JP7505367B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a printer that accepts input of network information used to connect to a wireless LAN via an operation panel.

Printers that can be connected to wireless LANs have been put to practical use in the past, and technology is known for accepting the input of network information when using a wireless LAN. For example, Patent Document 1 is an example of a document that discloses a technology for inputting network information for a wireless LAN. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for reading a barcode and inputting network information used for connecting to a wireless LAN.

JP 2017-40991 A

In the case of a printer that has an operation panel consisting of multiple keys and accepts input of network information used to connect to a wireless LAN via operation on the operation panel, the user operates the keys to switch between alphabets, numbers, and symbols as the characters to be input. Since operating these keys is time-consuming for users who are not accustomed to it, improved operability is desired. Patent Document 1 does not disclose a configuration for accepting input of network information via an operation panel.

This specification discloses a technology that improves the operability of a printer that accepts input of network information used to connect to a wireless LAN via an operation panel.

A printer made for the purpose of solving this problem comprises an operation panel having a first key indicating a first direction, a second key indicating a direction opposite to the first direction, and a display device, a communication interface for connecting to a wireless LAN, a printing device, and a computer, and the computer displays an input screen on the display device for accepting input of network information used to connect to the wireless LAN, and the input screen accepts input of one character at a time, and the characters displayed as input targets can be switched by operating the first key and the second key, and there are multiple types of alphabets, numbers, and symbols that can be input on the input screen, and the alphabetical order, which is the order of alphabets to be input, the numeric order, which is the order of numbers to be input, and the symbol order, which is the order of symbols to be input, are predetermined, and further, the input target next to the last alphabet in the alphabetical order is the first symbol in the symbol order, and the input target next to the last symbol in the symbol order is the first number in the numeric order, , the next input target after the last number in the numeric order is the first alphabet in the alphabetical order, and the computer, after entering a state where one character can be input on the input screen, first accepts the operation of the first key to input an alphabet, and then accepts the operation of the first key to switch the input target according to the alphabetical order, and first accepts the operation of the second key to input a number, and then accepts the operation of the second key to switch the input target according to the numeric order, and when a character determination condition is satisfied while the input screen is accepting character input, the character displayed as the input target is determined and the input starts for the next character, and by determining multiple characters, input of the network information consisting of the multiple characters is completed, and the computer uses the input network information to connect to the wireless LAN, and when a print job is received via the communication interface, causes the printing device to print based on the print job.

According to the printer disclosed in this specification, when entering network information consisting of multiple characters, on an input screen where characters can be entered one by one by operating a first key and a second key indicating opposite directions, after entering a state where one character can be entered, operating the first key first enters an alphabetic character, and operating the second key first enters a numeric character. This makes it easier to enter alphabetic characters and numeric characters, which tend to be entered frequently, and improves the operability of entering network information compared to a configuration in which symbols are given priority over alphabetic characters or numeric characters.

The control method for implementing the above-mentioned printer functions, the computer program, and the computer-readable storage medium storing the program are also novel and useful.

The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a technology that improves operability in a printer that accepts input of network information used to connect to a wireless LAN via an operation panel.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the appearance of an operation panel. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a setup process. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen for a new SSID. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a character string input process. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input character table.

The multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as "MFP") according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The MFP 1 also includes an operation panel 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, an image forming unit 15, and an image reading unit 16, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. The MFP 1 is an example of a printer. The operation panel 13 is an example of an operation panel, the image forming unit 15 is an example of a printing device, and the CPU 11 is an example of a computer.

The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. As shown in FIG. 1, the memory 12 stores various programs including a setup program 21 and various data including an input character table 22. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer provided in the CPU 11 is also an example of a memory. Note that the network information 23 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1 is not stored in the memory 12 when the MFP 1 is shipped from the factory.

An example of the memory 12 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the MFP 1, but may also be a storage medium that is readable and writable by the CPU 11. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

The communication IF 14 includes hardware for connecting to a wireless LAN. The communication standards of the communication IF 14 include Ethernet (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that the MFP 1 may be equipped with multiple communication IFs 14 that support multiple communication standards.

