Patent Description:
A portable terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC) has a wireless communication function. The wireless communication function may be used, for example, to transmit a picture or an electronic document stored in the portable terminal to a printer using wireless communication to print the transmitted picture or electronic document using the printer.

In order for the portable terminal to perform wireless communication with an external apparatus such as a printer or the like, the portable terminal may connect to an access point and establish a wireless communication. As a method of establishing the wireless communication, <CIT> discloses a handover procedure using near field communication (NFC). In the handover procedure, connection information necessary to perform wireless communication is acquired using short range communication such as NFC or the like, and wireless communication is established based on the acquired connection information. The handover makes it possible for user to easily establish wireless communication between a portable terminal and an external apparatus such as a printer simply by bringing the portable terminal to a position close to the external apparatus (or by bring the portable terminal into touch with the external apparatus).

A portable terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC) has a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) setup capability such that wireless communication using Wi-Fi is set to be enabled or disabled. To enable the wireless communication, a user sets the Wi-Fi to an active state (ON setting). When wireless communication is not performed, for example, in a situation in which a user goes out, a user may set the Wi-F to an inactive state (OFF setting), which allows it to reduce electric power consumption.

Note that in the portable terminal, the Wi-Fi is not always in the active state, but there is a possibility that Wi-Fi is set in the inactive state. When the Wi-Fi is in the inactive state, even if a user brings the portable terminal to a position close to an external apparatus such as a printing apparatus to perform a handover, wireless communication between the portable terminal and the external apparatus is not established because the Wi-Fi is disabled. Even if the user notices that the Wi-Fi is in the inactive state, the user needs to perform a troublesome manual operation to change the Wi-Fi to the active state.

<CIT> discloses a mobile terminal that can form a communication link using a wireless internet module based on information which is acquired through a short range communication. <CIT> describes a Multi-Function Peripheral (MFP) having a Wi-Fi Direction (WFD) function which a user can set to either a WFD ON mode in which WFD is enabled or a WFD OFF mode in which WFD is disabled. <CIT> is directed to a method of Bluetooth-assisted communication within a wireless local area network (WLAN) such that a device is able to remain a member of a network and stay connected.

The present invention provides a technique of making it easier for a user to change the setup associated with wireless communication.

The present invention in its first aspect provides an information processing apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The present invention in its second aspect provides a method of controlling an information processing apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The present invention in its second aspect provides a storage medium as specified in claim <NUM>.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to drawings. Note that the purpose of the embodiments described below is not to limit the invention. Also note that all parts, elements, or steps described in embodiments are not necessarily needed to practice the invention.

First, referring to <FIG>, a configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment is described below. The communication system according to the present embodiment includes a portable terminal <NUM>, a printing apparatus <NUM>, and an access point <NUM>.

The printing apparatus <NUM> performs wireless communication with the access point <NUM> using Wi-Fi or the like. Note that the communication between the access point <NUM> and the printing apparatus <NUM> may be realized by wired communication using a LAN cable or the like.

The portable terminal <NUM> is capable of performing wireless communication such as Wi-Fi wireless communication. When a user enters an SSID or a security key associated with the access point <NUM> into the portable terminal <NUM>, the portable terminal <NUM> is connected to the access point <NUM> and it becomes possible for the portable terminal <NUM> to communicate with the printing apparatus <NUM> via the access point <NUM>. Thus, the portable terminal <NUM> is allowed to transmit a print job to an external apparatus such as the printing apparatus <NUM> via the access point <NUM>. When the printing apparatus <NUM> receives the print job, the printing apparatus <NUM> performs printing.

The portable terminal <NUM> and the printing apparatus <NUM> are capable of performing short range communication such as NFC. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes an NFC tag in which information, including at least an SSID of the access point <NUM>, used to connect to the access point <NUM> is stored. The portable terminal <NUM> may acquire information associated with the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM> using the NFC and may connect to the access point <NUM> based on the acquired information. Switching the connection to wireless communication such as Wi-Fi wireless connection using the information acquired via the short range communication such as NFC is called handover. The handover makes it unnecessary for a user to enter the information (the SSID of the access point <NUM>) into the portable terminal <NUM> to make a connection to the access point <NUM>.

