JP7581802B2 - Computer program for terminal device and communication device - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses a technique for changing the settings of a communication device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system including an information processing device and a communication device (e.g., a printer). The information processing device transmits a command to set the communication device to an infrastructure connection mode via a short-range wireless communication unit. The communication method of the short-range wireless communication unit is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark).

JP 2017-184169 A

The above technology does not take into consideration a situation in which multiple communication devices exist. In a situation in which multiple communication devices exist, the user may be unsure which of the multiple communication devices should be set to infrastructure connection mode.

This specification provides technology that can improve user convenience in situations where multiple communication devices are present.

This specification discloses a computer program for a terminal device. The terminal device includes a communication interface for executing communication with a communication device, and a display unit. The setting of the communication device is one of a plurality of settings including a first setting in which communication setting for executing communication via a network is completed, and a second setting in which the communication setting is not completed. The computer program controls a computer of the terminal device to include the following units: a first receiving unit for receiving a first setting status signal from a first communication device via the communication interface, the first setting status signal indicating that the current setting of the first communication device is the first setting; and a second receiving unit for receiving a second setting status signal from a second communication device via the communication interface. a second receiving unit that receives a second setting state signal, the second setting state signal indicating that the current setting of the second communication device is the second setting; a display control unit that displays a selection screen on the display unit in which at least the second communication device of the first communication device and the second communication device can be selected after receiving the first setting state signal and the second setting state signal; and a first transmitting unit that transmits network setting information to the second communication device via the communication interface to change the setting of the second communication device from the second setting to the first setting when the second communication device is selected on the selection screen.

According to this configuration, the terminal device can grasp the current settings of the first communication device and the second communication device by utilizing the first setting status signal from the first communication device and the second setting status signal from the second communication device. The terminal device can grasp the current settings of the first communication device and the second communication device and display a selection screen. For example, the terminal device can display a selection screen in a manner in which the second communication device, whose current setting is the second setting, can be selected. As a result, user convenience can be improved in a situation in which multiple communication devices exist.

The communication device disclosed in this specification includes a first communication interface for executing communication with a terminal device, a transmission unit for transmitting a setting state signal to the terminal device via the first communication interface, the setting state signal indicating the first setting when the current setting of the communication device is a first setting in which communication setting for executing communication via a network is completed, and the setting state signal indicating the second setting when the current setting of the communication device is a second setting in which the communication setting is not completed, a first reception unit for receiving network setting information for changing the setting of the communication device from the second setting to the first setting from the terminal device via the first communication interface after the setting state signal indicating the second setting is transmitted, and a setting change unit for changing the setting of the communication device from the second setting to the first setting when the network setting information is received from the terminal device.

According to this configuration, the communication device can transmit a setting status signal to the terminal device to inform the terminal device of the current setting of the communication device. For example, in a situation where multiple communication devices are present, the terminal device can display a screen on which a communication device whose current setting is the second setting can be selected from among the multiple communication devices. As a result, user convenience can be improved in a situation where multiple communication devices are present.

The above-mentioned terminal device itself, the control method for implementing the above-mentioned terminal device, and the computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. The control method for implementing the above-mentioned communication device, the computer program, and the computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful.

1 shows the configuration of a communication system. FIG. 2 shows a sequence diagram of a process implemented by the communication system of the first embodiment. A continuation of FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of a process implemented by a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 11 shows modified examples of the device selection screen.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of communication system 2; FIG. 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a terminal device 10, two printers 100 and 200, and two access points 500 and 600 (hereinafter, the access points are referred to as "AP"). The terminal device 10 is a mobile terminal such as a tablet PC or a smartphone. In a modified example, the terminal device 10 may be a terminal device such as a desktop PC or a notebook PC. The terminal device 10 and the printer 100 are currently connected to a LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network) 4. In a modified example, the terminal device 10 and the printer 100 may not currently be connected to the LAN 4.

LAN4 is a wireless LAN formed by AP500. AP500 stores an SSID (short for Service Set Identifier) "ap01" that identifies LAN4, and a password "xxxx" that is used in LAN4.

AP600 forms a wireless LAN (not shown). AP600 stores the SSID "ap02" that identifies the wireless LAN and the password "yyyy" used in the wireless LAN.

