JP6859636B2 - Equipment and communication systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to devices and communication systems.

Conventionally, a user who has purchased a device such as a printer collectively performs device setup including setting of wireless connection to a base station and software installation related to the device (hereinafter referred to as "device setup and installation"). I was using a program to do. The program for setting up and installing the equipment was provided in the form of a recording medium on which the program was recorded, or in the form of information downloaded from a website.

Patent Document 1 discloses a control device in which a program for setting up and installing a device is held in a storage in a control device such as a printer, and the program in the storage can be installed by connecting via USB.

Further, Patent Document 2 has a function that the printer itself becomes a temporary base station for wireless communication, and by connecting the communication terminal to the printer which is the temporary base station, the base station used by the communication terminal can be used. A station on a wireless network that sends setting information to a printer and sets up a wireless connection to a base station is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-209786 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-143156

Information processing devices in a wireless connection environment often do not have a means to read the recording medium on which the program for setting up and installing the device is recorded. In such a case, prepare a cable only for executing the program. It is inconvenient to make a USB connection. Also, it is troublesome to search for and download the above program on the website.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device and a communication system that reduce the time and effort required to set up the device as compared with the case where the user uses a setup program stored in an external memory when setting up the device. There is.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 starts operation in a holding unit that holds a program for setting up and a temporary base station mode that causes its own device to function as a temporary base station when activated. It wirelessly connects to the information processing device that requested the connection, transmits the program to the information processing device by wireless communication in response to an instruction from the information processing device, and receives a notification from the information processing device according to the execution of the program. In this case, before acquiring the second setting information for setting the base station as the connection destination for wireless communication from the information processing device, the operation mode of the own device is changed from the temporary base station mode to the communication terminal. It is a device equipped with a control unit that switches to a terminal mode and controls the operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the holding unit further holds the first setting information for setting the own device as a connection destination for wireless communication, and the control unit operates in the temporary base station mode. The device according to claim 1, which wirelessly connects to the information processing device using the first setting information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the program includes a procedure for converting the information processing device into a temporary base station and a procedure for acquiring second setting information for setting the base station as a connection destination for wireless communication from the information processing device. The holding unit further holds the third setting information for setting the information processing device that has been turned into a temporary base station by executing the program as a connection destination for wireless communication, and the control unit further holds the third setting information. The first or claim that when operating in the terminal mode, the information processing apparatus is wirelessly connected to the information processing apparatus using the third setting information, and the second setting information is acquired from the information processing apparatus by executing the program. The device according to 2.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the control unit acquires the second setting information and operates in the terminal mode, the second setting information is set and wirelessly connected to the base station. Item 3. The device according to item 3.

The invention according to claim 5 is the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification is a notification of the start of execution of the program.

The invention according to claim 6 further includes a processing unit that performs processing according to an instruction from the information processing device after the program is executed by the information processing device, from claim 1 to claim 1. The device according to any one of up to 5.

The invention according to claim 7 is downloaded by wireless communication via the device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the device, and the communication unit. It is a communication system including an information processing device provided with a control unit for executing a program.

According to the first and seventh aspects of the invention, when setting up the device, the time and effort required to set up the device is reduced as compared with the case where the user uses the setup program stored in the external memory. Will be done.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, wireless communication is performed with the device as the connection destination according to the first setting information.

According to the third aspect of the invention, wireless communication is performed with the information processing device as the connection destination according to the third setting information.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wireless communication is performed with the base station as the connection destination according to the second setting information.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation mode of the device is switched from the temporary base station mode to the terminal mode triggered by the notification of the start of program execution.

According to the invention of claim 6, after the equipment is set up, processing is performed according to an instruction from the information processing apparatus.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the electric structure of an information processing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the structure of the storage area of the information processing apparatus which stores the setting information of wireless communication. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the electric structure of a printer. (A) is a functional block diagram showing an example of the communication control function of the printer. (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a storage area of a printer that stores wireless communication setting information. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the communication between each part performed in the setup process. (A) to (C) are schematic views showing an example of the procedure of the setup process. (A) to (D) are schematic diagrams showing an example of the procedure of the setup process. (A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing an example of the procedure of the setup process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of "setup process" on a printer side. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of "setup process" on the information processing apparatus side. (A) is a flowchart showing the procedure of "setup program execution processing" on the information processing apparatus side. (B) is a flowchart showing the procedure of "setup program correspondence processing" on the printer side.

Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Communication system>
(overall structure)
First, the overall configuration of the communication system will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an information processing device 12 and a printer 16. As a communication terminal, the information processing device 12 is wirelessly connected to a base station 14 called an access point or the like by a wireless LAN. The printer 16 is an example of a "device". Here, the "device" is an electronic device that requires setup.

In the illustrated example, in addition to the information processing device 12, other information processing devices 12A and 12B and other printers 16A and 16B are also connected as communication terminals to the base station 14 (wireless LAN) used by the information processing device 12. ing. In order to connect to the wireless LAN, it is necessary to acquire "wireless communication setting information" for each communication terminal and perform "setting" according to the acquired setting information.

Examples of the "wireless communication setting information" include an SSID (Service Set ID) for grouping a wireless LAN for each base station, a user ID, an encryption method, an encryption key, and the like. In the present embodiment, the case where the "setting information" is the SSID will be described. That is, by acquiring the SSID that sets the base station 14 as the connection destination for each communication terminal and setting the acquired SSID, the communication terminal is wirelessly connected to the base station 14 by wireless LAN. Each communication terminal also performs wireless communication with other communication terminals via the base station 14.

In the illustrated example, the printer 16 is not connected to the base station 14 before the execution of the "setup process" described later. By executing the "setup process" described later, the printer 16 acquires the SSID that sets the base station 14 as the connection destination, and by setting the acquired SSID, the printer 16 is wirelessly connected to the base station 14 by wireless LAN. Will be done.

The printer 16 wirelessly communicates with another communication terminal connected by a wireless LAN including the information processing device 12 via the base station 14. Further, the printer 16 acquires a "communication address (for example, IP address)" necessary for installing software such as a printer driver by connecting to a wireless LAN. The software is installed in the information processing device 12 using the acquired communication address. The software installation is also executed in the "setup process" described later.

(Information processing device)
Next, the information processing device will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the information processing device. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 12 includes a control unit 20, a display unit 22, an operation unit 24, a communication unit 26, and a storage unit 28. The control unit 20 is configured as a computer that controls the entire device and performs various calculations.

That is, the control unit 20 includes a CPU 20A, a ROM 20B that stores various programs, a RAM 20C that is used as a work area when executing the programs, a non-volatile memory 20D that stores various information, and an input / output interface (I / O) 20E. I have. The CPU 20A, ROM 20B, RAM 20C, memory 20D, and I / O 20E are each connected to each other via the bus 20F.

Each unit of the display unit 22, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 26, and the storage unit 28 is connected to the I / O 20E of the control unit 20. The control unit 20 exchanges information with each unit to control each unit of the display unit 22, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 26, and the storage unit 28.

The display unit 22 includes a display device such as a display, and displays various information to the user. The operation unit 24 includes input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, and accepts operations from the user. The communication unit 26 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a wired or wireless communication line. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 26 communicates wirelessly. The storage unit 28 includes a storage device such as an HDD and stores various types of information.

Further, various drives may be connected to the control unit 20. Various drives are devices that read data from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, or CD-ROM, or write data to the recording medium. When various drives are provided, the control program may be recorded on a portable recording medium, read by the corresponding drive, and executed.

In the present embodiment, the "setup program" is held in advance by the printer 16. The information processing device 12 downloads the "setup program" from the printer 16 via the communication unit 26, and acquires the "setup program". The acquired "setup program" is stored in a storage device such as a memory 20D, read by the CPU 20A, and executed using the RAM 20C as a work area. Execution of the "setup program" is started in response to the start instruction from the user. The execution procedure of the "setup program" is referred to as "setup program execution process".

In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 12 starts the execution preparation of the "setup program" from the time when the user instructs the connection to the printer 16, so that the execution procedure and the execution preparation procedure of the "setup program" are described. Collectively, it is referred to as "setup processing on the information processing device side". The control program for executing the "setup process on the information processing apparatus side" is stored in the ROM 20B in advance, is read by the CPU 20A, and is executed using the RAM 20C as a work area. The "setup program execution process" is described as a subroutine of the "setup process on the information processing device side" on the flowchart.