Next, referring to <FIG>, a hardware configuration of the portable terminal <NUM> is described below. Note that although it is assumed in the following description by way of example but not limitation that the portable terminal <NUM> is a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a similar apparatus, the portable terminal <NUM> may be another type of information processing apparatus capable of performing wireless communication.

The CPU <NUM> reads out a control program stored in a ROM <NUM> and performs various kinds of processes to control operations of the portable terminal <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores the control program as described above. A RAM <NUM> provides a temporary storage area such as a main memory, a work area, and the like used by the CPU <NUM>. An HDD <NUM> stores various kinds of data such as pictures, electronic
documents, and the like. The HDD <NUM> also stores an operating system (OS) <NUM> and a print application <NUM>, which will be described later. A real time clock (RTC) <NUM> measures a time. Note that a flash memory may be provided instead of the HDD <NUM>.

Note that it is assumed by way of example but not limitation that in the portable terminal <NUM>, one CPU <NUM> performs various processes described below with reference to flow charts. Alternatively, for example, a plurality of CPUs may perform, in cooperation, various processes described below with reference to flow charts.

An operation panel <NUM> has a touch panel function capable of detecting a touch operation performed by a user, and displays various screens provided by the OS <NUM> or the print application <NUM>. A user is allowed to input an operation instruction to the portable terminal <NUM> by performing a touch operation on the operation panel <NUM>. The portable terminal <NUM> has a not-illustrated hardware key such that a user is allowed to use this hardware key to input an operation instruction to the portable terminal <NUM>.

A speaker <NUM> and a microphone <NUM> are used when a user makes a telephone communication with another portable terminal or a fixed-line telephone terminal. The camera <NUM> takes a picture in accordance with a command issued by a user. The picture taken by the camera <NUM> is stored in a particular storage area of the HDD <NUM>.

A short range communication unit <NUM> performs NFC short range communication. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes an NFC tag. When a user brings the portable terminal <NUM> to a position close to the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>, short range communication is established between the short range communication unit <NUM> and the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM> and the short range communication unit <NUM> acquires information associated with the NFC tag.

The wireless communication unit <NUM> performs wireless communication such as Wi-Fi wireless communication. In the portable terminal <NUM>, use of the handover allows a user to achieve wireless communication using the wireless communication unit <NUM> by performing a simple operation. More specifically, the short range communication unit <NUM> may acquire connection information, including at least an SSID of the access point <NUM>, from the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>, and the wireless communication unit <NUM> may connect to the access point <NUM> using the acquired connection information.

Next, referring to <FIG>, a software configuration of the portable terminal <NUM> is described below. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating software functional blocks realized by the CPU <NUM> by reading out a control program stored in the ROM <NUM> or the HDD <NUM>.

An OS <NUM> is software for generally controlling an operation of the portable terminal <NUM>. In the portable terminal <NUM>, it may be allowed to install various applications including the print application <NUM> described below. The OS <NUM> transmits and receives information to or from these applications. In accordance with an instruction received from an application, the OS <NUM> performs a process such as displaying or changing a screen on the operation panel <NUM>, performing wireless communication using the wireless communication unit <NUM>, or the like.

The print application <NUM> is an application installed in the portable terminal <NUM>. In addition to the print application <NUM>, other various applications may be installed in the portable terminal <NUM>, although a further detailed description thereof is omitted.

A software configuration of the print application <NUM> is described in further detail below. A screen control unit <NUM> controls the screen displayed on the operation panel <NUM> via the OS <NUM>. For example, a screen such as that described later with reference to <FIG> is displayed on the operation panel <NUM> by the screen control unit <NUM>. Furthermore, the screen control unit <NUM> interprets an operation instruction input by a user via the operation panel <NUM>. A communication unit <NUM> controls, via the OS <NUM>, short range communication performed by the short range communication unit <NUM> and wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit <NUM>.

A Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> changes, via the OS <NUM>, Wi-Fi setting associated with the wireless communication performed by the portable terminal <NUM>. The OS <NUM> includes a program that manages the Wi-Fi setting. To this program, the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> of the print application <NUM> may send an instruction to change the Wi-Fi setting. The Wi-Fi setting will be described in further detail later with reference to <FIG>.

A clock unit <NUM> measures a time. The measuring the time is performed using an RTC <NUM> via the OS <NUM>. A print job generation unit <NUM> generates a print job. The print job generated by the print job generation unit <NUM> is transmitted by the wireless communication unit <NUM> to the printing apparatus <NUM>, which executes the print job. A storage unit <NUM> temporarily stores various kinds of information in a memory such as the RAM <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a setting screen <NUM> is a screen is provided by the OS <NUM>. This setting screen <NUM> is displayed on the operation panel <NUM>. The setting screen <NUM> is for setting whether to enable or disable wireless communication using the wireless communication unit <NUM>.

In a case where "OFF" is selected by pressing a button <NUM>, the Wi-Fi setting associated with the wireless communication is set to an inactive state (an OFF setting) in which the wireless communication is disabled. When the Wi-Fi setting is in the state in which the wireless communication is disabled, the operation of the wireless communication unit <NUM> is stopped, and thus the power consumption by the portable terminal <NUM> is reduced. When the wireless communication using the wireless communication unit <NUM> is not performed, for example, in a situation in which a user goes out, the Wi-Fi setting may be changed into the OFF setting, that is, into the inactive state. <FIG> illustrates an example of the setting screen <NUM> in a state in which the Wi-Fi is set in the OFF setting, that is, the Wi-Fi is set to be disabled.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the setting screen <NUM> in a state in which the Wi-Fi is set in the ON setting. When the button <NUM> is set to "ON", as illustrated in <FIG>, the Wi-Fi setting of the wireless communication is set in the active state (ON setting) in which the wireless communication using Wi-Fi is enabled. When the Wi-Fi setting is turned into the ON setting, that is, when the wireless communication using Wi-Fi is enabled, the wireless communication unit <NUM> starts its operation to seek an access point. If an access point that has been connected in the past is found, the wireless communication unit <NUM> connects to this access point. Alternatively, the wireless communication unit <NUM> may connect to an access point specified by a user. Information <NUM> is displayed to indicate an SSID of the access point with which the wireless communication unit <NUM> is currently in connection. Information <NUM> is displayed to indicate SSIDs of access points detected as a result of the seeking.

Note that in <FIG>, it is assumed by way of example that the Wi-Fi setting is changed manually by a user. In the portable terminal <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> is capable of changing the Wi-Fi setting via the OS <NUM>. The changing of the Wi-Fi setting by the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> will be described in detail below with reference to flow charts illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Information indicating the setting made via the setting screen illustrated in <FIG> (that is, information indicating whether the wireless communication is enabled or disabled) is stored in the memory such as the HDD <NUM> or the like.

Next, an outline of a print function realized by the print application <NUM> and screen transition are described below with reference to <FIG>. Screens illustrated in <FIG> are displayed on the operation panel <NUM> by the screen control unit <NUM> of the print application <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a print screen <NUM> in which a list of pictures stored in the HDD <NUM> is displayed. In the print screen <NUM>, by way of example, four pictures <NUM> to <NUM> are displayed. In this print screen <NUM>, a user is allowed to select a picture that he/she wants to print.

If the user selects a picture in the print screen <NUM>, a print screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is displayed. The print screen <NUM> illustrated here is, by way of example, in a state in which an a picture <NUM> is selected. <NUM> denotes the picture selected by a user in the print screen <NUM>. The selected picture is displayed in an enlarged manner so as to make it easier for the user to confirm the selected picture. In a case where the user wants to change the print setting, the user selects an icon <NUM>. In a case where the user wants to get back to the screen (the print screen <NUM>) in which the list of pictures is displayed, the user selects an icon <NUM>.

