JP7342225B2 - Image processing device, control method and program for the image processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a method of controlling the image processing apparatus, and a program.

Communication devices such as smartphones, portable game consoles, and printing devices are equipped with wireless LAN functions. Among the wireless LAN functions, a direct wireless communication mode is known in which a plurality of communication devices are directly connected without using an access point. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a printing device and a mobile terminal are directly connected using an access point mode, which is an example of a direct wireless communication mode.

When using the direct wireless communication mode, the user needs to instruct the communication device to start operating the direct wireless communication mode. For example, the communication device displays a "start button" to start the operation of the direct wireless communication mode, and when the user presses this "start button", the communication device starts the operation of the direct wireless communication mode. . Furthermore, when terminating the use of the direct wireless communication mode, the user instructs the communication device to stop operating the direct wireless communication mode. For example, the communication device displays a "stop button" to stop the operation of the direct wireless communication mode, and when the user presses this "stop button," the communication device stops the operation of the direct wireless communication mode. .

JP2015-023440A

Conventionally, no consideration has been given to connection information used when a communication device resumes operation in direct wireless communication mode. The connection information to be used should be operated with usability and security in mind. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of changing the connection information to be used according to settings when restarting operation in wireless communication mode.

In order to solve the above problems, the image processing device provided by the present invention acts as an access point to which a communication terminal can connect, and has a direct wireless communication function that performs direct wireless communication with the communication terminal without going through an external access point. An image processing device that is capable of receiving print data from a communication terminal and performing printing through direct wireless communication, and configured to configure settings related to an SSID (Service Set Identifier) used to execute the direct wireless communication function. a providing means for providing a setting screen that accepts the settings, and an execution means for directly executing the wireless communication function based on the settings, and the settings are set using a stored SSID for repeated use. and a second setting that performs direct wireless communication with an SSID including a randomly generated character string, the first setting and the second setting including: is switched by a user with administrator authority, and the maximum number of devices that can be connected simultaneously to the image processing device in direct wireless communication executed based on the first setting is plural, and the second setting The maximum number of devices that can be simultaneously connected to the image processing device in the direct wireless communication performed based on the image processing device is one .

Further, the method for controlling an image processing device provided by the present invention has a direct wireless communication function that acts as an access point to which a communication terminal can connect, and performs direct wireless communication with the communication terminal without going through an external access point. A control method executed by an image processing device capable of receiving print data from a communication terminal through direct wireless communication and printing, comprising settings related to an SSID (Service Set Identifier) used to execute a direct wireless communication function. a setting step of providing a setting screen that accepts the settings, and an execution step of directly executing a wireless communication function based on the settings, wherein the settings are stored for repeated use. The first setting includes a first setting to perform a wireless communication function directly with the SSID, and the second setting performs a direct wireless communication with the SSID including a randomly generated character string, and the first setting and the second setting Settings are switched by a user with administrator privileges, and in direct wireless communication executed based on the first settings, the maximum number of devices that can be connected simultaneously to the image processing device is plural; The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the maximum number of devices that can be simultaneously connected to the image processing apparatus in direct wireless communication executed based on settings is one .

According to the present invention, when the device resumes operation in the direct wireless communication mode, the connection information to be used can be changed according to the settings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a communication system. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing device 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the printing device 100. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a user management table. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a wireless connection screen. 3 is a flowchart showing processing related to user authentication. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to operation in access point mode. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to operation in access point mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

(Embodiment 1)
An overview of the communication system will be explained using FIG. The communication system of this embodiment includes a printing device 100 and a mobile terminal 101.

The printing device 100 includes a wireless LAN function. The wireless LAN function included in the printing apparatus 100 has two types of wireless communication modes: infrastructure mode and access point mode. The infrastructure mode is a wireless communication mode in which the printing apparatus 100 wirelessly connects to a relay device such as an access point (not shown) and communicates with a device on the network such as a PC (Personal Computer).

On the other hand, the access point mode is a wireless communication mode in which the printing apparatus 100 itself acts as an access point by activating a software access point in the printing apparatus 100. A mobile terminal 101 such as a smartphone establishes a wireless connection with the printing apparatus 100 operating in an access point mode, and transmits print data for printing an electronic file such as a photo to the printing apparatus 100. The access point mode allows direct wireless communication between the printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 101 without going through a relay device such as an access point. Note that the access point mode is an example of a direct wireless communication mode in which the printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 101 establish a direct wireless connection. Instead of the access point mode, other wireless communication methods such as Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) may be applied to this embodiment.