The image forming unit 15 includes a configuration for printing an image based on image data on a print medium such as a sheet. The image forming method of the image forming unit 15 is, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The image reading unit 16 includes a configuration for reading an image of a document and generating image data.

The operation panel 13 includes hardware that displays a screen to notify the user of information, and hardware that accepts operations by the user. The operation panel 13 of the MFP 1 in this embodiment includes a display unit 31, an up key 32, a down key 33, and an OK key 34. The display unit 31 is, for example, a monochrome liquid crystal display, and does not have an input acceptance function. The display unit 31 of the MFP 1 in this embodiment is capable of displaying two lines of text vertically. The display unit 31 is an example of a display device. Note that the operation panel 13 in this embodiment may also include other input keys.

An example of the appearance of the operation panel 13 of the MFP 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The up key 32 and down key 33 provided on the operation panel 13 of this embodiment are arranged on opposite sides of the OK key 34, and are input keys that accept instructions indicating opposite directions. Specifically, the up key 32 accepts an instruction to move the cursor upward or to the right, an instruction to add 1, etc. The down key 33 accepts an instruction to move the cursor downward or to the left, an instruction to subtract 1, etc. The up key 32 is an example of a first key, and the down key 33 is an example of a second key. The upward or rightward directions are examples of a first direction. The OK key 34 accepts an instruction to confirm an input, an instruction to proceed to the next step, etc. The OK key 34 is an example of a third key.

Next, the procedure of setup by the MFP1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The following process basically indicates the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "identification", "acquisition", "reception", and "control" in the following description indicate the process of the CPU 11. The process by the CPU also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, the description of the OS will be omitted and the operation of each program will be described. That is, in the following description, a description to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also mean that "program B controls hardware C using the API of the OS". In addition, the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be described as "performed by the CPU 11". In addition, the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms such as "performed by program A".

Note that "obtaining" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request. In other words, the process of CPU 11 receiving data without making a request is also included in the concept of "CPU obtaining data." In this specification, "data" is represented as a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data with the same substantial meaning but different formats is treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. In addition, "requesting" and "instructing" are concepts that indicate outputting information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction to the other party. Information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction is also simply referred to as a "request" and "instruction."

The process by CPU 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B may be conceptually described as "determining, from information A, whether it is event B." The process by CPU 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B or event C may be conceptually described as "determining, from information A, whether it is event B or event C."

The procedure for the setup process will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3. This setup process is a process for setting up a connection to a wireless LAN via the communication IF 14, and is executed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 when an instruction to execute the setup wizard is received via the operation panel 13.

When an instruction to execute the setup wizard is received, the CPU 11 searches for a connectable SSID (short for Service Set IDentifier) via the communication IF 14 (S101). The SSID is an example of identification information that identifies each access point, and is an example of a parameter included in the network information.

Then, the CPU 11 displays the search results on the display unit 31 (S102) and accepts the selection of an SSID. The SSID options include options that accept a selection from a list of the names of SSIDs found by the search, and an option that accepts an instruction to input a new SSID. For example, the CPU 11 accepts operation of the up key 32 or down key 33 to switch and display the options to be selected, and when it accepts operation of the OK key 34, it determines that the option displayed as the option to be selected at that time has been selected.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not a selection of an SSID from a list of SSID names found by the search has been accepted (S103). If it determines that a selection of an existing SSID has not been accepted (S103: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to input a new SSID has been accepted (S104). If it determines that an instruction to input a new SSID has also not been accepted (S104: NO), the CPU 11 waits until either a selection of an SSID or a new input is accepted.

If it is determined that an instruction to input a new SSID has been received (S104: YES), the CPU 11 causes the display unit 31 to display an input screen that starts accepting input of a new SSID (S105). The SSID is a character string consisting of multiple characters, and the CPU 11 accepts input of each character by operating the operation panel 13.

In S105, the CPU 11 causes the display unit 31 to display an input screen 50, for example, as shown in FIG. 4(A). The input screen 50 shown in FIG. 4(A) displays a character string 51 indicating that the input of the SSID is being accepted, and an underlined cursor 52, with no characters displayed above the cursor 52. The cursor 52 may be displayed as a blinking display or a lit display. The shape of the cursor 52 is not limited to an underline, and may be a vertical line or a character frame. The state in which no characters are displayed at the position of the cursor 52 is a state in which the input of one character at that position is to be accepted, and is the input start state.

