JP7463765B2 - Connection assistance program and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology that enables a device to establish a wireless connection with a relay device.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-233633 discloses a technique for transmitting setting data from a PC to each of a plurality of printers in a batch.
In recent years, devices such as printers and scanners that are configured to be connectable to a network via wireless communication with a relay device have become widespread. An example of a wireless communication method used for wireless communication between the device and the relay device is a wireless LAN based on the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication standard. An example of a relay device is an access point that is generally used in a wireless LAN.

In order for a device to connect to a network via a relay device, the device must first establish a wireless connection with the relay device. In order for the device to establish a wireless connection with the relay device, connection information required to establish a wireless connection must be set in the device. One example of the connection information is the SSID and password of the access point.

In order to connect multiple devices to a network via a relay device, it is necessary to set the same connection information for each of the multiple devices. It would be convenient to meet such needs by using application software (hereinafter, abbreviated as "app") in an information processing device, following the technique disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. Specifically, for example, an information processing device can execute an app that can wirelessly transmit connection information directly to each of the multiple devices without going through a relay device, thereby transmitting connection information to each device, which would be convenient if the connection information were set in each device. An example of a wireless communication method that does not go through a relay device is Wi-Fi Direct (Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance), which is a form of wireless LAN. Wi-Fi Direct is a wireless LAN standard established by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

In order for an information processing device to wirelessly communicate with each of multiple devices using Wi-Fi Direct, the information processing device must establish a wireless connection with the device with which it will communicate in advance. However, the number of devices to which a wireless connection can be established simultaneously using Wi-Fi Direct is limited to one. Therefore, in order to send the same connection information to each of multiple devices using Wi-Fi Direct, it is necessary to, for example, sequentially switch between devices with which a wireless connection is to be established, one by one. It would be convenient if such switching could also be achieved using the aforementioned app.

JP 2006-173681 A

However, it may be difficult in practice to use an app to switch the device for establishing a wireless connection. One of the reasons for this is that, for example, the operating system (OS) of an information processing device may restrict another app running on the OS from switching the communication device for establishing a wireless connection, even though the OS itself is capable of switching the communication device for establishing a wireless connection.

When the OS of an information processing device is configured in this way, in order to send connection information from the information processing device to each of multiple devices, for example, the user of the information processing device needs to switch the device to which a wireless connection is to be established one by one via the user interface of the OS, which is very cumbersome.

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above problems, and aims to enable a device to efficiently set the information required for the device to establish a wireless connection with a relay device.

A connection assistance program according to the present invention is used in a communication system including a first device, a second device, a relay device, and an information processing device.
The first device is capable of communicating with the information processing device and capable of wireless communication with the relay device and the second device. The first device has first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the relay device. The first device is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device using the first connection information. The second device is capable of wireless communication with the relay device and the first device. The relay device is capable of connecting the first device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, and the second device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, to a network external to the communication system.

Note that "establishing a wireless connection" refers to a state in which both parties can freely communicate data with each other wirelessly. "Establishing a wireless connection" refers to a state in which both parties can freely communicate data with each other wirelessly by performing specific communication according to specific procedures.

The information processing device includes a communication unit and a control unit.
The connection assistance program causes a control unit of the information processing device to execute an acquisition process and a transmission process. The acquisition process includes acquiring second connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the second device. The transmission process includes transmitting the second connection information acquired by the acquisition process to the first device via the communication unit.

In response to receiving the second connection information from the information processing device, the first device establishes a wireless connection with the second device using the received second connection information. The first device wirelessly transmits the first connection information held by the first device to the second device with which the wireless connection with the first device has been established.

In response to receiving the first connection information from the first device, the second device is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device using the received first connection information.
When such a connection assistance program is executed on an information processing device, the first device can acquire second connection information, establish a wireless connection with the second device using the acquired second connection information, and provide the first connection information to the second device.

That is, the first device has the first connection information necessary for establishing a wireless connection with the relay device. Therefore, if the first device can transmit the first connection information it has to the second device, the second device can acquire the first connection information. However, in order for the first device to transmit the first connection information to the second device, the first device needs to establish a wireless connection with the second device. The first device needs the second connection information to establish a wireless connection with the second device. Therefore, in the present invention, the connection assistance program transmits the second connection information from the information processing device to the first device. This allows the first device to acquire the second connection information, and the first device can establish a wireless connection with the second device using the second connection information and transmit the first connection information to the second device. Then, the second device can establish a wireless connection with the relay device using the first connection information acquired from the first device.

Therefore, according to the connection assistance program of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently set the first connection information required for the second device to establish a wireless connection with the relay device to the second device.

The second connection information may be transmitted from the information processing device to the first device by any method. The second connection information may be transmitted from the information processing device to the first device by, for example, wireless communication or wired communication.

The communication system may include a plurality of second devices. When the communication system includes a plurality of second devices, the acquisition process may include a process of acquiring second connection information corresponding to each of the plurality of second devices, and the transmission process may include a process of transmitting the acquired second connection information of each of the plurality of second devices to the first device. In this case, the first device may establish a wireless connection with each of the plurality of second devices in sequence based on the second connection information of each of the plurality of second devices received from the information processing device, and wirelessly transmit the first connection information.

In this way, even if there are multiple second devices that should obtain the first connection information (and thus should establish a wireless connection with the relay device), the first device can transmit the first connection information to each of the multiple second devices through the acquisition process and the transmission process. This makes it possible to efficiently set the first connection information to each of the multiple second devices.

Next, the information transmission program of the present invention is used in a communication system. The communication system includes the first device, the second device, the relay device, and an information processing device. The information processing device is capable of transmitting second connection information to the first device for establishing a wireless connection with the second device.