As will be described in detail later, the printing apparatus 100 includes a user authentication function, and the user logs into the printing apparatus 100 using the user authentication function. A user who has logged in to the printing device 100 can use the access point mode. When the user logs out from the printing apparatus 100, the printing apparatus 100 stops operating in the access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout.

Next, the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 100 will be described using FIG. 2. The CPU 201 reads a control program stored in the ROM 202 and executes various processes for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus 100. ROM 202 stores a control program. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of the CPU 201. The HDD 204 is a nonvolatile storage medium that stores various data.

Note that in the case of the printing apparatus 100, one CPU 201 executes processing shown in a flowchart described later, but other embodiments may be used. For example, a plurality of CPUs may cooperate to execute the processing shown in the flowchart described later. Further, a part of the processing in the flowchart described later may be executed using a hardware circuit such as an ASIC.

The wireless LAN I/F 205 performs wireless LAN communication with external devices such as the mobile terminal 101 and an access point. The wireless LAN communication executed by the wireless LAN I/F 205 is wireless communication such as IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac. The wireless LAN I/F 205 can operate in infrastructure mode and access point mode. The wireless LAN I/F 205 operates by selecting either infrastructure mode or access point mode according to device settings set by the user in advance.

Network I/F 210 connects to a wired LAN via a LAN cable. Network I/F 210 is capable of communicating with an external device (for example, a PC) on a wired LAN.

The printer 206 executes printing processing on the sheet based on the print data received by the wireless LAN I/F 205 or the network I/F 210. A scanner 207 reads a document placed on the user and generates a document image. The original image generated by the scanner 207 is printed by the printer 206 (so-called copy processing) or stored in the HDD 204.

The operation unit 208 includes a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel function and a keyboard, and displays various operation screens. A user can input instructions and information to the printing apparatus 100 via the operation unit 208.

The IC card reader 209 reads user information from the IC card. In the case of this embodiment, a user ID and password are stored in the IC card as user information. Then, the printing apparatus 100 executes user authentication based on the user information read from the IC card by the IC card reader 209.

Note that the printing device 100 is cited as an example of a communication device that can operate in access point mode. The communication device to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the printing device 100. The present invention can be applied to various communication devices such as digital cameras, video cameras, smartphones, and portable game consoles, as long as they can operate in access point mode.

Next, the operation screen provided by the printing apparatus 100 and the operation procedure when the user uses the access point mode will be described.

A login screen 300 in FIG. 3A is a screen displayed by the operation unit 208 of the printing apparatus 100. When the printing apparatus 100 is completely booted, the operation unit 208 initially displays the login screen 300. The user holds his or her own IC card over the IC card reader 209.

The user management table 400 in FIG. 4 is information for managing user information (user name, user ID, password) of users who are permitted to log in to the printing apparatus 100, and is stored in the HDD 204 of the printing apparatus 100. has been done. Users registered in the user management table 400 can log in to the printing device 100. When the user holds his or her IC card over the IC card reader 209, the IC card reader 209 reads user information (user ID and password) from the IC card. Then, the CPU 201 determines whether the user information read from the IC card by the IC card reader 209 is registered in the user management table 400. If the user information read from the IC card is registered in the user management table 400, authentication is OK and the operation unit 208 displays the menu screen 310 shown in FIG. 3(B). The user whose authentication is determined to be OK is logged into the printing device 100 and can use the printing device. On the other hand, if the user information read from the IC card is not registered in the user management table 400, authentication is failed, the operation unit 208 notifies the user of the failure, and the menu screen 310 is not displayed.

In the case of this embodiment, the user may input the user ID and password into the input field 301 and the input field 302, respectively, without using the IC card reader 209. When the user enters a user ID and password in the input field 301 and the input field 302 and presses the login button 303, the printing apparatus 100 executes user authentication.

Furthermore, the user management table 400 may not be provided in the printing apparatus 100, but may be provided in an external authentication server. If the authentication server includes the user management table 400, the printing device 100 transmits user information to the authentication server. When the printing apparatus 100 receives the result of the authentication process (authentication OK or authentication NG) from the authentication server, the printing apparatus 100 executes user authentication.