Further, the "wireless communication setting information" is also acquired from the outside via the communication unit 26 and stored in the memory 20D or the storage unit 28. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that it is stored in the storage unit 28. The stored setting information is read out when performing wireless communication and set in the communication unit 26. The connection destination (base station or temporary base station) of wireless communication is specified based on the setting information set in the communication unit 26.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the storage area of the information processing device that stores the setting information of wireless communication. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication setting information is processed such that the SSID for the temporary base station is stored in the area 72 of the storage unit 28 and the SSID for the terminal is stored in the area 74 of the storage unit 28. It is stored in a different area according to the communication function of the device 12.

For example, when the "setup program" described later is downloaded, the setting information A (SSID: AP_Software) for the temporary base station built in the program is stored in the area 72. Further, the setting information B (SSID: AP_XXXXX) for the terminal connected to the base station 14 (wireless LAN) is stored in the area 74. Further, when the printer 16 is converted into a temporary base station in the "setup process" described later, the setting information C (SSID: AP_Printer) for the terminal is stored in the area 74.

(Printer)
Next, the printer will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the printer. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 16 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 30, an image forming unit 32, an operation display unit 34, a communication unit 36, and a storage unit 38. The control unit 30 is configured as a computer that controls the entire device and performs various calculations.

That is, the control unit 30 includes a CPU 30A, a ROM 30B that stores various programs, a RAM 30C that is used as a work area when executing the programs, a non-volatile memory 30D that stores various information, and an input / output interface (I / O) 30E. I have. The CPU 30A, ROM 30B, RAM 30C, memory 30D, and I / O 30E are each connected to each other via the bus 30F.

Each unit of the image forming unit 32, the operation display unit 34, the communication unit 36, and the storage unit 38 is connected to the I / O 30E of the control unit 30. The control unit 30 exchanges information with each unit to control each unit of the image forming unit 32, the operation display unit 34, the communication unit 36, and the storage unit 38. The storage unit 38 is an example of a “holding unit”, the control unit 30 is an example of a “control unit”, and the image forming unit 32 is an example of a “processing unit”.

In the present embodiment, the "setup program" is stored in advance in the storage unit 38 of the printer 16. In the temporary base station mode, the printer 16 functions as a storage and transmits a "setup program" to the information processing device 12 via the communication unit 26. When the information processing device 12 starts executing the "setup program", the printer 16 also needs to perform the corresponding processing. The corresponding procedure corresponding to the "setup program" is referred to as "setup program corresponding processing".

In the present embodiment, the printer 16 starts the preparation for execution of the "setup program" from the time when the power is turned on. ". The control program for executing the "printer-side setup process" is stored in the ROM 30B in advance, is read by the CPU 30A, and is executed using the RAM 30C as a work area. The "setup program compatible process" is described as a subroutine of the "printer-side setup process" on the flowchart.

The image forming unit 32 includes an image forming engine, and performs an image forming process of forming an image on a recording medium based on the acquired image information. The operation display unit 34 is provided with a display screen that accepts operations such as a touch panel, is controlled to display various screens to the user, and receives various user operations from the various screens to acquire various information. The operation display unit 34 may be provided with various buttons such as a numeric keypad in addition to the display screen. The communication unit 36 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a wired or wireless communication line. The storage unit 38 includes a storage device such as an HDD and stores various types of information.

Further, various drives may be connected to the control unit 30. Various drives are devices that read data from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, or CD-ROM, or write data to the recording medium. When various drives are provided, the control program may be recorded on a portable recording medium, read by the corresponding drive, and executed.

Next, the communication control function of the printer will be described.
FIG. 5A is a functional block diagram showing an example of the communication control function of the printer. As shown in FIG. 5A, the printer 16 according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 40, a wireless communication unit 50, and a storage unit 60 from the viewpoint of the communication control function. The communication control unit 40 executes a part of the functions of the control unit 30. Further, the wireless communication unit 50 is a part of the communication unit 36, and the storage unit 60 is a part of the storage unit 38.

The communication control unit 40 controls the communication of the entire device. For example, the operation mode of the printer 16 includes a temporary base station mode in which the printer 16 is used as a temporary base station and a terminal mode in which the printer 16 is a communication terminal. The communication control unit 40 switches the operation mode of the printer 16 and updates the setting of the setting information. When the setting of the setting information is updated, the connection destination is switched according to the setting information. In the present embodiment, the printer 16 is operated as a temporary base station mode to make the printer 16 function as a storage.