The first device includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit included in the first device is capable of receiving the second connection information transmitted from the information processing device.
The information transmission program causes the control unit included in the first device to execute an acquisition process, a connection establishment process, and a first transmission process.

The acquisition process in the information transmission program includes acquiring second connection information received by a communication unit of the first device.
The connection establishment process includes establishing a wireless connection with the second device using the second connection information acquired by the acquisition process.

The first transmission process includes wirelessly transmitting the first connection information to the second device with which a wireless connection has been established by the connection establishment process.
In response to receiving the first connection information from the first device, the second device is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device using the received first connection information.

By executing such an information transmission program on the first device, the first device can provide its own first connection information to the second device, which enables the second device to establish a wireless connection with the relay device. Therefore, the same effect as the above-mentioned connection assistance program can be obtained. In other words, it becomes possible to efficiently set in the second device the first connection information required for the second device to establish a wireless connection with the relay device.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of each device according to the embodiment. 11 is a flowchart of a connection assistance process according to the embodiment. 11 is a flowchart of a transmission process according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an initial setting screen displayed on the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed on the mobile terminal according to the embodiment, on which various setting information has been input. 11 is a flowchart of a connection information transmission process according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(1) Configuration of the Communication System The communication system shown in Fig. 1 includes a mobile terminal 10, a plurality of devices, and a relay device 100. In this embodiment, the plurality of devices includes at least a first device 110 and a second device 120. The plurality of devices may further include at least one other device. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the plurality of devices further includes a third device 130 and a fourth device 140.

Each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 is capable of performing wireless communication with the relay device 100 using a first wireless communication method (hereinafter referred to as "first wireless communication"). The specific specifications of the first wireless communication method may be any. In this embodiment, the first wireless communication method is, for example, a wireless LAN based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, and more specifically, Wi-Fi.

The relay device 100 is connected to a network 200 outside the communication system. The network 200 may be any network. In this embodiment, the network 200 is, for example, the Internet. In this embodiment, the relay device 100 functions as a so-called access point. An access point is used in a wireless LAN to relay communication between multiple different communication devices.

In order to perform the first wireless communication, each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 needs to establish a wireless connection with the relay device 100. In order for each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 to establish a wireless connection with the relay device 100, the first connection information held by the relay device 100 needs to be set in each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140. Each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 in which the first connection information of the relay device 100 has been set can establish a wireless connection with the relay device 100 by performing specific communication with the relay device 100 according to a specific procedure using the first connection information. Each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 that have established a wireless connection with the relay device 100 is in a state in which it is possible to arbitrarily perform data communication with the relay device 100.

The first connection information has one or more setting values. In this embodiment, the first connection information includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier) that indicates the relay device 100 and a password that corresponds to the SSID. The first connection information of the relay device 100 is known.

Setting of the first connection information to each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 can be performed in various ways. For example, setting can be performed using a setting device 160 illustrated in Fig. 1. Specifically, for example, when it is desired to set the first connection information to the first device 110, the setting device 160 is connected to the first device 110. Then, the first connection information can be set to the first device 110 by transmitting the first connection information from the setting device 160 to the first device 110.

However, the task of setting the first connection information using the setting device 160 is cumbersome. Therefore, it takes a lot of time and effort to set the first connection information for each of multiple devices using the setting device 160, and the more devices there are, the more time and effort required.

Therefore, the communication system of this embodiment is configured to enable efficient setting of the first connection information to a plurality of devices, as described below.
When the first connection information is set, each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 can establish a wireless connection with the relay device 100 using the set first connection information, and can communicate with another communication device via the relay device 100 with which the wireless connection has been established. Specifically, for example, any two of the devices can communicate with each other via the relay device 100. Also, for example, each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 is connected to the network 200 via the relay device 100, and can communicate with another communication device connected to the network 200.

Each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 can further perform wireless communication using a second wireless communication method (hereinafter referred to as "second wireless communication"). The second wireless communication is wireless communication that does not go through the relay device 100. The specific specifications of the second wireless communication method may be any. In this embodiment, the second wireless communication method is, for example, Wi-Fi Direct.

In this embodiment, each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 is configured to be able to function as an access point in the second wireless communication. Specifically, each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 has second connection information corresponding to itself. The second connection information has one or more setting values. In this embodiment, the second connection information of each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 includes an SSID assigned to itself and a password corresponding to the SSID. The second connection information is different for each device.

Each device 110, 120, 130, 140 broadcasts at least the SSID of its second connection information at a specific transmission timing. The transmission timing may be any timing. For example, the transmission timing may arrive in response to the establishment of a specific transmission condition. For example, the transmission timing may arrive repeatedly at a specific cycle.

In order for any device to perform the second wireless communication with any other device that is the communication target, it is necessary to establish a wireless connection for the second wireless communication with the device that is the communication target. In order for any device to establish a wireless connection with the device that is the communication target, the second connection information of the device that is the communication target must be set in that device. That is, a device in which the second connection information of the device that is the communication target is set can establish a wireless connection with the device that is the communication target by using the second connection information to perform specific communication with the device that is the communication target according to a specific procedure. A device that has established a wireless connection for the second wireless communication with the device that is the communication target in this way is in a state in which it is possible to arbitrarily communicate data with the device that is the communication target through the second wireless communication. In this case, the device that is the communication target functions as an access point.

The mobile terminal 10 is an easily portable information processing device, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a mobile personal computer. The mobile terminal 10 has various communication functions. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10 can perform the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication described above.

That is, the mobile terminal 10 is able to perform the first wireless communication by establishing a wireless connection with the relay device 100 using the first connection information of the relay device 100. Also, the mobile terminal 10 is able to perform the second wireless communication with one of the multiple devices by establishing a wireless connection with that one device using the second connection information of that one device.