The menu screen 310 in FIG. 3B displays buttons for the user to use the functions provided by the printing apparatus 100. The logout button 315 is a button for a user to log in from the printing apparatus 100. When the user presses the logout button 315, the logged in user logs out from the printing apparatus 100. Note that a logout screen is also displayed on each screen described below, and the user can input a logout instruction no matter which screen is displayed on the operation unit 208.

Button 311 is a button for the user to use the copy function. When the user presses the button 311, the operation unit 208 displays a copy screen (not shown).

A button 312 is a button for the user to use a SEND function (a function for transmitting a document image generated by the scanner 207 to an external device). When the user presses the button 312, the operation unit 208 displays a SEND screen (not shown).

The button 314 is a button used by the user to perform device settings for the printing apparatus 100.
When the user presses the button 314, the operation unit 208 displays various setting screens according to the user's operation. A setting screen 320 in FIG. 3C is one of the operation screens that the printing apparatus 100 provides to the user, and is displayed by the operation unit 208. The items that can be set on the setting screen 320 will be explained in detail. The settings screen 320 is a screen that can be accessed by a user with special authority, such as a system administrator.

Item 321 sets whether to use a fixed SSID or a one-time SSID as the SSID (Service Set Identifier) used in the access point mode. Fixed SSID is a setting indicating that the same SSID is used every time the access point mode is operated. The system administrator enters the desired SSID in the input field 322. The printing apparatus 100 uses the SSID input in the input field 322 as a fixed SSID when operating in the access point mode. On the other hand, the one-time SSID is a setting indicating that a random SSID is generated and used.

The registration button 323 is a button for reflecting the settings on the setting screen 320 in the printing apparatus 100. When the system administrator presses the registration button 323, the settings made on the settings screen 320 are stored in the HDD 204, and the settings made on the settings screen 320 are reflected on the printing apparatus 100.

Returning to the explanation of the menu screen 310. Button 313 is a button for the user to use access point mode. When the user uses the access point mode, the user first presses the button 313. When the user presses the button 313, the operation unit 208 displays the wireless connection screen 500 in FIG. 5(A).

A start button 501 is displayed on the wireless connection screen 500. This start button 501 is a button used by the user to instruct the printing apparatus 100 to start operation in the access point mode. When the operation unit 208 is displaying the wireless connection screen 500, the printing apparatus 100 has not started operating in the access point mode. Therefore, even if the mobile terminal 101 searches for nearby access points, it cannot find the printing apparatus 100 and cannot establish a wireless connection between the mobile terminal 101 and the printing apparatus 100. In order to establish a wireless connection between the mobile terminal 101 and the printing apparatus 100, the user needs to cause the printing apparatus 100 to start operating in access point mode. When the user presses the start button 501, the printing apparatus 100 starts operating in the access point mode. The operation unit 208 then displays a wireless connection screen 510 in FIG. 5(B).

When the printing device 100 starts operating in the access point mode, the printing device 100 generates an SSID and a connection key (for example, a WEP key). In area 511 of wireless connection screen 510, the SSID and connection key generated by printing device 100 are displayed. When the setting screen 320 is set to use a fixed SSID, a fixed SSID is generated and displayed in the area 511. On the other hand, if the setting screen 320 is set to use a one-time SSID, a random SSID is generated and displayed in the area 511.

After confirming the content displayed in area 511, the user uses his or her mobile terminal 101 to search for nearby access points, and selects the access point with the SSID displayed in area 511 from the search result list. Then, when the user inputs the connection key displayed in the area 511 into the mobile terminal 101, a wireless connection based on the access point mode is established between the printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 101. After wirelessly connecting the mobile terminal 101 to the printing device 100 using the access point mode, the user selects a photo on the mobile terminal 101 that he or she wishes to print. When the user inputs a print instruction into the mobile terminal 101, the mobile terminal 101 uses wireless communication in access point mode to transmit print data for printing the photo selected by the user to the printing apparatus 100. The printing apparatus 100 that has received the print data executes printing processing on the sheet based on the received print data.

When the printing apparatus 100 starts operating in the access point mode, the printing apparatus 100 enters a standby state for receiving a wireless connection establishment request from an external device such as the mobile terminal 101. When the printing apparatus 100 starts operating in the access point mode, the printing apparatus 100 can be found when the mobile terminal 101 searches for nearby access points.
Upon receiving a request to establish a wireless connection from an external device, the printing device 100 establishes a wireless connection in access point mode with the external device. After establishing a wireless connection, actual data communication (for example, transmission of print data from the mobile terminal 101 to the printing apparatus 100) is performed between the printing apparatus 100 and the external device.