In this state in which the print screen <NUM> is displayed, if a user brings the portable terminal <NUM> to a position close to the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>, the short range communication unit <NUM> reads out information stored in the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the information stored in the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM> includes connection information (the SSID of the access point <NUM>, the security key for use in connecting to the access point <NUM>, and the IP address of the printing apparatus <NUM>) for use by the wireless communication unit <NUM> to perform wireless communication with the printing apparatus <NUM>. Based on the connection information acquired by the short range communication unit <NUM> by reading the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>, the wireless communication unit <NUM> may perform wireless communication with the printing apparatus <NUM>. Note that the connection information may include a MAC address of the printing apparatus <NUM> instead of the IP address of the printing apparatus <NUM>.

However, in a case where the Wi-Fi setting is performed in the setting screen <NUM> such that the Wi-Fi is disabled, the wireless communication unit <NUM> does not perform wireless communication even when the short range communication unit <NUM> acquires the connection information. Before a user brings the portable terminal <NUM> to a position close to (or in contact with) the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>, if the user manually changes the Wi-Fi setting such that the Wi-Fi is enabled, then the handover using NFC is performed and the wireless communication unit <NUM> is allowed to perform wireless communication. However, to do this, a user needs to perform a troublesome manual operation to change the Wi-Fi setting to the active state. Beside there may be some users who do not have sufficient knowledge about how to operate the portable terminal <NUM>. There may be even users who are not aware of the availability of the function of changing the Wi-Fi setting. In the present embodiment, to handle the above situation, when the portable terminal <NUM> is brought to a position close to the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>, in other words, when the short range communication unit <NUM> acquires connection information from the NFC tag, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed from the inactive state to the active state. This makes it unnecessary for a user to manually change the Wi-Fi setting to the active state. Beside even when a user does not have much knowledge about how to operate the portable terminal <NUM>, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed to the active state without the user being conscious of the changing.

When the short range communication unit <NUM> acquires the connection information from the NFC tag, the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> changes the Wi-Fi setting from the inactive state to the active state. In response, the communication unit <NUM> instructs the wireless communication unit <NUM> to connect to the access point <NUM> based on the acquired connection information. When the wireless communication unit <NUM> connects to the access point <NUM>, the print job generation unit <NUM> generates a print job and transmits the generated print job to a destination specified by the IP address included in the acquired connection information, that is, to the printing apparatus <NUM>. At this stage, a print screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the operation panel <NUM> by the screen control unit <NUM>. When the transmission of the print job is completed, a print screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the operation panel <NUM> by the screen control unit <NUM>.

Next, referring to a flow chart illustrating in <FIG>, a process is described below that is performed when the portable terminal <NUM> transmits a print job to the printing apparatus <NUM>. Steps in the flow chart illustrated in <FIG> are processed by the CPU <NUM> by loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM <NUM> or the like into the RAM <NUM> and executing the control program.

In the state in which a user selects a picture that the user wants to print (that is, in the state in which the print screen <NUM> is displayed), if a user brings the portable terminal <NUM> to a position close to the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>, then in step S601 the short range communication unit <NUM> acquires connection information from the NFC tag using the short range communication. The connection information stored in the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM> includes information indicating the SSID of the access point <NUM>, information indicating the security key for use in connecting to the access point <NUM>, and information indicating the IP address of the printing apparatus <NUM>.

If the short range communication unit <NUM> acquires the connection information from the NFC tag, then in step S602 the storage unit <NUM> initializes a variable WiFi_Flag.

Next, in step S603, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the Wi-Fi setting is set in the inactive state. This determination is performed by the CPU <NUM> by referring to the information stored in the memory such as the HDD <NUM> or the like.

In a case where the CPU <NUM> determines in step S603 that the Wi-Fi setting is in the inactive state, the processing flow proceeds to step S604. In S604, the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> changes the Wi-Fi setting from the inactive state to the active state (from the OFF setting to the ON setting). As a result of the process in step S604, the state changes to a state in which the wireless communication unit <NUM> is allowed to perform wireless communication. In step S605, the storage unit <NUM> substitutes <NUM> into the variable WiFi_Flag. Note that the variable WiFi_Flag is a variable by which to manage the change in the Wi-Fi setting. By substituting <NUM> into the variable WiFi_Flag in step S605, the print application <NUM> gets information indicating that the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed by the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM>.