The mobile terminal 10 may further be capable of one or more of various communication methods, such as wireless communication using Bluetooth (a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.), wired communication using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, and wired communication using a serial cable.

Note that each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may have only the first wireless communication function and the second wireless communication function as a communication function, or may have another communication function in addition to these two functions. In this embodiment, each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 further has communication functions using Bluetooth, USB, and a serial cable, for example, similar to the mobile terminal 10.

The relay device 100 relays the first wireless communication between any one of the multiple devices and the mobile terminal 10. The mobile terminal 10 can perform the first wireless communication with each of the multiple devices via the relay device 100.

The relay device 100 further connects the mobile terminal 10 and each of the multiple devices to the network 200. That is, the relay device 100 relays communication between the mobile terminal 10 and each of the multiple devices and the network 200. By establishing a wireless connection with the relay device 100, the mobile terminal 10 and each of the multiple devices can communicate with other communication devices connected to the network 200 via the relay device 100.

(2) Configuration of the Mobile Terminal The specific configuration of the mobile terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The mobile terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a wireless communication unit 15, and a wired communication unit 16. These units are connected to each other via a bus line 20 so as to be able to send and receive data.

The control unit 11 has, for example, a CPU. The storage unit 12 has, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, or a flash memory. That is, the mobile terminal 10 of this embodiment has a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory.

The control unit 11 realizes various functions by executing a program stored in a non-transitive physical recording medium. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 corresponds to the non-transitive physical recording medium storing the program. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to being realized by executing a program (i.e., by software processing), and some or all of them may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

The storage unit 12 stores various software and data. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores, as software, an OS 12a and a connection assistance application 12b. The connection assistance application 12b includes a program for the connection assistance process shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later. The OS 12a and the connection assistance application 12b are installed in a computer system including the control unit 11. The connection assistance application 12b operates based on the OS 12a.

In the following description, the control unit 11 (more specifically, a CPU (not shown) included in the control unit 11) that executes a program may be referred to simply by the program name. For example, the description "the connection assistance application 12b" may mean "the CPU that executes the connection assistance application 12b."

The connection assistance application 12b assists in setting the first connection information for each of the multiple devices. Specifically, the connection assistance application 12b transmits the second connection information of each of the other one or more devices (hereinafter referred to as "setting target devices") for which the first connection information is to be set to the master device for which the first connection information has already been set among the multiple devices. In response to receiving the second connection information transmitted by the connection assistance application 12b, the master device establishes a wireless connection of the second wireless communication with the setting target device corresponding to the second connection information received for each of the second connection information. The master device transmits the first connection information possessed by the master device to the setting target device with which the wireless connection of the second wireless communication has been established. In this way, the first connection information is transmitted to each of the setting target devices, and the first connection information is set in each of the setting target devices. As a result, each of the setting target devices can establish a wireless connection with the relay device 100 using the first connection information.

The connection assistance app 12b may be installed in any manner on the mobile terminal 10. For example, the connection assistance app 12b may be pre-installed when the mobile terminal 10 is shipped, or may be installable by downloading it from a server managed by the vendor of the device 110.

The display unit 13 includes a display device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.
The input unit 14 has an input device for receiving various input operations. The input device of the input unit 14 includes a touch panel. The touch panel is capable of detecting a pointing operation by contact or proximity of a pointer to an image display area on the display device. When a pointing operation is being performed by a pointer to the image display area, the touch panel outputs position information indicating the position where the pointing operation is being performed.

The control unit 11 can obtain position information output from the touch panel and detect at least one specific type of operation by the indicator based on the position information. Examples of specific operations that the control unit 11 can detect include tapping, flicking, dragging, etc.

The wireless communication unit 15 has a communication interface for performing the first wireless communication, the second wireless communication, and the wireless communication using Bluetooth. The wired communication unit 16 has a communication interface for performing the communications using the USB and the serial cable.

The wireless communication unit 15 can receive the first connection information and the second connection information wirelessly transmitted from various communication devices other than the mobile terminal 10. Specifically, in this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 15 can receive the SSID of the relay device 100 broadcast from the relay device 100. The wireless communication unit 15 can further receive the SSID broadcast from each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140.

OS12a acquires the SSIDs from various communication devices received by the wireless communication unit 15 at a specific acquisition timing. The acquisition timing may be any timing, for example, it may be a timing that arrives periodically.

The OS 12a establishes a wireless connection using one of the acquired SSIDs designated by the user. That is, when the SSID of the relay device 100 is designated, the OS 12a establishes a wireless connection for the first wireless communication with the relay device 100 using the SSID and a corresponding password. When the SSID of the first device 110 is designated, the OS 12a establishes a wireless connection for the second wireless communication with the first device 110 using the SSID and a corresponding password. The OS 12a further provides the acquired SSID to the connection assistance application 12b in response to a request from the connection assistance application 12b.

In this embodiment, OS 12a restricts the switching of the target for establishing a wireless connection by various applications (including connection assistance application 12b) running on OS 12a. That is, OS 12a accepts a designation for switching the target for establishing a wireless connection input via a user interface provided by OS 12a itself, and establishes a wireless connection with the designated communication device. On the other hand, OS 12a does not accept and invalidates an instruction from an application to switch the target for establishing a wireless connection. Therefore, various applications running on OS 12a cannot provide a function for switching the target for establishing a wireless connection as a function of the application itself.

