JP2016213614A - Communication device, control method, program of communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the trouble os re-performing a predetermined processing, when the fact of not having an authority is notified after performing the predetermined processing, for obtaining the authority for making other device participate the network, with communication parameter provision device.SOLUTION: When a predetermine processing, for obtaining the authority for making a provision device provide the communication parameters to other communication device, and for registering the fact of having the authority in the provision device, is executed with the provision device, first information indicating execution of the predetermine processing with the provision device is received therefrom. Thereafter, when provision of the communication parameters to other communication device is requested to the provision device, and the fact that the communication device does not have the authority is notified, the communication device transmits the first information to the provision device. The communication device makes the provision device provide the communication parameters to other communication device, by performing transmission of the first information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to communication technology.

  In recent years, electronic devices such as digital cameras, printers, mobile phones and smartphones are equipped with a wireless communication function, and these devices are increasingly connected to a wireless network for use.

  In order to connect an electronic device to a wireless network, it is necessary to set various communication parameters such as an encryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key. As a technique for facilitating the setting of these communication parameters, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, an electronic device displays a QR code (registered trademark, hereinafter omitted) indicating communication parameters. Then, the mobile terminal reads this QR code by photographing, and sets the read communication parameter in the access point.

JP 2014-60623 A

  As described in Patent Document 1 described above, complicated input by the user can be reduced by setting communication parameters triggered by shooting code information that can encode a large amount of information such as a two-dimensional code. Moreover, in patent document 1, the portable terminal can connect the said electronic device to an access point by simple operation by imaging | photography QR code of an electronic device. However, on the contrary to such convenience, communication parameters are set simply by taking an image, and communication can be easily performed over a wireless network, which may cause a security problem. Therefore, it is conceivable to maintain security by giving only a specific device the authority to join a new device to the network by photographing code information. A providing apparatus that provides communication parameters performs a predetermined process for granting authority with an apparatus that requests authority, and grants the authority to join a new apparatus to the network to the apparatus that has performed the process. . Then, when a request to join a new device is made, the providing device confirms whether or not the requesting device has authority. When the requesting device has authority, the providing device provides the communication parameter to the new device notified from the requesting device.

  In the case of such a configuration, a case is considered where the providing apparatus deletes information on an authorized apparatus. The device that has performed the above-described predetermined processing requests the providing device to join a new device to the network. However, since the providing device has deleted the information on the authorized device, the requesting device is authorized. It is considered that the device does not have, and the request is rejected. The requesting device needs to acquire authority by performing a predetermined process again in order to join a new device, and it may take time to join the new device to the network. Further, the user of the requesting device needs to perform an operation for starting a predetermined process for granting the authority, which may be annoying.

  In the present invention, after a communication parameter providing apparatus and a communication apparatus perform predetermined processing for obtaining authority to join another apparatus to the network, the communication apparatus is notified that the authority is not possessed. An object of the present invention is to reduce the trouble of the communication device performing a predetermined process again.

  Therefore, the communication device of the present invention provides an acquisition unit that acquires information about the device from a captured image, and a providing device that provides communication parameters for participating in a wireless network. Requesting means for requesting provision of communication parameters to a communication device; obtaining authority for causing the providing device to provide communication parameters to the other communication device in response to the request; and An execution unit that executes a predetermined process for registering the registration to the providing apparatus with the providing apparatus; and the execution unit that executes the predetermined process when the predetermined process is executed by the execution unit. When receiving a request by the request means and a first receiving means for receiving first information indicating the first information from the providing apparatus, a first information indicating whether or not the authority of the communication apparatus is present. A second receiving means for receiving information from the providing apparatus; and the second information received by the second receiving means after the predetermined processing is executed by the executing means, the communication apparatus has the authority. If there is not, the transmitting means for transmitting the first information received by the first receiving means to the providing apparatus, and the communication apparatus performs transmission by the transmitting means so that the execution means performs the predetermined information. The providing apparatus is allowed to provide communication parameters to the other communication apparatus without performing the above process again.

  According to the present invention, after the communication parameter providing apparatus and the communication apparatus perform predetermined processing for obtaining authority to join another apparatus to the network, the communication apparatus is notified that the authority is not possessed. In this case, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the communication device performing the predetermined process again.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a communication apparatus. It is a figure which shows the software function structure of a communication apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a communication system. It is a figure which shows the sequence between communication apparatuses. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a communication apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a communication apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an example using a wireless LAN system compliant with the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 series will be described. However, the communication mode is not necessarily limited to a wireless LAN compliant with IEEE 802.11.