The wireless communication unit 50 includes a receiving unit 52 that receives information by wireless communication, a beacon transmitting unit 54 that transmits a beacon in a temporary base station mode, a setting updating unit 56 that updates the setting of a connection destination (setting information), and wireless communication. A transmission unit 58 for transmitting information is provided. The storage unit 60 stores the wireless communication setting information 62, the device URL 64, and the setup program 66.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a storage area of a printer that stores wireless communication setting information. As shown in FIG. 5B, the wireless communication setting information is stored in the area 80 of the storage unit 60 for the temporary base station SSID, and is stored in the area 82 of the storage unit 60. , Stored in different areas according to the communication function of the printer 16.

For example, the setting information C (SSID: AP_Printer) for the temporary base station is stored in advance in the area 80 of the storage unit 60. Further, the setting information A (SSID: AP_Software) for the terminal for connecting to the information processing device 12 which has become a temporary base station is also stored in advance in the area 82 of the storage unit 60. Further, when connected to the base station 14 (wireless LAN), the setting information B (SSID: AP_XXXXX) for the terminal is newly stored in the area 74.

The printer 16 shown in FIG. 5A switches from the temporary base station mode to the terminal mode. Further, when operating in the terminal mode, the connection destination is switched from the information processing device 12 to the base station 14. When the printer 16 operates in the temporary base station mode, the communication control unit 40 reads the setting information C for the temporary base station from the storage unit 60, updates the settings of the setting update unit 56, and causes the beacon transmission unit 54 to update the settings. Instruct to send a beacon. The beacon transmission unit 54 transmits a beacon for wireless communication based on the setting information C.

When the printer 16 receives the device URL transmission request from the information processing device 12 after the printer 16 is connected to the information processing device 12 as a temporary base station, the receiving unit 52 passes the received request to the communication control unit 40. The communication control unit 40 instructs the transmission unit 58 to read the device URL 64 from the storage unit 60 and transmit it to the information processing device 12. Further, when the transmission request of the setup program is received via the browser, the received request is passed to the communication control unit 40. The communication control unit 40 instructs the transmission unit 58 to read the setup program 66 from the storage unit 60 and transmit it to the information processing device 12.

When the receiving unit 52 receives the notification of the start of execution of the setup program from the information processing device 12, the receiving unit 52 passes the received notification to the communication control unit 40. Upon receiving the notification, the communication control unit 40 switches the operation mode from the temporary base station mode to the terminal mode. The communication control unit 40 reads the setting information A for the terminal for connecting to the information processing device 12 converted into a base station from the storage unit 60, updates the setting of the setting updating unit 56, and processes the information processing converted into a base station. Instruct the transmission unit 58 to transmit the connection request to the device 12.

When the receiving unit 52 receives the setting information B for the terminal for connecting to the base station 14 from the information processing device 12, it notifies the communication control unit 40 that the setting information B has been received. The received setting information B is stored in the storage unit 60. Upon receiving the notification, the communication control unit 40 switches the connection destination from the information processing device 12 to the base station 14. The communication control unit 40 reads the setting information B for the terminal from the storage unit 60, updates the setting of the setting update unit 56, and instructs the transmission unit 58 to transmit the connection request to the base station 14.

<Setup process>
(Communication sequence)
Next, the setup process will be described.
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between each unit performed in the “setup process”. 7 (A) to (C), 8 (A) to 8 (D), and 9 (A) and 9 (B) are schematic views showing an example of the procedure of the setup process.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the information processing apparatus 12 usually sets the setting information B for the terminal and connects to the base station 14. As shown in FIGS. 7B and 6, when the power of the printer 16 is turned on in step 10, the printer 16 is started. If the printer 16 does not hold the setting information B for the terminal, the printer 16 starts the operation in the temporary base station mode in step 12. A beacon for wireless connection is transmitted from the printer 16 with the setting information C.