(3) Configuration of Each Device The configuration of the first device 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The first device has a printing function. In this embodiment, the second device 120, the third device 130, and the fourth device 140 are configured in the same manner as the first device 110. Therefore, the following description of the first device 110 essentially also includes a description of the second device 120, the third device 130, and the fourth device 140.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first device 110 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a printing unit 113, a user I/F 114, a wireless communication unit 115, and a wired communication unit 116.
The control unit 111 has, for example, a CPU. The storage unit 112 has, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, a flash memory, or an SSD. That is, the first device 110 is equipped with a computer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 112 stores various programs including firmware, data, and the like. The various programs stored in the storage unit 112 include a connection information transmission program 112a.

The connection information transmission program 112a functions properly in the device in which the first connection information is set. That is, in response to acquiring second connection information of another device from the mobile terminal 10, the connection information transmission program 112a establishes a wireless connection with the other device using the second connection information and transmits the first connection information.

The data stored in the storage unit 112 includes the second connection information of the first device 110. Specifically, the data includes the SSID and password of the first device 110. Note that the second connection information held by each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 is different from one another.

The printing unit 113 realizes the printing function described above. That is, the printing unit 113 is configured to be able to print an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium. In this embodiment, the printing unit 113 includes, for example, a thermal printing mechanism. However, the printing unit 113 may also include a printing mechanism other than a thermal printing mechanism (for example, an inkjet printing mechanism or an electrophotographic printing mechanism).

The user I/F 114 can accept input operations by the user. The user I/F 114 may be equipped with an output I/F capable of providing various information to the user. The output I/F may be capable of displaying images, for example, or outputting audio.

The wireless communication unit 115 has a communication interface for performing the first wireless communication, the second wireless communication, and the wireless communication by Bluetooth. The wired communication unit 116 has a communication interface for performing the communications using the USB and the serial cable. The communication interface for performing the second wireless communication broadcasts at least the SSID of the second connection information possessed by the first device 110 at the specific transmission timing.
The second connection information possessed by the first device 110 includes the SSID and password of the first device 110 .

(4) Setting the First Connection Information to Each Device An example of a procedure for setting the first connection information to each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 will be described. In this embodiment, first, one of the devices is determined to be a master device, and the first connection information is set to the master device. Setting the first connection information to the master device may be performed by any method, and may be performed using the setting device 160, for example.

In this embodiment, as an example, the first device 110 is determined to be the master device, and the first connection information is set in the first device 110 using the setting device 160. This enables at least the first device 110 to establish a wireless connection for the first wireless communication with the relay device 100.

Next, the first connection information is set in each of the devices 120, 130, 140 other than the first device 110. Setting of the first connection information in each of the devices 120, 130, 140 is realized by cooperation between the connection information transmission program 112a in the first device 110, which is the master device, and the connection assistance application 12b in the mobile terminal 10. A specific description is given below.

(4-1) Connection assistance process in mobile terminal The connection assistance process executed in the mobile terminal 10 to set the first connection information in each of the devices 120, 130, 140 other than the first device 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. When the control unit 11 of the mobile terminal 10 receives an instruction to execute the connection assistance application 12b, for example, by an input operation by a user, the control unit 11 executes the connection assistance application 12b. Specifically, the connection assistance process included in the connection assistance application 12b is started.

When the control unit 11 starts the connection assistance process, in S110, it displays the main screen 60 on the display unit 13. An example of the main screen 60 displayed in S110 is shown in FIG. 5. The main screen 60 includes a number of setting target display fields 21, a search button 22, a master display field 23, a change button 24, and a send button 25. In this embodiment, the main screen 60 includes, for example, five setting target display fields 21. Each setting target display field 21 includes an SSID display field 21a and a password display field 21b.

In S120, it is determined whether the search button 22 has been tapped. If the search button 22 has been tapped, the process proceeds to S130. In S130, a search is performed for a device to be configured. Specifically, the process of S130 is performed in cooperation with the OS 12a. That is, the control unit 11 requests the OS 12a for the SSID that has been received by the wireless communication unit 15 and acquired by the OS 12a. As described above, the OS 12a has, as a basic function, the function of acquiring the SSID that has been received by the wireless communication unit 15. Therefore, in S130, the SSID that has been acquired by the OS 12a is requested from the OS 12a and acquired from the OS 12a.

If each of the devices 120, 130, and 140 is located within the communication range of the mobile terminal 10, the OS 12a can obtain the SSID of each of the devices 120, 130, and 140, and the connection assistance application 12b can obtain these SSIDs in S130. Note that in S130, not only the SSIDs from the devices 120, 130, and 140 but also SSIDs from other communication devices having a function for broadcasting SSIDs can be obtained. In other words, in S130, SSIDs from all communication devices located within the communication range of the mobile terminal 10 can be obtained. In the case of this embodiment, for example, the SSID broadcast by the first device 110 and the SSID broadcast by the relay device 100 can also be obtained.
This is obtained in S130.

In S140, a first search result screen (not shown) on which the SSIDs acquired in S130 are listed is displayed on the display unit 13.
In S150, a selection operation by the user for the SSIDs listed on the first search result screen is accepted, and the devices corresponding to each of the one or more SSIDs selected by the user are determined as the setting target devices. In this embodiment, the following description will be continued assuming that, for example, the second device 120, the third device 130, and the fourth device 140 are selected by the user in S150 and determined as the setting target devices.

In S160, the SSID of the device determined as the setting target device in S150 is set to be displayed in the SSID display field 21a on the main screen 60. After processing of S160, the process proceeds to S110. When the process proceeds from S160 to S110, the control unit 11 displays the main screen 60 again on the display unit 13. At this time, the control unit 11 displays the SSID set in S160 in the SSID display field 21a. In other words, the SSID of each device determined as the setting target device in S150 is displayed in the SSID display field 21a.