  FIG. 3 shows the communication system of this embodiment. The communication system shown in FIG. 3 includes a camera 32, a printer 33, and an access point 34 (hereinafter referred to as AP 34). The wireless network 31 is a wireless LAN network formed by the AP 34. In addition, although the apparatus in the communication system in this embodiment is described as a camera and a printer, for example, other apparatuses such as a mobile phone, a PC, a video camera, a smart watch, and a PDA may be used.

  Next, the hardware configuration of each device (camera 32, printer 33, AP 34) of the communication system shown in FIG. 3 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes the entire communication apparatus. A control unit 102 controls the entire apparatus by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 103. The control unit 102 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). A storage unit 103 stores various information such as a control program executed by the control unit 102, image data, and communication parameters. Various operations described later are performed by the control unit 102 executing a control program stored in the storage unit 103. The storage unit 103 is configured by a storage medium such as an HDD, a flash memory, a ROM, a RAM, or a removable SD card.

  A wireless unit 104 performs wireless LAN communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 series. The wireless unit 104 is configured by a chip that performs wireless communication. 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. The display unit 105 has a function of outputting at least one of visual information and sound information. When displaying visual information, the display unit 105 includes a VRAM (Video RAM) that holds image data corresponding to the visual information to be displayed. The display unit 105 performs display control for continuously displaying the image data stored in the VRAM on the LCD or LED.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes an image capturing unit that includes an image sensor, a lens, and the like and captures a photograph or a moving image. In the present embodiment, the photographing unit 106 performs reading of code information such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, and a QR code.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes an antenna control unit that performs output control of the antenna 108, and reference numeral 108 denotes an antenna capable of communication in the 2.4 GHz band and / or the 5 GHz band for communication via a wireless LAN. Reference numeral 109 denotes an input unit for the user to perform various inputs and operate the communication apparatus 101. The input unit 109 stores a flag corresponding to the input in a memory such as the storage unit 103.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of software function blocks that execute a communication control function described later. In the present embodiment, the functional blocks of each device are stored as programs in the storage unit 103, and the functions are implemented by the control unit 102 executing the programs. The control unit 102 implements each function by performing control of each hardware and calculation and processing of information according to a control program. A part or all of the functional blocks may be implemented as hardware. In this case, a part or all of the functional blocks are configured by, for example, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes an entire software function block included in the communication apparatus 101. Reference numeral 202 denotes a communication parameter control unit. The communication parameter control unit 202 executes communication parameter sharing processing for sharing communication parameters between devices. In the communication parameter sharing process, the providing device provides communication parameters for wireless communication with the receiving device. Here, the communication parameters include wireless communication parameters necessary for performing wireless LAN communication such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier) as a network identifier, an encryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key. Further, it may include a MAC address, a passphrase, an IP address for performing communication at the IP layer, information necessary for a higher level service, and the like.

  The communication parameter control unit 202 can execute a plurality of communication parameter sharing processes. The first method that can be executed by the communication parameter control unit 202 is a method in which communication parameters are shared between two devices, that is, the communication device 101 and another device. The first method communication parameter sharing process is an authority registration process for obtaining authority to execute a second method communication parameter sharing process, which will be described later, and for registering the authority in another apparatus. .

  In the first method, the communication apparatus 101 captures a QR code displayed on or associated with another apparatus. Note that the QR code associated with another device is, for example, a QR code attached to a housing of another device or a QR code described in an instruction manual of another device.

  Then, the communication apparatus 101 acquires information necessary for setting the communication parameter included in the read QR code. Information necessary for setting the communication parameter is, for example, the communication parameter itself, device identification information, and communication parameter sharing processing identification information.

  Then, the communication device 101 acquires device identification information included in the read QR code. The device identification information may be a MAC address or UUID that uniquely identifies the device. The communication device 101 receives the encrypted communication parameter from the device indicated by the identification information acquired from the QR code. The communication device 101 wirelessly connects to a device indicated by the identification information acquired from the QR code based on the received communication parameter. Note that communication parameters encrypted using a public key during communication parameter sharing processing may be communicated between devices. Note that, for example, a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-230152 may be used as a method for performing cryptographic communication of communication parameters using a public key during communication parameter sharing processing. This public key may be included in the QR code. Further, when the communication apparatus 101 executes the process of the first method, the communication apparatus 101 uses the authentication information used for the authority confirmation process for confirming that it has the authority to execute the communication parameter sharing process of the second system described later as another apparatus. To be registered with other devices. Also, the authentication information of the other device indicating that the authority registration process has been executed is received. As described above, the first method communication parameter sharing process can be referred to as an authority registration process for performing the second method communication parameter sharing process.