Then, the CPU 11 executes a character string input process (S106). The character string input process is a process for accepting input of a character string including one or more characters. The procedure of the character string input process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 5.

In the character string input process, the CPU 11 acquires information on the character type of the target character, which is a character that can be input on the displayed input screen (S201). The type of character that can be set is determined according to the type of information that is accepted as input. For example, there are 64 types of characters that can be set in the SSID, including 26 types of uppercase and lowercase alphabet letters, 10 types of numbers, and two types of symbols, the hyphen and underscore, and characters other than these cannot be set in the SSID. In S201, the CPU 11 acquires information on the character that corresponds to the input type from the input character table 22 stored in the memory 12.

The MFP 1 of this embodiment stores information on the settable character types and character order for each type of input information as the input character table 22. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the input character table 22 stores multiple settable types of alphabets, symbols, and numbers in their respective orders in association with the input type. For example, if the input type is an SSID, 52 types of alphabets, 2 types of symbols, and 10 types of numbers, which are all settable character types, are stored.

Furthermore, in the MFP1 of this embodiment, the order of characters is alphabet → symbol → number. That is, the first character of all the character types to be input for the SSID is the first character "a" in the alphabetical order, which is the alphabetical order, the character following the last character "Z" in the alphabetical order is the first character "-" in the symbol order, and the character following the last character "_" in the symbol order is the first character "1" in the numerical order. Also, the order of characters is cyclical, and the character following the last character "0" in the numerical order is the first character "a" in the alphabetical order. In this embodiment, the alphabetical order is an order in which a lowercase letter and an uppercase letter are followed by the other, specifically, for each alphabet, a lowercase letter is followed by an uppercase letter, which is followed by the following lowercase alphabet.

Specifically, for example, the character types and character order to be input for the SSID are as shown in the following (Example 1).
aAbBcCdDeEfFgGhHiIjJkKlLmMnNoOpPqQrRsStTuUvVwWxXyYzZ-_1234567890 ... (Example 1)
Further, for example, the character types and character order to be input for the password are as shown in the following (Example 2).
aAbBcCdDeEfFgGhHiIjJkKlLmMnNoOpPqQrRsStTuUvVwWxXyYzZ! ? @$&%#￥'"'^|{}[]();:,.~<>=+-*/_1234567890 ... (Example 2)
Further, for example, the character types and character order of the input target for a telephone number are as shown in the following (Example 3).
1234567890 ... (Example 3)

Then, the CPU 11 judges whether or not key input to the up key 32 or the down key 33 has been accepted (S202). If it is judged that key input to the up key 32 has been accepted (S202: up key), the CPU 11 displays the first character in the character order acquired in S201 above the cursor 52 on the display unit 31 as the character to be input (S203). If key input to the up key 32 is accepted on the SSID input screen 50 shown in FIG. 4(A), the CPU 11 displays the first character in the alphabetical order, "a", above the cursor 52 as shown in FIG. 4(B), and alphabet input is performed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that key input to the down key 33 has been accepted (S202: Down key), the CPU 11 displays the last character of the character sequence acquired in S201 above the cursor 52 on the display unit 31 (S204). When key input to the down key 33 is accepted on the SSID input screen 50 shown in FIG. 4(A), the CPU 11 displays the last character of the numeric sequence, "0", above the cursor 52, as shown in FIG. 4(C), and enters numeric characters.

The character displayed above the cursor 52 is the character to be input, as described below. In this embodiment, by accepting a single operation of the up key 32 or the down key 33 from a state in which one character has been input, the first character in alphabetical order or the last character in numerical order is displayed as the character to be input, respectively. Since alphabets and numbers are input before less frequently used symbols, this is easy for the user to understand.

After displaying one character in S203 or S204, the CPU 11 judges whether or not key input to the up key 32, down key 33, or OK key 34 has been accepted (S205). If it is judged that input to the up key 32 has been accepted (S205: up key), the CPU 11 switches the character to be input displayed above the cursor 52 to the next character in the order (S206). On the other hand, if it is judged that input to the down key 33 has been accepted (S205: down key), the CPU 11 switches the character to be input displayed above the cursor 52 to the previous character in the order (S207).