As shown in FIGS. 7C and 6, the display unit 22 of the information processing apparatus 12 displays a list 90 of setting information of the connection destination of wireless communication. The user looks at the list 90, selects the setting information C, and instructs the printer to switch the connection destination to the printer 16 which is a temporary base station. In step 14, the information processing apparatus 12 switches the connection destination from the base station 14 to the printer 16 in response to an instruction from the user. In step 16, the information processing apparatus 12 transmits a connection request to the printer 16 and tries to connect. In steps 18, 20, and 22, the information processing device 12 is connected to the printer 16 by the setting information C.

As shown in FIGS. 7C and 6, the icon 92 of the printer 16 to be connected is displayed on the display unit 22 of the information processing apparatus 12. The user selects the icon 92 to instruct the printer 16 to open the network device. In step 24, the information processing device 12 requests the printer 16 to transmit the device URL in response to an instruction from the user. The printer 16 transmits the device URL to the information processing device 12. Here, the "device URL" is information that identifies the location where the program is stored.

When the information processing device 12 opens the acquired device URL in the browser in step 26, a screen 94 prompting the download of the setup program is displayed on the display unit 22. On the screen 94, a sentence 96 prompting download and a download button 98 are displayed. The user selects the download button 98 and instructs them to start the download. In step 28, the information processing apparatus 12 requests the printer 16 to transmit the setup program in response to an instruction from the user. In step 30, the printer 16 transmits the setup program P to the information processing device 12.

Although not shown, the display unit 22 of the information processing apparatus 12 displays a screen prompting the start of execution of the setup program. On this screen, a sentence prompting the start of execution of the setup program and a start button are displayed. The user selects the start button to instruct them to start running the setup program. In step 32, the information processing apparatus 12 starts executing the setup program in response to an instruction from the user.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 6, when the execution of the setup program is started, the information processing apparatus 12 notifies the printer 16 of the start of execution of the setup program in step 34. Upon receiving the notification, in step 36, the printer 16 switches the operation mode from the temporary base station mode to the terminal mode. Here, the connection between the information processing device 12 and the printer 16 is temporarily disconnected. As shown in FIGS. 8B and 6, in step 38, the information processing apparatus 12 is connected to the base station 14 by the setting information B.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 6, in step 40, the information processing apparatus 12 starts operating in the temporary base station mode by the setup program. The information processing device 12 transmits a beacon for wireless connection with the setting information A. As shown in FIGS. 8D and 6, in step 42, the printer 16 is connected to the information processing apparatus 12 by the setting information A in response to the connection request from the printer 16.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 6, the information processing apparatus 12 is connected to the base station 14 by the setting information B and is connected to the printer 16 by the setting information A. In step 44, the information processing device 12 transfers the setting information B for connecting to the base station 14 to the printer 16. As shown in FIGS. 9B and 6, in step 46, the printer 16 sets the acquired setting information B, and in step 48, the printer 16 switches the connection destination from the information processing device 12 to the base station 14.

In step 50, the model information of the printer 16 is notified to the information processing apparatus 12 via the base station 14. The information processing device 12 acquires the model information and the communication address of the printer 16. In step 52, the information processing apparatus 12 acquires software related to the printer 16 such as a printer driver from the printer 16 or the website based on the acquired model information. Then, the acquired software is installed in the information processing device 12 using the acquired communication address.

(Printer setup process)
Next, the "printer-side setup process" will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of “setup processing on the printer side”. The "printer-side setup process" is executed by the CPU 30A of the control unit 30 of the printer 16. The "printer-side setup process" is started by turning on the power to the printer 16.

First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the setting information B for connecting to the base station 14 is possessed. If the setting information B is not provided, the process proceeds to step 102, and in step 102, the printer 16 is started in the temporary base station mode. A beacon for wireless connection is transmitted from the printer 16 with the setting information C. On the other hand, when the setting information B is provided, the process proceeds to step 122, and in step 122, the printer 16 starts in the terminal mode and ends the routine.

Next, in step 104, it is determined whether or not there is a connection request from the information processing device 12. If there is a connection request, the process proceeds to step 106, and in step 106, the information processing device 12 is connected by the setting information C. If there is no connection request, it is repeatedly determined in step 104 whether or not there is a connection request.

Next, in step 108, it is determined whether or not there is a request for transmitting the device URL from the information processing device 12. When there is a transmission request, the process proceeds to step 110, and in step 110, the device URL is transmitted to the information processing device 12. If there is no transmission request, it is repeatedly determined in step 108 whether or not there is a transmission request.