  The second method that can be executed by the communication device 101 is a method in which communication parameters are shared among a plurality of other devices via the communication device 101. In the second method, the communication device 101 performs processing for wirelessly connecting the first device and the second device. Here, the first device is a device that newly joins the wireless network. The first device operates as a receiving device that receives communication parameters during the communication parameter sharing process. The second device is a device operable as a providing device that provides communication parameters in the communication parameter sharing process. The second device may be an access point that establishes a wireless network. Note that the communication device 101 that executes processing of the second method and allows communication parameters to be shared between the first device and the second device is referred to as a relay device.

  In the second method, the communication device 101 captures a QR code displayed on the first device or associated with the first device. Note that the QR code associated with the first device is, for example, a QR code affixed to the housing of the first device or a QR code described in an instruction manual for the first device.

  And the communication apparatus 101 acquires the identification information of the 1st apparatus contained in the read QR code. The communication device 101 is a device that can be connected in advance by setting according to the first method, and secures the identification information of the first device included in the read QR code to a second device that can establish a secure link. Forward over the link. That is, the communication device 101 requests the second device to provide communication parameters to the first device indicated by the identification information included in the QR code. In addition, when transferring the identification information, information other than the identification information included in the QR code may be transferred together. For example, encryption information such as a public key for cryptographic communication of communication parameters included in the QR code may be notified together.

  Further, at the time of this transfer, the communication apparatus 101 performs an authority confirmation process using the authentication information exchanged with the second apparatus when setting by the first method is performed. When it is proved that the communication apparatus 101 has the authority by the authority confirmation process, the second apparatus to which the identification information of the first apparatus included in the QR code is transferred from the communication apparatus 101 transmits the communication parameter to the first apparatus. To do. The first device wirelessly connects to the second device based on the received communication parameter. The second device may transmit the communication parameters encrypted by the public key encryption method using the public key received from the communication device to the first device. The identification information notification from the communication device 101 to the second device may be performed using a secure link by wireless LAN, or may be performed by secure proximity wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) communication. . For this transfer, communication other than wireless LAN communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used. In addition, the communication apparatus 101 may perform transfer by displaying information read from the acquired QR code as a QR code on the display unit of the own apparatus and causing the second apparatus to read the information.

  According to the second method, the first device and the second device are used to notify the second device operable as the providing device of the identification information of the first device that operates as the receiving device included in the information read from the QR code. Communication parameters can be shared with each other.

  Further, the communication parameter sharing by the first method between the communication device 101 and the second device is a condition for obtaining the authority to execute the processing of the second method from the second device.

  Note that the communication device 101 can register the second device in advance when performing the setting by the second method. The device registered as the second device is a device that has shared communication parameters in the first method. The device registered as the second device may be a device that can be connected via a secure link. The communication device 101 registers the second device by holding the authentication information of the second device acquired when the first method is performed with the second device.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a barcode reading control unit. The barcode reading control unit 203 analyzes the image photographed by the photographing unit 106 and acquires encoded code information. The barcode reading control unit 203 performs an analysis process of code information such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, and a QR code.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a barcode generation control unit. Code information such as a bar code, a two-dimensional code, and a QR code is generated, and control for displaying the generated code information on the display unit 105 is performed. The barcode generation control unit 204 displays a QR code in which information necessary for communication parameter setting is encoded in accordance with a communication parameter setting application for setting communication parameters stored in the storage unit 103.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a service control unit in the application layer. The application layer here refers to a service providing layer in an upper layer higher than the fifth layer in the OSI reference model. That is, the service control unit 205 executes print processing, image streaming processing, file transfer processing, and the like using wireless communication by the wireless unit 104.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a packet receiving unit, and 207 denotes a packet transmitting unit, which controls transmission / reception of all packets including upper layer communication protocols. Further, the packet reception 206 and the packet transmission unit 207 control the wireless unit 104 in order to transmit and receive packets conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard with the opposite device.

  A station function control unit 208 provides a STA function that operates as a station (STA) in an infrastructure mode defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. The STA function control unit 208 performs authentication / encryption processing and the like when operating as an STA. Reference numeral 209 denotes an AP function control unit that provides an AP function that operates as an access point (AP) in an infrastructure mode defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. The AP function control unit 209 forms a wireless network, and performs authentication / encryption processing for the STA, management of the STA, and the like. Reference numeral 210 denotes a data storage unit that controls writing and reading of software itself, communication parameters, and barcode information to the storage unit 103.