The CPU 11 switches the character on the cursor 52, for example, as shown in Figs. 4(D) to (G), according to the character order set as described above and the type of key input. Specifically, when the first character "a" in the alphabetical order is displayed, the CPU 11 operates the up key 32 to display the second character "A" (Fig. 4(D)), and operates the down key 33 to display the last character "0" in the numerical order (Fig. 4(E)). When the last character "0" in the numerical order is displayed, the CPU 11 operates the up key 32 to display the first character "a" (Fig. 4(F)), and operates the down key 33 to display the second character "9" from the end of the numerical order (Fig. 4(G)). After switching the character to be input in S206 or S207, the CPU 11 returns to S205 and accepts further key input.

By repeatedly operating the up key 32 or down key 33, the CPU 11 switches the characters displayed as the input target according to the character order. For example, after FIG. 4(D), if the operation of the up key 32 is repeated and the last alphabetical character "Z" is displayed and further operation of the up key 32 is received, the CPU 11 sets the first character in the symbol order as the input target and inputs a symbol. Also, after FIG. 4(G), if the operation of the down key 33 is repeated and the first numeric character "1" is displayed and further operation of the down key 33 is received, the CPU 11 sets the last character in the symbol order as the input target and inputs a symbol.

Furthermore, when some character is displayed above the cursor 52 (e.g., FIGS. 4(B) to (G)), if it is determined that input to the OK key 34 has been accepted (S205: OK key), the CPU 11 confirms the character on the cursor 52 and moves the cursor 52 (S210), and enters a state in which input of the next character can be accepted. Acceptance of input to the OK key 34 when a character is displayed above the cursor 52 is an example of a state in which the decision condition is satisfied.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4(E), when the OK key 34 is operated while "0" is displayed, the CPU 11 confirms the "0" and moves the cursor 52 to the right of it, as shown in FIG. 4(H). FIG. 4(H) shows a state in which no character is displayed above the cursor 52, and is an example of the start state of inputting one character, similar to FIG. 4(A).

The CPU 11 determines whether further key input has been received (S211). As in the case of the first character, if it is determined that input to the up key 32 has been received (S211: up key), the CPU 11 displays the first character in the alphabetical order above the cursor 52 (S212). If it is determined that input to the down key 33 has been received (S211: down key), the CPU 11 displays the last character in the alphabetical order above the cursor 52 (S213). After S212 or S213, the CPU 11 returns to S205 to receive further key input.

On the other hand, if it is determined that input to the OK key 34 has been accepted with no characters displayed above the cursor 52 after one or more characters have been determined (S211: OK key), the CPU 11 will determine a character string consisting of the characters already entered (S215), terminate the character string input process, and return to the setup process. For example, if input from the OK key 34 is accepted in the state shown in (H) of FIG. 4, the CPU 11 will determine a character string consisting of only "0". However, since a character string consisting of one character cannot be set as an SSID, the CPU 11 may not accept input from the OK key 34 until a predetermined number of characters have been determined, or may not determine a character string even if input from the OK key 34 is accepted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in an MFP 1 in which the operation panel 13 is provided with keys other than the up key 32, down key 33, and OK key 34, the CPU 11 may accept operation of other keys in the character string input process and perform processing according to the type of key. For example, when an input to the clear key is accepted with a character displayed on the cursor 52, the displayed character may be cleared and the state may return to the start of input of one character. Also, for example, when an input to the clear key is accepted with no character displayed on the cursor 52, all confirmed characters may be cleared. Also, for example, when an operation of the back key is accepted, the acceptance of input may be stopped and the state may return to the selection of the SSID.

Returning to the explanation of the setup process in FIG. 3, after the character string input process in S106, or if it is determined that a selection from the searched SSID has been accepted (S103: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not a selection of an authentication method has been accepted (S110). The MFP 1 of this embodiment supports a number of authentication methods, such as open system authentication, shared key authentication, and user authentication using a user ID and password. In S110, the CPU 11 displays options of selectable authentication methods on the display unit 31, for example, and accepts a selection by input of the OK key 34. If it is determined that a selection of an authentication method has not been accepted (S110: NO), the CPU 11 waits until it is accepted.