For example, a user purchases a new printer 200. In this embodiment, assume that the printer 200 is newly connected to LAN 4.

(Configuration of the Printer 100)
The printer 100 includes a display unit 112, an operation unit 114, a wireless LAN interface 120, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 122, and a control unit 130. Each unit 112 to 130 is connected to a bus line (reference numbers omitted). In the following, the interface will be referred to as "I/F." Bluetooth will be referred to as "BT."

The display unit 112 is a display for displaying various information. The operation unit 114 has a number of keys. A user can input various instructions to the printer 100 by operating the operation unit 114. The display unit 112 may also function as a touch panel (i.e., an operation unit) that accepts instructions from the user.

The wireless LAN I/F 120 is an I/F for performing wireless communication via the LAN 4. The wireless communication via the LAN 4 is, for example, communication according to the Wi-Fi system (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi communication"). The Wi-Fi system is, for example, a wireless communication system for performing wireless communication according to the IEEE (short for The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and standards equivalent thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, etc.).

The BT I/F 122 is an I/F for executing wireless communication according to the BT method (hereinafter referred to as "BT communication"). The BT method is a wireless communication method based on the IEEE 802.15.1 standard and standards equivalent thereto, for example. More specifically, the BT I/F 122 supports BLE (short for Bluetooth Low Energy). BLE is a standard realized in versions 4.0 and later of the BT method. The BT I/F 122 is capable of executing wireless communication according to BLE (hereinafter referred to as "BLE communication").

The differences between the Wi-Fi system and the BT system will now be described. The communication speed of Wi-Fi communication (for example, a maximum communication speed of 600 Mbps) is faster than the communication speed of BT communication (for example, a maximum communication speed of 24 Mbps). The carrier frequency in Wi-Fi communication is the 2.4 GHz band or the 5.0 GHz band. The carrier frequency in BT communication is the 2.4 GHz band. In other words, when the 5.0 GHz band is adopted as the carrier frequency in Wi-Fi communication, the carrier frequency in Wi-Fi communication is different from the carrier frequency in BT communication. In addition, the maximum distance at which Wi-Fi communication can be performed (for example, about 100 m) is greater than the maximum distance at which BT communication can be performed (for example, about several tens of meters).

The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The CPU 132 executes various processes according to a program 140 stored in the memory 134. The memory 134 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc.

The memory 134 further stores AP information AI1 for connecting to the LAN 4. The AP information AI1 is information about the AP 500, and includes the SSID "ap01" and the password "xxxx".

Printer 100 is assigned the printer name "printer1" to identify printer 100. Printer 200 is assigned the printer name "printer2" to identify printer 200. Printer 200 has the same configuration as printer 100.

(Configuration of terminal device 10)
The terminal device 10 includes a display unit 12, an operation unit 14, a wireless LAN I/F 20, a BT I/F 22, and a control unit 30. Each of the units 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (reference numerals omitted).

The display unit 12 is a display for displaying various information, and the operation unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel. The operation unit 14 is capable of accepting various instructions.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to programs 40, 42 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc. The OS (short for Operating System) program 40 is a program for executing basic processes of the terminal device 10. The application program 42 (hereinafter referred to as "app 42") is a program for connecting the printer to a wireless LAN (e.g. LAN 4).

The memory 34 further stores two pieces of AP information AI1 and AI2. The AP information AI2 is information related to the AP 600, and includes the SSID "ap02" and the password "yyyy". The terminal device 10 can connect to the LAN 4 formed by the AP 500 using the AP information AI1. Furthermore, the terminal device 10 can connect to the wireless LAN (not shown) formed by the AP 600 using the AP information AI2.

(Processing implemented by communication system 2; Figs. 2 and 3)
2 and 3, the process realized by the communication system 2 will be described. In the initial stage of this case, the terminal device 10 is currently connected to the LAN 4. In addition, in a modified example, the terminal device 10 does not need to be currently connected to the LAN 4. In addition, in the following, the process executed by each CPU of each device (e.g., the CPU 32 of the terminal device 10, etc.) will be described with each device (e.g., the terminal device 10, etc.) as the subject, rather than each CPU, from the viewpoint of ease of understanding.