  The operation of the communication system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 4 shows a sequence for connecting the printer 33 to the AP 34 (wireless network 31) via the camera 32 after the camera 32 and the AP 34 execute the communication parameter sharing process using the QR code. When the camera 32 receives an instruction for wireless connection from the user, the camera 32 shifts to a mode in which photographing by the photographing unit 106 is possible. The camera 32 first executes the communication parameter sharing process of the first method with the AP 34 in order to obtain the authority for causing the printer 33 to participate. The camera 32 reads the QR code displayed or pasted on the AP 34 by the photographing unit 106 (F401). Note that the shooting in F401 may be performed in response to a user operation, or when it is detected that the QR code is within the angle of view of the shooting unit 106, shooting may be performed automatically. The camera 32 decodes the read QR code and acquires information indicated by the QR code. The camera 32 determines whether the information acquired by the QR code is information necessary for setting communication parameters.

  Here, the information necessary for setting the communication parameter is, for example, information used for encryption and communication device identification information when communicating the communication parameter. The information used for encryption when communicating the communication parameters may be a public key or a certificate. Note that, for example, a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-230152 may be used as a method for performing cryptographic communication of communication parameters using a public key during communication parameter sharing processing.

  Further, the device identification information included in the QR code may be a MAC address or UUID that uniquely identifies the device. Further, the information necessary for setting the communication parameter may be an identifier indicating the communication parameter sharing process. In addition, identification information such as a one-time password method using a QR code may be included. If the QR code does not contain information necessary for setting communication parameters, the camera 32 may terminate the process with an error.

  The camera 32 transmits a search signal specifying the device identification information included in the information read from the QR code of the AP 34 (F402). Note that the camera 32 may transmit the search signal including information read from the QR code. In addition, the camera 32 may transmit a search signal to which an information element indicating that the communication parameter sharing process using QR code imaging is supported is added. The camera 32 may transmit a search signal including an information element for searching for a providing device that provides communication parameters. Further, the search signal may be a probe request defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

  Upon receiving the search signal from the camera 32, the AP 34 returns a response signal that is a response to the search signal (F403). Note that the AP 34 may transmit a response signal to which an information element indicating that the communication parameter sharing processing using QR code imaging is supported is added. Further, the response signal may be a probe response defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

  When the camera 32 receives the response signal from the AP 34, a communication parameter sharing process is performed between the AP 34 and the camera 32 (F404). The communication parameter sharing process performed here is the first method described above. The camera 32 and the AP 34 share the authentication information of the camera 32 used for the authority confirmation process for confirming the authority to execute the process of the second system in accordance with the communication parameter sharing process of the first system. Further, the camera 32 and the AP 34 share the authentication information of the AP 34 that is information that proves that the authority registration process has been executed. That is, the camera 32 receives the authentication information of the AP 34. In addition, the AP 34 acquires authentication information of the camera 32. As described above, the camera 32 captures the QR code of the AP 34 and executes the communication parameter sharing process according to the first method, whereby the authentication indicating that the AP 34 has the authority to execute the communication parameter sharing process according to the second method. Information can be sent and registered.

  Here, the authentication information may be information such as a public key or a certificate that is used when the communication parameter is encrypted and communicated in the communication parameter sharing process of the first method. In addition, the authentication information may include information (for example, a MAC address or UUID) for specifying the device. Further, the authentication information of the AP 34 may be encoded in the QR code of the AP 34.

  In this way, the AP 34 provides the authentication information of the AP 34 to the partner apparatus that has performed the communication parameter sharing process of the first method, thereby allowing other apparatuses to set communication parameters in the communication parameter sharing process of the second method. Provides information that proves that the remote device is given. The camera 32 stores the authentication information of the AP 34 (F407). The AP 34 also stores the authentication information of the camera 32.

  Upon receiving the communication parameter from the AP 34, the camera 32 connects to the wireless network 31 formed by the AP 34 using the communication parameter, and performs data communication processing via the wireless network 31 (F405).

  Hereinafter, a description will be given of a case where the stored authentication information of the camera 32 is deleted, for example, because the AP 34 has run out of memory capacity when storing other information (F406). Other reasons why the AP 34 deletes the authentication information of the camera 32 include a case where a certain period of time has elapsed since the storage, or a case where the stored information is reset after the power is turned off. Further, the AP 34 may delete the authentication information when the communication parameter sharing process is completed.

