JP2012238974A - Information provision device, information provision method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solution to a problem of being not convenient due to a fact that a user has to select an appropriate provision method of a communication parameter depending on the communication environment of an information provision device.SOLUTION: An information provision device provides a communication device with a communication parameter to be used to perform communication. The information provision device checks whether or not a relay device relaying communication between the communication device and the information provision device can provide a communication parameter, and based on a result of the check, selects a method to be carried out from a way in which the communication parameter is directly provided for the communication device and a way in which the communication parameter is provided for the communication device via the relay device, and provide the communication parameter for the communication device according to the selected way.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and a program for automatically selecting a method for providing communication parameters in a communication parameter automatic setting system.

  In wireless communication represented by a wireless LAN compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard series, there are many setting items that must be set before actual communication. The setting items include, for example, communication parameters necessary for wireless communication such as SSID as a network identifier, encryption method, encryption key, authentication method, authentication key, etc., and it is extremely difficult for the user to set these manually. It is complicated.

  Therefore, various manufacturers have proposed automatic setting systems for easily setting communication parameters in wireless devices. In the automatic setting system, communication parameters are provided from one device (information providing device) to the other device (communication device) by a predetermined procedure and message between connected devices, and communication parameters are automatically set. Do.

  There are three typical methods for providing communication parameters in the communication parameter automatic setting system as described below.

  In the first method, the information providing device provides communication parameters to the communication device via a relay device such as an access point. Non-Patent Document 1 describes, as an example of this method, a method for providing communication parameters from an information providing device to a communication device via an access point. According to this method, the information providing apparatus can control the relay apparatus and provide communication parameters to the communication apparatus while maintaining the connection with the relay apparatus. Even in an environment where the information providing apparatus and the communication apparatus cannot directly communicate, the information providing apparatus can provide communication parameters to the communication apparatus. Hereinafter, this method is referred to as a first control method.

  In the second method, the information providing apparatus is used as an activation apparatus that activates another device. In this method, the information providing apparatus controls the communication parameter automatic setting system of another device using the notification message, and provides the communication parameter from the other device to the communication device. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of this method. By using this method, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the information providing apparatus when providing communication parameters to the communication apparatus. Hereinafter, this method is referred to as a second control method.

  In the third method, the information providing apparatus directly communicates with the communication apparatus and provides communication parameters to the communication apparatus. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for directly providing communication parameters from an information providing device to a communication device as an example of this method. According to this method, even in an environment where no relay device such as an access point exists, the information providing device can provide communication parameters to the communication device. Hereinafter, this method is referred to as a direct provision method.

JP 2009-267939 A JP 2008-109581 A

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED (TM) for Wi-Fi Protected Setup: Easing the User Experience for Home and Small Office Wi-Fi (R) Networks, http: // www. wi-fi. org / wifi-protected-setup

  Here, consider a case where the above-described three methods are mounted on one information providing apparatus. In this case, conventionally, the information providing apparatus executes a method selected by the user. However, it is assumed that the information providing apparatus operates in various communication environments, and the optimum method to be activated varies depending on the situation. For example, when the information providing apparatus is communicating with another device via the access point, the first control method for maintaining the connection with the access point is suitable. When the access point is compatible with the second control method, the second control method in which the access point is activated as the information providing device is suitable for reducing the load of the providing process in the information providing device. Furthermore, when the information providing apparatus is not connected to the access point, it is desirable to use the direct providing method. However, conventionally, there has been a problem that the user has to select an appropriate method according to the communication environment of the information providing apparatus, which is not easy to use.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a technique for automatically selecting a method for providing communication parameters in a communication parameter automatic setting system.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information providing apparatus of the present invention is an information providing apparatus that provides a communication parameter used for communication to a communication apparatus, and relays communication between the communication apparatus and the information providing apparatus. Confirmation means for confirming whether or not the relay device can provide the communication parameter, a method for directly providing the communication parameter to the communication device, and the communication device via the relay device The communication device using the method selected from the method for providing the communication parameter based on the confirmation result in the confirmation unit and the method selected by the selection unit for the communication parameter. And providing means for providing to.

  According to the present invention, it becomes possible for an information providing apparatus to automatically select a method for providing communication parameters in a communication parameter automatic setting system, which improves user convenience.