Because the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> automatically changes the Wi-Fi setting from the inactive state to the active state, it becomes unnecessary for a user to perform a troublesome manual operation to change the Wi-Fi setting. Beside even when a user does not have much knowledge about how to operate the portable terminal <NUM>, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed to the active state without the user being conscious of the changing.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU <NUM> determines in step S603 that the Wi-Fi setting is not in the inactive state, the processing flow proceeds to step S606. In the case where the processing flow proceeds to step S606, the Wi-Fi setting is in the active state, and thus it is not necessary to perform the changing of the Wi-Fi setting as is performed in step S604. However, the access point being in connection is to be switched to the access point <NUM>, and it may be desirable to later return the connection to the original access point that is in connection before the connection is switched to the access point <NUM>. Thus, in step S606, the storage unit <NUM> stores information indicating the access point being currently in connection. For example, in a case where the wireless communication unit <NUM> is currently in connection with an access point having a SSID of wi-fi_network_001, this SSID is stored in the storage unit <NUM> in step S606. Note that there is a possibility that the portable terminal <NUM> is already connected to the access point <NUM>. In this case, the SSID included in the connection information acquired in step S601 is equal to the SSID of the access point being currently connected with the portable terminal <NUM>. Even in this case, switching of the access point in step S607 occurs.

Next, step S607 is described. In step S607, the wireless communication unit <NUM> connects to an access point indicated by the connection information acquired in step S601, that is, to the access point <NUM>. More specifically, the communication unit <NUM> controls the wireless communication unit <NUM> via the OS <NUM> such that wireless communication is established using the SSID and the security key included in the acquired connection information.

If the wireless communication unit <NUM> connects to the access point <NUM>, then in step S608, the wireless communication unit <NUM> transmits a print job. More specifically, first, the print job generation unit <NUM> generates a print job for printing the picture selected by the user. The communication unit <NUM> then controls the wireless communication unit <NUM> via the OS <NUM> such that the print job is transmitted to a destination indicated by the IP address included in the acquired connection information, that is, to the printing apparatus <NUM>. When the transmission of the print job is in progress, the print screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the operation panel <NUM> by the screen control unit <NUM>. After the print job is transmitted, a process is performed as will be described in dental later with reference to <FIG>.

As described above, when the portable terminal <NUM> is bought to a position close to the NFC tag of the printing apparatus <NUM>, even if the Wi-Fi setting is in the inactive state, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed, in the process of step S604, from the inactive state to the active state. Thus, it becomes unnecessary for a user to manually change the Wi-Fi setting. Beside, even when a user does not have much knowledge about how to operate the portable terminal <NUM>, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed to the active state without the user being conscious of the changing.

Next, referring to a flow chart illustrated in <FIG>, a description is given below as to a process of automatically returning the Wi-Fi setting from the active state to the inactive state, and a process of returning the access point in connection to the original access point. Steps in the flow chart illustrated in <FIG> are processed by the CPU <NUM> by loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM <NUM> or the like into the RAM <NUM> and executing the control program.

Note that the process illustrated in the flow chart of <FIG> is performed as a continuation of step S608 illustrated in <FIG>. The communication unit <NUM> monitors whether the transmission of the print job performed in step S608 is completed or not. If the communication unit <NUM> detects that the transmission of the print job is completed, that is, if the transmission of the print job in S608 is completed, then in step S701 the CPU <NUM> notifies the user that the transmission of the print job is completed. More specifically, the notification is given by the screen control unit <NUM> of the print application <NUM> displays a print screen <NUM> (for notifying that the transmission of the print job is completed) illustrated in <FIG> on the operation panel <NUM>.

Next, in step S702, the clock unit <NUM> of the print application <NUM> starts a counting operation of a timer. This process is performed by the clock unit <NUM> by controlling the RTC205 via the OS <NUM>. The counting operation of the timer is performed to determine whether no user operation is performed in a predetermined time period after the completion of the transmission of the print job. If no user operation is performed in the predetermined time period, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically returned from the active state to the inactive state, and the access point in connection is returned to the original access point.