  The following description will be made on the assumption that the camera 32 executes the communication parameter sharing process according to the second method in order to cause the printer 33 to participate in the wireless network 31 formed by the AP 34. When the user instructs the execution of the communication parameter sharing processing according to the second method, the camera 32 shifts to a mode in which shooting by the shooting unit 106 is possible. Then, the camera 32 reads the QR code displayed on or attached to the printer 33 by the photographing unit 106 (F408). In addition, when displaying the QR code, the printer 33 displays the QR code according to a user instruction. The QR code may not be displayed on the display unit 105 of the printer 33 and may be described in an instruction manual or other medium.

  The camera 32 decodes the read QR code and acquires information indicated by the QR code. The camera 32 determines whether the information acquired by the QR code is information necessary for setting communication parameters. If the camera 32 determines that the information acquired by the QR code is not necessary information for setting the communication parameter, the camera 32 may terminate the process with an error.

  When the QR code information is information necessary for setting the communication parameter, the camera 32 uses the identification information of the printer 33 included in the QR code information as information on a receiving device that requests reception of the communication parameter. Then, the notification is sent to the AP 34 as the providing apparatus (F409). In the notification in F409, information other than the identification information included in the QR code may be notified together. For example, in F409, encryption information such as a public key for performing encryption communication of communication parameters included in the QR code may be notified together.

  In addition, the camera 32 and the AP 34 perform authority confirmation processing for confirming whether or not the user has authority to execute the processing of the second method (F410). This authority confirmation processing is processing based on the authentication information of the camera 32 provided to the AP 34 by the processing of the first method, and whether to provide communication parameters to the printer 33 indicated by the information transmitted from the camera 32 in F409. Is a process for the AP 34 to determine.

  The camera 32 requests the AP 34 for authority confirmation processing. Note that the camera 32 may make a request for authority confirmation processing to the AP 34 by the notification of F409. In the authority confirmation process, first, the camera 32 and the AP 34 share a random number. This random number may be generated by the camera 32 or the AP 34. Then, the camera 32 performs a predetermined calculation using the authentication information of its own device on the random number to obtain a hash value. The camera 32 transmits a hash value as a calculation result to the AP 34. The camera 32 may make a request for authentication processing to the AP 34 by transmitting a hash value as a calculation result to the AP 34.

  In addition, the AP 34 determines whether or not the authentication information of the camera 32 that is the transmission source of the notification of the reception device F409 is held. If the authentication information of the camera 32 that is the transmission source of the reception device notification is not held, the AP 34 determines that the camera 32 does not have the authority and terminates the authority confirmation process. On the other hand, when the authentication information of the camera 32 that is the transmission source of the reception device notification is held, the AP 34 performs a predetermined calculation using the authentication information of the camera 32 held for the random number shared with the camera 32. To obtain a hash value. Note that the predetermined calculation performed on the random number is the same as the calculation performed by the camera 32. If the hash value received from the camera 32 and the hash value that is the calculation result of the AP 34 match with the same value, the AP 34 determines that the camera 32 has the authority and terminates the authority confirmation process. If the hash value received from the camera 32 is different from the calculated hash value, the AP 34 determines that the camera 32 does not have authority for the processing result and ends the authority confirmation processing. As described above, since the AP 34 deletes the authentication information of the camera 32 and does not hold the authentication information, the processing result of F410 is not authorized.

  The AP 34 notifies the processing result of the authority confirmation process to the camera 32 (F411). This processing result includes information indicating the presence or absence of authority. Note that the processing result of the authority confirmation process may include information on the reason why it is determined that the user does not have the authorization transfer information or the calculation result does not match. Since the AP 34 deletes the authentication information of the camera 32 in F406, the AP 34 notifies the camera 32 of the processing result including information indicating that the user does not have authority in F411.

  The camera 32 refers to the processing result information received from the AP 34 and determines whether or not it has authority (F412). When the camera 32 is a partner who has performed the process of the first method and is notified that the AP 34 that has registered the authentication information of the own apparatus has no authority, the authority certificate indicating that the authority registration process has been performed. A notification is transmitted (F413). The authority certification notification includes the authentication information of the AP 34 received from the AP 34 when the authority registration process is performed. In addition, the authentication information of the AP 34 received from the AP 34 is included in the authority certification notification, but other information may be used. For example, the authority certification notification may be information included in the QR code of the AP 34.

  Further, the camera 32 includes the authentication information of the own device in the authority certification notification in order to cause the AP 34 to register the authentication information of the own device again. Note that the camera 32 may transmit the authentication information of its own device to the AP 34 again by a message different from the authority certification notification.

  When the AP 34 receives the authority certification notification from the camera 32, the AP 34 can recognize that the communication parameter sharing by the first method, which is the authority registration process, with the camera 32 has been executed. Therefore, the AP 34 can confirm that the camera 32 has the authority to operate as a relay device in the second method. Upon receiving the authority certification notification, the AP 34 re-registers the authentication information of the redistributed camera 32 and determines to perform the authority confirmation process again.