The printer 100 is configured to be capable of repeatedly transmitting multiple types of Advertise signals in sequence. The Advertise signal is a signal conforming to the BLE method. The Advertise signal is a so-called beacon signal, and is a signal with no designated destination. The multiple types of Advertise signals include a first type of Advertise signal and a second type of Advertise signal. The printer 100 transmits the first type of Advertise signal via the BT I/F 122 at T10, and transmits the second type of Advertise signal via the BT I/F 122 at T12. The printer 100 repeatedly executes the processes of T10 and T12. The printer 100 starts transmitting the Advertise signal when the power is turned on as a trigger. Like printer 100, printer 200 is configured to be able to repeatedly transmit multiple types of Advertise signals in sequence.

The first type of Advertise signal is a signal for causing the terminal device 10 to execute a first type of process for establishing a wireless connection conforming to the Wi-Fi standard (for example, a wireless connection conforming to the WFD (short for Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) standard) between the printer 100 and the terminal device 10 without going through an AP (for example, 500). The wireless connection established by the first type of process is used, for example, for communicating print data. The first type of process is, for example, AirPrint (registered trademark).

The second type of Advertise signal is a signal for causing the terminal device 10 to execute a second type of process for establishing a wireless connection between the printer 100 and the terminal device 10 via an AP (e.g., 500). The second type of process is a process realized by the app 42 in this embodiment.

By repeatedly transmitting multiple types of Advertise signals in sequence, the Advertise signals can be used not only for the first type of processing, but also for the second type of processing in this embodiment. In other words, the Advertise signals can be used not only for establishing a wireless connection that does not go through an AP, but also for establishing a wireless connection that goes through an AP.

As shown in T10, the first type of Advertise signal includes the printer name "printer1" but does not include setting status information. On the other hand, as shown in T12, the second type of Advertise signal includes the printer name "printer1" and setting status information.

The setting status information indicates one of the values "ON" indicating that the communication setting for performing communication via a wireless LAN is completed, and "OFF" indicating that the communication setting is not completed. The communication setting being completed indicates a state in which the AP information of the AP (e.g. 500) is stored in the memory 134 of the printer 100. The communication setting not being completed indicates a state in which the AP information of any AP is not stored in the memory 134 of the printer 100. In other words, the communication setting being completed indicates a state in which the printer 100 can connect to any wireless LAN (e.g. LAN 4), and the communication setting not being completed indicates a state in which the printer 100 cannot connect to any wireless LAN. In a modified example, the communication setting being completed may indicate a state in which the printer 100 is currently connected to any wireless LAN (e.g. 4), and the communication setting not being completed may indicate a state in which the printer 100 is currently not connected to any wireless LAN.

In this case, AP information AI1 is stored in memory 134 of printer 100. At T22, printer 100 transmits a second type of Advertise signal including setting status information "ON" to the outside via BT I/F 122.

In this case, the user opens the packaging of printer 200 and performs an operation to turn on printer 200. This causes printer 200 to start transmitting multiple types of Advertise signals. No AP information for any AP is stored in the memory (not shown) of printer 200. At T24, printer 200 transmits a second type of Advertise signal including setting status information "OFF" to the outside via printer 200's BT I/F (not shown).

At T22, the terminal device 10 receives a second type of Advertise signal including the setting status information "ON" from the printer 100 via the BT I/F 22, and at T24, receives a second type of Advertise signal including the setting status information "OFF" from the printer 200 via the BT I/F 22.

In the next T30, the terminal device 10 displays on the display unit 12 a device selection screen that allows a user to select a specific printer from among multiple printers that have sent a second type Advertise signal. In this case, the device selection screen includes a selection button BU1 indicating the printer name "printer1" included in the second type Advertise signal of T22, and a selection button BU2 indicating the printer name "printer2" included in the second type Advertise signal of T24. Furthermore, the selection button BU1 includes a message (e.g., "Setup") indicating the setting status information "ON" included in the second type Advertise signal of T22, and the selection button BU2 includes a message (e.g., "No Setup") indicating the setting status information "OFF" included in the second type Advertise signal of T24. With this configuration, the user can check the current state of the communication settings of the printers 100 and 200. In a modified example, each selection button does not have to include a message indicating the setting status information.