Additionally, a stop button 512 is displayed on the wireless connection screen 510. The stop button 512 receives a stop instruction from the user to stop the access point mode operation. If the user wants to stop the access point mode operation of the printing apparatus 100, the user presses the stop button 512. When the user presses the stop button 512, the printing apparatus 100 stops operating in the access point mode. Furthermore, when the user logs out of the printing apparatus 100, the printing apparatus 100 stops operating in the access point mode.

Next, the process executed by the printing apparatus 100 when the user logs into the printing apparatus 100 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is processed by the CPU 201 loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. Note that the printing apparatus 100 may be configured so that the CPU 201 executes at least some of the steps in the flowchart of FIG. 6, and a CPU (not shown) different from the CPU 201 executes the remaining steps.

First, in step S601, the CPU 201 determines whether or not to perform user authentication. When the IC card reader 209 reads user information from the IC, or when the user enters the user ID and password in the input fields 301 and 302 and presses the login button 303, the CPU 201 executes user authentication. judge. The process then proceeds to step S602.

Next, in step S602, the CPU 201 determines whether the user indicated by the user information is a user who is permitted to log in. This determination is made by checking whether the user information is registered in the user management table 400. If the user information is registered in the user management table 400 (determined that authentication is OK), the process advances to step S603. Then, in step S603, the CPU 201 executes login processing. The CPU 201 controls the operation unit 208 to cause the user whose authentication is determined to be OK to log in to the printing apparatus 100 and to display the menu screen 310.

On the other hand, if the user information is not registered in the user management table 400 (determined as authentication NG), it is determined in step S602 that the user indicated by the user information is a user who is not permitted to log in. The CPU 201 notifies the user of authentication NG and ends the process without executing the login process.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 7 shows the process that the printing apparatus 100 executes when the user uses the access point mode and the printing apparatus 100 automatically stops operating in the access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout. Explain using. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is processed by the CPU 201 loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. Note that the printing apparatus 100 may be configured so that the CPU 201 executes at least some of the steps in the flowchart of FIG. 7, and a CPU (not shown) different from the CPU 201 executes the remaining steps.

First, in step S701, the CPU 201 determines whether the start button 501 has been pressed by the user. When the CPU 201 detects that the start button 501 has been pressed by the user, the process advances to step S702. Then, in step S702, the CPU 201 controls the wireless LAN I/F 205 to start operating in access point mode. The wireless LAN I/F 205 generates a fixed SSID or a one-time SSID according to the setting result on the setting screen 320, and starts operating in access point mode.

Next, in step S703, the CPU 201 sets the value of the variable N to 0.
The variable N is a variable for managing the number of devices that have established wireless connections with the printing apparatus 100 in the access point mode. In the case of this embodiment, it is assumed that the printing apparatus 100 can simultaneously establish wireless connections using access point mode with up to five devices. The value of 5 devices is an example of the maximum number of simultaneous connections, and other values may be used. In addition, in this embodiment, the explanation will be made assuming that the maximum number of simultaneous connections does not change regardless of whether a fixed SSID or one-time SSID is used, but when using a fixed SSID or a one-time SSID, The maximum number of simultaneous connections may be set to different values.

Next, in step 704, the CPU 201 determines whether a request to establish a wireless connection has been received from an external device. When the wireless LAN I/F 205 receives a request to establish a wireless connection from an external device, the process advances to step S705. On the other hand, if the wireless LAN I/F 205 has not received a request to establish a wireless connection from an external device, the process advances to step S709.

Next, step S705 will be explained. In step S705, the CPU 201 determines whether the value of the variable N is less than the maximum value of the number of simultaneous connections. If the value of the variable N, that is, the number of devices currently establishing wireless connections in access point mode, is less than the maximum number of simultaneous connections, the process advances to step S706. In step S706, the CPU 201 controls the wireless LAN I/F 205 to establish a wireless connection with the device that has requested establishment of a wireless connection. The wireless LAN I/F 205 establishes a wireless connection in access point mode with a device that has requested establishment of a wireless connection. Then, in step S707, the CPU 201 increases the value of the variable N by 1. On the other hand, if the value of the variable N, that is, the number of devices currently establishing wireless connections in access point mode, is equal to the maximum number of simultaneous connections, the process advances to step S708. Then, in step S708, the CPU 201 rejects the wireless connection establishment request. From the point of view of the device that requested the establishment of a wireless connection, it fails to establish a wireless connection in the access point mode with the printing apparatus 100.

