JP7187588B2 - IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM OF IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus control method, and a program.

Communication devices such as smartphones, portable game machines, and printers have wireless LAN functions. Among wireless LAN functions, there is known a direct wireless communication mode in which a plurality of communication devices are directly connected without going through an access point. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-200001 discloses a configuration in which a printing apparatus and a mobile terminal are directly connected using an access point mode, which is an example of a direct wireless communication mode.

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

JP 2015-023440 A

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

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus as one aspect provided by the present invention functions as an access point to which a communication terminal can be connected, and performs direct wireless communication with the communication terminal without going through an external access point. an image processing apparatus capable of receiving print data from an external terminal through the direct wireless communication and performing printing, comprising display control means for displaying a setting screen; setting means for setting an SSID (Service Set Identifier) used for executing the direct wireless communication function, based on the user operation received in; and execution means for executing the direct wireless communication function based on the setting by the setting means. and, when the image processing apparatus newly executes the direct wireless communication function after stopping the direct wireless communication function, the execution means performs the stop based on the first setting by the setting means. Execute the direct wireless communication function using the same first SSID as when executing the previous direct wireless communication function, or execute the direct wireless communication function using a new second SSID based on the second setting by the setting means and the setting screen is a screen different from a screen for performing communication settings other than the settings, and the first setting and the second setting can be accepted from the user. .

Further, an image processing apparatus as one aspect provided by the present invention is an access point to which a communication terminal can be connected, functions as an access point identified by an SSID, and is connected to an external terminal wirelessly connected to the access point. An image processing apparatus capable of performing direct wireless communication and receiving print data and printing without going through an access point, the setting means for setting an SSID used for executing the direct wireless communication function; and execution means for executing the direct wireless communication function based on the setting by the setting means, wherein the image processing apparatus newly executes the direct wireless communication function after stopping the direct wireless communication function. In this case, a first setting for executing the direct wireless communication function using the same first SSID as when executing the direct wireless communication function before the suspension, and direct wireless communication using a new second SSID. and a second setting for performing the function .

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

1 is a diagram showing an outline of a communication system; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 100; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing screens displayed by the printing apparatus 100. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user management table; FIG. It is a figure which shows a wireless connection screen. 4 is a flowchart showing processing related to user authentication; 4 is a flow chart showing processing related to operation in access point mode; 4 is a flow chart showing processing related to operation in access point mode;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

(Embodiment 1)
An outline of a communication system will be described with reference to FIG. A communication system according to this embodiment includes a printing apparatus 100 and a mobile terminal 101 .

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

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

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

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

In the case of the printing apparatus 100, it is assumed that one CPU 201 executes the processing shown in the flow charts described later, but other modes may also be used. For example, a plurality of CPUs can work together to execute the processing shown in the flowcharts described later. Also, part of the processing of the flowcharts described later may be executed using a hardware circuit such as an ASIC.

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

A network I/F 210 connects to a wired LAN via a LAN cable. A network I/F 210 can communicate with an external device (for example, a PC) on a wired LAN.

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

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

An IC card reader 209 reads user information from an IC card. In this embodiment, a user ID and password are stored in the IC card as user information. Based on the user information read from the IC card by the IC card reader 209, the printing apparatus 100 executes user authentication.

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

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

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

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

In this embodiment, the user may enter the user ID and password in the input fields 301 and 302 without using the IC card reader 209 . When the user enters a user ID and password in the input fields 301 and 302 and presses the login button 303, the printing apparatus 100 performs user authentication.

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

A menu screen 310 in FIG. 3B displays buttons for the user to use functions provided by the printing apparatus 100 . A logout button 315 is a button for the user to log in from the printing apparatus 100 . When the user presses the logout button 315 , the logged-in user logs out of the printing apparatus 100 . A logout screen is also displayed on each screen described below, and the user can input a logout instruction regardless of which screen the operation unit 208 is displaying.

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

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

A button 314 is used by the user to make device settings for the printing apparatus 100 . When the user presses the button 314, the operation unit 208 displays various setting screens according to the user's operation. A setting screen 320 in FIG. 3C is one of the operation screens provided to the user by the printing apparatus 100 and is displayed by the operation unit 208 . Items that can be set on the setting screen 320 will be described in detail. Settings screen 320 is a screen that can be accessed by users with special privileges, such as system administrators.