  The camera 32 and the AP 34 perform the authority confirmation process again based on the authentication information of the camera 32 communicated in F413 (F414). In the authority confirmation process in F414, since the AP 34 holds the authentication information of the camera 32 received in F413, it can be confirmed that the camera 32 has the authority. The AP 34 notifies the camera 32 of the processing result indicating that it has authority (F415). Note that when the authority certification notification is communicated, the authority confirmation process is performed again, but the authority confirmation process may be omitted. That is, F414 and F415 may be omitted.

  Since the AP 34 has confirmed that the camera 32 has authority, the AP 34 performs communication parameter sharing processing with the device (printer 33) indicated by the identification information notified from the camera 32 (F416). Upon receiving the communication parameter from the AP 34, the printer 33 connects to the wireless network 31 formed by the AP 34 using the communication parameter, and performs data communication processing via the wireless network 31 (F417).

  In this way, even if the camera 32 is notified that it does not have the authority to set the communication parameters according to the second method, the authorization authority proof is obtained without performing the first method process, which is the authority registration process, again. A notification is sent to the AP 34. Therefore, the camera 32 can perform the process of the first method again, reduce the trouble of registering the authentication information in the AP 34, set the communication parameter by the second method, and allow the printer 33 to participate in the wireless network. it can.

  That is, according to the above-described processing, the camera 32 captures the QR code of the AP 34 according to the user operation, and registers the authentication information in the AP 34 by the processing of the first method. If the camera 32 is not authorized by the AP 34 in spite of having registered the authentication information by the process of the first method, the authentication information can be obtained without re-taking the QR code of the AP 34. Can be registered again in the AP 34. Therefore, when the camera 32 is notified by the authority confirmation process that it has no authority, the camera 32 notifies the authority certification notification, so that it is not necessary to perform the authority registration process again to acquire the authority. Therefore, the camera 32 can reduce the time until the printer 33 participates in the network and the troublesomeness of performing the authority registration process again.

  Next, the operation when the camera 32 executes the communication parameter sharing process will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The flowchart of FIG. 5 is started after the user is instructed to start the communication parameter sharing process via the input unit 109.

  The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 show the flow of processing performed when the control unit 102 reads out and executes the computer program stored in the storage unit 103. Note that a part or all of the steps shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC.

  The camera 32 activates the communication parameter setting application in order to enter the communication parameter setting mode according to the operation of the input unit 109. After the application is activated, a monitoring timer (not shown) that times a predetermined period (for example, 2 minutes) during which the communication parameter setting mode is activated is activated (S501). Next, the camera 32 determines whether the photographing unit 106 has read a QR code obtained by encoding information necessary for setting communication parameters (S502). For example, the communication parameter itself, device identification information, communication parameter sharing processing identification information, encryption information for encryption communication of communication parameters, and the like. Note that the imaging in S502 may be performed in response to a user operation, or when it is detected that a QR code is within the angle of view of the imaging unit 106, the imaging may be performed automatically.

  If the camera 32 has not read a QR code in which information necessary for setting communication parameters is encoded by the image capturing unit 106, the camera 32 captures the QR code until the timer set in S501 times out (S508). ). Note that the camera 32 may end in an error or take a picture again when taking a QR code that does not include information necessary for setting communication parameters. If the timer activated in S501 has timed out (Yes in S508), an error is displayed on the display unit 105 (S510), and the process ends in error.

  The camera 32 determines whether to execute the communication parameter sharing process of the first method or the second method when the photographing unit 106 reads a QR code in which information necessary for setting communication parameters is encoded. (S503). The determination in S503 may be performed based on an instruction from the user. Further, when the QR code is read while the camera 32 is connected to the providing apparatus registered as the second apparatus described above, it may be determined that the communication parameter sharing process of the second method is executed. Further, when the camera 32 is not connected to any device, it may be determined to execute the communication parameter sharing process of the first method. If no device is registered as the second device described above, that is, if the first method is not yet executed, it may be determined that the communication parameter sharing process of the first method is executed.

  If it is determined in S503 that the communication parameter sharing process of the first method is to be executed, the providing device indicated by the identification information included in the read QR code information is searched (S504). In S <b> 504, the camera 32 transmits a search signal designating identification information included in the QR code information by the wireless unit 104. The camera 32 determines whether or not the wireless unit 104 has received a response signal to the search signal from the providing device indicated by the identification information included in the read QR code information (S505).