Next, step S709 will be explained. In step S709, the CPU 201 determines whether the user currently logged into the printing apparatus 100 has logged out from the printing apparatus 100. In the case of this embodiment, the user is logged out when the user presses the logout button or when a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses without any user operation. When the logged-in user logs out of the printing apparatus 100, the process advances to step S710.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S709 that the logged-in user has not logged out from the printing apparatus 100, the process advances to step S711.

Next, step S710 will be explained. In step S710, the CPU 201 determines whether the value of the variable N is 1 or less. If the value of the variable N, that is, the number of devices currently establishing wireless connections in access point mode, is less than or equal to 1, the process advances to step S712. Then, in step S712, the CPU 201 controls the wireless LAN I/F 205 to stop operating in the access point mode. The wireless LAN I/F 205 stops operating in access point mode under the control of the CPU 201. On the other hand, if the value of the variable N, that is, the number of devices that have currently established wireless connections in access point mode, is 2 or more, the wireless LAN I/F 205 does not stop operating in access point mode and performs the flowchart. The indicated process ends. The printing apparatus 100 is characterized in that it determines whether to stop operating in the access point mode in conjunction with user logout, based on the number of wireless connections established in the access point mode.

If the value of the variable N, that is, the number of devices currently establishing wireless connections in access point mode, is 0, the determination is Yes in step S710, and the wireless LAN I/F 205 stops operating in access point mode. . If the value of the variable N is 0, it can be determined that there is no user using the access point mode. Therefore, when the value of the variable N is 0, the wireless LAN I/F 205 stops operation in the access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout.

Further, if the value of the variable N, that is, the number of devices that have currently established wireless connections in access point mode, is 1, the determination is Yes in step S710, and the wireless LAN I/F 205 operates in access point mode. Stop. If the value of the variable N is 1, it can be determined that only the logged-in user is using the access point mode, and there is a high possibility that other users are not using the access point mode. Therefore, when the value of the variable N is 1, the wireless LAN I/F 205 stops operation in the access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout.

Furthermore, if the value of the variable N, that is, the number of devices currently establishing wireless connections in access point mode, is 2 or more (plural), the determination in step S710 is No, and the wireless LAN I/F 205 Do not stop operating in access point mode. If the variable N has multiple values, it can be determined that there is a high possibility that other users in addition to the logged-in user are also using the access point mode. If the operation of the access point mode is stopped in conjunction with the user's logout in this state, other users will no longer be able to use the access point mode. Therefore, when the variable N has multiple values, the wireless LAN I/F 205 does not stop operating in access point mode even if the user logs out.

Next, step S711 will be explained. In step S711, the CPU 201 determines whether the stop button 512 has been pressed by the user. When the CPU 201 detects that the stop button 512 has been pressed by the user, the process advances to step S712. In step S712, the CPU 201 controls the wireless LAN I/F 205 to stop operating in the access point mode, and the wireless LAN I/F 205 stops operating in the access point mode. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S711 that the stop button 512 has not been pressed by the user, the process returns to step S704.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 can stop operating in the access point mode in conjunction with the user logging out from the printing apparatus 100. In the case of the printing apparatus 100, the wireless LAN I/F 205 operates in either infrastructure mode or access point mode, and cannot operate in infrastructure mode and access point mode at the same time. Therefore, while the wireless LAN I/F 205 is operating in access point mode, the wireless LAN I/F 205 cannot operate in infrastructure mode and cannot receive print data from a PC via an external access point. Become. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wireless LAN I/F 205 automatically stops operating in access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout. By automatically stopping the access point mode operation in conjunction with the user's logout, the operation mode of the wireless LAN I/F 205 can be switched from the access point mode to the infrastructure mode.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 will be described. In this embodiment, a process of switching whether or not to stop the operation of the access point mode in conjunction with user logout will be described based on the type of SSID used in the access point mode. The configuration of the printing device 100 is similar to that of the first embodiment.

The printing device 100 uses the setting screen 320 to set either a fixed SSID or a one-time SSID as the SSID to be used in the access point mode. In this embodiment, the maximum number of simultaneous connections when using a fixed SSID is a plurality (for example, five), and the maximum number of simultaneous connections when using a one-time SSID is one. In the case of setting to use a one-time SSID, the wireless LAN I/F 205 stops operating in access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout. On the other hand, in the case of setting to use a fixed SSID, the wireless LAN I/F 205 does not stop operating in access point mode even if the user logs out.