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

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

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

A start button 501 is displayed on the wireless connection screen 500 . This start button 501 is a button for the user to instruct the printing apparatus 100 to start the access point mode operation. When the operation unit 208 displays the wireless connection screen 500, the printing apparatus 100 has not started the access point mode operation. Therefore, even if the mobile terminal 101 searches for surrounding access points, the printing apparatus 100 cannot be found, and wireless connection cannot be established between the mobile terminal 101 and the printing apparatus 100 . In order to establish a wireless connection between the mobile terminal 101 and the printing device 100, the user needs to cause the printing device 100 to start operating in access point mode. When the user presses the start button 501, the printing apparatus 100 starts operating in the access point mode. Then, the operation unit 208 displays the wireless connection screen 510 in FIG. 5B.

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

After confirming the contents displayed in area 511, the user searches for surrounding access points using his/her own mobile terminal 101, and selects the access point with the SSID displayed in area 511 from the search result list. When the user inputs the connection key displayed in the area 511 into the mobile terminal 101 , a wireless connection based on the access point mode is established between the printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 101 . After wirelessly connecting the mobile terminal 101 to the printing device 100 using the access point mode, the user selects the photos to be printed on the mobile terminal 101 . When the user inputs a print instruction to the mobile terminal 101, the mobile terminal 101 transmits print data for printing the photo selected by the user to the printing apparatus 100 using wireless communication in access point mode. The printing apparatus 100 that has received the print data executes print processing on a sheet based on the received print data.

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

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

Next, processing executed by the printing apparatus 100 when a user logs in to the printing apparatus 100 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is processed by the CPU 201 expanding the control program stored in the memory such as the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the control program. Note that the printing apparatus 100 may be configured such that at least some of the steps in the flowchart of FIG.

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

Next, in step S602, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the user indicated by the user information is permitted to log in. This determination is made by confirming whether or not user information is registered in the user management table 400 . If the user information is registered in the user management table 400 (determined as authentication OK), the process proceeds to step S603. Then, in step S603, the CPU 201 executes login processing. The CPU 201 controls the operation unit 208 so that the user whose authentication is determined to be OK logs in to the printing apparatus 100 and the menu screen 310 is displayed.

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

Next, the processing executed by the printing apparatus 100 when the user uses the access point mode and when the printing apparatus 100 automatically stops the operation of the access point mode in conjunction with the user's logout is shown in the flowchart of FIG. will be used to explain. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is processed by the CPU 201 expanding the control program stored in the memory such as the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the control program. The printing apparatus 100 may be configured such that at least part of the steps of the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S701, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the start button 501 has been pressed by the user. When the CPU 201 detects that the start button 501 has been pressed by the user, the process advances to step S702. Then, in step S702, CPU 201 controls wireless LAN I/F 205 to start the access point mode operation. The wireless LAN I/F 205 generates a fixed SSID or one-time SSID according to the setting result on the setting screen 320, and starts the access point mode operation.

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

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

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

Next, step S709 will be described. In step S<b>709 , the CPU 201 determines whether the user logging in to the printing apparatus 100 has logged out from the printing apparatus 100 . In the case of this embodiment, the user is logged out when the user presses the logout button or when a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses with no user operation. When the logged-in user logs out of the printing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S710. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S709 that the logged-in user has not logged out of the printing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S711.

Next, step S710 will be described. In step S710, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the value of the variable N is 1 or less. If the value of the variable N, that is, if the number of devices currently establishing wireless connection in the access point mode is 1 or less, the process proceeds to step S712. Then, in step S712, CPU 201 controls wireless LAN I/F 205 to stop the access point mode operation. Wireless LAN I/F 205 stops the access point mode operation under the control of CPU 201 . On the other hand, if the value of the variable N, that is, the number of devices currently establishing wireless connections in the access point mode is 2 or more, the wireless LAN I/F 205 does not stop the operation in the access point mode, and the flowchart is executed. Terminate the indicated process. The printing apparatus 100 is characterized by determining whether to stop the access point mode operation in conjunction with user logout based on the number of wireless connections established by the access point mode.