Next, in step S703, the CPU <NUM> determines whether a user operation is accepted or not. In a case where the CPU <NUM> determines that a user operation is accepted, then in step S704, the CPU <NUM> performs a process according to the user operation. For example, in a case where the user operation instructs that the displayed screen is to be changed, then the screen control unit <NUM> displays a specified new screen on the operation panel <NUM>. On the other hand, in a case where the user operation instructs that printing is to be performed, the communication unit <NUM> controls the wireless communication unit <NUM> to transmit a print job. After the process is performed in step S704 according to the user operation, the clock unit <NUM> of the print application <NUM> resets, in step S705, the count of the timer. On the other hand, in a case where no user operation is accepted, the processing flow proceeds to step S706.

In a case where the portable terminal <NUM> is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or the like which has a capability of performing multi-task processing, there is a possibility that an application such as the print application <NUM> is operating in background. That is, there is a possibility that the print application <NUM> is operating in background and a user is actually operating another application (such as a mail application, a telephone directory application, or the like). In a case where a user operation is accepted when the print application <NUM> is operating in background, the accepted user operation is not associated with the print application <NUM>, and thus the determination in step S703 is negative as to whether a user operation is accepted, and the resetting of the count is step S705 is not performed.

Next, step S706 is described. In step S706, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the count of the timer indicates that a predetermined time period has elapsed. In the present embodiment, the timer starts counting when the print job is transmitted (step S702), the count is reset whenever a user performs some operation (step S705). In a case where the predetermined time period (for example, <NUM> minutes) has elapsed without a user operation being accepted, then the CPU <NUM> determines, in step S706, that the predetermined time period has elapsed, and thus the processing flow proceeds to step S707. In a case where the predetermined time period has not yet elapsed, the determination by the CPU <NUM> in step S706 is negative as to whether the predetermined time period has elapsed, and the processing flow returns to step S703. In the present embodiment, it is assumed by way of example that when <NUM> minutes has elapsed without user operation being performed, it is determined in step S706 that the predetermined time period has elapsed, but the predetermined time period is not limited to <NUM> minutes, and another value may be given as the predetermined time period or a user may be allowed to set the predetermined time period by inputting a particular value in a not-illustrated setting screen.

Next, step S707 is described. In step S707, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the Wi-Fi setting is to be returned to the inactive state. This determination is performed by referring to the value of the variable WiFi_Flag stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

In the case where the variable WiFi_Flag has a value of <NUM>, this means that, to perform a handover, the Wi-Fi setting has been automatically changed in step S604 from the inactive state to the active state. Therefore, in step S707, the CPU <NUM> determines that the Wi-Fi setting is to be returned to the inactive state, and the processing flow proceeds to step S708. In step S708, the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> changes the Wi-Fi setting from the active state to the inactive state (from the ON setting to the OFF setting). The reason why the Wi-Fi setting is returned from the active state to the inactive state when no user operation is performed in the predetermined time period is to properly handle a possibility that a user is to successively transmit a plurality of print jobs to the printing apparatus <NUM>. This makes it unnecessary for the user to perform a touching operation repeatedly to transmit the plurality of print jobs because after the handover is performed, the Wi-Fi setting is maintained in the active state and the printing apparatus <NUM> is maintained as the specified destination to which the print jobs are to be transmitted.

On the other hand, in the case where the variable WiFi_Flag has a value of <NUM>, this means that the Wi-Fi setting is in the active state before handover is performed and is maintained in the active state, and thus it is not necessary to change the Wi-Fi setting to the inactive state. Thus in step S707, the CPU <NUM> determines that the Wi-Fi setting is not to be returned to the inactive state, and the processing flow proceeds to step S709. In step S709, the communication unit <NUM> controls the connection of the access point such that the access point is changed to an access point stored in the storage unit <NUM>. In the case where the process in step S709 is performed, the portable terminal <NUM> is in connection with an original access point before handover is performed, but the access point is changed when the handover is performed. Thus the process in step S709 is performed to return the access point to the original access point from that changed via the handover.

