile terminal 110 thereafter.

  Therefore, the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus as the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the printing apparatus 100. Similarly, the hardware configurations of the mobile terminal and other mobile terminals as external devices that perform Wi-Fi Direct communication with the printing apparatus are basically the same as those of the mobile terminal 110 and the other mobile terminal 140, respectively. is there. Therefore, regarding the printing apparatus, the mobile terminal, and the other mobile terminal, the same configurations as those of the printing apparatus 100, the mobile terminal 110, and the other mobile terminal 140 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the number of external devices connected to the printing apparatus 100 at the IP layer level reaches the maximum number of connections of DHCP.

  Similar to FIG. 3, each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is processed by the CPU 202 loading the control program stored in the memory such as the ROM 204 into the RAM 203 and executing the control program.

  After the power of the printing apparatus 100 is turned on (step S600), the CPU 202 determines in step S601 whether the connection of the mobile terminal 110 and the Wi-Fi Direct communication is completed (the connection in the wireless link layer is established). .. When it is determined that the connection is completed (YES in step S601), the process proceeds to step S602, and the CPU 202 determines whether or not the maximum number of DHCP connections has been reached in the printing apparatus 100. When it is determined that the maximum number of DHCP connections has been reached (YES in step S602), the process proceeds to step S603, and the CPU 202 stops the DHCP server function. As a result, during the period in which the DHCP server function is stopped, even if the mobile terminal 110 sends a DHCP IP address distribution request to the printing apparatus 100, no response is sent to the IP address distribution request. That is, as a result, the CPU 202 can control the DHCP server function so as not to make any response to the IP address distribution request transmitted from the mobile terminal 110 after the process of step S603, and the maximum number of DHCP connections. It is possible to manage the number of external devices connected to the printing apparatus 100 so that the number of external devices is within the range.

  Next, when the CPU 202 determines that the Wi-Fi Direct communication connection is available, the CPU 202 continues to monitor the number of connected devices until an available Wi-Fi Direct communication connection is available. (YES in step S604), the CPU 202 restarts the DHCP server function (step S605). As described above, the CPU 202 stops the DHCP server function when the maximum number of DHCP connections has been reached in the printing apparatus 100, and restarts the DHCP server function when a Wi-Fi Direct communication connection becomes available. The maximum number of connections can be controlled appropriately.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CPU 202 of the printing apparatus 100 first makes a connection with the mobile terminal 110 on the wireless link layer. Next, stop or restart of the DHCP server function is determined according to whether or not the preset maximum number of DHCP connections has been reached. As a result, the user on the side of the mobile terminal 110 only needs to perform the wireless connection preparation operation once, and the operation load can be reduced. Further, after the connection between the mobile terminal 110 and the printing apparatus 100 is completed at the wireless link layer level, the user only has to wait until the connection at the IP layer level is automatically made between the mobile terminal 110 and the printing apparatus 100. Since it is good, usability can also be improved.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. It can also be realized by the processing. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100 printing device 110 mobile terminal 201 wireless LAN I / F
202 CPU
203 RAM
204 ROM
207 printer 209 scanner 211 operation unit 212 HDD

Claims (16)