The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of an information provision apparatus. The block diagram which shows the software function structure of an information provision apparatus. Network configuration diagram. The flowchart explaining operation | movement of a selection process. The sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the system in the case of selecting a direct provision system. The sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the system in the case of selecting a 1st control system. The sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the system in the case of selecting a 2nd control system. The flowchart explaining operation | movement of the selection process when giving priority to a 1st control system. The flowchart explaining operation | movement of the selection process when giving priority to a 2nd control system over a direct provision system.

<< Embodiment 1 >>
Hereinafter, the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Hardware configuration)
A hardware configuration in a case suitable for the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information providing apparatus described later. Reference numeral 101 denotes the entire information providing apparatus. Reference numeral 102 denotes a control unit that controls the entire apparatus by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 103 to be described later, and is a computer including a processor such as a CPU or MPU. The control unit 102 also controls communication parameter automatic setting processing performed with other devices. Reference numeral 103 denotes a storage unit that stores a computer program for control executed by the control unit 102 and various types of information such as communication parameters. Various operations described later are performed by the control unit 102 executing a control program stored in the storage unit 103. Note that the storage unit 103 can be a memory such as a ROM or a RAM, or a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a DVD, or the like.

  A wireless unit 104 performs wireless communication, and performs various processes related to transmission / reception of wireless signals such as modulation of input data. Reference numeral 105 denotes a display unit that performs various displays, and has a function capable of outputting visually recognizable information such as an LCD or LED, or outputting sound such as a speaker. Reference numeral 106 denotes a setting button for giving a trigger for starting the communication parameter providing process. When the control unit 102 detects an operation of the setting button 106 by the user, the control unit 102 executes a communication parameter providing process described later. Reference numeral 107 denotes an antenna control unit which controls the operation of the antenna 108. An antenna 108 transmits and receives radio signals to and from an external device. Reference numeral 109 denotes an input unit for the user to perform various inputs.

(Software function configuration)
FIG. 2 is a configuration example of software function blocks executed by the information providing apparatus in the operation of communication parameter automatic setting processing described later. Reference numeral 201 denotes the entire apparatus. Reference numeral 202 denotes a communication parameter automatic setting function block. The contents of the automatic setting function block 202 will be described later.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a transmission unit that transmits signals related to various communications. The transmission unit 203 transmits a search signal such as a probe request. The probe request is a network search signal for searching for a network. A receiving unit 204 receives signals related to various communications. The receiving unit 204 receives a notification signal represented by a beacon. The receiving unit 204 also receives a probe response that is a response signal to the probe request. Various information (hereinafter referred to as “self information”) of the source device is added to the probe request, probe response, and beacon signal. The self information includes, for example, information indicating that the information providing apparatus 301 is being activated as an information providing apparatus that provides communication parameters, and information indicating the automatic setting method being executed. The self information includes information for identifying the transmission source device such as a MAC address.

  A network control unit 205 controls network connection. The network control unit 205 executes connection processing to the wireless LAN network. In addition, when the information providing apparatus 301 serves as an access point, the network control unit 205 also performs processing for establishing a wireless LAN network and communicating with other communication apparatuses participating in the network. Further, the network control unit 205 has a function of confirming the communication state of the information providing apparatus 301 in response to an inquiry from another functional block and outputting a confirmation result. As a response to the inquiry, the network control unit 205 outputs information indicating whether the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the wireless LAN network or is communicating as an access point.

  The communication parameter automatic setting function block 202 includes an automatic setting control unit 206, an information providing unit 207, a first control unit 208, a second control unit 209, a corresponding method confirmation unit 210, and a method selection unit 211. The automatic setting control unit 206 controls various protocols in the communication parameter automatic setting process. The automatic setting control unit 206 executes communication parameter automatic setting processing, which will be described later.