As shown in FIG. 2, selection button BU2 indicating printer 200 is positioned above selection button BU1 indicating printer 100. By positioning selection button BU2 above selection button BU1, it is possible to prompt the user to select selection button BU2. In this case, the communication settings for printer 100 have been completed, but the communication settings for printer 200 have not. By prompting the user to select selection button BU2, it is possible to prompt the user to complete the communication settings for printer 200, for which the communication settings have not been completed.

At T32, the user selects the selection button BU2 indicating the printer 200. When the terminal device 10 accepts the selection of the selection button BU2 at T32, at T34, the terminal device 10 executes a predetermined communication (Scan Request, Scan Response, etc.) according to the BT method between the terminal device 10 and the printer 200 via the BT I/F 22. As a result, the terminal device 10 establishes a BT connection with the printer 200. The BT connection is a wireless connection according to the BLE method, and is a wireless connection according to the so-called L2CAP (short for Logical Link Control and Application Protocol).

In this case, the above-mentioned specified communication includes authentication communication using a PIN code or the like. Through authentication communication, key information for encryption is shared between the terminal device 10 and the printer 200. In communication using a BT connection, the information to be communicated is encrypted using key information.

Next, at T36, the terminal device 10 uses a BT connection via the BT I/F 22 to send display information to the printer 200 to cause the printer 200 to display an image showing the terminal device 10. The display information includes the terminal name of the terminal device 10, "terminal1."

When the printer 200 receives display information from the terminal device 10 using the BT connection in T36, the printer 200 displays a connection confirmation screen on the display unit (not shown) of the printer 200 in T40. The connection confirmation screen includes a message to confirm that a BT connection with the terminal device 10 is currently established, and whether or not to start changing the communication settings. The message includes the terminal name "terminal1" in the display information. With this configuration, the user of the printer 200 can confirm that the user will use the terminal device 10 to change the communication settings.

The connection confirmation screen further includes an "OK" button and a "Cancel" button. In T42, the user operates the printer 200 to select the "OK" button in the connection confirmation screen. When the printer 200 accepts the selection of the "OK" button in T42, in T44, the printer 200 uses the BT connection to send an OK notification indicating that the "OK" button has been selected to the terminal device 10. On the other hand, if the "Cancel" button in the connection confirmation screen is selected, the printer 200 skips the processing from T42 onwards and ends the processing in FIG. 2. With this configuration, if the "OK" button in the connection confirmation screen is not selected, the processing from T44 onwards is not executed and the communication settings are not changed. It is possible to prevent the communication settings of the printer 200 from being changed without the knowledge of the user of the printer 200. In a modified example, the connection confirmation screen does not need to include the "OK" button and the "Cancel" button.

When the terminal device 10 receives an OK notification from the printer 200 using the BT connection via the BT I/F 22 at T44, it causes the display unit 12 to display an information selection screen on which specific AP information can be selected from multiple pieces of AP information stored in the memory 34 at T50 in FIG. 3. In this case, the memory 34 stores AP information AI1 of AP500 and AP information AI2 of AP600. The information selection screen includes a selection button indicating the SSID "ap01" of the AP information AI1 and a selection button indicating the SSID "ap02" of the AP information AI2.

At T52, the user selects the selection button indicating the SSID "ap01". When the terminal device 10 accepts the selection of the selection button indicating the SSID "ap01" at T52, at T60, the terminal device 10 transmits the AP information AI1 in the memory 34 to the printer 200 via the BT I/F 22 using a BT connection. The AP information AI1 is information for connecting to the LAN 4 formed by the AP 500, that is, network setting information for setting up a connection to a network. As described above, the AP information AI1 includes the SSID "ap01" that identifies the LAN 4 and the password "xxxx". Here, the AP information AI1 is encrypted by the key information shared at T32 in FIG. 2. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the plaintext of the AP information AI1 from being obtained by a third party.

In T70, the printer 200 executes 4-way handshake communication with the AP 500. During at least a portion of the 4-way handshake communication, the printer 200 and the AP 500 communicate encrypted information encrypted with the password "xxxx" included in the AP information AI1 acquired in T60. If the encrypted information is successfully decrypted, a wireless connection based on the Wi-Fi system is established between the printer 200 and the AP 500. This connects the printer 200 to the LAN 4 formed by the AP 500. In a modified example, SAE (short for Simultaneous Authentication of Equals, commonly known as "Dragonfly") communication may be used instead of the 4-way handshake communication.