This process will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is processed by the CPU 201 loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. Note that the printing apparatus 100 may be configured so that the CPU 201 executes at least some of the steps in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and a CPU (not shown) different from the CPU 201 executes the remaining steps.

In step S<b>801 , the CPU 201 determines whether the user currently logged into the printing apparatus 100 has logged out from the printing apparatus 100 . In the case of this embodiment, the user is logged out when the user presses the logout button or when a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses without any user operation. When the logged-in user logs out from the printing apparatus 100, the process advances to step S802. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S801 that the logged-in user has not logged out from the printing apparatus 100, the process advances to step S803.

Step S802 will be explained. In step S802, the CPU 201 determines whether the settings regarding the access point mode set in the printing apparatus 100 are settings for using a one-time SSID. This determination is performed by checking the results of the settings on the settings screen 320. If the setting regarding the access point mode is a setting to use a one-time SSID, the process advances to step S804. Then, in step S804, the CPU 201 controls the wireless LAN I/F 205 to stop operating in the access point mode. The wireless LAN I/F 205 stops operating in access point mode under the control of the CPU 201. On the other hand, if the settings related to the access point mode are to use a fixed SSID, the wireless LAN I/F 205 completes the process shown in the flowchart without stopping the access point mode operation.

If the setting regarding the access point mode is a setting to use a one-time SSID, the determination in step S802 is Yes, and the wireless LAN I/F 205 stops operating in the access point mode. When the settings related to the access point mode are settings to use a one-time SSID, the maximum number of simultaneous wireless connections in the access point mode is 1. The fact that the maximum number of simultaneous connections is 1 assumes that the access point mode is used only by logged-in users, and it can be determined that the use of the access point mode has ended when the user logs out. Therefore, when the wireless LAN I/F 205 is set to use a one-time SSID, it stops operating in access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout.

Further, if the setting regarding the access point mode is a setting to use a fixed SSID, the determination in step S802 is No, and the wireless LAN I/F 205 does not stop operating in the access point mode. When the setting regarding the access point mode is a setting to use a fixed SSID, the maximum number of simultaneous wireless connections in the access point mode is a plurality (for example, five). The fact that the maximum number of simultaneous connections is multiple means that multiple users are expected to use access point mode at their own desired timing, so it is preferable not to stop operation of access point mode. . Therefore, if the wireless LAN I/F 205 is set to use a fixed SSID, even if the user logs in from the printing apparatus 100, the wireless LAN I/F 205 does not stop operating in the access point mode and continues operating in the access point mode.

As described above, the printing apparatus 100 is characterized in that it determines whether or not to stop operating in access point mode in conjunction with user logout, based on the SSID settings used in access point mode. . If the SSID used in the access point mode is a one-time SSID, the printing device 100 stops operating in the access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout. On the other hand, if the SSID used in the access point mode is a fixed SSID, the printing apparatus 100 does not stop operating in the access point mode even if the user logs out.

In addition, in this embodiment, a one-time SSID is given as an example of an SSID where the maximum number of simultaneous connections is 1, but if it is another type of SSID where the maximum number of simultaneous connections is 1, the one-time SSID The present invention may be applied instead of SSID. As another type of SSID, for example, a setting can be considered in which an SSID corresponding to a user is generated and used in access point mode. When using the SSID corresponding to the user, the printing apparatus 100 switches the SSID to be used depending on the logged-in user. For example, if user A is logged in, the printing device 100 uses a user SSID dedicated to user A, and if user B is logged in, the printing device 100 uses a user SSID dedicated to user B. When using an SSID corresponding to such a user in access point mode, it is desirable to set the maximum number of simultaneous connections to 1, and it is also recommended to automatically change the operation of access point mode in conjunction with user logout. It is desirable to stop.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention provides a system or device with a program that implements one or more functions of each embodiment described above via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads the program. This can also be achieved by executing a process. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100 Printing device 201 CPU
205 Wireless LAN I/F
208 Operation unit 209 IC card reader

Claims (21)