  The information providing unit 207 directly provides communication parameters to the communication device by a direct providing method. Based on the first control method, the first control unit 208 transmits communication parameters of the information providing apparatus to a relay apparatus such as an access point, and provides the communication parameters received by the relay apparatus to the communication apparatus. Control the relay device. Based on the second control method, the second control unit 209 activates the communication parameter automatic setting process in the relay device, and controls the relay device so that the communication parameter of the relay device is provided to the communication device. . The first control unit 208 and the second control unit 209 control the relay device by generating a control signal and transmitting the control signal to the relay device such as an access point. Hereinafter, the communication device on the side that receives the provided communication parameters is referred to as a receiving device. The receiving device can receive the communication parameter by executing the same communication parameter receiving process regardless of the method executed by the information providing device.

  Corresponding method confirmation unit 210 recognizes the communication parameter method supported by the access point by analyzing the contents of the beacon or probe response signal transmitted from the access point. The correspondence method confirmation process described later is performed by the correspondence method confirmation unit 210. A method selection unit 211 selects a method to be executed. The selection process described later is performed by the method selection unit 211.

  In the present embodiment, the function blocks included in the communication parameter automatic setting function block cooperate to be necessary for wireless communication such as an SSID as a network identifier, an encryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key. Set communication parameters automatically.

(System configuration)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the information providing apparatus 301, the access point 302, and the receiving apparatus 303. The information providing apparatus 301 has the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above. The information providing apparatus 301 executes communication parameter automatic setting processing according to a user instruction, and provides the communication parameter to the receiving apparatus 303.

  The automatic setting control unit 206 of the information providing apparatus 301 monitors whether the setting button 106 has been pressed. When it is detected that the user presses the setting button 106, the automatic setting control unit 206 activates the method selection unit 211 and shifts to a method for selecting a method for providing communication parameters to the receiving device 303. Hereinafter, the operation of the selection process will be described.

(Selection operation)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the selection process. The operation shown in FIG. 4 is performed when the control unit 102 reads and executes a computer program stored in the storage unit 103.

  When shifting to the selection process, the method selection unit 211 inquires of the network control unit 205 about the communication state of the information providing apparatus 301 (S401). Specifically, whether or not the information providing apparatus 301 is operating as an access point, that is, a base station, and if not operating as an access point, check whether or not a connection to the access point 302 is established. To do. These confirmations may be performed as a single confirmation operation or may be performed sequentially.

  Then, the method selection unit 211 determines whether or not the information providing apparatus 301 is operating as an access point in response to a response from the network control unit 205 (S402). When the information providing apparatus 301 is operating as an access point (Yes in S402), the method selection unit 211 selects a direct providing method as a method to be executed (S403). If the information providing apparatus 301 is not operating as an access point (No in S402), the information providing apparatus 301 determines whether a connection to the access point 302 has been established (S404). If the information providing apparatus 301 has not established a connection with the access point 302 in the determination result (No in S404), the method selecting unit 211 selects the providing method directly as the method to be executed (S403).

  In the determination result, when the information providing apparatus 301 has established a connection with the access point 302 (Yes in S404), the method selection unit 211 activates the corresponding method confirmation unit 210. Then, the corresponding method confirmation unit 210 confirms a method for providing communication parameters executable by the connected access point 302 (S405). Based on the confirmation result, the method selection unit 211 determines whether or not the access point 302 is compatible with the second control method (S406). If the access point 302 is compatible with the second control method (Yes in S406), the method selection unit 211 selects the second control method as the method to be executed (S407). If the access point 302 does not support the second control method (No in S406), the method selection unit 211 determines whether the access point 302 can support the first control method (S408). When the access point 302 is compatible with the first control method (Yes in S408), the method selection unit 211 selects the first control method as the method to be executed (S409). If the access point 302 does not support the first control method (No in S408), the method selection unit 211 selects the direct providing method as the method to be executed (S403).

  After selecting the method, the method selection unit 211 determines communication parameters to be provided according to whether or not the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the access point 302 (S410, S411, S412). Here, the determination as to whether or not the information providing apparatus 301 is currently connected to the access point 302 can be made using the determination result of S404 described above. The communication parameter to be transmitted may be determined by preparing a provision parameter determination unit (not shown) separately from the method selection unit 211 and executing the provision parameter determination unit.