Let us assume that the terminal device 10 is currently connected to the LAN 4. In this situation, when the terminal device 10 receives a print instruction at the operation unit 14 at T80, at T82, the terminal device 10 transmits print data corresponding to the image to be printed to the printer 200 via the wireless LAN I/F 20, the LAN 4, and the AP 500.

When the printer 200 receives print data from the terminal device 10 via the LAN 4 and the AP 500 in T82, it prints an image corresponding to the print data in T84.

The user can select the selection button BU1 indicating the printer 100 on the device selection screen of T30 in FIG. 2. When the selection button BU1 is selected, the terminal device 10 executes communication with the printer 100 from T34 onward.

(Effects of this embodiment)
According to the configuration of this embodiment, the terminal device 10 can grasp the current settings of the printers 100 and 200 by using the second type Advertise signal from the printer 100 and the second type Advertise signal from the printer 200 (T22, T24 in FIG. 2). The terminal device 10 can grasp the current settings of the printers 100 and 200 and display the device selection screen (T30 in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, on the device selection screen, the selection button BU2 indicating the printer 200 for which communication settings have not been completed is arranged above the selection button BU1 indicating the printer 100, and the selection of the selection button BU2 is prompted. In a situation where multiple printers exist, the user may be confused about which printer's communication settings should be changed. By being prompted to select the selection button BU2 on the device selection screen, it is possible to suppress confusion about which printer to select in a situation where multiple printers exist. User convenience is improved.

(Correspondence)
The terminal device 10, the BT I/F 22, and the display unit 12 are examples of the "terminal device", the "communication interface", and the "display unit" of the "terminal device", respectively. The printers 100 and 200 are examples of the "communication device". The BT I/F 122, the wireless LAN I/F 120, and the display unit 112 are examples of the "display unit" of the "first communication interface", the "second communication interface", and the "communication device", respectively. The printers 100 and 200 are examples of the "first communication device" and the "second communication device", respectively. The fact that AP information is stored in the memory 134 of the printer 100 is an example of the "first setting". The fact that no AP information of any AP is stored in the memory 134 is an example of the "second setting". The AP information AI1 transmitted to the printer 200 in T60 of FIG. 3 is an example of the "network setting information". The AP information AI1 in the printer 100 is an example of the "connection information". The AP500 and the LAN4 are examples of an "access point" and a "specific network", respectively. The first and second types of Advertise signals indicated by T10 and T12 in FIG. 2 are examples of "multiple types of Advertise signals". The second type of Advertise signal of T22 and the second type of Advertise signal of T24 are examples of a "first setting state signal" and a "second setting state signal", respectively. The device selection screen of T30, the selection button BU1, and the selection button BU2 are examples of a "selection screen", a "first image", and a "second image", respectively. The BT connection of T34 is an example of a "wireless connection". The display information of T36 is an example of "display information".

In the "terminal device," T22, T24, and T30 in FIG. 2 and T60 in FIG. 3 are examples of processing realized by the "first receiving unit," the "second receiving unit," the "display control unit," and the "first transmitting unit," respectively.

In the "communication device," T22 and T24 in FIG. 2 are examples of processing realized by a "transmitter." T60 and T70 in FIG. 3 are examples of processing realized by a "first receiver" and a "setting changer," respectively.

Second Example
The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that authentication communication according to the BT method is not performed, and the AP information is encrypted using a different method.

(Processing implemented by communication system 2; FIG. 4)
The process realized by the communication system 2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. T122 to T132 are the same as T22 to T32 in FIG. 2. T134 is the same as T34 in FIG. 2, except that authentication communication using a PIN code or the like is not performed. T136 is the same as T36 in FIG. 2, except that the display information is not encrypted with key information. T140 and T142 are the same as T40 and T42 in FIG. 2. T144 is the same as T44 in FIG. 2, except that the OK notification is not encrypted with key information and that the OK notification includes the password "zzzz". The password "zzzz" is a password that is pre-stored in the memory (not shown) of the printer 200.