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

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

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

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

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

(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, processing for switching whether to stop the access point mode operation in conjunction with user logout based on the type of SSID used in the access point mode will be described. The configuration of the printing apparatus 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

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

This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is processed by the CPU 201 expanding the control program stored in the memory such as the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the control program. The printing apparatus 100 may be configured such that at least part of the steps of the flowchart of FIG.

In step S<b>801 , the CPU 201 determines whether the user logging in to the printing apparatus 100 has logged out from the printing apparatus 100 . In the case of this embodiment, the user is logged out when the user presses the logout button or when a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses with no user operation. When the logged-in user logs out of the printing apparatus 100, the process advances to step S802. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S801 that the logged-in user has not logged out of the printing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S803.

Step S802 will be described. In step S<b>802 , the CPU 201 determines whether or not the access point mode setting of the printing apparatus 100 is to use the one-time SSID. This determination is made by confirming the result of setting on the setting screen 320 . If the access point mode setting is to use the one-time SSID, the process proceeds to step S804. Then, in step S804, CPU 201 controls wireless LAN I/F 205 to stop the access point mode operation. Wireless LAN I/F 205 stops the access point mode operation under the control of CPU 201 . On the other hand, if the access point mode setting is to use a fixed SSID, the wireless LAN I/F 205 terminates the processing shown in the flowchart without stopping the access point mode operation.

If the access point mode setting is to use the one-time SSID, a determination of Yes is made in step S802, and the wireless LAN I/F 205 stops the access point mode operation. If the access point mode setting is to use a one-time SSID, the maximum number of simultaneous wireless connections in the access point mode is one. Since the maximum number of simultaneous connections is 1, it is assumed that the access point mode is used only by the logged-in user, and it can be determined that the use of the access point mode is finished when the user logs out. Therefore, if the setting is to use the one-time SSID, the wireless LAN I/F 205 stops the access point mode operation in conjunction with the user's logout.

If the access point mode setting is to use a fixed SSID, a determination of No is made in step S802, and the wireless LAN I/F 205 does not stop the access point mode operation. When the access point mode is set to use a fixed SSID, the maximum number of simultaneous wireless connections in the access point mode is multiple (eg, five). The fact that the maximum number of simultaneous connections is multiple means that it is assumed that multiple users will use the access point mode at the timing desired by each user, so it is preferable not to stop the access point mode operation. . Therefore, when the wireless LAN I/F 205 is set to use a fixed SSID, even if the user logs in from the printing apparatus 100, the access point mode operation is continued without stopping the access point mode operation.

As described above, the printing apparatus 100 is characterized by determining whether to stop the access point mode operation in conjunction with user logout based on the setting of the SSID used in the access point mode. . If the SSID used in the access point mode is the one-time SSID, the printing apparatus 100 stops the access point mode operation in conjunction with the user's logout. On the other hand, if the SSID used in the access point mode is a fixed SSID, the printing apparatus 100 does not stop the access point mode operation even if the user logs out.

In the present embodiment, the one-time SSID is given as an example of an SSID with a maximum number of simultaneous connections of 1. However, other types of SSIDs with a maximum number of simultaneous connections of 1 can be used with a one-time SSID. The present invention may be applied instead of the SSID. As another type of SSID, for example, a setting in which an SSID corresponding to a user is generated and used in access point mode is conceivable. When using the SSID corresponding to the user, the printing apparatus 100 switches the SSID to be used according to the logged-in user. For example, if user A is logging in, the printing device 100 uses a user SSID dedicated to user A, and if user B is logging in, the printing device 100 uses a user SSID dedicated to user B. When using an SSID corresponding to such a user in access point mode, it is desirable to set the maximum number of simultaneous connections to 1, and access point mode operation is automatically performed in conjunction with user logout. It is desirable to stop.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of each of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus reads the program. It can also be realized by executing processing. It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

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

Claims (24)