  A specific communication parameter selection method will be described. When the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the access point 302 (Yes in S410), the connection with the receiving apparatus 303 is executed via the access point. Therefore, the method selection unit 211 determines a communication parameter that provides a communication parameter used to connect to the access point 302 (S411). On the other hand, when the information providing apparatus 301 is not connected to the access point 302 (Yes in S410), the information providing apparatus 301 and the receiving apparatus 303 are directly connected without passing through the access point. Therefore, the method selection unit 211 determines a communication parameter that provides a communication parameter used for direct connection with the receiving device (S412). In this case, since the information providing apparatus 301 directly communicates with the receiving apparatus 303, the information providing apparatus 301 may be used as an access point to construct a wireless LAN infrastructure network, or a wireless LAN ad hoc network may be constructed. Good.

  It should be noted that even when the direct provision method is selected, communication parameters for connection to the access point 302 may be provided. For example, when the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the access point 302, but the access point 302 does not support both the first control method and the second control method, the selected method is the direct provision method. However, in this case, the communication parameter transmitted to the receiving device 303 can be a communication parameter for connecting to the access point 302. As a result, the receiving device 303 can connect to the access point 302 using the received communication parameters, and can connect to the information providing device 301 via the wireless LAN network developed by the access point 302. As described above, by providing a process for selecting a communication parameter to be provided, it is possible to flexibly provide a communication parameter suitable for the situation to the receiving apparatus. Even when the access point 302 does not support the first control method or the second control method, communication parameters for connecting the receiving device 303 to the access point 302 can be provided.

(System operation)
FIG. 5 is a processing sequence when the information providing apparatus 301 starts communication parameter reception processing of the receiving apparatus 303 and the information providing apparatus 301 executes communication parameter providing processing in a state where the information providing apparatus 301 is not communicating with the access point 302. is there.

  When the setting button 106 of the information providing apparatus 301 is pressed, the information providing apparatus 301 activates the selection process described with reference to FIG. 4 and confirms the communication state of the information providing apparatus 301 (F501). Since the information providing apparatus 301 is not communicating with the access point 302, the method selection unit 211 of the information providing apparatus 301 selects the direct providing method as the method to be executed and activates the information providing unit 207. Then, the information providing unit 207 directly provides communication parameters to the receiving device 303 by the direct providing method (F502). Here, since the information providing apparatus 301 is not connected to the access point 302, the provided communication parameter is a communication parameter for executing communication with the information providing apparatus 301. Note that when the information providing apparatus 301 is operating as an access point, the communication parameter receiving process of the receiving apparatus 303 and the communication parameter providing process of the information providing apparatus 301 are performed in the same manner as in the above example. .

  FIG. 6 shows that the information providing apparatus 301 starts the communication parameter receiving process of the receiving apparatus 303 while the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the access point 302 capable of supporting the first control method, and the information providing apparatus 301 executes the communication parameter providing process. Is a processing sequence. In this example, it is assumed that the access point does not support the second control method.

  When the setting button 106 of the information providing apparatus 301 is pressed, the information providing apparatus 301 activates the selection process described with reference to FIG. 4 and confirms the communication state of the information providing apparatus 301 (F601). The information providing apparatus 301 transmits a probe request signal to the access point 302 in order to confirm the communication parameter providing method to which the connected access point 302 corresponds (F602). The information providing apparatus 301 analyzes the content of the probe response signal received from the access point 302, and confirms that the access point 302 is compatible with the first control method and not compatible with the second control method (F603). Thereafter, the method selection unit 211 of the information providing apparatus 301 selects the first control method as the method to be executed, and activates the first control unit 208 (F604). The first control unit 208 provides communication parameters to the receiving device 303 by the second control method (F605). Since the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the access point 302, the provided communication parameter is a communication parameter for executing communication with the access point 302.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where the information providing apparatus 301 starts the communication parameter receiving process of the receiving apparatus 303 while the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the access point 302 corresponding to the second control method, and the information providing apparatus 301 executes the communication parameter providing process. This is the processing sequence.