When it is determined that the selection of the authentication method has been accepted (S110: YES), the CPU 11 causes the display unit 31 to display an input screen for authentication information used in the selected authentication method (S111). For example, if the wireless LAN is Wi-Fi and an authentication method using a combination of an SSID and a password has been selected, the CPU 11 causes the display unit 31 to display an input screen that starts accepting input of a password in S111. The password is an example of a parameter of network information.

Then, the CPU 11 executes the character string input process shown in Fig. 5 (S112). In this character string input process, in S201, the CPU 11 reads out the character types and character order that can be set as a password from the input character table 22 as shown in Fig. 6. Then, as described above, the CPU 11 accepts operation of the up key 32, down key 33, and OK key 34, and accepts input of the character string by determining each character one by one.

After the character string input process in S112, the CPU 11 attempts to connect to the wireless LAN using the acquired network information (S113). For example, the CPU 11 searches for an access point corresponding to the SSID determined in S106, and attempts to connect by sending the password acquired in S112 to that access point. The CPU 11 then determines whether the connection is successful (S114).

When the CPU 11 receives information indicating successful connection from the access point and determines that the connection is successful (S114: YES), the CPU 11 completes input of the network information 23. That is, the CPU 11 stores the SSID determined in S106 and the password determined in S112 as the network information 23 in the memory 12 (S115), and ends the setup process. The CPU 11 stores the network information 23 in non-volatile memory. This allows the MFP 1 to connect to the wireless LAN using the network information 23 stored in the memory 12.

On the other hand, if no information indicating a successful connection is received from the access point, it is determined that the connection has failed (S114: NO), and the CPU 11 returns to S102 and accepts the selection of the SSID again. Note that if the selected authentication method is open system authentication, there is no need to enter additional information such as a password, and the CPU 11 skips S111 to S114 and stores the SSID as network information 23.

As a result, the MFP 1 can connect to the wireless LAN using the network information 23 and receive a print job via the communication IF 14. When the MFP 1 receives a print job, it executes printing based on the print job in the image forming unit 15.

As described above in detail, when inputting network information 23 consisting of multiple characters, the MFP 1 of this embodiment allows input of one character at a time by operating the up key 32 and down key 33, which indicate opposite directions, on an input screen, after the input of one character has begun, operating the up key 32 first inputs an alphabet, and operating the down key 33 first inputs a number. This makes it easier to input alphabets and numbers, which tend to be input frequently, and improves the operability of inputting network information compared to a configuration in which symbols are given priority over alphabets or numbers.

Furthermore, in this embodiment of the MFP1, when the input screen is set to start inputting a new character, the character indicating the input target is not displayed on the input screen, but is displayed on the input screen after the first key is operated. In this way, after the input screen is set to start inputting a new character, the user can easily understand that the character to be input has not been decided before the up key 32 or down key 33 is operated. Also, the presence of the OK key 34 for confirmation makes it easy for the user to make a confirmation operation.

Furthermore, in the MFP1 of this embodiment, the alphabet displayed is changed to forward order by successively operating the up key 32, and the numbers displayed are changed to reverse order by successively operating the down key 33, so that the operation procedure is easy to understand. Furthermore, since symbols are arranged after the alphabet in forward order and after the numbers in reverse order, it is possible to give higher priority to the display of alphabets and numbers than symbols, which tend to be entered less frequently. Also, since the first alphabet and the last number are arranged in consecutive character order, even if the first key input is incorrect, it is highly likely that the desired character can be input with a small number of key inputs. In particular, in the case of an MFP1 that does not have a numeric keypad on the operation panel 13, inputting numbers can be a time-consuming process, so the configuration of this embodiment works well.

Furthermore, the MFP 1 of this embodiment accepts the input of network information by inputting one character at a time. Even if the network information includes an SSID and a password, each input is accepted on an input screen, making the operation easy for the user to understand. Also, only characters that can be set can be input on the input screen for each piece of information to be accepted, preventing the erroneous input of characters that cannot be set. Also, an input character table 22 that stores characters that can be input is provided, making it easy to manage the character type for each piece of information.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the alphabet is entered in lowercase and uppercase order, making it easier to predict the order of subsequent characters, reducing the stress of inputting characters for the user.