T150 and T152 are the same as T50 and T52 in FIG. 3. At T154, the terminal device 10 encrypts the AP information AI1 using the password "zzzz" received at T144. T160 is the same as T60 in FIG. 3, except that AP information AI1 encrypted using the password "zzzz" (hereinafter referred to as "encrypted AP information") is transmitted.

When the printer 200 receives the encrypted AP information from the terminal device 10 at T160, it uses the password "zzzz" in the memory of the printer 200 to decrypt the encrypted AP information and obtains the AP information AI1 at T162. T170 to T184 are the same as T70 to T84 in FIG. 3. Even with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the plain text of the AP information AI1 from being obtained by a third party. In this embodiment, the password "zzzz" is an example of "encrypted information".

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

(Variation 1-4) The display mode of the device selection screen is not limited to the display mode shown in each of the above embodiments. FIG. 5 shows variations 1 to 4 of the device selection screen. The device selection screen of variation 1 includes a selection button BU3 and a selection button BU4. The selection button BU3 includes the printer name "printer1" and does not include a message indicating the setting status information "ON". The selection button BU4 includes the printer name "printer2" and does not include a message indicating the setting status information "OFF". The selection button BU4 is arranged above the selection button BU3. The selection button BU3 has an unselectable mode (e.g., grayed out), and the selection button BU4 has a selectable mode. In this variation, even if the selection button BU3 is selected, the terminal device 10 does not execute communication with the printer 100 after T34 in FIG. 2. The selection button BU3 has an unselectable mode, which can prompt the selection button BU4 to be selected. By prompting the user to select selection button BU4, it is possible to prompt the user to complete the communication settings of the printer 200 for which the communication settings have not been completed. In this modified example, selection buttons BU3 and BU4 are examples of the "first button" and the "second button", respectively.

Variation 2 is similar to variation 1, except that selection button BU3 is positioned above selection button BU4. Although selection button BU3 is positioned above selection button BU4, selection button BU3 has an unselectable aspect, which can prompt selection button BU4 to be selected.

Variation 3 is similar to variation 1, except that it does not include selection button BU3 for printer 100 for which communication settings have been completed. By not including selection button BU3, it is possible to prompt the user to select selection button BU4.

Variation 4 is similar to each embodiment, except that selection button BU1 is positioned above selection button BU2. Although selection button BU1 is positioned above selection button BU2, selection button BU1 includes a message indicating setting status information "ON" and selection button BU2 includes a message indicating setting status information "OFF," thereby encouraging selection of selection button BU2.

Also, on the printer selection screen, the selection buttons do not have to include the printer name. For example, on the printer selection screen, a button for selecting printer 100 may be placed adjacent to an image that includes the printer name "printer1", and a button for selecting printer 200 may be placed adjacent to an image that includes the printer name "printer2". The image that includes the printer name "printer2" may then be placed above the image that includes the printer name "printer1". In this modified example, the image that includes the printer name "printer1" and the image that includes the printer name "printer2" are examples of a "first image" and a "second image", respectively.

(Variation 5) At least one of the "first communication device" and the "second communication device", and the "communication device" may be, for example, a terminal device such as a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function device, or a PC.

(Variation 6) The "communication interface" is not limited to the BT I/F 22, and may be, for example, an I/F for performing wired communication. Examples of wired communication include a wired LAN and USB (short for Universal Serial Bus).

(Variation 7) Each of the devices 10, 100, and 200 does not have to support version 4.0 of the Bluetooth standard (i.e., the BLE standard). Each of the devices 10, 100, and 200 may support a version of the Bluetooth standard earlier than version 4.0.

(Variation 8) The "first setting state signal and second setting state signal" are not limited to the Advertise signal of the BLE method, and may be other signals of the BT method (e.g., Scan Response, etc.).

(Variation 9) In addition to the first and second types of Advertise signals, the printer 100 may transmit a third type of Advertise signal that indicates a status other than the printer's communication settings (e.g., remaining ink level, etc.). In this variation, the first, second, and third types of Advertise signals are an example of "multiple types of Advertise signals." Generally speaking, "multiple types of Advertise signals" are multiple types of Advertise signals that correspond to multiple uses.

(Variation 10) The process of T10 in FIG. 2 does not need to be executed. In this variation, the "multiple types of Advertise signals" can be omitted.