In the present embodiment, as described above, even when the Wi-Fi setting is in the inactive state, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed from the inactive state to the active state when handover is performed (when connection information is acquired using NFC). This makes it unnecessary for a user to do a troublesome manual operation to change the Wi-Fi setting to the active state. Beside, even when a user does not have much knowledge about how to operate the portable terminal <NUM>, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed to the active state without the user being conscious of the changing.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in a case where when handover is performed, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed from the inactive state to the active state, if no user operation is accepted within the predetermined time period after a print job is transmitted, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically returned to the inactive state. In the case where the Wi-Fi setting is in the inactive state before handover is performed, this means that a user has set the Wi-Fi setting in the inactive state, for example, to reduce electric power consumption. In the present embodiment, the Wi-Fi setting is automatically returned to the disable state after the print job is transmitted, and thus a reduction in electric power consumption of the portable terminal <NUM> is achieved.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the case where the portable terminal <NUM> is already in an access point before handover is performed, if no user operation is performed within the predetermined time period, the connection is returned to the original access point. Thus even in the case where the access point being in connection is temporarily changed to perform printing, the access point in connection is returned to the original one without a user being conscious of the changing.

Next, a second embodiment which is a modification of the first embodiment is described below. In the first embodiment, as is described with reference to step S705 in <FIG>, it is assumed by way of example that the count of the time is reset whenever a user operation is accepted. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the count of the timer is not reset whenever a user operation is accepted, but the count of the time is reset when a next print job is transmitted.

<FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a process performed as a continuation of step S608 in <FIG>, and this process is an example of a modification of the process illustrated in the flow chart of <FIG>. In <FIG>, steps similar to those in the flow chart illustrated in <FIG> are denoted by similar step numbers, and a further description thereof is omitted. The steps in the flow chart illustrated in <FIG> are processed by the CPU <NUM> by loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM <NUM> or the like into the RAM <NUM> and executing the control program.

In a case where the CPU <NUM> determines in step S703 that a user operation is accepted, the processing flow proceeds to step S801. In step S801, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the user operation instructs that a transmission of a print job is to be performed. In a case where the CPU <NUM> determines that the user operation instructs that a transmission of a print job is to be performed, the processing flow proceeds to step S802. In step S802, the communication unit <NUM> instructs the wireless communication unit <NUM> to transmit the print job, and, in response, the wireless communication unit <NUM> transmits the print job to the printing apparatus <NUM>. Next, in step S803, the clock unit <NUM> of the print application <NUM> resets the count of the timer.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU <NUM> determines in step S801 that the user operation does not specify a transmission of a print job, the processing flow proceeds to step S804. In step S804, the CPU <NUM> performs a process according to the user operation. For example, in a case where the user operation instructs that the displayed screen is to be changed, then the screen control unit <NUM> displays a specified new screen on the operation panel <NUM>. After the process is performed in step S804 according to the user operation, the processing flow returns to step S703 without resetting the count of the timer.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the count of the time is not reset unconditionally when a user operation is accepted, but the count of the time is reset when a command to transmit a print job is issued. In other words, even when a user performs some operation, if this operation is not an instruction to transmit a print job, the counting by the timer is continued. If transmission of a next print job is not performed within the predetermined time period, then step S708 or step S709 is performed.

In a certain application like the print application <NUM>, there is a possibility that a user performs an operation to instruct that the application is to be ended. This operation is performed, for example, to reduce the processing load imposed on the CPU <NUM>. A third embodiment described below discloses a process that is performed when the instruction to end an application is issued by a user.

<FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a process that is performed when a user issues an instruction to end the print application <NUM> being in operation. Steps in the flow chart illustrated in <FIG> are processed by the CPU <NUM> by loading a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM <NUM> or the like into the RAM <NUM> and executing the control program.