In this embodiment, as an example, the second device 120, the third device 130, and the fourth device 140 are determined as the devices to be set. Therefore, when the process moves from S160 to S110, the SSIDs of the devices to be set 120, 130, and 140 are displayed, for example, as shown in the three SSID display columns 21a in FIG. 6. If there are six or more devices to be set, the SSIDs of all the devices to be set cannot be displayed at the same time. However, the setting target display columns 21 can be scrolled by flicking a specific area including, for example, five setting target display columns 21 in the up and down direction, thereby allowing the user to check the SSIDs of all the devices to be set.

In FIG. 6, passwords are displayed in the password display field 21b, but these passwords are displayed by executing the process of S250, which will be described later. Also, in FIG. 6, identification information of the master device (hereinafter referred to as "master identification information") is displayed in the master display field 23, but this master identification information is displayed by executing the process of S210, which will be described later.

If the search button 22 is not tapped in S120, the process proceeds to S170. In S170, it is determined whether the change button 24 has been tapped. If the change button 24 has been tapped, the process proceeds to S180. In S180, a search for a master device is performed. Specifically, a search is performed for a communication device with which the mobile terminal 10 can communicate. This search may be performed by any method. For example, a search may be performed for another communication device capable of wireless communication using at least one of the first wireless communication, the second wireless communication, and Bluetooth that the wireless communication unit 15 is capable of. Also, for example, a search may be performed for another communication device capable of wireless communication using at least one of the communication using a USB and communication using a serial cable that the wired communication unit 16 is capable of.

When searching by the first wireless communication, for example, received identification information such as the SSID or model name of the other communication device may be obtained. The same applies when searching by the second wireless communication. When searching by the second wireless communication, the device determined as the target device for configuration may be excluded from the search results. When searching using Bluetooth, USB, and a serial cable, for example, identification information such as the model name obtained by each communication may be obtained as the search results.

In S190, the search result of S180, that is, a second search result screen (not shown) on which the identification information acquired in S180 is listed, is displayed on the display unit 13.
In S200, a selection operation by the user for the identification information listed on the second search result screen is accepted, and a communication device corresponding to one piece of identification information selected by the user is determined to be the master device. In this embodiment, first identification information is set in the first device 110 to make the first device 110 the master device. Therefore, as an example in this embodiment, in S200, the identification information corresponding to the first device 110 is selected by the user, and the first device 110 is thereby determined to be the master device, and the following description will be continued.

In S210, the identification information of the communication device determined to be the master device in S200 is set to be displayed as master identification information in the master display field 23 on the main screen 60. After processing in S210, the process proceeds to S110. When the process proceeds from S210 to S110, the control unit 11 displays the main screen 60 on the display unit 13 again. At this time, the control unit 11 displays the master identification information set in S210 in the master display field 23. In other words, the identification information of the device determined to be the master device in S200 is displayed in the master display field 23. FIG. 6 shows an example in which identification information indicating the first device 110 is displayed in the master display field 23 as a result of the first device 110 being determined to be the master device.

If the change button 24 has not been tapped in S170, the process proceeds to S220. In S220, it is determined whether any of the password display fields 21b have been tapped. More specifically, it is determined whether the password display field (hereinafter referred to as the "valid PW display field") 21b in the setting target display field 21 in which the SSID is displayed in the SSID display field 21a has been tapped.

If any of the valid PW display fields 21b is tapped, the process proceeds to S230. In S230, a password input screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 13. In S240, a password input operation by the user on the password input screen is accepted via the input unit 14. In S250, the password accepted in S240 is set to be displayed in the password display field 21b on the main screen 60. After processing of S250, the process proceeds to S110.

When the process moves from S250 to S110, the control unit 11 displays the main screen 60 again on the display unit 13. At this time, the control unit 11 displays the password set in S250 in the corresponding valid PW display field 21b. That is, the password set in S250 is displayed in the valid PW display field 21b tapped in S220. Figure 6 shows an example in which passwords corresponding to the SSIDs of the three target devices 120, 130, and 140 are set and displayed in the corresponding password display field 21b.

If the valid PW display field 21b has not been tapped in S220, the process proceeds to S260. In S260, it is determined whether the send button 25 has been tapped. If the send button 25 has not been tapped, the process proceeds to S110. If the send button 25 has been tapped, the process proceeds to S270. In S270, the sending process is executed. Details of the sending process are as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the process moves to the transmission process, in S310, it is determined whether or not a master device has been determined, i.e., whether or not the processes of S200 to S210 have already been executed. If a master device has not yet been determined, the process moves to S380. In S380, a specific error message is displayed for a certain period of time. After the process of S380, the process moves to S280 (FIG. 3).

If the master device has been determined in S310, the process proceeds to S320. In S320, it is determined whether the device to be set has been determined, i.e., whether the processes of S150 to S160 have already been executed. If the device to be set has not yet been determined, the process proceeds to S380. If the device to be set has been determined, the process proceeds to S330.

In S330, it is determined whether passwords have been set for all of the determined devices to be configured, i.e., whether passwords corresponding to the SSIDs of all of the determined devices to be configured have been set by the processes of S240 to S250. If there is a device to be configured for which a password has not yet been set, the process proceeds to S380. If passwords have been set for all of the devices to be configured, the process proceeds to S340.

At S340, a setting transfer command is generated. The setting transfer command is a command set that instructs the master device to transmit the first connection information that the master device has to each of the determined setting target devices. The setting transfer command includes the SSID and password (i.e., the second connection information) of each of the determined setting target devices.