Next, in step 112, it is determined whether or not there is a transmission request for the setup program from the information processing device 12. If there is a transmission request, the process proceeds to step 114, and in step 114, the setup program is transmitted to the information processing device 12. If there is no transmission request, it is repeatedly determined in step 112 whether or not there is a transmission request.

Next, in step 116, it is determined whether or not the information processing apparatus 12 has notified the start of execution of the setup program. When notified, the process proceeds to step 118, and in step 118, the operation mode is switched to the terminal mode. If there is no notification, it is repeatedly determined in step 116 whether or not there is a notification. Next, in step 120, the “setup program corresponding process” is executed to end the routine.

(Setup process on the information processing device side)
Next, "setup processing on the information processing device side" will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of “setup processing on the information processing apparatus side”. The "setup process on the information processing device side" is executed by the CPU 20A of the control unit 20 of the information processing device 12. The "setup process on the information processing device side" is started by a user's instruction to switch the connection destination.

First, in step 200, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed to switch the connection destination to the printer 16. If instructed, the process proceeds to step 202. If there is no instruction, it is repeatedly determined in step 200 whether or not there is an instruction.

Next, in step 202, it is determined whether or not the setting information selected by the user matches the setting information C of the printer 16 which is a temporary base station. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the SSID selected by the user matches the SSID: AP_Printer. If they match, the process proceeds to step 204, and in step 204, the connection destination is switched from the base station 14 to the printer 16. If they do not match, the user is urged to make corrections, and in step 202, it is repeatedly determined whether or not they match.

Next, in step 206, it is determined whether or not there has been a device selection operation. If there is a selection operation, the process proceeds to step 208, and in step 208, the printer 16 is requested to transmit the device URL, and the device URL is acquired from the printer 16. If there is no selection operation, it is repeatedly determined in step 206 whether or not there is a selection operation. Next, in step 210, the acquired device URL is opened in a browser. This will bring up a screen prompting you to download the setup program.

Next, in step 212, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed to download the setup program. When instructed, the process proceeds to step 214, and in step 214, the printer 16 is requested to transmit the setup program, the setup program is acquired from the printer 16, and the setup program is stored. If there is no instruction, it is repeatedly determined in step 212 whether or not the instruction has been given.

Next, in step 216, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed to start executing the setup program. If instructed, the process proceeds to step 218, and in step 218, the “setup program execution process” is executed to end the routine. If there is no instruction, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the instruction was given in step 216.

(Setup program execution process)
Next, the "setup program execution process" and the "setup program corresponding process" will be described. FIG. 12A is a flowchart showing the procedure of the “setup program execution process” on the information processing apparatus side. FIG. 12B is a flowchart showing the procedure of “setup program corresponding processing” on the printer side.

The "setup program execution process" is executed by the CPU 20A of the control unit 20 of the information processing device 12. The "setup program execution process" is started by an instruction from the user to start executing the setup program. On the other hand, the "setup program corresponding process" is executed by the CPU 30A of the control unit 30 of the printer 16. The "setup program corresponding process" is started after receiving the notification from the information processing apparatus 12 that the execution of the setup program has started and switching the operation mode of the printer 16 to the terminal mode.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when the "setup program execution process" is started in the information processing apparatus 12, the printer 16 is notified of the start of execution of the setup program in step 300. Next, in step 302, the connection with the printer 16 is disconnected. Next, in step 304, the setting information B is used to connect to the base station 14. Next, in step 306, the operation mode is switched to the temporary base station mode. The information processing device 12 operating in the temporary base station mode transmits a beacon for wireless connection with the setting information A.

Next, in step 308, it is determined whether or not there is a connection request from the printer 16. If there is a connection request, the process proceeds to step 310, and in step 310, the printer 16 is connected as a temporary base station. If there is no connection request, it is repeatedly determined in step 308 whether or not there is a connection request.

Next, in step 312, the setting information B for connecting to the base station 14 is acquired from the base station 14 or the storage unit 28 of the own device. In the following step 314, the acquired setting information B is transferred to the printer 16. Next, in step 316, the model information and communication address of the printer 16 are acquired. When the printer 16 connects to the base station 14 by the acquired setting information B, a communication address is given to the printer 16. The printer 16 notifies the information processing device 12 of the model information via the base station 14. By this notification, the model information and the communication address of the printer 16 are acquired.