  When the setting button 106 of the information providing apparatus 301 is pressed, the information providing apparatus 301 activates the selection process described with reference to FIG. 4 and confirms the communication state of the information providing apparatus 301 (F701). The information providing apparatus 301 transmits a probe request signal to the access point 302 in order to confirm the communication parameter providing method corresponding to the connected access point 302 (F702). The information providing apparatus 301 analyzes the content of the probe response signal received from the access point 302, and confirms that the access point 302 is compatible with the second control method (F703). Thereafter, the method selection unit 211 of the information providing apparatus 301 selects the second control method as the method to be executed, and activates the second control unit 209 (F704). The second control unit 209 transmits a message notifying the access point 302 of the start of the communication parameter providing process (F705). After transmitting the response message to the message (F706), the access point 302 provides communication parameters to the receiving device 303 by the second control method (F707). Since the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the access point 302, the provided communication parameter is a communication parameter for executing communication with the access point 302. After providing, the access point 302 transmits a message notifying the completion of processing to the information providing apparatus 301 (F708). When receiving the completion message, the information providing apparatus 301 ends the providing process.

  In the above description, the information providing apparatus 301 includes the first control unit 208 and the second control unit 209, and controls the access point 302 based on the first control method and the second control method, respectively. However, it is not limited to this configuration. That is, for example, the information providing apparatus 301 includes the first control unit 208 and does not need to include the second control unit 209. In this case, the information providing apparatus 301 selects a method to be executed from the first control method and the direct provision method based on its own communication status and information on whether or not the access point 302 is compatible with the first control method. .

  As described above, even when the information providing apparatus 301 is equipped with a plurality of methods, the information providing apparatus 301 confirms its communication state and the method supported by the access point 302 and automatically selects an appropriate method. Select and execute. Thereby, automatic selection of a method without user selection is possible, and user convenience is improved. In the above embodiment, when the information providing apparatus 301 has established a connection with the access point 302, the information providing apparatus 301 directly provides the first control method or the second control method for maintaining the connection with the access point 302. Select in preference to the method. As a result, the information providing apparatus 301 can provide communication parameters to the receiving apparatus 303 while executing communication with other devices via the access point 302. In addition, when automatic setting of communication parameters succeeds in the receiving device 303, it can be confirmed that the receiving device 303 exists at a position where the communication parameter transmitted from the access point 302 can be received.

  On the other hand, when the information providing apparatus 301 has not established a connection with the access point 302 or when the first control method and the second control method cannot be executed, the method selection unit 211 selects the direct providing method as the method to be executed. select. As a result, communication parameters can be provided to the receiving device 303 with simple processing. That is, it is possible to prevent an increase in processing amount and processing time due to searching for the access point 302 and executing the first control method and the second control method.

  Furthermore, when the access point 302 can execute the first control method and the second control method, the processing amount in the information providing apparatus 301 can be reduced by giving priority to the second control method. That is, by executing the second control method, the information providing apparatus 301 activates the access point 302 as a communication parameter providing apparatus, and the access point 302 executes the subsequent processing, whereby the processing load on the information providing apparatus 301 is increased. Is suppressed.

  Further, in the above description, the information providing apparatus 301 determines a communication state such as whether or not the information providing apparatus 301 is operating as a base station and whether or not communication with the access point 302 is established. This determination can be omitted. In this case, the method that the access point 302 can execute is confirmed, and the method selection unit 211 may determine the method to be executed based on the confirmation result. This simplifies the selection process and reduces the processing amount of the information providing apparatus when it is clear that the information providing apparatus 301 has no function to operate as a base station and is connected to the access point 302. Is possible.

  In this case, when the access point 302 is compatible with the first control method, the information providing apparatus 301 can provide communication parameters while maintaining the connection to the access point 302 by using the first control method. . Furthermore, when the access point 302 is compatible with the second control method, the processing amount of the information providing apparatus 301 can be greatly reduced by causing the access point 302 to execute communication parameter provision. Even when the access point 302 cannot provide communication parameters, the information providing apparatus 301 can directly provide communication parameters to the receiving apparatus, thereby providing the communication parameters to the receiving apparatus. Become.

<< Embodiment 2 >>
In the first embodiment, when the information providing apparatus 301 has established a connection with the access point 302, the information providing apparatus 301 selects the first control method or the second control method in preference to the direct providing method. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the information providing apparatus 301 selects a direct provision method in preference to other methods.

  FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of selection processing in the information providing apparatus 301 according to the second embodiment. The processing from step S801 to step S804 in FIG. 8 is the same as the processing from step S401 to step S404 in FIG.