First, in step S901, the CPU <NUM> accepts, from a user, an operation of issuing an instruction indicating that the print application <NUM> is to be ended. Upon receiving this instruction, the CPU <NUM> determines in step S902 whether the Wi-Fi setting is to be returned to the inactive state or not. This determination is performed by referring to the value of the variable WiFi_Flag stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

In the case where the variable WiFi_Flag has a value of <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the Wi-Fi setting is to be returned to the inactive state, and the processing flow proceeds to step S903. In step S903, the Wi-Fi setting changing unit <NUM> changes the Wi-Fi setting from the active state to the inactive state (from the ON setting to the OFF setting).

On the other hand, in the case where the variable WiFi_Flag has a value of <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines in step S902 that the Wi-Fi setting is not to be returned to the inactive state, and the processing flow proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the communication unit <NUM> controls the connection of the access point such that the access point is changed to an access point indicated by information stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as described above, in a case where a user issues a command indicating that an application is to be ended, the Wi-Fi setting is returned to the inactive state and/or the access point in connection is returned to an original access point. Even in a case where the Wi-Fi setting or the access point in connection is changed when handover is performed as in the first embodiment, it is possible to return the Wi-Fi setting or the access point in connection to the original state when the application is ended.

Note that the timing of performing the process illustrated in <FIG> is not limited to when the operation is performed to end the print application <NUM>. For example, the process may be performed when the print application <NUM> is switched to a background operation mode.

In the embodiments described above, the processes are described by way of example for the case where the portable terminal <NUM> transmits a print job to the printing apparatus <NUM>, but the data transmission performed between the portable terminal <NUM> and the printing apparatus <NUM> is not limited to the print job transmission. For example, the data communication may be performed to transmit a picture, an electronic document, or the like stored in the portable terminal <NUM> to an external apparatus such as the printing apparatus <NUM> or the like to store the picture or the electronic document in an HDD of the external apparatus. Alternatively, the data communication may be for the portable terminal <NUM> to acquire, from the printing apparatus <NUM>, a scan image generated by the printing apparatus <NUM> by scanning a document. After the data communication is completed, if no user operation is accepted within the predetermined time period, or if no next data communication is performed within the predetermined time period, the Wi-Fi setting or the access point in connection may be returned to the original state.

In the embodiments described above, the processes are described by way of example for the case where the Wi-Fi setting or the access point in connection is returned to the original state when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the completion of the data communication. However, alternatively, the Wi-Fi setting or the access point in connection may be returned to the original state immediately after the data communication is completed. Alternatively, when the data communication is completed, an inquiry may be sent to a user as to whether the Wi-Fi setting or the access point in connection is to be returned to the original state.

In the embodiments described above, the processes are described by way of example for the case where the Wi-Fi setting or the access point in connection is automatically returned to the original state. In a not-illustrated setting screen, a user may set whether the automatic returning is to be performed or not.

It will of course be understood that this invention has been described above by way of example only, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of this invention as defined by the claims.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus capable of performing wireless communication and capable of selectively setting the wireless communication to an ON setting in which wireless communication is enabled or an OFF setting in which wireless communication is disabled, comprising:
a near field communication, NFC, unit (<NUM>) configured to perform short range wireless communication;
a wireless communication unit (<NUM>) arranged to perform data communication using the wireless communication;
acquisition means (<NUM>) arranged to acquire (S601), via the NFC unit, connection information including at least an SSID;
establishment means configured to establish a wireless connection, by using the wireless communication unit, based on the connection information;
first change means (<NUM>) arranged to perform first change processing for changing a setting from the OFF setting to the ON setting after the connection information is acquired in a case where the connection information is acquired by the acquisition means in a state where a setting of the wireless communication is the OFF setting, and to maintain the setting in the ON setting after the connection information is acquired in a case where the connection information is acquired by the acquisition means in a state where the setting of the wireless communication is the ON setting,
the information processing apparatus being characterized by:
second change means arranged to automatically return the setting to an original setting by performing second change processing for automatically changing the setting from the ON setting to the OFF setting after completion of data communication using the established wireless connection, in a case where the setting is changed by the first change means from the OFF setting to the ON setting, and by maintaining the setting in the ON setting after completion of data communication using the established wireless connection, in a case where the setting is not changed by the first change means from the OFF setting to the ON setting.