  When the camera 32 does not receive a response signal from the providing device indicated by the identification information included in the QR code information read before the timer started in S501 times out and cannot detect the providing device (No in S509), The process proceeds to S510.

  When the camera 32 receives a response signal from the providing apparatus indicated by the identification information included in the read QR code information, the camera 32 and the communication parameter sharing process which is an authority registration process for obtaining the authority to execute the second method (S506). Further, the camera 32 transmits the authentication information of its own device to the providing device in order to register that it has the authority to execute the process of the second method. Further, the camera 32 receives authentication information of the providing device indicating that the authority registration process has been executed with the providing device from the providing device.

  The camera 32 stores authentication information of the providing device, which is information indicating that the authority registration process has been executed with the providing device, in the storage unit 103 (S507). Further, the camera 32 registers the authentication information of the own device in the providing device.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S503 that the communication parameter sharing process of the second method is executed, it is determined whether the camera 32 is connected to the providing apparatus (S600). If the camera 32 is not connected to the providing device, the camera 32 displays an error message such as “Please connect with the providing device” and ends the processing (S612). If it is determined in S600 that the connection with the providing apparatus is not established, the camera 32 may connect to the providing apparatus registered as the second apparatus described above, and the process may proceed to S601. In S600, the camera 32 determines whether or not there is a providing device registered as the second device, and if there is no providing device registered as the second device, “the providing device and the first method” are used. The process may end in error by displaying an error message "Please execute the process."

  If it is determined in S600 that the device is connected to the providing device, the camera 32 uses the identification information of the device included in the QR code as information on the receiving device that requests the connected providing device to receive communication parameters. Then, the wireless unit 104 notifies (S601). That is, the camera 32 requests the providing device to provide the communication parameter to the device indicated by the identification information included in the QR code. In the notification in S601, information other than the identification information included in the QR code may be notified together. For example, encryption information such as a public key for cryptographic communication of communication parameters included in the QR code may be notified together.

  In addition, the camera 32 performs an authority confirmation process for proving to the providing apparatus that it has the authority to execute the process of the second method (S602). In the authority confirmation process of S602, as described in the process of F410, the camera 32 transmits a calculation result based on the authentication information of the own apparatus to the providing apparatus. Then, the providing apparatus compares the calculation result similarly performed by the own apparatus with the calculation result received from the camera 32, and determines a match between them.

  The camera 32 determines whether or not the processing result of the authority confirmation process has been received from the providing device (S603). If the camera 32 does not receive a processing result from the providing apparatus before the timer started in S501 times out (No in S603), the camera 32 displays an error on the display unit 105 (S610). In addition, the camera 32 transmits error information indicating that the communication parameter sharing processing has failed to the receiving device indicated by the identification information included in the read QR code information by the wireless unit 104 (S611).

  When receiving the processing result of the authority confirmation process from the providing device, the camera 32 refers to the processing result information (S604), and determines the confirmation result of whether the camera 32 in the providing device has the authority (S605).

  When the camera 32 is notified of the authority by the authority confirmation process, the process ends. In this case, a communication parameter sharing process is executed between the providing apparatus and the receiving apparatus indicated by the identification information included in the QR code information.

  On the other hand, when the camera 32 is notified of the authority by the authority confirmation process, the camera 32 transmits an authority certification notification including the providing device authentication information stored in the storage unit 103 in S507 (S606). In addition, the camera 32 transmits the authority certification notification including the authentication information of the own device by the wireless unit 104. In other words, the camera 32 authenticates the authentication information of the camera 32 (for example, information such as a public key or a certificate or information for specifying a device) that has been deleted by the AP 34 and indicates that the camera 32 has authority. Redistribute to

  In response to the transmission of the authority certification notification, the camera 32 executes the authority confirmation process with the providing apparatus again in the same manner as in S602 (S607). The camera 32 determines the presence / absence of authority based on the processing result of the received authority confirmation process (S608). When notified of the authorization, a communication parameter sharing process is executed between the providing apparatus and the receiving apparatus indicated by the identification information included in the QR code information. If notified that the user has authority, the camera 32 advances the process to step S610. When the authority certification notification is transmitted, the authority confirmation process in S607 may be omitted and the process may be terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a device that sets communication parameters using a QR code, when the providing device notifies that there is no authority through the authority confirmation process for the second method, Information indicating that the registration process has been performed is independently transmitted to the providing apparatus. This eliminates the need for the user to read the QR code again and perform the authority registration process again, thereby improving convenience. That is, according to the present embodiment, the camera 32 captures the QR code of the AP 34 in accordance with a user operation, and registers the execution authority of the second method in the AP 34. When the camera 32 is notified of the absence of authority from the AP 34 even though the execution authority of the second system is obtained, the camera 32 does not have to capture the QR code of the AP 34 again. It is possible to prove to the AP 34 that the user has the authority to execute the process. Therefore, it is possible to reduce time and effort for re-taking the QR code when the printer 33 is joined to the network.