  In step S804, when the information providing apparatus 301 has established a connection with the access point (Yes in S804), the method selection unit 211 detects whether the information providing apparatus 301 can directly communicate with the receiving apparatus 303. (S805). For example, the method selection unit 211 monitors the reception unit 204 for a certain period, and when the probe request signal transmitted from the reception device 303 is received within the period, the information providing device 301 can directly communicate with the reception device 303. Detect something. On the other hand, when the probe request signal transmitted from the receiving device 303 is not received within a certain period, the information providing device 301 detects that direct communication with the receiving device 303 is impossible. The method selection unit 211 may detect that the information providing apparatus 301 can directly communicate with the receiving apparatus 303 when the probe request signal is broadcasted and the probe response signal is received from the receiving apparatus 303. . In this case, when the probe response signal is not received from the receiving device 303, the information providing device 301 may detect that communication with the receiving device 303 is not possible.

  When the information providing apparatus can directly communicate with the receiving apparatus (Yes in S805), the method selecting unit 211 selects the direct providing method as the method to be executed (S803). When the information providing apparatus 301 cannot directly communicate with the receiving apparatus 303 (No in S805), the method selection unit 211 activates the corresponding method confirmation unit 210 and provides the communication parameter corresponding to the connected access point 302. The method is confirmed (S806). The processing from step S806 to step S813 in FIG. 8 is the same as the processing from step S405 to step S412 in FIG.

  By performing the selection process of FIG. 8, the information providing apparatus 301 communicates only with the receiving apparatus 303 when providing communication parameters. Therefore, the information providing apparatus 301 may communicate with other devices from the first embodiment. It is also possible to reduce the processing load when providing communication parameters.

<< Embodiment 3 >>
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, when the access point 302 corresponds to the second control method, the information providing apparatus 301 has described an example in which the second control method is selected with priority over the first control method. In the third embodiment, a case where the information providing apparatus selects the first control method in preference to the second control method will be described.

  FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of the selection process in the third embodiment. The processing from step S901 to step S905 in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing from step S401 to step S405 in FIG.

  After the confirmation processing in step S905, the method selection unit 211 confirms whether or not the connected access point 302 is compatible with the first control method (S906). When the access point 302 does not support the first control method (No in S906), the method selection unit 211 selects the direct providing method as the method to be executed (S903). When the access point 302 is compatible with the first control method (Yes in S906), the method selection unit 211 detects whether to provide the receiving device 303 with parameters other than the communication parameters used for connection to the access point 302. (S907). The parameters other than the communication parameters used for connection to the access point are parameters specific to the application operating on the information providing apparatus 301, for example. Also, communication parameters of a network different from the network of the access point 302 may be used.

  When the provision of parameters other than the communication parameters used to connect to the access point is detected (Yes in S907), the method selection unit 211 selects the first control method as the method to be executed (S908). If provision of parameters other than the communication parameters used to connect to the access point as a provision parameter is not detected (No in S907), the corresponding method confirmation unit 210 determines whether the access point 302 is compatible with the second control method. (S909). When the access point 302 is compatible with the second control method (Yes in S909), the method selection unit 211 selects the second control method as the method to be executed (S910). If the access point 302 does not support the second control method, the method selection unit 211 selects the direct providing method as the method to be executed (S903).

  After selecting the method, the method selecting unit 211 determines the communication parameter to be provided (S911, S912, S913). The method selection unit 211 confirms whether or not the information providing apparatus 301 is connected to the access point 302 (S911), and if it is connected (Yes in S911), provides the communication parameters necessary for connecting to the access point. The communication parameter is determined (S912). Here, when the provision of a parameter other than the communication parameter used to connect to the access point is detected, the parameter is also determined as the communication parameter to be provided. When the information providing apparatus 301 is not connected to the access point (No in S911), it is determined as a communication parameter that provides a communication parameter necessary for directly communicating with the receiving apparatus (S913).