Note that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Naturally, the technology disclosed in this specification can be improved or modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technology. For example, the printer is not limited to an MFP, but can be a printer with a single printing function, a copier, a fax machine, or any other device that has both a printing function and a communication function.

The appearance of the operation panel 13 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the arrangement of the keys and the number of keys are not limited to the example shown. For example, in this embodiment, an example of a display unit 31 capable of displaying two lines of text is shown, but it may be capable of displaying only one line or three or more lines of text. Also, the up key 32 and the down key 33 may be two keys that indicate opposite directions, and may be, for example, a right key and a left key arranged on the left and right.

In addition, in this embodiment, the alphabetical order is the order in which each character is followed by a lowercase letter followed by an uppercase letter, but this is not limited to this. For example, the alphabetical order may be the order in which each character is followed by a lowercase letter, or all lowercase letters followed by all uppercase letters, or all uppercase letters followed by all lowercase letters. The numeric order may be in ascending order starting from "0", or in descending order. The alphabetical order, numeric order, and symbol order may differ depending on the input type.

In this embodiment, one character and a character string are determined by accepting key input to the OK key 34, but this is not limiting. For example, determining one character and determining a character string may be determined under different conditions. For example, on an information input screen where the number of characters is predetermined, the character string may be determined when the determined number of characters reaches that number. Also, for example, determination may be made by pressing and holding the OK key 34, or by simultaneous input to both the up key 32 and the down key 33. Also, for example, after a character is displayed above the cursor 52, if no key input is accepted for a predetermined time or more, that character may be determined. Reaching the number of characters, a long press, simultaneous input, and reaching a predetermined time are also examples of determination conditions.

In addition, in this embodiment, when starting to input one character, no character is displayed above the cursor 52, but for example, the first character in alphabetical order may be displayed.

In addition, in this embodiment, the process of accepting the input of network information has been described, but there may be another input screen for inputting information other than network information, and the same character string input process as in this embodiment may be performed on that other input screen.

In addition, in any of the flowcharts disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any of the steps can be changed or they can be executed in parallel as desired, as long as no inconsistencies occur in the process content.

The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination of these. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method.

1. MFP
11 CPU
13 Operation panel 14 Communication IF
15 Image forming unit 31 Display unit 32 Up key 33 Down key 34 OK key

Claims (11)