Functions as an access point to which a communication terminal can be connected, has a direct wireless communication function that performs direct wireless communication with a communication terminal without going through an external access point, and receives and prints print data from an external terminal through the direct wireless communication. An image processing device capable of performing
display control means for displaying a setting screen;
setting means for setting an SSID (Service Set Identifier) used for executing a direct wireless communication function based on a user operation received on the setting screen;
an executing means for directly executing a wireless communication function based on the setting by the setting means;
When the image processing apparatus newly executes the direct wireless communication function after stopping the direct wireless communication function, the executing means executes the direct wireless communication function before stopping based on the first setting by the setting means. directly executing the wireless communication function using the same first SSID as when executing , or directly executing the wireless communication function using a new second SSID based on the second setting by the setting means;
The image processing apparatus, wherein the setting screen is different from a screen for making communication settings other than the settings, and is capable of receiving the first setting and the second setting from the user. 2. The image processing apparatus is configured to receive print data from an external terminal using the direct wireless communication and print the data regardless of the setting by the setting unit. The image processing device according to . 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting screen is a screen provided to a user having predetermined management authority of said image processing apparatus. 3. The setting screen is displayed after a function related to the direct wireless communication is selected from a screen for selecting one function from a plurality of functions including a copy function of the image processing apparatus. 4. The image processing device according to any one of 3. In the setting screen, the first setting for executing the direct wireless communication function using the same SSID as the execution means at the previous execution of the direct wireless communication function, and the direct wireless communication function using a new SSID. 5. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second setting can be set. further comprising storage means for storing settings set on the setting screen;
When the image processing apparatus newly executes the direct wireless communication function after stopping the direct wireless communication function, the executing means stores the first setting in the storage means. When the direct wireless communication function is executed using the same first SSID as when the direct wireless communication function is executed, and the second setting is stored in the storage means, a new second SSID is used to perform the direct wireless communication function. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the direct wireless communication function is executed. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first setting and the second setting can be alternatively selected on the setting screen. The first setting is a setting for directly executing a wireless communication function using the same SSID each time the image processing device operates as an access point, and the second setting is a setting for the image processing device to be an access point. 8. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the setting is such that a new SSID is used each time the wireless communication function is performed. 9. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said executing means stops the direct wireless communication function under at least one condition that a user has logged out of said image processing apparatus. A claim characterized by further comprising second display control means for displaying a connection screen including a display item indicating an SSID used for a direct wireless communication function and a display item indicating a passkey in accordance with acceptance of a predetermined user operation. Item 10. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 9. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the connection screen can be displayed even when a user without administrator authority performs the predetermined operation. 12. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the executing means stops the direct wireless communication function based on no user operation being performed on the image processing apparatus for a predetermined time. processing equipment. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the stopping of the direct wireless communication function means that the image processing apparatus stops operating as an access point. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the new second SSID is a randomly generated SSID. 15. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the new second SSID is an SSID newly generated when a new direct wireless communication function is executed. 16. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first SSID is an SSID set by a user via an input screen. 17. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said executing means executes a direct wireless communication function using said first SSID stored in said image processing apparatus. 18. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the setting screen is a dedicated setting screen for setting an SSID used for executing the direct wireless communication function. 19. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the setting screen displays a message indicating that the setting screen is for setting an SSID. 20. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the communication settings other than the settings include setting of a wireless communication mode. 21. The image processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said wireless communication modes include an infrastructure mode and an access point mode. 22. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direct wireless communication is wireless communication based on a Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) communication standard. Functions as an access point to which a communication terminal can be connected, has a direct wireless communication function that performs direct wireless communication with a communication terminal without going through an external access point, and receives and prints print data from an external terminal through the direct wireless communication. A control method executed by an image processing apparatus capable of performing
The control method is
a display control step of displaying a setting screen;
a setting step of setting an SSID used for executing the direct wireless communication function based on a user operation received on the setting screen;
an execution step of directly executing a wireless communication function based on the settings set in the setting step;
In the case where the image processing apparatus newly executes the direct wireless communication function after stopping the direct wireless communication function, in the execution step, based on the first setting set in the setting step, Execute the direct wireless communication function using the same first SSID as when the direct wireless communication function is executed, or execute the direct wireless communication function using a new second SSID based on the second setting by the setting means run,
The control method, wherein the setting screen is a screen different from a screen for performing communication settings other than the settings, and is capable of receiving the first setting and the second setting from the user. A program for causing a computer to function as each means according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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