  According to the selection process of FIG. 9, when there is a parameter that the information providing apparatus 301 holds and is not held by the access point 302, the information providing apparatus 301 uses the first control method that can transmit the parameter via the access point 302. select. As a result, the information providing apparatus 301 can reliably provide the parameter to the receiving apparatus 303. Furthermore, when providing parameters that are held by itself but not held by the access point 302 and the access point 302 does not support the first control method, the information providing apparatus 301 selects the direct providing method. . As a result, the probability that the parameters held by itself and not held by the access point 302 can be transmitted to the receiving apparatus is improved. On the other hand, the information providing apparatus 301 can reduce the processing load of the information providing apparatus 301 by using the second control method when there is no parameter that the information providing apparatus 301 holds and the access point 302 does not hold.

  As described above, the priority of each method in the selection process may be set to a different priority depending on the purpose and situation.

<< Other Embodiments >>
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but this is an example for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The embodiment can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. Also, the above description has been made with reference to an IEEE 802.11-compliant wireless LAN as an example. However, the present invention may be implemented in other wireless media such as wireless USB, MBOA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB, and ZigBee. Moreover, you may implement in wired communication media, such as wired LAN. Here, MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WINET, and the like.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (15)

An information providing device that provides communication parameters used for communication to a communication device,
Confirmation means for confirming whether a relay device that relays communication between the communication device and the information providing device can provide the communication parameter;
A method to be executed based on a confirmation result in the confirmation unit is selected from a method for directly providing the communication parameter to the communication device and a method for providing the communication parameter to the communication device via the relay device. Selection means to
An information providing apparatus comprising: a providing unit that provides the communication parameter to the communication apparatus using the method selected by the selecting unit.   The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a method of directly providing the communication parameter to the communication apparatus when the relay apparatus cannot provide the communication parameter. .   3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a method for providing the communication parameter to the communication device via the relay device when the relay device can provide the communication parameter. The information providing apparatus according to the description. A determination means for determining whether or not a connection is established with the relay device;
2. The information provision according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a method for directly providing the communication parameter to the communication device when a connection is not established with the relay device. apparatus.   When the connection is not established between the information providing device and the relay device, the providing means indicates a communication parameter for communication with the information providing device, and the information providing device and the relay device. 5. The information providing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when a connection is established, communication parameters for communication with the relay apparatus are provided to the communication apparatus. The information providing device further includes a detecting unit that detects whether the communication device can directly communicate with the communication device,
When the selection unit detects that communication with the communication device is possible, the selection unit selects a method for directly providing the communication parameter to the communication device regardless of the confirmation result. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The method of providing the communication parameter to the communication device via the relay device provides the communication parameter of the information providing device to the relay device, and the relay device provides the provided communication parameter to the communication device. A first control method for controlling to provide to the communication device, and a second control method for controlling the relay device by the information providing device so as to provide the communication device with communication parameters of the relay device,
The confirmation means confirms whether the relay device can execute the first control method and the second control method,
The selection unit selects a method to be executed from a method for directly providing the communication parameter to the communication device, the first control method, and the second control method. The information providing device described in 1.   The information providing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the selection unit selects the second control method when the relay apparatus can execute the second control method.   The information providing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the selection unit selects the first control method when the relay apparatus can execute the first control method.   The selection unit selects a method for directly providing the communication parameter to the communication device when the relay device cannot execute either the first control method or the second control method. The information providing device according to any one of claims 7 to 9. It further comprises detection means for detecting whether there is information to be transmitted together with communication parameters enabling connection with the relay device,
The said selection means is a case where the said information which should be transmitted exists, Comprising: When the said relay apparatus can perform a said 1st control system, this 1st control system is selected. Information provision device.   The selection means selects a method for directly providing the communication parameter to the communication device when the information to be transmitted exists and the first control method cannot be executed. The information providing apparatus according to claim 11.   The information providing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the selection unit selects the second control method when the second control method can be executed when the information to be transmitted does not exist. . An information providing method in an information providing apparatus for providing communication parameters used for communication to a communication apparatus,
A step of confirming whether or not a relay device that relays communication between a communication device and the information providing device can provide the communication parameter;
The selection unit executes based on a confirmation result in the confirmation unit from a method of directly providing the communication parameter to the communication device and a method of providing the communication parameter to the communication device via the relay device. Selecting a method to perform,
An information providing method comprising: a providing unit providing the communication parameter to the communication device using the method selected by the selecting unit.   The program for functioning a computer as each means with which the information provision apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 13 is provided.

Images