(Variation 11) The process of T34 in FIG. 2 does not need to be executed. In this case, for example, the terminal device 10 may transmit at least one of the display information and the AP information AI1 to the printer 200 using communication according to the BT method that can be used without establishing a BT connection (e.g., a Scan Request, etc.).

(Variation 12) The process of T36 in FIG. 2 does not need to be executed. In this variation, the "second transmitting unit" of the "terminal device" and the "second receiving unit" of the "communication device" can be omitted.

(Variation 13) The process of T70 in FIG. 3 does not need to be executed. In this case, the printer 200 stores the AP information AI1 received from the terminal device 10 in memory, and does not need to establish a wireless connection with the AP 500. Storing the AP information AI1 in memory is an example of the process realized by "changing the setting of the second communication device from the second setting to the first setting" and the "setting change unit."

(Variation 14) T80 in FIG. 3 does not need to be executed. In this variation, the "communication execution unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 15) The "connection information" is not limited to AP information, but may be, for example, information (e.g., SSID) for connecting to a network formed by other devices different from the AP (e.g., a device operating as a WFD group owner, or a device operating as a parent station of a SoftAP).

(Variation 16) In the second embodiment, the password "zzzz" does not have to be included in the OK notification of T144 in FIG. 3. For example, the password "zzzz" may be included in the Advertise signal of T124. Also, the password "zzzz" may be transmitted to the terminal device 10 within a specific communication according to the BT method executed in T134. Generally speaking, the "encryption information" may be communicated before the communication of the "network setting information".

(Variation 17) In each of the above embodiments, the processes in Figures 2 to 4 are implemented by software (e.g., programs 40, 42, 140, etc.), but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving any one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Terminal device, 12: Display unit, 14: Operation unit, 22: BT I/F, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 40: OS program, 42: Application, 100: Printer, 112: Display unit, 114: Operation unit, 120: Wireless LAN interface, 122: BT I/F, 130: Control unit, 132: CPU, 134: Memory, 140: Program, 200: Printer, 500: Access point, 600: Access point, AI1, AI2: AP information, BU1 to BU4: Selection button

Claims (26)