an operation panel including a first key indicating a first direction, a second key indicating a direction opposite to the first direction, and a display device;
A communication interface for connecting to a wireless LAN;
A printing device;
A computer,
Equipped with
The computer includes:
an input screen for accepting input of network information to be used for connecting to the wireless LAN is displayed on the display device, the input screen accepts input of one character at a time, and characters displayed as input targets can be switched by operating the first key and the second key, there are a plurality of types of alphabets, numbers, and symbols that can be input on the input screen, an alphabetical order that is the order of alphabets to be input, a numeric order that is the order of numbers to be input, and a symbol order that is the order of symbols to be input are predetermined, further, the input target next to the last alphabet in the alphabetical order is the first symbol in the symbol order, the input target next to the last symbol in the symbol order is the first number in the numeric order, and the input target next to the last number in the numeric order is the first alphabet in the alphabetical order,
The computer further comprises:
After the input screen is in a state where input of one character can begin, when the first key is operated for the first time, alphabetic input is performed, and when the first key is operated again, the input target is switched in the alphabetical order by further accepting the first key operation, when the second key is operated for the first time, numeric input is performed, and when the second key operation is operated again, the input target is switched in the numeric order by further accepting the second key operation, and when a character determination condition is satisfied while the input of a character is being accepted on the input screen, the character displayed as the input target is determined and the input screen is in a state where input of the next character can begin, and when multiple characters are determined, input of the network information consisting of the multiple characters is completed,
The computer further comprises:
connecting to the wireless LAN using the input network information, and when a print job is received via the communication interface, causing the printing device to perform printing based on the print job;
A printer characterized by: 2. The printer according to claim 1,
The computer further comprises:
After the input screen enters a state in which input of one character can be started, and before either the first key or the second key is operated, the character to be input is not displayed on the input screen; when the operation of the first key is accepted for the first time, alphabetic input is performed, and the alphabetic characters to be input are displayed on the input screen; and when the operation of the first key is accepted for the first time, numeric input is performed, and numbers to be input are displayed on the input screen; and when the operation of the second key is accepted for the second time, the input target is switched in the numeric order; and when the determination condition is met in a state in which character input is being accepted on the input screen, the character displayed as the input target is determined, and the input screen enters a state in which input of the next character can be started; and when multiple characters are determined, input of the network information consisting of the multiple characters is completed.
A printer characterized by: 3. The printer according to claim 1,
The computer further comprises:
When an alphabet is input by a first operation of the first key, the input target is the alphabet at the top of the alphabetical order, and when the operation of the first key is further accepted, the alphabet to be input is switched towards the end of the alphabetical order, and when a number is input by a first operation of the second key, the input target is the number at the bottom of the numeric order, and when the operation of the second key is further accepted, the number to be input is switched towards the top of the numeric order, and when the determination condition is satisfied while character input is being accepted on the input screen, the character displayed as the input target is determined and the input of the next character begins, and by determining multiple characters, input of the network information consisting of the multiple characters is completed.
A printer characterized by: 4. The printer according to claim 3,
The computer further comprises:
when the operation of the first key is received when the input target is an alphabet at the end of the alphabetical order, the input becomes a symbol input and the input target is the first symbol in the symbol order, and when the operation of the second key is received when the input target is a number at the beginning of the numeric order, the input becomes a symbol input and the input target is the last symbol in the symbol order.
A printer characterized by: In the printer according to claim 3 or 4,
The computer further comprises:
When the input target becomes the first alphabet in the alphabetical order due to the first operation of the first key after the input screen has entered a state where one character can be input, and the operation of the second key is accepted, the input becomes number input and the input target becomes the last number in the numeric order, and when the input target becomes the last number in the numeric order due to the first operation of the second key after the input screen has entered a state where one character can be input, and the operation of the first key is accepted, the input becomes alphabet input and the input target becomes the first alphabet in the alphabetical order.
A printer characterized by: 6. The printer according to claim 1,
The computer includes:
displaying, on the display device, the input screen for receiving input of the network information including identification information for identifying an access point of the wireless LAN and a password;
A printer characterized by: 7. The printer according to claim 1,
The network information includes a plurality of parameters, each of the parameters being composed of a plurality of characters;
There are a plurality of the input screens, each of the input screens corresponding to a respective parameter of the network information;
a character that can be set for each parameter included in the network information is determined, and on the input screen, input of the character that can be set as the corresponding parameter is accepted, and input of the character that cannot be set as the corresponding parameter is not accepted.
A printer characterized by: 8. The printer according to claim 7,
the alphabetical order, the numeric order, and the symbol order are determined as character orders to be input for each parameter included in the network information, and each character order includes characters that can be set as the corresponding parameter and does not include characters that cannot be set as the corresponding parameter, so that the input screen accepts input of characters that can be set as the corresponding parameter and does not accept input of characters that cannot be set as the corresponding parameter;
A printer characterized by: 8. The printer according to claim 7,
an input character table that stores a correspondence between the parameter of the network information and a type of character that can be input;
The computer includes:
when the input screen is displayed on the display device, the input character table is referenced to obtain the types and order of characters that can be input in the network information corresponding to the input screen to be displayed, and the alphabetical order, the numeric order, and the symbol order are determined based on the obtained types and orders of characters, thereby allowing the input screen to accept input of characters that can be set as the corresponding parameters and not to accept input of characters that cannot be set as the corresponding parameters.
A printer characterized by: 10. The printer according to claim 1,
The alphabet that can be entered includes uppercase and lowercase letters.
The computer includes:
The alphabetical order is such that for one alphabet, one of the uppercase and lowercase letters is followed by the other, and for the next alphabet, one of the uppercase and lowercase letters is followed by the other,
A printer characterized by: 11. The printer according to claim 1,
The operation panel includes a third key,
The computer further comprises:
When the operation of the third key is accepted in a state where character input is being accepted on the input screen, it is determined that the determination condition is satisfied.
A printer characterized by:

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