In S350, the setting transfer command generated in S340 is transmitted to the master device. The setting transfer command may be transmitted to the master device using any communication method.
In S360, the transfer result transmitted from the master device is received. The transfer result is transmitted from the master device in the process of S490 (see FIG. 7) described later. The transfer result indicates whether the master device has successfully transmitted the first connection information to each of the setting target devices.

In S370, a transfer result screen showing the transfer result received in S360 is displayed on the display unit 13. By viewing the transfer result screen, the user can confirm whether the first connection information has been sent to all of the devices to be configured, and in turn whether all of the devices to be configured are able to establish a wireless connection with the relay device 100 using the first connection information. After processing in S370, the process proceeds to S280 (FIG. 3).

In S280, it is determined whether the transmission of the setting transfer command has been completed. In the transmission process of FIG. 4, if a negative judgment is made in S310, S320, or S330 and the process proceeds to S380, the setting transfer command is not transmitted. Therefore, in this case, a negative judgment is made in S280 and the process proceeds to S110. On the other hand, if a setting transfer command is transmitted in S350 in the transmission process of FIG. 4, a positive judgment is made in S280 and the connection assistance process ends.

(4-2) Connection Information Transmission Process in the Master Device Next, the connection information transmission process executed in the master device will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The control unit 111 of the master device executes the connection information transmission program 112a in response to the setting transfer command (see S350 in Fig. 4) transmitted from the mobile terminal 10 being received by the wireless communication unit 115 or the wired communication unit 116. Specifically, the connection information transmission process according to the connection information transmission program 112a is started.

When the control unit 111 starts the connection information transmission process, in S410, it acquires the setting transfer command received from the mobile terminal 10. In S420, it determines whether there is an unprocessed device. An unprocessed device means a device that is included in the setting transfer command as a setting target device and has not yet been subjected to the processing from S430 onwards. If there is an unprocessed device, it proceeds to S430.

In S430, one of the setting target devices corresponding to each of the second connection information included in the setting transfer command that has not yet been extracted in S430 is extracted.
In S440, a wireless connection for the second wireless communication with the setting target device extracted in S430 is established. Specifically, a wireless connection for the second wireless communication with the setting target device is established using the second connection information of the setting target device included in the setting transfer command.

In S450, it is determined whether a wireless connection for the second wireless communication with the device to be configured has been established. If a wireless connection has been established, the process proceeds to S460. In S460, the first connection information possessed by the master device is transmitted, via the second wireless communication, to the device to be configured with which the wireless connection has been established. In S470, a transmission completion history is held, i.e., stored, in the memory unit 112. The transmission completion history indicates that the first connection information was properly transmitted to the device to be configured in S460. After processing of S470, the process proceeds to S420.

If a wireless connection for the second wireless communication with the device to be configured could not be established in S450, the process proceeds to S480. In S480, a connection failure history is stored in the memory unit 112. The connection failure history indicates that a wireless connection for the second wireless communication with the device to be configured extracted in S430 could not be established. After processing in S480, the process proceeds to S420.

If there are no unprocessed devices in S420, the process proceeds to S490. In S490, the transfer result is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10. The transfer result may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 using any communication method. For example, the transfer result may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 using the same communication method as the communication method used to receive the setting transfer command from the mobile terminal 10.

When each of the devices to be configured receives the first connection information transmitted from the master device, it sets the first connection information to itself. This allows each of the devices to be configured to establish a wireless connection for the first wireless communication with the relay device 100 using the first connection information. When the device to be configured receives the first connection information from the master device, it may immediately establish a wireless connection for the first wireless communication with the relay device 100, or it may establish a wireless connection when a specific connection condition is met.

(5) Advantages of the Embodiment According to the embodiment described above, the following advantages are obtained.
In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 10 transmits the second connection information of the setting target device to the master device. The master device is preset with the first connection information corresponding to the relay device 100. When the master device receives the second connection information from the mobile terminal 10, the master device uses the second connection information to establish a wireless connection of the second wireless communication with the corresponding setting target device, and transmits the first connection information to the setting target device via the second wireless communication.

As a result, the device to be configured can acquire the first connection information and can use the first connection information to establish a wireless connection for the first wireless communication with the relay device 100. Therefore, the first connection information required to establish a wireless connection with the relay device 100 can be efficiently configured in the device to be configured.

In particular, in this embodiment, there are four devices for which the first connection information should be set, one of which is determined to be the master device, and the other three are determined to be the setting target devices. Even if there are multiple setting target devices in this way, the first connection information can be easily and efficiently set to these multiple setting target devices. The greater the number of setting target devices, the greater the above-mentioned effects of this embodiment.

The connection assistance app 12b of the mobile terminal 10 acquires the SSID received by the wireless communication unit 15 via the OS 12a. The SSID acquired from the OS 12a may include the SSID of a communication device other than the setting target device for which the first connection information is to be set. In contrast, in this embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select the SSID of the setting target device from the acquired SSIDs (see S140 to S150). This allows the user to easily and efficiently select the setting target device.

The user can confirm the target devices that the user selected and decided on on the main screen 60 (see FIG. 6). Then, the user can input the password corresponding to each target device. This allows the connection assistance app 12b to properly acquire the second connection information for each target device.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 10 corresponds to an example of an information processing device. The first device 110 corresponds to an example of a first device. Each of the second device 120, the third device 130, and the fourth device 140, that is, the setting target device, corresponds to an example of a second device. At least one of the wireless communication unit 15 and the wired communication unit 16 in the mobile terminal 10 corresponds to an example of a communication unit in an information processing device. The connection assistance application 12b corresponds to an example of a connection assistance program. The connection information transmission program 112a corresponds to an example of an information transmission program. The SSID of the setting target device corresponds to an example of second device identification information, and the password corresponding to the SSID of the setting target device corresponds to an example of authentication information. The SSID of the communication device other than the setting target device that can be obtained in S130 corresponds to an example of communication device identification information. The second search result screen displayed in S190 corresponds to an example of search result information. Each history stored in the memory unit 112 of the master device in S470 and S480 corresponds to an example of transmission history information.