An information processing device that establishes a wireless network with an external device to perform wireless communication,
The first external device, which has established a connection with the information processing device at the wireless link layer level and has made an IP address distribution request, and the information processing device can perform wireless communication at the IP layer level. Distribution means for distributing an IP address to an external device,
Setting means for setting a first number of connections, which indicates the number of external devices connectable at the IP layer level, based on a numerical value input via a setting screen;
Determination means for determining whether or not the number of external devices connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level has reached the first number of connections;
As a result of the judgment by the judgment means, if the first number of connections has been reached, the distribution means is controlled so as not to distribute the IP address to the first external device, and the judgment result by the judgment means Control means for controlling the distributing means so as to distribute the IP address to the first external device when the first number of connections has not been reached;
An information processing device comprising: An information processing device that establishes a wireless network with an external device to perform wireless communication,
The first external device, which has established a connection with the information processing device at the wireless link layer level and has made an IP address distribution request, and the information processing device can perform wireless communication at the IP layer level. Distribution means for distributing an IP address to an external device,
Setting means for setting a first number of connections indicating the number of external devices connectable at the IP layer level according to a user operation via a setting screen;
Determination means for determining whether or not the number of external devices connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level has reached the first number of connections;
As a result of the judgment by the judgment means, when the first number of connections has been reached, the distribution means is controlled so as not to distribute the IP address to the first external device, and the judgment result by the judgment means Control means for controlling the distribution means so as to distribute the IP address to the first external device when the first number of connections has not been reached,
Any one of a plurality of numerical values including a first numerical value that is one or more numerical values and a second numerical value that is greater than the first numerical value, according to a user operation via the setting screen, An information processing device, wherein one numerical value is set as the first number of connections.   The determination means may perform the determination when an IP address distribution request is received from the first external device after establishing a connection with the first external device at the wireless link layer level. The information processing device according to item 1 or 2.   The apparatus further comprises execution means for receiving data from an external device connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level via the wireless network and executing an output process based on the received data. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. Further having a printing means,
When the execution unit receives print data from the external device connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level via the wireless network, the print process prints an image on a sheet based on the received print data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information processing apparatus executes. Further having a reading means,
When the execution unit receives information regarding data transmission from the external device connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level via the wireless network, the execution unit performs facsimile transmission based on the received data regarding data transmission. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, which executes an output process of transmitting.   The execution means, when receiving data via the wireless network, executes an output process of transmitting the received data to the outside via a communication interface different from the wireless network. Item 4. The information processing device according to item 4.   8. The control unit rejects the IP address distribution request when the number of connections reaches the first number of connections as a result of the determination made by the determination unit. Information processing equipment.   8. The control unit ignores the IP address distribution request when the number of connections reaches the first number of connections as a result of the determination made by the determination unit. Information processing equipment. A method for controlling an information processing device that establishes a wireless network with an external device to perform wireless communication,
The first external device, which has established a connection with the information processing device at the wireless link layer level and has made an IP address distribution request, and the information processing device can perform direct wireless communication at the IP layer level. Distribution step of distributing the IP address to the external device of
A setting step of setting a first number of connections indicating the number of external devices connectable at the IP layer level, based on a numerical value input via a setting screen;
A determining step of determining whether or not the number of external devices connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level has reached the first number of connections;
As a result of the judgment in the judgment step, when the first number of connections has been reached, the distribution step is controlled so as not to distribute the IP address to the first external device, and the judgment result in the judgment step is A control step of controlling the distribution step so as to distribute the IP address to the first external device when the first connection number has not been reached;
A control method comprising: A method for controlling an information processing device that establishes a wireless network with an external device to perform wireless communication,
The first external device, which has established a connection with the information processing device at the wireless link layer level and has made an IP address distribution request, and the information processing device can perform direct wireless communication at the IP layer level. Distribution step of distributing the IP address to the external device of
A setting step of setting a first number of connections indicating the number of external devices connectable at the IP layer level according to a user operation via a setting screen;
A determination step of determining whether or not the number of external devices connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level has reached the first number of connections;
As a result of the judgment in the judgment step, if the first number of connections has been reached, the distribution step is controlled so as not to distribute the IP address to the first external device, and the judgment result in the judgment step A control step of controlling the distribution step so as to distribute the IP address to the first external device when the first number of connections has not been reached;
Have
In the setting step, any one of a plurality of numerical values including a first numerical value that is one or more numerical values and a second numerical value that is larger than the first numerical value is selected according to a user operation via the setting screen. A control method, wherein one numerical value is set as the first number of connections.   The method further comprises an execution step of receiving data from an external device connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level via the wireless network, and executing an output process based on the received data. 11. The control method according to item 11. The information processing apparatus is a printer having a printing unit,
In the executing step, when print data is received from an external device connected to the information processing device at the IP layer level via the wireless network, an image is printed on a sheet by the printing unit based on the received print data. The control method according to claim 12, wherein a printing process for printing is executed. The information processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus having a facsimile interface,
In the executing step, when the information related to the data transmission is received via the wireless network, an output process of transmitting a facsimile via the facsimile interface is executed based on the received data related to the data transmission. The control method according to claim 12.   In the execution step, when data is received via the wireless network, an output process of transmitting the received data to the outside via a communication interface different from the wireless network is executed. Item 13. The control method according to Item 12.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the information processing device according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

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