(Other embodiments)
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which information for setting communication parameters is exchanged between apparatuses using QR code image capturing. However, wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used instead of taking a QR code. Further, wireless communication such as IEEE802.11ad or TransferJet (registered trademark) may be used.

  The QR code to be read is not limited to the QR code displayed on the display unit, but may be a QR code attached to the housing of the communication device in a form such as a seal. Further, the QR code to be read may be affixed to a packaging such as an instruction manual or cardboard at the time of sales of communication equipment. Further, instead of the QR code, a bar code or a two-dimensional code may be used. Further, instead of information that can be read by a machine such as a QR code, information in a format that can be read by the user may be used.

  In each embodiment, the case where communication between apparatuses is performed by wireless LAN communication conforming to IEEE 802.11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may implement using wireless communication media, such as wireless USB, MBOA, Bluetooth (trademark), UWB, ZigBee, and NFC. Here, MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WINET, and the like.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

31 Wireless LAN network 32 Camera 32
33 Printer 33
34 AP34

Claims (9)

A communication device,
Acquisition means for acquiring information about the device from the captured image;
Request means for requesting a providing apparatus that provides communication parameters for participating in a wireless network to provide communication parameters to another communication apparatus indicated by the information obtained by the obtaining means;
Predetermined processing for obtaining authority to cause the providing apparatus to provide the communication parameter to the other communication apparatus in response to the request and registering the authority to the providing apparatus. Execution means for executing with the providing device;
A first receiving means for receiving, from the providing apparatus, first information indicating that the predetermined process has been executed with the providing apparatus when the predetermined process is executed by the executing means;
A second receiving means for receiving, from the providing apparatus, second information indicating the presence or absence of the authority of the communication device when making a request by the requesting means;
When the second information received by the second receiving means indicates that the communication device does not have the authority after the predetermined processing is executed by the executing means, the second receiving means has received the first processing by the first receiving means. Transmitting means for transmitting the first information to the providing device;
The communication device causes the providing device to provide communication parameters to the other communication device without performing the predetermined process again by the execution unit by performing transmission by the transmission unit. A communication device. If the second information received by the second receiving means indicates that the communication device has the authority, the providing device provides communication parameters to the other communication device;
2. The providing device does not provide communication parameters to the other communication device when the information received by the receiving unit indicates that the communication device does not have the authority. Communication equipment.   The execution unit obtains the authority by the predetermined process of receiving communication parameters from the providing device based on information on the providing device acquired by the acquiring unit from the first image. Item 3. The communication device according to Item 1 or 2.   When executing the predetermined process of receiving communication parameters from the providing apparatus based on information about the providing apparatus acquired by the acquiring unit from the first image, the communication apparatus is configured to execute the predetermined process. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating that processing has been executed with the providing apparatus is received from the providing apparatus. Having a photographing means for photographing an image;
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining unit obtains information from an image obtained by photographing a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or a QR code by the photographing unit.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication parameter includes at least one of an SSID, an encryption key, an encryption method, an authentication key, and an authentication method.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication parameter is information for performing communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard. A communication device control method comprising:
An acquisition step of acquiring information about the device from the captured image;
A requesting step for requesting a providing device that provides communication parameters for participating in a wireless network to provide communication parameters to other communication devices indicated by the information obtained in the obtaining step;
Predetermined processing for obtaining authority to cause the providing apparatus to provide the communication parameter to the other communication apparatus in response to the request and registering the authority to the providing apparatus. An execution step to be executed with the providing device;
A first receiving step of receiving, from the providing device, first information indicating that the predetermined processing has been executed with the providing device when the predetermined processing is executed in the executing step;
A second receiving step of receiving, from the providing device, second information indicating the presence or absence of the authority of the communication device when making a request in the requesting step;
When the second information received in the second receiving step after executing the predetermined process in the executing step indicates that the communication device does not have the authority, the second information is received in the first receiving step. Transmitting the first information to the providing device, and
The communication apparatus controls the communication apparatus by causing the providing apparatus to provide communication parameters to the other communication apparatus without performing the predetermined process again by performing the transmission step. Method.   A program for operating a computer as the communication apparatus according to claim 1.

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