A computer program for a terminal device, comprising:
The terminal device
a communication interface for performing communication with a communication device;
A display unit;
Equipped with
the setting of the communication device is any one of a plurality of settings including a first setting in which communication setting for performing communication via a network is completed and a second setting in which the communication setting is not completed;
The computer program controls the computer of the terminal device to the following units:
a first receiving unit that receives a first setting state signal from a first communication device via the communication interface, the first setting state signal indicating that a current setting of the first communication device is the first setting;
a second receiving unit that receives a second setting status signal from a second communication device via the communication interface, the second setting status signal indicating that a current setting of the second communication device is the second setting; and
a display control unit that, after receiving the first setting state signal and the second setting state signal, causes the display unit to display a selection screen on which at least the second communication device of the first communication device and the second communication device can be selected;
a first transmission unit that transmits, when the second communication device is selected on the selection screen, network setting information for changing a setting of the second communication device from the second setting to the first setting via the communication interface to the second communication device;
A computer program that functions as a the selection screen includes a first image indicating the first communication device and a second image indicating the second communication device;
The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the second image is positioned above the first image. the selection screen includes a first button indicating the first communication device and a second button indicating the second communication device;
the first button has a non-selectable aspect and the second button has a selectable aspect;
The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein when the second button is selected, the second communication device is selected on the selection screen. The completion of the communication setting includes that the communication device stores connection information for connecting to the network,
The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the communication setting is not completed includes the connection information not being stored. The communication setup being completed includes the communication device currently being connected to the network,
The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the communication setup is not complete includes the communication device not currently connected to the network. The network setting information includes an SSID that identifies a specific network formed by an access point different from the terminal device, and a password;
6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein changing the setting of the second communication device from the second setting to the first setting includes connecting the second communication device to the specific network using the SSID and the password. The computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication interface is an interface for performing wireless communication with the communication device. The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the wireless communication is communication conforming to the Bluetooth standard version 4.0 or later. The computer program according to claim 8, wherein the first setting state signal and the second setting state signal are Advertise signals conforming to the standard. the communication device is capable of repeatedly transmitting a plurality of types of Advertisement signals in sequence;
the first receiving unit receives the first setting state signal, which is a specific type of Advertise signal, when the first communication device transmits a specific type of Advertise signal among the plurality of types of Advertise signals;
9. The computer program product according to claim 8, wherein the second receiving unit receives the second setting state signal that is the specific type of Advertise signal when the second communication device transmits the specific type of Advertise signal among the multiple types of Advertise signals. The computer program further causes the computer of the terminal device to
when the second communication device is selected on the selection screen, the communication interface functions as an establishment unit that establishes a wireless connection with the second communication device via the communication interface;
The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the first transmission unit transmits the network setting information to the second communication device by using the wireless connection. The computer program further causes the computer of the terminal device to
A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which, when the second communication device is selected on the selection screen, functions as a second transmission unit that transmits display information to the second communication device via the communication interface to display an image showing the terminal device on the second communication device. The computer program further causes the computer of the terminal device to
A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: a communication execution unit that executes communication with the second communication device using the network after the setting of the second communication device is changed from the second setting to the first setting in response to the transmission of the network setting information. The computer program further causes the computer of the terminal device to
when the second communication device is selected on the selection screen, functioning as an information receiving unit that receives encryption information for encrypting the network setting information from the second communication device via the communication interface;
The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the first transmission unit transmits the network setting information encrypted using the encryption information to the second communication device via the communication interface. A communication device, comprising:
a first communication interface for performing communication with a terminal device;
a transmission unit that transmits a setting status signal to the terminal device via the first communication interface, the setting status signal indicating a first setting when a current setting of the communication device is a first setting in which communication setting for performing communication via a network has been completed, and indicating a second setting when a current setting of the communication device is a second setting in which the communication setting has not been completed;
a first receiving unit that receives, from the terminal device via the first communication interface, network setting information for changing a setting of the communication device from the second setting to the first setting after the setting state signal indicating the second setting is transmitted;
a setting change unit that changes a setting of the communication device from the second setting to the first setting when the network setting information is received from the terminal device;
A communication device comprising: The completion of the communication setting includes that the communication device stores connection information for connecting to the network,
The communication device according to claim 15 , wherein the communication setting is not completed includes the connection information not being stored. The communication setup being completed includes the communication device currently being connected to the network,
The communication device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the communication setup is not complete includes the communication device not currently connecting to the network. The communication device further comprises:
a second communication interface different from the first communication interface, the second communication interface for performing communication over the network;
18. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein the setting change unit changes the setting of the communication device from the second setting to the first setting by connecting the second communication interface to a specific network formed by an access point different from that of the terminal device. The communication device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the first communication interface is an interface for performing wireless communication with the terminal device. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein the wireless communication is in accordance with the Bluetooth standard version 4.0 or later. The communication device according to claim 20, wherein the setting status signal is an Advertise signal conforming to the standard. the communication device is capable of repeatedly transmitting a plurality of types of Advertisement signals in sequence;
The communication device according to claim 21 , wherein the setting state signal is a specific type of Advertise signal among the plurality of types of Advertise signals. The communication device further comprises:
an establishment unit that establishes a wireless connection with the terminal device via the first communication interface after the setting state signal indicating the second setting is transmitted;
The communication device according to claim 15 , wherein the first receiver receives the network setting information from the terminal device by using the wireless connection. The communication device further comprises:
A display unit;
a second receiving unit that receives, after the setting state signal indicating the second setting is transmitted, from the terminal device via the first communication interface, display information for causing the communication device to display an image indicating the terminal device;
a display control unit that causes the image according to the display information to be displayed on the display unit;
24. A communication device according to any one of claims 15 to 23, comprising: The communication device further comprises:
A communication device as described in any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein, in response to receiving the network setting information, after the setting of the communication device is changed from the second setting to the first setting, the communication device functions as a communication execution unit that executes communication with the terminal device using the network. The communication device further comprises:
an information transmitting unit configured to transmit encryption information for encrypting the network setting information to the terminal device via the first communication interface after the setting state signal indicating the second setting is transmitted;
26. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein the first receiving unit receives the network setting information encrypted using the encryption information from the terminal device via the first communication interface.

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