The processes of S130 to S160 and S230 to S250 correspond to an example of an acquisition process in the connection assistance program. The process of S130 corresponds to an example of an identification information acquisition process. The process of S140 corresponds to an example of a first display process. The process of S150 corresponds to an example of a selection reception process. The process of S110, which is executed after moving from S160, corresponds to an example of a second display process. The processes of S180 to S210 correspond to an example of a decision process. The process of S180 corresponds to an example of a search process. The process of S190 corresponds to an example of a third display process. The process of S200 corresponds to an example of a designation reception process. The process of S240 corresponds to an example of an input reception process and an authentication information acquisition process. The process of S410 corresponds to an example of an acquisition process in the information transmission program. The process of S440 corresponds to an example of a connection establishment process. The process of S460 corresponds to an example of a first transmission process. Each of the processes of S470 and S480 corresponds to an example of a storage process. The process of S490 corresponds to an example of a second transmission process.

(6) Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be practiced in various modified forms.

(6-1) The processing of S130 to S140 may be performed in any manner as long as the connection assistance app 12b can ultimately acquire the second connection information of all devices to be configured. For example, in the processing of S130 to S140, or instead of the processing of S130 to S140, the user may be able to directly input the second connection information via the input unit 14. Also, for example, the second connection information of the devices to be configured may be transmitted from a communication device other than the mobile terminal 10 to the mobile terminal 10, and the transmitted second connection information may be configured in S160 and S250.

The same applies to the processing of S180 to S190, and the user may be able to directly input the master identification information via the input unit 14. Also, for example, the master identification information may be sent to the mobile terminal 10 from a communication device other than the mobile terminal 10, and the sent master identification information may be set in S210.

(6-2) In the above embodiment, the first device 110 is set as the master device, but any device may be set as the master device. For example, the second device 120 may be set as the master device. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 transmits a setting transfer command to the second device 120, and the second device 120 transmits the first connection information to each of the other setting target devices 110, 130, and 140.

(6-3) In the above embodiment, the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 have the same configuration. In contrast, at least one of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be different from the other devices. Specifically, for example, at least one of the wireless communication unit 115 and the wired communication unit 116 in one device may be different from the other devices.

More specifically, for example, at least one of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may not have a wired communication unit 116. Also, for example, at least one of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may not have a Bluetooth function.

(6-4) The first wireless communication method may be a wireless communication method different from a wireless LAN. The second wireless communication method may be a wireless communication method different from Wi-Fi Direct.
(6-5) Each of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may have a function other than the scanning function and printing function. In this case, the device may not have a printing function or may have the printing function.

(6-6) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. All aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording described in the claims are embodiments of the present invention.

10...Mobile terminal, 11, 111...Control unit, 12, 112...Storage unit, 12a...OS, 12b...Connection assistance application, 13...Display unit, 14...Input unit, 15, 115...Wireless communication unit, 16, 116...Wired communication unit, 21...Setting target display field, 21a...SSID display field, 21b...Password display field, 22...Search button, 23...Master display field, 24...Change button, 25...Send button, 60...Main screen, 100...Relay device, 110...First device, 112a...Connection information transmission program, 120...Second device, 130...Third device, 140...Fourth device, 200...Network.

Claims (9)