Next, in step 318, the printer 16 connected to the base station 14 is searched. Next, in step 320, it is determined whether or not the printer 16 to which the setting information B has been transferred has been found based on the notified model information. If the printer 16 is found, the process proceeds to step 322, and in step 322, the software related to the printer 16 is installed using the communication address, and the routine is terminated.

For example, since the printing instruction from the information processing device 12 to the printer 16 is transmitted by designating the communication address, the communication address is required for setting the printer driver. On the other hand, if the printer 16 is not found, it is repeatedly determined in step 320 whether or not the printer 16 is found.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the printer 16 also executes the “setup program corresponding process” so as to correspond to the “setup program execution process” of the information processing apparatus 12. In step 400, when the beacon for wireless connection with the setting information A is received from the information processing device 12 operating in the temporary base station mode, a connection request is transmitted to the information processing device 12 to try the connection.

Next, in step 402, it is determined whether or not the information processing device 12 is connected. If connected, the process proceeds to step 404, and in step 404, the setting information B for connecting to the base station 14 is acquired from the information processing device 12. If it is not connected, the process returns to step 400 and the connection attempt is repeated.

Next, in step 406, the acquired setting information B is set and connected to the base station 14. In the following step 408, the model information is notified to the information processing apparatus 12 via the base station 14, and the routine is terminated.

As described above, the printer has different operation modes of temporary base station mode and terminal mode, and functions as storage until the "setup program" is downloaded to the information processing device, and executes the "setup program". After the start, it functions as a communication terminal. By switching the operation mode, the information processing apparatus acquires the "setup program" from the printer via wireless communication and executes the "setup process". As a result, when setting up the device, the time and effort required to set up the device is reduced as compared with the case where the user uses the setup program stored in the external memory.

It should be noted that the configuration of the device and the communication system described in the above embodiment is an example, and it goes without saying that the configuration may be changed within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, an example of switching the temporary base station mode to the terminal mode by using the notification of the start of execution of the "setup program" as a trigger has been described, but other notifications related to the execution of the "setup program" may be used as a trigger.

10 Communication system 12 Information processing device 14 Base station 16 Printer 40 Communication control unit 50 Wireless communication unit 52 Reception unit 54 Beacon transmission unit 56 Setting update unit 58 Transmission unit 60 Storage unit 62 Wireless communication setting information 64 Device URL
66 Setup Program 90 List 92 Icon 94 Screen 96 Sentence 98 Download Button P Setup Program

Claims (7)

A holding part that holds the program to be set up,
When activated, it starts operation in the temporary base station mode that makes its own device function as a temporary base station, and wirelessly connects to the information processing device that requested the connection.
The program is transmitted to the information processing device by wireless communication in response to an instruction from the information processing device.
When a notification corresponding to the execution of the program is received from the information processing device, the operation of the own device is performed before the second setting information for setting the base station as the connection destination for wireless communication is acquired from the information processing device. A control unit that controls the mode by switching from the temporary base station mode to the terminal mode that causes the own device to function as a communication terminal, and a control unit that controls the operation.
Equipment equipped with. The holding unit further holds the first setting information for setting the own device as a connection destination for wireless communication.
When operating in the temporary base station mode, the control unit wirelessly connects to the information processing device using the first setting information.
The device according to claim 1. The program includes a procedure for converting the information processing device into a temporary base station, and a procedure for acquiring a second setting information for setting the base station as a connection destination for wireless communication from the information processing device.
The holding unit further holds a third setting information for setting the information processing device, which has been turned into a temporary base station by executing the program, as a connection destination for wireless communication.
When operating in the terminal mode, the control unit wirelessly connects to the information processing device using the third setting information, and acquires the second setting information from the information processing device by executing the program.
The device according to claim 1 or 2. When the control unit acquires the second setting information, when operating in the terminal mode, the control unit sets the second setting information and wirelessly connects to the base station.
The device according to claim 3. The notification is a notification of the start of execution of the program.
The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. After the program is executed by the information processing apparatus, a processing unit that performs processing according to an instruction from the information processing apparatus is further provided.
The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and
An information processing device including a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the device and a control unit that executes a program downloaded by wireless communication via the communication unit.
Communication system including.

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