Acts as an access point to which a communication terminal can connect, has a direct wireless communication function that performs direct wireless communication with the communication terminal without going through an external access point, and uses the direct wireless communication to receive print data from the communication terminal and print. An image processing device capable of performing
a setting means for configuring settings regarding an SSID (Service Set Identifier) used to execute a direct wireless communication function;
Providing means for providing a settings screen that accepts the settings;
Executing means for directly executing a wireless communication function based on the settings,
The settings include a first setting that performs a direct wireless communication function with a stored SSID for repeated use, and a second setting that performs a direct wireless communication with an SSID that includes a randomly generated character string. , the first setting and the second setting can be switched by a user with administrator privileges ,
In the direct wireless communication executed based on the first setting, the maximum number of devices that can be connected simultaneously to the image processing apparatus is plural, and in the direct wireless communication executed based on the second setting, the An image processing device characterized in that the maximum number of devices that can be connected simultaneously to the processing device is one . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting screen is provided to a user having administrator authority. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a confirmation screen including a display item indicating an SSID based on the settings, which is an SSID used for the direct wireless communication function. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the confirmation screen displayed by the display means can be displayed even to a user who does not have administrator authority. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a display item indicating a passkey used for a direct wireless communication function is displayed on the confirmation screen displayed by the display means. The setting screen is different from a function of displaying a screen for starting the direct wireless communication from a screen for selecting one function from a plurality of functions including a copy function of the image processing apparatus, and is different from a function for displaying a screen for starting the direct wireless communication. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the image processing apparatus is displayed after a setting-related function is selected. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first setting and the second setting are selectively selectable on the setting screen. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the setting screen is an independent screen for performing only the settings. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting screen displays words indicating that the setting screen is a setting screen for making settings related to an SSID. When the image processing device newly executes the direct wireless communication function after stopping the direct wireless communication function, the execution means uses the same first setting as when executing the direct wireless communication function before the stop, based on the first setting. 10. A direct wireless communication function is executed using a new SSID based on the second setting, and a new second SSID is used to execute the direct wireless communication function based on the second setting. The image processing device described in . 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein stopping the direct wireless communication function means that the image processing apparatus stops operating as an access point. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the new second SSID is a newly generated SSID when a new direct wireless communication function is executed. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first SSID is an SSID set by a user via an input screen. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the execution means directly executes a wireless communication function using the first SSID stored in the image processing apparatus. The setting means performs the first setting in which the execution means executes the direct wireless communication function using the same SSID as the previous execution of the direct wireless communication function, and the first setting in which the execution means executes the direct wireless communication function using a new SSID. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein any one of the second settings can be set. The first setting is a setting in which the image processing device directly performs a wireless communication function using the same SSID every time the image processing device operates as an access point, and the second setting is a setting in which the image processing device operates as an access point. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured to perform a direct wireless communication function using a new SSID each time the image processing apparatus operates. The execution means starts executing the direct wireless communication function based on an instruction from a user who has logged in to the image processing apparatus, and executes the execution means under at least one condition that the user has logged out from the image processing apparatus. 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: stops execution of the started direct wireless communication function. 18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the logout of the user who is logged into the image processing apparatus is performed based on no user operation being performed on the image processing apparatus for a predetermined period of time. Processing equipment. 1. The image processing apparatus is configured to be able to receive print data from a communication terminal and perform printing using the direct wireless communication, regardless of the settings made by the setting means. 19. The image processing device according to any one of items 18 to 18. 20. An instruction to execute the direct wireless communication function using the SSID based on the settings can be accepted even from a user who does not have administrator authority. image processing device. Acts as an access point to which a communication terminal can connect, has a direct wireless communication function that performs direct wireless communication with the communication terminal without going through an external access point, and uses the direct wireless communication to receive print data from the communication terminal and print. A control method executed by an image processing device capable of performing
a setting step of configuring settings regarding an SSID (Service Set Identifier) used to execute a direct wireless communication function;
a providing step of providing a settings screen that accepts the settings;
an execution step of directly executing a wireless communication function based on the settings,
The settings include a first setting that performs a direct wireless communication function with a stored SSID for repeated use, and a second setting that performs a direct wireless communication with an SSID that includes a randomly generated character string. , the first setting and the second setting can be switched by a user with administrator privileges ,
In the direct wireless communication executed based on the first setting, the maximum number of devices that can be connected simultaneously to the image processing apparatus is plural, and in the direct wireless communication executed based on the second setting, the A control method characterized in that the maximum number of devices that can be connected simultaneously to a processing device is one .

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