A connection assistance program for use in a communication system, comprising:
The communication system includes a first device, a second device, a relay device, and an information processing device;
the first device is capable of communicating with the information processing device and capable of wirelessly communicating with the relay device and the second device, has first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the relay device, and is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device using the first connection information;
the second device is capable of wireless communication with the relay device and the first device,
the relay device is capable of connecting the first device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, and the second device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, to a network outside the communication system,
The information processing device includes:
The Communications Department and
A control unit;
Equipped with
The connection assistance program is configured to cause the control unit of the information processing device to
an acquisition process of acquiring second connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the second device;
a transmission process of transmitting the second connection information acquired by the acquisition process to the first device via the communication unit;
Run the command,
the first device is configured to establish a wireless connection with the second device by using the received second connection information in response to receiving the second connection information from the information processing device, and to wirelessly transmit the first connection information held by the first device to the second device;
the second device is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device by using the received first connection information in response to receiving the first connection information from the first device;
the second device is configured to broadcast second device identification information, which is a part of the second connection information and indicates the second device;
the communication unit is capable of receiving the second device identification information broadcast from the second device,
the acquisition process includes an identification information acquisition process for acquiring the second device identification information received by the communication unit.
Connection assistance program. 2. The connection assistance program according to claim 1 ,
The information processing device includes:
An input unit;
A display unit;
Equipped with
the communication unit is capable of receiving, in addition to the second device identification information, communication device identification information indicating the other communication device transmitted from a communication device other than the second device;
The connection assistance program further includes:
a first display process of displaying the second device identification information and the communication apparatus identification information received by the communication unit on the display unit;
a selection receiving process of receiving, via the input unit, a selection operation for selecting the second device identification information from the second device identification information and the communication device identification information displayed by the first display process;
Run the command,
the identification information acquisition process includes acquiring the second device identification information in response to the second device identification information being selected in the selection receiving process.
Connection assistance program. 3. The connection assistance program according to claim 1 ,
The information processing device includes an input unit,
the acquisition process further includes an authentication information acquisition process of acquiring, via the input unit, authentication information corresponding to the second device identification information, which is a part of the second connection information.
Connection assistance program. 4. A connection assistance program according to claim 3 ,
The information processing device includes:
An input unit;
A display unit;
Equipped with
The connection assistance program further includes:
a second display process of displaying the second device identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition process on the display unit;
an input receiving process of receiving, via the input unit, an input of the authentication information into an authentication information display area set in correspondence with the second device identification information displayed by the second display process on the display unit;
Including,
the authentication information acquisition process includes acquiring the authentication information accepted by the input acceptance process.
Connection assistance program. A connection assistance program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
causing the control unit to execute a determination process of determining a destination of the second connection information to be the first device;
the transmission process includes transmitting the second connection information to the first device in response to the first device being determined as the destination by the determination process.
Connection assistance program. 6. A connection assistance program according to claim 5 ,
The information processing device includes:
An input unit;
A display unit;
Equipped with
The connection assistance program further includes:
a search process for searching for one or more communication devices including the first device with which the information processing device can communicate via the communication unit;
a third display process for displaying, on the display unit, search result information indicating each of the one or more communication devices searched for by the search process;
a designation receiving process for receiving, via the input unit, a designation operation for designating the first device from the search result information displayed by the third display process;
Run the command,
the determination process includes determining, in response to the first device being designated by the designation receiving process, that a destination of the second connection information is to be the first device.
Connection assistance program. A connection assistance program for use in a communication system , comprising:
The communication system includes a first device, a second device, a relay device, and an information processing device;
the first device is capable of communicating with the information processing device and capable of wirelessly communicating with the relay device and the second device, has first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the relay device, and is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device using the first connection information;
the second device is capable of wireless communication with the relay device and the first device,
the relay device is capable of connecting the first device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, and the second device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, to a network outside the communication system,
The information processing device includes:
The Communications Department and
A control unit;
An input unit;
A display unit;
Equipped with
The connection assistance program is configured to cause the control unit of the information processing device to
an acquisition process of acquiring second connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the second device;
a transmission process of transmitting the second connection information acquired by the acquisition process to the first device via the communication unit;
Run the command,
the first device is configured to establish a wireless connection with the second device by using the received second connection information in response to receiving the second connection information from the information processing device, and to wirelessly transmit the first connection information held by the first device to the second device;
the second device is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device by using the received first connection information in response to receiving the first connection information from the first device;
The connection assistance program further includes:
a search process for searching for one or more communication devices including the first device with which the information processing device can communicate via the communication unit;
a third display process for displaying, on the display unit, search result information indicating each of the one or more communication devices searched for by the search process;
a designation receiving process for receiving, via the input unit, a designation operation for designating the first device from the search result information displayed by the third display process;
a determination process of determining a destination of the second connection information to be the first device;
Run the command,
the transmission process includes transmitting the second connection information to the first device in response to the first device being determined as the destination by the determination process;
the determination process includes determining, in response to the first device being designated by the designation receiving process, that a destination of the second connection information is to be the first device.
Connection assistance program. An information processing device for use in a communication system,
The communication system includes a first device, a second device, and a relay device;
the first device is capable of communicating with the information processing device and capable of wirelessly communicating with the relay device and the second device, has first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the relay device, and is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device using the first connection information;
the second device is capable of wireless communication with the relay device and the first device,
the relay device is capable of connecting the first device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, and the second device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, to a network outside the communication system,
The information processing device includes:
The Communications Department and
A control unit;
Equipped with
The control unit is
an acquisition process of acquiring second connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the second device;
a transmission process of transmitting the second connection information acquired by the acquisition process to the first device via the communication unit;
Run
the first device is configured to establish a wireless connection with the second device by using the received second connection information in response to receiving the second connection information from the information processing device, and to wirelessly transmit the first connection information held by the first device to the second device;
the second device is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device by using the received first connection information in response to receiving the first connection information from the first device;
the second device is configured to broadcast second device identification information, which is a part of the second connection information and indicates the second device;
the communication unit is capable of receiving the second device identification information broadcast from the second device,
the acquisition process includes an identification information acquisition process for acquiring the second device identification information received by the communication unit.
Information processing device. An information processing device for use in a communication system,
The communication system includes a first device, a second device, and a relay device;
the first device is capable of communicating with the information processing device and capable of wirelessly communicating with the relay device and the second device, has first connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the relay device, and is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device using the first connection information;
the second device is capable of wireless communication with the relay device and the first device,
the relay device is capable of connecting the first device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, and the second device, which has established a wireless connection with the relay device, to a network outside the communication system,
The information processing device includes:
The Communications Department and
A control unit;
An input unit;
A display unit;
Equipped with
The control unit is
an acquisition process of acquiring second connection information for establishing a wireless connection with the second device;
a transmission process of transmitting the second connection information acquired by the acquisition process to the first device via the communication unit;
Run
the first device is configured to establish a wireless connection with the second device by using the received second connection information in response to receiving the second connection information from the information processing device, and to wirelessly transmit the first connection information held by the first device to the second device;
the second device is capable of establishing a wireless connection with the relay device by using the received first connection information in response to receiving the first connection information from the first device;
The control unit further
a search process for searching for one or more communication devices including the first device with which the information processing device can communicate via the communication unit;
a third display process for displaying, on the display unit, search result information indicating each of the one or more communication devices searched for by the search process;
a designation receiving process for receiving, via the input unit, a designation operation for designating the first device from the search result information displayed by the third display process;
a determination process of determining a destination of the second connection information to be the first device;
Run
the transmission process includes transmitting the second connection information to the first device in response to the first device being determined as the destination by the determination process;
the determination process includes determining, in response to the first device being designated by the designation receiving process, that a destination of the second connection information is to be the first device.
Information processing device.

Images